Here is some of what you missed at last night’s Ferndale City Council meeting.
Developer gets another chance
The city council voted to approve the comprehensive plan a few meetings ago. At the same time a developer came forward saying it would prevent him from building a multifamily development adjacent to multifamily buildings but also single-family lots on the other side. At that time, council voted to approve the comprehensive plan with developer’s lot zoned as Medium Density Residential.
In a city council committee meeting following, city staff opened the conversation about reconsidering the decision. During the discussion, Councilmember Cathy Watson agreed to requesting a reconsideration based on her understanding that the property owner was willing to limit his development to 12 units even though it would be rezoned as High Density Residential.
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Click for more informationAs a result, it came back to council where they unanimously (Councilmember Carol Bersch abstained) agreed to the zoning change for the lot contingent upon a Development Agreement limiting the development to no more than 12 residential units.
Star Park expenses scrutinized
Councilmember Keith Olson voiced concern over several thousand dollars in costs assigned to the Star Park budget for caterers and some other that were only identified as employee reimbursements and credit card payments.
In question were items from the June claims report. They included payments to Memorable Events & Catering ($2934), Kelly’s O’Deli Catering ($2427) and Second Avenue Sports ($970). Citing city staff’s repeated claims that no taxpayer money was spent on the park, Olson asked staff to explain the charges.
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Click for more informationStaff explained that there was grant money and donations from contributors to the park effort that offset these charges. Staff added the merchants donated their time and these costs are only to cover their food costs. A detailed accounting of the Star Park project expenditures and donations and grants has been promised by city staff.
Council voted 5 to 1 to approve the June claims as-is with Olson opposing.
Money for Sister City visit
During October this year, a group of 12 delegates and the Mayor from Ferndale’s Japanese sister-city, Minamibōsō, will be visiting Ferndale. This year marks the 25th year of the sister-city relationship.
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Click for more informationOrganizers asked city council to approve $2,250 out of the city’s general fund to be spent for gifts for the delegates and to pay for related events and activities.
According to a spokesperson for organizers, local families are expected to host the delegates. There is an expectation of gift exchanging as is traditional for the Japanese visitors. During the organizers’ presentation in council Finance and Administration committee, an interest to revive a ‘sister-school’ relationship was mentioned and said people at Cascadia Elementary had expressed an interest.
According to the organizers’ spokesperson, the groups’ itinerary would include a social gathering at the Mayor’s home, a dinner at a local restaurant, a tour through town and a public event at the Pioneer Pavilion Community Center that will include entertainment that will be able to perform for free or a nominal fee.
Councilmember Bersch made the motion for approving release of the public funds but only if they will be spent on events open to the public. The motion passed 5 to 1 with Councilmember Olson opposed.
UPDATE 3:45pm
City staff informed Discover Ferndale that, after conferring with Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC), it was realized using public funds to entertain the foreign delegation would be in violation of State law. In light of this, the Mayor is reported to now be working with organizers to locate alternative funding sources.