News | Page 72 | City of Ferndale

Special Meeting Notice – November 16, 2020 Budget Workshop

Notice is hereby given that the Ferndale City Council will hold a special meeting for the purpose of discussing the 2021 budget. The meeting will take place on Monday, November 16, 2020, and will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams, with staff and Councilmembers accessing the meeting from individual locations. This complies with Governor Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 20-28, as extended through December 7, 2020.

This is still an open public meeting as defined by the Open Public Meetings Act. The City will be using Microsoft Teams to livestream the council meeting. Members of the public do not need to download anything to view the proceedings. To join the meeting, click here.

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.

November 13, 2020

Remote Meeting Notice – November 16, 2020 City Council Meeting

The City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 16, 2020 will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams, with staff and Councilmembers accessing the meeting from individual locations. This complies with Governor Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 20-28, as extended through December 7, 2020.

This is still an open public meeting as defined by the Open Public Meetings Act. The City will be using Microsoft Teams to livestream the council meeting. Members of the public do not need to download anything to view the proceedings. To join the meeting, click here.

The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 16.

Included in Monday’s meeting is a Public Hearing regarding 2021 property tax. Members of the public may provide comment during the public hearing by one of the following methods:

Email Finance Director Sirke Salminen prior to the meeting. (sirkesalminen@cityofferndale.org)
Phone in when the Mayor announces the opening of the public hearing. 360-685-2385
In-person at 6594 Second Avenue. Those who wish to offer a comment in person will be required to wear a face mask and observe social distancing requirements.

Members of the public who wish to submit comments on items not on the agenda are encouraged to submit written comments to City Clerk Susan Duncan by emailing susanduncan@cityofferndale.org. Comments received prior to 4:30 p.m. Monday, November 16 will be read during the public comment period of the meeting and included in the meeting record. For more details on submitting public comments for a remote meeting click here.

November 13, 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.

November 5, 2020

Potential Quorum Notice – State Auditor’s Exit Conference November 6, 2020

In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30), notice is hereby given that a quorum of Ferndale City Councilmembers may be in attendance at the following event:

State Auditor’s Exit Conference, Friday, November 6 at 2:00 p.m. The meeting will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams.

The purpose of this meeting is to allow state auditors to share their preliminary results of their audit of the City of Ferndale, for financial fiscal year 2019, and an accountability audit for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. 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. To attend this virtual meeting, click here.

November 3, 2020

Arts Commission Adds New Mural to Downtown Ferndale

Arts Commission Adds New Mural to Downtown Ferndale

The Ferndale Arts Commission has completed their latest mural in downtown. This new art piece is on the back of the Washington Federal bank building facing Alder Street and was installed by local artist and Ferndale resident Jennifer Dunn.

“I didn’t know it would be a goal of mine to bring joy on this level to a town, let alone the town I’ve had the pleasure of being a resident for two decades,” said Dunn. “I sincerely hope this lighthearted mural filled with fish, joy and a fun change in perspective brings as much joy to our community as I had in creating it.”

The Ferndale Arts Commission has added several new murals to the Downtown Core over the last two years and has a few more murals currently in progress. The murals have been funded with private donations, a Project Neighborly grant from the Whatcom Community Foundation and city funds.

For more information on local artist Jennifer Dunn, check out her Instagram page here or see more of her pieces available in FrinGe Brewing.

More pictures available here: