Staff as completed the preliminary 2021 budget for the City of Ferndale. It is available online on our 2021 Budget page.
Click here to view the document and all related materials to the 2021 Budget.
This document is an initial draft, initially uploaded on October 28th, 2020 and will continue to be updated as part of the budgeting process until it is approved by Council before the end of 2020.
The Ferndale Police Department will begin processing and issuing concealed pistol licenses starting Oct. 26th, 2020. Due to the pandemic limiting the ability to take fingerprints, applications had been suspended however thanks to a local private fingerprint processer, the department is once again able to process and issue licenses.
Full details, including instructions, fees and the application are available on our website here. For questions, please call the Ferndale Police Department at (360) 384-3390.
Public Works Capital Projects Manager Katy Radder gives an update on the Thornton Overpass Project.
Ferndale Robbery Suspects Arrested
Ramadmi Rashid (04/29/1989) and Jeana Hall (08/07/1992) were arrested in the early hours of October 20, 2020 on charges of robbery in the first degree. A third, unknown suspect is still at large. Ramadmi Rashid is also suspected to be involved in a separate robbery which occurred earlier on October 19, 2020 in the City of Bellingham.
Witness accounts and video evidence show Ramandi Rashid and an unknown male suspect arrived at a commercial business located in the 6000 block of Portal Way at approximately 10 pm on October 19, 2020. The two suspects made small purchases, came in-and-out of the business several times, and stayed in the parking lot area until almost 11 pm. That is the normal closing time for the business.
The unknown suspect reentered the business and pointed a handgun at an employee. The employee gave the suspect the money from the cash drawer. Witness accounts and video evidence show the unknown suspect and Ramadmi Rashid fleeing from the business on foot.
A short time later, a Whatcom County Deputy Sheriff located a subject driving a vehicle in the area of this robbery. The driver of the vehicle matched the descriptions of the unknown suspect from this incident. That driver failed to yield when the Deputy tried to stop the car which led to a vehicle pursuit. Deputies were able to get the vehicle stopped, at which time three subjects fled from the car.
Bellingham Police Department K-9 Officers assisted with tracking and apprehending Ramadmi Rashid and Jeana Hall. When contacted Jenna Hall had a significant amount of money stuffed into her clothing and had dropped money as she fled from the suspect vehicle.
Based on the fact that Ramadmi Rashid participated in the robbery by acting as a distraction and a lookout, as well as fleeing with the unknown suspect, probable cause existed to arrest him for robbery in the first degree.
Based on the fact that Jeana Hall fled with the suspects of this incident that she attempted to flee from a vehicle stopped by law enforcement with large amounts of money hidden in her clothing, believed to be stolen from this incident, probable cause existed to arrest her for robbery in the first degree.
Both subjects were booked into Whatcom County Jail.
Last night, the Ferndale City Council passed a unanimous resolution in favor of the Ferndale School District Programs and Operations Levy.
The resolution, introduced by Councilmembers Ryan O’Larey and Erin Gunter, strongly endorses an “approved” vote for the Levy because, “Voting to approve the replacement levy will continue to provide funding for the much-needed support staff, counselors, paraeducators, extracurricular activities, and so much more. Ferndale students benefit intellectually,emotionally, and physically when these are funded.”
Ballots are due Nov. 3rd, 2020 by 8PM. Voters are encouraged to utilize the convenient ballot drop box located in the parking lot adjacent to Ferndale City Hall and the Ferndale Library.
As part of the Nordic to Scout Water Main Extension project, a section of Hovander Road has been closed since Oct. 5th. The work necessitating the closure is complete and the road is now open to traffic.
After consulting local public health experts and the neighboring municipalities, the City will reopen all Ferndale playgrounds, including Star Park, Cedar Creek, Flair, Oxford and Vista Ridge parks, with new COVID-related restrictions.
“For the playgrounds to safely reopen, we ask that all users observe social distancing as much as possible, wash their hands frequently and wear a mask,” said Mayor Greg Hansen. “The greatest danger is people gathering in groups with people outside their household. All users of the park who are five years or older are required to wear a mask while on the playground and those who are two to four are strongly recommended to wear a mask.”
The playgrounds will not be sanitized or cleaned beyond their regularly scheduled maintenance so the public will be playing at their own risk. “To ensure that we are able to keep these facilities open to the public, please observe these guidelines.” said Mayor Hansen. “If there is an outbreak, we may need to revisit this decision.”
For more information on Ferndale parks, please visit www.cityofferndale.org/parks or contact Recreation Coordinator Riley Sweeney at rileysweeney@cityofferndale.org or 360-685-2353.
Today we honor our friends and neighbors, the Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Tribe as we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. We acknowledge the courage and resilience of those who have lived on this land since time immemorial and urge everyone to dig deep and explore history that has been ignored for far too long
Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That’s dangerous and often tragic. That’s why the DEA and the Ferndale Police Department are asking residents to clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in – safely and anonymously – their unused prescription drugs.
Stop by the Ferndale Police Department (2220 Main Street) on Saturday Oct. 24th from 10am-2pm to dispose of any leftover prescription or over-the-counter medication.
COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place so please observe social distancing and wear a mask. Medication is welcome however we will not be accepting IV solutions, injectibles, syringes, inhalers, vape devices (with batteries that cannot be removed), or medical waste.
Please remove any identifying information from the label or use a permanent marker to black out that information prior to disposal.
Participation helps prevent a tragedy – for more information, please call the Ferndale Police Station at 360-384-3390.
Tonight, at 5:00PM is the first 2021 Budget Workshop with the Ferndale City Council. Staff and council will be reviewing several of the city funds that have little volatility but are an essential part of the city budget.
The public is invited to tune in – the proceedings, like all council meetings, will be livestreamed through Microsoft Teams. No download is necessary to watch, simply click here and it will go live at 5pm.
Here are the documents provided to the council in advance of the meeting. They can also be found on the City’s 2021 Budget page: