Ferndale Council approves $1.08 million in water/sewer equipment purchases to reduce contractor reliance The council approved purchase of a Q's HD sewer CCTV inspection truck ($398,407) and a Vactor 2100i combination sewer cleaner ($684,265) to expand in‑house maintenance capacity, integrate inspection video into GIS and reduce emergency contract costs, city staff said.

Ferndale's City Council just greenlit a $1.08 million investment in cutting-edge sewer equipment to boost in-house maintenance and cut emergency contractor costs!

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #FerndaleWaterSewer #CitizenPortal #EmergencyResponse #MaintenanceCapacity

Council expands downtown social district boundaries, agrees to suspend patio zone for Ferndale Pride amid organizer concerns The council approved a measured expansion of Ferndale’s patio (social) district and separately granted a special‑event permit that suspends the district for this year’s Ferndale Pride; organizers warned the process timeline is tight and urged objective, predictable rules to protect Pride’s alcohol‑free character.

The Ferndale City Council's recent decision to expand the downtown social district has sparked a heated debate about the future of Ferndale Pride and its alcohol-free tradition.

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #CommunityInclusivity #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #FerndalePride

Ferndale council adopts ordinance limiting local cooperation with civil immigration enforcement After public testimony urging stronger protections, the Ferndale City Council adopted a revised ordinance on second reading that narrows city cooperation with certain civil immigration enforcement actions and adds administrative enforcement language; council members said the measure will be further strengthened over time.

Ferndale's City Council has taken a significant step to protect immigrant residents by adopting a revised ordinance to limit cooperation with civil immigration enforcement, but calls for even stronger protections continue to echo from the community.

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Ferndale council adopts $99M six-year capital improvement plan The council approved the FY2027–FY2032 Capital Improvement Plan, a six-year list identifying nearly $99 million in projects; staff emphasized it is a planning tool, not a commitment to immediate spending and noted major needs such as lead-service-line replacement and facility repairs.

Ferndale's City Council just greenlit a bold $99 million capital improvement plan to tackle critical infrastructure needs over the next six years!

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #FerndaleCapitalImprovements #InfrastructureInvestment

Ferndale council gives first reading to immigration-enforcement ordinance; second reading set for March 23 Council held a first reading of a draft ordinance that would limit city resources used for immigration enforcement, prohibit entering into a 287(g) agreement, restrict collection of immigration-status information and set reporting requirements; council moved the ordinance to a second reading on March 23, 2026.

Ferndale City Council takes a bold step toward immigration reform with a new ordinance aimed at safeguarding community resources and rights.

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Ferndale council adopts six-month moratorium on immigration detention centers The Ferndale City Council adopted a six-month resolution pausing any approvals for immigration detention centers and referring potential zoning or regulatory changes to the Planning Commission for study. The vote was unanimous among council members present.

Ferndale City Council has put a six-month halt on immigration detention centers, igniting a debate on the future of zoning regulations in the community.

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #CivicEngagement #ZoningRegulations #FerndaleCommunity

Ferndale staff outlines $32.8M combined public‑safety option; council seeks phased scenarios and funding pathways Staff presented a feasibility study for a combined police‑and‑fire headquarters estimated at about $32.8 million and described critical deferred maintenance at existing stations. Council asked for phased 'minimum/better/best' scenarios, grant targets and CIP alignment ahead of the March budget workshop.

Ferndale officials are facing a $32.8 million decision on whether to overhaul aging police and fire facilities or build a state-of-the-art combined headquarters.

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #FerndalePublicSafety #CitizenPortal #FacilityMaintenance #PublicSafetyInvestment

Ferndale council records opposition to proposed GLWA FY2027 wholesale rate increases As part of consent business, the council adopted a resolution opposing proposed FY2027 Great Lakes Water Authority wholesale water and sewer charge increases (about 6.83% for water and 5.98% for sewer) and urged GLWA to reconsider magnitude, explore phasing and account for unfunded mandates affecting municipalities.

Ferndale City Council is taking a stand against significant water and sewer rate hikes, urging the Great Lakes Water Authority to reconsider its proposed increases and advocate for affordability.

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #MunicipalAccountability #CitizenPortal

Ferndale residents press council for stronger surveillance limits as ordinance advances to second reading At a public hearing, dozens of Ferndale residents urged the City Council to strengthen a draft surveillance ordinance — citing data‑sharing concerns, a 30‑day retention provision and lack of enforceable penalties — and several council members said more work is needed before a final vote.

Ferndale residents are demanding stronger limits on surveillance technology, raising serious concerns about data privacy and accountability as the City Council prepares for a crucial vote.

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #CivicEngagement #FerndaleSurveillance

Council sends 1200 W. 9 Mile PILOT back to incentives committee to seek more 80% AMI units Council referred a developer’s PILOT and community benefits agreement for 1200 W. 9 Mile Road back to the incentives committee for further work to increase the share of 80% AMI workforce units and to revisit community benefits; vote was unanimous on referral.

Council takes a bold step to enhance affordable housing, pushing for more 80% AMI units while balancing community benefits—what will the incentives committee decide next?

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #AffordableHousing #CommunityBenefits #CitizenPortal #UrbanDevelopment

Ferndale council conditionally approves Axon ALPR contract, orders ordinance and audits Council voted 4–1 to approve a five‑year, $110,968 Axon automated license plate reader (ALPR) agreement, contingent on the adoption of a surveillance ordinance and companion policy to codify prohibitions, quarterly audits and a racial‑impact assessment; the funding source is drug forfeiture funds.

Ferndale City Council has approved a $110,967 agreement for automated license plate readers, but with strict conditions and community oversight on surveillance practices.

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #PublicSafety #SurveillancePolicy #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

Downtown Ferndale unveils $730,000 wayfinding and sidewalk-repair plan, design work and public input begin Downtown Ferndale and its DDA launched a community-driven wayfinding and sidewalk-repair project funded by DDA, Main Street Oakland County and a city contribution; design work by Merge begins with public input and installation targeted for early summer 2026.

Downtown Ferndale is set to transform its streets with a $730,000 initiative aimed at enhancing pedestrian wayfinding and repairing sidewalks, all while embracing community input and artistic flair!

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #UrbanDesign #AccessibilityImprovements

Ferndale council tables Axon license-plate reader contract after hours of public comment After more than two hours of public comment and detailed council questioning, Ferndale council voted 4–1 to table a proposed five‑year agreement with Axon for automated license‑plate readers so staff can negotiate contract guardrails and hold a neutral public engagement session.

Ferndale's City Council just hit pause on a controversial deal for automated license-plate readers after heated public debate over privacy and transparency!

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #FerndaleCouncil #CivicAccountability #PrivacyProtection

Ferndale residents urge strict vetting of license‑plate reader vendors after Flock contract ends At a Ferndale community forum residents and civil‑rights advocates praised the police department for ending its Flock Safety contract but warned that any replacement ALPR vendor must be vetted to prevent data sharing with federal immigration authorities; city staff said they will adopt a policy not to share data with federal agencies and continue community engagement.

Ferndale residents are raising urgent concerns over automatic license-plate readers, demanding strict safeguards to protect their privacy and prevent data sharing with federal immigration authorities.

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #FerndaleCivilRights #CitizenPortal

Detective: ALPR lead helped identify vehicle in Ferndale homicide; police emphasize private video and detective work alongside ALPR Detective Matt Goble described how an ALPR 'hit' combined with private-business video and traditional detective work helped investigators identify a pickup linked to the killing of Mamadou Diallo and led to prosecution; police stressed ALPR provides still-plate images (not video or facial recognition).

Detective Matt Goble revealed how a unique blend of ALPR technology and private surveillance footage played a pivotal role in cracking the case of Mamadou Diallo's tragic homicide.

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Ferndale police announce they have severed Flock Safety contract; staff will vet replacement ALPR vendors Police Chief Dennis Emmy announced the department has severed its contract with vendor Flock Safety and will vet alternative automatic license plate reader (ALPR) vendors; staff emphasized no council action was taken tonight and sought community input on retention, search standards and data sharing.

Ferndale Police Chief Dennis Emmy has announced a bold move to sever ties with Flock Safety, prioritizing community input in the quest for a new ALPR vendor.

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #FerndaleCommunity #CivicAccountability #CommunityInput

Ferndale to add two DPW laborers as city condenses lead‑service verification timeline Council approved hiring two DPW laborers to support a plan to condense lead‑service line verification from 12 years to six, a move the city says could save roughly $2.4 million over the program and improve resident outreach and self‑reporting.

Ferndale is speeding up its lead service line verification process from 12 years to just 6, potentially saving the city $2.4 million while enhancing community outreach!

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureImprovement #CommunityOutreach

Ferndale council adopts FY26 cuts; 0‑waste systems manager post eliminated, services to be absorbed by other departments After extensive public comment, Ferndale City Council adopted a FY26 cost‑restructuring plan driven by state revenue‑sharing cuts. The plan includes eliminating the city’s 0‑waste systems manager position (net general‑fund savings presented as about $148,000) while directing DPW and city management to absorb resident-facing composting and recycling

Ferndale's City Council has decided to eliminate the 0-waste systems manager position, sparking heated debate about the future of the city's sustainability efforts.

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #SustainabilityInitiatives #CommunityEngagement #FerndaleEnvironment

Ferndale Council Faces Backlash Over Flock Surveillance System Amid Public Concerns Residents criticize Flock's data practices and ethical implications during Ferndale city council meeting.

The Ferndale City Council is under fire as residents voice concerns over the racially charged implications of the Flock camera system, sparking a heated debate about ethics and community trust.

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #PublicSafety #FerndaleCommunity #CivicAccountability

Ferndale City Council Considers Controversial Renewal of Flock License Plate Reader Contract Residents express concerns over Flock technology's impact on privacy and civil liberties in Ferndale.

Ferndale residents are raising alarms about the controversial renewal of the Flock Safety contract, questioning the impact on privacy and civil liberties in their community.

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#FerndaleOaklandCounty #MI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #DataPrivacy #FerndaleCouncil #CivilLiberties