City Council OKs New Fire Truck, Discusses Millage Proposal

The Ferndale City Council approved the purchase of a $903,100 new fire truck, heard from residents about the millage proposal on the May 3 ballot and upcoming fundraisers and discussed chickens during Monday night's meeting. 

Following are highlights from the meeting:

Ferndale Public Schools Communications Specialist Jessica Stilger presented the results of the at . Stilger said the FEF brought in $15,500.

Ferndale City Council presented The with a resolution . Council also presented an award of appreciation to , the organization that took over a portion of animal control services after the city had to cut them last summer. More recently, , thus ending the contract with Waggs.

Douglas Christie, chair for the Ferndale Environmental Sustainability Commission (FESC), presented information on Ferndale's third annual Green Week. Christie said Ferndale might be the only city in Michigan that dedicates a full week of green activities for Earth Day. For more information check out the Ferndale 's website or call the Ferndale Green Team at 248-709-9301

During call to audience:

Trevor Johnson presented the FESC green tip of the month about water conservation: He said that observation is key to conservation. "You should monitor water use and use a meter as a tool to monitor water usage," he said. "Make sure you fix leaks in toilets, sinks, etc. A drip a minute is a lot of water." He said to be aware of water running when you're not using it. Turn it off while brushing teeth or washing hands. And make sure to fill the dishwasher before you run it. "You can save 1,000 gallons a month by running dishwashers while full," he said.

Earl Sparkman brought up the . It's a spaghetti dinner from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at . Tickets are $10 for adults, kids 5-10 years old are $5 and children under 5 get in for free. "Funds go to fighting polio and the Ferndale scholarship programs," Sparkman said. is co-sponsoring the event.

Beautification Commission Chairwoman Peggy Snow announced plant day on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the  as part of Ferndale's Green Week. Monday's event will be a demonstration on how to increase flowers in the garden by utilizing cuttings. Snow is also looking for neighbor nominations for pretty yards. "So nice out, people are going to be out working in their yards," she said. "My husband was out Sunday and boy was he aching today."

Resident Nancy Goedert, mother of former mayor Charles Goedert, went to the podium in support of the . "I've been proud of Ferndale over the years," she said. "It's a well-run city. It's a wonderful place to live. Like a Norman Rockwell town. Great place to raise kids." She said she's supported the city through the years, supported the library and was proud to support the library. "I want my city just like it is: safe and clean and a good place to live," she said. "So I urge people to please support the millage."

Resident Mary Fredericks, a member of announced that the party campaigning for a no vote on May 3 will hold a series of town hall meetings this week across the city. For a list of those town halls meetings click here.

President Ann Heler announced the free clinic's third annual dinner on May 5 at the Ukrainian Culture Center in Warren. Heler said this fundraiser is critical because it and although the services are free, running the clinic isn't. "Even though everyone is wonderful, they still make us pay these bills!" Heler said smiling. Heler also presented FernCare's six-month review. "We had 151 unique patients with just under 400 visit," she said. Out of those patients, the most common issues were hypertension and diabetes. "We drew from 26 cities in the state," she said. Patients came most often from, in order, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Madison Heights, Southfield, Royal Oak and Detroit. "Half of patients were between 50 and 64," she said.

Dawn Ptaszynski voiced her opposition to the milllage proposal. "Again, I have to say I haven't seen this council with our money. We don't need another totem poll and another statue," she said.

Dennis Whittie, co-chair of the pro-millage campaign, announced a fundraiser for YES to Ferndale's Future on Friday at as well as an April 23 public forum with F.A.C.T., hosted by the Ferndale Public Library and organized by Citizens for a Fair Ferndale. "We don't mean to scare people, we need to inform people, what a yes and no vote would be," Whittie said. Whittie agreed with Ptaszynski. "We don't need another totem pole, she's right. We need fire, police, Council, City Hall services and a clean environment to speak our minds."

Regular agenda:

Ferndale City Council approved the purchase of a Ferrara Igniter Aerial Platform Vehicle for the . The price tag is $903,100, but the Ferndale Fire Department received a grant for $650,000 from FEMA to pay for the vehicle. The balance will come out of the motor pool fund, which doesn't affect the general fund, Sullivan said.  "This truck can meet anything we do in the future," Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan said.

"I do think this is a creative way to get a majorly expensive piece of equipment to take advantage of federal funding," Mayor Pro Tem Kate Baker said.

The old ariel equipment no longer met the safety requirements for the department, Sullivan said. The ladder couldn't hold his lightest firefighter in full equipment and it couldn't flow water, he said. The old truck was 22 years old.

The fire station, however, will need a modification so the taller truck will fit in the station that will cost $61,412. "We still have to modify the door to get it in," Sullivan said. 

Council and department heads:

Councilman Scott Galloway told residents to not keep their comments to themselves. "The time to be heard is on , that's the time to effect real influence," Galloway said. He said he's heard people make comments about what the city should do. "I wish these people would show up to tell us. Don't keep all your great ideas to yourself. Tell us so we can implement them."

Police Chief Tim Collin announced an event that Ferndale Police Officer Baron Brown has been working on. In collaboration with , Brown is organizing an event to help replace bicycles that have been stolen over the last year. There will be a fundraiser from 3-7 p.m. on May 1 at the Loving Touch. Collins said it would be a pool tournament charging $15 to play or $10 to come in. "This is an opportunity to replace 10 bikes to 10 young people who may have lost them to larceny last year," Collins said. For more information, email Collins at tcollins@ferndalepolice.org or bbrown@ferndalepolice.org.

Councilman Mike Lennon brought up the millage and cuts. "I might go to the box and vote no. I don't know, but there will be drastic, drastic cuts if this does not pass," he said. "I personally say I work for the residents; I'll do what you want, to a certain extent. We will survive without this. But we'll make decisions and they aren't going to be good decisions."

Finally, Councilwoman Melanie Piana talked chickens: "Since January, I've been approached by 10 people about backyard chickens," she said. "I'm in support of crafting an ordinance on how to best fit the city." Piana said residents are working hard to put together comparisons on backyard chicken ordinances from around the state. Piana directed the city manager to look into ordinance language on how backyard chickens would best fit in Ferndale. "But not roosters," she said. "They cluck at 4 a.m."