Hal Anchorman is back to share the winners of the Great Ferndale Alien Abduction. A big thank you to everyone who participated and all of our community partners (Ferndale Community Coalition, Ferndale Food Bank, Whatcom County Library System and the Ferndale Police Department). If did not turn in your scorecard by the deadline, don’t worry, you can still stop by City Hall through the end of the month, turn it in and pick up a prize.
Here is the sixth and FINAL clue for the Great Ferndale Alien Abduction. Please turn in your scorecards at City Hall by Tuesday July 23rd to receive prizes! More details at www.cityofferndale.org/aliens
To access Agenda materials, click here
| City Council Agenda Follow-Up July 15, 2019 | |
| 5:00 p.m. STUDY SESSION: 2020 Budget Councilmembers presented their requests for the 2020 budget. | DISCUSSION ONLY |
| APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Bersch moved, and Councilmember Taylor seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. | APPROVED |
| PUBLIC COMMENT | INFO ONLY |
| CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Taylor moved, and Councilmember Hansen seconded, to approve the consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. | APPROVED |
| PROCLAMATION: 2019 Paddle to Lummi Tribal Canoe Journey Mayor Mutchler read the proclamation honoring and acknowledging the 2019 Paddle to Lummi Canoe Journey. | INFO ONLY |
| CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE Public Works Project Manager Katy Radder presented updates on the following capital projects: First Avenue Pedestrian Improvement Project – reconfigures the existing pedestrian crossings at First Avenue and Main StreetFerndale Terrace – design currently underwayScout Place to Nordic Way Water Line – Permit has been submitted to Burlington Northern, and work is expected to begin soonPump Station #19 De-Commissioning – a new gravity main will connect the water systems between Thornton Road and Malloy VillageThornton Overcrossing – right of way acquisition is nearly completeUtilities Relocation – utilities need to be relocated to accommodate the Thornton Overcrossing Project | INFO ONLY |
| PUBLIC HEARING: Floodway Repeal Ordinance In January 2019, the City Council approved an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan removing the Floodway Comprehensive Plan Designation and the Floodway Zone. The City Council determined that is no longer appropriate to maintain a floodway land use designation or zone that is inconsistent with the floodway established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This zoning text amendment removes Chapter 18.20 (Floodway Zone) from the Ferndale Municipal Code. Councilmember Olson moved, and Councilmember Jensen seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. | APPROVED |
| DISCUSSION: First & Main Street Intersection Improvement project/Bid Award This project will reconfigure the existing pedestrian crossings at the intersection of First Avenue and Main Street. Work will include removal and replacement of cement concrete sidewalk, curb and ADA ramps; removal of existing signal arms, cabinets and related facilities; concrete flatwork; HMA paving; permanent signage installation and pavement striping. Councilmember Jensen moved, and Councilmember Taylor seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTION CARRIED 5-2, Councilmembers Hansen and Bersch opposed. | APPROVED |
| DISCUSSION: Affordable Housing Survey Housing affordability continues to be a significant issue for Whatcom County communities and for the City of Ferndale. Demand has dramatically exceeded supply at nearly every price point, and a significant housing crisis exists in the Pacific Northwest. The lack of housing units for the workforce has further contributed to a slow-down in the growth of local businesses that depend on skilled labor and has curtailed the expansion of businesses from outside the area, for the same reason. A survey regarding affordable housing was conducted with input from local realtors, developers, and contractors. Suggestions included: Allow duplexes, triplexes, etc. in multiple zones Reduce permit fees where feasible and provide incentive programs for “affordable” housingStreamline the permit review process and provide better information regarding permit requirementsDevelopment Regulations – reduce frontage requirements and allow streets to be narrowerZoning Regulations – allow more flexibility in building placement on the lotDensity Bonuses – provide incentives for increased units. Incentives must provide a public benefitState Regulations – better coordination between state agencies and city. Wetland fill and mitigation permits add time/confusion to the processCritical Areas – allow applicants to mitigate for small wetland areas | INFO ONLY |
| MAYOR REPORTS/COMMENTS Information only. COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS Information only. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Information only. | INFO ONLY |
| ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m. |
Here is Clue #5 – the LAST clue will be posted this Friday and then all scorecards are due at City Hall by the end of Tuesday, July 23rd. More details are here.
Here’s clue #4 for the Great Ferndale Alien Abduction – more clues, rules and details can be found here.
Here is a notice from our partners at Puget Sound Energy about an upcoming project starting July 15th that will impact Ferndale residents.
In conjunction with the City of Ferndale’s Thornton Street overpass project and in an ongoing effort to deliver safe and reliable energy to the Ferndale-area, Puget Sound Energy electric crews will be working along Thornton Street to relocate select utility poles, upgrade related electric equipment and underground a section of the existing overhead electric wire. Due to the complexity of the work and for the safety of our crew, we may need to take a planned power outage towards the end of the project which might impact your residence or business. Please see below for project details.
Project details
Who: Electric crews from PSE and Potelco and underground trenching crews from Power X
What: Replacing select utility poles, upgrading related electric equipment and undergrounding electric wire
Where: Thornton Street between Snowden Drive and Interstate 5, Ferndale
(please refer to map above for approximate project route)
When: Work is expected to begin the week of July 15 and is anticipated to last into late August
What you can expect
For more information regarding the Thornton Street overpass project, please visit the City’s website: https://www.cityofferndale.org/public-works-department/capital-projects/thornton-railroad-overcrossing-project/.
Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work to complete this project. We aim to cause as little disruption as possible. If you have any questions regarding PSE’s portion of this project, please contact me and reference job number 101110819.
Sincerely,
Jane Major, PSE Project Manager
360-791-2748 | jane.major@pse.com
This month, the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) awarded Councilmember Greg Hansen a Certificate of Municipal Leadership in recognition of his service, leadership and educational achievements. The program recognizes, “Mayors and councilmembers who continue to strive for excellence by attending conferences and trainings, serving their community, and further developing leadership skills.”
Hansen, who has been on the City Council since 2016, serves as the council liaison to the Chamber of Commerce, Ferndale Community Coalition, represents the council on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. For his day job, he teaches Hospitality and Tourism Management and Business Administration at Whatcom Community College.
“This program provides a fantastic grounding in the best practices for any city, large or small. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from some of the best people in the state.” said Hansen. “That said, interacting with my peers across the state reinforced my belief that we are well ahead of the curve here in Ferndale on so many issues.”
City officials receive the Certificate of Municipal Leadership after earning 30 credits AWC trainings and demonstrating community service.
Here’s the third clue for the Great Ferndale Alien Abduction – you can find the previous clues and all the rules at the main page by clicking here.
Here’s the second clue for the Great Ferndale Alien Abduction – you can find the first clue and all the rules at the main page by clicking here.
City offices will reopen on Friday, July 5th at our normal time. In the case of an emergency, please call 911.