Ferndale · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ferndale public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Storage facility at 1640/1700 E. 9 Mile
A Special Land Use and Site Plan request for an indoor self-storage facility was scheduled for public hearing, including a proposed waiver for curb cut locations along Wanda Street.
Downtown parking deficit and proposed deck at 165 E. 9 Mile
A developer wants to replace the city-owned surface lot and an adjacent parcel with an eight-story building: about 108 apartments, ground-floor retail, and a 233-space public parking deck. The city may use tax increment financing to help pay for the garage, and the Planning Commission postponed action to nail down whether the public really benefits from granting a height deviation.
Youth sports training facility concept at 1975 Hilton
A prospective developer pitched a concept for turning the vacant industrial site at 1975 Hilton into something new — early-stage conversation only, with no application or action required yet.
Bike Lane Delineators and Street Amenities Purchase
The DPW is buying 66 'armadillo' bike lane delineators, two bike racks, and two waste receptacles for $7,553.42 — snagging an end-of-season discount of roughly $2,000 off the cooperative purchasing price.
Ferndale centennial celebration and task force
Ferndale turns 100 in 2027, and the city is opening applications for a centennial task force starting November 10, with a December 1 deadline. Members will be announced December 14 and the group will plan community celebrations.
AI Acceptable Use Policy for City Operations
Ferndale now has formal rules for how staff, contractors, and volunteers can use AI tools. Copilot is the only broadly approved chatbot, sensitive data like Social Security numbers is off-limits, and the person using the tool owns any mistakes. Council members asked for tweaks on anonymization, accessibility, and source citations before it passed.
Replacement of 2019 Horton Ambulance
The fire department's oversized 2019 ambulance doesn't fit current needs, so the city is listing it for sale at $70,000 while the new smaller Braun ambulance arrives in December. Sale proceeds will offset the cost of the new rig.
Backfill of Retirement and HR Specialist Position
The city's Retirement and HR Specialist leaves November 13, and HR asked the council to approve filling the seat right away. Roughly two-thirds of the position's cost is covered by the Ferndale Employees' Retirement system, so the hit to the general budget is limited.
Lung Cancer Awareness Month proclamation
Council declared November Lung Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting that screening for high-risk people can cut lung cancer deaths dramatically and urging residents to learn about early detection.
Traffic and circulation at 9 Mile and Bermuda
Only one garage entrance, off Bermuda, has many worried about backups on 9 Mile and Woodward. Only a trip-generation estimate exists — no full traffic study — and the commission asked for a more thorough analysis.
Building height and downtown character
The proposal needs a 44-foot height deviation over the 55-foot zoning limit — the first eight-story building downtown. Opponents say it doesn't fit Ferndale; supporters say public benefits justify it.
Speeding and safety near Ferndale High School on Central
A 25-year resident asked the city to concrete-close Central Street just before the high school entrance, saying speed bumps, signs, and enforcement haven't stopped cut-through speeders where kids board buses.
Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act application pending
The long-vacant former Eden Night Club will become a family wood-fired pizza restaurant thanks to a 9-year property tax freeze worth about $343,800 in forgone revenue. Once it expires, the city expects about $54,000 a year in new property taxes, plus 35 permanent jobs.
Cyclist Safety and Police Bike Lane Practices
Multiple residents said Ferndale's bike lanes force cyclists and turning drivers into dangerous conflicts, citing a fatal cyclist crash on Woodward. They asked the city to re-examine the design.
Vacant and abandoned building enforcement
A resident again pressed the council on a chronically blighted property at 1963 Symes, reporting abandoned vehicles and years of unresolved code violations, and asked for a status report on vacant properties citywide.
Non-homestead operating millage replacement on November ballot
The district is asking voters to replace its 18-mill non-homestead levy so it keeps receiving the full state per-pupil allowance of $10,300. Homeowners won't pay more — it only applies to non-homestead property.
Martin Road Park construction and playground equipment
The city accepted a $1.63M construction bid for the Outdoor Recreation Support Facility, plus engineering and testing contracts, funded largely by $2.1 million in grant money. Construction is set for this summer.
Ferndale Public Schools campus renovation moves
Starting spring 2027, admin offices move to the Tri-County Educational Center and the middle school will temporarily move to the former Roosevelt building while the middle/high school campus is renovated — saving the district about $500,000 and cutting five months off construction. Busing, bell schedules, and shared staffing are still being worked out, with town halls planned.
Attainable Housing Facilities Act — possible missing-middle tax incentive
Commissioner Mikulski suggested the city offer pre-approved, ready-made plans for accessory dwelling units to lower costs for homeowners aging in place or adding housing.
West 9 Mile Reconstruction Project
The commission reviewed discussion points on the West 9 Mile reconstruction with an eye toward accessibility. Details of what was raised are not in the minutes.
Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Noise
The commission wants the lawn care noise exemption removed and gas-powered leaf blowers phased out over three years. This could mean quieter neighborhoods, but landscapers and residents who use gas equipment would face a gradual transition. The ordinance committee will decide whether to take it up.
Business renovation trial program
A trial program to support business renovations was discussed, which could affect downtown accessibility standards. No action was taken.
Sidewalk repair cost relief for homeowners
The city is replacing deficient sidewalks across two districts — about 780 of 2,176 inspected properties — with costs assessed to property owners via the winter tax bill. Most bills will be under $500, but residents complained the inspection letters don't explain what's wrong with their slabs.
Data center moratorium extension
Commissioners and council liaison Mikulski raised data centers as the next intensive use to get ahead of, with a possible council moratorium expected before end of April and a joint work session proposed.
Lennon Park improvements with county grant
Parks staff will seek DNR grants for new ADA-accessible playground equipment, a walking path, and a renovated basketball court at Lennon Park, which also serves the summer day camp. Council will vote on supporting resolutions at the next meeting.
Lead service line replacement program funding
Consent items included water-related contracts: lead-related tank inspections, a water infiltration study at The DOT, and a water system emergency response plan update. Council also upheld denials of seven FOIA requests.
Mental Health Co-Responder Program continuation and cost sharing
Ferndale is keeping its mental health co-responder program — clinicians who ride along on mental health 911 calls — at up to $67,437 for the year. Oakland County cut its subsidy from about $180,000 to $60,000, and Ferndale only generates 15% of the four-community referrals versus Royal Oak's 46%, so the council directed the city manager to negotiate a utilization-based cost split.
City buildings could save ~$39,000/year in energy costs
Energy audits of Fire Station 1 and the DPW found potential savings of about $32,000 a year at the DPW and $6,700 a year at Fire Station 1, with projects to be weighed through the city's capital improvement process. Asbestos in the fire station's second-story ceiling is blocking upgrades.
Emergency alert system (OakAlert) launches in Ferndale
The city's text alert system was down during the recent snow emergency, leaving only social media notices, and over 300 tickets were issued. A resident asked for ticket forgiveness and a fix, and the city manager agreed to confer with the police chief on how to proceed.
Harding Park skating rink gets $10,000 more
The council approved a crowdfunding certification that lets the city raise $62,500 in donations over 60 days, matched by the state's Public Spaces Community Places program for $125,000 total toward replacing the Harding Park skate rink. Construction bids total $216,888, and this keeps the general fund hit minimal.
Pension systems consolidation
Voters will decide in August whether the city can run its police and fire retirement system by ordinance instead of charter. Staff say combining it with the well-funded employee retirement system could cut the city's annual pension contribution by 60-70% — roughly $800K–$1M a year — without touching anyone's benefits.
Water, sewer and sanitation rate study
The city spent about $1.08 million on a sewer camera truck and a Vactor sewer cleaner from the water and sewer fund. The equipment supports planned inspections, emergency repairs and lead service line verification, and council floated renting spare capacity to neighboring cities.
Special education funding advocacy
Ferndale Schools leaders told the council the district has reset its special education department and is pushing for more state and federal special education funding, including an op-ed in the Detroit News.
Satellite restaurant liquor license at 505 Livernois
The council approved a Class C resort liquor license for Pretty Sharp, LLC's new Satellite restaurant in a converted Livernois warehouse. Neighbors largely support the project but worried about 2 a.m. closings, noise, and parking near Fielding and Stratford.
Fire Headquarters renovation planning
The city will spend $45,000 in FY27 to update the site and programming study for a possible public safety headquarters, looking at both a new site and the city hall footprint, with phased cost scenarios. A ballot proposal to merge police/fire pensions with general employee pensions could cut pension costs up to 50%.
DDA strategic priorities and committee structure
After a year of planning and August board training, the DDA is organizing its work around the Main Street approach — covering promotion, economic vitality, design, and organization — with committee assignments and annual staff goals.
Northeast quadrant parking plan
Parking near Nine Mile and Woodward has been a persistent headache for businesses and visitors. The DDA is testing an employee parking pilot and has explored valet and permit options to manage the crunch.
Nine Mile sidewalk and concrete improvements
The DDA is replacing and repairing downtown sidewalks and rolling out new signage to help people navigate downtown on foot, by car, or by bike — funded by a county ARPA grant. The timeline has shifted, so expect work to continue.
Noise ordinance and accessibility
The commission was set to discuss how the city's noise ordinance intersects with accessibility and inclusion concerns, but the conversation was pushed to October 5. Residents affected by noise, including those with sensory sensitivities, will have to wait a month for the commission's full look at the issue.
Accessibility and Disability Pride Month
The commission discussed Ferndale's parks and plans to schedule site visits to evaluate them firsthand. Those visits could shape future recommendations for making parks more usable for residents with disabilities.
Loss of state-funded free smoke detector program
State budget cuts killed the program that gave the fire department free smoke detectors to hand out. The department is down to about three and will seek grants while continuing home safety inspections.
Short-term rental enforcement at 2341 McDowell Street
New rules respond to about 140 complaints against 12 problem properties: licenses must be posted with max occupancy, noise monitors required, six-plus complaints triggers a City Manager meeting, and three violations in 24 months can cost a license. A proposed two-night minimum stay was dropped after owner feedback.
Audit support services contract expansion
The city is spending up to $240,000 with Watson & Yates for audit help while transitioning to a new finance director — a $148,880 increase, but expected to be absorbed in the department budget.
Immigration detention facility moratorium extension
Police Chief Emmi laid out how Ferndale officers will handle immigration enforcement: they won't act on purely immigration matters, won't honor administrative ICE detainers without court orders, and would monitor any ICE activity in the city rather than stand aside. Residents and business owners had asked for guidance.
DIY Street Fair and Fall Festival events
Council approved the permit for the DIY Street Fair (Sept. 25-27) with downtown street closures, and a one-day liquor license for the Oct. 3 Fall Festival at Martin Road Park, with proceeds going back into park programming.
Water billing estimated reads
A staff training mistake caused most Cycle 1 water bills to be estimated in January. Most estimates were based on actual prior reads and the city can adjust bills manually; residents who suspect a skewed bill should contact water billing.
Leaf collection fleet modernization
The city is phasing out four leaf vacuum trailers that date back to 1957. The new $112,222 machine is the third of four modern replacements, supports the weekly (rather than every-other-week) leaf pickup, and is safer for workers. The fourth is budgeted for 2028, and DPW also floated future parking restrictions on leaf and street sweeping days.
Continued lawn and snow services for seniors and disabled residents
The city got another $43,000 for its senior and disabled resident chore/home repair grant program, enabling a fourth round of $5,000 grants.
Winter operations and road salt supply
Council approved up to $123,609 in road salt plus $125,000 in snow removal equipment to stock up for the 2026-2027 winter, after last season required higher-than-average salt use.
Citizens Police Advisory and Review Board Extension
The council extended the CPARB sunset by one year to June 30, 2027, so the board can continue its work including leadership on the Racial Impact Assessment.