[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.

City Council

Agenda

Transcript