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News

Andrew Hansen Appointed to Arts Commission

Andrew Hansen

Last night, Andrew Hansen was nominated by Mayor Jon Mutchler to the Ferndale Arts Commission. Hansen, a Windward High School graduate and current Whatcom Community College student, is a local musician and interested in getting involved in Ferndale’s art scene. “I believe art is what gives color to life. It is the essence of our humanity.”

The Ferndale Arts Commission is charged with enhancing the community by advising on public art and community aesthetic enhancement.

The Arts Commission meets at 5 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month in the City Hall Main Conference Room, 2095 Main St.

The City accepts applications for boards and commissions year-round, not just when there is a vacancy. If you feel you have something to contribute, please fill out an application and send it to City Clerk Susan Duncan. You can find the application here.

December 4, 2018

Mark Kaiman Sworn In as new Ferndale Municipal Court Judge

Last night, attorney Mark Kaiman was sworn in as Ferndale’s new Municipal Court Judge. Kaiman served as a Judge Pro Tempore in Whatcom County District Court for the last four years. In addition to his judicial experience, Kaiman has been a deputy prosecutor in, and is currently in private practice as a military and criminal defense attorney.
“Sitting in judgment of others is a great responsibility. I am honored that the city of Ferndale has entrusted me with this task and allowed me to answer the call to public service,” said Kaiman.

December 4, 2018

Summary of December 4th, 2018 Council Meeting

Agenda Materials Found Here

 City Council Agenda Follow-Up

December 3, 2018

  
CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL  
PUBLIC COMMENT INFO ONLY
CONSENT AGENDA

Councilmember Taylor moved, and Councilmember G. Hansen seconded, to approve the consent agenda.  MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

 

  

APPROVED

 
INTRODUCTION/SWEARING OF MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE MARK KAIMAN

 

 INFO ONLY
PUBLIC HEARING: Comprehensive Plan Updates Ordinance

The comprehensive plan is the long-range guiding document of the City and is fully updated every five to eight years in cooperation with other local jurisdictions and Whatcom County. In the intervening years the City or private applicants may propose amendments no more than once per year unless an emergency situation exists.

There are two types of amendments: to the text and to the Land Use Map. In the proposed ordinance, all changes are primarily map amendments. The FEMA Floodway Modification amendment requires a minor change to the existing text, as a result of the map change.

The three proposed modifications are:

1.       Removal, modification, or renaming of the floodway land use designation. With this modification, properties currently subject to the designation would instead be designated based on the adjacent land use designations, and the properties would also be rezoned to the adjacent zoning designation.

2.       Comprehensive plan land use map change: South Portal. The recommendation is to change the land use designation in this area from Commercial to Medium or High Density Residential. In recent years there has been a significant shift in ownership in the area and some of the long-term uses have ceased or may soon cease. The existing Commercial land use designation anticipates a variety of uses for an area that does not appear to be conducive to those uses.

3.       Comprehensive Land Use Change: Donna Lane/Thornton Street. This amendment would change the land use designation of two properties in the vicinity of Thornton Street. The southern property would change from Commercial to Low Density Residential, consistent with adjacent residential properties to the west. The amendment would also make the northern property entirely commercial.

Councilmember Watson moved, and Councilmember Xczar seconded, to approve the removal of the floodway designation and the South Portal land use map change. (Items #1 & 2) MOTION CARRIED 6-1, Councilmember Olson opposed.

Councilmember G. Hansen moved, and Councilmember Kennedy seconded, to approve the comprehensive land use change for the southern property in the vicinity of Thornton Street from Commercial to Low Density Residential. (Item #3) MOTION CARRIED 6-1, Councilmember Olson opposed.

Councilmember Kennedy moved, and Councilmember K. Hansen seconded, to direct staff to draft a development agreement requiring a residential buffer on the western and southern boundaries of the northern property, with homes no taller than 35 feet. The land use change to Commercial is pending the approval of the development agreement. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIRECTION PROVIDED TO STAFF
PUBLIC HEARING: Public/Institutional Zone Setbacks Modifications Ordinance

The Public/Institutional (P/I) Zone was established for the purpose of creating a zoning designation that would facilitate the development of public buildings. Prior to the establishment of this zone, public buildings could be allowed in any zone, subject to a variety of different review processes.

Currently, the P/I zone is silent in terms of setbacks but refers to the underlying or adjacent zone for guidance. However, the P/I zone is a zone unto itself, so a reference to an underlying or adjacent zone is somewhat misleading.

The proposed amendments establish setbacks in the P/I zone of 20 feet from the front, 5 feet on the sides, and 10 feet from the rear. These setbacks may be reduced if the adjacent zone has a lesser value.

Councilmember Taylor moved, and Councilmember Watson seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

  

 

 

 

 

APPROVED

 
PUBLIC HEARING: Nordic Way Rezone Ordinance

The area generally east of Haggen grocery store has been zoned for commercial purposes since the 1970’s, despite the fact that many of the largest businesses in the area are clearly more industrial in nature, and operate as legally non-conforming uses. For several years, property owners in this area have focused on the redevelopment of this area for large retail/big-box purposes. Since that time several of the property owners in the area have indicated that absent a large retail development, the City’s inventory of commercial properties far exceeds the need, and the inventory of serviced properties in General Business zoning is rapidly shrinking. Property owners in the area initiated a formal rezone request.

Councilmember Taylor moved, and Councilmember Kennedy seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

 

 

 

 

 

APPROVED
ORDINANCE: 2018 Budget Amendment

The budget amendment transfers funds to the stormwater fund, related to the Gateway Storm and Washington Street, Main to Vista projects.

Councilmember K. Hansen moved, and Councilmember G. Hansen seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTION CARRIED 6-1, Councilmember Olson opposed.

  

 

APPROVED
ORDINANCE: Adoption of 2019 Operating Budget

Councilmember Taylor moved, and Councilmember Xczar seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTION CARRIED 4-3, Councilmembers Olson opposed, Watson, and K. Hansen opposed.

  

APPROVED
DISCUSSION: School Resource Officer Interlocal Agreement

The School District and the City believe that it is in the best interest of the Ferndale public school system to have a law enforcement presence in the schools, so they have established a “School Assigned Officer” (SAO) program. The SAO provides services on a rotating and random basis to all schools in the district during the ten-month school year. The proposed interlocal agreement extends the program for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years.

The proposed annual payment from the School District to the City is $63,135 for the 2018-2019 school year, and $65,503 for the 2019 – 2020 school year.

On Wednesday, November 28, the Finance & Administration Committee forwarded the item to the full Council for further discussion with a recommendation of approving a 180-day contract for the 2018 – 2019 school year only.

Councilmember Kennedy moved, and Councilmember Taylor seconded, to approve the 2-year interlocal agreement as presented.

 

Councilmember K. Hansen moved, and Councilmember G. Hansen seconded, to amend the motion to decrease the term of the agreement to a one-year, 180-day contract for the 2018 – 2019 school year.

ON THE AMENDMENT: MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

ON THE MAIN, AMENDED MOTION: MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

 

 

 

 

 

APPROVED

AS AMENDED

 

 

 
APPOINTMENT: Andrew Hansen, Arts Commission

Councilmember Taylor moved, and Councilmember Olson seconded, to approve the appointment. MOTION CARRIED 6-0, Councilmember G. Hansen abstaining.

  

APPROVED
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.  

 

December 4, 2018

City Installs Barrier to Prevent Left Turns off Main Street before Labounty Drive

Public Works crews are on Main Street today from 7am-3:30pm installing plastic traffic delineators along the center line of Main Street to prevent drivers from making left turns into and out of the North Sound Center parking lot. Flaggers will be on site, please use caution and follow all direction from Public Works crew.

The City is eliminating left turn movements between Main Street and the North Sound Center parking lot located between I-5 and Labounty. Drivers wanting to access the North Sound Center parking lot from Main Street or westbound Main Street from the parking lot will need to utilize the intersection at Main and Labounty.

This change was motivated by the use of “Intelligence-Based Policing”, where the Ferndale Police Department works hand in hand with the City’s GIS mapping team to identify hot spots by layering crash data into the City’s GIS mapping database.  Utilizing this approach, the City is better able to identify changes in accident distribution and identify areas where increased patrols or modifications may be necessary.

This location was identified as one of the most frequent spots for accidents as drivers taking a left turn off Main Street into the parking lot collide with vehicles accelerating to enter I-5. Signage is being installed to inform drivers of the change with further improvements and signage planned for early Spring 2019.

December 3, 2018

Help Needy Families in Ferndale with the Holiday Giving Store

Did you know that the Ferndale Holiday Giving Store provides gifts and warm clothing to nearly 1,000 children living in poverty in Ferndale and Custer? Gifts are free to families who qualify, enabling those children to wake up Christmas morning with something special for them under the tree.   Did you know the Holiday Giving Store relies entirely on donations?

To participate, simply come to City Hall and pick an ornament from the tree. Each ornament lists a specific item for purchase.  All you need to do is purchase the item(s) and place it in the Holiday Giving Store Box next to the Christmas tree. You don’t even need to wrap it! Donations are accepted through December 14.

Please consider supporting the Holiday Giving Store, a program of the Ferndale Community Service Cooperative, and help provide a wonderful holiday for those in need. For more information, please call the Ferndale Community Service Cooperative at (360) 380-2200

 

November 28, 2018

On the Eve of Mars Landing, Ferndale Celebrates Martian Accomplishments

As the world watches NASA’s Insight lander touch down on the surface of Mars today, Ferndale celebrates our local businesses who are involved in NASA’s expeditions.

Samson Rope, which is headquartered in Ferndale and employs over 200 people locally, designed and built the synthetic ropes used to handle the cargo on the first shuttle missions, and provide resistance to exercise equipment on the International Space Station.

The Timken Company, which has a manufacturing facility in Ferndale with over 80 local employees, manufactures bearings, gear drives and couplings for machinery around the world. Their bearings were used in many previous martian missions, including the Opportunity Rover (2004), the Spirit Rover (2004) and the Curiosity Rover (2012). Their bearings are currently inside the Insight Lander which arrives today.

“With all this Ferndale material on Mars, I believe we may need to annex part of the red planet,” said Mayor Jon Mutchler. “At least, we should consider a sister-planet program.”

For more information on Ferndale-based manufacturers, please explore FerndaleMade.com to learn about the thousands of products produced in Ferndale every day and why Ferndale is an ideal place to locate a business.

 

November 26, 2018

November 19th, 2018 Council Meeting Summary

Click Here for Meeting Materials

 City Council Agenda Follow-Up

November 19, 2018

  
5:00 STUDY SESSION: 2019 Budget Forecast INFO ONLY
CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL  
PUBLIC COMMENT INFO ONLY
CONSENT AGENDA

 

Councilmember Watson moved, and Councilmember Taylor seconded, to approve the consent agenda.  MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

 

  

 

APPROVED

 
LOBBYIST PRESENTATION/ADOPTION OF 2019 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

 

City Lobbyist Brian Enslow presented a summary of the most recent legislative session. The 2019 Legislative Agenda includes:

·         Ensure transportation projects (Thornton Road Overpass and I-5/Slater Road Interchange) remain funded.

·         Pursue strategic opportunities for infrastructure funding, particularly the Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion.

·         Secure funding for the Metalworks Skate Park.

·         Ensure adequate funding for new planning requirements.

·         Potential changes to the Growth Management Act.

 

Councilmember Watson moved, and Councilmember Kennedy seconded, to adopt the legislative agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

APPROVED
PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS UPDATE

 

Associate Planner Haylie Miller presented an overview of the subdivision review process and the following steps that are required:

·         Counter visit and/or phone call from potential applicant

·         Pre-Application Meeting, followed by the submittal of a complete application

·         Pre-technical review committee meeting among staff members, followed by a technical review committee meeting including the applicant, during which conditions are discussed

·         Conditions discussed at the meeting are incorporated into a staff report, which is included in the hearing examiner materials

·         Public hearing and environmental review are noticed

·         The public hearing is held, and the hearing examiner makes a decision

·         If approval is recommended by the hearing examiner, the next step is preliminary plat layout approval

·         Civil plan (infrastructure) review & issuance, followed by infrastructure installation

·         Final plat recording

·         Building permits application

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INFO ONLY
PUBLIC HEARING: 2019 Property Tax Levy Ordinance

Sirke Salminen presented the ordinance and explained that the City is taking the annual allowed 1% increase and banking the $160,000 one-time payment which resulted from overpayment to Whatcom County Fire District #7 as part of the annexation of the City. A public hearing is required to adopt the ordinance. The public hearing was held, and no members of the public spoke.

Councilmember Taylor moved, and Councilmember G. Hansen seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

  

 

 

APPROVED

 
DISCUSSION: School Resource Officer Interlocal Agreement

The School District and the City believe that it is in the best interest of the Ferndale public school system to have a law enforcement presence in the schools, so they have established a “School Assigned Officer” (SAO) program. The SAO provides services on a rotating and random basis to all schools in the district during the ten-month school year. The proposed interlocal agreement extends the program for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years.

The proposed annual payment from the School District to the City is $63,135 for the 2018-2019 school year, and $65,503 for the 2019 – 2020 school year.

On Wednesday, November 14, the Finance & Administration Committee requested that staff re-negotiate the school resource officer agreement with the school district to increase the annual payment the District makes to the City.  Chief of Police Kevin Turner presented information about the School Resource Officer position and salary.

Councilmember Olson moved, and Councilmember K. Hansen seconded, to send the item back to the Finance & Administration Committee. Motion failed 2-5, Councilmembers Olson and Taylor in favor.

 

Councilmember G. Hansen moved, and Councilmember Watson seconded, to direct staff to ask the School District to increase the compensation to the City to $87,000 for each year of the two-year contract. MOTION CARRIED 6-1, Councilmember Kennedy opposed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIRECTION PROVIDED TO STAFF
NON-REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE CONTRACTS

Councilmember Kennedy moved, and Councilmember Taylor seconded, to approve the contracts as presented.

 

Councilmember G. Hansen moved, and Councilmember Taylor seconded, to amend the motion to decrease the term of the contracts from three years to two years.

 

ON THE AMENDMENT: MOTION CARRIED 6-1, Councilmember Olson opposed.

 

ON THE MAIN, AMENDED MOTION: MOTION CARRIED 4-3, Councilmembers Olson, Xczar, and Watson opposed.

 

 

 

 

 

APPROVED
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.  

 

November 20, 2018

Traffic Impacts at Main Street/Barrett Road Intersection Nov. 8th, 9am-11am

Traffic Impacts at Main Street/Barrett Road Intersection Nov. 8th, 9am-11am

Public Works crew will be at the intersection of Main Street and Barrett Road Nov. 8th from 9am-11am, doing road maintenance. This will cause temporary delays as flaggers direct traffic through the affected area. Please use alternative routes if possible.

For more information, please contact Ferndale Public Works Department at (360) 384-4301.

November 7, 2018