[0:01] Indivisible
[0:02] with liberty and justice
[0:03] for all.
[0:09] Kelley.
[0:10] Present.
[0:11] LaSalle.
[0:12] Here.
[0:13] Mikulski.
[0:14] Here.
[0:15] Sabatini.
[0:16] Here.
[0:17] Leaks-May.
[0:18] Here.
[0:19] And approval
[0:20] of the agenda.
[0:21] I move to approve the agenda as
[0:22] presented.
[0:23] Support.
[0:24] All in favor.
[0:25] Aye.
[0:29] We have no presentations
[0:30] tonight.
[0:31] Which brings us right to call
[0:32] to audience.
[0:34] So, if you'd like,
[0:36] you can come up
[0:37] to the podium.
[0:38] And speak on anything on or
[0:39] off the agenda.
[0:40] You have three minutes.
[0:41] Please state your name and your
[0:42] address.
[0:43] And I'm opening call
[0:45] to audience at 7:01.
[0:54] Hello, Council.
[0:55] Simon Cohen, 954 West
[0:57] Marshall.
[0:58] I'm here as a member of FIAC
[1:01] to strongly endorse.
[1:03] The two candidates
[1:04] on the consent agenda.
[1:05] We've got some ambitious plans
[1:07] coming up.
[1:08] And we're gonna need all the
[1:09] warm bodies and seats.
[1:10] And I've been, I know these two
[1:12] fine individuals.
[1:14] From outside organizing and I
[1:16] think we couldn't really.
[1:18] Have any better perspectives
[1:19] and brains on this council.
[1:21] So, look forward to working
[1:24] with them.
[1:26] Thank you very much.
[1:42] Hi, I'm Bill Robertson, 244
[1:43] La Prairie Street.
[1:45] Just wanted to address some
[1:47] of the concerns I have.
[1:49] Over the proposed amendments.
[1:50] To the short-term rental
[1:52] policy.
[1:54] I wanna say that we do own one
[1:57] short-term rental property.
[2:00] We've been doing it for
[2:01] about four years.
[2:02] We have a perfect record.
[2:03] As far, I agree with pretty
[2:07] much everything that's
[2:08] on there.
[2:09] Except for the limiting
[2:10] to one-day rentals.
[2:11] Reason being is,
[2:13] I just feel that that limits.
[2:16] What the owner can do.
[2:18] We personally don't advertise
[2:20] that we rent
[2:21] for one night.
[2:22] I will open it, like
[2:24] on the first
[2:25] of the month.
[2:26] I'll open it for one night
[2:27] for any remaining days.
[2:28] For that month only.
[2:29] That just fills in the gaps.
[2:30] It also brings some income to
[2:31] the city.
[2:39] I'm wondering if there's other
[2:40] concerns.
[2:41] With why these proposals are
[2:43] made for these amendments.
[2:44] If there's something that could
[2:46] be done.
[2:47] Perhaps a group created
[2:48] between council.
[2:49] And a handful
[2:51] of short-term rental owners.
[2:54] That you could come together.
[2:55] And just discuss both sides
[2:56] of the issue.
[2:57] And everybody can get both the
[2:59] perspectives on both sides.
[3:01] What the concerns are.
[3:02] Let's see.
[3:07] I'm just curious too what has
[3:08] brought.
[3:09] What's precipitated the
[3:10] proposed amendments.
[3:13] Is it, are we having problems?
[3:16] I'm sure we are.
[3:17] What are the statistics
[3:19] on that?
[3:20] Is it proportionate
[3:22] to the amount
[3:23] of short-term rentals?
[3:24] That are in the city?
[3:26] Are these preventative things
[3:27] that are being proposed?
[3:29] Because of things that have
[3:30] either happened.
[3:31] In our city or other cities?
[3:32] And if we, I'm sure we do have
[3:37] the complaints.
[3:38] But is it scattered all
[3:41] over the entire spectrum.
[3:42] Of short-term rentals
[3:44] in the city.
[3:45] Or is it concentrated
[3:46] on certain locations.
[3:48] That are repetitive, things
[3:50] like that.
[3:51] I just hate to see us go
[3:52] down a road.
[3:53] Where you penalize everybody?
[3:55] When it's only a handful
[3:56] of people?
[3:57] Or a handful of properties that
[3:59] are causing the problem.
[4:00] And that's basically it,
[4:03] those are my concerns.
[4:04] Thank you.
[4:16] So if anyone's here regarding a
[4:17] potential appointment.
[4:20] To a board and commission.
[4:21] You can come up and introduce
[4:22] yourself as well if you'd like.
[4:23] Hi, Council, my name is
[4:30] Lauren Ridenour.
[4:31] I'm at 590 East Maplehurst.
[4:35] I applied for one
[4:36] of the positions.
[4:37] For the Accessibility
[4:38] Committee.
[4:39] Really appreciate you guys
[4:41] considering my application.
[4:42] I've been a member
[4:44] of the community since 2015.
[4:46] With a few breaks here and
[4:47] there.
[4:48] But we feel really lucky
[4:50] to have found a home in
[4:51] Ferndale.
[4:52] And with the Accessibility
[4:54] Committee.
[4:55] I hope to serve my community.
[4:57] In continuing
[4:59] to broaden access to
[5:01] Ferndale.
[5:02] For residents and visiting
[5:04] neighbors.
[5:05] With all different backgrounds.
[5:07] And abilities and capabilities.
[5:10] So thanks
[5:11] for considering me.
[5:12] Happy to answer any questions
[5:13] about my application as well.
[5:14] Thanks.
[5:24] Hello, Council members,
[5:25] my name is Cole.
[5:26] I'm a resident of 927 Vester
[5:27] Avenue.
[5:28] I've been a member of Ferndale
[5:29] for about three years.
[5:30] And I've been a dedicated first
[5:31] responder
[5:32] for the last four.
[5:33] I'm 22 years old,
[5:34] and I would love
[5:35] to serve this council.
[5:36] And also the Accessibility
[5:38] Committee in any way I can.
[5:40] And so a pleasure meeting you
[5:41] all today.
[5:52] Now for call to audience,
[5:54] excuse me,
[5:55] before I close it.
[6:00] Okay.
[6:02] Closing call to audience at
[6:03] 7.06 P. M.
[6:06] And now I'm moving on
[6:07] to the consent agenda.
[6:09] Because we have no public
[6:10] hearing tonight.
[6:11] Item 7A, approval of the
[6:13] August 10, 2026 meeting
[6:15] minutes.
[6:16] 7B, approval of the listed
[6:17] appointments and
[6:18] reappointments.
[6:19] To city boards and commissions.
[6:22] 7C, adoption
[6:23] of the resolution.
[6:24] To extend the temporary
[6:25] moratorium.
[6:26] Concerning immigration
[6:27] detention facilities.
[6:28] 7D, adoption of the 2026.
[6:31] Sidewalk Hardship Committee
[6:34] resolution.
[6:36] 7E, adoption of the updated
[6:38] resolutions.
[6:39] Of support and financial
[6:40] commitment for grants.
[6:41] Offered by the Michigan
[6:43] Department of Natural
[6:44] Resources.
[6:45] For $175,000.
[6:48] 7F, adoption
[6:50] of the resolution.
[6:51] Denying the licensure appeal.
[6:52] Of a short-term rental license
[6:56] at 2341 McDowell Street.
[7:00] 7G, approval
[7:02] of the grant agreement.
[7:04] With the U. S. Alliance for
[7:06] Election Excellence.
[7:07] For the Purposes of Emergency
[7:08] Planning.
[7:11] 7H, adoption of management and
[7:12] maintenance plan.
[7:14] For the downtown Ferndale
[7:15] Social District.
[7:18] 7I, approval
[7:20] of the agreement.
[7:21] For audit support services
[7:22] with Watson and Yates.
[7:24] In an amount not to exceed
[7:26] $240,000.
[7:30] And 7J, approval of bills and
[7:31] payrolls.
[7:32] As submitted by the finance
[7:33] director.
[7:34] And is subject to review
[7:35] by the Council of Finance
[7:36] Committee.
[7:41] I move to accept the consent
[7:42] agenda as presented.
[7:44] Support.
[7:47] All in favor?
[7:48] Aye. Aye.
[7:50] Any opposed?
[7:53] Consent agenda passes.
[7:54] And now we're moving on
[7:55] to the regular agenda.
[7:58] The regular agenda item 8A.
[7:59] Is the lease agreement for 165
[8:00] East Nine Mile Road.
[8:02] And a motion is
[8:10] to approve the lease agreement.
[8:11] With 165 East Nine Mile Road,
[8:13] LLC.
[8:15] And the amount of $1.
[8:16] And authorize the city manager
[8:17] to sign.
[8:19] We'll need a motion and a
[8:20] second to discuss.
[8:27] I move to approve the lease
[8:28] agreement.
[8:29] At 165 East Nine Mile, LLC.
[8:32] And the amount of $1.
[8:33] And authorize the city manager
[8:34] to sign.
[8:35] Support.
[8:38] All right, so this is
[8:42] revisiting our previous
[8:43] discussion.
[8:44] From July 29th.
[8:45] At that meeting,
[8:48] there was direction.
[8:49] To bring the item back when we
[8:50] had more clarity.
[8:51] Regarding the lease agreement.
[8:52] We had more clarity regarding
[8:54] the financial cost.
[8:55] At least
[8:57] for the front end
[8:58] implementation
[8:59] of this project.
[9:00] Just a quick reminder.
[9:01] Again, this is the lot we're
[9:05] referencing.
[9:06] And this is the potential
[9:07] layout for that site.
[9:09] Again, considerations
[9:10] for this location.
[9:12] It would only be feasible
[9:13] during the period of time.
[9:14] Where work is being actively
[9:17] pursued?
[9:18] For that mixed-use development
[9:20] project.
[9:21] But it doesn't commit us
[9:22] to that project.
[9:23] The site preparation costs
[9:24] at this time.
[9:26] Are now known to be closer
[9:27] in the range of 15,000 to
[9:28] 17,000.
[9:30] However, the estimate
[9:31] for site restoration.
[9:32] Is still a wider range?
[9:33] Because we don't know whether
[9:35] it would require.
[9:36] Full restoration or would
[9:37] simply be taken over.
[9:38] In the future
[9:39] by the developer there.
[9:41] So that range is 10,000 to
[9:42] 20,000.
[9:44] And the estimated period is now
[9:45] 3 1/2 to seven months.
[9:47] As we lost several weeks.
[9:48] In this additional
[9:49] consideration period.
[9:50] The benefits, though, is that
[9:52] it is pretty straightforward.
[9:53] To incorporate into our
[9:55] existing zone parking system.
[9:56] We would potentially add 23
[9:59] to 24 new spaces.
[10:00] Assuming 23 new spaces.
[10:02] We could potentially generate
[10:05] $6,900 a month.
[10:06] And the lease
[10:08] for the property.
[10:09] Would be covered under our
[10:10] existing liability insurance?
[10:11] In the event that anything
[10:12] occurred on that site.
[10:13] So broader risks that arose
[10:15] during our prior conversation.
[10:16] And a little clarity
[10:17] on those.
[10:19] There does remain uncertainty
[10:20] over the term length.
[10:21] And what that means
[10:22] for the total cost.
[10:23] So we cannot say definitively.
[10:24] Whether the project would be a
[10:26] net positive.
[10:28] Or a net negative.
[10:30] Right now, our estimate.
[10:31] If the financial model
[10:32] assumption holds.
[10:33] Would be a potential loss
[10:36] in a worst-case scenario?
[10:37] Of 8,000 to 13,000, roughly.
[10:40] There are also unknown
[10:41] maintenance and snow removal
[10:42] costs.
[10:43] Depending on when this period
[10:45] of time
[10:46] for the project occurs.
[10:48] There would likely be some snow
[10:49] removal costs.
[10:50] At the very least.
[10:52] And those are more likely
[10:53] to be aligned
[10:54] with soft costs.
[10:56] Through labor than necessarily
[10:57] hard costs.
[10:59] Another caveat to these
[11:01] assumptions.
[11:02] And our project approach.
[11:03] Is that the project demand is
[11:05] only based
[11:06] on utilization data.
[11:08] Obviously, being a short-term
[11:09] project.
[11:11] We did not perform a
[11:12] feasibility study or a demand
[11:13] study.
[11:15] To ensure that the new spaces.
[11:17] Would not otherwise diminish
[11:18] revenue from nearby lots,
[11:20] And the cost value would likely
[11:21] not be supported.
[11:22] To run some sort
[11:23] of feasibility analysis
[11:24] like that.
[11:25] Since it would require a
[11:27] third-party financial advisor.
[11:28] Or group to perform the work
[11:30] for us.
[11:31] And then last risk noted.
[11:33] In the fact that the auto
[11:34] parking fund.
[11:35] Is on a deficit elimination
[11:37] plan,
[11:39] And so has very little room
[11:40] for added costs.
[11:43] We need to weigh whether that
[11:44] risk.
[11:45] Is appropriate for that fund.
[11:47] That's the update for now.
[11:48] Happy
[11:49] to answer any questions.
[11:54] And up the council.
[11:58] Through the chair,
[12:00] thank you.
[12:01] You said the parking fund has
[12:03] limited room.
[12:05] Is that limited or none?
[12:06] I mean, would we be losing
[12:08] programming or other resources.
[12:09] As a result
[12:14] of approving this?
[12:15] Likely, yes, because if we use
[12:17] the past history.
[12:18] Of the parking fund as a
[12:20] measure.
[12:22] Which I think is pretty fair.
[12:23] We consistently finish
[12:25] without adding substantially.
[12:28] To our fund balance for the
[12:30] auto parking fund.
[12:31] I think
[12:32] from recollection this year.
[12:34] This upcoming audit will maybe
[12:36] add.
[12:38] Somewhere between 60 and
[12:40] $70,000 to the fund balance.
[12:41] But again, that's
[12:43] without the auto parking fund.
[12:44] Making its scheduled repayments
[12:46] to the general fund.
[12:48] For the $2 million loan
[12:49] issuance.
[12:50] That it previously took out.
[12:51] So no, I would not consider
[12:53] that a sufficient coverage.
[12:55] If we're talking about adding
[12:56] more costs.
[12:57] I would recommend
[12:58] to council that if this.
[13:00] After Q1 implementation.
[13:03] Looked like it wasn't going to
[13:07] generate sufficient revenue.
[13:09] Then we would have
[13:10] to evaluate some other cut to
[13:12] that fund.
[13:16] I imagine there's not much room
[13:17] for cuts.
[13:19] No, there's very little room.
[13:20] Yeah, we already scaled back
[13:22] capital projects.
[13:24] Within that fund substantially.
[13:28] Do we have a sense
[13:29] of the business communities?
[13:30] Thoughts
[13:34] on this particular project?
[13:35] The idea did originally arise.
[13:37] From within the business
[13:38] community.
[13:39] I don't know that it still
[13:41] carries as much weight today.
[13:43] I think the issue of parking
[13:47] for the downtown businesses.
[13:49] Does continue
[13:51] to present a high demand?
[13:53] Or a high priority area
[13:54] for them.
[13:56] But I have not expressly heard
[13:57] that this project.
[13:59] Is one that is highest
[14:01] on that list.
[14:02] Thank you.
[14:07] To the Chair, where are we at
[14:09] with the other efforts.
[14:10] On restriping Breckenridge and
[14:12] some of the other items.
[14:14] That we had previously
[14:15] approved?
[14:17] I don't know, Director
[14:18] Jameson.
[14:19] Do you want to give an update
[14:20] on the striping and signage?
[14:28] Signages are up.
[14:30] We do have a few signs
[14:31] in lots 13 and 15.
[14:33] Behind East Breckenridge and
[14:36] Como's lots.
[14:37] Those need to get updated
[14:38] still.
[14:40] Those will be done before
[14:41] Thursday as well as the
[14:42] striping.
[14:46] So suffice it to say,
[14:47] we don't have data
[14:48] on that yet.
[14:50] As to what that impact might
[14:51] be.
[14:55] Follow-up question, where are
[14:56] we at with valet parking?
[14:59] The latest
[15:00] on the valet parking.
[15:01] Is that the initiative has
[15:02] paused.
[15:03] Following a conversation
[15:05] at the DDA board level.
[15:07] Some additional information was
[15:09] presented.
[15:12] Or shared by Director
[15:14] Beeker.
[15:15] And the board at that time
[15:16] didn't give clear direction.
[15:20] To move forward with securing
[15:22] the valet service.
[15:24] However, the contract or the
[15:25] agreement.
[15:26] Is fully negotiated with
[15:27] Credit Union One.
[15:28] They appear prepared
[15:29] to sign.
[15:31] We have met all of our concerns
[15:34] and obligations.
[15:35] To execute that contract as
[15:36] well.
[15:38] Now, correct me if I'm wrong.
[15:39] But this was originally brought
[15:41] to us by Director Beeker.
[15:43] For valet parking using the
[15:45] city lot.
[15:46] Is that correct?
[15:48] Yes, there was a time
[15:49] at which they wanted
[15:50] to consider.
[15:51] Valet parking using the city
[15:52] lot.
[15:53] And that was approved by the
[15:54] DDA board at that time?
[15:56] I don't know if they took
[15:59] specific action to approve.
[16:01] And that was with the,
[16:03] we could use the.
[16:04] We were hoping we'd be able
[16:06] to use the Credit Union One.
[16:07] That was-.
[16:08] Oh yes, not talking
[16:09] specifically
[16:11] about this city hall lot.
[16:12] There was an idea
[16:13] to use this city hall lot.
[16:14] The concern there being that
[16:15] there would be too great.
[16:17] Of a revenue loss and the DDA
[16:18] would not be able.
[16:19] To compensate the auto parking
[16:21] fund for the revenue loss.
[16:23] From the hourly rate if we use
[16:24] this location.
[16:25] But yes, the DDA board did
[16:26] specifically take action.
[16:27] To authorize expenditures
[16:28] for a valet service.
[16:29] In Credit Union, assuming the
[16:32] Credit Union One.
[16:33] Parking lot agreement was
[16:34] resolved.
[16:38] So through the chair,
[16:39] I need some clarification.
[16:41] On what the process looks
[16:43] like then.
[16:44] Because it sounds
[16:45] like they authorized.
[16:46] To move forward with it.
[16:48] We moved heaven and earth and
[16:49] got our legal services
[16:50] involved.
[16:51] And the credit union got their
[16:52] legal services involved.
[16:53] To get an approval
[16:54] on the contract.
[16:57] Why are we not moving forward
[16:58] with this?
[16:59] I don't understand where the
[17:00] disconnect is.
[17:02] At this point, the ball is
[17:04] in DDA's court to con it.
[17:05] The ball is in DDA's court
[17:07] to contract.
[17:10] The actual valet service
[17:12] provider.
[17:13] So it's just at this point,
[17:14] it's administrative.
[17:15] That they need to contract
[17:16] with a provider.
[17:17] So all approvals have been
[17:18] made.
[17:19] And they just need to contract
[17:20] with a provider.
[17:21] Yes, my understanding is they
[17:22] went
[17:23] through the RFP process.
[17:24] They selected a vendor
[17:25] at that time.
[17:26] Obviously it's been some time
[17:27] since the RFP was completed.
[17:28] But they would need
[17:29] to move forward.
[17:32] With actually securing the
[17:34] vendor and setting up services.
[17:39] Well, that's outstanding.
[17:41] And I am very happy
[17:42] to follow up with Director
[17:43] Beeker
[17:44] on that.
[17:45] I have heard now from two DDA
[17:47] board members.
[17:48] That they are still hearing
[17:49] from businesses.
[17:51] That would like
[17:53] to move forward with this.
[17:54] That happen to be Eastside
[17:56] businesses.
[17:57] One is Imperial and the other
[17:58] is Danny's Bar.
[17:59] Those are the ones that I know
[18:00] of offhand.
[18:01] I do believe we also have
[18:02] support from Bosco.
[18:05] So I'm not sure why there has
[18:06] been a sudden pause.
[18:08] But I would urge us to reach
[18:11] out to the DDA.
[18:12] And to Director Beeker
[18:14] to have her move forward with
[18:16] us.
[18:28] I wish she was here tonight.
[18:30] I wish she was here.
[18:38] Yeah, because she was here.
[18:39] Through the Chair, is there a
[18:40] clock
[18:41] on this lease agreement.
[18:42] That could be revisited
[18:43] after we get some of the.
[18:44] Potentially some
[18:45] of the data that Mayor Pro
[18:46] Tem Mikulski.
[18:47] Was talking about
[18:48] with the other initiatives?
[18:49] That we're working
[18:50] on and or the valet program?
[18:51] Yeah, I think the only
[18:53] particular clock on this.
[18:54] Is the amount of time
[18:55] in which it's in effect.
[18:56] But certainly we gain or we
[18:59] reduce risk
[19:00] to a certain degree.
[19:01] By knowing to a greater degree
[19:04] the certainty.
[19:05] Of that mixed use project
[19:06] occurring.
[19:07] There's certainly no specific
[19:09] pressure.
[19:10] That I've received
[19:11] from the property owner.
[19:12] And at some point.
[19:13] Assuming that project continues
[19:14] to move forward.
[19:15] There will be a different
[19:17] property owner to this lot.
[19:18] That has also shown interest
[19:21] in working with us.
[19:22] If we so choose.
[19:27] Through the Chair, if the
[19:28] project does go through.
[19:29] Will we still have
[19:30] to take the property back?
[19:34] To its original form?
[19:35] No, we wouldn't need
[19:36] to restore it to a grass.
[19:38] Because they would be leveling
[19:39] it and grading it
[19:40] off anyway.
[19:42] We'd probably just have
[19:43] to remove the asphalt millions.
[19:44] At that point.
[19:54] And through the Chair, one
[19:55] follow-up question on that.
[19:58] When do we think this project
[19:59] would break ground?
[20:02] So current timeline, I would
[20:03] say best case scenario.
[20:04] Would be all approvals
[20:06] And possibly some work starting
[20:08] to occur by spring 27.
[20:09] The caveat
[20:12] to that is I don't know yet.
[20:13] If they'll be on the September
[20:15] Or the October, likely the
[20:18] October.
[20:19] It should be September.
[20:20] Okay, they will be on the
[20:21] September.
[20:22] Planning Commission meeting.
[20:23] And then there's the timeline
[20:24] associated.
[20:25] With the state brownfield
[20:26] approval process.
[20:27] That itself could take a few
[20:28] months or more.
[20:30] So assume Planning Commission
[20:32] approvals.
[20:33] Within the next two months or
[20:34] so.
[20:35] And then we've got to clear our
[20:37] brownfield authority.
[20:38] Our Incentives Committee,
[20:39] Council itself for the PUD.
[20:43] And then any subsequent
[20:44] development agreement and
[20:46] incentives that would need
[20:47] to get approved.
[20:49] At your level as well.
[20:50] All that running hopefully
[20:52] concurrently with the
[20:53] Brownfield, but the Brownfield
[20:54] may want.
[20:55] To see local support as part
[20:57] of its consideration so there
[20:58] may be a little bit
[20:59] of a staggered.
[21:01] Start to their consideration.
[21:08] They're missing the steps.
[21:23] Kelley?
[21:24] No.
[21:25] LaSalle?
[21:26] Yes.
[21:27] Mikulski?
[21:28] No.
[21:29] Sabatini?
[21:30] No.
[21:31] Leaks May?
[21:32] Yes.
[21:35] With that, the proposal to,
[21:37] sorry I just lost him,
[21:46] to approve the lease agreement
[21:47] with 165.
[21:48] East Nine Mile LLC
[21:49] in the amount of one dollar and
[21:51] authorize the city manager
[21:52] to sign has.
[21:53] Not passed with a vote three
[21:55] to two
[21:56] with three being nays.
[22:01] All right, we're moving on
[22:02] to item 8B,
[22:04] proposed amendments to the
[22:07] Ferndale Municipal Code
[22:08] Chapter.
[22:09] 6 Building and building
[22:10] regulations.
[22:13] We're going to need a motion
[22:14] prior to discussion.
[22:20] Motion to approve
[22:23] of the amendments to the
[22:24] Ferndale Municipal Code
[22:26] Chapter 6 building.
[22:28] And building regulations,
[22:29] Article 6-I in general,
[22:31] Section 6-5
[22:34] through 6-15 as submitted
[22:35] by the.
[22:36] Community and Economic
[22:37] Development Department.
[22:39] Support.
[22:41] All right, good evening Mayor
[22:42] and Council.
[22:43] Tonight we will have our code
[22:44] enforcement team do a
[22:45] presentation for you all
[22:46] on our.
[22:47] Vacant structure ordinance
[22:48] update.
[22:49] It's been a very long process
[22:50] since I first started here
[22:52] of us collaborating
[22:53] on this.
[22:54] So super excited to get this
[22:55] program up and going.
[22:56] They'll provide you
[22:58] with an overview
[22:59] of the program, a little bit
[23:01] of history, some of.
[23:02] The challenges and successes as
[23:04] well as a highlight of some
[23:05] of the ordinance amendments.
[23:06] So I'll let them speak now.
[23:09] Thank you.
[23:14] Good evening.
[23:16] I am Brett Sterz, Inspector 2
[23:18] with the City of Ferndale and I
[23:20] have been here
[23:21] since beginning of.
[23:22] 2024.
[23:24] I'm Liz Sackley.
[23:25] I'm a code enforcement officer,
[23:27] rental inspector with the City
[23:29] of Ferndale.
[23:30] I've been here since March of
[23:32] 2024.
[23:35] Hello.
[23:36] My name is Keyanda Smith.
[23:37] I've been with the City
[23:38] for two years, started
[23:39] with the fire department,
[23:40] now I'm with CD.
[23:43] Some program information,
[23:44] some history.
[23:46] The vacant structure ordinance
[23:48] was initially adopted by the
[23:50] City Council April 2025 and
[23:53] the.
[23:54] Reason why we're here,
[23:55] CD paused the program January
[23:56] of 2026
[23:57] to make some necessary changes.
[23:59] To the ordinance.
[24:02] In that time, the CD
[24:05] department has additional
[24:07] research on the benefits,
[24:08] limitations, and.
[24:09] Challenges this program has.
[24:10] Our department has collaborated
[24:12] with other departments
[24:14] within the city, neighboring.
[24:16] Municipalities, and legal
[24:18] counsel to improve the
[24:19] ordinance efficiency and
[24:20] language.
[24:25] The purpose of this program is
[24:26] to manage blight within the
[24:28] city and encourage occupancy.
[24:29] The ordinance allows us
[24:31] to have a better,
[24:32] this new version
[24:34] of the ordinance allows us
[24:35] to have.
[24:36] A better set of eyes on the
[24:37] entire property versus what we
[24:38] can see as code enforcement.
[24:39] Which is only
[24:40] from the street, sidewalk,
[24:41] or front porch
[24:42] of the property.
[24:45] We have an opportunity to
[24:46] inspect the whole entire
[24:47] property,
[24:48] both front and backyard.
[24:50] And we can determine the state
[24:52] of overgrowth, accessory
[24:53] structures,
[24:54] and basically just the.
[24:55] General state
[24:56] of the property maintenance.
[24:58] The ordinance encourages
[24:59] property owners to take action
[25:00] on the property,
[25:01] whether choosing.
[25:02] To sell rent or lease the
[25:04] property.
[25:05] The hope is to get more
[25:07] families moved into the city,
[25:08] maybe new businesses,
[25:09] and possibly.
[25:10] And the ability
[25:12] to monitor vacant, sorry,
[25:17] new businesses.
[25:18] The ability to monitor the
[25:19] vacant structures allows us to
[25:20] combat legal occupancy such as.
[25:21] Squatters or unregistered
[25:22] businesses.
[25:26] We can also eliminate potential
[25:27] rodent harboring issues and
[25:29] just
[25:31] like general overall property.
[25:32] Maintenance.
[25:37] As far as occupancy is
[25:38] concerned, like I said, we can
[25:40] make sure that we don't have
[25:41] any illegal.
[25:42] Occupancies and we can make
[25:43] sure everybody's registered and
[25:44] we can monitor such things.
[25:47] As rodent infestations or any
[25:49] other property maintenance
[25:50] issues.
[26:01] We identify vacant properties
[26:02] by either our observations that
[26:05] could be related
[26:07] to overflowing.
[26:09] Mailboxes or just a general
[26:10] observation that a property
[26:12] might be vacant.
[26:14] Also, we get complaints
[26:15] over the counter
[26:16] from residents.
[26:17] Also, other departments might
[26:19] inform us that there are vacant
[26:23] properties.
[26:24] So what we do when we determine
[26:25] that a property is vacant,
[26:26] we send a notice,
[26:28] they get three.
[26:29] Days to register the property
[26:31] as vacant and if we don't get a
[26:32] response, then they get.
[26:33] A second notice.
[26:35] Then we can start the ticketing
[26:36] process and once they get the
[26:37] owner of the property in.
[26:40] Court, we can discuss what
[26:42] their intention of the property
[26:43] is and what we can do
[26:44] to potentially.
[26:45] Get it occupied or not.
[26:48] Why are they leaving it vacant?
[26:50] That's usually their question.
[26:51] Why is this property vacant?
[26:53] And then if I get on the
[26:54] registry list and we inspect
[26:55] the property every year,
[26:56] once a year.
[26:57] For residential properties
[27:00] every six months
[27:01] for commercials.
[27:09] So some data behind our vacant
[27:10] structure registry is,
[27:11] so the data that we gather
[27:15] within our.
[27:17] System is from our internal
[27:19] system, which is BS&A, and from
[27:20] publicly available information.
[27:22] So as of right now, we have
[27:24] 102 confirmed vacant properties
[27:26] that are on the registry as
[27:27] of today.
[27:29] Out of those 102, we've broken
[27:31] it down.
[27:32] Ten industrial properties are
[27:34] vacant.
[27:36] Twenty commercial properties
[27:37] are listed as vacant and 72
[27:39] residential properties are
[27:41] listed as.
[27:42] Vacant within our registry that
[27:44] we have right now.
[27:46] Currently, 34 of those
[27:48] properties have officially
[27:50] registered inspections and
[27:51] payments have been.
[27:53] Made on that registry.
[27:55] Seventeen of those properties
[27:56] have been removed
[27:58] from the registry due
[27:59] to transfer of ownership.
[28:01] From vacant
[28:03] to owner occupied or vacant
[28:04] to rental property.
[28:09] Additionally,
[28:10] within those numbers, currently
[28:14] right now that was just
[28:16] publicly available.
[28:17] We have 145 vacant properties
[28:20] that are listed for sale
[28:21] within the city's limits.
[28:23] We have 20 commercial and six
[28:24] industrial properties.
[28:26] Although this number may be
[28:27] significant,
[28:29] this is what we are aware
[28:31] of right now.
[28:33] And like Liz said,
[28:34] within the vacant registry, if
[28:35] an owner does not make contact
[28:37] or they're.
[28:39] Ignoring us, then the ticket
[28:40] will be issued
[28:41] for unregistered vacants.
[28:42] And as of right now, we have
[28:43] 66 tickets that have been
[28:45] issued.
[28:46] Out of those, 12 have been
[28:48] paid, which is an admission
[28:49] of guilt
[28:50] within the court that they do.
[28:51] Have a vacant property and
[28:52] they've registered that
[28:53] property.
[28:55] Thirteen of those tickets have
[28:56] been dismissed due to burden
[28:57] of proof.
[28:58] So with that burden of proof,
[29:00] we've strengthened the language
[29:01] within that
[29:02] through the new ordinance.
[29:04] And right now we have 38
[29:05] pending properties that their
[29:07] tickets are pending because
[29:09] we've either been.
[29:11] Unable to locate the property
[29:13] owner due to them having an LLC
[29:15] or they've been out
[29:16] of state and.
[29:17] Were unable to get their
[29:18] driver's license information
[29:20] to conduct the ticket.
[29:21] And right now when we do issue
[29:23] a ticket, it's up
[29:24] to the individual property
[29:25] owner to schedule that.
[29:26] Court date.
[29:27] So right now we do have some
[29:28] court dates that are pending.
[29:30] So that is some of the
[29:31] information we have as far as
[29:32] data is concerned.
[29:37] Before you move on, may I ask
[29:38] regarding the individuals that
[29:39] you're unable
[29:40] to connect with.
[29:41] Is there something in place to
[29:43] have them officially update
[29:47] their information so that you
[29:48] have updated?
[29:51] So when we have our vacant
[29:52] registry, they do list their
[29:53] driver's license information
[29:55] in a.
[29:56] Date of birth.
[29:58] So if we do have
[29:59] to write a ticket,
[30:00] we have that information.
[30:01] But with like LLCs,
[30:02] they have registered agents.
[30:04] And unfortunately, some people
[30:05] do not disclose their
[30:07] registered agent.
[30:08] And they're out
[30:09] of state where we can't get
[30:10] in contact with them.
[30:12] And we're working
[30:13] with outside municipalities
[30:14] to kind of track them down.
[30:15] That may be something that
[30:17] maybe we should require
[30:18] for them to be able
[30:20] to disclose that?
[30:21] So we worked on that
[30:22] with the new language.
[30:23] So Brett is going to kind
[30:24] of provide that information.
[30:30] So
[30:31] with the ordinance rewrite,
[30:32] we looked at some
[30:33] of the challenges that we found
[30:34] along the way.
[30:35] And proceeded to look
[30:36] for solutions to them.
[30:37] One of the biggest things was
[30:39] staff capacity.
[30:41] Doing the full interior
[30:43] inspection of the residential
[30:45] properties was taking
[30:47] approximately.
[30:48] An hour per property
[30:51] for every time that we went
[30:52] out to inspect it.
[30:54] And by altering the ordinance
[30:56] to only do the exterior
[30:58] of the property,
[30:59] we were still able
[31:00] to hit the.
[31:01] Major sources of blight at the
[31:03] property and ensure that the
[31:04] structure is overall safe.
[31:05] And meanwhile, cutting the
[31:06] inspection time per residential
[31:09] down to approximately 10
[31:11] minutes per house.
[31:14] We did have some issues
[31:17] with the legal constraints
[31:18] of the ordinance before, as
[31:20] Kiana mentioned.
[31:21] We had dismissals
[31:23] of tickets due to the burden
[31:24] of proof,
[31:25] the 90-day provision.
[31:26] Which stated that if there was
[31:27] occupancy
[31:28] within a 90-day period,
[31:30] it was not considered vacant.
[31:31] Our solution was to remove this
[31:34] provision and change it so that
[31:36] staff now determines vacancy.
[31:37] According
[31:38] to new definitions.
[31:40] And we now require notarized
[31:42] affidavits by the property
[31:44] owner or legal agent to verify
[31:45] that the property is occupied.
[31:47] Verifying the ownership,
[31:52] tracking down people who
[31:54] legally own the property,
[31:56] LLCs.
[31:57] Out-of-state owners, financial
[31:58] institutions, et cetera.
[32:00] The ordinance now requires,
[32:02] when signing up, that you
[32:05] provide a driver's license
[32:07] for either the property.
[32:09] Owner themselves or a local
[32:10] agent so that we are not
[32:12] chasing down LLCs that are out
[32:14] of state.
[32:15] And slightly out of our reach.
[32:18] And then the abatement
[32:20] provision.
[32:21] Historically, if we wanted
[32:22] to go after an abatement,
[32:24] especially for severely
[32:25] blighted properties.
[32:28] We would still need a court
[32:29] order to abate them,
[32:30] meaning that we would have
[32:31] to go
[32:34] through a lengthy process.
[32:36] However, the solution is the
[32:38] ordinance now includes an
[32:39] abatement provision so that we
[32:40] can handle the abatements
[32:41] in-house.
[32:45] Some other considerations that
[32:46] we thought about during the
[32:47] rewrite was the streamlining
[32:49] of the enforcement process.
[32:50] That staff time that we talked
[32:54] about earlier.
[32:55] We have more rigid standards
[32:57] in the definition allowing for
[32:58] more efficiency and clear cut.
[33:01] This is vacant, this is not.
[33:02] Lower staff time investment per
[33:05] property, discussing if a house
[33:08] is truly vacant.
[33:09] Going back and forth
[33:10] with the owner.
[33:11] And just general improved
[33:13] communication with the property
[33:14] owner and legal agent.
[33:15] Now that we will be seeking
[33:17] direct contact
[33:18] with someone local
[33:19] for these properties.
[33:20] It's not dealing
[33:22] with time zones, phone tag.
[33:24] And then just general
[33:25] information gathering.
[33:27] This will allow for improved
[33:29] documentation and flagging
[33:31] of properties
[33:32] for future enforcement issues.
[33:33] Of these properties should they
[33:35] arise,
[33:36] but hopefully they do not.
[33:40] These are some
[33:41] of our successes.
[33:42] The property to the left is
[33:43] formerly as a former nightclub.
[33:46] It's been vacant for many,
[33:48] many years.
[33:49] And after we started enforcing
[33:52] the vacant structure and
[33:53] ordinance initially.
[33:54] We were able to get the owner
[33:57] of the property in court.
[33:58] And he very soon after had
[34:00] expressed that he has an owner
[34:03] of the property.
[34:04] And it's going to be turned
[34:05] into a new property.
[34:07] The one to the right is
[34:08] formerly vacant property.
[34:10] It was very dilapidated and a
[34:12] serious blight issue.
[34:15] But as you can see, since we
[34:17] have started enforcing the
[34:18] vacant property ordinance.
[34:20] It's now turned into a fully
[34:21] functioning business and
[34:22] they've done some remodeling.
[34:26] The property to the left is a
[34:27] residential property that was
[34:29] vacant
[34:30] for years and years and years.
[34:32] And was a constant code
[34:33] enforcement issue.
[34:36] Again, same situation.
[34:37] We got the owner
[34:39] into court and he did not want
[34:41] to register it as a vacant
[34:42] property.
[34:44] So he sold the property and now
[34:45] there's permits
[34:46] to remodel it.
[34:47] And put an addition
[34:48] on the property.
[34:50] I have some before and
[34:51] after photos there
[34:52] on the right-hand side.
[34:54] The top two is actually one of
[34:56] the properties that kickstarted
[34:57] the discussion.
[34:58] Of the vacant property
[35:00] ordinance
[35:01] in the first place.
[35:03] This house was severely
[35:05] dilapidated.
[35:06] It had been sitting vacant and
[35:08] completely unoccupied for,
[35:09] I believe.
[35:11] Over 10 years by time we were
[35:14] able to get legal enforcement
[35:16] on it.
[35:18] The garage had completely
[35:19] collapsed.
[35:20] And it is now a clean lot that
[35:22] is up for sale.
[35:25] And hopefully will have a new
[35:26] Ferndale resident on it
[35:29] at some point in the
[35:30] near future.
[35:31] And then the two below are a
[35:32] property that had been sitting
[35:35] vacant for.
[35:36] The neighbor said,
[35:37] the last five years.
[35:38] You can see
[35:40] in the photo the support column
[35:41] on the porch is beginning
[35:42] to fall apart.
[35:43] It was severely overgrown.
[35:46] We had
[35:47] to send our grass contractors
[35:48] out to this property
[35:49] consistently.
[35:51] Whereas now it has gotten a
[35:52] fresh makeover,
[35:53] brand new front porch.
[35:55] And it is undergoing remodeling
[35:57] to hopefully have a new family
[35:58] moving in soon.
[36:13] The 60-something properties,
[36:14] was it 60 properties that you
[36:15] weren't able to get in touch
[36:16] with yet?
[36:18] Say it again.
[36:19] Were there 60 properties that
[36:20] you, property owners,
[36:21] you weren't able to get
[36:22] in touch with yet?
[36:23] I believe that number.
[36:25] Or was it less than that?
[36:26] Regardless of the number.
[36:30] Regardless, yeah.
[36:31] It was 38.
[36:32] 38, Okay.
[36:33] The reason why I'm asking is
[36:34] that, should this go through
[36:36] and be approved tonight.
[36:37] Will we be able
[36:39] to backdate these regulations
[36:41] to them?
[36:45] Yes, we will.
[36:46] Absolutely.
[36:47] It will apply to them as well.
[36:48] Yeah, it will apply
[36:49] to them and
[36:50] to the ones that we had.
[36:51] And we haven't,
[36:52] when we paused the program.
[36:53] We weren't able to continue
[36:54] finding vacant structures.
[36:55] So it will apply to the 38, but
[36:57] also the ones that we haven't
[36:59] even contacted yet.
[37:11] Through the chair, just
[37:12] to give a little bit
[37:13] of context to the public
[37:14] on this.
[37:15] First of all, I'm so excited
[37:16] that you guys came out and that
[37:17] you did this presentation.
[37:18] It was a really nice summary
[37:20] to see what this looks like
[37:22] in real life.
[37:24] And the positive actions that
[37:25] it has on the city when we take
[37:27] action.
[37:29] Part of the reason that we went
[37:31] through this exercise and
[37:32] refined the ordinance.
[37:34] Is so that we can have stronger
[37:36] enforcement,?
[37:37] Particularly on commercial
[37:39] businesses that have been,
[37:40] let's say, an eyesore
[37:42] for quite some time.
[37:44] And also
[37:45] to not penalize those folks who
[37:47] may have a unique situation.
[37:49] So we had a number of people
[37:51] that came forward who, in one
[37:52] case.
[37:54] I remember an individual who
[37:56] had inherited a home.
[37:57] And they went
[38:00] through the process
[38:01] of the vacancy registration.
[38:03] But they were asked
[38:05] to bring the building up
[38:06] to code standards
[38:08] for a rental.
[38:09] And that was just the nature
[38:10] of our ordinance.
[38:12] The way that we had it written,
[38:13] there was an assumption that it
[38:14] should be moved to that sort
[38:15] of registration.
[38:17] This cleans it up quite a bit,
[38:20] and I'm very excited
[38:23] to see your team implement it,
[38:25] so thank you.
[38:31] Through the chair, yes,
[38:33] I echo that. Thank you.
[38:34] This was very informative and I
[38:35] appreciate the effort.
[38:37] I was wondering how situations
[38:39] like probate or
[38:42] hospitalization,
[38:43] long-term care.
[38:44] Renovation, foreclosure, or
[38:45] extended absences might be
[38:48] handled.
[38:49] Where the resident might not be
[38:50] able to get
[38:51] in touch right away.
[38:54] How would we work with them?
[38:56] How would they reach
[38:57] out also?
[38:59] So within this process
[39:00] of trying
[39:03] to locate the owner.
[39:04] We have been able to get
[39:05] in contact with the next
[39:07] of kin.
[39:08] And kind of see whether or not
[39:10] the property is going
[39:12] through probate
[39:13] with stages.
[39:14] The property within probate,
[39:16] whether or not they can access
[39:17] the property or whatnot.
[39:18] Or they may not even know that
[39:20] their individual family member
[39:22] has passed away.
[39:23] So it has allowed us to not
[39:25] only be that kind spirit or
[39:28] hear them cry on the phone.
[39:30] And kind
[39:31] of explain what they're going
[39:32] to do with the property.
[39:33] So this process has allowed us
[39:34] to not only understand what
[39:36] their intentions
[39:37] with the property is.
[39:39] And also let our team know,
[39:41] like, hey, maybe we need
[39:42] to cut the grass.
[39:43] Or drive past the property
[39:46] to kind of see if there's any
[39:47] squater or anything.
[39:48] So having that process
[39:50] of reaching out
[39:52] to the individual owner.
[39:53] Maybe they're out of state,
[39:55] flagging the property
[39:56] within BS&A.
[39:57] So that way it's on our radar
[39:58] within the team.
[40:00] That's great. Thank you.
[40:15] Give a roll call, please.
[40:16] Sabatini?
[40:17] Yes.
[40:18] Kelley?
[40:19] Yes.
[40:20] LaSalle?
[40:21] Yes.
[40:22] Mikulski?
[40:23] Yes.
[40:24] Leaks-May?
[40:25] Yes.
[40:29] With that, the proposed
[40:30] agreement, the amendment to
[40:31] approve the Ferndale Municipal
[40:33] Code, Chapter 6, Building.
[40:35] And Building Regulations,
[40:36] Article 6.1, In general,
[40:38] Sections 6.5 Through 6.15.
[40:42] As submitted by the Community
[40:43] and Economic Development
[40:44] Department, has passed 5.0.
[40:49] Thank you.
[40:52] Not going anywhere, right?
[40:53] Nope.
[40:54] Okay.
[40:59] Item 8C is to approve the
[41:02] amendments to the Ferndale
[41:05] Municipal Code.
[41:07] Chapter 7, Business
[41:08] Regulations and Licenses,
[41:09] Article 7, Public Lodging
[41:12] Houses.
[41:13] And Multiple Dwellings,
[41:15] Division 3, Short-Term Rental
[41:16] Licensing, Sections 7-154.
[41:18] Sections 7-157, Sections 7-158,
[41:25] and Sections 7-159.
[41:31] As submitted by the Community
[41:32] and Economic Development
[41:34] Department.
[41:36] We need a motion
[41:39] for discussion.
[41:40] So moved.
[41:41] Support.
[41:42] Thank you, Mayor.
[41:43] Yep, transitioning here to our
[41:44] short-term rental ordinance
[41:45] update.
[41:47] We've spent the past four or
[41:49] five months on this one.
[41:51] So it's been a lot of work
[41:52] into this update here.
[41:53] It was initially adopted by
[41:55] Council in March of 2021.
[41:56] And the new updates are meant
[41:58] to address some
[42:01] of the existing concerns.
[42:02] That have been raised
[42:03] by residents around,
[42:05] you know.
[42:08] Not just short-term rentals
[42:10] in Ferndale, but also
[42:11] neighboring communities.
[42:12] So this is us being proactive.
[42:13] And we think that it
[42:14] streamlines communication
[42:15] with residents.
[42:17] The short-term rental owners,
[42:18] and
[42:19] between departments as well.
[42:23] So just a high-level view
[42:24] of what is proposed here.
[42:26] So we will be requiring the
[42:29] posting of a license
[42:30] within the interior
[42:31] of the property.
[42:32] And then on that license we'll
[42:34] have the maximum amount
[42:36] of occupants.
[42:38] Allowed to stay
[42:39] at that property.
[42:40] The intent
[42:41] behind this was to,
[42:42] you know.
[42:43] In the event that a police
[42:44] officer were
[42:45] to visit the property.
[42:46] And there were a party,
[42:47] they could check the license.
[42:50] To make sure that they A, are
[42:52] registered, that it is a
[42:53] short-term rental unit.
[42:56] And B,
[42:57] to determine the occupancy
[42:59] of that rental unit.
[43:01] And they could continue on
[43:03] with enforcement if they were
[43:04] in violation
[43:06] of their occupancy.
[43:08] Next is the installation
[43:09] of a noise monitor
[43:11] at the exterior
[43:12] of the property.
[43:13] It was brought up
[43:14] by a resident earlier.
[43:15] This is to kind of hold, you
[43:17] know, make short-term rental
[43:20] owners accountable.
[43:21] You know, we are asking you
[43:23] to install this
[43:24] at your property.
[43:25] So that if noise levels do
[43:27] exceed the city's ordinance.
[43:30] We would ask that you maybe
[43:32] reach out to whoever's staying
[43:34] at your home.
[43:35] To quiet down and, you know,
[43:36] respect the neighbors.
[43:39] Next is requiring a meeting
[43:40] with the city manager.
[43:41] If there are six or more
[43:42] complaints with the city
[43:44] manager or their designee.
[43:45] This is really to get them
[43:47] into city hall.
[43:49] Have a conversation with them
[43:50] to potentially develop an
[43:53] action plan, right?
[43:54] To say what's really going
[43:55] on here.
[43:56] Understanding what's going on,
[43:57] and moving forward.
[43:58] And within that provision,
[44:00] the city manager may revoke or
[44:01] not renew a license.
[44:02] Depending
[44:05] on that discussion.
[44:07] And under that provision is the
[44:09] added 24 months or added 12
[44:13] months.
[44:15] Previously, if three
[44:17] substantiated violations were
[44:19] observed within 12 months.
[44:21] In the old ordinance,
[44:22] the license would be revoked.
[44:23] We've expanded that to 24
[44:25] months.
[44:26] This is just to really, you
[44:27] know, be comprehensive
[44:29] in reviewing a property.
[44:31] To determine whether or not
[44:32] that, you know.
[44:33] It has been a legacy issue
[44:35] at a given property.
[44:38] And then lastly,
[44:39] any unit operating
[44:40] without a license.
[44:42] Would be unauthorized
[44:43] to operate for a period of 24
[44:44] months.
[44:45] So if you're not registered
[44:46] with us.
[44:47] And you're actively listing
[44:48] your property on Airbnb.
[44:50] Unfortunately, this provision
[44:52] would, you know, be addressed
[44:54] to you.
[44:55] So we would tag that property.
[44:57] And not allow them to have a
[44:59] short-term rental license
[45:00] at that property.
[45:03] So pretty quick, but I'm sure
[45:04] there will be questions.
[45:05] And I will answer them.
[45:08] And I will just clarify,
[45:09] too.
[45:10] I know previously for the
[45:11] public there was a version
[45:12] shared.
[45:13] Which included a limitation
[45:15] requiring a minimum two-night
[45:17] stay.
[45:18] After further consideration
[45:19] of the ordinance committee.
[45:20] That was removed,
[45:21] so that is not recommended
[45:22] to have a minimum stay.
[45:32] So, Ross, I believe we had a
[45:35] question from a resident
[45:37] in the community.
[45:39] That wanted to know what
[45:41] prompted this change.
[45:47] So can, in layman's terms,
[45:48] can you just kind of share
[45:49] with us.
[45:50] Like, were there complaints?
[45:51] What prompted the change so
[45:52] that it can be understood?
[45:53] As to why you're taking these
[45:54] measures?
[45:55] Yeah, I think, you know, today,
[45:57] thank you, Eddie,
[45:58] for all your questions.
[45:59] It helped me really gear up and
[46:00] prepare
[46:01] for this presentation,
[46:02] so thank you.
[46:03] We've had between police
[46:04] department and CD.
[46:05] Approximately 140 complaints
[46:07] regarding short-term rentals.
[46:10] I believe,
[46:12] I wish I had those numbers
[46:14] in front of me.
[46:15] But we have 12 properties that
[46:18] have active violations.
[46:20] So, you know,
[46:21] it is becoming an issue,
[46:22] right?
[46:23] Some of these properties are
[46:25] being felt by the neighbors
[46:26] in the neighborhood.
[46:27] So I think that, you know,
[46:30] in working with the ordinance
[46:31] committee and CD on this.
[46:33] I think that we really are
[46:34] addressing those concerns.
[46:37] You know,
[46:38] improving that communication
[46:39] between City Hall.
[46:41] And these short-term rental
[46:43] units.
[46:45] Also, just recently, we
[46:46] actually, as a council.
[46:47] We had to deny an appeal
[46:49] for a license.
[46:51] Correct, yeah, and, you know,
[46:53] any of these provisions,
[46:54] you know.
[46:55] Where the city manager deems
[46:56] that a license should be
[46:57] revoked
[46:58] Or, you know, with the six or
[46:59] more complaints.
[47:00] Or with the three substantiated
[47:01] violations.
[47:03] They would have to go through
[47:04] that administrative hearing
[47:05] process.
[47:06] They would appear
[47:07] before city council.
[47:08] So, you know, it's a very
[47:09] deliberate approach.
[47:10] It's a very long, it does add,
[47:12] you know, some weight
[47:14] to our CD department.
[47:16] But it's, you know, it
[47:19] ultimately benefits our
[47:20] neighborhoods.
[47:22] I'll also state that because,
[47:23] council.
[47:25] We've all heard complaints
[47:28] regarding short-term rentals.
[47:29] And whereas we don't feel like
[47:31] we're denying the short-term
[47:32] rentals.
[47:33] To be present in our
[47:34] community.
[47:35] I think it allows anybody who
[47:37] wants to visit Ferndale.
[47:38] An opportunity to even try
[47:39] before you buy.
[47:40] But I will say that I think
[47:42] just by based on the denial
[47:45] of the license.
[47:46] That we just had recently and
[47:48] the complaints that we've
[47:49] received.
[47:50] We are trying to be very
[47:52] intentional as far as taking
[47:54] more of a stance.
[47:55] And enforcing these ordinances
[47:57] for these short-term rentals.
[48:00] Because not all
[48:01] of them are good neighbors.
[48:03] And we want to make sure that
[48:04] the residents.
[48:06] And the residents themselves
[48:07] are able to make sure.
[48:09] That the residents and the
[48:14] short-term rental operators.
[48:15] Are able to work together and
[48:16] so we can all kind
[48:17] of coexist.
[48:19] Definitely.
[48:20] So that's the logic
[48:21] behind it.
[48:24] All right, any questions,
[48:25] council, statements?
[48:28] And thank you
[48:30] for putting this together.
[48:32] Yeah, of course.
[48:34] Chair, the only statement I
[48:35] would make is,
[48:36] again.
[48:37] I appreciate your time,
[48:38] staff's time.
[48:39] It has been a long journey.
[48:41] And we've had a lot
[48:42] of discussions with this.
[48:44] Councilmember Kelley, thank you
[48:45] for correcting me earlier
[48:46] today.
[48:47] On the issue of the one-night
[48:49] stay.
[48:51] So yeah, I think this is a step
[48:55] in the right direction.
[48:56] To solve the issues that
[48:57] residents have expressed
[48:59] concerns with.
[49:04] Through the Chair, yeah,
[49:05] just echo Mayor Pro Tem
[49:07] Mikulski's sentiments.
[49:08] Thank you for the staff's four
[49:10] or five months.
[49:11] I think you said you were
[49:12] working on this.
[49:13] Thank you to the Ordinance
[49:14] Committee for working hard
[49:15] on this.
[49:16] You know, I think, Madam
[49:18] Mayor, to your point, I think
[49:19] this, you know.
[49:21] Fostering good stewardship of
[49:22] our community.
[49:23] I think that this potentially
[49:25] also benefits the short-term
[49:26] rental owners.
[49:27] Who are good stewards
[49:29] of the community
[49:30] Because it makes space
[49:31] for more of them to come in.
[49:32] And operate within Ferndale.
[49:34] So I think we can have that
[49:36] hope as well.
[49:37] So yeah, thank you.
[49:40] And then just through the
[49:41] Chair.
[49:42] I just wanted to acknowledge
[49:43] that, you know, council.
[49:44] Mayor Pro Tem Mikulski and I
[49:45] serve on the Ordinance
[49:47] Committee.
[49:48] And we did confer with other
[49:49] Airbnb owners.
[49:51] Which is how we came up with
[49:53] eliminating the two-night
[49:54] minimum.
[49:56] Because they had some
[49:57] of the same concerns.
[49:58] So we do, you know, reach out
[49:59] to our networks.
[50:00] And try to make sure that we're
[50:01] being reasonable
[50:02] in our ordinances.
[50:08] Just to really kind of just
[50:09] reiterate the work that the
[50:11] Ordinance Committee does.
[50:13] Their load is substantial.
[50:16] And they actually work very
[50:20] hard as far as staying up
[50:23] to speed regarding ordinances.
[50:24] Because I can assure you,
[50:27] based on just the emails that
[50:28] we get.
[50:29] And probably the emails that
[50:30] they get.
[50:31] It's always something,
[50:32] some sort of ordinance,
[50:34] and it takes time.
[50:35] So I appreciate the community
[50:37] being patient.
[50:38] I appreciate, you know, Ross,
[50:39] your CD department.
[50:40] Working with the Ordinance
[50:42] Committee, city manager,
[50:44] and your staff.
[50:45] Because I know people want
[50:48] these ordinances
[50:50] to move rather quickly.
[50:51] But it takes time, and the
[50:53] Ordinance Committee is really
[50:54] thoughtful.
[50:55] As far as how they kind
[50:56] of break things down, really,
[50:57] line by line.
[50:58] So thank you, Ordinance
[50:59] Committee,
[51:00] for what you're doing
[51:01] for that, too.
[51:03] Thank you.
[51:05] So now we will need a roll
[51:06] call.
[51:07] Kelley?
[51:08] Yes.
[51:09] Sabatini?
[51:10] Yes.
[51:11] LaSalle?
[51:12] Yes.
[51:13] Mikulski?
[51:14] Yes.
[51:15] Leaks-May?
[51:16] Yes. So the motion to
[51:17] approve the amendments
[51:18] to the Ferndale Municipal
[51:19] Code.
[51:20] Chapter 7, Business Regulation
[51:21] and Licenses.
[51:22] Article 7, Public Lodging
[51:23] Houses and Multiple
[51:24] Dwellings.
[51:25] Division 3, Short-Term Rental
[51:26] Licensing.
[51:27] Sections 7-154, 7-157, 7-158,
[51:33] 7-159.
[51:35] As submitted by the Community
[51:36] and Economic Development
[51:37] Department.
[51:38] As passed, 5-0.
[51:40] Thank you.
[51:46] Okay.
[51:50] From what I see, we do not have
[51:51] anything more on the consent.
[51:52] On the regular agenda,
[51:54] so I am now moving
[51:56] to call the Council.
[51:57] Where I'm going to defer
[51:58] to the City Manager
[51:59] for department head updates.
[52:00] First, I'd like
[52:02] to make a quick update,
[52:03] and just welcome.
[52:04] We finally,
[52:06] after nearly a year, have a
[52:08] full-time finance director.
[52:10] So welcome to Director Donnie
[52:13] Johnson, who started full-time
[52:15] last week.
[52:16] And has already started
[52:17] to get implemented
[52:19] with the team.
[52:20] And was real proud
[52:22] by fire starting
[52:23] with the BS&A cloud conversion
[52:24] on day one.
[52:26] So welcome to Donnie.
[52:28] Next, we've got Parks
[52:30] with an update.
[52:43] Hi, everybody. How y'all doing?
[52:44] I'm here
[52:46] to bring some excitement.
[52:47] You know, from Parks and Rec,
[52:48] we always have the fun things
[52:49] going on over here.
[52:50] So just have a few quick
[52:51] updates.
[52:52] So we rescheduled our movie
[52:55] on the Hill date to be this
[52:56] Thursday.
[52:57] Because it was a rain date last
[52:58] time.
[52:59] So we'll be having that
[53:00] at the Curling Club this
[53:01] Thursday, August 27th, at 6
[53:04] o'clock.
[53:05] And the movie starts at 6.30.
[53:08] The movie we're playing is
[53:09] The Mandalorian and Grogu.
[53:12] I hope I'm saying that right,
[53:13] but that's what we're showing.
[53:15] And it's going to be free, so
[53:18] please bring blankets and
[53:19] chairs and just enjoy it.
[53:20] The movie will be starting at
[53:21] 6.30.
[53:22] Also, we have registrations
[53:25] still open for flag football
[53:26] and adult softball.
[53:27] And also to our seniors,
[53:32] we are taking a trip next
[53:33] Thursday.
[53:35] September 3rd, to the
[53:36] Michigan State Fair for the
[53:37] Honored Citizens Day.
[53:39] It's an amazing trip.
[53:41] It's only going to cost $4 bus
[53:42] fare, and you get a free
[53:44] continental breakfast.
[53:45] And we have a pig-hollering
[53:48] contest and all these things.
[53:50] It's really, really fun, and I
[53:51] still have a few more spots
[53:52] left.
[53:53] So only for $4 you can go
[53:55] to the state fair.
[53:56] And lastly, our September
[54:00] Ferndale Senior Group
[54:01] newsletters are here.
[54:02] They just came
[54:03] in today.
[54:04] I have some out here in City
[54:06] Hall and at the library,
[54:07] so feel free
[54:09] to pick them up.
[54:10] We also have them at the Parks
[54:11] and Rec office too.
[54:12] And if you would rather not
[54:13] come out to pick them up.
[54:16] You can always join the
[54:18] Ferndale Senior Group and get
[54:19] it mailed to you directly
[54:21] to your house.
[54:22] And it's only $15
[54:23] for the whole year
[54:24] to cover that.
[54:25] So if you want to register
[54:27] for any of these things.
[54:28] You can just go to the Parks
[54:29] and Recs page
[54:30] on the city website and click
[54:32] on online registration.
[54:34] And you can register for any of
[54:35] the things that we just talked
[54:36] about.
[54:37] So that's it.
[54:41] Fire.
[54:53] Good evening, Mayor and
[54:54] Council.
[54:55] So I'm just coming.
[54:56] I do want to give an update.
[54:57] There's been a lot going on at
[54:58] the state level and when they
[55:00] passed the budget.
[55:01] And one of the things that did
[55:03] get cut was the smoke detector
[55:04] program.
[55:06] So Ferndale is one of the many
[55:07] communities that participates
[55:08] in that.
[55:09] Where we would receive free
[55:10] smoke detectors
[55:11] from the state,?
[55:12] And then we would issue them
[55:14] at no cost out
[55:15] to our community.
[55:16] That program is no longer being
[55:17] funded,
[55:18] so we don't have that source
[55:20] to obtain those anymore.
[55:21] We are down
[55:23] to I think we only have
[55:24] like three at the most left
[55:26] at the department.
[55:27] So I will be looking
[55:29] for other grants or other ways
[55:30] for us to get those again.
[55:32] But there will be a gap
[55:33] in our ability
[55:35] to provide those at no cost
[55:36] to our communities right now.
[55:37] Until we figure
[55:38] out alternative funding source
[55:40] to try to gain those
[55:41] for people.
[55:42] That maybe have financial
[55:44] barriers and things
[55:45] to provide them
[55:47] for themselves.
[55:48] Because they are an important
[55:49] life safety thing to have
[55:50] in your home.
[55:51] So I just want
[55:52] to provide the community
[55:54] with an update.
[55:56] So if you reach out
[55:58] to us wanting us to provide
[55:59] those smoke detectors right
[56:00] now.
[56:02] We are not able to. We could
[56:03] still do the home safety
[56:04] inspections.
[56:05] We could come and help you
[56:06] install ones that you purchased
[56:07] yourself.
[56:08] We could support you
[56:09] in any other way.
[56:10] We just cannot provide those
[56:11] free smoke detectors to you
[56:12] at this time.
[56:13] And it does not look
[56:14] like that's something.
[56:15] We're doing a lot of advocacy
[56:16] at the state level
[56:17] for a couple
[56:18] of things that got cut.
[56:19] So there's a few things that
[56:20] were pretty significant that
[56:21] got cut that relate to
[56:22] emergency response statewide.
[56:23] But I don't think this is a
[56:26] program that we'll see refunded
[56:27] this year.
[56:28] It doesn't mean we won't
[56:30] on another year.
[56:31] So I just wanted
[56:32] to put that expectation
[56:34] out there and until I can
[56:35] figure something else out.
[56:36] We'll support you
[56:37] in any other way we can.
[56:40] If you have any questions.
[56:42] If I may, how many smoke
[56:45] detectors did we get
[56:46] on an annual basis.
[56:47] And what was that cost
[56:48] equivalency?
[56:51] You know, I could get the
[56:52] actual number because any
[56:53] on the state site.
[56:55] Anytime we install a smoke
[56:58] detector that's provided
[56:59] by the state.
[57:00] We have to record it through.
[57:01] We have an app that we do it.
[57:03] So they know City of Ferndale
[57:06] installed X number
[57:07] of smoke detectors.
[57:08] And where we installed them and
[57:09] every community that
[57:10] participated.
[57:12] I would have to get that number
[57:13] from my fire marshal.
[57:14] Because he logs on and kind
[57:16] of tracks that for me.
[57:17] And then whatever I could
[57:18] figure out, wait from there.
[57:21] But I can try to get some data
[57:23] to see our last couple
[57:24] of years.
[57:25] How many we've installed.
[57:26] I know we've been trying
[57:27] to push that more.
[57:28] And our home safety inspections
[57:29] have definitely helped that.
[57:30] Because people reach out to us
[57:32] through that online app we have
[57:34] now or online platform.
[57:35] After they do their own
[57:38] inspection and say, Hey, I
[57:39] already did it.
[57:40] Now, can you guys come
[57:41] on and help me?
[57:42] So it's really helping us
[57:43] bridge to our community or
[57:44] provide resources.
[57:45] To help somebody get guidance
[57:47] for how to do it themselves.
[57:49] But so, yeah, I don't have the
[57:51] number and I don't want to give
[57:53] you the correct number.
[57:54] So that's why I don't want
[57:55] to do it off the top
[57:56] of my head.
[57:59] Chief, you mentioned that there
[58:00] were some other cuts
[58:01] to the federal level.
[58:04] So do you know offhand what
[58:06] those were and how they impact
[58:07] Ferndale just briefly?
[58:09] Yeah, so one,
[58:10] so there's two departments up
[58:15] at the state level.
[58:16] That really affect emergency
[58:17] response.
[58:18] And Ferndale Fire Department
[58:20] being also an EMS provider
[58:21] for our communities.
[58:22] We work underneath Bureau of
[58:25] Fire Services for all
[58:26] of our licensing.
[58:27] And regulation
[58:28] on the fire side
[58:29] of what we do.
[58:30] And the Department of Health
[58:32] and Human Services, LARA,
[58:33] on the EMS side.
[58:34] That office took a huge cut,
[58:38] like really big cut.
[58:40] We don't know yet how this can
[58:42] impact their support to us.
[58:44] There's a lot
[58:45] of things that LARA did to
[58:46] support EMS providers as far as
[58:47] CEs.
[58:48] And just even our licensing.
[58:49] And they took almost
[58:52] like a 50% cut out
[58:53] of that office.
[58:55] So they're still trying
[58:56] to figure
[58:57] out how they're going
[58:58] to reorganize operations.
[58:59] And what it's really going
[59:00] to look at the impact
[59:01] to EMS operations
[59:02] across the state.
[59:04] On the Bureau side, Bureau of
[59:05] Fire Services,
[59:06] on the good side.
[59:09] That office was awarded three
[59:11] additional positions.
[59:13] It was a very understaffed
[59:14] office, when I say
[59:16] like a handful of people.
[59:17] Covering the entire state of
[59:19] Michigan Fire Service.
[59:20] So they did get a couple more
[59:21] positions there.
[59:23] The smoke detector program got
[59:24] funding costs.
[59:25] And then MABAS, which is the
[59:26] Michigan Box Alarm System.
[59:28] Mutually Box Alarm System,
[59:29] which is kind of
[59:30] like the statewide system.
[59:33] To allow us, you think
[59:34] of something like Oxford.
[59:41] Temple Israel, the tornadoes up
[59:44] in Gaylord.
[59:46] Other big events around the
[59:47] state that exceeds your
[59:49] department and your area's
[59:50] resources.
[59:51] You put out essentially a call
[59:53] for help
[59:54] through the MABAS system.
[59:56] And that organizes people
[59:58] like when MSU had,
[1:00:00] you know.
[1:00:01] That active shooter up there
[1:00:02] and like said Oxford.
[1:00:03] We do the MABAS alarms and it
[1:00:04] allows us to say I need a
[1:00:05] strike team.
[1:00:06] I need this so we can organize
[1:00:07] who's come from where.
[1:00:08] And it has a system to look
[1:00:10] at the next closest community.
[1:00:11] And looks
[1:00:12] at capabilities you have to
[1:00:13] fill that gap and who can fill
[1:00:14] it.
[1:00:15] So that system is impacted
[1:00:16] right now.
[1:00:17] We're working on what that's
[1:00:18] going to look like or
[1:00:20] potentially reestablishing.
[1:00:23] Like the task force and MABAS
[1:00:25] funding.
[1:00:26] So a couple of things that are
[1:00:28] up and down that were
[1:00:29] in the budget.
[1:00:30] Then 11th hour kind
[1:00:32] of got removed.
[1:00:33] But there's still negotiations
[1:00:34] going on state level
[1:00:35] to maybe refund.
[1:00:37] And keep some of those things
[1:00:38] in existence.
[1:00:40] So we're still going
[1:00:41] to have our mutually,
[1:00:42] but it's just, again.
[1:00:43] Some of that infrastructure
[1:00:44] systems are kind
[1:00:45] of a little shaky.
[1:00:46] We're waiting to see.
[1:00:47] So I'll be able to provide more
[1:00:49] updates as we go.
[1:00:50] I am on, I was elected
[1:00:51] to the board for Michigan
[1:00:53] Association of Fire Chiefs.
[1:00:54] I think you guys knew that.
[1:00:55] So it does put me up in
[1:00:58] Lansing working
[1:00:59] with the legislators.
[1:01:00] And helping advocate and work
[1:01:01] on these legislations.
[1:01:02] And get that information
[1:01:04] firsthand.
[1:01:05] So if there's updates
[1:01:07] to give,
[1:01:10] I'll provide them right now.
[1:01:11] We just kind of been
[1:01:12] like this wait and see.
[1:01:13] And a lot of stuff is going
[1:01:14] to kind of get put on hold
[1:01:15] with the elections coming up.
[1:01:16] So I think it's going to be a
[1:01:17] very quiet lame duck session.
[1:01:18] When there's not going to be a
[1:01:19] lot happening just because
[1:01:20] there's so much up in there
[1:01:23] And fight
[1:01:25] for different positions
[1:01:26] of control.
[1:01:27] So we're just kind
[1:01:31] of waiting and seeing,
[1:01:32] but we're staying very active.
[1:01:33] So any other questions?
[1:01:34] That's it
[1:01:37] for department updates.
[1:01:39] All right.
[1:01:40] Council updates.
[1:01:41] I will start.
[1:01:42] Where did I start last time?
[1:01:45] You all have to help me
[1:01:46] with this.
[1:01:47] All right.
[1:01:48] Well, I'm going with you.
[1:01:49] Starting with you, Eddie.
[1:01:50] Thank you.
[1:01:53] A couple of things.
[1:01:54] I want to talk about a consent
[1:01:55] agenda item that kind
[1:01:57] of just went through.
[1:01:59] Which I think is pretty cool.
[1:02:00] I think it was 7G.
[1:02:01] It was the clerk's office
[1:02:05] securing a grant for $10,000
[1:02:07] for emergency election
[1:02:08] services.
[1:02:10] Clerk Dean Lent, amazing.
[1:02:12] Thanks
[1:02:13] for securing that grant.
[1:02:14] We appreciate all the work that
[1:02:16] you and your office do
[1:02:17] on elections.
[1:02:18] And $10,000 might not sound
[1:02:20] like a lot, but I imagine you
[1:02:22] can do quite a lot
[1:02:23] with very little.
[1:02:24] Very excited, yes.
[1:02:25] Good. Congrats.
[1:02:26] Thank you.
[1:02:29] Very much.
[1:02:30] Welcome to the new commission
[1:02:32] members.
[1:02:33] Thank you guys for
[1:02:35] volunteering.
[1:02:36] We're excited to have you.
[1:02:38] I'm on the FAIAC, so great
[1:02:39] to have the help.
[1:02:40] Let's see.
[1:02:41] Thank you again,
[1:02:42] ordinance committee and staff
[1:02:43] for these two amendments that
[1:02:44] were just passed.
[1:02:45] I think a lot
[1:02:46] of folks are going to be happy
[1:02:47] in the community.
[1:02:49] And I think the community is
[1:02:50] going
[1:02:51] to be stronger as a result.
[1:02:53] Last but not least,
[1:02:54] the chimney swifts are back
[1:02:56] at Coolick.
[1:02:58] Those are the birds that nest
[1:02:59] inside the chimneys.
[1:03:00] So if you have the time,
[1:03:01] I encourage you to come
[1:03:02] around dusk.
[1:03:04] Watch them circle around
[1:03:06] before they all go to bed
[1:03:07] in that shared nest
[1:03:09] inside the chimneys.
[1:03:10] That's it.
[1:03:11] Thanks.
[1:03:12] I just want to state, you now
[1:03:13] have a full FAIAC commission.
[1:03:16] Is that full now?
[1:03:17] That's exciting.
[1:03:18] Is that correct?
[1:03:19] All right.
[1:03:20] I believe that's correct.
[1:03:21] Nice.
[1:03:22] Asking you, Simon, just nod.
[1:03:23] Yes or no?
[1:03:24] Is it full now?
[1:03:25] Okay.
[1:03:27] All right.
[1:03:31] Councilmember LaSalle.
[1:03:34] I want to lift up, rise up
[1:03:36] Parks and Rec.
[1:03:38] I love Parks and Rec.
[1:03:39] Free movie night at Martin
[1:03:41] Road Park.
[1:03:42] I live a block away,
[1:03:43] so my dog and I, we're going to
[1:03:44] be walking through.
[1:03:45] I'm very excited.
[1:03:46] We're not Star Wars people, but
[1:03:47] we'll check it out.
[1:03:48] I love what you guys do,
[1:03:50] and then getting involved
[1:03:52] with the seniors as well.
[1:03:53] Parks and Rec is very
[1:03:55] important.
[1:03:56] Community is very important,
[1:03:58] especially community just doing
[1:04:00] fun things.
[1:04:01] And just lighthearted watching
[1:04:02] a movie with your neighbors.
[1:04:03] So I hope people come out
[1:04:04] for it.
[1:04:07] Kelley.
[1:04:08] Just a reminder that the last
[1:04:11] two 9-on-9 concert series are
[1:04:12] this Sunday and next.
[1:04:15] At 4 o'clock at Planavon and
[1:04:17] Nine Mile at Schiffer Park.
[1:04:19] This week is a local band,
[1:04:20] Pop Rock.
[1:04:23] They'll be there at 4.
[1:04:25] Next week, the final week,
[1:04:27] Labor Day weekend, is going
[1:04:28] to be 60 Surf.
[1:04:30] So think Beach Boys vibes.
[1:04:33] So yeah,
[1:04:35] it'll be a good time.
[1:04:36] And then I want to,
[1:04:38] I'm excited to finally announce
[1:04:39] that we officially have.
[1:04:40] The details
[1:04:41] for our community picnic,
[1:04:42] celebrating our 250 years.
[1:04:46] Which will be September 19th
[1:04:49] from 11 to 3 at Martin Road
[1:04:51] Park.
[1:04:52] You bring your own picnic, and
[1:04:53] we supply the fun and ice
[1:04:55] cream.
[1:04:56] We're going to be doing some
[1:04:57] really good races, Tug of War,
[1:04:58] yard games.
[1:04:59] Face painting, music.
[1:05:01] It's going to be a lot of fun.
[1:05:02] I'm really looking forward
[1:05:03] to it.
[1:05:04] So spread the word.
[1:05:09] Pro Tem Mikulski
[1:05:10] I don't have much tonight.
[1:05:11] I did finally make it out to
[1:05:13] Schiffer Park for
[1:05:14] like five minutes.
[1:05:15] Before the rain started.
[1:05:16] I'm going to try to come out
[1:05:17] to this one this weekend.
[1:05:20] Beyond that, I did want to let
[1:05:22] the public know there have been
[1:05:23] a couple.
[1:05:24] Of communications and
[1:05:26] conversations about permit
[1:05:27] parking and the impact to.
[1:05:29] Those residents who don't have
[1:05:30] a driveway.
[1:05:31] Apparently there's a state law
[1:05:33] that people have to move their
[1:05:35] vehicles on.
[1:05:36] A regular basis.
[1:05:37] There's some concerns within
[1:05:38] the community that our
[1:05:39] resources are being.
[1:05:41] Used to enforce that state law
[1:05:44] where it's not really doing
[1:05:45] much for anybody.
[1:05:48] It's just simple movement
[1:05:50] of your vehicle.
[1:05:51] We are going to be looking
[1:05:52] at some of that alongside the
[1:05:54] ordinance committee.
[1:05:56] Which is a busy committee,
[1:05:57] to potentially look
[1:05:58] at permitting structures for.
[1:06:00] Those folks who do not have
[1:06:01] driveways.
[1:06:03] So stay tuned.
[1:06:04] Hopefully we can give people
[1:06:06] some relief.
[1:06:11] All right.
[1:06:12] So first I want to welcome
[1:06:14] Finance Director Johnson
[1:06:16] to the position.
[1:06:18] Thank you.
[1:06:19] I know how able-bodied you are,
[1:06:20] and I think we're all the
[1:06:21] better for it.
[1:06:23] So I'm happy that you're here.
[1:06:25] I want to thank Rachel
[1:06:26] Crandall Crocker for her
[1:06:27] Transgender Pride in the
[1:06:29] Park.
[1:06:30] It was a really nice event.
[1:06:32] More vendors than I believe
[1:06:33] were last year,
[1:06:34] and it was a good gathering.
[1:06:36] And Rachel is a huge advocate,
[1:06:40] the starter of Transgender
[1:06:41] Michigan.
[1:06:42] And she has just been a force
[1:06:46] for transgender rights.
[1:06:47] Especially now since they are
[1:06:49] under so many attacks right
[1:06:50] now.
[1:06:56] And I just also want to let
[1:06:57] everyone know that Ferndale
[1:07:00] High School is having.
[1:07:01] Their first home game against
[1:07:02] Lanfear this Thursday at 7.
[1:07:04] And I'm particularly excited
[1:07:07] because I believe our Oakland
[1:07:09] County Executive.
[1:07:10] Will be honored
[1:07:11] for his advocacy
[1:07:13] for public schools?
[1:07:14] And just all the great work
[1:07:17] that he's done.
[1:07:19] So he will be honored
[1:07:20] at the home game against
[1:07:23] Lanfear this Thursday.
[1:07:25] And if you can make it out,
[1:07:26] please do.
[1:07:29] I also want to, so something on
[1:07:30] the consent agenda was
[1:07:31] regarding.
[1:07:32] The Michigan Department of
[1:07:36] National Resources grant.
[1:07:37] And I just want
[1:07:38] to state something
[1:07:40] about that.
[1:07:42] So our Parks and Rec
[1:07:49] Department work tirelessly
[1:07:50] getting grants to upgrade.
[1:07:52] To provide upgrades to our
[1:07:54] parks throughout the city.
[1:07:56] And I just want
[1:07:58] to share a story
[1:07:59] about collaboration.
[1:08:01] And what it can do and what it
[1:08:02] can bring.
[1:08:05] I received a call, probably I'd
[1:08:07] say no more than maybe a week
[1:08:10] and a half ago, maybe two weeks
[1:08:12] now, from Kate Baker.
[1:08:15] Who is a former Planning
[1:08:17] Commission chair and also a
[1:08:18] former council member.
[1:08:21] She now serves on the Oakland
[1:08:22] County Park Board Commission
[1:08:23] now as a resident.
[1:08:28] And of course someone who's
[1:08:29] been involved in the community
[1:08:30] for many years.
[1:08:31] She called me to let me know
[1:08:32] that there's money
[1:08:42] that she didn't believe
[1:08:43] that our parks
[1:08:44] And rec were being involved in
[1:08:45] as far as they weren't reaping
[1:08:46] the benefits.
[1:08:47] Of the money that you can get
[1:08:48] at the Oakland County level.
[1:08:49] So because that kind
[1:08:50] of piqued my ear,
[1:08:51] anything that allows our city.
[1:08:54] To gain money and less that we
[1:08:55] have to ask you
[1:08:56] for is also an interest
[1:08:57] for me.
[1:08:59] So I will, I let Kate Baker
[1:09:02] know that why don't we connect
[1:09:05] you.
[1:09:06] Why don't I connect you with
[1:09:07] Lorena, our parks and rec
[1:09:09] director,?
[1:09:10] And find out what we can do
[1:09:12] because we have so many
[1:09:16] ambitious ideas.
[1:09:17] Regarding the parks,
[1:09:18] what can we do?
[1:09:19] So I can tell you that
[1:09:20] within a week
[1:09:23] of that conversation.
[1:09:25] Lorena and Kate were in contact
[1:09:27] and I believe what we have
[1:09:31] on the agenda here.
[1:09:32] Happened within three
[1:09:34] to four days
[1:09:35] of them connecting
[1:09:36] with one another.
[1:09:37] Where this proposal went to the
[1:09:38] parks and rec commission
[1:09:41] For the $100,000 that we have
[1:09:43] just received.
[1:09:45] So I'm just saying that
[1:09:47] collaboration and collaboration
[1:09:52] matters.
[1:09:53] And that there's so much that
[1:09:55] we can do if we just kind
[1:09:56] of put our hands out there.
[1:09:57] And just say, hey,
[1:09:58] we need this.
[1:09:59] Had they not connected,
[1:10:01] we wouldn't have that $100,000
[1:10:04] on our agenda today.
[1:10:05] From what I'm hearing,
[1:10:07] Lorena, once she found
[1:10:10] out the possibility.
[1:10:11] Of being able
[1:10:12] to get this money, really
[1:10:13] pulled her team together.
[1:10:14] And applied for this grant
[1:10:18] within like three
[1:10:19] to four days,
[1:10:20] so less than a week.
[1:10:22] And I'm really proud
[1:10:23] to say that the Oakland
[1:10:24] County Parks and Recreation
[1:10:25] Commission.
[1:10:26] Unanimously voted in favor of
[1:10:28] Ferndale and us receiving the
[1:10:30] grant.
[1:10:31] Which was just going
[1:10:32] to directly affect Lennon
[1:10:33] Park.
[1:10:35] A park that maybe has not
[1:10:36] received so many upgrades
[1:10:37] at the time.
[1:10:39] So that's really huge.
[1:10:41] And I really want
[1:10:42] to thank and I want
[1:10:43] to name the Oakland County
[1:10:44] parks and rec board.
[1:10:46] Who were instrumental
[1:10:48] in making this happen quickly.
[1:10:49] Yolanda Smith-Charles, Oakland
[1:10:53] County Commissioner.
[1:10:54] Anne Erickson-Gault, Oakland
[1:10:55] County Commissioner.
[1:10:57] Eric McPherson, actually
[1:10:59] representing Hazel Park.
[1:11:01] And then of course, Kate
[1:11:02] Baker, former chair and former
[1:11:04] council member.
[1:11:05] Also, what I was informed,
[1:11:08] and I think Hazel Park will
[1:11:09] probably have their own
[1:11:10] announcement.
[1:11:12] But it's been some time, so
[1:11:13] they might have announced it
[1:11:14] already.
[1:11:15] But something else that has
[1:11:16] been approved
[1:11:17] through that commission.
[1:11:18] Is that the Hazel Park
[1:11:19] Community Center has now been
[1:11:21] issued funds
[1:11:23] To implement a senior exercise
[1:11:24] room.
[1:11:26] So that's going to benefit not
[1:11:28] only Hazel Park residents.
[1:11:29] But it's also going to benefit
[1:11:30] our senior residents who are
[1:11:32] here.
[1:11:33] Who utilize the Hazel Park
[1:11:35] Community Center.
[1:11:37] So it's just things like that
[1:11:38] that make me really proud.
[1:11:40] And one instance where
[1:11:42] government moves very quickly,
[1:11:43] it doesn't always happen.
[1:11:46] And I'm just really proud
[1:11:47] about that.
[1:11:48] So hats off to Lorena, the
[1:11:50] parks and rec team.
[1:11:51] For doing what you do
[1:11:53] automatically.
[1:11:54] And I'm looking forward to the
[1:11:57] basketball courts that are
[1:11:58] going to be coming into
[1:12:00] Lennon Park.
[1:12:01] Based on that grant, as far as
[1:12:02] some other upgrades.
[1:12:05] I'm happy about that. That is
[1:12:06] good news.
[1:12:07] It's been kind of good news all
[1:12:08] around.
[1:12:09] I want to thank everyone
[1:12:11] for coming out tonight.
[1:12:15] Thank you
[1:12:16] for being involved.
[1:12:17] Congratulations to the new
[1:12:18] boards and commission members.
[1:12:19] And with that being said,
[1:12:20] this meeting is adjourned at
[1:12:21] 8, 12 p. M.
[1:12:23] Thank you.