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City News

Arts Commission Mural Project (Aug 17th-18th) Seeks Volunteers

The Ferndale Arts Commission seeks volunteers to help with their Downtown Mural Project on Aug. 17th and 18th.

Click here to sign up for a volunteer shift

Help install alley murals on the alley between Second and Third Avenue on the south side of Main Street, next to US Bank.  Check out the volunteer slots below, sign up and show up. The murals will be completed as swiftly as possible based on the number of volunteers so make sure to show up early in the shift so you don’t miss out. For any questions, please call Communications Officer Riley Sweeney at (360) 685-2353. 

August 13, 2019

Council Meeting Summary for Aug. 5th, 2019

Click here to see agenda materials

                                                                                      City Council Agenda Follow-Up August 5, 2019  
5:30 p.m. Financial Workshop   INFO ONLY
APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Taylor moved, and Councilmember Jensen seconded, to approve the agenda with the following amendment: Move Item G (Old Main Discussion) to Item D1. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. APPROVED
PUBLIC COMMENT INFO ONLY
CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Taylor moved, and Councilmember Bersch seconded, to approve the consent agenda.  MOTION CARRIED 7-0.    APPROVED
PROCLAMATION:  Community Health Week Mayor Mutchler read the proclamation acknowledging community health centers and declaring August 4 – 10 to be Community Health Week.   INFO ONLY
INTRODUCTION: Parks Intern Micah Robertson INFO ONLY
DISCUSSION: Old Main The City Council is being asked to reach a conclusion on the potential re-use of the Old Main facility on the existing Ferndale High School campus.  Old Main, together with the majority of other buildings on the high school campus, is expected to be torn down following the construction of a new high school approximately 800 feet north of the building.  The School District is in the process of developing a conceptual site plan for the new campus, and it is likely that athletic fields and/or parking will be built in the space between Old Main and the new school facilities.  The District is also working with transportation consultants to determine potential modifications to onsite parking, bus storage and loading, pedestrian access, and overall traffic patterns both on the campus and in the surrounding area.  The City’s architectural consultants have concluded that the Old Main structure is of sufficient size to accommodate City functions (City Hall, Court, Council, storage, and miscellaneous other uses) well into the foreseeable future.  The consultants have determined that the building can be renovated to achieve compliance with seismic and other requirements.  Including a 30% contingency assumption, the total estimated cost of improvements is approximately $13.3 million.  This cost is generally consistent with other development scenarios for a smaller facility evaluated by a different architectural consultant in 2017. The primary alternative scenario that has been discussed is the construction of a new co-located facility (or an expansion of existing) at the current City Hall location.  As has also been discussed, City facilities do not require proximity to a jurisdiction’s Main Street or the core of the City to function, although the symbolism of such a facility in the core may be important.  One of the main considerations for alternatives to Old Main, whether at the current site or at Pioneer Park, would be the cost increases associated with building in the floodplain.  With that factored in, the costs between all of these options are comparable.   Councilmember Jensen moved, and Councilmember Hansen seconded, to pursue the purchase/repurposing of Old Main. MOTION FAILED 0-7.                       MOTION TO REPURPOSE OLD MAIN FAILED
 PUBLIC HEARING:  Accessory Dwelling Units Ordinance In June 2017, the City Council adopted an ordinance to allow Accessory Dwelling Units. (ADUs) The ordinance required a review of the new code section by February 2020, or after 10 permits were received, whichever occurred first. The city has received its tenth application and is therefore bringing the new ordinance to Council. Prior to 2017, the City did not allow ADUs within the City limits. The ADU ordinance was ultimately approved because of increased demand within the City. ADUs are anticipated by the City’s Comprehensive Plan and are a requirement of the Growth Management Act for larger jurisdictions. Larger cities are required to adopt an ADU ordinance when their population reaches 20,000. In order to take a proactive approach, the City adopted the ADU ordinance to allow for any necessary changes to be made prior to a state requirement to adopt. The ordinance was also created to address potential unpermitted ADUs that may have been both uncompliant and unsafe. The proposed ordinance includes a modification to the reporting requirements for owner occupancy, and allows up to 40 more ADU’s, bringing the total number allowed up to 50 before the next scheduled review. Councilmember Xczar moved, and Councilmember Hansen seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.               APPROVED
RESOLUTION: Greenhouse Gas Policy In order to be considered for various grants, loans, or funding, Washington State requires that jurisdictions demonstrate the manner in which they have enacted policies or procedures to reduce or mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and/or to identify other practices that may benefit the environment. In the last decade Ferndale has taken significant steps on these issues, but has never listed these approaches in one document. If adopted, the Greenhouse Gas Policy resolution would do just that. The document reflects the City’s existing standards and identifies potential new policies that could be considered in the future. By adopting the resolution, the City will remain competitive for funding, and will reduce time and effort in developing funding applications. Councilmember Taylor moved, and Councilmember Bishop seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.         APPROVED
MAYOR REPORTS/COMMENTS Information only. COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS Information only. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Information only.       INFO ONLY
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.  
August 6, 2019

Repairing and Strengthening the Levee

During a recent inspection of the Nooksack River levee that protects our town, Public Works staff identified locations that had been eroded by the river. In partnership with the federal and state permitting agencies and with traffic control support from Ferndale Public Works, the United States Army Corps of Engineers repaired and strengthened the eroded section of the levee structure.

The work, conducted in late June and early July, added almost 1,000 cubic yards of rock, stone and topsoil to the levee, restoring the barrier’s ability to repel the highest flood waters. This section of the levee protects the water and wastewater treatment facility that provides Ferndale’s drinking water, as well as the historic Pioneer Park, our downtown core and the Whatcom County Public Utilities District.

“The levee performs the vital function of protecting our community and it is our responsibility to maintain the levee structure,” said Public Works Supervisor Bo Westford.

July 25, 2019

Announcing the Winners of the Great Ferndale Alien Abduction

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.

July 24, 2019

NOTICE OF A POTENTIAL QUORUM

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

Tour of Old Main

Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at 7:30 a.m.

Ferndale High School

5830 Golden Eagle Dr., Ferndale, WA

The purpose of the meeting is to examine a potential City Hall location.  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.

Sherry DeJong

Deputy City Clerk

City of Ferndale

July 23, 2019

July 23, 2019

Council Meeting Summary for July 15th, 2019


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.  
July 16, 2019

Special Meeting Notice – Budget Workshop July 15, 2019

Notice is hereby given that the Ferndale City Council will hold a special meeting for the purpose of discussing the 2020 budget on July 15, 2019 at the City of Ferndale Council Chambers, located at 5694 Second Avenue. The meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. 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

          July 12, 2019

July 12, 2019