News | Page 21 | City of Ferndale

Free Zoom Painting Class with the Ferndale Arts Commission

UPDATE 11/19/2020: The class has filled up but if you still want to participate using your brushes and canvas, you are welcome to register and follow along.

WHAT: The Ferndale Arts Commission is hosting a Zoom Painting Class

WHO: The class will be led by local artist Sandy Peppar

WHEN: Saturday, November 28, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: This is a virtual event that you can attend from the comfort of your own home

TO REGISTER: Email Susan Duncan at susanduncan@cityofferndale.org with your name, phone number and email address. Supplies will be available to pick up at the City Hall parking lot. You will be provided a time for pick-up once you’ve registered. Registration is limited to 55 participants, so don’t delay, sign up today!

HOW MUCH: It’s free!!! All of the supplies needed to complete the painting pictured above will be provided

November 18, 2020

Get your 2021 City Budget Questions Answered

We are finishing up the 2021 City of Ferndale budget and we want to hear from you! City budgets can be dense documents and we want to get all your questions answered before the City Council has their final public hearing on the budget at the Dec. 7th council meeting.

Post your questions about the budget on the City facebook page or send them in email to Communication Officer Riley Sweeney at rileysweeney@cityofferndale.org and next Monday, Finance Director Sirke Salminen and City Administrator Jori Burnett will answer them live the City’s facebook page.

November 18, 2020

W. Smith Road Closed due to Flooding

Ferndale Public Works has closed W. Smith Road west of I-5 due to seasonal flooding. Detours are in place, please utilize alternative routes.

November 17, 2020

Latest Downtown Mural Celebrates Local Flora and Fauna

The Ferndale Arts Commission has completed its latest downtown mural and the final one for 2020. The newest piece, titled “Tennant Lake” was painted by local artist Kelly Hoekema and is a celebration of local flora and fauna. It can be found on the side of FrinGe Brewing, facing Alder St.

“I love that I get to be part of a town that truly enjoys the arts.” said Hoekema. This is the fifth mural completed in 2020 and the twelfth mural completed as part of the Downtown Mural Project.

November 17, 2020

Councilmember Llanos to Vacate Seat Creating Vacancy on City Council

Councilmember Ramon Llanos being sworn in to office November 2019

Councilmember Ramon Llanos to Vacate Seat Creating Vacancy on the City Council

Councilmember Ramon Llanos has informed the City that he will be moving outside the City limits at the end of November 2020 and will no longer be able to serve as a City Councilmember effective November 30^th. This creates a vacancy on the Ferndale City Council that could be filled as early as Dec. 7^th or decided at a later point.

When a vacancy occurs on the City Council, the Council solicits applications for interested members of the public willing to serve and then selects one of those applicants to serve. The appointed member would serve until the 2021 election results are certified at the end of November.

The City Council will meet and discuss the timeline, process and application materials at their November 16^th council meeting starting at 6pm. Application materials will be available on the City website the following day.

November 13, 2020

City Seeks Old Ferndale Photos, News Clippings for Historical Preservation

Do you have historical pictures or news clippings of Ferndale? Pictures of Ferndale landmarks that are gone, everyday photos from life in Ferndale or just a headline from when a big business came to town? The City would like to see them.

The City will pick up your treasured keepsakes and scan them, creating a digital image copy that we could use to educate the next generation about the history of our community. The City would then return original documents to you, along with a digital copy as a thank you.

The city is especially interested in pictures that show parts of the city, community events or significant news stories. Anything earlier than 1994 is welcomed. The holidays are the perfect time to dig out that old scrapbook so if you have something to share, please email Riley Sweeney at RileySweeney@cityofferndale.org to arrange a pick up and return of your documents.

November 12, 2020

Ferndale City Council Seeks Members for Equity Advisory Committee

Ferndale City Council Seeks Members for Equity Advisory Committee

At their last council meeting, the Ferndale City Council formed an advisory committee to make recommendations to elected officials and city staff relating to issues of equity. The seven-member board, called the Equity Advisory Committee, is seeking members from the public to serve.

The committee’s goals are to help the city attract diverse and well-qualified staff, facilitate trainings and educational opportunities around race and equity, and “research ways to increase equity in regard to housing, land use, hiring, policing, mental health, transportation, accessibility, systemic poverty, aging populations, racial and non-racial cultural divisions and more to find policy-based solutions.”

Councilmember Ali Hawkinson was the primary sponsor of the new advisory board. “We want this to be a committee of individuals that truly care about the well-being of their neighbors,” said Hawkinson. “We want to be a city that works to address the many inequities that exist in Ferndale, and that starts with accountability and transparency. This board is a great vehicle for that.”

Requirements to serve on the board include, “a demonstrated interest in, and knowledge and support of equity and diversity” and need to have lived in the Ferndale School District for at least one year. Interested members of the public should fill out an application and send it in to City Clerk Susan Duncan at susanduncan@cityofferndale.org.

November 10, 2020

City Statement on the passing of former Ferndale Councilmember Paul Ingram

The City mourns the loss of former City Councilmember and SCOPE Officer Paul Ingram, who passed away in October. He was a passionate advocate for the people, electric vehicles and doing what was right rather than what was popular. Our hearts go out to his family, who is in our thoughts and prayers.

More details on the life and achievements of former Councilmember Paul Ingram can be found in his obituary published by My Ferndale News.

November 9, 2020

Veterans Day Ceremony Planned at Griffintown Park

The public is invited to attend a Veterans Day Ceremony hosted by the American Legion Kulshan Post 154 and the City of Ferndale on Weds. Nov. 11th, at 11am at Griffintown Park (5786 Second Avenue), next to the flag poles.

The ceremony will include a brief speech by Lieutenant Colonel James (Jim) McKinney. McKinney served as a US Army Foreign Area Officer with over 30 years in the service, overseeing combat operations and counter-terrorism efforts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Mayor Greg Hansen will be on hand to lay a wreath at the memorial flag poles, Commander Robert Lyles and Adjutant Tom Darling will be in attendance to share the Story of the Poppies and a Reading of Flanders Field. Chaplain Donna Trecker will be providing the invocation.

Social distancing protocol and mask use required.

For more information, please contact Communication Officer Riley Sweeney at (360) 685-2353 or rileysweeney@cityofferndale.org

November 5, 2020

Additional Murals Added to City Hall Campus by Arts Commission

The Ferndale Arts Commission has completed two more murals located on the vacant building adjacent to City Hall and the Library. These murals were installed by local artist Todd Bruce who submitted serval designs to the Arts Commission. This final concept was selected as the favorite by the Mayor and City Staff.

“The goal was to create another interactive mural, similar to the umbrella mural painted last summer,” said Arts Commission Chair Rebecca Xczar. “We encourage everyone to use this mural as an interactive backdrop for their own pictures.”

To learn more about the Downtown Mural Project, the public is invited to attend the Ferndale Arts Commission meetings. More details can be found here.