Ferndale Honors Kate Baker with Resolution for Volunteerism
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 28, 2023)
Ferndale, MI – Longtime Ferndale Advocate Kate Baker was honored Monday evening with a resolution thanking her for her volunteerism and years of service to the community. Baker is a former councilperson who has remained active with appointed and volunteer positions touching multiple aspects of the Ferndale community, as well as regionally.
Mayor Melanie Piana read the resolution, adding that “Kate has been a consummate public servant over the years, and has been someone teaching others how to lead in a community.”
The resolution states:
Resolution Honoring the Volunteerism of Kate Baker to the City of Ferndale
At a Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Ferndale, Oakland County, Michigan, held on the 28th day of August 2023, the following resolution was moved, and supported unanimously:
In November 2007, Kate Baker was elected to the Ferndale City Council. In January 2008, Kate joined the Planning Commission as the Council Liaison. In January 2012, following her tenure on the City Council, Kate was appointed to the Planning Commission as a regular member.
Kate has been a steady hand in guiding new Planning Commission members and staff throughout the years with her vast institutional knowledge of City processes, policies, and programs.
Kate has been a tireless advocate for inclusivity by giving members of the public a welcoming microphone to express their thoughts and has worked to ensure that all voices are heard in the planning process.
Kate has participated in the reviewing, drafting, and adopting of three land use plans and the City’s first-ever Climate Action Plan over her 16 years of service to the City of Ferndale.
Kate has reviewed over seven Planned Unit Developments, ensuring more walkable, pedestrian friendly, and neighborhood-complimenting projects such as The dot and LifeLab Kids.
Kate has had a keen interest towards development projects that have cleaned up contaminated sites throughout Ferndale, including 409 on Nine and Parkdale Townhomes.
Kate has advocated to transition many City streets into multi-model transportation corridors, improving access to neighborhoods and commercial nodes throughout Ferndale such as Livernois Avenue, Marshall Street, and Nine Mile Road.
Kate has always believed that affordable housing in Ferndale is a right through her support of the Raymond E. Shepherd House and her advocacy of incorporating affordable units in developments where possible.
Kate has supported sustainability initiatives by working to include electric vehicle charging stations, increased tree canopy, and rainwater diversions in developments.
Kate has espoused that Ferndale’s heart is its downtown by championing placemaking and pedestrian scale through improved design requirements.
Kate has given her time, energy, and talents to the Detroit Artists Market, 8 Mile Boulevard Association, Ferndale Education Foundation, FernCare Free Clinic, Detroit Experience Factory, Michigan for Immigrants Rights, and the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority.
Kate’s dedication and expertise have been invaluable and her contributions have helped to shape the future of Ferndale for generations to come.
Kate, in all certain terms will be sorely missed as a Planning Commissioner and unwavering advocate for the City of Ferndale.
Therefore, be it resolved, that Mayor Melanie Piana, on behalf of the Ferndale City Council, extends the City’s gratitude to Kate Baker for her years of volunteerism to the City of Ferndale. “Kate is the definition of what working with and for the community means.”
For more on the City of Ferndale visit: https://www.ferndalemi.gov
