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Ferndale Council adopts alley vacation, approves equipment purchases and staffing plan
Summary
At its Sept. 8 meeting the Ferndale City Council adopted a resolution vacating a north–south alley, approved a $104,000 leaf-vacuum trailer purchase and approved hiring two communications staff after amending a proposed public-information officer role.
The Ferndale City Council on Sept. 8 adopted a resolution to vacate the remaining north–south alley between East Breckenridge Street and Rosewood Street, east of Hilton Road, and approved several operational purchases and staffing changes.
The council approved the alley vacation resolution during a public hearing and vote; no written neighborhood objections were reported during the hearing, and staff noted a correction to the subdivision name in the uploaded documents. Council also approved a purchase of a replacement leaf‑vacuum trailer for the Department of Public Works at a cost of $104,000 and acted on a communications staffing plan, approving two new communications positions while deferring a proposed dedicated public‑information officer (PIO).
The alley vacation affects the unvacated alley adjacent to Lots 28 through 30 in the Eastern and Rest Subdivision; city staff said the vacated right‑of‑way automatically conveys 50% to one adjacent owner and 50% to the other. The alley item was scheduled previously as a public hearing and returned to the council with an updated subdivision name.
DPW Director James Jamieson (chief public-works presenter) told council the city collects about 10,000 cubic yards of leaves during fall curbside collection and plans to move to weekly service in 2026. He described the city’s older leaf‑vacuum fleet as “vintage” and said new Titan Leaf Pro Plus machines require fewer crew members and reduce downtime. Jamieson estimated annual maintenance at roughly 4–6% of equipment value — about $8,000–$12,000 per unit over the life of the machine.
On communications staffing, the council approved creation and hiring of a communications manager and a communications specialist but did not approve, at this meeting, a separate full‑time PIO position. Councilmembers and department heads discussed the PIO’s role at length; police, fire and public‑works leaders emphasized the value of a trained PIO for crises but also noted that chiefs and command staff often handle immediate media needs.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution: Vacation of remaining north–south alley (East Breckenridge to Rosewood, adjacent to Lots 28–30). Motion to adopt the resolution: moved at the public hearing; outcome: approved. (Transcript evidence: first mention at 1301.65–1342.645; vote recorded at 1321.48–1342.645.)
- Purchase: One replacement leaf‑vacuum trailer (McQueen/Titan Leaf Pro Plus). Motion to approve purchase of a replacement leaf vacuum trailer for $104,000: moved by council member; outcome: approved. Roll‑call names heard in the record: Charlie (yes), Johnson (yes), McQuisty (yes); motion recorded as passed. (Transcript evidence: presentation 1714.79–2187.13; motion and vote 2204.93–2397.97.)
- Staffing: Communications staffing plan. Amended motion to adopt revised communications staffing level and backfill only the communications manager and communications specialist positions (PIO deferred). Outcome: approved by roll call. (Transcript evidence: presentation and debate 2412.245–4736.91; motion and amendment 4741.45–7133.945; final roll call 7130.165–7133.945.)
- Consent agenda: The council approved a multi‑item consent agenda that included meeting minutes, proclamations (Constitution Week and Suicide Prevention Month), facility use and staffing authorizations, contract amendments, purchase orders, and bills and payroll review. Outcome: approved as presented. (Transcript evidence: consent listing 1347.72–1452.675; vote 1442.06–1452.675.)
What this means
The alley vacation clears a legal and title step for adjacent property owners; the city clerk noted a corrected subdivision name was uploaded the morning of the hearing. The new leaf‑vacuum purchase is the second of an intended fleet upgrade; city staff plan to keep older units as backups and add additional new units in later budget years. The communications hires mark an expansion of the communications office from one staffer; the council chose to proceed with a manager and specialist now and to continue discussion about a separate PIO role later.
Council members asked staff to monitor maintenance costs and resale options for vintage equipment and to return with implementation details for the communications hires. No charter or statute changes were proposed in the actions taken.
