Ferndale Mayor Piana Recognizes Many Community Contributors in State of the City Address
(City of Ferndale, May 10, 2023)
Ferndale, MI – Ferndale Mayor Melanie Piana, who has announced she won’t be seeking re-election, gave what is likely to be her last State of the City address on May 9 at 215 W. The speech was streamed live on Facebook and can be found here.
Below are the remarks as prepared:
Tonight marks my final State of the City address. But before I talk too much about Ferndale’s present and future, I’d like to look back..
I was first elected to City Council in 2010. In some ways, it doesn’t seem like all that long ago, but in other ways, it feels like a lifetime. Barack Obama was in his first term, the iPad debuted, and the country was divided: were you Team Edward or Team Jacob?
Here at home, Ferndale also looked a little bit different than it does today.
In 2009, the city council voted down a project to rebuild our city hall. One-Eyed Betty’s was Rosie O’Grady’s, Club Barts was still slinging breakfasts and Treat Dreams had just become a reality. But we were also in the midst of the Great Recession. Some of my first votes on city council eliminated important jobs to balance the budget in those uncertain times
At this time, I was stepping up to become a public voice on behalf of our community. Back then, I had a vision for what Ferndale could be, would be. I looked at our strengths – a passionate community, strong core services, unique businesses, and active downtown and industrial districts… I knew that if we could add future-thinking and a strategic vision for regional leadership to those strengths, we could do some amazing things.
But for all of that to work, we needed to be able to communicate to our residents…
Which was difficult at the time because the city didn’t have a communications department. We also had no social media presence. Say what you will about the Forums, but we’ve never had a more direct line of communication with the people or businesses or customers.
Even the way we run the city has changed over the years. Originally, the police chief and fire chief reported to city council, not the city manager. We’ve been able to reorganize and streamline how departments interact with each other, and as a result, we have a more efficient system that makes it easier to get things done.
For my 4th and final State of the City address, I will showcase how I have used my voice, exercised my leadership, and applied my professional background in partnership with the city council and staff to position Ferndale for ongoing success.
Though I won’t be mayor to see all of these successes through, I’m very proud of the groundwork we’ve laid to help set Ferndale up for a healthy future. From cutting-edge climate policies, to making the streets people-friendly, to equitable housing, and a modernized, empathetic police force, Ferndale is ready to lead the way to a future we all deserve.
But before I get too ahead of myself, let’s talk about the State of our great City – as it stands today, May 9, 2023.
Our city continues to lead Oakland County and the region on climate neutrality goals. When I became Mayor, I made it a priority to join ICLEI’s Race to Zero and the Climate Mayors and Covenant of Mayors for Energy and Climate. This was a strategic move to score higher on federal and state grant applications. And it worked!
Who knew that the Inflation Reduction Act would significantly fund climate action at the local level? When this passed in 2022, Ferndale was ahead of the game. Your city council’s actions are starting to pay dividends across multiple areas, especially in waste management.
Thanks to Claire Dion, our Zero Waste Coordinator, our city has expanded our most successful and most popular composting program.
This month your Ferndale Environmental Sustainability Commission members distributed 358 rain barrels to residents, and it’s in the works to install free rain barrels at all 43 of the Ferndale Housing Commission single family properties. With nearly 400 rain barrels throughout the city, stormwater runoff will be reduced by 1.8 million gallons of water annually. And that’s not all–through the City’s compost program, we’ve composted 51 tons of food waste–a nearly 30% increase from 2022.
Our FESC members are advising and supporting your city council’s climate policy direction. The FESC is the most coveted board and commission to be appointed to, with the most applicants and the least open seats.
“The Michigan Green Communities Challenge Gold Award is a testament to the Ferndale community values creating a healthy environment for current and future residents and businesses to thrive in. It is a recognition of Ferndale’s City staff, local government leadership, and residents demonstrating their values in action,” said Ferndale Environmental Sustainability Commission Chair Jennifer Young. “I’m proud to be a member of this community. When we implement sustainable practices, it sends a message throughout the region that we take pride in our community.”
I want to recognize Councilwoman Laura Mikulski. We were honored she was featured in Time magazine for her innovative approach to rat eradication through birth control. She lives her passion completely and authentically, helping residents deal with a gross and ugly problem in proactive and thoughtful ways.
What stood out for me in this article is that hotter weather from climate change increases the breeding conditions for rat populations, here at home and around the world.
When we think about cities investing in adaptation to a changing climate, you can’t get more micro level impact than rat infestation.
From micro level to macro, rats to humans–Ferndale continues to be a regional leader in equity and diversity. We have become a preferred home where all are welcome–all ages, races, genders, nationalities, religions, and orientations know they belong here.
As I said in my WDET interview, local government needs to reorient itself internally to integrate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion into our hiring, work planning and performance measures with staff.
Last year, our internal Racial Equity Action Team – led by Assistant to the City Manager Danicea Woods McSwain, launched an education campaign during Black History Month. They shared profiles of important historical figures and encouraged staff to visit Black-owned businesses like the Good Day Selfie Museum and Blue Nile. The campaign was so popular that we asked them to expand their coverage this year and the results have been terrific.
The team is also to thank for a new city event hosted the past two summers: Juneteenth. They worked with Councilwoman Leaks May to create a new local celebration to honor this holiday, which commemorates the June 19th emancipation of enslaved African Americans. We now gather annually to share stories, music, food, and community.
They continue to grow in their mission and have also added new cultural awareness campaigns for Jewish American Heritage Month, Ramadan, and more.
Each year, the HRC–Human Rights Campaign–puts out what’s called a Municipal Equality Index Report. In it, they score cities on their LGBTQ safety and equality in categories like law enforcement, non-discrimination laws, and municipality as an employer. I’m happy to share that Ferndale has received a perfect 100 score now for three straight years in a row.
With her permission, I’d love to share a bit of Emily Loomis’s story. Emily is the City’s Building Inspector. She joined the city in 2016 and has been a critical member of the team ever since. Two years ago, Emily went through a gender transition to become the person she is today. When it was announced, staff and City Council received the most compassionate and loving email on her behalf from our Human Resources Director. In it, he announced that Emily would be transitioning to align with her true identity; explained the definitions of gender identity, gender expression, and transgenderism; and talked us all through how best to support her.
Emily says of that time that she’s grateful for the organization’s commitment to inclusivity. She says: “I had zero problems with anyone—no issues in the slightest. I credit leadership, particularly HR and the City Manager, with that. I knew I was in a place where I was ready to accept my true self, and I finally felt I could do so and be supported professionally.”
Emily, thanks so much for sharing your story.
I’m proud our Downtown Development Authority now has the most diverse board of directors in its history. While the mayor appoints seats, this was made possible by our DDA Executive Director, Lena Stevens, for recruiting business owners with different backgrounds and perspectives. Your DDA board now boasts the strongest and most capable strategic leaders who champion our downtown and what it can become. Thank you to our Board of Directors for contributing your time and talents.
For the second year, Downtown Ferndale celebrated Black History Month by publishing a list of known black-owned businesses on social media and asking for input from followers about any that should be added. The list was updated and republished monthly, and individual highlights were shared to tell more in-depth stories about business owners. Celebrating these entrepreneurs helps us demonstrate how diversity strengthens downtowns and that Ferndale is where everyone belongs.
When Councilwoman Kat Bruner James ran for city council, I knew she would win. Her work ethic, perspective and commitment to civil rights, diversity, equity and inclusion have been instrumental in guiding city policies and programs. She’s been a partner with everyone on council, city staff and our residents, guiding us through challenging circumstances: the pandemic, George Flloyd’s murder and the Black Lives Matter movement, Discourse with Dignity guidelines, Ferndale’s Anti-racism declaration, and the city council’s newly created Citizen Police Advisory and Review Board. Thank you Kat for your leadership.
Ferndale is fortunate to have such an effective and critical community partner. Together with Affirmations, the city collaborates to create safe spaces through leadership toward equality.
Executive Director, David Garcia, and I started our new roles almost concurrently. When we met we realized that we have the same love for policy, but also at our core of being, we are advocates for people and community. David has been instrumental in helping me shift how Ferndale’s organizational leaders respond to a hate group embedded in our community.
I also want to recognize Oscar Renautt for working as a bridge between David and me and our LGTBQ community. And I want to recognize my dear friend Bridget Deegan Krause for connecting me to catholic clergy who have experience responding to hate groups.
It takes a village–together we are more effective in addressing these tactfully hurtful groups.
A welcoming and inclusive city is more than sexual orientation and race. Housing literally makes it possible for people to become Ferndale residents, our neighbors. Housing provides a basic human need, impacts the well-being of people, and can support upward social mobility.
Last year, this city council adopted an updated master plan, with the top priority to address housing.
This year, last night in fact, your city council voted to begin modernizing our zoning code. Our current code is archaic – some of it dates back to the 1960s and many sections simply do not meet modern best practices – like parking mandates, trash enclosure standards, and allowance of solar panels and wind turbines.
Historically, zoning regulations are a complex bundle of rules attempting to protect detached single-family homeowners. These codes were developed to exclude black people from accessing housing in white neighborhoods – among one the more egregious outcomes of exclusively prohibiting other types of housing choices in higher income neighborhoods.
Here is the historical view that the city council seeks to address:
“Such plans compromise the value of the surrounding houses. In all honesty it is essential to continue to have neighbors who are in a similar income bracket to me. I am not looking for the affordable house next door. If people cannot afford to move to Ferndale, there are plenty of other cities in which they can find a home. I would like to look toward Pleasant Ridge, Huntington Woods and Birmingham for inspiration not Amsterdam or Bruges, or for that matter downriver communities in the Metro Detroit area.”
What year do you think this was written? 1960? It was last week, in 2023. I received this resident comment in response to my Mayors monthly e-mail newsletter, where I introduced the city will modernize zoning code.
People feel emboldened to say the racist part out loud. New paradigms are needed, and past practices need to be modified to address the growing need to expand housing choice and supply.
Yes, hard and controversial discussions are on the horizon, but we will find common ground and the result will be clearer guidelines for residential form and design standards in our neighborhoods. It will make it easier for residents to understand and apply local regulations.
The time to lend your voice is almost here. Please join me in supporting the zoning code modernization project. Take the time to learn about the history of zoning, ask questions, provide input, and keep the long-view in mind, it’s about upholding Ferndale’s inclusive values. We fail to do that when we shut people out from accessible housing choices.
Our capable Community and Economic Development team will lead public engagement this summer with our zoning firm experts, McKenna.
I’m entirely grateful for Councilman Greg Pawlica serving on our Planning Commission, an important liaison position to the council. It’s a time-consuming role to assume in addition to city council duties, but an extremely important one. Preparation requires study time, discussions with city staff and council members and, receiving feedback from residents, connecting master plan policies with zoning code regulations. He’s been a consistent, reliable champ on behalf of city council. Thank you Greg.
And Thank you to our Planning Commission members. You have had a heavy docket in the past few years. I’m grateful that you volunteer to serve our city.
And now, let me give an update on our housing stats from my state of the city last year. New housing projects continue to lead infill development across our neighborhoods and our downtown.
| As of January 2022, in 18 months, the city has seen a 14% increase in new multi-family housing development projects. That’s 115 new units! |
Ferndale remains a high demand city for people to live in. One outcome from the zoning modernization project will make it easier for duplexes, four-plexes and accessory dwelling units to be built, instead of bigger apartment buildings. These are desirable housing options and we need more housing developers to build the smaller housing options.
I’m excited for these two projects to break ground this year. City council approved the Raymond E. Shepard house almost 2 years ago. That’s how long it takes to get affordable housing tax credits from 30% to 80% AMI approved by the state.
I want to recognize Jerome Raska and Robbin Yvleton, owners of Blumz by Jr Design, and ardent Ferndale business leaders and community cheerleaders. The Raymond E. Shepard House is entirely made possible because they waited two years for Full Circle to acquire their state tax incentives. While operating out of their smaller retail store across the street, they continued to bear the significant financial cost maintaining the former Blumz building waiting for this project to move forward.
Committed from the beginning to support housing for seniors and our LGBTQ community. Jerome and Robbin live authentically and vivaciously, demonstrating the best of Ferndale. Let’s applaud their commitment to living their and our shared community values.
I also want to recognize Councilwoman Raylon Leaks May and our Ferndale Accessibility and Inclusion Commission.
Raylon represented the Commission’s interest for the city to create more accessible housing by advocating for community benefits at the 141 Vester project – resulting in 16% or 4 new barrier-free units among the 20% affordable units at a cost of $30,000. It’s a small number of units, but it’s a start.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the rise of shopping malls threatened to drain the life from local downtowns as fewer and fewer people shopped locally. Today, Downtown Ferndale is once again a place where people and businesses want to be, especially entrepreneurs. We celebrate grocery stores, entertainment venues, homegoods, award winning retail and restaurants, a bike and skateboard shop, a pet supply store, and more… all within a walkable downtown community.
This didn’t happen by accident. The CIty of Ferndale and the Ferndale DDA create plans to ensure that the community’s vision for the future remains in sight.
When the DDA was created in 1981, the value of the property in the TIF district was $5.7 million. In 2022, that value had grown to over $26.5 million.
Ferndale continues to be a hub for entrepreneurs with vision. Last year, Downtown Ferndale welcomed 12 new businesses to the mix with upscale in-person dining experiences, specialty retail, and the service industries. Though it’s always bitter-sweet to say goodbye to long-standing businesses, it has been exciting to welcome new energy over the past 18 months.
The interconnectivity between downtown and other areas of the City of Ferndale has been strengthened with businesses opening second locations, expanding, and renovating. Many incoming businesses invest substantially in their spaces with modern, inviting designs. In fact, over the last 18 months, private construction investment in downtown businesses totaled over $2.5 million dollars.
Over 10 months in the making, the brother and sister duo behind Mezcal has brought an authentic Mexican cuisine to the ground level of Lofts on Nine. Their focus and attention to detail, with custom artwork covering every inch is a great homage to the previous establishment, Conserva.
The DDA is always hard at work finding ways to help fill up our downtown with people. Two of their successful programs were created during lockdown, but continue to help the downtown thrive. Ferndale Dollars, a city wide e-gift card program run by the DDA, topped over $35,000 in spending in local businesses since it’s creation 3 years ago.
Ferndale PATIO Zones now have over 20 participating businesses, and the list is growing as we’re seeing several businesses on Woodward tap into the program this year. Cups have remained free with over $25,000 in sponsorships by Jim Shaffer and Associates, and LIV Cannabis.
Last year, in a partnership between the Ferndale Police Department and the DDA we created a new position – the Downtown Resource Officer. Since then, Officer Andy Roth has been helping ensure our business owners have the support they need for emergent challenges downtown. In his 10 months on the job, he has connected with more than 100 businesses, attended a dozen ribbon cuttings, and investigated 80 cases related to the downtown.
Officer Roth’s work can also include assisting those who are experiencing homelessness or addiction. He works directly with these individuals to connect them to resources in Oakland County that may provide them the first step towards recovery. While not a complete solution to the problem, the kindness and respect shown by Officer Roth is helping downtown make great strides.
It’s been over 22 years since the city passed a bond to reconstruct West Nine Mile – reducing the lanes from 4 to 2 and widening the sidewalks. It’s time for a facelift. Working alongside all of the communities along 9 Mile between Hazel Park and Farmington, Ferndale is part of a 9 Mile corridor plan to strengthen the stitching between our communities. The DDA and the City are hopeful about identifying funding strategies, so that this idea can come to life in the next 3-5 years. A unified approach will help us coordinate wayfinding, more shelters, better sidewalks and park access. Thanks to SEMCOG and Oakland County Parks for supporting this regionalism effort.
The Dot Project continues its progress as its retail spaces are now fully leased. Including Quix Chocolate. Owner, David Ogloza, transferred to the US from Belgium while working a corporate job and opened the first ever, “Chocoladehus Quix” in Ferndale. They were recently nominated for a best of Detroit award.
My Salon Suites brought more than 35 micro business owners into the downtown.
Ascension Health added the city’s first medical office into the downtown. The partners at Ascension Health Ferndale stress equity in patient health outcomes. This emphasis on inclusion is what makes Ferndale and Ascension Health such great partners.
With a full house of businesses, it’s time for the next phase of The Dot – Residential!
We are working through the State incentives process and hopefully will start construction early next year.
The Vester street neighborhood is a highly popular neighborhood for new investment. With the Raymond E. Shepard House and the 141 Vester Street project both breaking ground this year, it’s a neighborhood in transition, and the state of the area is amorphous.
While a privately owned parking lot will be replaced for housing new neighbors, your city council is committed to finding solutions. Some solutions we’ve attempted are not working out as originally thought, between public and private interests.
In order to lead this area through change, we need to recall what these lots have meant to the communities of the past and present; we need to have a strong vision for how these lots could and should be better for the future, and that vision must be grounded in public feedback.
Your city council shifted strategies. Personally, I’ve taken a step back to incorporate lessons learned from our Baker College journey. Don’t go too fast. Developers need to hear what residents want, rather than telling the residents what they need.
As part of our modernization code update, this summer, the city will host a design charrette to hear from Vester street residents and businesses about what they would like to see happen on these sites.
Not only will we address parking, but also make sure we have good design and community vision that city staff can negotiate community needs and benefits with the property owners.
I do want to set expectations about development timelines. Development is complicated and a long process, as you have heard tonight.
Finding development solutions that includes parking is about 1.5 years to 2 years behind the Vester street project.
City Council appointed a 9 member resident task force on facilities in 2022. The task force toured all city facilities, scored facility maintenance reports, and collaborated with key staff.
Their report concluded that our city facilities are in bad condition and that the status quo of paying for these older facilities is a poor use of our tax dollars. Facilities cost money, and that means two things: reinvestment AND funding commitments. This citizen led task force recommended funding solutions and options to consider.
What I’m saying is that reinvestment means that community support is needed for the renewal of the headlee millage in 2024 – commitment means that a portion of this renewal must be dedicated to rebuild and maintain facilities now and into the future.
Facilities like a joint Public Safety Headquarters shared by the Police and Fire Department and a new Recreation Center located near the Splash Pad in Martin Rd. Park;
Recruitment and retention of modern police, fire, DPW, and city professionals is more competitive than ever – the task force was clear that our facilities place us at a disadvantage.
I want to thank Donnie Johnson, the Chair of the Facilitites Task Force, for guiding the members through learning about municipal facilities and helping produce citizen-led recommendations.
With fourteen years on council, I’m positively certain I know how our residents feel about the unsafe conditions on our stretch of Woodward. Too many conversations to count how residents and business owners wanted change.
Well, unless you arrived tonight via hot air balloon, you know first-hand that that change, in all it’s orange-barreled glory, is finally underway.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility as the city responds to changing construction conditions, not of our own making. I’m looking at you 9 Mile and Woodward crosswalk lights!
They took over a week to fix when their powerline was cut. That was painful.
I’m eager for us all to gather for a community celebration and inaugural bike ride on our soon-to-be safer Woodward.
Once construction ends, the final phase begins — learning how to navigate the new infrastructure. I anticipate a 3-4 month relearning period — people will voice their frustrations and people will make mistakes whether walking, biking or driving. That is a normal part of the process.
In anticipation of this project, Police Chief Emmi tasked his Command with refreshing their approach to bicycle safety education and engagement. As such, officers took part in training offered by the League of Michigan Bicyclists. They’ll be ready to lead trainings and answer questions about how to properly use the Woodward cycle track.
DPW will be piloting new ways to keep the bike lanes clean and free of debris and snow. Just as MDOT will need to adjust traffic light timing – which can be a lengthy process.
City council and city staff ask for your patience and constructive input with our DPW, Police Department and Community Development teams as they work to address the new user experience.
What’s the long-term vision for the communities along Woodward Avenue? Well, it starts with a collaborative regional approach.
Last July, with Oakland County Executive support, I helped convene mayors and city managers, including City of Detroit’s mobility and infrastructure staff experts. We came together to address common shared concerns with MDOT, SEMCOG, SMART, RTA and Oakland County. We’ve been meeting every 2-3 months since then and we’ve made progress!
This past January, I brought together another group of Woodward city representatives to pitch to the Interim MDOT Director on a fresh new approach to help cities achieve our shared vision through multi-modal planning, not just car travel performance.
It takes an extraordinary amount of effort to build a multi-jurisdictional coalition. Mayors and city council members have to lead and participate. If we are going to achieve these long-term outcomes voiced by our residents and business owners, then Ferndale leaders have to play the long game. I don’t know who will continue championing this once I’m off council, but its important that we keep these coalitions moving forward.
So often, when we think of “government,” we think of things. Laws… buildings… snow plows… elections. But at the heart of these things—these core services—are people. The officers enforcing laws, City Planners working to ensure that new buildings meet our Master Plan, public works staff driving plows, and a City Clerk running our elections.
It takes a special kind of person to want to work in government. There’s tenacity and integrity in choosing to serve one’s community. To show up when the weather is fierce to plow snow and clean up storm damage. To rush towards the emergency rather than running away from it. To show up on nights and weekends for park Easter egg hunts, downtown festivals, and Council and commission meetings—all for the simple love of working for you, our citizens.
A great example of this tenacity and integrity is our Police Department. I’ll say frankly that policing in 2023 is complex. Officers are asked to do incredibly nuanced work. We task them with enforcing laws, investigating crimes, and training to handle just about any emergency that can be thrown their way—all while they work to build relationships with and gain the trust of 20,000 citizens.
Basically, we ask them to be better than good—to be great, every day. And they deliver.
They help people dealing with addiction avoid jail time and improve their chances of long-term recovery through the Hope Not Handcuffs and FAN Comeback programs. They decrease the number of weapons in our community by holding gun buyback events. They were the first police agency in our area—and one of the first in the state—to achieve accreditation… and they’re about to do so again by pursuing reaccreditation.
They lead from the front, regularly forging new trails in a tough and evolving profession. Our community will soon get an even closer look at this with the launch of our first Community Police and Advisory Review Board. It’s the next big piece in a years-long pursuit to build relationships and increase transparency with the community. I’m proud to support this initiative and will be working closely with staff to choose the right residents to serve on this Board.
Fire and EMS recruitment has been an industry-wide challenge. In the past several years, we and others have seen retirements increase and recruits decline. However, in the past year, under Chief Teresa Robinson’s leadership, we have reduced our vacancies from 7 to 2.
Our Fire Marshal maintains close relationships with business owners and inspects buildings regularly, making sure that codes are met and structures are safe. Fast response times for medical emergencies? Again, that’s our firefighter-paramedics, who train pretty much constantly behind the scenes to be fast, professional, and well prepared to handle all of the situations they might encounter.
And–not to be a broken record and bring it back to money–but our team is able to perform when they have the equipment and support they need.
Did you know that a new fire engine costs about $800,000 and takes two years to build? An ambulance costs about $250,000 and also takes two years to deliver. Over the past 2 years, Council approved funding one new engine and one new ambulance using federal ARPA funds. We aren’t done yet…capital investments are constant, and we have two more fire engines that will need to be replaced. Keep that in mind over the next few years: community investment equals community safety.
Let’s step outside for a moment–metaphorically speaking. Who here has heard of an ollie? Or a nose stall? A frontside 180?
These are the “coolest skateboard tricks” according to one of Ferndale’s younger residents, a 6-year-old I know. She lives not far from the Geary Skatepark and walks up there regularly with her family. She wears a purple unicorn helmet and sparkly knee pads and dreams of the day she can graduate from her training scooter to a new board, and start practicing these moves on her own.
When it comes to parks, we might only think of grassy areas, benches and swing sets, but it’s so much more. It’s little ones learning how to ride a bike and navigate traffic at Garbutt Park’s Safety Town. It’s the shriek of people being doused with water on a hot day at Martin Rd. Park’s new splash pad. It’s our Seniors Group out taking fitness walks along shaded trails in Harding Park. Our parks have seen a complete transformation in the 8 years since voters approved the last Parks Bond.
And this year Wilson Park will receive the same treatment. Another underused area will soon have a fresh new basketball court and soccer field, shaded walking trails, upgraded play equipment, ADA-approved parking, picnic shelter, strolling garden, and more.
This is an incredible reinvestment for our eastside residents, and it really wouldn’t be possible without the work of our Parks & Recreation Department, led by Director LaReina Wheeler, Assistant Director Robert Burch, and Recreation Manager Emanuel Johnson. They’ve spent SO MUCH time completing arduous grant applications, stretching your tax dollars as far as they can go to get the best possible parks for you and your families and the results speak for themselves.
Now let’s talk for a minute about the people working behind the scenes–and under the ground and up in bucket trucks… the ones who handle our water and streets… who landscape and prune and plant our downtown so it’s welcoming and beautiful. Our Department of Public Works.
National Public Works Week is later this month, and this year’s mantra is “Connecting the world through public works”. And folks, that’s exactly what they do. Over the past few years, Director Dan Antosik has overseen the connections in our small corner of the world through millions of dollars of reinvestment in our public infrastructure, and millions more in private lead line replacements. DPW’s leadership team has been redesigned, developed, and determined to not miss a beat.
We have a lot to show for it. In 2019, when the State mandated cities to replace private lead service lines – City Council and staff uniformly agreed Ferndale’s policy would be to aggressively attack this public health and legacy infrastructure crisis. Our DPW has replaced over 1,100 lead service lines for residents since 2021, which is 300 more than required by the State of Michigan.
It was a problem out of their control, inherited from past generations, and one that has plagued virtually all communities our age. And yet, despite the complexities, they’ve handled it with a professional and deft hand. Dan, thanks to you and your team for all that you do.
As we talk about the work being done by these great departments, it becomes clear: it’s more important than ever for our residents and community to hear and know about the great work that our teams do. Our City Manager, Joe Gacioch, and his team–Assistant City Manager Kyle Pollett and Assistant to the City Manager Danicea Woods McSwain – are leading that charge.
This spring, they launched a new program called Fern and Learn. Think of it like Civics 101 for adults. It’s a free 8-week class that opens the front doors of City Hall and allows resident students to learn about the fundamentals of government: what we do, how and why we do it, and who’s at the helm of the work. Misinformation and disinformation continue to inspire city staff to ensure you hear the right information, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity for honest conversations with our residents. In its fifth week now, the class has been a great success so far.
With resident education and engagement comes great insight. We’ve been hearing for a while now that our community wants a more predictable and transparent customer service process. We heard you loud and clear. In December, the City Manager’s Office and Communications Department completed a new organization-wide Customer Service policy, and this winter, we welcomed Cassie Lang, the city’s first Customer Service Advocate, to the team.
Cassie is based in our communications department and is here to oversee customer service across all departments. We’ve already heard from multiple residents about how much faster and more seamless using the SeeClickFix app has become. As we go forward, you should be noticing the same improvements with phone calls and other requests.
I personally also value our launching of the Gallup annual employee engagement poll as a proactive tactic to bolster retention in a time of tumultuous turnover. Since 2021, the city has turned over 13 leadership positions. Our Human Resources Department has recruited and replaced about 25% of our workforce over the past few years. – credit to our Human Resource Director Dan Jacey’s experience and leadership.
You are all here because you believe in your local government to do good. There are national forces trying to break government, making it less functional. We can’t let that happen here at home.
When residents assume the worst first, and post on social media before reaching out to a city council member, or city staff, it’s truly unhelpful. It’s demoralizing to your city team members, and creates more work for city staff to educate on the truth while dispelling incorrect information.
I ask that you join me in helping to educate residents that your city team are collaborators and problem-solvers, here to serve our community. Help inform them about the iceberg, most of what happens is under water–you can’t see behind-the-scenes.
Fourteen years ago, how your Ferndale government functioned is 100% completely different than it does today. A major reason is that residents voted to pass a Headlee Override. With their votes they enabled the city to collect up to the 20 mil cap. This voter approval gave your city team and council flexibility to innovate. With resident input, together we evolved how the city delivers and communicates its services to all of us.
In 2011, Councilman Pawlica was on the Blue Ribbon Task Force that reviewed the city’s finances and was a part of the citizen led group that recommended the Headlee millage.
As a city council member, I voted to put the general Headlee override millage on the ballot twice, once in 2011 for 5 years and again in 2015 for 10 years.
Residents supported the millage with the hopes that the state government would stop disinvesting in communities and the worst effectives of Prop A would be fixed.
The state has done very little to fulfill their financial obligations to fund local government or fix broken tax policy. I am hopeful with the new legislature that positive changes are coming, however, it won’t be fixed in time to fill the projected $3.6M gap if residents vote down allowing the city to collect up to the 20 mil cap.
Your city council and city administration have budgeted conservatively. Costs are going up–8% increase in labor costs this year. If costs are up and your city revenue goes down by $3.6M, your city council has difficult choices ahead about resetting city service expectations with all of you. No one will be happy if Ferndale voters vote down a Headlee renewal.
Is this a doomsday scenario? No. But all of us have a pinnacle choice.
Anyone who tells you that your city can cut $3.6M out of the budget and maintain modern service delivery does not know how city finances work.
As your mayor and your neighbor who supports modern city services, I’m asking you to join me in supporting another Headlee Renewal, whatever structure city council determines it should be with resident support. Our citizen led Facilities Task Force laid ground work on possible solutions.
Your current city council has to make these choices this year to set up the new city council for success and be ready to put the millage on the ballot.
Coming to the personal decision not to run for mayor again has been an emotional process for me. How do I let go of something that I care deeply about and the people I work with on the city team? I get deep pains in my chest and I still tear up when I get still and quiet.
It’s time for new leadership to lead.
Councilwoman Raylon Leaks May has been a reliable, steadfast advisor with an incredible, deep network in Ferndale. She has lived here for over 30 years and put five amazing kids through our school district. She’s invested more than anybody into our city’s and children’s futures. Raylon will be an effective and empathetic leader, and I ask you to support electing our first black mayor.
I want to thank my council members Greg Pawlica, Kat Bruner James, Laura Milkulski and Raylon for collaborating with me, guiding me and advising me as mayor. I also want to thank Senator Jeremy Moss, State Representative Regina Weiss, Senator Mallory McMorrow, State Representative Helena Scott, State Representative Mike Mcfall and County Commissioner Charlie Cavill, along with Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, all who have listened to me share stories to advocate on your and our community’s behalf. When you’re a mayor, you need to rely on all your elected officials up the food chain.
And thank you to our city manager, Joe Gacioch, and Assistant City Manager, Kyle Pollet. You’ve helped me become a more effective mayor. And I always say a mayor’s success is completely dependent on the leadership of your city administrative team. We’ve been an
A-team through some of the toughest 4 years thrown at local government. I’m beyond grateful for your partnership.
Thank you for your support of me over 14 years, and the past 4 years. I have 7 months remaining on my term with plenty of difficult decisions ahead. It’s not a cake walk to the exit door. Zoning reform, downtown development and parking pressures, and a Headlee override all while we have an election campaign.
Remember our values of welcoming, inclusive and diverse, leading with empathy and seeking to understand. Our nation needs this more than ever and how we treat one another starts here, at home.
Remember People make our community. People make the place. We all make Ferndale strong together.
Thank you.
