Ferndale meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Ferndale Council to Consider Rezoning, Lease, and Moratorium Extension

Ferndale's City Council has a busy slate of agenda items over the next two weeks, including a conditional rezoning request, a new lease agreement, and a vote on extending a moratorium on immigration detention facilities. All items are listed on agendas; minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions have been recorded.

City Council: Rezoning, equipment, and lease

At its Aug. 10 meeting, the council will hold a public hearing on a conditional rezoning request for 241 Pearson Street, changing the property from R-2 Residential to MXD-2 Corridor Mixed Use. The same meeting's consent agenda includes the purchase of two 2026 Ford Explorer Police Interceptors and accessories for $138,826.43, a pavement marking contract with Giffels Webster not to exceed $8,544, and a lease agreement for 165 E 9 Mile.

Also on the Aug. 10 consent agenda are several equipment purchases: snow removal equipment and attachments not to exceed $125,000, a replacement Titan Pro Plus leaf vacuum trailer from MacQueen for $112,221.95, and bulk road salt from Detroit Salt Company for 2026–2027 not to exceed $123,609. The council will also consider a $9,400 fee for as-needed planning services from OHM and a $17,132.52 DPW network equipment replacement from Macro Connect.

At its Aug. 21 meeting, the council will take up a lease agreement for 165 E 9 Mile again, along with amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 6 (Building) and Chapter 7 (Business Regulations). A resolution to extend a temporary moratorium on immigration detention facilities is on the agenda, as is a resolution denying a short-term rental license appeal at 2341 McDowell Street. The council will also consider an audit support services agreement with Watson & Yates for up to $91,120.

Other boards and commissions

The Liquor License Review Committee meets Aug. 16 to review a liquor license application at 505 Livernois Street and to approve minutes from Dec. 9, 2025.

The Arts and Beautification Commission meets Aug. 17 to discuss youth art participation, the Ferndale Welcome Sign at the south end, beautification awards, the USA 250th Birthday Celebration, a Pollinator Parade, and the Garden at Harding Park. No votes are listed on the agenda.

The Downtown Development Authority holds a special session Aug. 18 for board training and a strategy update. The agenda is procedural only, with no contracts or decisions listed.

The Planning Commission meets Aug. 19 to hold a public hearing and discuss a review of the city's ordinance on detention and data centers. The item is listed as a discussion only; no vote is scheduled.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days. All meetings above are open to the public; check the city's website for agendas and any changes.

Ferndale roundup: Accessibility awards approved; council items pending

In the past two weeks, the only decision recorded in Ferndale came from the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Commission, which approved both nominees for the 2026 Accessibility Awards. Several other meetings took place, but their minutes have not yet been published, so no official actions have been confirmed from those sessions.

Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Commission (July 30)

The commission voted to approve the previous meeting's minutes and to grant awards to both nominees for the 2026 Accessibility Awards. No vote tally or additional details were provided in the minutes.

City Council (July 27) — agenda only

The City Council met but minutes are not yet available. The agenda included:

• A conditional rezoning request from R-2 to MXD-2 at 241 Pearson Street, with a public hearing.
• Purchase of two 2026 Ford Explorer Police Interceptors for $138,826.43.
• A professional services agreement with Giffels Webster for the 2026 Pavement Marking Program, not to exceed $8,544.
• A lease agreement for 165 E 9 Mile.
• Sidewalk hardship exemptions.

City Council Administrative Hearing (July 27) — agenda only

The council held an administrative hearing to review the denial of a short-term rental license at 2341 McDowell Street. No decision has been published.

Citizens Police Advisory & Review Board (July 30) — agenda only

The board met to review Response to Resistance reports and police conduct complaints. The agenda also included discussion of the board's annual presentation and a request for a member to attend the Fern and Learn graduation. Minutes are not yet available.

City Council (August 6) — agenda only

The council considered a consent agenda with several purchases and permits. Items included:

• Approval to purchase snow removal equipment and attachments, not to exceed $125,000.
• Purchase of one replacement Titan Pro Plus leaf vacuum trailer from MacQueen for $112,221.95.
• A special event permit for the 2026 DIY Street Fair.
• Application and resolution for a special alcohol license during the 2026 Ferndale Fall Festival.
• Purchase of bulk road salt from Detroit Salt Company for 2026–2027, not to exceed $123,609.

No votes have been recorded for these items.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days. Residents should check the city's official meeting calendar for future schedules.

Ferndale Council Had Packed Agenda on Police Vehicles, Rezoning; Accessibility Awards Approved

The only confirmed decision from Ferndale's recent government meetings came July 30, when the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Commission voted to approve both nominees for the 2026 Accessibility Awards. Several other meetings held over the past two weeks remain agenda-only, with official minutes not yet published — meaning the City Council items listed below were scheduled for consideration but have not yet been confirmed as decided.

Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Commission — July 30

The commission approved its previous meeting's minutes and voted to grant awards to both nominees for the 2026 Accessibility Awards. No further details about the nominees or the award amounts were included in the available minutes.

City Council — July 27

The City Council's regular meeting agenda included several items with financial implications, though minutes have not yet been published to confirm outcomes:

• **Conditional rezoning request** from R-2 to MXD-2 at 241 Pearson Street, scheduled for a public hearing.
• **Purchase of two 2026 Ford Explorer Police Interceptors** for $138,826.43.
• **Professional services agreement with Giffels Webster** for the 2026 Pavement Marking Program, not to exceed $8,544.
• **Lease agreement for 165 E 9 Mile.**
• **Sidewalk hardship exemptions.**

Because only the agenda is available, it is not yet known how the Council voted on any of these items or whether votes occurred at all. Readers should check the official City Council minutes once published for confirmed outcomes.

City Council Administrative Hearings — July 24 and July 27

The City Council held two administrative hearings, both scheduled to review the denial of a short-term rental license at 2341 McDowell Street. Each meeting also included time for public comment. Minutes for both hearings have not yet been published, so the outcome of the license review is not yet confirmed in the available record.

Citizens Police Advisory & Review Board — July 30

The board's agenda included review of Response to Resistance (R2R) reports and police conduct complaints. The board was also scheduled to discuss its annual presentation and a request for a member to attend the Fern and Learn graduation. Minutes have not yet been published, so no actions are confirmed.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should monitor the City of Ferndale's official calendar for any newly posted meetings or schedule changes.

Ferndale boards set summer agendas: City Council, DDA, pension boards line up contracts and reviews

City Council packed with contract votes

The Ferndale City Council had a busy agenda for its July 13 regular meeting, with several dollar-attached items scheduled for consideration. Because minutes have not yet been published, outcomes and vote tallies are not available.

On the consent agenda, the council was set to consider a $15,000 feasibility study for the Livernois Corridor Improvement Authority, to be conducted by OHM Advisors. Also on consent: a $17,000, three-year agreement with PerformYard for an employee performance management system.

The regular agenda included a $9,850 contract with K&S Engineers for a sound study, an award for a racial impact assessment bid, and a lawn-cutting services proposal. A check for the Fire Station #1 Rehabilitation Project was scheduled to be presented from Representative Scott's Office. The council also had the FY27 City of Ferndale Fee Schedule and an Oakland County Parks Community Park and Trail Capital Grant Program amendment on the agenda.

Council held special closed session

A special City Council meeting was scheduled the same day, July 13, with a single item: a vote to enter closed session for a periodic personnel evaluation of the City Manager, under Michigan law MCL 15.268(a). No other business was scheduled. Minutes are not yet published.

DDA agenda included Downtown Resource Officer contract

The Downtown Development Authority met July 9 with a vote scheduled on a contract for a Downtown Resource Officer. The board was also set to receive presentations on wayfinding and sidewalk improvements and hear recommendations for the Ferndale Social District, known as the PATIO Zone. Consent agenda items included approval of minutes from the June 11, 2026 Board of Directors meeting and financial reports. Minutes are not yet published.

Joint Pension Boards reviewed retirement ordinance

The Joint Pension Boards met July 18 to review Q4 performance reports (April–June 2026) for both the Police and Fire Pension Board and the Employee Retirement System. The boards were also scheduled to discuss a proposed ordinance for the Ferndale Employees' Retirement System and approve minutes from the May 13, 2026 Joint Pension Board meeting. Minutes are not yet published.

What this means for residents

The Livernois Corridor feasibility study, if approved, would be an early step in examining potential improvements along that corridor. The Downtown Resource Officer contract relates to downtown safety and presence. The Fire Station #1 rehabilitation project has drawn outside funding, as reflected in the check presentation from Representative Scott's Office. The pension board discussions affect city employee retirement systems.

Coming up

No public meetings are listed on the city calendar for the next 14 days, according to the agendas provided. Residents should check the City of Ferndale website for any newly posted meetings.