Boards and Commissions

The City Clerk's Office is currently accepting applications for Boards and Commissions for upcoming appointments.  Click here for an application.

Following are the City of Ferndale's Boards and Commissions member lists.  For more information on when and where these Boards and Commissions meet, click on Meeting Dates.  For further information, please contact the City Clerk's office at (248)546-2384.

Contact Board Members through the City Clerk’s Office at (248)546-2384 or email.

Arts and Cultural Commission

Housing Commission

Beautification Commission

Board of Canvassers

Board of Review

Brownfield Redevelopment Authority

Civil Service Board

Construction Board of Appeals

Disability Advisory Board

Downtown Development Authority

Employee's Retirement System Board of Trustees

Environmental Sustainability Commission

Ferndale Community Foundation

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

Plan Commission

Police and Fire Board

Police and Fire Retirement System Board of Trustees

Board of Zoning Appeals

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Arts and Cultural Commission Established by Resolution 11-00; increased membership no. 2-01, appointed by Council 15 seats with members appointed by Council  1 & 2 year terms expire December 31 Meets 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm at Kulick Community Center, 1201 Livernois Contact - (248) 988-1310 Promotes public art and cultural activities - art, music or other media Member Requirements Members should reflect the diversity of the Community.  In addition, members should have some background in the arts community. Requirements include experience in at least one of the following areas: advertising/marketing/public relations, art, culture, education, event planning or music Members Carrie Roeder Anne Yambor Oneita Porter Heather Mitchell Doug Raber Michelle Delacourt Robert Thomas Joe Barrett Aaron Timlin Duff Mahan Alicia Vonderharr 4 Vacant Seats Recreation Director Julie Hall Beautification Commission Established by Ord. 612 Not less than 7 members (includes 4 ex-officio non-voting members) Citizen members appointed by Mayor with consent of Council 3 year terms expire December 31 Meets 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30pm at the Kulick Community Center, 1201 Livernois Encourages, promotes, and makes recommendations for the enhancement of the beauty of the City; presents awards to residents and businesses. Member Requirements Members must be City residents. Members should have some background in fields related to the Commission’s purpose.  Requirements include experience in at least one of the following areas: advertising/marketing/public relations, forestry, event planning, horticulture, landscape architecture, property maintenance / management or real estate Members Peggy Snow Suzanne Rowe Meghann Houser Diane Hart Tim Judd Deena Kachadoorian Norbert Brissette 7 Vacant Seats Sec. DPW Director Byron Photiades   CDS Director Marsha Scheer   Police Chief Michael Kitchen Board of Canvassers Controlled by Public Act 65 of 1963, as amended, MSA 6.1031 4 seats (2 Republicans & 2 Democrats) with members appointed by Council 4 year terms expire December 31 Meets at City Hall, 300 E. Nine Mile Rd. Canvasses the vote after elections if there are any local issues on the ballot. Member Requirements Members must be registered voters in the City of Ferndale. The Board must consist of two Democrats and two Republicans. Members William J. Axtell Lon Herman Linn Nichols Blair Simmons City Staff Member   City Clerk Cherilynn Tallman   Board of Review Controlled by Ordinance No. 477 and MSA 7.1 et seq., MSA 7.30(1) 5 Members City Assessor, City Attorney, 3 citizens (electors who are also freeholders) 1 year terms expires the second Monday in Jan. each year Meets at City Hall, 300 E. Nine Mile Rd in March after the annual assessment has been sent to homeowners. Each year reviews and approves tax assessment roll for the City and hears requests for correction of assessment Member Requirements Members must be City residents qualified by experience and/or training in matters related to real estate. Requirements include experience in at least one of the following areas: banking/finance, real estate/development/law (no agents or brokers) or property appraisal/assessing. Members Thomas King III Phillip Poole Suzanne Rowe Dean Hadin Treasurer/Assessor Jay Singh William Brown City Attorney P. Daniel Christ   Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Board Controlled by Public Act 381 of 1996 Not less than 5, nor more than 9 seats, with members appointed by Mayor and confirmed by City Council 3 year terms, expires December 12 Meets 1st Thursday of the month at 7:00pm at City Hall, 300 E. Nine Mile Rd. Implements and facilitates brownfield plans related to the designation and treatment of brownfield redevelopment zones; promotes the revitalization of environmentally distressed areas. Member Requirements Members are not required to be City residents but must be qualified by experience and/or training in matters related to redevelopment. Requirements include experience in at least one of the following areas: commercial banking, chemical engineering, commercial real estate/development/law, economic development, environmental engineering/consulting/law or property appraisal/assessing Members Robert Sadowski Derek Delacourt Alex Bellak David Tobar Sharon Stahl Guy Scavone II Councilman Scott Galloway Doug Wehner Treasurer/Assessor Jay Singh   CDS Director Marsha Scheer   Civil Service Board City Charter, Chapter XXA, Section 2 3 seats, appointed by the mayor with consent of council 6 year to commence first Monday in January of each odd-numbered year, expires December 31 Meets 2nd Monday of the Month at 6:45pm at City Hall, 300 E. Nine Mile Rd Administers, maintains and establishes policies and practices regarding employees; investigates and hears appeals of employees or any appointing authority. Member Requirements Members must be City residents qualified by experience and/or training in matters related to personnel/governmental administration. Requirements include experience in at least one of the following areas: employment/labor law, human resources/personnel, labor relations or public administration Members Vice - Darwin McClary Joseph W. Swiercz Chair - Michael Evoy   City Clerk Cherilynn Tallman   Construction Board of Appeals Controlled by Ordinance 487 and MCL 125.1514 Recommended by City Manager and Appointed by City Council Terms commence July 1st Length of Term – 3 years The Construction Board of Appeals was formed to hear appeals that result from an application denial, or renovation or construction that is in violation of the Michigan Residential or Michigan Building Codes for which the owner is seeking relief. The Board meets infrequently. Member Requirements Construction, engineering, architectural, real estate or legal knowledge is preferred. Members Steven Schoenknecht Wayne Worosz Thomas Styf Stephen Kwasnik Councilman Michael Lennon   CDS Director Marsha Scheer
Disability Advisory Committee
Controlled by City Resolution adopted July 13, 1992.  The name was changed from the handicapper advisory committee to Disability Advisory Committee 7-28-03.
Current members have been appointed by Council.  Currently 2 - 4 vacant seats No regularly scheduled meetings, meets as necessary twice a year.
The resolution was based on the ADA which said that public entities in the U.S. must complete a self-evaluation of its policies and practices to identify non-compliance, to insure that programs and facilities are accessible.  The ADA further required that this be accomplished by disabled persons or organizations representing them.  Consults council on accessibility issues within the City, rewards an annual "Accessibility Award" to businesses and advises business owners on the benefits of being ADA compliant.
Member Requirements Members are to include primarily visually, hearing, mentally and/or mobility impaired individuals or organizations representing them. Requirements include experience in at least one of the following areas: advertising/marketing/public relations, architecture, building construction/engineering, disability issues, education or event planning. Members Ann Serafin Erica Nader Ann Knaggs Jason Arnold Jackie Koivu David Talucci Monica Mills Nan Dimitry City Manager Robert J. Bruner, Jr.   Downtown Development Authority Controlled by Ordinance No. 703 and Public Act 197 of 1975 9 seats (Mayor and 8 members, 1 of which is from the adjacent residential area) with members appointed by Mayor with consent of Council 4 years terms expiring December 31 Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month at 12:00pm at the DDA Office, 149 W. Nine Mile Rd. Manages ongoing maintenance, security, promotion of economic activity and continual operation of the downtown district, as well as sponsors special events and related activities. Member Requirements Not less than a majority of the members shall be persons having an interest in property located in the downtown district. Members Thomas Pearlman   Steve Selvaggio - Western Market Jerome Raska - Blumz by JR Design Amelia Roll - Spaulding and Curtin Funeral Directors Veronica Lujic - State of the Art   Michael Hennes – Howe’s Bayou   Henry Johnson – Le Host Salon   Stacey Tobar   Jacki Smith   John McQuiggin – Paramount Bank   1 Vacant Seat   Mayor Craig Covey   DDA Director Cristina Sheppard-Decius Employees' Pension Board Controlled by No. 994 which was adopted July 11, 2005; Election 11/02/04 voters approved removing governing section of Charter - City Charter, Chapter XIX, Amended added Article VII, Section 2 regarding Board. 3 Seats (City Manager, Finance Director, and City Council Member) Virtue of Office and Council Member for 1 year expires December 31 Meets on a quarterly basis Administers, manages, and operates the retirement system. Member Requirements   Members Councilwoman Kate Baker   City Manager Robert J. Bruner, Jr.   Finance Director Jaynmarie Hubanks City Clerk Cherilynn Tallman   Environmental Sustainability Commission Adopted by Council 7/9/07 - 11 members appointed by City Manager with approval of Council All terms expire Dec. 31, 2012 (board dissolves on that date) 5 year terms expiring May 4 Meets 1st Monday of the month at 6:30pm at the Kulick Community Center, 1201 Livernois The EIC is an advisory commission charged with providing policy recommendations to the City Council on environmental issues, including, but not limited to, solid waste and recycling, alternative energy and energy reduction, carbon output, pollution and water quality. Member Requirements Members must be City residents qualified by experience and/or training in matters related to conservation.  Requirements include experience in at least one of the following areas: education, energy, civil/construction engineering, environmental engineering / consulting / law, recycling or solid waste Members Jay M. Schloff Timothy Risk Evan Cissell Leslie Coxon Mark Van Dyke Daniel Moyer Douglas Christie James Stange Lynna Kaucheck Trevor Johnson Deb Fonseca   Ferndale Community Foundation For more information, visit http://www.ferndalecommunityfoundation.org/home Members Mayor Craig Covey   Concilwoman Melanie Piana   Housing Commission Controlled by Ordinance No. 548 and MSA 5.3014 5 seats with residents appointed by City Manager with approval of Council 5 year terms commence May 5 Meets 2nd Wednesday of the month at 4:00pm, meets alternating months beginning in January at the Autumn House, 500 E. Nine Mile Rd., meets at Withington West, 415 Withington St. alternating months beginning in February. Determines where in the City it is necessary to provide proper sanitary housing facilities for low income; establishes rent and determines elimination of poor housing conditions. Member Requirements Members must be City residents qualified by experience and/or training in matters related to the housing industry. Requirements include experience in at least one of the following areas:   banking / finance, building construction / engineering, housing development /l aw or property appraisal / assessing Members Thomas A. Schimansky Paul Stuart Donald Wiggins Minnie Moore Carole Ann Morency   City Staff Member   Deborah Wilson   Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Controlled by Ordinance No. 583, as amended by Ordinance No. 859 8 members (Director of Parks and Recreation with no vote and 7 citizens [electors of the city]) 3 year terms commence January 1 Meets 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm at the Kulick Community Center, 1201 Livernois Acts in a fact-finding recommendatory and advisory capacity to the Council, considering the needs and requirements of park and recreational facilities and activities and the estimated costs. Member Requirements Members must be registered voters in the City of Ferndale qualified by experience and/or training in a variety of disciplines. Requirements include experience in at least one of the following areas: advertising/marketing/public relations, banking/finance, fitness/recreation, forestry, land use planning, landscape architecture, physical education or public administration Members Brian Cooley Matt Hymes Dawn Lyman Virginia Saxton Dennis Hoeppner Kenneth Huotari Jeannie Davis   DPW Director Byron Photiades   Plan Commission Controlled by Ordinance No. 201; amended by Ordinance No. 316; amended by Ordinance No. 958 and Public Act 45 of 1969, as amended MSA 5.2993 9 members (1 Council Representative, 8 citizens) appointed by Mayor and confirmed by City Council 3 year terms commence January 1 for appointed citizens and term for Council Member to be established by Resolution Meets 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:00pm at City Hall, 300 E. Nine Mile Rd. Considers, advises, and recommends to the City Council changes in Zoning Ordinance, development of the City in accordance with present and future needs, approves plat subdividing; makes and adopts master plan for the City. Member Requirements Members must be City residents qualified by experience and/or training in matters related to land use planning. Members shall hold no other municipal office except that one member may be a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Requirements include experience in at least one of the following areas: architecture, building construction, civil engineering, facilities management, GIS/AutoCAD, historic preservation, land use planning, landscape architecture, property maintenance/management or real estate/ development/law Members Christa Azar Jeff Helminski Sara Schillinger Kevin Vettraino Tiffany Vorhies Luke Forrest Kevin Clark Deborah Brazen Councilwoman Kate Baker   CDS Director Marsha Scheer   Police and Fire Board Controlled by City Charter, Chapter III, Sections 23 and 24 3  members (Mayor, 2 citizens [electors of the City]) 1 year terms expiring first meeting in May Meets 2nd Monday of the month at 7:00pm at City Hall, 300 E. Nine Mile Approves rules for the conduct of the Police and Fire Departments of the City and their members and confirms the appointments of each department. Member Requirements Members must be registered voters in the City of Ferndale qualified by experience and/or training in matters related to human resources or public safety. Requirements include experience in at least one of the following areas: employment/labor law, firefighting, human resources/personnel, labor relations or law enforcement. Members Greg Pawlica Aaron Retish Mayor Craig Covey   City Clerk Cherilynn Tallman   Police and Fire Retirement System Board of Trustees City Charter, Chapter XIXB, Section 4 6 seats (1 citizen member elected by the members of the retirement system; Mayor, City Manager, 1 Council Member, 2 member trustees 1-policeman and 1-fireman, each elected by their perspective membership) 3 year - commencing April 15 Meets on a quarterly basis Performs general administration, management, and proper operations of the retirement system. Members Casey O'Loughlin - Ferndale Police Department Michael Meade Michael Kazee - Ferndale Fire Department Councilman Scott Galloway City Manager Robert J. Bruner, Jr. Mayor Craig Covey City Clerk Cherilynn Tallman Board of Zoning Appeals Ord 1004 and Act 110 of 2006 of the Public Acts of the State of Michigan, particularly Article VI, MCL 125.3601 through 125.3607, as amended. 7 Members All residents of the City for a period of not less than one year prior to appointment. City Clerk Secretary 3 year terms expiring Dec 31 Meets 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm at City Hall, 300 E. Nine Mile Rd. as necessary (No meeting will be held if no cases are filed that month) Hears and decide appeals from and review any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by an administrative official or body charged with the enforcement of the Ordinance, including the Director, the Building Departments, and the Plan Commission, other than site plans and special land use or planned unit development applications.  The Board shall also hear and decide matters referred to it, and matters upon which it is required to pass under the provisions the Ordinance. any other appeal which is allowed by ordinance or statute, relative to enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance Member Requirements Members must be City residents qualified by experience and/or training in matters related to construction, land use planning and/or zoning. Requirements include experience in at least one of the following areas: architecture, building construction/engineering, GIS/AutoCAD, land use planning, real estate/development/law or zoning Members Salvatore Moschelli Robert Porter Kevin Clark John Skok Judy Palmer Tom Macdonald Jason Arnold Scott Levasseur City Clerk Cherilynn Tallman Councilwoman Melanie Piana

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The City of Ferndale, Michigan
300 East Nine Mile Road
Ferndale, Michigan  48220
(248) 546-2525
City Hall Hours:
Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 5:30pm
Closed Fridays