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 Impact Commission

Ferndale Community Foundation

Library Board

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

Planning Commission

Police and Fire Board

Police and Fire Retirement System Board of Trustees

Board of Zoning Appeals

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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.
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 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 Heidi Lovy Oneita Porter Doug Raber Robert Thomas Aaron Timlin Alicia Vonderharr Anne Yambor 8 Vacant Seats 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 Tim Judd Norbert Brissette Suzanne Rowe Janelle Rogers Diane Hart Brian Cooley Deana Kachadoorian Annette Dussia 4 Vacant Seats City Staff Members   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 Suzanne Rowe Phillip Poole Dean Hadin William Brown   City Staff Members   Treasurer/Assessor Jay Singh   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 Alex Bellak Sharon Stahl Derek Delacourt David Tobar Guy Scavone II Doug Wehner Councilman Scott Galloway City Staff Members   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 Michael Evoy Joseph W. Swiercz Darwin Parks   City Staff Member   City Clerk Cherilynn Tallman   Member Requirements Construction, engineering, architectural, real estate or legal knowledge is preferred. Members Steven Schoenknecht Jack Miller Wayne Worosz Steve Kwasnik Councilman Michael Lennon   City Staff Member   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 Ann Knaggs Jackie Koivu Monica Mills Erica Nader Nan Dimitry 2 - 4 Vacant Seats   City Staff Member   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   Allen O'Neill - AJ's Cafe   Stacy Tobar   1 Vacant Seat   City Staff Member   Mayor Craig Cover   DDA Director Cristina Sheppard-Decius Employees' Retirement System Board of Trustees 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 Staff Members   City Manager Robert J. Bruner, Jr.   Finance Director Jaynemarie Hubanks City Clerk Cherilynn Tallman   Environmental Impact Commission Adopted by Council 7/9/07 - 5 to 7 members appointed by City Manager with approval of Council All terms expire Dec. 31, 2010 (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 Kenneth Veenstra Chad Hickox Elizabeth Newell, P.E. Lynna Kaucheck Deb Olsen Timothy Risk   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   Library Board Controlled by Ordinance No. 982, adopted 9/13/04 and members elected by voters 11-08-2000 2 seats 6 years; 2 seats 4 years and 2 seats 2 years. Library Director by virtue of Office Meets 4th Thursday of the month at 7:00pm at the Ferndale Public Library, 222 E. Nine Mile Rd. (No meeting in December) Guides the operation of the Public Library, working in a recommendatory and advisory capacity to the Council. Member Requirements Library board members are elected – contact the Library for a listing of recommended qualifications. Members Ken Miller Kevin Deegan-Krause Darlene Johnson-Bignotti Tiffani Gagne Sarah Parmalee Mary Ann Neal W. Ann Warner   City Staff Member   Library Director Doug Raber   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 Dawn Lyman Dennis Hoeppner Jeannie Davis Matt Hymes Virginia Saxton Kenneth Huotari   City Staff Member   DPW Director Byron Photiades   Planning 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 Sara Schillinger Tiffany Voorhies Kevin Clark Jeff Helminski Kevin Vettraino Deborah Brazen Councilwoman Kate Baker City Staff Member   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 Staff Member   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 Kazee - Ferndale Fire Department Michael Meade Councilwoman Tomiko Gumbleton Mayor Craig Covey City Staff Members City Manager Robert J. Bruner, Jr. 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 Brian Brown Kevin Clark Judy Palmer Melanie Piana Robert Porter John Skok Salvatore Moschelli 1 Vacant Alternate Seat Mayor Craig Covey   City Staff Member   City Clerk Cherilynn Tallman

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The City of Ferndale, Michigan
300 East Nine Mile Road
Ferndale, Michigan  48220
(248) 546-2525