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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Harding Park skating rink gets $10,000 more
The crowdfunding campaign for the Harding Inline Rink renovation didn't hit its goal, but raised about $30,000. The renovation's path forward remains open.
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.
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.
DDA Board Training & Strategy Update
With six of eight board members new since 2025, the DDA is bringing in a consultant for DDA 101 training and a refresh of its strategic workplan, covering open-meetings law, FOIA, and tax increment financing duties.
Nine Mile sidewalk and concrete improvements
The DDA is investing in better downtown signage and sidewalk work, and just added nearly $104,000 to the engineering contract to keep it moving.
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.
Noise ordinance and accessibility
The commission planned to take up the city's noise ordinance. The discussion could affect how noise rules are enforced or experienced by residents, including people with sensory sensitivities.
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.
Martin Road Park service building mural
The service building construction at Martin Road Park includes a mural project. Dana Erickson will lead the Mural Subcommittee and help with the RFP process, with a theme of community, activity, and nature under consideration.
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.
Replacing aging police patrol vehicles
Two patrol cars that hit the end of their service life are being replaced with new Ford Explorer Police Interceptors, financed over five years to spread the cost.
2026 Pavement Marking Program
The city is spending $70,990 to seal pavement joints and cracks citywide, the cheapest of four bids and below the engineer's estimate — preventive maintenance that delays pricier road repairs later.
Surveillance Technology Contract
Ferndale may be joining other Detroit-area cities in cutting ties with Flock Safety, the license plate camera company. If the city does drop the contract, expect a debate over policing tools and privacy—and possibly budget changes.
Revised FY27 tax rate reflects Headlee rollback
The city-issued millage rate sits at 20.58053 mills, and staff confirmed the city kept its promise that the voter-approved override would be offset by cuts — the city share of the rate has stayed neutral since FY25. Ferndale's rate is among the lowest in the region, second only to Royal Oak.
Delivery drone regulation
Ferndale is one of about ten Amazon drone-delivery beta markets, and Commissioner Manwell says the drones are loud and frequent. The commission asked staff to find out whether the city can regulate flight times, routes, or privacy impacts, though FAA airspace rules may limit local control — state policy work is underway.
Public comment rules and pending litigation
A speaker blasted the council over pending litigation alleging First Amendment violations and criticized a proposed rules-of-procedure change as still content-based and unconstitutional. The speaker warned candidates who join the council they could be named personally in the lawsuit.
Code Enforcement and Litter Concerns
Two residents called out open dumpsters, scattered trash, rodents, and unresponsive code enforcement, questioning what taxpayer dollars pay for.
IT cost savings — Macro Connect
The city renewed its IT services contract with incumbent Macro Connect for three years at $478,524 in year one. Councilmembers questioned the lack of an independent cybersecurity audit and worried about vendor lock-in before approving it.
State Revenue Sharing Trust Fund Resolution
The council backed state legislation to create a dedicated revenue sharing trust fund, which could mean more stable funding for services like police, parks, and road maintenance.
Oakland County regional enhancement millage
Ferndale's schools superintendent gave an informational pitch on a 1.5-mill, six-year countywide school funding measure on the August ballot — about $150 a year for a $200,000 home and $781 more per student. The council took no position.
Fire Department Training and Response Equipment
The fire department gained an augmented-reality fire extinguisher trainer ($17,474) and a UTV ($28,898) for reaching medical emergencies in parks and at events, plus $11,950 in emergency apparatus repairs.
Great Lakes Water Authority Water Contract Amendment No. 6
Council approved an amendment to the city's wholesale water contract with the Great Lakes Water Authority, the regional supplier for Ferndale's drinking water.
2026 CIPP Sewer Rehabilitation
Council awarded a $356,055 contract to D.V.M. Utilities to rehabilitate sewer lines using cured-in-place pipe lining — fixing aging infrastructure without digging up streets.
EV charging master plan update
The DPW presented plans to replace dead library and Withington lot chargers with dual-port Level 2 units by summer 2026 and to refresh the 2023 EV master plan with real user input, new fees, and consideration of light-post charging.
Drive-through businesses downtown
The DDA director warned that drive-through proposals on Woodward hurt pedestrian safety and downtown dwell time, citing the Caribou Coffee closure. Commissioners discussed possibly a moratorium or joint meeting with the DDA, but noted drive-throughs aren't a novel use justifying one.
Adoption of BZA bylaws for state certification
The board had never had bylaws, and the state requires them for Ferndale to keep its Redevelopment Ready Communities certification — a designation that helps the city qualify for economic development support.
Boards and commissions consolidation
Voters will decide in August whether to delete the obsolete Civil Service Board from the city charter. The board has to meet monthly even with nothing on its agenda, and HR and union contracts now handle everything it once did.
Parking lot design and sidewalk safety
Commissioner Foster flagged a recently paved parking lot that sits flush with the sidewalk with no curbs or stops, calling it a safety hazard. Staff will review the new parking lot design standards and potentially propose an update requiring more separation.
Mayor Pro Tem selection and council dynamics
A live disagreement surfaced over who should be Mayor Pro Tem: the mayor first backed Donnie Johnson, but Kelley and Sabatini argued Laura Mikulski's communication and collaboration skills made her the better bridge for a divided council. Mikulski won unanimously, with the mayor joining to show unity.
Public Safety / Terrorism Prevention
Ferndale’s police chief says the FBI helped stop a terror plot that could have hit close to home. For anyone who lives or works in Ferndale, that’s a direct public-safety win.
Rail Traffic Concerns
Ferndale residents are fed up with train traffic that’s gone from annoying to unbearable, especially when crossings block streets. The pressure is likely to push city leaders to act on rail crossings and traffic fixes.
State of the City address
Ferndale's mayor just gave her State of the City address, laying out her priorities and vision for the year ahead. It's the clearest signal you'll get on what city hall plans to focus on — and spend money on — in the coming months.
Road Diet / Lane Reduction
Ferndale is narrowing Woodward Avenue as part of a road diet—fewer lanes, calmer traffic, and a more walkable street. The tradeoff is that your commute may change, especially if you drive Woodward. It’s part of a broader push to make streets safer for people, not just cars.
Psychedelics Decriminalization
Ferndale just voted to stop prosecuting people for psychedelic mushrooms and similar substances, making possession a low priority for local police. It’s not full legalization, but it means fewer people in Ferndale could face local charges for small amounts.
Lawsuit Over Hijab Removal During Booking
Ferndale is being sued by CAIR-Michigan after a Muslim woman’s hijab was forcibly removed for a booking photo. The case could force police policy changes and stick the city with legal bills. If you care about religious rights or local taxes, this one’s worth watching.
Conversion Therapy Ban
Ferndale may be among Michigan cities banning conversion therapy for minors, a discredited practice. The ordinance is meant to protect LGBTQ youth from harmful treatment, and it’s a local rule with real safety implications.
Indigenous Peoples Day Designation
Ferndale has joined Detroit and Southfield in swapping Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a symbolic shift in how the region honors history. It doesn’t change many city services, but it signals a broader rethink of whose stories get official recognition.
Pride Flag Display
Ferndale is now one of Michigan’s first cities to permanently fly the Pride flag. It’s mostly symbolic, but it reinforces the city’s LGBTQ-friendly brand—and that can matter for residents, visitors, and local businesses.
Public Art Controversy
Ferndale isn’t sidestepping the fight over the 'Big Red Ram' sculpture—it’s actually stepping into it. City officials are now deciding how to handle a piece of public art that’s got people talking, which means your tax dollars and civic patience could be on the line.