News

Open House for Washington Street Improvement Project Set for April 4th

Open House for Washington Street Improvement Project Set for April 4th

Please join us Wednesday, April 4th from 5:30pm-7pm at the Ferndale Public Library Main Conference Room (2125 Main Street) for an open house for the Washington Street Improvement Project. Project team members will be available to provide information regarding the project, including planned improvements, schedule, and potential impacts to local residents during construction. Project designers, members of the management team, inspectors and contractor representatives will be there to answer your project-related questions.

For more information, please call (360) 384-4006 or email Public-Works@cityofferndale.org

 

March 28, 2018

Ferndale Receives Association of Washington Cities WellCity Award for the 5th Year

Ferndale Receives Association of Washington Cities WellCity Award for the 5th Year

For the fifth consecutive year, the City of Ferndale is recognized by the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) for their commitment to employee health. The WellCity Award is given to cities that meet the AWC’s stringent WellCity standards that include investing in employee health through training, conducting annual wellness evaluations and sponsoring programs that promote healthy lifestyles.

Because of this recognition, the city receives a two percent discount on their medical premiums, that will be applied to the 2019 premiums for active employees, spouses and dependents.

City Clerk Susan Duncan spearheaded these efforts for the City, in collaboration with the City’s Wellness Committee. “This saves the city money and help us live better, healthier lives. We’re extremely proud to continue to receive this award for the fifth year running.” said Duncan.

March 9, 2018

City of Ferndale’s Permit Process Goes Paper Free

City of Ferndale’s Permit Process Goes Paper Free

Going Paper Free from City of Ferndale on Vimeo.

Starting this month, the City of Ferndale’s permitting process is going entirely electronic, cutting through the red tape and creating a swifter, more transparent process for building in Ferndale. Materials and applications could be submitted from anywhere in the world through our online permit center. Staff can then review the documents and transmit feedback electronically to applicants.

“This is a big leap forward in terms of efficiency, cost-savings and increasing productivity,” said Community Development Director Jori Burnett. “With the new system, multiple staff members can be working on the same application at the same time, allowing for faster turnarounds and better cooperation.” He also notes the transition to digital will reduce the amount of space needed to store plans and allow for easier access to digital records.

Going paper free also has an impact for inspectors in the field. “This will allow our inspectors on site to immediately send feedback and receive notes from the project engineers,” said Public Works Director Kevin Renz.

To learn more about the City’s efforts to go paper free, please watch the video embedded above. You can access our Online Permit Center by clicking here.

March 9, 2018

City Seeks Feedback for Potential Skate Park

The City is seeking ideas, feedback and suggestions on a potential Skate Park near the Phillips 66 Sports Complex. 

This year, the City Council updated the Parks Master Plan, and staff immediately began work towards securing a grant for a Skate Park near our other recreational facilities at Pioneer Park (see map to the right).

To complete our grant application, the City seeks feedback from the public about what they want to see in a Skate Park. What design features, themes, equipment and amenities would make a good skate park?

Please email ideas, pictures and suggestions to skatepark@cityofferndale.org, we are collecting all the responses by March 20th. Help us spread the word by sharing this post through social media.

For more information, please contact Recreation Coordinator Riley Sweeney by clicking here or calling (360) 685-2353.

February 28, 2018

Arrest Made in Connection to Online Shooting Threat to Ferndale High School

On the morning of February 22nd, the Ferndale Police Department School Resource Officer was advised that several students were receiving Snapchat messages from an unknown person.  Those messages indicated that there would be a shooting at Ferndale High School.

Uniform patrol officers provided extra security at the school while Ferndale Police Detectives attempted to identify the owner of the Snapchat account.  Ferndale police were able to identify the IP address where the messages originated, and with assistance from Lummi Police and the FBI, Ferndale Police detained two juveniles.

The juveniles were interviewed and one juvenile confessed to making the Snapchat threat.  The juvenile advised that it was just a hoax.  No weapons were located and it did not appear that the juvenile had access to any weapons.  That juvenile was booked into Whatcom County Juvenile Detention for Threat to Bomb or Injure property.

February 23, 2018

Fake Threat to Ferndale High School Circulates Online

From the Ferndale Police Department:
There is a post from “Ray Andres” being circulated around social media last night in the Whatcom area. The post indicates that “Ray” intends to bring a gun to school and do harm. The school mentioned is “SHS,” and is no more specific than that.

It appears the identically written post has originated in another state, likely Ohio according to news reports, and has been circulating throughout several states, including Ohio, Oregon, and California. There is no indication the post was specifically referring to schools in Ferndale and several news articles indicate the post referenced a school in Ohio.

We have investigated the post and there does not appear to be any credible threat to Ferndale High School. Ferndale Schools and the Ferndale Police Department continue to work together to ensure the safety of our children and we take each threat to safety and security seriously and investigate thoroughly. Please continue to encourage your children to report these types of incidents.

February 22, 2018

Invitation to Bid for Washington Street Improvement Project

INVITATION TO BID

FOR

WASHINGTON STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT – # ST2015-08 

 

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 March 7, 2018 at 2:00 PM, and will then and there be opened and publicly read for the Washington Street Improvement Project.

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This contract provides for improvements of approximately 1,800 linear feet of Washington Street, from the intersection of Main Street to Vista Drive, in Ferndale Washington.  Work will include clearing, grubbing, grading, roadway excavation, storm sewer drainage improvements, water main installation, sanitary sewer installation, placing gravel base, hot mix asphalt paving, curb and gutters, sidewalks, ADA ramps, 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 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 in the Ferndale City Hall, 2095 Main Street, Ferndale, Washington 98248.  An electronic version of the project plans and specifications is available for download on the City of Ferndale website here. If you download the bid documents you are required to contact the City to be added to the planholders’ list.

 

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 February 28, 2018 at 2:00 PM 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

Ferndale Record Journal – Published February 14 and 21, 2018

 

February 15, 2018

Traffic impacts on Pioneer Bridge Weds. Feb. 14th from 9am-3pm

Traffic impacts on Pioneer Bridge Weds. Feb. 14th from 9am-3pm

 
Crews are replacing the streetlights on the Pioneer Bridge with new, energy efficient LEDs, the final step in the partnership between the City, PSE and the State Transportation Improvement Board to update our streetlights. As a result, vehicles will be flagged through the bridge with one way alternating traffic. Please choose alternate routes if possible. Thank you for your patience.
February 13, 2018

City Hall Sign To Be Replaced Thanks to Wayfinding Grant

Sharp-eyed Main Street drivers may have noticed the demolition of the sign in front of City Hall. Thanks to a matching grant from the Port of Bellingham, the City is able to update the City sign that helps visitors navigate to our City Hall. The current sign was a safety hazard for staff to use and featured our outdated logo. The new sign will match the font and design of the Police Station and Ferndale Library signage and provide a clearer visual landmark. The new sign (artistic rendering below) is expected to be installed in Spring.

February 13, 2018