Mayor/Executive Office

Biography

After almost 20 years in the hospitalityPhoto of Mayor Hansen in front of brick wallindustry, Greg joined the Business Administration faculty at Whatcom Community College as an adjunct instructor in 2006 where he teaches courses in hospitality management and general business and administration. Greg holds Bachelor's degrees in Economics and Political Science as well as History and Social Studies, and a Secondary Education teaching certificate from Western Washington University. He has also completed significant graduate work in history at WWU.

His work at the Resort Semiahmoo included virtually every job in the restaurant industry, starting as a busser, moving on to waiter, and eventually the Food and Beverage Manager, and later, Director of Restaurants. 

Greg lives in Ferndale with his wife Raquel and has two adult children, Andrew and Katie. Greg has been a resident of the Ferndale community for over 50 years. 

Mayor Hansen was first elected to the Ferndale City Council in 2016 and was elected Mayor in 2019. His second term ends December 31, 2027. In addition to his duties as Mayor, Greg represents the City of Ferndale on many boards and commissions including: The Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence, the Whatcom County Child and Family Wellness Taskforce, the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission, the Whatcom Council of Governments, the Whatcom County Small Cities Caucus, the Whatcom County Business and Commerce Commission, and the Ferndale Community Coalition. 

Mayor-Council Form (Strong Mayor)

The mayor-council form consists of a mayor elected at-large, who serves as the city's chief administrative officer, and a separately elected council (elected either at-large or from districts) which serves as the municipality's legislative body. This separation of powers is based on the traditional federal and state models in the United States.

The council has the authority to formulate and adopt city policies and the mayor is responsible for carrying them out. The mayor attends and presides over council meetings but does not vote, except in the case of a tie. The mayor also has veto authority over legislation (except for towns), but the veto can be overridden by the council as specified in the municipality's statutes or charter.

The mayor must be qualified to hold elective office, which includes being a resident and legally registered voter of that city (RCW 42.04.020 and RCW 42.12.010).

In all but the largest cities, elected mayors and councilmembers serve on a part-time basis, leaving most of the day-to-day operations to administrative personnel.

Nationally, mayor-council governments are often classified as either "strong mayor" or "weak mayor" types depending on the degree of executive authority that is concentrated in the mayor's office. However, by providing veto authority (except for towns), the Washington State legislature essentially provided for a strong mayor system.

For more information, visit MRSC's article: City and Town Forms of Government. 

Role of the Mayor

Ferndale’s Mayor exercises the responsibilities as outlined by law for as Mayor-Council plan of government. This includes exercising general supervision over the administrative affairs of the City; the responsibility for the appointment and removal of personnel; and the execution of the laws and policies as adopted by the City Council.

Specifically, Ferndale’s mayor is responsible for attending to the following functions and areas of responsibility: Provide direction in the development and carrying out priority of the annual City Budget; provide information, reports, recommendations and staffing for meetings of the City Council; keep Council advised of City needs and activities; provide coordination between City departments and between the City and other entities; provide information to the public on issues, affairs and policies of the City; Represent the City as needed on various boards and committees; manage City contracts for special services as needed (legal and judicial services, grants and loans, special projects, etc.); and supervises all department heads and provides direction as needed.

Role of the City Administrator 

Under the direction and authority of the Mayor, the City Administrator shall supervise, administer, and coordinate the activities and functions of all City officers, departments, commissions and boards to implement City ordinances and policies through the effective use of City employees, funds, materials, facilities, and time, and shall direct and control the overall operations of the City to assure optimum services to the community.