City News

We know the holidays generate a lot of waste materials, like cardboard, paper, and gift wrapping. Thanks to a collaboration between the Zero Waste Manager and the Public Works Department, the City is proud to present the Holiday Heave! Bring your cardboard and paper items to the special dumpsters located at the Kulick Center and Martin Road Park (at the intersection of Orchard and Martin) from today, Monday, December 23, 2024, through Monday, January 6, 2025.

Happy Holidays, Ferndale! Please keep in mind that City Hall will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Garbage and recycling pickup will be delayed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, so please set your containers out one day late for the remainder of the week. Parking will be free in Downtown Ferndale on all four days. We hope your celebrations are safe and fun!

As we enter the holiday season, join us as we celebrate some amazing accomplishments of City staff! Each department plays a vital role in our community and we’re very grateful for their efforts.

Last week, Ferndale Fire Chief Teresa Robinson joined Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms, Detroit Fire Marshal Don Thomas, State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer, and Director of Grosse Pointe Public Safety John Alcorn to share safety tips and practices for lithium-ion batteries, particularly as we get close to the holiday season.

The Public Works Department has worked with SOCRRA to extend bagged yard waste pickup to next week, the week of December 16, 2024, on your regular trash day. This is your last chance to have your leaves, sticks, twigs, grass, and stones picked up at the curb.

Ferndale's Interim City Manager and staff leaders invite you to a second townhall meeting, "After Headlee: A Community Conversation Continued," to discuss a path forward following the November 5 General Election.

The December Board of Review Meeting is on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in the Downstairs Conference Room at City Hall.

Notice is hereby given that a public auction will be held on vehicles that have been deemed abandoned by the Ferndale Police Department. The auction will be held at Monaghan’s Towing Inc., 21680 Fern St., Oak Park, MI. 48237, Wednesday, November 27, at 11:00 a.m. A list of vehicles for auction can be found for Terms of Sale: Cash - As - Is - Condition.

The City of Ferndale invites you to get involved in the recruitment process of our next City Manager by taking the community survey.

Ferndale City Council invites you to join them for a townhall meeting, "After Headlee: A Community Conversation," to discuss a path forward following the November 5 General Election, in which the City’s Headlee Override General Operating Proposals—Proposals 1 and 2—were voted down.

A message from Mayor Raylon Leaks May: The local results of yesterday’s election are in, and the Headlee Override General Operating Proposals—Proposals 1 and 2—have been voted down. Obviously, this was not the result that City Council and I hoped for. The five of us supported and championed these proposals, which were developed to provide critical funding and ongoing support for City services and facilities. We are, however, grateful for the incredible voter turnout: 11,655 of you showed up and spoke out, and we acknowledge and honor the community’s voice on such important issues.

The City of Ferndale has been awarded an incredible $380,000 in funding from the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency (OLSHA) to assist seniors and low-income residents with home chores such as lawncare and snow removal.

The General Election is on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Voters will choose their candidate for President, US Senate, US House, and many other positions. There will also be two local proposals on the ballot regarding the Headlee millages. Please view the information carefully to ensure your vote is cast.

Plop those pumpkins! The annual Pumpkin Plop returns for the third year. Instead of trashing your jack-o-lanterns after Halloween, support the planet by composting. Drop off carved or whole pumpkins, pumpkin guts, and gourds to the designated bins at Martin Road Park or the Kulick Center from Friday, November 1, 2024, to Thursday, November 7, 2024. Do not include painted or artificial pumpkins, hay bales, corn stalks, yard debris, food waste, candles, or anything non-pumpkin-oriented.

Happy Halloween, Ferndale! Here are some tips and reminders from the Police and Fire Departments to keep you and your loved ones safe during the fun and spooky celebration.

Yesterday, Tuesday, October 22, 2024, the City of Ferndale hosted representatives from Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office, and associated City staff in recognition of the "Get the Lead Out" initiative. A press conference was held at City Hall followed by a tour of an active Lead Service Replacement Program construction site on West Breckenridge St., led by the Public Works Department. Lead in water is not just a local concern. There are likely over 9.2 million lead service lines left to replace across the United States. Eliminating lead from drinking water is an important public health matter on a national scale.

If you or someone you know has made a difference in the Ferndale community through health, human services, public art, education, and other areas, we have an amazing grant opportunity for you. The Ferndale Community Foundation will award $2,500 (out of a total of $25,000) to 501 c (3) organizations whose projects have made a significant impact in Ferndale. Please keep in mind that general funding for operations or expenses does not apply. 

It can be alarming to see brown water coming out of the faucets of your house, but it’s likely to happen at some point due to water pressure fluctuations for a variety of reasons—construction, a broken water main, fire hydrant maintenance, etc. The good news is that most of the time there is no reason to worry and it's typically an easy fix. View this article for active water main breaks, hydrant uses, or brown water reports in your area.

Our friends and environmental leaders on the Ferndale Environmental Sustainability Commission (FESC) are so excited to provide free wildflower seed mixes to Ferndale residents. This wildflower mix was curated by the FESC to support ecosystems and pollinators, assist with stormwater runoff, and enhance biodiversity. Plus, this program is entirely grant-funded!

A report and presentation by Partners in Architecture highlights the deficiencies and disparities of the City's current Police and Fire facilities, and offers a conceptual look at what a combined new Public Safety Headquarters could look like.