Monday’s regular Ferndale Council Meeting was complete with discussions about parking regulations, future road projects and mandatory watering schedules. But at the end of the meeting, as councilmembers and staff were commenting about items not on the agenda, one announced this would be their last month on the council.
Fred Kennedy announced to those in attendance he had accepted a job that would require he move out of the area and as a result this would be his last month on the council.
Kennedy was first appointed to Seat #7 on the council after then Councilmember Brent Goodrich announced in 2017 he was relocating out of the area. Kennedy was then elected after running unopposed and sworn in on January 2, 2018.
The term for Seat #7 ends December 31, 2021. Councilmembers were informed that city staff had already contacted the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office asking about what options were available for replacing Kennedy.
City staff said via email that since Kennedy is resigning before May 10th his seat on the council can appear on the November 2019 General Election ballot. The council has the option to appoint someone to fill the rest of this year or they could choose to leave it vacant. The council agreed to take up the issue after the May 17th deadline for candidates to file with the County for positions on the November ballot.