Notice Traffic Revisions and Possible Delays: Continuing on Thursday, February 28, 2019 until further notice
Intersection of Main Street and Hovander Road
Drivers should expect delays as traffic is temporarily stopped on Main Street at the intersection of Main Street and Hovander Road to safely assist trucks moving from Main Street to Hovander Road and/or Hovander Road to Main Street. This work is to complete improvements associated with a private development project. Road will remain open, and traffic only stopped when trucks are present.
Your local Ferndale Parks is taking on Flicks in the Park this year (July 12th – Pioneer Park) and we are fiercely debating which movie to show. So I wanted to get your input – which movie would you like to see? Feel free to add more options – we’re open to ideas.
The City of Ferndale updates the Stormwater Management Plan as a response to specific special conditions within the “Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit” that authorizes the City of Ferndale to discharge stormwater to the waters of the State of Washington.
Per the Permit, this program summary will be updated each year and will be available to the public. Participation and comments are welcome and may be directed to City of Ferndale Stormwater staff stormwater@cityofferndale.org. Comment period begins February 22, 2019 and ends March 28, 2019.
Pete and Nita Harksell Receive the Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Citizenship
In recognition for their years of devotion to the Ferndale community, Pete and Nita Harksell were awarded the 2019 Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Citizenship at last night’s council meeting. Lifelong residents of Ferndale, the Harksells own and operate Pete’s Auto Repair which has been in business for fifty years.
But their devotion to Ferndale extends beyond their business.
Pete and Nita can be found volunteering with the local Kiwanis chapter, the Old
Settlers Association, the Heritage Society and serving three terms on the board
of the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce. Currently, Pete shares his wealth of
experience with our community as a member of the Parks, Recreation and Trails
Advisory Board.
“Always kind, generous and willing to jump in and get their
hands dirty to help, the Harksells exemplify what is best about Ferndale,” said
Mayor Jon Mutchler.
The Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Citizenship, also called the “Fernies”, is an annual tradition from the City to recognize members of the community for their extraordinary commitment to the betterment of our city.
CONSENT AGENDACouncilmember moved, and Councilmember seconded,
to approve the consent agenda. MOTION
CARRIED 7-0.
APPROVED
PRESENTATION: Mayor’s Citizenship
Award
Mayor
Mutchler presented Pete and Nita Harksell with the award and highlighted some
of their volunteer service, including: Kiwanis, Old Settlers Association,
Ferndale Heritage Society. Pete also serves on the Ferndale Chamber of
Commerce Board of Directors and is a member of the Park, Recreation and
Trails Advisory Board.
INFO ONLY
APPROVAL: Emergency Declaration
The
emergency declaration enabled each City department to enter contracts and
incur obligations necessary to combat emergency situations during the snow
storm to protect the public safety and to prevent further damage to property.
This declaration is in addition to those filed by the State and County.
Ferndale, Lynden and Blaine all filed such declarations with Whatcom County
Emergency Management. All three cities
joining together increases the chance of recouping some of the expenses
incurred as a result of the snow.
Councilmember Watson moved, and
Councilmember Kennedy seconded, to approve the emergency declaration,
removing the phrase, “pursuant to the emergency management plan.” MOTION
CARRIED 6-0, Councilmember Olson abstaining.
APPROVED
DISCUSSION: Thornton Street Overpass
Public
Works Project Manager Katy Radder presented the different options for the
retaining wall and slope wall for the Thornton Street Overpass. There are
three different main options: Gabion Basket, Precast Panel, and Shotcrete.
Each option comes with different price points and different provisions for
settlement of the wall. By general consensus, when the project goes out to
bid, bidders will be requested to submit a bid for each of the different
options.
INFO ON LY
PRESENTATION OF 2019 WORK PLANS: Finance, Public Works
Finance
Director Sirke Salminen presented the 2019 work plan for the Finance
Department, which includes:
Water/Sewer Rate StudyFunding for the Water/Wastewater Treatment
Plant UpgradesComputer Capital PlanFinalize Utility Billing AuditProperty Inventory ProcessSoftware Data Cleanup
Public
Works Director Kevin Renz presented the 2019 work plan for the Public Works
Department, which includes:
Streets: Thornton Overpass, Ferndale Terrace
Design, First & Main Intersection, Crack Sealing, and Complete Streets
Work PlanWater: Shop Well #2 Wellhouse Construction, Treatment
Plant Upgrades, and Nordic to Scout LoopSewer: WWTP Upgrades, Pump Station #19 Decommissioning,
Eber Lane Sewer, and Grandview Sewer ExtensionStormwater: Decant Facility DesignParks: Star Park Shelter, Equipment
Replacement
INFO ONLY
DISCUSSION: Public Notification
Procedures
A
recent zoning text amendment included a proposed change to the Mixed-Use
Commercial zone, proposing a density limit of twenty dwelling units per gross
acres. A property owner with a pending application who is located in that
zone expressed concern about not having received a mailed notice related to
the Public Hearing held by the Planning Commission on this matter. The
Planning Commission recommended approval of the text change and forwarded it
to the City Council for consideration. Because the property owner was
concerned with the noticing procedure that took place, staff brought the proposed
text amendment to the Planning and Land Use committee as a discussion item
only. The committee placed the Mixed-Use Commercial text amendment on hold
and directed staff to bring forward a summary of noticing procedures for
review. After discussion with the full Council about the different types of
notifications, direction was provided to staff, and this item will be placed
on the next Planning and Land Use Committee meeting agenda for further
discussion.
DISCUSSION ONLY
ORDINANCE: North Whatcom Poverty Task
Force
The
City of Ferndale continues to feel the impacts of rising house prices, income
inequality, homelessness and food insecurity. Since Ferndale has not made a
unified effort to confront the impacts of poverty in recent memory, it is
time to conduct a comprehensive study and compile a list of recommendations
to prepare our community for this growing challenge. This ordinance would
create a two-year task force to examine the impact of poverty on our
community and identify concrete steps the City can take towards addressing
these issues. The preliminary needs assessment will be completed by September
30, 2019. The task force will then develop a set of recommendations to be
presented to the City Council before December 31. 2020.
Councilmember K. Hansen moved, and
Councilmember Kennedy seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTION CARRIED
7-0.
APPROVED
RESOLUTION: Credit Card Policy
The
credit card policy was first adopted as one the City’s financial policies in
2008 and amended in 2016. The Finance & Administration Committee recently
requested an amendment to ensure that City purchases are sent to City
facilities, rather than private homes. Administration and the Mayor agree
that with the changes in online purchasing, this amendment to the existing
policy is prudent. As proposed, all purchases on the City’s credit card
should be sent to City facilities, unless prior authorization for a home
delivery is given by the department head, City Administrator, or mayor for each
purchase.
Councilmember Kennedy moved, and
Councilmember G. Hansen seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTION CARRIED
5-2, Councilmembers Olson and Watson opposed.
APPROVED
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT: City of Ferndale & Early Pioneer Property Management The City acquired by eminent domain a portion of Washington Street (Parcel #390219 511062 0000) necessary to complete the Washington Street, Main to Vista project. The proposed settlement agreement provides for the City of Ferndale to pay Early Pioneer $20,000 for the property and to waive encroachment permit fees for construction o f a staircase. Councilmember Kennedy moved, and Councilmember G. Hansen seconded, to approve the settlement agreement with Early Pioneer Property Management.MOTION CARRIED 7-0. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
