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City News

Potential Quorum Notice – State Auditor’s Exit Conference

Notice is hereby given that one or more members of the Ferndale City Council may attend the following meeting:

State Auditor’s Exit Conference

Monday, November 18 at 1:00 p.m.

Ferndale City Hall, Main Conference Room

2095 Main Street  Ferndale, WA

The purpose of this meeting is to allow state auditors to share their preliminary results of their audit of the City of Ferndale for the financial fiscal year 2018. This is an open public meeting as outlined by the Open Public Meetings Act, and members of the public are invited to attend and observe.

          Susan Duncan, CMC

          City Clerk, City of Ferndale

         

      

       

        

       

November 13, 2019

Crews Set to Smoke Test Sewer Lines this week

Public Works crews are set to smoke test sanitary sewer lines this week in the neighborhoods identified above.

 These tests help the City identify how and where water (and other material) enters and leaves our sewer system, allowing us to locate defective connections and spots in need of repairs.

During smoke testing, field crews blow air and smoke into the sewer system from the street and then monitor where it comes out. The smoke under pressure will fill the main line as well as any connections and then follow the path of any leak to the ground surface, quickly revealing the source of the problem.

For instance, if smoke permeates up through a yard, it indicates breaks in the sewer line. The smoke is gently pushed to overcome atmospheric pressure and  should escape from building roof vents.

The smoke itself is actually not smoke, but a non-toxic, non-staining odorless vapor.

Smoke testing is a harmless, cost-effective way to identify areas of our sewer system that need improvement.

Below are some common questions and answers about this testing, if you have any further questions, please call the Public Works Department at (360) 384-4006.


November 12, 2019

Flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Chief Michael Knapp

Proclamation on the Death of Former Police Chief Michael Knapp

As a mark of respect for the memory and longstanding service of Michael Knapp, former police chief of the City of Ferndale who was fatally injured in the line of duty while serving the City of Lynden, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the City of Ferndale and the laws of the United States of America, that until the date of his internment, the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at city hall and all public buildings and grounds.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of November, in the year two thousand nineteen.

Mayor Jon Mutchler, City of Ferndale

UPDATE: Prior to issuing this proclamation, the City sought, and received, authorization from the Governor for this action. It was granted on the condition the mayor make a proclamation.

November 7, 2019

Council Meeting Summary for Nov. 4th, 2019

City Council Agenda Follow-Up November 4, 2019  
5:00 p.m. Budget Workshop INFO ONLY
APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Taylor moved, and Councilmember Jensen seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. APPROVED
PUBLIC COMMENT INFO ONLY
CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Hansen moved, and Councilmember Bersch seconded, to approve the consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.    APPROVED
PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS UPDATE Assistant Planner Jesse Ashbaugh presented an update on the following private development projects:             INFO ONLY  
PRESENTATION: Mark Kaiman, Municipal Court Judge Municipal Court Judge Mark Kaiman presented information about the current state of the Court/Council Chambers, and the dire need for updated facilities. The judge views it as an ongoing and serious crisis, and he has been trying to call attention to the deplorable state of the facility ever since he took office in January. The facility doesn’t meet the security standards as defined in GR 36. (General Rules for Trial Court Security as defined by Washington Courts) Security deficiencies noted include: No video camerasNo duress alarms (panic buttons)No emergency notification processLimited weapons screening (conducted by volunteer SCOPE officers) The facility is also lacking in several other areas, including: Jury box, jury room for deliberationsAttorney meeting rooms so they can meet with their clientsJudge’s chambers in a secured areaSecure workspace for court clerkSeparate entrance for court staff & secured entrance for in-custody defendantsTechnology is lacking & unreliable   Kaiman explained that if the City wants people to respect the justice system, court must be held in a room that engenders respect. He pleaded with Council to consider building a purpose-built municipal building that will serve the City now and into the future as well.                     INFO ONLY
PUBLIC HEARING: 2020 Property Tax Levy In 2016, the City reduced its share of property tax due to the annexation into Whatcom County Fire District #7. This amount has been reserved by the Whatcom County Assessor as the City’s banked capacity. The available amount the City is eligible to claim is $1,420,313. Council can decide to take all or part of the banked capacity. The use of the full banked capacity would allow the City to sustainably address community needs that have remained unmet, such as:   Provide adequate personnel funding for the Ferndale Police Department to retain the current workforce while expanding in strategic areas to ensure that two officers are on shift at all times.Provide resources for new City facilities, with the goal of reducing interest payments for those facilities, resulting in 20-year cost savings of approximately $1.2 million.Provide resources for deferred maintenance of City infrastructure as well as partial funding for road and park-related projects.Maintain adequate reserve funding in advance of economic downturn.   The public hearing was held, and citizens had an opportunity to speak about the proposed 2020 property tax increase. The City is required to notify the Whatcom County Assessor of their intent to use or decline the use of banked capacity prior to November 30 of each calendar year. Staff will bring an ordinance setting the proposed property tax rate for 2020 to the November 18, 2019 meeting.                     PUBLIC HEARING
MAYOR REPORTS/COMMENTS Information only. COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS Information only. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Information only.       INFO ONLY
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:34  p.m.  
November 5, 2019

Invitation to Bid for Thornton Street Overpass Project

INVITATION TO BID

FOR

THORNTON STREET OVERPASS PROJECT

City Project No. ST1998-03 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by CITY OF FERNDALE that sealed bid proposals will be received by the City of Ferndale at Ferndale City Hall, 2095 Main Street, Ferndale, Washington, 98248, (360) 384-4006, until November 21, 2019 at 2:00 p.m., and will then and there be opened and publicly read for the Thornton Street Overpass Project. 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This contract provides for the construction of a roadway and bridge over the BNSF Railroad Tracks.  Project limits are from the vicinity of the Thornton/Malloy intersection, then easterly and southerly to the north leg of the 2nd Avenue Roundabout.  Work will include a preload settlement period, trench excavation; utility work, construction of a bridge; and other work in accordance with the Contract Plans, Special Provisions, the Standard Specifications, including the amendments thereto, and Standard Plans.

Bid Guaranty

All bid proposals shall be accompanied by a bid proposal deposit in cash, certified check, cashier’s check, or surety bond in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of such bid proposal.  Should the successful bidder fail to enter into such contract and furnish satisfactory performance bond and payment bond both in an amount of 100 percent (100%) of the contract price within the time stated in the specifications, the bid proposal deposit shall be forfeited to the City of Ferndale.  All bidders and subcontractors shall have a contractor’s license to work in the State of Washington and a City of Ferndale Business License before starting work. All work performed on this project will be subject to prevailing state wage rates.

Project Documents 

Maps, plans, and specifications may be obtained from the Ferndale Public Works Department, located at Ferndale City Hall upon payment in the amount of $50 for specifications and plan sets.  Informational copies of maps, plans and specifications are on file for inspection at 2095 Main Street, Ferndale, Washington 98248.  An electronic version of the project plans and specifications are available for download on the City of Ferndale website at www.cityofferndale.org/thorntonoverpass. If you download the bid documents, you are required to contact the City via email at public-works@cityofferndale.org to be added to the planholders’ list.

Questions regarding the information contained within the Project Documents shall be directed to Reichhardt & Ebe Engineering, Inc. at (360) 354-3687, attention Luis Ponce, P.E. and/or Aric Smathers, P.E.

Pre-Bid Conference

Bidders, prior to submittal of a bid, may attend a pre-bid conference with the Project Engineer.  The meeting will start on November 7, 2019 at 1 p.m. at the Ferndale City Hall, 2095 Main Street, Ferndale, Washington 98248.  A jobsite visit may follow upon request.

The City of Ferndale in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 USC 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-Assisted Programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 26 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex in consideration for an award.

The City of Ferndale is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.  Minority and Women-Owned firms are encouraged to submit bids.

Susan Duncan

City Clerk – City of Ferndale

Published October 23rd and 30th, 2019

Ferndale Record Journal

Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce

October 23, 2019

Council Meeting Summary for Oct. 21st, 2019

Click here for Council Meeting Materials

 City Council Agenda Follow-Up October 21, 2019  
APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Hansen moved, and Councilmember Bersch seconded, to excuse Councilmember Olson. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Councilmember Bersch moved, and Councilmember Taylor  seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. APPROVED
PUBLIC COMMENT INFO ONLY
CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Hansen moved, and Councilmember Bishop seconded, to approve the consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.    APPROVED
PROCLAMATION: Mental Health Awareness Month   INFO ONLY  
PRESENTATION: Brian Enslow, City Lobbyist City Lobbyist Brian Enslow presented a preview of the 2020 legislative session.     INFO ONLY
CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE Public Works Project Manager Katy Radder presented an update on the following capital projects:   Ferndale Terrace – Currently in the design phase and determining the road alignmentNordic to Scout Water Line – Design review is 90% completePump Station #19 Decommissioning – Easement documents have been signed and the project is moving forward with the design phaseThornton Road- Vista to Malloy – Statements of Qualifications have been submitted and are currently under reviewThornton Road Overpass – The project will go out to bid this week with an anticipated bid opening date of November 21               INFO ONLY
DISCUSSION: LaBounty Signs The City was approached by Whatcom County resident Debbie LaBounty with a request to remove and replace several signs to reflect the capitalization of her family’s name; Ms. LaBounty indicated that her family believes the road was originally named after her grandparents. The signs are located at the intersections of Smith and Nordic, Slater and Seahawk, and east and westbound Main Street intersections. Replacement of the signs utilizing the capitalization preferred by the LaBounty family would require that all six signs be replaced. The current draft of the 2020 budget does not have funding identified for replacement of these signs. At the Public Works & Utilities Committee meeting on October 16, committee members forwarded this item to the full Council for further discussion, with a recommendation of approval of up to $2,000 in the 2020 budget to replace the signs. Councilmember Jensen moved, and Councilmember Bersch seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.                 APPROVED
RESOLUTION: Affordable Housing In 2019 the Washington State Legislature, through SHB 1406, established a process through which the local governing body of a city or county could collect sales tax for the purpose of funding affordable housing-related projects. SHB 1406 does not increase sales tax rates; rather, it reduces the amount of sales tax collected by Washington State and returns it to the local jurisdiction(s) for these specific purposes. It appears that a significant majority of local jurisdictions will take advantage of this new process. This program is expected to have a ten-year duration.   Whatcom County, Bellingham, and the small cities have discussed the fact that Whatcom County currently acts as the regional distributor of shared funds, in a variety of capacities. As a result, the County has existing processes, procedures, and seated bodies that may be able to reduce overhead as compared to collection and disbursement by individual cities, and may be able to consolidate revenues in a manner that has a more-meaningful regional impact. This regional approach would provide the ability for the funds to be used in a manner that is most effective, and may provide the ability to concentrate regional funding either on an ongoing basis or on a project-by-project basis to create meaningful assistance.   It is estimated that Ferndale’s share of the total taxable revenues, based on 2018 taxable sales, would be approximately $36,500 per year. In total, if all jurisdictions participate together and consolidate, the County would collect and disburse approximately $660,000 per year.   The Whatcom County Council is prepared to act on the proposed tax but cannot take action until all participating jurisdictions have first agreed not to impose the tax themselves. The resolution that was presented to Council on September 16 has been modified slightly to include new “whereas” statements addressing the composition of the advisory committee, and describing the City’s expectations for the equitable distribution of the affordable housing taxes amongst the small cities, particularly Ferndale. Councilmember Jensen moved, and Councilmember Hansen seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.                         APPROVED
MAYOR REPORTS/COMMENTS Information only. COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS Information only. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Information only.       INFO ONLY
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m.  
October 22, 2019