Ferndale · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ferndale public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
Bike Lane Delineators and Street Amenities Purchase
At least 60 new Cassidy-style trash receptacles will be bought for downtown, capped at $55,000.
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.
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.
Business renovation trial program
A trial program to support business renovations was discussed, which could affect downtown accessibility standards. No action was taken.
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.
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.
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.
Open Burning Ordinance Concerns
A resident since 1977 asked the council to restrict wood-burning fires to smokeless or propane pits, saying smoke from neighbors' backyard fires forces her to keep windows closed.
Stalled 2024-approved development projects
Of the projects the Commission approved in 2024, several have seen no activity — one is for sale, one for lease, and one's building permits expired — raising questions about how to move approved development from paper to construction.
CEO Transitional Employment Partnership
DPW and the DDA are partnering with the Center for Employment Opportunities: supervised work crews handle seasonal maintenance downtown and in parks while giving people transitional job experience.
Repeal of Michigan Public Act 389 of 2016
Council backed repealing the state law that stops cities from regulating certain plastic packaging, affirming Ferndale's ability to pursue its own waste reduction goals.
Microchip Scanning Station at City Hall
A free pet microchip scanning station will be installed near City Hall's west entrance, donated by Second Chances Animal Resources — helping lost pets get home faster.
Animal sales ordinance amendment
Council tightened the rules on animals offered for sale at businesses where pet sales aren't the main function, targeting loopholes like 'puppy yoga' events, while preserving things like dog agility training.
Public art sculpture on Woodward
Local artist James Kaye will donate an abstract steel sculpture for the Woodward Avenue median south of Nine Mile, timed with Art March. The DDA covers about $1,500–$3,000 in permitting and installation; the city must apply to MDOT.
Proclamations: Autism Acceptance and Arab American Heritage Month
April was proclaimed Autism Acceptance Month (sponsored by Sabatini) and National Arab American Heritage Month (sponsored by Mikulski), both adopted via consent agenda and read aloud with personal remarks.
2025 Planning and Building Activity Recap
Staff reported 14 new builds (mostly single-family), one ADU, and a shift toward administrative approvals under the new zoning ordinance. Commissioners asked for heat maps, extension data, and more detail on larger projects.
Zoning ordinance implementation review
As part of the 2026 goals, staff plan to report back on how the new zoning ordinance has affected development, including projects now approved administratively that once went before the commission, with a possible report in the coming months.
Iron Ridge District restaurant rezoning
The former Walker Wire building gets a new life as Paper Sun's Chinese-American barbecue through a conditional rezoning, part of the Iron Ridge District's ongoing evolution from industrial to mixed use.
Improved SMART bus Woodward routes
As of January 5, the 461/462 FAST Woodward routes run every 20 minutes on weekdays with later service times, a win for commuters into Detroit and Pontiac.