City Council Committees

**Dave Braithwaite, on project timeline:** "I think this building could be going up this year still." **Mayor Hansen, on Fountain Place solutions:** "We want density downtown, we want it to make sense and we want to work with all the other systems." **Councilmember Mutchler, on liaison responsibilities:** "I have no idea what the Council's position is on the tax exempt property because we've not voted on it or if we've not discussed it." **Director Cerbone, on development processes:** "Council needs something to react to. They need something to look at and be like, this is what he's asking for." **Mayor Hansen, on property tax exemption impacts:** "We don't have cities in Washington don't have a lot of tools that we can use to try to drive development in very specific areas." **Director Renz, on levee project urgency:** "A foot more water in 2021 would have put water over the Ferndale levee at Pioneer Park."

# City of Ferndale Council Committee Meetings The City of Ferndale held its regular tri-committee meeting on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, cycling through Public Works & Utilities, Planning & Land Use, and Finance & Administration committees. Each committee tackled distinct but interconnected challenges facing the growing city, from managing development pressures to streamlining governance and preparing for major infrastructure projects. ## Public Works & Utilities Committee: Roads, Levees, and Strategic Property Decisions The Public Works & Utilities Committee, chaired by Councilmember Porter, addressed two significant items that reflect Ferndale's ongoing development momentum and long-term infrastructure planning. ### Shannon Avenue Vacation Moves to Public Hearing Public Works Director Kevin Renz provided an update on the Shannon Avenue right-of-way vacation, which is set for public hearing at the next City Council meeting. This vacation stems from the 1990s "Ferndale West" Planned Unit Development, which dedicated right-of-way for a Shannon Avenue extension between Main Street and Fieldview Drive that was never fully constructed. The current Shannon Highlands/Rosemary Meadows development, consisting of approximately 261 multifamily units, conflicts with portions of the unopened right-of-way. The developer has petitioned to vacate approximately 1.197 acres of the unused road dedication. "Back in the 90s when the original binding site plan and PUD was going through the permitting process with the city was, you know, kind of a different time period in the world and the review of critical areas," Renz explained. The original connection would have crossed a creek, requiring a bridge and facing significant environmental constraints under current regulations. The city obtained an independent appraisal valuing the right-of-way at $349,000. Notably, the vacation excludes a 30-foot-wide corridor along the eastern portion that will remain in public ownership to preserve existing utilities and future public trail access. Councilmember Mutchler appreciated the financial arrangement: "So basically this is a check to the city for a road that we're not using." The vacation represents a practical resolution that generates revenue while eliminating future maintenance obligations for infrastructure that serves no public purpose. ### Ferndale Levee Project Advances with Property Acquisition Services The committee approved a $127,687 contract with Reichhardt & Ebe Engineering for property acquisition services related to the Ferndale Levee Improvement Project. This project, coordinated with Whatcom County, will relocate Ferndale Road around the back of Pioneer Park's ball fields to allow construction of an upgraded levee system. Renz provided context about the project's urgency: "A foot more water in 2021 would have put water over the Ferndale levee at Pioneer Park." The 2021 flood highlighted the vulnerability of current flood protections, particularly as upstream improvements could send additional water downstream. The road relocation will enhance rather than diminish park access and safety. "The reconfiguration of that area will increase the safety for the users of Star Park because it'll provide, they're gonna be, you know, there's an entire parking lot between them and the road instead of being right up against the road," Renz explained. The project will also improve trail connectivity. The new levee design includes a trail on top of the levee structure, providing better access from the Riverwalk to Star Park. "Right now, if you walk all the way down to the PUD, you've got to jump off the bank into the road in order to get off the levee to go over to the park," Renz noted. Councilmember Mutchler expressed particular interest in river access improvements, asking about pedestrian-friendly approaches to the water. While direct river access isn't planned, the new levee design will feature a less steep slope on the riverside with riparian plantings for slope stability. The broader levee project fits into Whatcom County's $350 million flood control plan, with the Ferndale levee among the first three priority projects. The state has allocated $13 million as initial funding, though Renz described this as "not even half the down payment" for the full scope of work needed. Renz also provided a brief construction update on the new City Hall, showing progress photos of the parking structure's concrete work and explaining the post-tension cable system that will support the building above. ## Planning & Land Use Committee: Fountain Place Project Seeks Path Forward The Planning & Land Use Committee, chaired by Councilmember O'Larey, focused entirely on finding solutions for the long-stalled Fountain Place Catalyst project. Developer Dave Braithwaite presented options to overcome flood plain mapping challenges that have prevented construction of his 256-unit mixed-use development. ### FEMA Mapping Delays Create Development Dilemma The core issue stems from outdated FEMA flood maps that don't reflect current scientific understanding of flood risks along the Nooksack River. New mapping that would allow Braithwaite's project to proceed has been completed but not officially adopted due to federal funding cuts. "Every September, October I got an email saying FEMA was gonna adopt the new, the latest modeling mapping. Hopefully in the next 7 to 12 months," Braithwaite explained. "But then I think within a month or two after that funding got pulled and they just put it on hold." Community Development Director Michael Cerbone confirmed the regulatory bind: "We unfortunately have to apply the most stringent of the two maps. That is federal law." Even though new science shows the floodway line should move east, allowing the project, federal regulations require using existing maps until officially updated. The delay could extend indefinitely. "If history dictates the future with FEMA, we have no idea when that'll happen, but it'll be a long time, probably, I would guess at least a year, if not longer," Cerbone said. ### Underground Parking Proposal Sparks Creative Problem-Solving Faced with indefinite delays, Braithwaite proposed an innovative solution: using underground space beneath the existing city fountain for parking to compensate for spaces lost by pulling the building back from the floodway line. "The fountain has to be redone anyway. 'Cause it it's not. It doesn't mean it can't operate like it is," Braithwaite explained. His proposal would demolish and rebuild the fountain area with underground parking while maintaining the same public space above ground. The arrangement would allow the project to proceed without waiting for FEMA while providing additional downtown parking. "We take our building back 18 feet, but we pick up parking spaces in here that we lose all along here," Braithwaite said, referring to his site plan. Mayor Hansen expressed reservations about selling city property: "I have real trouble selling that property." The city invested significantly in acquiring and developing the fountain area as public space. However, he suggested exploring easement arrangements that would preserve public ownership while allowing private development below grade. ### Catalyst Program Constraints Compound Parking Challenges The discussion revealed how the Catalyst program's requirements exacerbate parking challenges. Unlike typical downtown developments that can count on-street parking within 300 feet, Catalyst projects must provide all residential parking on-site. "That was a kind of add on to the catalyst, yeah project," Cerbone noted about the parking requirement. The program also eliminates the standard 25% parking reduction available in the city center, requiring an additional 64 spaces for a project this size. Director Cerbone characterized this as a fundamental flaw: "I think that the Catalyst program is flawed because there are too many requirements for what, you know, the benefit that's provided." ### Multiple Paths Forward Under Consideration The committee reached consensus on requiring Braithwaite to submit formal written proposals detailing his various options, from fountain area arrangements to street narrowing to reduced building size. "We need something in writing to react to because what I hear Dave saying is, well, there's lots of things we can do here. Tell me what you want me to do, but that's not what we're doing. Like, tell us what you want to do, Dave," Cerbone emphasized. O'Larey stressed the importance of finding viable solutions: "I think the thing that I would like to talk about here in this meeting is what are the options that allow a yes?" City Attorney Jori Burnett indicated willingness to explore creative arrangements if legally feasible: "If there is a legal way that does not put the city in a negative balance, that you would like us to explore that." The project represents significant downtown density that supports broader city goals. At 256 units, it would be among the largest residential developments in Ferndale's core, providing the kind of downtown housing that planning policies encourage. ## Finance & Administration Committee: Streamlining Council Liaison Duties The Finance & Administration Committee, chaired by Councilmember Porter, refined new guidelines for Council liaison responsibilities following the recent retreat decision to eliminate several liaison positions and create two levels of engagement. ### Liaison Structure Simplified to Two Tiers Mayor Hansen presented draft guidelines establishing "Full Engagement" and "Moderate Engagement" liaison levels. Full engagement positions involve regular meeting attendance and potentially voting membership, while moderate engagement focuses on maintaining communication with organizational leadership. "Full engagement Council liaison position would be. You know. A position where the liaison may actually be a voting member of the board, or that that the the level of engagement is such that the that it's appropriate that the that the liaison attend meetings as often as possible," Hansen explained. The moderate engagement level significantly reduces time commitments: "The liaison will strive to maintain contact with the organization leadership generally going to be the executive director or the the the board chair. And will regularly communicate in person or by e-mail with the organization's leadership on topics that are related to city business." ### Ethics and Communication Guidelines Councilmember Mutchler raised important points about distinguishing personal views from official Council positions when serving as liaisons. His experience at a school board meeting highlighted the need for clear guidelines. "I made it clear that there may be my personal views and then there are views of the Council which I stated are not known because we haven't put it on this issue since 2018," Mutchler recounted. "So it occurs to me that might be good to put in our policy, which is what this essentially is, that we are cautious when we're speaking to a body that we are distinguishing number one, our views from maybe what the Council has stated in a vote." Hansen agreed to incorporate language requiring liaisons to distinguish between personal opinions and official Council positions, adding: "Council members should be clear when expressing personal views versus the known views of the majority of Council." ### Communication with Eliminated Organizations The discussion addressed how to notify organizations losing Council liaisons. Hansen emphasized this would be informational rather than negotiable: "Council has made the decision to roll back liaison assignments, and unfortunately that means we're no longer going to have a liaison to Kiwanis Club." However, the communication will emphasize continued accessibility: "You know, you're still a valued part of the community and you know, if you need, you know, the Bears always available to to to talk about your concerns related to the city. And of course, you're always welcome to come to public comment." ### Integration with Council Handbook Mutchler suggested incorporating liaison guidelines into the Council handbook to ensure continuity: "I would love to see this be part of our handbook. So when we get a new Council member go to this handbook. It's online and it covers everything you need to know." Hansen supported the idea while noting the complexity of amending Council rules: "Every time we've ever crapped open the Council rules or or the ethics it's it becomes a complicated discussion but, but I I would tend to agree." The committee agreed to work toward incorporating liaison guidelines into official Council rules while using the current framework as interim policy. ### Current Liaison Assignments The revised structure maintains full engagement liaisons for: - Whatcom Transportation Authority (Hawkinson) - School District (Mutchler) - Fire District (Porter) - Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (Gunter) Moderate engagement liaisons include: - Heritage Society (Porter) - Chamber of Commerce (Pinto-Gonzales) - Old Settlers (Mutchler) - Downtown Association (O'Larey) - Community Services (O'Larey) - Community Coalition (Hansen/Staff) Eliminated positions include Planning Commission, Parks Board, Arts Commission, Community Impact Committee, Public Market, Senior Center, Airport Advisory, and Kiwanis Club liaisons. ## Broader Context and Implications These committee meetings revealed several interconnected themes shaping Ferndale's governance and development trajectory. The city continues managing significant growth pressures while streamlining operations and preparing for major infrastructure investments. The Shannon Avenue vacation and Fountain Place discussions both reflect development momentum that requires flexible city responses. The levee project represents the kind of regional infrastructure coordination that growing communities must navigate. The liaison restructuring suggests recognition that volunteer Council members need sustainable workload management. Together, these items demonstrate a city actively balancing growth management, fiscal responsibility, and operational efficiency while maintaining public engagement and transparency. The willingness to explore creative solutions—from underground parking arrangements to easement structures—suggests pragmatic governance focused on achieving community goals rather than rigid adherence to conventional approaches. The meetings also highlighted the importance of clear communication, both between government levels (city-county-federal) and between elected officials and community organizations. As Ferndale continues growing, these coordination challenges will likely intensify, making effective governance structures and relationships increasingly crucial for community success.

**Q:** How much compensation will the city receive for the Shannon Avenue vacation? **A:** $349,000, based on an independent appraisal that considered wetland constraints on the property. **Q:** What is the total cost of the property acquisition services contract for the Ferndale Levee project? **A:** $127,687.80 for professional services to acquire right-of-way needed for road relocation. **Q:** Why is the Fountain Place development project currently stalled? **A:** The building design encroaches into FEMA floodway areas where construction is prohibited until new flood maps are adopted. **Q:** What are the two new levels of council liaison engagement established by the committee? **A:** "Full Engagement" requiring regular meeting attendance and active participation, and "Moderate Engagement" focusing on communication with organization leadership. **Q:** Which council liaison positions were eliminated during the reorganization? **A:** Planning Commission, Parks/Recreation/Trails Advisory Board, Arts Commission, Community Impact Committee, Ferndale Public Market, Senior Center, Airport Advisory, and Kiwanis Club liaisons. **Q:** How many units are planned for the Shannon Highlands development? **A:** Approximately 261 multifamily units and 22 single family homes. **Q:** Who is the current School District liaison? **A:** Councilmember Jon Mutchler, assigned as a "Full Engagement" liaison. **Q:** What major infrastructure project requires moving the downtown fountain? **A:** The developer proposes using space under the fountain for parking to meet Catalyst program requirements while keeping the fountain operational above ground. **Q:** When will the new FEMA flood maps be adopted? **A:** No definitive timeline - funding was recently suspended, and it could take a year or more based on FEMA's history. **Q:** What construction milestone has been reached at the new City Hall? **A:** All walls have been formed and the slab poured for the parking structure, with work beginning on supports for the first floor deck. **Q:** How many properties need acquisition for the Ferndale Levee project? **A:** Nine properties total, with four requiring full appraisal and negotiation (others are city or utility-owned). **Q:** What is the estimated total cost of the regional flood control projects? **A:** Initial plan costs about $100 million, with the entire plan exceeding $350 million (currently only $13 million in state funding available). **Q:** Which organizations will have "Moderate Engagement" council liaisons? **A:** Heritage Society, Chamber of Commerce, Old Settlers, Ferndale Downtown Association, Ferndale Community Services, and Ferndale Community Coalition. **Q:** What special parking requirement applies to Catalyst program developments? **A:** All residential parking must be provided within the building footprint, unlike regular downtown developments that can count nearby street parking. **Q:** Where will Ferndale Road be relocated for the levee project? **A:** Through the parking area behind the ball fields at Pioneer Park, wrapping around to connect back near the Bergsma House. ---