No Place Like Home: Ferndale Mayor Leaks-May Shares State of the City Address
(City of Ferndale, May 16, 2024)
Ferndale, MI – City of Ferndale Mayor Raylon Leaks-May shared the State of the City on May 14 at Affirmations. Here is the text of her speech as prepared:
Hello. Good evening and welcome to the 2024 State of the City Address. I’m your Mayor Raylon Leaks-May and tonight I’m here to talk about our home, Ferndale, Michigan.
To begin, I’d like to acknowledge all of the volunteers who help keep Ferndale up and running. Thank you to for your time and energy… you’re a blessing, and your contributions are so valuable to our government and community. From our Board and Commission Members to election workers to everyone who helps with events or cleans up the city. We couldn’t do what we do without your passion, dedication and talent.
Being a resident-oriented community requires the support of engaged citizens. I’d like to specifically mention the hard work of the 2022 Facilities Task Force and the 2024 Resident Finance Committee. These groups came together to help guide Ferndale for years to come. If you’d like to get an idea of the incredible work they’ve done, copies of both reports are available here tonight.
I’d like to recognize our wonderful City Council members, Donnie Johnson, Rolanda Kelley, Mayor Pro Tem Laura Mikulski and Greg Pawlica, Ferndale is proud to have such great leaders.
Thank you to the city staff for everything they do. From my time on council, to getting my first five months as Mayor under my belt, the staff have been unyielding in their support.
I’d like to take this opportunity to point out this beautiful space we’re in tonight, and highlight the incredible team here at Affirmations. Thank you to Cheryl Zach, Affirmation’s new director, and her entire staff for welcoming us this evening. How lucky are we to have this incredible facility in the heart of Ferndale?
And I must recognize Ferndale Public Schools, our dedicated School Board, and our new Superintendent, Camille Hibbler. I’ve gotten to know Camille over the past year; I’m confident that she can be the voice that leads our schools for years to come.
I’d like to recognize our students and all of the young people here tonight. Especially Alexis White for delivering our opening poem. It’s been an unprecedented few years, and yet, our students continue to grow and adapt. Our future is bright because of you.
Finally, I want to thank all of you, the residents of Ferndale – those in attendance tonight, as well as those watching from home. I’m proud to have lived in Ferndale for 33 years. I think it’s important to remember that your local leaders, like myself and City Council, are also residents. We are all in this together.
We can talk about the city in terms of Council and constituents, of budgets, projects, and laws, but at the end of the day, it’s a home – Your home. My home. Our home.
Now, like a family, we don’t always agree. We have different goals or maybe we see things through different viewpoints. But at the end of the day, we all want what’s best for our home – Ferndale.
There’s nothing more important than ensuring that the people living in your home are healthy and safe. From Parks & Rec to The Department of Public Works to our Police and Fire Departments, Ferndale works tirelessly to keep you and your home safe and sound.
Our Parks & Rec department, led by the always amazing La Reina Wheeler, has had a great year. City Council has supported $1.1 million dollars in improvements to Wilson Park and Martin Rd. Park… and thanks to LaReina and her team, otherwise known as “the grant writing machines,” the Parks department has offset 50% of those costs through won grants.
And we all know, Parks & Rec isn’t just about the places, it’s about the people. The Summer Camp Program has never been better, thanks in part to the hard work of Recreation Manager, Emmanuel Johnson. This year’s camp sold out in three minutes! They had to find and hire temporary staff to meet the demand for summer programs.
Speaking of, I’d like to acknowledge Deputy Director Robert Burch for filling in as an official for many of our youth summer and fall leagues last year. If you know anyone who would be interested in vital community jobs like coach, referee or camp counselor, please send them to the Parks & Rec Department.
One of the department’s most important moves was partnering with the Ferndale Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Commission to expand much-needed accessibility improvements throughout our parks.
We are so lucky to have our Public Works team. Last year alone they replaced 430 lead service lines, restored and replaced more than 5 miles of roadway, and cleaned 30 sections of water-sewer mains.
DPW not only removed 50 high-risk trees – reducing risks to people and property – but they replanted enough to replace them all. One of the trees they took down in Garbutt Park, may not have looked very sick, but the experts at DPW realized it was rotten to the core and removed it before it could do any damage.
I’d like to acknowledge DPW’s director Jim Jameson. Not only does he approach his job with humanity, but he goes above and beyond to take care of our residents. I remember a chilly Saturday afternoon last year, and the heat went out unexpectedly at the Historical Society. I called Jim and he came to the rescue, driving in and repairing the heat on his own time.
The Public Works Team follows Jim’s lead, not just his directions, but his approach – doing everything they can to keep our hometown looking beautiful. They too go above and beyond. Recently, a resident lost their dog, and a DPW crew — led by Chris Kunz, Steve Adkins, and Rob McKinnon — found and rescued her. The Boston Terrier, named Indigo, was treated to a tour of Ferndale in the DPW truck, and then returned to her human, safe and sound.
It’s stories like these that remind me how heroic the staff here in Ferndale are. Not just workers doing a job — people helping people.
It’s typical here to share stats about service response times or investigations solved, but instead let’s try this:
By a show of hands, If you had to call 9-1-1 for an emergency, do you feel confident that you would receive a fast and professional response by our Police and Fire Departments?
Exactly! — Excellent service is the standard for our police officers, firefighters and paramedics. And that standard is set at the top.
Our Police Department works tirelessly to keep our citizens safe by maintaining a modern approach to policing. In the last year, they earned REaccreditation — an intensive process that can only be achieved by the best of the best. In fact, only 38 out of 600 law enforcement agencies in the State of Michigan are re-accredited!
They also launched the Citizens Police Advisory Review Board, made up of community members and leaders. This opens dialogue between our Police Department and our community, and promotes even greater transparency.
And they continue to run the annual Citizen’s Academy, which gives participants hands-on lessons about many aspects of law enforcement. In fact, I can speak about this program from experience — I was enrolled in the first Academy several years back and am a proud graduate!
The department also recently announced a new partnership with the Oakland County Health Network. It’s called CORE, the Co-Response Outreach Program, and the partnership will allow community members impacted by mental health and substance abuse disorders to receive additional support from Mental Health Experts. Our police leaders continue to tackle some of society’s most challenging issues with innovation and heart.
Let’s take a moment to recognize those leaders. If you’re here, please stand — Police Chief Dennis Emmi, Deputy Chief David Spellman, and Captain Casey O’Loughlin.
The Fire Department continues to break the mold in their field as well. For the first time in many years, they held a community Open House last fall. They invited people in to tour their facilities, gave CPR lessons, and even demonstrated the Jaws of Life. It was a great chance to show the community what the department is all about.
They’re also bringing back CERT – the Community Emergency Response Team, which teaches people basic disaster response skills, fire safety, light search and medical operations. Over and over again, we find that when residents get a look inside our departments, they find themselves eager to learn more and get involved.
The team continues to be skillfully led by Chief Teresa Robinson. I’m proud to share that last week, Chief Robinson was appointed president of the Southeast Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs. And if she won’t brag, I will — she is the first woman to serve in this capacity, EVER.
She has modernized the fire department’s fleet by introducing a second ambulance and replacing a 25-year-old fire engine, both of which will be added to the fleet by this fall. She also received the coveted Emergency Medical Services Workplace Grant to enhance the paramedic training program. We on City Council have approved additional investments to help our first responders.
A few months ago, a student at Ferndale Upper Elementary sent me a letter sharing her concerns about climate change and what Ferndale was doing about it. I was impressed with her advocacy, but also heartbroken that young people have to worry about this.
For too long, Climate Issues have been a problem for future generations to figure out. In Ferndale, we’re tackling it NOW, so kids can focus on being kids.
In 2023, we diverted more than two-hundred-thousand pounds of food and organic waste out of the landfill. Our new composting program has been so successful, that other cities have been calling for advice. We have a long way to go, but I’m proud of the direction that we’re heading.
I’d like to recognize the man behind that plan, Logan Applebee, our Zero Waste Manager. Logan is a Ferndale resident who is so passionate about helping us reduce our collective carbon footprint that he joined the team!
In fact, our approach to Zero Waste Management, along with our investments in our Parks, is receiving national attention. Last week, the National League of Cities visited and featured Ferndale’s approach to composting as part of their Centennial Roadshow. This is an organization that advocates for cities through federal policy and beyond — a great opportunity for Ferndale when it comes to future grants and leadership programs.
We are so close to the end of Woodward Moves, with final roadwork scheduled to be finished by the end of next month. It’s time for us to look ahead to how the changes will work for us.
With that in mind, we’re hosting two public education events next week: next Wednesday, May 22nd, we’re hosting the League of Michigan Cyclists in Council Chambers… and Thursday, May 23rd, our Recreation Department will hold “Safety Town” for kids at Garbutt Park.
This is just the beginning of the city’s education process, which will be ongoing. I know it’s new, and there are some concerns. But at its core, Woodward Moves is about safety, equity and accessibility. Though there will be challenges as we get used to the new layout, we are not too far from the NEW becoming the NORM.
The hard-working team behind The CED Department rarely get enough credit for all of the work they do. They develop many of the City’s core services, from Building and Code Enforcement, to Planning, Zoning, and Rentals. CED works closely with the community to expand the future of Ferndale.
If you were one of the many residents who worked with us on the Zone Ferndale program, then you saw first hand what I’m talking about.
By working with the community, we were able to create more housing options by bringing back Accessory Dwelling Units, also known as ADUs. An ADU is a second, smaller home on the same property – you might have heard them called “Mother-in Law Suites.” ADUs allow people to age in place by downsizing to a more accessible home on their property while renting or passing their home down to their families. This will help families to make Ferndale their home for generations! Look out for a CED presentation about these changes this summer.
Partnering with seven local communities, our planning team is also leading the regional Safe Streets for All Project. Each of these communities recognizes the importance of slowing vehicle traffic down – designing streets for everyone in the name of a vision of zero traffic deaths. Our Senior Planner, Kyle Bryce, has been expertly leading this, and I want to recognize his efforts.
This year, CED is also focusing on community development. They’ve restructured their team by bringing in two new Code Enforcement Officers, Brett Sturtz and Liz Sackley. If you see their friendly faces out and about, give them a wave or say hi. They’re here to answer questions and help our residents and business owners.
CED has also revitalized their enforcement process with an increased focus on health and safety. The more robust team helps the department meet their goal of being more responsive and more visible. By enforcing code regularly, we are able to maintain standards that foster a healthier and more sustainable environment for everyone.
Looking forward, CED is doubling down on small business support by highlighting the role they play in helping businesses invest, grow, and sustain themselves in Ferndale.
I, too, have been working with local businesses, by continuing the tradition of the Mayor’s Business Council. It’s an opportunity for me to meet with local business leaders and learn about why entrepreneurs choose Ferndale, what needs they have, and how we can support them. Thanks so much to CED Director Roger Caruso and his team for helping to support me in this, as well as the work they’re doing to support our many unique businesses.
I mentioned earlier that I’m just in my fifth month as your mayor. And let me tell you, it’s been a busy five months!
Since taking my oath in January, I’ve joined the Mayor’s Alliance to end childhood hunger through the No Child Hungry campaign, signed on to Mayors Against Gun Violence, and received a Michigan Municipal League Elected Officials Academy Leadership Award for the training I completed.
Those are the headlines. But what a lot of people don’t see is the rest of the story. Did you know that I – and my fellow councilmembers – do this part-time? There are no offices for us in City Hall. We have families, and day jobs, and volunteer roles in addition to the work we do for you.
When I’m not being your mayor, I’m a mother of five and a Ferndale resident for more than 30 years. I work as a long-term care ombudsman for AgeWays, formerly known as the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. The work can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding – and there is often crossover between my roles. Just last month, I received a letter from a Ferndale resident… the family was struggling, and I helped her husband find placement in a long-term care facility. This is an excerpt of the note I received. She says:
You assisted my husband in being happily placed in a senior living arrangement, out of a mental health/homeless situation. My husband wasn’t happy at first about the new living situation, but has grown to like it in his own grumpy way. I could no longer care for him and his conditions, especially after myself being diagnosed with cancer. I am well in remission and living my best life now.
Serving in an elected role is a labor of love, and I certainly couldn’t do it alone. I’d like to take a second to recognize the members of Ferndale’s City Council. We come together to lead the city forward; Individually they show their love and devotion to Ferndale in ways that are as unique as they are.
Our Mayor Pro Tem, Laura Mikulski, wears a ton of hats. She has served on City Council since 2022 while being mom of a young daughter and working full-time as a Director of Strategy for Digital Marketing. Of course, most people in Ferndale know her as “the rat lady” — which an ordinary person might cringe at, but Laura wears like a badge of honor! You might not know that she has also taken an advocacy role on the issue of state revenue sharing. She has collaborated with 15 other local cities to put pressure on Lansing to fix this critical issue.
Councilmember Greg Pawlica has been on City Council since 2014, leading the city with his candor and sense of humor. We consider him the City’s unofficial historian, and his passion project right now is preparing for Ferndale’s centennial in 2027. His day job is Senior Safety TREAD Act – CDR Leader at Ford, which involves managing the IT applications within the Automotive Safety Office. He’s a dear friend and I’m so grateful to have served with him these past several years.
Councilmembers Rolanda Kelley and Donnie Johnson were both elected last fall and began serving the City in January. Rolanda is a passionate community advocate – if you asked a group of residents on the street if they “know Ro”, I guarantee that most, if not all, would say YES. In fact, one of her first moves as a Councilmember was bringing two young students and their families together with our city manager and DPW department to discuss pedestrian safety. In her non-Councilor life, Rolanda is a Senior Manager at Costco, overseeing 300 employees.
And last but VERY CERTAINLY not least, our “finance guy,” Donnie Johnson. He actually began his involvement with the City as a resident – serving as Chair of the Facilities Task Force. His financial expertise and interest in Ferndale’s progress led him to run for Council. His day job is as Associate Budget Director for the City of Detroit, so he’s well versed in government finance, and I’m confident he has the experience and passion to help us lead Ferndale forward.
From Communications and HR, to Finance, Elections, the DDA, and more — these are the incredible people working for the city, the people who show up, every day, to keep us up and running.
They go the extra mile to help make our hometown the gem that it is. Whether it’s helping to clean up after storms, attending public events, or even winning awards, our team is out there, making it happen.
Thank you to our city staff for your time, your work, and your passion. Thank you to your families for sharing you with us. Thank you to the spouses, partners, and friends who support you at home and in everything you do. We could not do this without you.
Managing a home is a challenge; managing a city takes a team of dedicated leaders. But even at the city level, there’s only so much that we can control. State Revenue Sharing, The Headlee Amendment, and Proposal A are part of a broken system. Plus, just like you’ve seen at home, costs for the city continue to rise. There are tough decisions to be made. Luckily, we have an incredible team making those calls.
Our City Manager’s Office is led by Joe Gacioch. He is joined by our new Assistant City Manager, James Krizan. With over twenty-five years of combined executive leadership experience, they are guiding the next generation of public leaders.
Whether it’s dealing with the State’s unfunded lead line mandate or preparing for the incredibly important Headlee Override Renewal, by getting ahead of problems before they arise, they’ve shown time and time again that they are prepared for whatever comes their way.
Joe and his team have skillfully navigated us through these challenges while emphasizing and uplifting the important role that residents can play in creating supportive solutions. Joe oversaw the Facilities Task Force and the Finance Review Committee. These committees have been crucial in helping us better understand the resources we have available to us and the choices that lay before us.
Residents on the FACILITIES Task Force looked at each of the City’s facilities and studied the needs. They unanimously prioritized our public safety and recreation facilities. Our police & fire facilities were built in the 1950s and 60s — when we thought differently about women in the workplace, the health of our employees, and more. We could not build this same facility today because thankfully, our standards have dramatically improved over the past 70 years.
Coming out of COVID, we faced difficult funding decisions for our Recreation Department, which was housed in a facility we didn’t own. But we’re changing that. We want recreation to be funded through a city-owned facility for the first time.
Residents on the FINANCE Committee looked at all of the general fund’s needs, including facilities. They reviewed the task force report and toured those same facilities. They also met with experts to learn about the City’s financial and economic picture.
For example, Ferndale’s Housing Values have increased by 160% over the last ten years. That’s good for the city — we want the value of our homes to appreciate. Some of you may be saying: I bet there is a BUT….
BUT – Unfortunately because of Proposal A and The Headlee Amendment, the burden of that growth is concentrated on new homeowners through uncapped property taxes and renters who are experiencing feverish increases in rental rates. The Finance Committee helped us understand – the longer you stay in your home – the greater your benefit of property tax rollbacks from the Headlee amendment will be.
And now, we find ourselves in front of a critically important decision. Our current 10-year Headlee Override will expire next year. Losing this millage means losing $4 million, or 30% of our budgeted revenues. We are in greater competition for the next generation of police officers and fire fighters, and our facilities have us stuck in the past.
I am proud to report that just last night, City Council made unanimous recommendations on two ballot proposals. #1 – replace the expiring millage with a Headlee override that would restore the City’s general fund operating millage back to 20 mills. #2 – a proposed charter amendment to earmark 4 of those mills for police & fire facilities & recreation facilities and services.
The headlee override millage funds police, fire, DPW, parks and rec & City Hall – that’s straight forward – but how it actually works is not.
The bottom line is, when you care about your home, you invest in it. You wouldn’t look around and say, “that oven is broken; I guess we’re just done cooking.” Of course not! You fix or replace it. I have tremendous faith that the people of Ferndale will do what is needed.
I ask you to join me in supporting Council’s recommendation by voting YES on both questions for The Headlee Override and for the charter amendment on November 5th. Even better, you can help join the team that’s keeping our neighbors informed.
Throughout tonight’s speech, I’ve told story after story about the great things that happen when the city and its community come together and work towards a common goal.
And, folks, that’s what we need to do right now.
At the end of the day, it all comes back to this home of ours. This cool, welcoming, magnificent home of Ferndale, Michigan.
A community where residents come together to celebrate Pride, honor veterans at one of the oldest-running Memorial Day Parades, and deck out their houses and yards for friendly holiday lights and garden competitions.
A place where leaders open the doors of City Hall to residents, inviting them in and seeking their guidance on critical issues.
A city where differences are celebrated, and people of diverse backgrounds and belief systems comes together to make us all stronger.
A city we’re all proud to call home.
I ask you: is this the kind of place — the kind of home — you want to live in? Because I do. I treasure this community and everyone in it, and I think you all do, too.
Whether you’re an employee, a resident, a business member, or a volunteer, it’s people like you that truly make Ferndale a home.
Thank you.
Learn more about the City of Ferndale at https://www.ferndalemi.gov/