After the recent billing irregularities, there was a clear need for the City to follow up with more communication with our utility customers. To that end, utility customers received this “ALL WATER” mailer pictured above recently.
Usually utility mailers are inserted into a billing but the City felt it necessary to put it in the public’s hands as soon as possible so it has arrived on its own. The next utility billing is not until June 30th.
JUNE 8, 2020
Whatcom Unified Command (WUC), the community’s multi-jurisdictional response to COVID-19 locally, has begun distribution of more than 100,000 single-use face masks to area businesses. The free, disposable masks, as well as some durable masks, are meant to help businesses meet state guidelines as they prepare for re-opening. WUC is partnering with local Chambers of Commerce, Downtown Bellingham Partnership and other organizations to distribute masks to businesses opening in Phase 2.
Whatcom County has moved into Phase 2 of the State’s Safe Start plan. In Phase 1, essential businesses such as grocery stores and pharmacies remained open; Phase 2 allows additional businesses to reopen. The masks provided by WUC are intended to serve as an initial supply for businesses, for staff and customers without masks, while businesses establish their own purchasing process for future supplies. These single-use masks will help businesses comply with both the State requirement and the Whatcom County directive.
According to information released by the Governor’s office: “Beginning June 8, all employees will be required to wear a cloth facial covering, except when working alone in an office, vehicle, or at a job site, or when the job has no in-person interaction. Employers must provide cloth facial coverings to employees, unless their exposure dictates a higher level of protection under the Department of Labor and Industries’ safety and health rules and guidance. Refer to Coronavirus Facial Covering and Mask Requirements for additional details. Employees may choose to wear their own facial coverings at work, provided it meets the minimum requirements.”
Whatcom Unified Command is also providing 20,000 KN95 masks to medical and dental offices within Whatcom County, as well as 80,000 procedural masks. This is in response to the donation of masks to WUC by many dental and medical offices at the onset of COVID-19. Providing the offices with this initial supply of masks allows them to open in Phase 2, while then establishing their own supply chain.
Two of WUC’s objectives are to mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to support the most vulnerable members of our community. To that end, WUC has also purchased 10,000 durable cloth face coverings for vulnerable populations locally. These masks are being distributed via direct service providers, such as SeaMar Community Health Centers, the Opportunity Council and others.
In Phase 2 of Safe Start Washington, people may gather in groups of five or less. Physical distancing and use of masks, as well as hand washing, sanitizing, and remaining home while ill, are still recommended by the Whatcom County Health Department (WCHD). For more information on resources for businesses and other community groups, visit the state website on resources and recommendations.
To find out more about the distribution of these masks, visit www.bellingham.com/masks.
WUC continues to accept homemade cloth masks donated via designated ballot boxes. Donated masks are sanitized and distributed to essential businesses. To find out more or to donate, contact WUC Logistics, via WUC_Donations@co.whatcom.wa.us.
The regularly scheduled Council Committee meetings on Wednesday, June 10, 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 Stay at Home Order, which states, in part, that people should refrain from all public gatherings, including civic activities.
These are still open public meetings as defined by the Open Public Meetings Act. The City will be using Microsoft Teams to livestream the meeting. Members of the public do not need to download anything to view the proceedings. To join the live events, click on the following links:
The Public Works & Utilities meeting begins at 8:00 a.m. Public Works & Utilities Committee Meeting
A Special Committee of the Whole meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. Finance & Administration Committee Meeting
The Planning & Land Use Committee meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. Planning & Land Use Committee Meeting
NOTICE OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FERNDALE CITY COUNCIL
Notice is hereby given that the Ferndale City Council will hold a special committee of the whole meeting for the purpose of discussing the 2021 budget process. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 10 at 9:00 a.m. and will be held remotely and livestreamed via Microsoft Teams. This is an open public meeting as outlined by the Open Public Meetings Act, and members of the public are invited to view the proceedings by clicking on the following link:
Finance & Administration Committee Meeting
Susan Duncan, MMC, City Clerk
This June, the City of Ferndale will be partnering with the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) to streamline our business license process. Resident and non-resident general business licenses will apply directly with the DOR allowing applicants to easily apply for licenses in multiple cities.
The city will still review individual business licenses for compliance with city code and regulations and retain the license fees but the application process will be handled by the DOR.
Co-located/space rental business licenses, manufacturing and industrial business licenses are not part of this transition and will still be handled by the City.
As this transition occurs, the City will not be accepting new applications after June 12, 2020 for general business licenses.
Following this transition, all applications will be applied for and reviewed through the Department of Revenue beginning June 25, 2020 with the exceptions that were stated above.
If you have any questions, please contact the Finance Department at (360) 685-2386. For details on the Business License portal with the Department of Revenue, access their website here.
Notice Traffic Revisions and Possible Delays: Monday, June 1, 2020 to Friday, June 5, 2020 7am to 7pm
Rural Avenue, between Slater Road and Wynn Road
Drivers should expect delays as traffic is reduced to single lane traffic on Rural Avenue, between Slater Road and Wynn Road from Monday, June 1, 2020 to Friday, June 5, 2020 between the hours of 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. This work is to complete road improvements associated with a private development project. Flaggers will be onsite to direct traffic. Road will remain open during nonworking hours.
If you have questions regarding this notice, please contact Ferndale Public Works Department at (360) 384-4006.
The City Council meeting at 5:00 p.m. (Note the time change from the regular starting time of 6:00 p.m.) on Monday, June 1, 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 Stay at Home Order, which states, in part, that people should refrain from all public gatherings, including civic activities.
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. on Monday, June 1.
The public comment session at the opening of the meeting has been cancelled until further notice. Members of the public are encouraged to submit written comments to City Clerk Susan Duncan by emailing susanduncan@cityofferndale.org. Comments received prior to 4:00 p.m. Monday, June 1 will be included in the meeting record.