City Council - August 18, 2008-with School Board

A Joint Meeting of the Ferndale School Board and Ferndale City Council was held Monday, August 18, 2008 at Harding Administration Building - 2920 Burdette, Ferndale. School Board President Moeser called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.

FERNDALE SCHOOL BOARD

Present: President Moeser, Vice President Warnick, Secretary Bethuy, Treasurer Frederick, Trustees Collins, McLaughlin.

Absent: Board Member Brennan.

Also Present: Superintendent Meier, Deputy Superintendent Gold, Office Manager Stroker, Director of Pupil Services and Community Relations Hall, Director of Operations Sophiea, Executive Director of Finance Adams, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Evoe.

CITY OF FERNDALE

Present: Mayor Covey, Council Members Baker, Lennon.

Absent: Council Members Galloway, Gumbleton.

Also Present: City Manager Bruner, City Clerk Tallman, Recreation Director Hall.

President Moeser welcomed the City of Ferndale and made brief opening remarks.

Mayor Covey thanked the School Board for the collaborative meeting effort and made brief opening remarks.

Deputy Superintendent Gold spoke about the program of having a Ferndale Police Officer assigned to Ferndale High School as a primary assignment, with the District and the City splitting the cost. Mr. Gold characterized the program as valuable to the District.

City Recreation Director Hall spoke about the completion of the renovation, current use and projected future use of the Center.

City Manager Bruner, referencing the partnership between a production company and the National Mayors’ Conference to provide communities with free promotional videos, noted one of the City’s videos will focus on Ferndale’s educational opportunities. Director of Pupil Services and Community Relations Hall indicated the District will use one video to promote the District as a whole and another to focus on University High School.

Director of Operations Sophiea provided an update on the structural failures at the tennis court. Mr. Sophiea reported the findings indicate an improper mix in the asphalt. A meeting will be scheduled in the near future with the District, TMP, Nagel and the City to negotiate a resolution. The District’s recommendation will be for Nagel to make the necessary repairs, with the cost of resurfacing to be splint among Nagel, the District and the City.

Mr. Sophiea feels the District has a positive relationship with the City’s Department of Public Works (DPW), Police Department and Fire Department.

Mayor Covey passed along a resident’s request for a home run fence to be installed at the Ferndale High School baseball field.

Trustee McLaughlin expressed a wish for an outdoor ice skating rink.

President Moeser deviated from the Agenda.

City Manager Bruner provided an update on the City’s purchase offer for 343 E. Nine Mile (OLHSA building) which would be used to relocate the District Court. He reported Council has until September 12^th make a decision on the purchase. Mr. Bruner also noted Council is discussing the possibility of purchasing the 2^nd floor of the Credit Union One building. That plan would involve moving City offices into the credit union building and renovating the existing City Hall for the District Court and Police Department.

Mayor Covey introduced discussion about the process of appointing a Youth Delegate and alternate to participate in Council meetings pursuant to Council’s December 27, 2006 Resolution. The District will facilitate the appointments.

City Clerk Tallman asked the Board to consider consolidating their school board election with the City’s odd-year November election to save the District approximately $5,500.00 per year.

Mayor Covey expressed appreciation to the District for the use of the location for the garden. Mr. Sophiea reported 30-40 families are currently involved.

City Clerk Tallman asked to be allowed to conduct a Voter Registration drive at Ferndale High School prior to the registration deadline of October 6^th for students who will be 18 by the General Election on November 5, 2008. She agreed to work with Ms. S. Hall on scheduling registration periods at several locations, including University High School, and to schedule a second drive prior to graduation. Ms. Tallman and Ms. S. Hall will also work on letters recent graduates explaining the need to register in person in order to be able to vote by absentee ballot if they will be away at school in November.

Trustee Frederick asked for a completion date for the work on Pinecrest in front of Roosevelt School. Mr. Sophiea reported the City’s DPW has indicated the water main work in front of the school will be completed before school starts.

Brief discussion ensured regarding the possibility of encapsulating the south end of the Ferndale High School parking lot.

President Moeser returned to the agenda.

President Moeser and Superintendent Meier presented update on the UHS initiative.

President Moeser and Superintendent Meier briefly covered the benefits realized from restructuring.

Superintendent Meier reported that after a great deal of effort by the District, Johns Hopkins has retracted their assertion that Ferndale High School belonged on a list of 1700 U. S. high schools labeled drop out factories. Ms. S. Hall was able to prove the data used in the study was incorrect.

Superintendent Meier highlighted achievements in the District over the past year.

Superintendent Meier reported on the projects undertaken with the 2004-2008 bond issue.

Ms. S. Hall outlined plans for the October 10^th Homecoming celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of Ferndale High School.

Vice President Warnick announced planning has begun on the Ferndale Dream program.

Mr. Sophiea reported on the cooperative effort between the City and the School District for Taft.

Mayor Covey announced a round table meeting on fundraising for non-profit and charitable organizations, in cooperation with the Ferndale Community Foundation, on September 30, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Kulick Center.

No comments were made.

No comments were made.

There being no objections, President Moeser adjourned the meeting at 9:12 p.m.

Craig Covey, City of Ferndale Mayor

J. Cherilynn Tallman, Ferndale City Clerk