City Council Committees

**Councilmember Porter, on traffic safety:** "It's something that's anything having to do with traffic, you know, mitigation and how to avoid accidents and stuff is a good thing." **Mayor Hansen, on funding strategy:** "This opens up a whole pot of money for larger road construction projects at the federal level, that's simply not even available to us until we complete this plan." **Mayor Hansen, on Portal Way reconstruction:** "Federal funds will go a long way to making that project a viable project in the near future." **Councilmember Porter, on the cost-share:** "So that sounds to me like a great deal." **Public Works Director Renz, on completion timeline:** "We are looking to get into the contract and then start working on the Safety Action Plan with the target of getting completed by the end of the year." #

# Safe Streets for All Action Plan: Ferndale Positions for Federal Funding ## Meeting Overview The Ferndale City Council Committees convened on Wednesday, March 11th, 2026, with only the Public Works & Utilities Committee meeting as scheduled, after the Planning & Land Use and Finance & Administration committees were cancelled. The brief 15-minute session, chaired by Councilmember Herb Porter, focused on a single but significant agenda item: authorizing a consulting contract that would position Ferndale to compete for substantial federal transportation safety funding. With Mayor Greg Hansen presiding over the start of the meeting before handing control to Committee Chair Porter, the gathering included Councilmembers Porter, Pinkley, and Hawkinson, along with Public Works Director Kevin Renz. The atmosphere was efficient and collegial, with Porter noting the cold weather and hoping "everyone's keeping warm" before diving into what he characterized as "just one little item" — though one that could unlock significant federal resources for the city. The meeting represented the kind of routine yet consequential municipal business that often flies under the public radar despite its potential long-term impact. By approving a $99,800 contract with Transpo Group USA to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, the council positioned Ferndale to access future federal Safe Streets for All grants that could fund major infrastructure improvements along the heavily-traveled Portal Way corridor. ## The Safe Streets for All Action Plan Contract Public Works Director Kevin Renz presented the consulting contract with Transpo Group USA, carefully correcting Committee Chair Porter's suggestion that the plan was "another component" of the city's comprehensive plan. "Not quite a component of the Comprehensive Plan," Renz clarified, "but the Safe Streets for All program is one that was implemented by the federal government to provide funding to address road safety issues." The distinction was important: while the action plan would complement ongoing comprehensive planning efforts, it served as a gateway to federal transportation safety funding that required its own specialized analysis and documentation. Renz explained that while Whatcom County had already developed a safety action plan through the Whatcom Council of Governments, "that plan is more general and broad in nature as it covers the entire county rather than being specific to Ferndale." The federal funding structure proved attractive to the council. Ferndale had successfully secured $80,000 in federal Safe Streets for All planning grant funds, requiring only a $20,000 local match for a total project budget of $100,000. This represented exactly the kind of leveraged investment that small cities seek — using modest local dollars to access significantly larger federal resources. The competitive selection process had been methodical. After issuing a request for qualifications, the city received two submittals: one from Transpo Group USA and another from Prism. Following consultant interviews, staff selected Transpo based on their qualifications and their existing familiarity with Ferndale's transportation conditions. "Transpo has done a lot of the background work necessary for the development of the plan throughout the comprehensive plan transportation element," Renz explained. "So they're able to layer on top of those and utilize the information that was gathered during that to help speed up and facilitate the process." The timeline was aggressive but achievable. Renz outlined plans to "get into the contract and then start working on the Safety Action Plan with the target of getting completed by the end of the year so that we'll be eligible to apply for future rounds of the Safe Streets for All grant program." ## Community Engagement and Public Input Councilmember Robert Pinkley raised an important question about public participation, specifically mentioning electric bicycles as "an issue for a lot of people" and asking about opportunities for community input. Renz outlined a multi-pronged engagement strategy that would include both digital and in-person components. "We'll have a dashboard that's created on the web that you'll be able to interact with, as well as we'll have a web address for people to direct e-mail to or they can provide comment to the city," Renz explained. "We'll also be holding a listening session for people to come to and they express their concerns." When Pinkley pressed for specifics about timing for the listening session, Renz acknowledged that planning couldn't proceed until the contract was approved: "We haven't planned anything yet because we don't have a contract in place until this one's approved by council." The scope of stakeholder engagement extended beyond general public input. Renz noted plans to "engage with our local partners, the school district and fire district to get their input on this as well as citizens of Ferndale." This systematic approach reflected best practices in transportation planning, recognizing that different community stakeholders — from school administrators concerned about student safety to emergency responders navigating traffic during incidents — bring distinct perspectives to safety planning. ## The E-Bike Challenge and State Legislative Context Councilmember Pinkley's mention of electric bicycles prompted a broader discussion about regulatory challenges that municipalities face when addressing emerging transportation technologies. Mayor Hansen took the opportunity to provide context about ongoing state-level legislative efforts to address what he characterized as definitional gaps in current law. "I don't think that that's actually going to be covered in this," Hansen said regarding e-bikes in the safety plan, "however I would point out that I believe it's still an active bill going through the state, the state's process to the our problem has always been related to the lack of state laws that allow us to actually charge because they don't." The mayor explained the enforcement challenge in detail: "They don't define these electric motorcycles that in a way that provides the PD with any any law that they can point to, to say that you know the law's been broken." This represented a common frustration for local governments dealing with new mobility technologies that existing regulatory frameworks haven't yet addressed comprehensively. Hansen expressed optimism about potential state-level solutions, noting that "they're working on a fix for that, and we were advocating for that when we were down in Olympia. So that fixes coming. We hope." The comment reflected the ongoing dialogue between municipal governments and state legislators about how to balance innovation in transportation with public safety concerns. ## Strategic Implications for Portal Way Reconstruction Mayor Hansen emphasized the strategic importance of the safety action plan beyond its immediate scope, positioning it as a crucial prerequisite for accessing federal funding for major infrastructure projects. "I think that it it bears repeating and that is that that this opens up a whole pot of money for larger road construction projects at the federal level, that's simply not even available to us until we complete this plan." The mayor specifically highlighted Portal Way as a primary beneficiary of future federal funding made possible by completing the safety action plan. "This is kind of the first step up and being able to to take some tangible steps towards the rebuilding of the of portal way in the entire portal, way corridor and so you know that's gonna be a a large and somewhat expensive project and and federal funds will go a long way to making that project a viable project in the near future." Portal Way serves as Ferndale's primary commercial corridor and a critical link in the regional transportation network. The mayor's comments reflected the reality that reconstructing such major infrastructure requires funding sources beyond what small cities can typically marshal from local resources alone. "This is Money that wouldn't otherwise be available to us," Hansen emphasized. "So completing this this plan puts us in a really great position for grants going forward." ## Unanimous Approval and Committee Process The discussion moved efficiently toward action, with Committee Chair Porter characterizing the contract as straightforward and suitable for the consent agenda. "It sounds like a win-win all the way around," Porter observed before making his motion. "I will go ahead and make a motion to be placed in the consent agenda to go ahead and approve the contract for consulting services on the part of Transpo regarding the Safe Streets for all action plan," Porter announced. Councilmember Pinkley provided the second, and the motion passed unanimously 3-0 with no further discussion. The unanimous vote reflected the council's recognition that the contract represented both a prudent use of federal grant funding and a strategic investment in the city's ability to compete for larger transportation grants in the future. The decision to place the item on the consent agenda for the next full council meeting indicated confidence that the broader council would view the contract similarly. ## Construction Update: New City Hall Takes Shape Before concluding the meeting, Director Renz provided an update on the city's major construction project — the new city hall facility. "I always like to bring up that we do happen to have a major construction project going on in town," Renz said, sharing his screen to show photos of the construction progress. The images revealed significant progress on the building's foundation and first floor infrastructure. "You can see that they have rebar down and then all of the electrical conduit that's going in. The electrical subcontractor is in doing work getting their their rough in work for the electrical that's going to be placed in the slab," Renz explained. The construction timeline was advancing according to schedule, with concrete work imminent. "They're going to come back and do an additional mat of rebar top of the rebar that's already there and then they're looking to do that floor pour next Thursday," Renz reported. The milestone would mark a transition in the project's visibility: "It'll actually start looking like a building soon as they get the floor done. They're going to start going vertical with the wood construction for the first floor." Renz acknowledged the public's interest in the project, noting, "I get a lot of comments of people driving by and taking a look at the project, but it's it's coming along." The update reflected both the significant public investment the project represented and the community's anticipation for the new civic facility. ## Closing & What's Ahead The meeting concluded efficiently after Renz's construction update, with Committee Chair Porter asking if there were any other public works-related items for discussion before turning control back to Mayor Hansen. The mayor formally concluded both the Public Works & Utilities Committee meeting and the overall City Council Committee session. The collegial atmosphere continued through adjournment, with council members exchanging weekend wishes and expressions of concern for Porter's apparent cold symptoms. "Hope you feel better, Herb," one council member called out, to which Porter replied hopefully, "I hope so too." The contract for the Safe Streets for All Action Plan now moves to the consent agenda for the next regular council meeting, where final approval is expected given the committee's unanimous recommendation. The completed action plan, targeted for completion by December 31, 2026, will position Ferndale to pursue federal implementation funding that could transform the city's transportation infrastructure, particularly along the vital Portal Way corridor. Beyond the immediate contract approval, the meeting demonstrated the often-understated strategic thinking that occurs in municipal government — identifying opportunities to leverage modest local investments into access to significantly larger funding sources. In an era when federal transportation funding increasingly emphasizes safety outcomes and data-driven planning, Ferndale's proactive approach to developing a comprehensive safety action plan positions the city advantageously for future grant competitions that could reshape its transportation landscape.

### Meeting Overview The City of Ferndale Public Works and Utilities Committee met on March 11, 2026, chaired by Councilmember Porter. The single agenda item focused on approving a consulting contract with Transpo Group USA for developing a Safe Streets for All Action Plan, a federally-funded traffic safety initiative. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Safe Streets for All (SS4A):** A federal program that provides funding to cities for developing safety action plans and implementing road safety improvements to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities. **Safety Action Plan:** A comprehensive document that analyzes local crash data, identifies high-risk areas, and creates a prioritized list of safety improvement projects to reduce traffic injuries and deaths. **High Injury Network (HIN):** Maps that identify roads and intersections with the highest concentration of serious traffic crashes, helping prioritize where safety improvements are most needed. **Crash Modification Factors:** Research-based data that shows how much specific safety improvements (like better lighting or crosswalks) can reduce the likelihood of crashes. **Federal Match Requirements:** The requirement for local governments to contribute their own funding to supplement federal grants—in this case, $20,000 local match for $80,000 federal funding. **Request for Qualifications (RFQ):** A competitive process where the city asks consulting firms to submit their credentials and experience to be selected for a project. **Transpo Group USA:** The consulting firm selected to develop Ferndale's safety action plan, chosen for their experience with transportation planning and previous work on the city's comprehensive plan. **Public Dashboard:** An interactive online tool that will allow residents to view crash data, report safety concerns, and track the progress of safety improvement projects. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Herb Porter | Councilmember, Public Works & Utilities Committee Chair | | Greg Hansen | Mayor | | Kevin Renz | Public Works Director | | Robert Pinkley | Councilmember, Committee Vice Chair | | Ali Hawkinson | Councilmember, Committee Member | ### Background Context Transportation safety has become a critical issue for communities across the country, with the federal government launching the Safe Streets for All program to help cities reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries. Ferndale identified an opportunity to access federal funding to create its own localized safety plan, which would be more specific and actionable than the existing county-wide plan developed by the Whatcom Council of Governments. The timing is strategic for Ferndale—completing this safety action plan will position the city to compete for future federal implementation grants that could fund major infrastructure projects. The city has been particularly interested in rebuilding Portal Way, a major corridor that would benefit from federal funding for safety improvements. Without this plan, Ferndale would not be eligible for these larger federal grant opportunities. ### What Happened — The Short Version Public Works Director Kevin Renz presented the proposed contract with Transpo Group USA for $99,800 to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. The project is primarily funded by an $80,000 federal grant, with the city providing a $20,000 match. Transpo was selected after a competitive process and will analyze five years of crash data, engage with the community through surveys and listening sessions, and create a prioritized list of safety improvement projects. The committee unanimously approved placing the contract on the consent agenda for full council approval, with Councilmember Porter making the motion and Councilmember Pinkley seconding. Renz also provided an update on the ongoing city hall construction project, noting that the first floor concrete pour was scheduled for the following Thursday. ### What to Watch Next • Full City Council meeting where this contract will be formally approved on the consent agenda • Launch of the public engagement process, including the creation of a public dashboard for reporting safety concerns • Community listening sessions that will be scheduled once the contract is executed • Completion of the safety action plan by December 31, 2026, which will enable future federal grant applications ---

**Q:** What is the total cost of the Safe Streets for All Action Plan contract with Transpo Group USA? **A:** $99,800, with $80,000 from federal grants and $20,000 in local match funding from the city. **Q:** Who chairs the Public Works and Utilities Committee? **A:** Councilmember Herb Porter serves as the committee chair. **Q:** What federal program is funding this safety action plan? **A:** The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, which provides federal funding to address road safety issues. **Q:** Why did Ferndale decide to create its own safety action plan instead of using the existing county plan? **A:** The county plan by Whatcom Council of Governments is too general and broad, while Ferndale needs a plan specific to its local conditions and challenges. **Q:** How many companies submitted proposals for this consulting contract? **A:** Two companies submitted proposals: Transpo Group USA and Prism Engineering. **Q:** When must the safety action plan be completed? **A:** By December 31, 2026. **Q:** What major infrastructure project could benefit from future federal grants after this plan is completed? **A:** The rebuilding of Portal Way and the entire Portal Way corridor. **Q:** How will the public be able to participate in the safety planning process? **A:** Through a bilingual survey, a public dashboard for reporting safety concerns, and community listening sessions. **Q:** What languages will the public engagement materials be offered in? **A:** English and Spanish. **Q:** Who is Ferndale's Public Works Director? **A:** Kevin Renz. **Q:** What construction milestone was mentioned for the city hall project? **A:** The first floor concrete pour was scheduled for the Thursday following the meeting. **Q:** How many years of crash data will be analyzed for the safety plan? **A:** Five years of data, from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2024. **Q:** What vote was taken by the committee on this contract? **A:** Unanimous approval (3-0) to place the contract on the consent agenda. **Q:** Besides the school district and fire district, what other local partners will provide input? **A:** Citizens of Ferndale will provide input through surveys and public engagement sessions. **Q:** What advantage does Transpo have in developing this plan? **A:** They already completed background work during Ferndale's comprehensive plan transportation element, allowing them to build on existing data. ---