CITY OF FERNDALE – HUMBOLDT COUNTY CALIFORNIA – U.S.A.
AGENDA – REGULAR MEETING
Location: City Hall
834 Main Street
Ferndale, CA, 95536
Date: October 15, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Posted: October 9, 2025
We welcome you to the meeting. Members of the Public may be heard on any business item on this Agenda before or during the City Council consideration of the item. The public may also directly address the City Council on any item of interest to the public that is not on the agenda during the public comment time; however, the City Council generally cannot discuss or take action on an item not on the agenda.
A person addressing the City Council will be limited to five (5) minutes unless the Mayor of the City Council grants a longer period. While not required, we would appreciate it if you would identify yourself with your name and address when addressing the Council.
This City endeavors to be ADA compliant. Should you require assistance with written information or access to the facility, or a hearing amplification, please call 786-4224 24 hours prior to the meeting.
BEFORE SPEAKING ON ANY ISSUE, PLEASE WAIT TO BE
ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MAYOR BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE PODIUM.
City Council Meetings are recorded, and the video may be requested. The video will be sent digitally through Dropbox. A Disc and/or USB drive can also be requested for a fee.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER – Mayor
2. PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
3. ROLL CALL – Mayor Cady; Councilman Lund; Councilwoman Fisk-Becker; Councilman Jorgensen; and Councilman Ostler
4. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
5. CEREMONIAL
6. MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA
7. STUDY SESSION
8. PUBLIC COMMENT. (This time is for persons who wish to address the Council on any matter not on this agenda and over which the Council has jurisdiction. PLEASE FILL OUT A SPEAKER CARD and give it to the City Clerk before the start of the meeting. Speakers will be called in the order received or at the discretion of the Mayor. Public Members who do not fill out a speaker card may speak if there is time remaining. Items requiring Council action not listed on this agenda may be placed on the next regular agenda for consideration, unless a finding is made by at least 2/3rds of the Council that the item came up after the agenda was posted and is of an urgent nature requiring immediate action. This portion of the meeting will be approximately 30 minutes total for all speakers, with each speaker given no more than five minutes. Speaker time may be reduced if many speakers have signed up.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR. (All matters listed under this category are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. Unless a specific request is made by a Council Member, staff or the public, the Consent Calendar will not be read.
There will be no separate discussion of these items. However, if discussion is required, that item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately under “Call Items.”)
October 15, 2025
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a. Approval of Minutes of September 17, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting .................................................................................................... Page 5 b. Approval of Minutes of September 23, 2025, Special City Council Meeting .................................................................................................... Page 8 c. Acceptance of Checkbook Register for September 1-30, 2025 ............... Page 9 d. Acceptance of Financial Statements for September 1-30, 2025 .............. Page 13
10. CALL ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
11. PRESENTATION
12. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 2025-06 and 2025-07 Amending the Ferndale Zoning Ordinance (02-02) and Amending Ferndale Subdivision Ordinance (99-04), by titles only ......................... Page 38
13. BUSINESS
a. Update on Housing Element 7th Cycle ..................................................... Page 115 b. Update on HCAOG TAC Meeting regarding the City’s Nominated Projects for the Inclusion in the 2026 RTIP/STIP Cycle ......................... Page 117 c. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 2025-05 Amending Ordinance 295 Sections 1, 5, 6, and 9, Naming the County as the Health Official for Ferndale, by title only ............................................... Page 118
14.CORRESPONDENCE - NONE
15. COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL
16. REPORTS
a. City Manager Report ............................................................................... Page 127 b. Commission and Committee Reports
i. Planning Commission .................................................................. Page 135 c. Minutes from Joint Power Authorities (JPAs) and Reports i. Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG)
August 2025 ................................................................................. Page 139 ii. Humboldt Waste Management Authority (HWMA)
September 2025 ........................................................................... Page 142 iii. Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) August 2025 ........... Page 148
17. ADJOURN
This notice is posted in compliance with Government Code §54954.2. The next Regular Meeting of the Ferndale City Council will be held on November 19, 2025 at 6:00pm October 15, 2025
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Section 1
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Section 2
PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE
Section 3
ROLL CALL
Section 4
CLOSED SESSION REPORT OUT
Section 5
CEREMONIAL
Section 6
MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA
Section 7
STUDY SESSIONS
October 15, 2025
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Section 8
PUBLIC COMMENT
This time is for persons who wish to address the Council on any matter not on this agenda and over which the Council has jurisdiction.
Items requiring Council action not listed on this agenda will be placed on the next regular agenda for consideration, unless a finding is made by at least 2/3rd of the Council (three of the five members) that the item came up after the agenda was posted and is of an urgent nature requiring immediate action.
This portion of the meeting will be approximately 30 minutes total for all speakers, with each speaker given no more than five minutes. Please state your name and address for the record. (This is optional.)
Section 9
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under this category are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion.
Is there anyone on the Council, Staff or the public that would like to pull an item off the Consent Agenda for scrutiny? Those items will be considered separately under “Call Items.” October 15, 2025
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City of Ferndale, Humboldt County, California, U.S.A.
DRAFT Action Minutes for City Council Meeting of September 17th, 2025 Mayor Randy Cady called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Those present did the flag salute. Present were Council Members Leonard Lund, Jennifer Fisk-Becker, Phillip Ostler, and Skip Jorgensen, along with City staff: Acting City Manager Kristene Hall, Planwest Planner Michelle Nielsen, Chief of Police Ron Sligh, and Finance Manager/Deputy City Clerk Lauren Boop.
Report out of Closed Session: None.
Ceremonial: None
Modifications to the Agenda: None
Report out of Study Session: None
Public Comment: Chamber President gave a brief overview of planned Halloween celebrations and requested a street closure for the 10/29/25 Block Party.
Consent Calendar: There were four items on the Consent Calendar for approval. There were no comments from the Council or Public
MOTION: to approve the consent calendar. (Ostler/Lund) Unanimous Call Items Removed from Consent Calendar: None
Presentation: None
Public Hearing: None
Business:
Resolution 2025-21 Authorizing City Manager to Enter into MOA with the County of Humboldt for Department of Public Health Services:
Acting City Manager Kristene Hall explained that the city needed to come into legal compliance with State Health regulations in regards to retail food health inspections. She added we would also be able to access further health inspections sometimes needed by a municipality. Business owners will interface directly with the County after an application process and 60 day implementation period. Attendees from the public requested clarification on the implementation timeline and requirements.
MOTION: to approve Resolution 2025-21 Authorizing City Manager to Enter into MOA with the County of Humboldt for Department of Public Health Services:
(Fisk-Becker/ Ostler) Unanimous
Resolution 2025-18 Requesting an Amendment to the HCAOG’s adopted Regional Transportation Plan 2021 Update:
City Planner Michelle Nielsen shared future funding opportunities with HCAOG for streets and road projects with no city match and no cost/benefit analysis. To be eligible for these funds the city must identify projects needed and their projected cost and get them officially added retroactively to HCAOG’s VROOM system.
MOTION: to approve Resolution 2025-18 Requesting an Amendment to the HCAOG’s adopted Regional Transportation Plan 2021 Update.
October 15, 2025
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(Lund/Jorgensen) Unanimous
Resolution 2025-19 Nominating Projects to HCAOG’s 2026 Regional Transportation Improvement Plan:
City Planner Michelle Nielsen explained that the next step to being eligible for these funds is to nominate the above projects added to VROOM for the next funding cycle. The funds will not be available for 4 years as it takes time to evaluate and select projects and receive funding. Planwest is proposing 3 projects in Ferndale ranging in cost from $215k and $600k, all in areas in urgent need of resurfacing, safety enhancement, and drainage improvement. The deadline is Friday 9/19/25 to submit. Attendees from the public asked if city could address these areas if other funding became available while waiting for HCAOG to approve or deny projects. Planner Nielsen assured them that the application for funds would not prohibit work being done on these projects. Both council and public voiced enthusiastic support for the opportunity to have the areas nominated addressed with no city match or engineering fees.
MOTION: to approve Resolution 2025-19 Nominating Projects to HCAOG’s 2026 Regional Transportation Improvement Plan:
(Lund/Jorgensen) Unanimous
Resolution 2025-20 Approving the Submittal to HCAOG’s 2026 Regional Transportation Improvement Plan:
City Planner Michelle Nielsen explained that HCAOG is in the process of updating their RTIP to be approved in early 2026. This resolution adds the 3 projects discussed earlier to that 22026 Update, again to be eligible for future funding from HCAOG.
MOTION: to approve Resolution 2025-20 Approving the Submittal to HCAOG’s 2026 Regional Transportation Improvement Plan
(Lund/Ostler) Unanimous
Dark Light Film Permit
Discuss and Approve Film Permit Application and Conditions for Approval Acting City Manager Kristene Hall outlined the conditions of approval for the filming permit, including shooting schedules, road closures, and possible compensation to local businesses for the interruptions in their business. Surveys had been distributed to the affected residents and businesses and they were overall favorable to the approval of the filming permit. However, there are some concerns that need to be addressed before the council can approve the permit. It was decided to table the discussion to allow the production company time to address the issues with residents and business owners.
No Action Taken
Resolution 2025-22 Approving the Closure of Main Street for Specific Dates and Times from October 14th, 2025 – October 20th, 2025:
As outlined above, there are still some uncertainties about details of the shoot times and road closures that need to be resolved. This item will be included in the special meeting to approve the permit.
No Action Taken
Provide Staff Recommendation for Fire Risk Management Services (FRMS) Special District Fee:
Acting City Manager Kristene Hall explained that FRMS, which administers our Blue Shield Medical Coverage, had reached the decision that they could no longer provide services due to October 15, 2025
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rising costs and furthermore required an assessment fee of $61,006.60 to cover an $11.8 milliondollar short fall in contributions over a 2 year period. As per our contract we are required to pay these fees. City Attorney Ryan Plotz outlined 3 options for the city: Pay in one lump sum with at a discounted rate, pay the fees over 18 months, or pay under protest. He recommended we make the payments “under protest” meaning that should FRMS recoup more than the needed funds, they reassess our dues and/or reimburse the city.
MOTION: to approve Option 3 of Payment Under Protest to FRMS (Cady/Ostler) Unanimous
Correspondence: None
Council Comments:
Councilman Lund asked if there was any update to the Berm raising grant. The city is still awaiting funding for the grant. He also asked Chief Sligh on an update on the current hiring status for open positions. Chief Sligh says we have a highly qualified sergeant candidate going through the background process and a candidate completing the training academy who should be coming on in November. Councilman Jorgensen asked for clarification on the grant award process for city owned buildings which Manager Hall said she would get clarification from our legal counsel.
Reports:
City Managers Report: Acting City Manager Kristene Hall noted she had walked the newly completed Russ Park Trail and complimented the work of the volunteers.
Mayor Cady thanked the staff, public, and fellow councilmembers, and Adjourned the Meeting at 7:46 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Lauren Boop
Deputy City Clerk
October 15, 2025
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City of Ferndale, Humboldt County, California, U.S.A.
DRAFT Action Minutes for City Council Special Meeting September 23, 2025 Mayor Randy Cady called the City Council Special Meeting to order at 3:45 pm. Present were Council Members Leonard Lund, Jennifer Fisk-Becker, Skip Jorgensen and Phillip Ostler, along with City staff: City Attorney Ryan Plotz and Acting City Manager Kristene Hall.
Public Comment on Closed Session: There was no public comment.
Adjourn to Closed Session: Mayor Cady adjourned to Closed Session at 3:47 pm.
Reconvene to Public: Mayor Cady reconvened to the public at 4:45pm Report out of Closed Session: Mayor Cady reported there was no action taken by the Council.
Business:
Dark Light Film Permit: City Manager Hall stated that this agenda item had been tabled at the last council meeting to allow time for the production crew to address some concerns. Hall stated that it had sounded as if the team was able to get a few of the concerns worked out. Hall stated that she had received the approval from Hotel Ivanhoe. Councilman Ostler stated there was also the assumption Church Bazaar on the 17th that could cause some concerns. Ken Farrington stated that they are planning to work around those dates and times and possibly will not film on Friday and instead move the Friday to the following Tuesday.
MOTION: to approve the film permit for Dark Light, LLC with Conditions of Approval, and Resolution 2025-22 Approving the Closure of Mian Street for the Specific Dates and Times from October 14, 2025-October 21, 2025. (Ostler/Lund) Unanimous Resolution 2025-23 Authorizing a Street Closure on October 29, 2025 from 4:00pm – 8:00pm for Frightfully Fun Block Party: Councilwoman Fisk-Becker questioned if the businesses were in favor of this closure. Councilman Ostler stated he had only heard good things about this event.
Hall stated that the closure is being initiated by the Chamber and includes involvement from all the businesses.
MOTION: to approve Resolution 2025-23 Authorizing the Street Closure on October 29, 2025 from 4:00pm – 8:00pm for the Frightfully Fun Block Party. (Lund/Ostler) Unanimous Resolution 2025-24 Designating Authorized Signatories on the Tri Counties Bank Account: Hall stated that the council previously had approved this, however, all signatures need to be reverified by the bank when a new signatory is added. Hall stated that the new resolution would include adding herself and the removal of City Manager Jay Parrish until his return is confirmed.
MOTION: to approve Resolution 2025-24 Designating Authorized Signatories on the Tri Counties Bank Account. (Ostler/Jorgensen) Unanimous
Mayor Cady adjourned the meeting at 5:03pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kristene Hall
Acting City Manager/City Clerk
October 15, 2025
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October 15, 2025
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SEPTEMBER 2025 Deposit Recap 9.3.25 9.12.25 9.22.25 9.30.25 RETAIL TAX 15,643.52
T&U TAX 17,489.95
HIGHWAY USER TAX/VEHICLE LICENSE FEES 3,802.81 2,131.11 RMRA 3,082.83
BUSINESS LIC 160.00
ANIMAL LIC 102.50
BUILDING RENTS 4,518.97
PERMITS 3,556.95
TOT 21,495.01
HEALTH INSPECTIONS 350.00
HCAOG - RSTP
ENGINEERING/PLANNING FEE REIMBURSEMENTS lytel
COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT-STREETS & ROADS
SEPTIC DUMPS / SEWER REVENUE 3,024.00
FRANCHSE FEES 1,668.62
HUMBOLDT CTY - COPS
ST CA - POST
DONATIONS
POLICE SERVICES 676.87
SMALL MISC
RACING FEES - FAIR 11.31
COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT-PROPERTY TAXES
COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT-SEWER
COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT-INTEREST INCOME
STATE - CAL TRANS - STREET SWEEP 11,990.40 11,990.40
GRANT REIMBURSEMENTS-ST WATERBOARD 34,080.70 34,080.70 #4
RUSS PARK DONATION REIMBURSEMENT
TOTAL 3,802.81 2,131.11 36,216.30 81,635.33 123,786.55 "$1 advice of difference from bank" \\192.168.254.148\city docs\CITY DOCS CITY CLERK\Meetings\City Council\2025\10. 10.15.25\Sept Deposits October 15, 2025
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Assets
Current Assets
Cash $ 267,524.70
Restricted Cash 15,150.00
Accounts Receivable 9,368.53
Total Current Assets 292,043.23
Total Assets $ 292,043.23
Liabilities and Fund Balance
Current Liabilities
Accounts Payable $ 835.56
Accrued Liabilities 125.72
Other Current Liabilities 377,082.26
Total Current Liabilities 378,043.54
Total Liabilities 378,043.54
Fund Balance
Fund Balance - Unassigned (86,000.31)
Total Fund Balance (86,000.31)
Total Liabilities and Fund Balance $ 292,043.23
City of Ferndale
Balance Sheet
Fund 10 - General Fund
As of September 30, 2025
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
October 15, 2025
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Assets
Current Assets
Cash $ 15,888.07
Total Current Assets 15,888.07
Total Assets $ 15,888.07
Liabilities and Fund Balance
Current Liabilities
Total Current Liabilities $ 0.00
Total Liabilities 0.00
Fund Balance
Fund Balance - Restricted 15,888.07
Total Fund Balance 15,888.07
Total Liabilities and Fund Balance $ 15,888.07
City of Ferndale
Balance Sheet
Fund 22-Gas Tax
As of September 30, 2025
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
October 15, 2025
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Assets
Current Assets
Cash $ 37,052.66
Total Current Assets 37,052.66
Total Assets $ 37,052.66
Liabilities and Fund Balance
Current Liabilities
Total Current Liabilities $ 0.00
Total Liabilities 0.00
Fund Balance
Fund Balances - Restricted 37,052.66
Total Fund Balance 37,052.66
Total Liabilities and Fund Balance $ 37,052.66
City of Ferndale
Balance Sheet
Fund 23 - RSTP Fund
As of September 30, 2025
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
October 15, 2025
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Assets
Current Assets
Cash $ 106,518.63
Total Current Assets 106,518.63
Total Assets $ 106,518.63
Liabilities and Fund Balance
Current Liabilities
Total Current Liabilities 0.00
Fund Balance
Fund Balances - Restricted 106,518.63
Total Fund Balance 106,518.63
Total Liabilities and Fund Balance $ 106,518.63
City of Ferndale
Balance Sheet
Fund 20-Russ Park Fund
As of September 30, 2025
No assurance is provided 1
October 15, 2025
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Assets
Current Assets
Cash $ 232,036.68
Total Current Assets 232,036.68
Total Non Current Assets
Total Assets $ 232,036.68
Liabilities and Fund Balance
Current Liabilities
Total Current Liabilities $ 0.00
Fund Balance
Fund Balances - Restricted 232,036.68
Total Fund Balance 232,036.68
Total Liabilities and Fund Balance $ 232,036.68
City of Ferndale
Balance Sheet
Fund 24 - Transportation Development Act
As of September 30, 2025
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
October 15, 2025
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Assets
Current Assets
Cash $ 9,737.15
Total Current Assets 9,737.15
Total Assets $ 9,737.15
Liabilities and Fund Balance
Current Liabilities
Total Current Liabilities $ 0.00
Total Liabilities 0.00
Fund Balance
Fund Balances - Restricted 9,737.15
Total Fund Balance 9,737.15
Total Liabilities and Fund Balance $ 9,737.15
City of Ferndale
Balance Sheet
Fund 26 - Drainage Fund
As of September 30, 2025
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
October 15, 2025
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Assets
Current Assets
Cash $ 32,541.45
Total Current Assets 32,541.45
Total Assets $ 32,541.45
Liabilities and Fund Balance
Current Liabilities
Total Current Liabilities $ 0.00
Total Liabilities 0.00
Fund Balance
Fund Balances - Restricted 32,541.45
Total Fund Balance 32,541.45
Total Liabilities and Fund Balance $ 32,541.45
City of Ferndale
Balance Sheet
Fund 25 - Integrated Waste Mgt
As of September 30, 2025
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
October 15, 2025
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Assets
Current Assets
Cash $ 292,408.55
Total Current Assets 292,408.55
Property and Equipment
Vehicles 42,332.05
Equipment 122,805.75
Sewer system 13,768,181.34
Energy Savings Project Improvements 183,000.00
Less Accumulated Depreciation (4,038,551.21)
Net Property and Equipment 10,077,767.93
Total Assets $ 10,370,176.48
Liabilities and Fund Balance
Current Liabilities
Interest Payable $ 37,139.06
Total Current Liabilities 37,139.06
Long-Term Liabilities
Notes Payable USDA 3,753,000.00
Note Payable - California Energy Resources Conservation 157,670.76 Total Long-Term Liabilities 3,910,670.76
Total Liabilities 3,947,809.82
Fund Balance
Other Equity 6,649,092.60
Fund Balances (226,725.94)
Total Fund Balance 6,422,366.66
Total Liabilities and Fund Balance $ 10,370,176.48
City of Ferndale
Balance Sheet
Fund -30 - Sewer
As of September 30, 2025
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
October 15, 2025
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Assets
Property and Equipment
Buildings and improvements $ 554,421.86
Vehicles 187,365.86
Equipment 293,715.34
Roadways 10,782,034.50
Sidewalks 180,800.00
Streetlights 31,684.18
Land 131,000.00
Less Accumulated Depreciation (11,467,236.09)
Net Property and Equipment 693,785.65
Total Assets $ 693,785.65
Liabilities and Fund Balance
Long-Term Liabilities
Accrued Vacation/Sick pay $ 62,111.43
Notes payable-long term 14,819.48
Total Long-Term Liabilities 76,930.91
Fund Balance
Other Equity 1,718,440.75
Fund Balances (1,101,586.01)
Total Fund Balance 616,854.74
Total Liabilities and Fund Balance $ 693,785.65
City of Ferndale
Balance Sheet
GASB 34 ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
As of September 30, 2025
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
October 15, 2025
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1 Month Ended 3 Months Ended FY 2025/2026
September 30,
2025
September 30,
2025
Over/(Under)
Actual Actual Budget Budget
REVENUES
Revenues - Taxes
10014102 Property tax-secured $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 196,469.86 $ (196,469.86) 10014104 Property tax-unsecured 0.00 0.00 7,822.69 (7,822.69) 10014106 Property tax-prior 0.00 0.00 19,504.36 (19,504.36) 10014107 Supplemental role 0.00 0.00 3,784.09 (3,784.09) 10014110 Sales and use tax 33,133.47 33,133.47 466,368.47 (433,235.00) 10014111 Trash franchise 0.00 0.00 15,825.47 (15,825.47) 10014112 PG&E franchise 0.00 0.00 18,381.09 (18,381.09) 10014114 Cable franchise 0.00 0.00 28,246.24 (28,246.24) 10014116 Business license tax 660.00 9,488.00 16,994.74 (7,506.74) 10014118 Real Property Transfer tax 0.00 0.00 7,090.88 (7,090.88) 10014120 Transient lodging tax 198.45 45,151.46 192,437.80 (147,286.34) 10014121 TOT Humboldt Lodging Authority 0.00 5,165.49 25,156.65 (19,991.16) Total Revenue - Taxes $ 33,991.92 $ 92,938.42 $ 998,082.34 $ (905,143.92) Revenues - Licenses and Permits
10024132 Construction permits $ 2,236.95 $ 14,702.34 $ 25,000.00 $ (10,297.66) 10024164 Health protection 0.00 1,625.00 4,000.00 (2,375.00) 10024166 Encroachment permits 0.00 100.00 600.00 (500.00) 10024278 Animal license fees 102.50 612.50 1,300.00 (687.50) Total Revenue - Licenses and Permits $ 2,339.45 $ 17,039.84 $ 30,900.00 $ (13,860.16) Revenues - Use of Money and Property
10044182 Interest $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 16,650.00 $ (16,650.00) 10044285 Bocce ball revenue 0.00 205.00 300.00 (95.00)
10044297 Town Hall Rent 400.00 1,075.00 3,500.00 (2,425.00) 10044297.1 Community Center rents 3,770.18 9,400.10 40,000.00 (30,599.90) Total Revenue -Use of Money and Property $ 4,170.18 $ 10,680.10 $ 60,450.00 $ (49,769.90) Revenues - Fines
10034283 Court fines $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 3,090.85 $ (3,090.85) Total Revenue - Fines $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 3,090.85 $ (3,090.85) Revenues - Intergovernmental
10054204 Motor vehicle in-lieu tax $ 2,131.11 $ 2,131.11 $ 184,930.64 $ (182,799.53) 10054222 Home owners prop. tax relief 0.00 0.00 1,739.86 (1,739.86) 10054286 Street sweeping 0.00 11,990.40 18,735.36 (6,744.96) 10054289 RMRA 3,082.83 3,082.83 37,494.91 (34,412.08)
10054290 Peace off. stds. & trng. 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 (1,000.00) 10054300 Public safety 1/2 cent 0.00 0.00 4,793.30 (4,793.30) 10054315 AB 109 0.00 0.00 190,829.03 (190,829.03)
10054320 State and County Grants 0.00 0.00 177,000.00 (177,000.00) 10054321 Federal Grants 0.00 0.00 125,000.00 (125,000.00) Total Revenue - Intergovernmental $ 5,213.94 $ 17,204.34 $ 741,523.10 $ (724,318.76) City of Ferndale
Income Statement
Fund 10 - General Fund
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
October 15, 2025
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1 Month Ended 3 Months Ended FY 2025/2026
September 30,
2025
September 30,
2025
Over/(Under)
Actual Actual Budget Budget
Revenues - Fees for Service
10084270 Plan check fees $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 1,000.00 $ (1,000.00) 10084271 Parking fees 298.35 298.35 475.19 (176.84)
10084287.2 Developer reimbursed fees 0.00 390.00 8,000.00 (7,610.00) 10084287.3 Reimbursed Fees Planning 1,000.00 1,036.25 10,000.00 (8,963.75) 10084291 Special police services 615.56 2,054.46 5,000.00 (2,945.54) 10084298 Fair racing revenue 11.31 36.00 2,278.09 (2,242.09) Total Revenue - Fees for Service $ 1,925.22 $ 3,815.06 $ 26,753.28 $ (22,938.22) Revenues - Other Revenue
10094284.1 Donations - City $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 5,000.00 $ (5,000.00) 10094307 Miscellaneous 300.00 1,716.22 0.00 1,716.22
10094308 PARSAC Grants 0.00 0.00 2,000.00 (2,000.00)
10094311 Utilities - Little League park 0.00 200.00 200.00 0.00 Total Revenue - Other Revenue $ 300.00 $ 1,916.22 $ 7,200.00 $ (5,283.78) TOTAL REVENUES $ 47,940.71 $ 143,593.98 $ 1,867,999.57 $ (1,724,405.59) City of Ferndale
Income Statement
Fund 10 - General Fund
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 2
October 15, 2025
________________________________________
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
________________________________________
23 ________________________________________
1 Month Ended 3 Months Ended FY 2025/2026
September 30,
2025
September 30,
2025
Over/(Under)
Actual Actual Budget Budget
EXPENDITURES
Expenditures - City Council
10115012 Office expense $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 200.00 $ (200.00) 10115013 Advertising 0.00 0.00 250.00 (250.00)
10115044 Meetings and dues 0.00 0.00 1,500.00 (1,500.00) 10115045 LAFCO fees 0.00 0.00 680.00 (680.00)
Total Expenditures - City Council $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 2,630.00 $ (2,630.00) Expenditures City Manager
10105002 Salary - permanent $ 3,042.04 $ 12,928.81 $ 53,974.30 $ (41,045.49) 10105006 Payroll taxes 232.17 987.36 3,521.96 (2,534.60) 10105007 Medical/Dental/Vision insurance 415.92 1,265.72 4,990.99 (3,725.27) 10105009 Workers comp. insurance 658.96 1,317.92 3,325.74 (2,007.82) 10105010 Deferred retirement 0.00 0.00 5,604.04 (5,604.04) 10105061 Liability Insurance 0.00 3,814.78 3,239.16 575.62 Total expenditures -City Manager $ 4,349.09 $ 20,314.59 $ 74,656.19 $ (54,341.60) Expenditures - City Clerk
10125002 Salary - permanent $ 10,547.27 $ 28,736.80 $ 93,349.28 $ (64,612.48) 10125006 Payroll taxes 900.04 2,438.68 8,491.83 (6,053.15) 10125007 Medical/Dental/Vision insurance 1,250.64 3,833.36 12,268.99 (8,435.63) 10125009 Workers comp. insurance 1,583.91 3,167.82 6,082.32 (2,914.50) 10125010 Deferred retirement 0.00 0.00 4,650.85 (4,650.85) 10125012 Office expense 0.00 608.09 5,000.00 (4,391.91) 10125022 IT support 5,994.30 8,345.13 13,000.00 (4,654.87) 10125044 Meetings and dues 3,446.63 3,462.62 1,200.00 2,262.62 10125061 Liability Insurance 0.00 9,169.40 7,785.80 1,383.60 10125099 Miscellaneous 0.00 0.00 200.00 (200.00)
Total Expenditures -City Clerk $ 23,722.79 $ 59,761.90 $ 152,029.07 $ (92,267.17) City of Ferndale
Income Statement
Fund 10 - General Fund
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 3
October 15, 2025
________________________________________
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
________________________________________
24 ________________________________________
1 Month Ended 3 Months Ended FY 2025/2026
September 30,
2025
September 30,
2025
Over/(Under)
Actual Actual Budget Budget
Expenditures - City Attorney
10145052 Professional services $ 1,452.00 $ 2,222.00 $ 20,000.00 $ (17,778.00) Total Expenditures - City Attorney $ 1,452.00 $ 2,222.00 $ 20,000.00 $ (17,778.00) Expenditures - Government Buildings
10155002 Salary - permanent $ 342.62 $ 1,000.08 $ 3,889.62 $ (2,889.54) 10155006 Payroll taxes 36.49 106.51 423.61 (317.10)
10155009 Workers comp. insurance 63.45 126.90 292.42 (165.52) 10155012 Office expense 204.05 455.76 2,500.00 (2,044.24) 10155020 Building and ground maint. 278.03 716.97 10,000.00 (9,283.03) 10155024 Special department supply 17.68 17.68 3,000.00 (2,982.32) 10155030 Trash service 58.28 116.56 554.10 (437.54)
10155031 Gas 533.61 533.61 4,915.67 (4,382.06)
10155032 Utilities 248.56 534.32 3,198.32 (2,664.00)
10155033 Water 56.76 114.98 4,994.20 (4,879.22)
10155034 Telephone/internet 632.57 1,465.69 6,414.90 (4,949.21) 10155061 Liability Insurance 0.00 367.35 367.17 0.18
10155063 Building and Property Insurance 0.00 0.00 6,464.28 (6,464.28) Total Expenditures - Government Buildings $ 2,472.10 $ 5,556.41 $ 47,014.29 $ (41,457.88) Expenditures - Non departmental
10165015 Property tax admin. fees $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 8,256.79 $ (8,256.79) 10165054 Audit and accounting 0.00 8,000.00 41,200.00 (33,200.00) 10165054.1 Accounting services 160.00 1,969.00 0.00 1,969.00 10165055 Contractual services 0.00 144.00 1,000.00 (856.00) 10165064 Election expenses 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 (1,000.00) 10165078 Copy machine expense 432.76 1,081.08 4,430.60 (3,349.52) 10165200 Car allowance 42.00 442.00 4,800.00 (4,358.00) Total Expenditures - Nondepartmental $ 634.76 $ 11,636.08 $ 60,687.39 $ (49,051.31) Expenditures - Community Promotion
10175020 Building and ground maint. $ 544.44 $ 956.03 $ 250.00 $ 706.03 10175028 Public restroom 712.52 947.13 3,500.00 (2,552.87) 10175032 Utilities 57.54 126.14 503.45 (377.31)
10175033 Water 170.80 360.99 1,702.27 (1,341.28)
10175046 Bank charges 112.22 112.22 0.00 112.22
10175072 Chamber of commerce 0.00 9,037.30 35,000.00 (25,962.70) 10175072.3 TOT 2% HLA QTRLY 0.00 0.00 20,000.00 (20,000.00) Total Expenditures - Community Promotion $ 1,597.52 $ 11,539.81 $ 60,955.72 $ (49,415.91) City of Ferndale
Income Statement
Fund 10 - General Fund
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 4
October 15, 2025
________________________________________
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
________________________________________
25 ________________________________________
1 Month Ended 3 Months Ended FY 2025/2026
September 30,
2025
September 30,
2025
Over/(Under)
Actual Actual Budget Budget
Expenditures - Police
10215002 Salary - permanent $ 23,814.47 $ 70,852.73 $ 377,864.78 $ (307,012.05) 10215004 Salary - reserve 10,681.62 22,296.61 34,057.79 (11,761.18) 10215005 Salary - overtime 1,632.34 3,236.21 11,033.37 (7,797.16) 10215006 Payroll taxes 2,955.28 7,734.30 34,389.65 (26,655.35) 10215007 Medical/Dental/Vision insurance 4,134.25 12,539.23 61,410.30 (48,871.07) 10215009 Workers comp. insurance 5,832.54 11,665.08 20,965.74 (9,300.66) 10215010 Deferred retirement 0.00 0.00 29,374.45 (29,374.45) 10215012 Office expense 1,202.31 1,436.43 3,500.00 (2,063.57) 10215014 Vehicle expense 2,106.45 3,541.15 16,000.00 (12,458.85) 10215016 Fuel 2,646.28 4,432.31 20,000.00 (15,567.69)
10215020 Building and ground maint. 343.76 1,594.76 5,000.00 (3,405.24) 10215022 IT support 3,883.00 4,548.00 15,000.00 (10,452.00) 10215024 Special department supply 1,627.49 1,896.71 10,000.00 (8,103.29) 10215026 Uniform expense 0.00 495.72 1,000.00 (504.28)
10215026.1 Uniform allowance 0.00 2,400.00 3,000.00 (600.00) 10215029 Water/sewer 59.33 113.29 2,004.38 (1,891.09)
10215032 Utilities 9.53 19.39 50.00 (30.61)
10215034 Telephone/internet 998.16 2,262.14 9,270.32 (7,008.18) 10215035 Dispatch service 4,316.66 12,949.98 55,000.00 (42,050.02) 10215044 Meetings and dues 208.00 490.00 1,884.96 (1,394.96) 10215048 Training 0.00 22.00 5,000.00 (4,978.00)
10215051 Physical exams 0.00 0.00 900.00 (900.00)
10215052 Professional services 67.00 67.00 500.00 (433.00) 10215061 Liability Insurance 0.00 33,765.20 28,179.47 5,585.73 10215063 Building and Property Insurance 0.00 0.00 1,467.90 (1,467.90) 10215078 Copy machine expense 0.00 236.48 1,100.00 (863.52) 10215080 Community Emergency Response Team
Expense
0.00 0.00 1,000.00 (1,000.00)
10215088 Equipment repair other 0.00 0.00 1,000.00 (1,000.00) 10215098 Background expense 0.00 0.00 1,500.00 (1,500.00) Total Expenditures - Police $ 66,518.47 $ 198,594.72 $ 751,453.11 $ (552,858.39) Expenditures - Animal Control
10225096 Animal control $ 450.00 $ 1,350.00 $ 5,500.00 $ (4,150.00) Total Expenditures - Animal Control $ 450.00 $ 1,350.00 $ 5,500.00 $ (4,150.00) Expenditures - Health
10245052 Professional services $ 200.00 $ 600.00 $ 2,400.00 $ (1,800.00) Total Expenditures - Health $ 200.00 $ 600.00 $ 2,400.00 $ (1,800.00) City of Ferndale
Income Statement
Fund 10 - General Fund
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 5
October 15, 2025
________________________________________
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
________________________________________
26 ________________________________________
1 Month Ended 3 Months Ended FY 2025/2026
September 30,
2025
September 30,
2025
Over/(Under)
Actual Actual Budget Budget
Expenditures - Streets and Roads
10315002 Salary - permanent $ 3,544.80 $ 10,154.40 $ 45,755.58 $ (35,601.18) 10315005 Salary - overtime 35.28 35.28 3,158.06 (3,122.78) 10315006 Payroll taxes 447.73 1,288.44 3,953.50 (2,665.06) 10315007 Medical/Dental/Vision insurance 504.08 1,534.00 6,048.96 (4,514.96) 10315009 Workers comp. insurance 368.02 736.04 1,345.92 (609.88) 10315010 Deferred retirement 0.00 0.00 2,064.43 (2,064.43) 10315011 Bldg/property insurance 0.00 0.00 741.60 (741.60) 10315014 Vehicle expense 268.79 268.79 3,000.00 (2,731.21) 10315020 Building and ground maint. 0.00 0.00 500.00 (500.00) 10315021 Street maintenance 0.00 0.00 87,000.00 (87,000.00) 10315024 Special department supply 232.48 568.90 2,500.00 (1,931.10) 10315026.1 Uniform allowance 0.00 0.00 300.00 (300.00)
10315034 Telephone/internet 98.81 296.32 1,279.90 (983.58) 10315055 Contractual services 497.50 1,415.00 10,000.00 (8,585.00) 10315061 Liability Insurance 0.00 2,130.48 1,809.00 321.48 10315088 Equipment repair other 0.00 0.00 500.00 (500.00) Total Expenditures - Streets and Roads $ 5,997.49 $ 18,427.65 $ 169,956.95 $ (151,529.30) Expenditures - Planning
10415052 Professional services $ 19,200.12 $ 41,180.12 $ 40,000.00 $ 1,180.12 10415052.1 Engineering-flood 0.00 0.00 1,500.00 (1,500.00) 10415053 Reimbursable Fees 1,000.00 10,396.75 9,000.00 1,396.75 10415053.1 Grant expenditures 5,118.50 5,118.50 140,000.00 (134,881.50) 10415055 Contractual services 320.00 968.75 9,000.00 (8,031.25) 10415059 Special Planning Projects 1,466.25 1,466.25 0.00 1,466.25 10415630 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN 40.00 40.00 3,000.00 (2,960.00) Total Expenditures - Planning $ 27,144.87 $ 59,170.37 $ 202,500.00 $ (143,329.63) Expenditures - City engineer
10425052 Professional services $ 665.00 $ 2,937.00 $ 30,000.00 $ (27,063.00) 10425053 Reimbursable Fees 0.00 747.50 3,500.00 (2,752.50) Total Expenditures - City engineer $ 0.00 $ 3,684.50 $ 33,500.00 $ (29,815.50) Expenditures - Building Regulation
10435024 Special department supply $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 500.00 $ (500.00) 10435052 Professional services 4,438.78 9,855.65 19,000.00 (9,144.35) Total Expenditures - Building Regulation $ 4,438.78 $ 9,855.65 $ 19,500.00 $ (9,644.35) City of Ferndale
Income Statement
Fund 10 - General Fund
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 6
October 15, 2025
________________________________________
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
________________________________________
27 ________________________________________
1 Month Ended 3 Months Ended FY 2025/2026
September 30,
2025
September 30,
2025
Over/(Under)
Actual Actual Budget Budget
Expenditures - Library
10615002 Salary - permanent $ 672.21 $ 1,801.10 $ 6,600.13 $ (4,799.03) 10615006 Payroll taxes 71.59 191.80 892.66 (700.86)
10615009 Workers comp. insurance 105.92 211.84 350.37 (138.53) 10615012 Office expense 0.00 0.00 50.00 (50.00)
10615020 Building and ground maint. 0.00 15,115.00 200.00 14,915.00 10615024 Special department supply 0.00 0.00 2,250.00 (2,250.00) 10615031 Gas 0.00 0.00 4,639.35 (4,639.35)
10615032 Utilities 261.27 533.89 2,570.08 (2,036.19)
10615033 Water 63.36 125.79 610.56 (484.77)
10615034 Telephone/internet 73.99 221.97 2,065.80 (1,843.83) 10615061 Liability Insurance 0.00 613.19 520.66 92.53
10615063 Building and Property Insurance 0.00 0.00 2,011.80 (2,011.80) Total Expenditures - Library $ 1,248.34 $ 18,814.58 $ 22,761.41 $ (3,946.83) Expenditures - Parks
10625002 Salary - permanent $ 271.19 $ 901.26 $ 47,032.16 $ (46,130.90) 10625006 Payroll taxes 14.82 51.61 3,874.70 (3,823.09)
10625007 Medical/Dental/Vision insurance 63.01 191.75 793.93 (602.18) 10625009 Workers comp. insurance 131.68 263.36 505.67 (242.31) 10625010 Deferred retirement 0.00 0.00 313.42 (313.42)
10625020 Building and ground maint. 5,650.74 7,514.26 7,500.00 14.26 10625024 Special department supply 28.17 93.34 200.00 (106.66) 10625032 Utilities 78.57 240.67 5,540.17 (5,299.50)
10625033 Water 118.58 1,314.72 3,028.26 (1,713.54)
10625061 Liability Insurance 0.00 762.30 634.94 127.36
10625065 Russ Park expenditures 1.00 389.97 1,500.00 (1,110.03) Total Expenditures - Parks $ 6,357.76 $ 11,723.24 $ 70,923.25 $ (59,200.01) Expenditures -Community Center
10635020 Building and ground maint. $ 4,490.74 $ 7,497.06 $ 5,000.00 $ 2,497.06 10635031 Gas 41.42 188.09 4,000.00 (3,811.91)
10635032 Utilities 897.33 1,967.46 8,182.44 (6,214.98)
10635033 Water 123.62 251.37 1,498.91 (1,247.54)
10635055 Contractual services 0.00 0.00 2,000.00 (2,000.00) 10635063 Building and Property Insurance 0.00 0.00 4,424.70 (4,424.70) Total Expenditures -Community center $ 5,553.11 $ 9,903.98 $ 25,106.05 $ (15,202.07) TOTAL EXPENDITURES $ 152,137.08 $ 443,155.48 $ 1,721,573.43 $ (1,278,417.95) REVENUES OVER (UNDER) EXPENDITURES $ (104,196.37) $ (299,561.50) $ 146,426.14 $ (445,987.64) City of Ferndale
Income Statement
Fund 10 - General Fund
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 7
October 15, 2025
________________________________________
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
________________________________________
28 ________________________________________
1 Month Ended 3 Months Ended FY2025/2026
September 30,
2025
September 30,
2025
Over/(Under)
Actual Actual Budget Budget
Revenues
22314210.1 Gas tax (2105) $ 732.30 $ 1,420.60 $ 8,704.08 $ (7,283.48) 22314210.2 Gas tax (2106) 892.83 1,761.18 10,764.67 (9,003.49) 22314210.3 Gas tax (2107) 834.62 1,772.54 11,781.75 (10,009.21) 22314210.4 Gas tax (2107.5) 0.00 1,000.00 1,030.00 (30.00) 22314210.5 Gas Tax (2103) 1,343.06 2,493.92 13,051.75 (10,557.83) Total Revenue 3,802.81 8,448.24 45,332.25 (36,884.01)
EXPENDITURES
22315002 Salary - permanent 457.36 1,821.00 5,856.61 (4,035.61) 22315005 Salary - overtime 0.88 0.88 78.98 (78.10)
22315006 Payroll taxes 32.04 130.51 515.72 (385.21)
22315007 Medical/Dental/Vision insurance 479.43 1,459.52 7,249.02 (5,789.50) 22315009 Workers comp. insurance 413.68 827.36 2,711.27 (1,883.91) 22315010 Deferred retirement 0.00 0.00 2,153.91 (2,153.91) 22315057 Street signs 0.00 0.00 500.00 (500.00)
22315058 Street lighting 2,770.41 4,182.89 17,289.82 (13,106.93) 22315061 Liability Insurance 0.00 2,394.81 2,033.45 361.36 TOTAL EXPENDITURES 4,153.80 10,816.97 38,388.78 (27,571.81)
REVENUES OVER (UNDER)
EXPENDITURES
$ (350.99) $ (2,368.73) $ 6,943.47 $ (9,312.20)
City of Ferndale
STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
FUND 22 - GAS TAX
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
October 15, 2025
________________________________________
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
________________________________________
29 ________________________________________
1 Month Ended 3 Months
Ended
FY2025/2026
September 30,
2025
September 30,
2025
Over/(Under)
Actual Actual Budget Budget
Revenues
23314211 RSTP Revenue $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 16,000.00 $ (16,000.00) Total Revenue 0.00 0.00 16,000.00 (16,000.00)
EXPENDITURES
23315002 Salary - permanent 585.53 1,889.75 7,123.41 (5,233.66) 23315006 Payroll taxes 33.47 112.26 551.26 (439.00)
23315007 Medical/Dental/Vision insurance 113.97 347.36 1,436.07 (1,088.71) 23315009 Workers comp. insurance 116.54 233.08 447.53 (214.45) 23315010 Deferred retirement 0.00 0.00 616.50 (616.50)
23315061 Liability Insurance 0.00 674.68 572.88 101.80
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 849.51 3,257.13 10,747.65 (7,490.52) REVENUES OVER (UNDER) EXPENDITURES $ (849.51) $ (3,257.13) $ 5,252.35 $ (8,509.48) City of Ferndale
STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
FUND 23 - RSTP
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
October 15, 2025
________________________________________
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
________________________________________
30 ________________________________________
1 Month Ended 3 Months Ended FY2025/2026
September 30,
2025
September 30,
2025
Over/(Under)
Actual Actual Budget Budget
Revenues
20624182 Interest $ 173.77 $ 543.43 $ 0.00 $ 543.43
Total Revenue 173.77 543.43 0.00 543.43
EXPENDITURES
20625046 Bank charges 15.00 45.00 0.00 45.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 15.00 45.00 0.00 45.00
REVENUES OVER (UNDER) EXPENDITURES $ 158.77 $ 498.43 $ 0.00 $ 498.43 City of Ferndale
STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
FUND 20- RUSS PARK
No assurance is provided 1
October 15, 2025
________________________________________
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
________________________________________
31 ________________________________________
1 Month Ended 3 Months Ended FY2025/2026
September 30,
2025
September 30,
2025
Over/(Under)
Actual Actual Budget Budget
Revenues
24314231 Transportation devel. act $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 51,067.00 $ (51,067.00) Total Revenue 0.00 0.00 51,067.00 (51,067.00)
EXPENDITURES
24315002 Salary - permanent 1,608.56 4,761.67 19,379.04 (14,617.37) 24315005 Salary - overtime 29.88 51.81 1,042.25 (990.44) 24315006 Payroll taxes 83.98 249.67 1,558.13 (1,308.46) 24315007 Medical/Dental/Vision insurance 480.55 1,464.00 6,054.88 (4,590.88) 24315009 Workers comp. insurance 418.95 837.90 2,145.02 (1,307.12) 24315010 Deferred retirement 0.00 0.00 2,265.76 (2,265.76) 24315014 Vehicle expense 0.00 322.40 0.00 322.40
24315016 Fuel 423.41 1,602.87 10,913.91 (9,311.04)
24315024 Special department supply 0.00 531.62 632.46 (100.84) 24315032 Utilities 323.47 683.33 4,038.63 (3,355.30)
24315033 Water 61.08 117.64 666.53 (548.89)
24315034 Telephone/internet 98.80 296.29 1,279.99 (983.70) 24315061 Liability Insurance 0.00 2,425.32 2,424.15 1.17 TOTAL EXPENDITURES 3,528.68 13,344.52 52,400.75 (39,056.23)
REVENUES OVER (UNDER)
EXPENDITURES
$ (3,528.68) $ (13,344.52) $ (1,333.75) $ (12,010.77)
City of Ferndale
STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
FUND 24 - TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
October 15, 2025
________________________________________
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
________________________________________
32 ________________________________________
1 Month Ended 3 Months Ended FY2025/2026
September 30, 2025 September 30,
2025
Over/(Under)
Actual Actual Budget Budget
Revenues
26314230 Drainage fund $ 320.00 $ 1,160.00 $ 3,250.00 $ (2,090.00) 26314240 Drainage district fees 0.00 0.00 30,000.00 (30,000.00) Total Revenue 320.00 1,160.00 33,250.00 (32,090.00)
EXPENDITURES
26315002 Salary - permanent 845.18 2,510.78 10,284.25 (7,773.47) 26315005 Salary - overtime 11.99 19.30 584.24 (564.94)
26315006 Payroll taxes 42.03 125.73 839.83 (714.10)
26315007 Medical/Dental/Vision insurance 0.00 0.00 3,057.09 (3,057.09) 26315007.1 Medical insurance 202.19 615.83 0.00 615.83
26315009 Workers comp. insurance 354.19 708.38 1,813.48 (1,105.10) 26315010 Deferred retirement 0.00 0.00 922.39 (922.39)
26315061 Liability Insurance 0.00 2,050.42 1,741.03 309.39 TOTAL EXPENDITURES 1,455.58 6,030.44 19,242.31 (13,211.87)
REVENUES OVER (UNDER)
EXPENDITURES
$ (1,135.58) $ (4,870.44) $ 14,007.69 $ (18,878.13)
City of Ferndale
STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
FUND 26 - DRAINAGE FUND
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
October 15, 2025
________________________________________
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
________________________________________
33 ________________________________________
1 Month Ended 3 Months Ended FY2025/2026
September 30,
2025
September 30,
2025
Over/(Under)
Actual Actual Budget Budget
Revenues
Total Revenue 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
EXPENDITURES
25315002 Salary - permanent 460.92 1,958.92 0.00 1,958.92 25315006 Payroll taxes 35.16 149.57 0.00 149.57
25315007 Medical/Dental/Vision insurance 63.01 191.75 0.00 191.75 TOTAL EXPENDITURES 559.09 2,300.24 0.00 2,300.24
REVENUES OVER (UNDER) EXPENDITURES $ (559.09) $ (2,300.24) $ 0.00 $ (2,300.24) City of Ferndale
STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
FUND 25 - INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
October 15, 2025
________________________________________
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
________________________________________
34 ________________________________________
1 Month Ended 3 Months Ended FY2025/2026
September 30,
2025
September 30,
2025
Over/(Under)
Actual Actual Budget Budget
Revenues
30514274 Sewer service charge $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 803,054.19 $ (803,054.19) 30514275 Sewer connection fees 0.00 0.00 5,000.00 (5,000.00) 30514303 Septic discharge 4,977.00 11,661.00 60,000.00 (48,339.00) 30514325 State Water Board Grant 34,080.70 34,080.70 0.00 34,080.70 Total Revenue 39,057.70 45,741.70 868,054.19 (822,312.49)
EXPENSES
30515002 Salary - permanent 25,021.33 76,241.89 257,741.51 (181,499.62) 30515005 Salary - overtime 1,216.14 3,150.14 15,207.18 (12,057.04) 30515006 Payroll taxes 1,832.45 5,587.29 22,557.93 (16,970.64) 30515007 Medical/Dental/Vision insurance 4,298.35 13,142.63 64,996.33 (51,853.70) 30515009 Workers comp. insurance 4,710.91 9,421.82 26,238.56 (16,816.74) 30515010 Deferred retirement 0.00 0.00 22,843.76 (22,843.76) 30515012 Office expense 0.00 56.02 646.91 (590.89)
30515014 Vehicle expense 108.27 307.39 898.31 (590.92)
30515016 Fuel 458.69 863.08 3,670.59 (2,807.51)
30515024 Special department supply 1,086.22 1,866.55 10,780.97 (8,914.42) 30515030 Trash service 544.31 1,043.30 26,491.67 (25,448.37) 30515032 Utilities 6,529.13 12,630.88 115,356.15 (102,725.27) 30515033 Water 52.85 171.72 3,139.74 (2,968.02)
30515034 Telephone/internet 794.18 2,334.87 8,345.47 (6,010.60) 30515044 Meetings and dues 782.00 1,066.00 919.58 146.42 30515048 Training 296.87 296.87 1,000.00 (703.13)
30515050 IT Support 982.00 4,687.64 12,000.00 (7,312.36) 30515061 Liability Insurance 0.00 27,272.07 23,156.89 4,115.18 30515063 Building and Property Insurance 0.00 0.00 3,237.15 (3,237.15) 30515092 Permits 1,239.28 1,239.28 17,496.79 (16,257.51) 30515121 Sewer plant maintenance 3,710.99 7,030.13 50,000.00 (42,969.87) 30515122 Sewer line maintenance 4,679.00 6,076.59 50,000.00 (43,923.41) 30515130 Ultra Violet Lights 0.00 19,244.38 25,000.00 (5,755.62) 30515157 Testing and monitoring 400.67 2,522.63 22,295.62 (19,772.99) 30515160 Postage & Shipping 0.00 0.00 4,160.09 (4,160.09) 30515190 USDA loan 0.00 150,566.88 194,000.00 (43,433.12) 30515197 Sewer treatment loan 220.00 531.00 0.00 531.00 TOTAL EXPENSES 58,963.64 347,351.05 982,181.20 (634,830.15) NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (19,905.94) $ (301,609.35) $ (114,127.01) $ (187,482.34) City of Ferndale
INCOME STATEMENT
FUND 30 - SEWER FUND
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
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Cash Balances
Current Assets
General Fund $ 267,524.70
Restricted Cash 15,150.00
Russ Park 106,518.63
Gas Tax 15,888.07
RSTF 37,052.66
TDA 232,036.68
IWM 32,541.45
Drainage 9,737.15
Sewer 292,408.55
Total $ 1,008,857.89
Checking $ 494,545.06
Checking - Restricted 85,753.22
LAIF 428,409.61
Petty cash 150.00
Total $ 1,008,857.89
City of Ferndale
Cash Balances
As of September 30, 2025
No Assurance is Provided
No Disclosures are Provided 1
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Section 10
CALL ITEMS
These are items pulled from the consent agenda
for discussion and a separate motion.
Section 11
PRESENTATIONS
Section 12
PUBLIC HEARING
October 15, 2025
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Meeting Date: October 15, 2025 Agenda Item Number: 12.a Agenda Item Title: Public hearing, introduction and first readings for Ordinance 2025-06 and 2025-07, the Planning Commission’s recommended amendments to the Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 02-02) and Subdivision Ordinance (Ordinance 99-04), by title only
Presented By: City Planner
Type of Item: X Action Discussion Information
Action Required: No Action Voice Vote X Roll Call Vote
PROJECT SUMMARY
A public hearing for the introduction and first reading of Ordinance 2025-06 and Ordinance 2025-07. Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-06 will amend various sections of the Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 02-02), and proposed Ordinance 2025-07 will amend various sections of the Subdivision Ordinance (Ordinance No. 99-04). The purpose of the amendments is to achieve consistency with the adopted Land Use Element of the General Plan, implement Programs of the City’s adopted 6th cycle Housing Element, and address changes to State housing laws.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION
1. Receive staff presentation and review questions with staff.
2. Open the public hearing.
3. Receive testimony.
4. Close public hearing.
5. Motion and second to adopt Resolution 2025-25, a Resolution of the City Council Certifying Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and Approving Addendum 2 to the Previously Certified Program Environmental Impact Report for the Ferndale General Plan Land Use Map, Land Use Element, and Safety Element Updates. Roll call vote.
6. Motion to introduce and hold first reading of Ordinance 2025-06 and Ordinance 2025-07, read by title only, and continue the public hearing to the City Council’s next regular meeting for the second reading and adoption.
Roll call vote.
BACKGROUND
Zoning ordinances must be consistent with the City’s adopted General Plan pursuant to Government Code Section 65860(a). The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation suggests that a city’s a zoning ordinance is consistent with a city’s general plan where the ordinance furthers the objectives and policies of the general plan and does not obstruct their attainment. Additionally, in the event that a zoning ordinance becomes inconsistent with a general plan or any of its elements by reason of amendment to the general plan, the zoning ordinance shall be amended within a reasonable time so that it is consistent with the general plan, as amended (Gov’t Code Section 65860(c)). The Subdivision Map Act, Government Code Section 66410 et seq. authorizes cities and counties to adopt a local ordinance for the review and processing of proposed subdivisions, the design and improvement of subdivisions, and the reconfiguration and/or consolidation of real property.
DISCUSSION AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The proposed amendments to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances are the second group of updates to ensure the City’s zoning and other land use regulations are consistent with the General Plan. The City is undertaking the proposed amendments to reflect the adopted General Plan Land Use and Housing Elements. The text October 15, 2025
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amendments translate General Plan policies into specific use regulations, and development standards to govern development on individual properties. Like the first group of amendments considered and adopted by the Council on August 20, 2025, many of the amendments implement programs in the City’s 6th cycle Housing Element. Below is a list of the proposed Zoning and Subdivision ordinances amendments:
A. Update the “plywood exterior paneling” exterior material standard for clarification.
B. Add low- to non-reflective or anti-reflective Class A metal roofs as a permissible roofing material.
C. Permit supportive housing developments by-right in select zones.
D. Introduce single-room occupancy (SRO) regulations.
E. Establish a Streamside Protection Area (-SPA) combining zone.
F. Create discretionary demolition procedures for some types of buildings, and buildings and structures located in Ferndale’s designated historic district and for designated historic buildings.
G. Add findings for use and special permits.
H. Updates to the approval period for tentative maps, and the extension procedures.
I. Updates to Lot Line Adjustments for standards, procedures, etc.
J. Add new provisions to allow for voluntary parcel mergers.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS FOR THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS On August 6, 2025, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing to consider the proposed text amendments to the City’s Zoning and Subdivision ordinances. The Planning Commission received a staff presentation and considered the amendments listed under A, B, C, and D above. Before considering amendments listed under E through J, the PC continued the item to the September 3 meeting.
At the September 3 meeting, Planning staff reviewed the Planning Commission’s August 6 input on the proposed amendments, and presented amendments E through J. The Commission reviewed, discussed, and recommended modifications to the language for non-reflective Class A metal roofs as permissible roofing material in the R1, R2, and R3 zones. The Commission also discussed and recommended modifications to the discretionary demolition procedures to include buildings and structures located in Ferndale’s designated historic district and for designated historic buildings. At the August and September public hearings, no members of the public spoke on the proposed Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance amendments. The City did not receive written communications from the public before or at the either public hearing. On September 3, following the discussion, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of both the amendments to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances as modified. The Planning Commission’s recommended modifications are incorporated into the Ordinances 2025-06 and 2025-07 as they are consistent with the General Plan, including the Land Use and Housing elements.
AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE
A. Proposed Amendments to the Exterior Materials Standards of the R1, R2, and R3 zones.
The Development Criteria provisions of the R1, R2, and R3 zones specify the exterior materials that are permissible to use, and other objective design standards. One of the permissible exterior siding materials is “Plywood exterior paneling”. It is proposed that the language be updated to state, “Grooved plywood exterior panel siding”, which readers of the Zoning Ordinance may find to be clearer than the existing language.
Another proposed amendment to the exterior materials standards is to add “Low- to Non-reflective or Antireflective Class A metal roofs” to the list of permissible exterior roofing materials for the R1, R2, and R3 zones.
This type of roofing material is not currently included on the list of permissible roofing materials. The California Building Code requires Class A roof coverings for new structures and when more than 50% of the roof area of an existing structure is replaced. A Class A rating indicates that the roof assembly is effective against severe fire exposure when tested using ASTM or UL standards. Class A roofing materials options include asphalt shingles, October 15, 2025
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concrete or clay tiles, slate, certain metal roofs, and some fire-retardant wood shake products when installed with specific underlayment.
The roofing material options currently permitted in the R1, R2, and R3 zones are: composition shingles, wood, and wood asbestos cement or slate shingles. The proposed amendment would add Class A metal roofs as a roofing material option. This amendment implements Program 3.d of the Safety Element of the General Plan, and a mitigation action in City’s annex of the 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan draft.1 B. Supportive Housing Developments.
One objective of Housing Element Program 1 is a commitment to adopt zoning regulations for supportive housing meeting the requirements of Government Code Section 65650 et seq. The proposed amendments to the Residential Two Family (or R2), Residential Multiple-Family (or R3), Neighborhood Commercial (or C1), and Community Commercial (or C2) zones will allow by-right supportive housing developments consistent with this article of State housing law and Program 1 of the Housing Element. Although State law mandates that cities and counties permit these types of housing developments by-right in certain zones, it also imposes numerous eligibility criteria that must be met for a proposed supportive housing development to exercise this allowance. A supportive housing development is not market rate housing. The eligibility criteria require all the units in the supportive housing development be affordable to lower income households and all the units must be receiving public funding to ensure affordability for at least 55 years. The amendments would add this type of housing to the R2, R3, C1, and C2 zones because State law requires localities to permit supportive housing developments in zones that permit multifamily and mixed uses as either as a principal or conditional use. The eligibility criteria and procedures are proposed to be added to Article 7, and are nearly verbatim of the applicable State law, Government Code Sections 65650 to 65656.
C. Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing.
Program 6 of the Housing Element commits the City to allowing SRO housing facilities in the R3 and R4 zones. The City's Zoning Ordinance does not currently allow SRO housing. SROs are multiple-unit residential building(s) with single room dwelling units or efficiency units as defined by the State Health and Safety Code which may have individual or shared kitchen and/or bathroom facilities. Each housing unit is intended to be occupied by no more than two persons. State housing law directs jurisdictions to have zoning regulations that allow for SROs as a housing typology because it is oftentimes a type of naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) or affordableby-design units. The California Department of Housing and Community Development May 2025 letter of inquiry specifically flagged the SRO program for completion.
SRO housing facilities would be a permitted type of housing in the R2, R3, C1, and C2 zones. The language of Housing Element Program 6 states that SROs are to be allowed in the R3 and R4 zones. However, there are no properties in the City that are zoned R3, and the R4 zone has been removed from the Zoning Ordinance as part of the adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-04. Therefore, to ensure compliance with State housing law it is recommended that SRO housing be allowed in the R2, R3, C1, and C2 zones as proposed, and the Planning Commission agreed with this recommendation as presented. In terms of form, SROs are effectively multi-family housing providing smaller units for individuals or two-person households with the option for shared facilities.
Because there is currently no land in the City designated as zoned R3, limiting the SRO housing to only the R3 zone would likely be found inadequate and noncompliant by HCD. 2 1 Currently under review with CAL-OES. 2 See July 16, 2025, City Council agenda item 13.b, “Report on the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) May 16, 2025 Letter of Inquiry and the City’s June 10, 2025 response letter”.
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Unlike Supportive Housing Developments, State law does not dictate the specifics of how cities and counties are to regulate SRO housing. The table below presents the standards that Planning staff requested Commission direction and the PC’s input:
TABLE 1
SRO Standard PC Input on the SRO Standard
Length of stay standard and Agreement that length of stay standard be “30 days or more”.
Standard whether the SRO unit
must be the occupant’s primary
residence.
Agreement for inclusion of a standard that requires SRO unit tenants not have an additional residential address other than the address of the SRO housing facility in which the unit is located.
Requirement that units be rented at
rates affordable to lower income
households.
Agreement that the amendments for SRO housing include a standard that units are to be rented at rents affordable to individuals and households with lower incomes as defined by the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s State income limits for Humboldt County, except for the manager’s unit.
Option for shared kitchen and/or
bathroom facilities consistent with
California Building Code.
Agreement that the amendments for SRO housing provide options for shared kitchen and/or bathroom facilities.
D. Demolition Procedures.
Program 6 of the Housing Element also commits the City to consider adopting procedures that would make the demolition of existing hotels and multifamily buildings discretionary to address the potential of converting to SRO rooms. Accordingly, Planning staff drafted procedures that would be added to Article 7 of the Zoning Ordinance, and the Planning Commission reviewed. The Planning Commission recommends adopting the procedures prepared by staff with modifications that would apply the procedures to buildings and structures in Ferndale’s designated historic district and to those individually designated as historic.
The draft demolition procedures prepared by Planning staff would only apply to existing hotels, motels, and multifamily structure buildings. During staff’s September 3 Planning Commission presentation, staff advised the proposed discretionary demolition procedures, as drafted, did not explicitly extend to buildings and structures in the designated historic district or to individual structures designated as historic. Staff explained that, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an application to demolish a building or structure located in historic district or those individually designated as historic would trigger environmental review pursuant to CEQA currently. To meet CEQA requirements, the application procedures, requirements, and findings would be nearly identical to the proposed demolition procedures. However, because the Zoning Ordinance does not currently include regulations for the demolition of designated historic structures and buildings, or those in Ferndale’s historic district, the requirements for CEQA are not readily available to property owners, residents, or City staff.
The proposed amendments would create a structured, and transparent pathway for reviewing demolition proposals. Adoption of the proposed amendment would safeguard protected affordable units, and ensure potential or existing historic resources receive proper evaluation. The demolition procedures provide for appeals, time limits, and post-demolition maintenance standards. In the event of an imminent public safety hazard (e.g., due to a fire or earthquake), the proposed procedures include an exemption process to ensure timely removal of a hazard.
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This discussion prompted the Planning Commission to request that the City Council explore the development of code enforcement procedures and fines for cases when a historic structure is demolished without the necessary approvals and permits.
The following is summary of the proposed demolition procedures:
1. Key Definitions
• Definitions for Building, Hotel, Motel, Multifamily, and Structure refer back to existing ordinance definitions (§3.17, §3.39, §3.51, §3.28.3/3.28.5, §3.70). • Non-transient: Rentals or leases of thirty days or more. • Protected Unit: Non-manager dwelling unit subject to recorded affordability restrictions or rent/price controls for lower- or very-low-income households.
2. Exemption for imminent public safety hazard
• After consulting with either the City Building Inspector or City Engineer, the City Manager may authorize immediate demolition if a building poses an imminent threat to people or neighboring properties. The City Manager’s determination must be made in writing.
• An application approved under these provision; prior to the demolition, the applicant must photograph and measure the building (as safety allows) and submit documentation to the City Clerk.
3. Demolition Application Process
• Application is filed with the City Clerk.
o If tied to another permit (e.g., design review), the two permits are to be processed concurrently. • Preliminary Determinations by City Manager or their Designee o Confirm applicant has shown:
Building is under 50 years old and not on a historic register. No protected units exist, or any demolished protected units will be replaced with equivalent affordable units per Government Code §65915(c)(3) standards. • Historic/Cultural Resource Evaluation
o If the building is 50+ years old or potentially eligible for historic listing:
Require and fund a qualified cultural resource evaluation. Forward application and evaluation to cultural resource agencies for comment. • Staff Report & Public Hearing
o A staff report must be compiled with recommendations and agency comments. o Schedule a public hearing before the Planning Commission.
4. Planning Commission Approval Criteria. The Commission may approve demolition only if all of the following findings are made after conducting a duly noticed public hearing:
• No more than two protected units will be removed, or any demolished protected units are replaced with equivalent affordable units meeting Government Code §65915(c)(3). • Demolition is consistent with the General Plan’s historic resource protection policies. • The project complies with CEQA.
Upon approval, issuance of the demolition permit is stayed for ten business days to allow an appeal to the City Council.
5. Appeals
• Appeals follow Article 11 of the Ferndale Zoning Ordinance. • If the City Council upholds demolition, permit issuance is again stayed ten business days for potential judicial appeal.
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6. Permit Expiration and Extensions
• Approved demolition permits must be pulled and exercised within one year of Planning Commission approval unless:
o A shorter period is set by the conditions of approval, or an extension (up to one additional year) is granted by the City Manager upon timely written owner request. • Once issued, demolition must commence before permit expiration.
7. Lot Maintenance. Owners must keep cleared lots clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing as part of the postdemolition lot maintenance. It further stipulates that failure to maintain constitutes a violation subject to existing penalties (Ordinance No. 06-04).
E. Streamside Protection Area Combining or -SPA.
The proposed amendments will add Section 6.08 to the Zoning Ordinance. The amendments cross-reference and incorporate the adopted Land Use Element Goals, Policies and Implementation Measures for the establishment of a -SPA combining zone along both sides of Francis Creek for 50 feet. New development within the -SPA, measured from the top of bank or the edge of the riparian dripline, whichever is a greater distance from the creek centerline, for 50 feet, will be permitted where the applicant demonstrates that best management practices will be implemented to minimize potential environmental effects to water quality and biological resources. The types of uses that may be permitted in the -SPA are identical to the uses listed in subparagraphs a) through g) of Policy LU-4.2 of the Land Use Element.
F. Findings to Approve a Use Permit and a Special Permit Article 10 of the Zoning Ordinance describes the procedures for filing, noticing, appealing, and revoking use permits. However, it is silent on the findings required for the Planning Commission to approve, or approve with conditions, a use permit or special permit.3 The Constitution, California code, and case law provide the findings for a city or county to approve use permits and special permits. The amendments propose to add the specific approval findings to approve a use permit and a special permit. This will remove ambiguity for all readers of the City’s Zoning Ordinance and improve transparency. Because special permits are a type of use permit, the amendments propose to also relocate the special permit provisions from Article 12 to Article 10.
AMENDMENTS TO THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE
This set of proposed amendments update tentative map expiration timelines to comport with State law; amendments to the Lot Line Adjustment section for the approval findings to align with State law, updates to streamline the process and procedures while providing appeal procedures for applicants and neighboring property owners, and introduce a process for voluntary parcel mergers. The changes aim to improve predictability, ensure consistency with State law, and provide clear and consistent procedures for applicants and staff. The amendments incorporate the City Engineer’s input, who was consulted extensively given the technical complexity of the proposed updates.
A. Tentative Map Subdivisions.
While the programs in the Land Use, Housing, and Safety elements do not specifically commit the City to amending the provisions for the expiration of tentative maps and the extension procedures, amending these provisions is proposed to address notable inconsistencies with State law. Below is a summary of the proposed amendments to Sections 1.5 and 1.6:
3 A special permit is a type of a minor use permit; therefore, the findings are the same.
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Section 1.5: Tentative Subdivision Maps (Five or More Parcels) • Increase the timeline for when a tentative subdivision approval expires from 24 months to four years. • Clarify when a subdivider needs to file an extension, and the extension process:
o The subdivider must file a written extension request at least 45 days before expiration. o Upon filing an extension request, the map automatically extends for 60 days or until final action.
o The Planning Commission may grant up to three separate extensions of 24 months each, but total extensions cannot exceed six years beyond the original expiration date consistent with the Subdivision Map Act.
o Update the Planning Commission’s findings to approve an extension, and that the PC may impose some conditions:
- Must still conform to the General Plan, current zoning, and improvement standards for comparable subdivisions.
- Commission may impose new or revised map conditions, including updated or new development fees that have arisen since initial approval. • Update the appeal period from 10 days to 15 days consistent with the Subdivision Map Act.
Section 1.6: Tentative Parcel Maps (Four or Fewer Parcels) • The proposed updates specify that tentative map approvals expire four years after approval, and that the procedures for extension requests follow the identical timelines and procedures in Section
1.502.8.2.
B. Lot Line Adjustments
Amendments are proposed to address inconsistencies with State law, notably for the eligibility requirements (e.g., that lot line adjustments are limited to four or fewer parcels), and findings(e.g., a LLA is consistent with the general plan, and CEQA). Other amendments are proposed to update the application submittal requirements and the procedures to follow a logical order and remove antiquated references.
Revisions to the approval and appeal process are also proposed to implement Housing Element Program 2.
Program 2 commits the City to amending its regulations to make lot line adjustments (LLA) a staff-level processes. (Housing Element Program 2 indicates that the LLA and merger provisions are codified in Zoning Ordinance; this is an error because these regulations are codified in the City’s Subdivision Ordinance.) The amendments propose to remove the ambiguous language that results in all lot line adjustments effectively receive a public hearing before the City Engineer takes action on the LLA.
4 As proposed by the amendments the City Engineer will continue to be the designated City official to take action on LLA applications, and the Planning Commission will continue to be the first appeal body, followed by the City Council.
The proposed language provides authority for the City Engineer to conditionally approve a LLA when all of the required findings can be met. The City Engineer’s conditional approval will be accompanied by a signed and dated report. The Engineer’s decision will then be noticed, via US mail, to all property owners within 300 feet. The notice must specify the procedures for filing an appeal and indicate the last day for filing an appeal. An adversely affected person will have 15 days to file an appeal. Below is an outline of the proposed amendments to the review, approval, and appeal procedures:
4 The ambiguous language is contained in Section 1.705, “The Planning Department may refer the Lot Line Adjustment Plot Plan to the Planning Commission for their consideration when the proposed Lot Line Adjustment has the potential for arousing extraordinary public concern”.
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Lot Line Adjustments Review & Approval Process
1. Completeness Check (30 days) by City Engineer
2. Planner Review (15 days) for consistency with General Plan, zoning, CEQA
3. Agency Referrals (15 days) to public works, utilities, etc.
4. Final Decision (60 days) by City Engineer—approval, conditional approval, or denial.
5. Notice & Appeal
• Written notice mailed to property owners within 300 feet. • Fifteen (15) day appeal period to Planning Commission; further appeal to City Council. • Appeals by adversely affected persons must be in writing and accompanied by the City Council’s adopted filing fee. An appellant’s appeal must state why the City Engineer’s approval is not in accord with the standards and regulations of the Lot Line Adjustment ordinance, the Subdivision Map Act, or other applicable State law, or why it is believed that there was an error or an abuse of discretion.
For a LLA that is denied by the City Engineer, it is proposed that applicants be given an opportunity to correct the map and other application materials. If the suggested amendment is adopted, should the City Engineer deny an LLA, the applicant will be notified in writing, and they would have a six-month window to submit a corrected application, along with paying additional fees. Should the City Engineer then be able to conditionally approve the corrected LLA, it will be subject to the same noticing and appeal process described above.
C. Parcel Mergers
Housing Element Program 2 commits the City to provide for a staff-level process for voluntary parcel mergers. The existing merger provisions only cover mergers that are reversion to acreage, and reversion and resubdividing. A reversion to acreage is Subdivision Map Act process when a property owner of four or fewer contiguous lots that were previously subdivided wants to merge and eliminate the easements and encumbrances created as part of that subdivision; or where a property owner of contiguous lots that were previously subdivision wants to merge and then resubdivide. Because these types of reversions to acreage involve changes to an approved and recorded subdivision map, ultimately the City Council must approve the reversion. The City’s Subdivision Ordinance currently does not provide a pathway for a property owner, on a voluntary basis, to merge two contiguous parcels to create a larger parcel while not altering the existing easements, encumbrances, etc. The proposed amendments will add Section 1.1105, Voluntary Mergers by Owner, summarized as follows:
• City Engineer may approve if the resulting parcel meets health, building, and zoning standards. • Notice of Merger filed with County Recorder.
• Conditions imposed by Engineer may be appealed to City Council within 15 days.
FINDINGS FOR APPROVAL
In accordance with §8.01 of Article 8 of the Zoning Ordinance and State General Plan, amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, including amendments to the Subdivision Ordinance, may only be approved when all the following findings are made by the City Council.
COMPLIANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA).
A. FINDING: The processing and approval of the amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance is in compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
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ANALYSIS: Addendum 2 to certified Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the Ferndale General Plan Land Use Map, and Land Use Element update has been prepared in compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Resolution 2025-14, and which was reviewed and considered by the Planning Commission.
PUBLIC INTEREST.
A. FINDING: Section 8.01 of the Ferndale Zoning Ordinance and State General Plan Law stipulates that the Zoning Ordinance may be amended whenever the public necessity, convenience and welfare require such amendment. The proposed amendments are of public necessity, convenience and welfare.
ANALYSIS: The proposed Amendments to Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance are in the public interest because the amendments promote the orderly and efficient development of land within the City and encourages a wide range of housing types and densities while encouraging the preservation of agricultural land surrounding the City. These goals and policies are intended to provide a wider range of housing types and affordability throughout the City to support residents through all stages of life while also increasing the health and welfare of residents and visitors. The proposed Amendments promote transparency by adding findings for use and special permits, and updating the local subdivision ordinance to better reflect the Subdivision Map Act. The Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Amendments advance the goals, policies, and implementation programs of the Land Use, Housing, and Safety elements of the Ferndale General Plan, and therefore is in the public interest.
CONSISTENCY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN.
A. FINDING: Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance are consistent with all other parts of the Ferndale General Plan.
ANALYSIS: The amendments are consistent with all other provisions of the General Plan because they make the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance consistent with the adopted Land Use, Housing and Safety elements of the City’s General Plan. The amendments implement specific implementation programs of the Land Use and Safety elements, and objectives of the 6th Cycle Housing Element to ensure compliance with State housing law.
The amendments are consistent with sound planning principles in that they implement adopted programs and ensure that the goals and policies of the General Plan are implemented to achieve the stated goals. The proposed amendments are consistent with all other elements of the Ferndale General Plan adopted by the City.
B. FINDING: State General Plan Law states that amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance must be consistent with the General Plan.
ANALYSIS: The proposed Amendments are consistent with the Ferndale General Plan because they are required to bring the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance into compliance with the City’s adopted Land Use, Housing, and Safety elements, and State law. It is consistent with sound planning principles in that the proposed policies and proposed implementation programs are compatible and ensure that the goals and policies of the General Plan can be implemented to achieve the stated goals. The proposed Amendments are consistent with all other elements of the Ferndale General Plan adopted by the City.
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Safety
Element,
Program 3.d
Program 3.d commits the City to monitoring new building materials used for fire resistance and incorporate such materials into plan checks, and the materials standards in the Zoning Ordinance. The amendments include adding non-reflective Class A metal roofs as a permissible material. When this material is used and constructed/installed in accordance with the Class A standard, a structure’s fire resiliency is improved. This amendment implements Safety Element Program 3.d.
Land Use
Element Goal
LU-4, Open
Space &
Conservation
Policy LU-4.2,
&
Implementatio
n Program LUIP2.
The reference goal, policies, and implementation program commits the City to establishing a Streamside Protection Area Combining (or -SPA) Zone along both sides of Francis Creek, for 50 feet. Adding to the Zoning Ordinance, a -SPA combining zone that cross-references and incorporates these provisions of the General Plan implements the intent of General Plan for maintenance and improvement of the flow of Francis Creek.
Housing
Element
Program 1
Program 1 includes an objective that commits the City to amending its zoning regulations to allow supportive housing developments consistent with Government Code 65650 et seq. Initiating and completing specific amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to allow supportive housing is necessary to achieve this objective of Program 1, and for compliance with State housing law. The amendments to the Zoning Ordinance proposed herein will accomplish this objective of Program 1.
Housing
Element
Program 2
The 6th cycle housing element found there are a number of small sites (i.e., less than
0.50 acres in size) that are unlikely to be suitable for affordable housing due to economies of scale. Program 2 commits the City to amending the Subdivision Ordinance to reduce affordable housing production barriers by streamlining processes related to development-related land consolidation, that is the lot line adjustments and mergers.
The proposed lot line adjustments and mergers amendments to the Subdivision Ordinance implement Housing Element Program 2 by simplifying the procedures for the review and conditional approval of these types of parcel changes, while preserving right to appeal for applicants and persons adversely affected.
Housing
Element
Program 6
Program 6 commits the City amending the zoning regulations to 1) permit single room occupancy units (SROs), a housing type not identified in the Zoning Ordinance, and 2) considering demolition procedures for existing hotels and multifamily structure demolition discretionary. The Amendments implement the SRO objective of Program 6 by allowing SROs that meet specific objective criteria and standards in the same manner as other multifamily development. Initiating and adopting Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to provide for discretionary demolition procedures is necessary to achieve the objective of Program 6 for there to be discretionary demolition procedures.
CONSISTENCY WITH THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND OTHER CITY ORDINANCES.
A. FINDING: The Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance are consistent with all other parts of the Zoning Ordinance, the Subdivision Ordinance, and other City ordinances.
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ANALYSIS: The proposed Amendments carry through to all sections of the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance, and have been reviewed to ensure they are consistent with all other provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, and other City ordinances.
PUBLIC NOTICE
For the August 6, 2025 Planning Commission public hearing: The City published a public hearing notice in the July 24, 2025 edition of the Ferndale Enterprise, and posted the notice in the designated public places, and posted notice on the City’s website. At the August 6, 2025, the Planning Commission continued the matter, date certain, to the September 3, 2025 meeting.
For the October 15, 2025 City Council public hearing: The City published a public hearing notice in the October 2, 2025 edition of the Ferndale Enterprise (Attachment B). The City published the public hearing notice on its website, and posted the same notice on two public bulletin boards in accordance with §8.08 of the Zoning Ordinance.
COMPLIANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) The proposed Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map amendments are entirely consistent with and implement the General Plan densities/intensities and land uses established in the General Plan, for which an EIR was previously prepared and certified. The proposed amendments have been reviewed by the City of Ferndale in light of Sections 15162 and 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines. As the CEQA Lead Agency, the City of Ferndale has determined, based on the analysis presented in the Addendum to the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) prepared for the Ferndale General Plan Update: Land Use and Safety Elements, that none of the conditions apply which would require preparation of a subsequent or supplemental EIR and that an Addendum to the certified Ferndale General Plan Update: Land Use and Safety Elements PEIR is the appropriate environmental documentation under CEQA for the proposed amendments.
CONCLUSION
The proposed amendments are a substantial step toward aligning the City’s zoning and subdivision regulations with the adopted General Plan—particularly the Land Use, Housing, and Safety elements. They implement several implementation measures and programs in these General Plan elements. Additionally, they resolve inconsistencies between the City’s ordinances and State law, especially concerning compliance with the Subdivision Map Act.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A Housing Element Program 1, Program 2, and Program 6, excerpted from the Housing Element.
Attachment B Public Hearing Notice
RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
• Resolution 2025-25, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Ferndale Certifying Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and Approving Addendum 2 to the Previously Certified Program Environmental Impact Report for the Ferndale General Plan Land Use Map, Land Use Element, and Safety Element Updates
• Ordinance 2025-06, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ferndale of Humboldt County, California, Amending the Ferndale Zoning Ordinance, Ordinance 02-02 O Exhibit A – Planning Commission recommended proposed text amendments to the Ferndale Zoning Ordinance
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• Ordinance 2025-07, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ferndale of Humboldt County, California, Amending the Ferndale Subdivision Ordinance, Ordinance 99-04 o Exhibit A – Planning Commission recommended proposed text amendments to the Ferndale Subdivision Ordinance
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ATTACHMENT A
Housing Element Program 1, Program 2, and Program 6, excerpted from adopted 6th cycle Housing Element. The Program objective(s) being implemented by the proposed amendments to the Zoning and Subdivision ordinances are underlined below.
Program 1. Ensure adequate sites are available and/or zoned to allow owner-occupied and rental multifamily residential uses by right.
Providing zoning for a variety of Housing Types in Ferndale is an identified area of improvement for the 6th cycle.
Specifically, City staff and elected officials will need to continue to work on revisiting the R3 and R4 zoning designations, but the intent of this program is to ensure that all designated zone classifications are 1) adequately represented on the Zoning Map and 2) allow for a variety of housing types without an overly rigorous review process.
There are two sites: APNs 031-032-007 & 030-181-008 that have development capacity for affordable housing (realistic capacity identified in the sites inventory is 7 units and 8 units, respectively) but are constrained by subdivision requirements. This program expands the allowable uses on these sites (only) to allow the density to meet the realistic unit capacity as identified in the sites inventory on these specific sites for affordable housing without subdivision. This program allows for development of the R2 portion of APN 030-181-008 at realistic affordable housing capacity (8 units) (the R2 zone allows up to 15 dwelling units per acre (du/acre), meeting minimum density standards as set by HCD) without subdivision. The R2 portion of the site may be accessed directly from Arlington Avenue. The development capacities for the two sites identified above are consistent with General Plan densities and available immediately upon Housing Element adoption.
Objectives:
• Revisit the “Character” and “Primary and Compatible Uses”, and “Density Range” sections of each zone in the Land Use Element. Update as appropriate to ensure both single-family and multifamily uses are anticipated uses in multiple zones.
• Update the Zoning Ordinance to allow multifamily development of up to 4 units in the R4 zone without a use permit.
• Update the Zoning Ordinance to allow multifamily development of more than 4 units in the R4 zone with a use permit.
• Update the Zoning Ordinance to allow multifamily development of more than 4 units in the R3 zone with a use permit.
• Evaluate and identify sites with potential for rezoning to allow for multifamily uses without a use permit (i.e., R3 and/or R4 zones).
• Implement rezoning on identified sites to R-3 and/or R-4 by 2023. • Review existing City processes for compliance with AB 2162. Revise zoning codes/processes to allow supportive housing by right in zones where multifamily and mixed uses are permitted, including nonresidential zones permitting multifamily uses. Complete review of existing City processes by August 1, 2020. (emphasis added)
Funding Sources: General Fund, SB2 funds
Responsible Agencies: City Planner and City Manager
Timeframe: 2019-2022
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Program 2. Adopt incentives for consolidation of smaller sites, including priority processing, modification of development standards and ministerial lot line adjustments.
Updated State requirements related to identification of suitable affordable housing development sites highlight the fact that small sites are unlikely to be suitable for affordable housing due to economies of scale. The program intent is to attempt to reduce affordable housing production barriers by streamlining processes related to development-related land consolidation.
Objectives:
• Update Zoning Ordinance to make Mergers and Lot Line Adjustments staff-level processes. • Consider waiving Lot Line Adjustment and Merger processing fees for projects that propose to create an ADU or 20% deed-restricted affordable units (20 year term).
Funding Sources: General Fund, SB2 funds
Responsible Agencies: City Planner and City Manager
Timeframe: 2019-2022
Program 6. Prioritize regulatory concessions to encourage Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units.
A single-room occupancy (SRO) unit usually is small, between 200 to 350 square feet. These units provide a valuable source of affordable housing for individuals and can serve as an entry point into the housing market for people who previously experienced homelessness. Many older SROs have been lost due to deterioration, hotel conversions, and demolition. The intent of this programs is to identify zoning and development standards that will allow and encourage the construction of new SROs. This program will assist people in extremely low-income (ELI) households.
Objectives:
• Update the Zoning Ordinance to specifically allow SRO units by right in R3 and R4 zones. • Consider altering procedures to make existing hotels and multifamily structure demolition discretionary, such as requiring City Council review, to address the potential of converting to SRO rooms.
Funding Sources: General Fund, SB2 funds
Responsible Agencies: City Planner and City Manager
Timeframe: 2019-2022
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ATTACHMENT B
Public Notice for the October 15, 2025 Hearing Published in the October 2, 2025 Edition of the Ferndale Enterprise
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RESOLUTION 2025-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FERNDALE CERTIFYING
COMPLIANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND APPROVING ADDENDUM 2 TO THE PREVIOUSLY CERTIFIED PROGRAM
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE FERNDALE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE MAP,
LAND USE ELEMENT, AND SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATES
WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of the State of California Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, hereafter “CEQA Guidelines”), the City of Ferndale (hereafter “the City”) is the lead agency for the preparation and consideration of environmental documents for the proposed project; and WHEREAS, on November 20, 2024, the Ferndale City Council certified the Final Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the (State Clearinghouse No. 2023020217) for the Ferndale General Plan Land Use Map, and Land Use Element and Safety Element Updates of the Ferndale General Plan (Land Use Map and Element, and Safety Element Updates), in accordance with applicable provisions of CEQA, Cal. Pub. Res. Code Section 21000 et seq.; and WHEREAS, when certifying the PEIR for the Land Use Map and Element, and Safety Element Updates, the Ferndale City Council approved Resolution 2024-22 which is incorporated herein by reference (available at https://ci.ferndale.ca.us/wp/wp-content/uploads/Resolution-2024-22-Certify-EIR-for-GP-Update.pdf) to adopt Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, Findings of Fact, and a Statement of Overriding Considerations; and
WHEREAS, when an Environmental Impact Report has been certified and the project is modified or otherwise changed after certification, then additional CEQA review may be necessary; and WHEREAS, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15164(a), an addendum may be prepared by the lead agency that prepared the original EIR if some changes or additions are necessary, but none of the conditions have occurred set forth under CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 requiring preparation of a subsequent or supplemental EIR; and WHEREAS, staff of the City have determined and for the reasons set forth in Addendum 2 to the PEIR for the Land Use Map and Element, and Safety Element Updates (hereafter “Addendum 2 to the PEIR”), an addendum is the appropriate CEQA document for the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance because the proposed project does not meet the conditions of CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15163, for the preparation of a subsequent or supplemental EIR; and WHEREAS, Addendum 2 to the PEIR is attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, the City of Ferndale has been prepared pursuant to the provisions of Section 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines to address the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance as described in Appendix A; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ferndale has finalized Addendum 2 to the PEIR for Land Use Map and Element, and Safety Element Updates in Exhibit A to address the proposed amendments as described in Appendix A of Addendum 2; and
WHEREAS, an addendum is not required to be circulated for public review; and WHEREAS, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15164(d), the City Council has considered Addendum 2 of the certified PEIR for Land Use Map and Element, and Safety Element Updates prior to making a decision on the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance; and October 15, 2025
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WHEREAS, the City Council has carefully considered all public comments and information provided by the City’s staff regarding environmental review.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council, that the foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated by this reference; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City Council of the City of Ferndale makes the following findings established by CEQA:
(1) That the addendum was prepared for the proposed Project in compliance with the requirements of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines. (2) That, based upon the evidence submitted and as demonstrated by the analysis included in the addendum, none of the conditions described in sections 15162 or 15163 of the CEQA Guidelines calling for the preparation of a subsequent environmental impact report (EIR) have occurred pursuant to the specific sections of the CEQA Guidelines:
(A) Section 15162(a)(1): The proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance do not propose such substantial changes to the certified PEIR for the Land Use Map and Element, and Safety Element Updates as to require major revisions to the PEIR for the Land Use Map and Element, and Safety Element Updates due to new or substantially more severe significant environmental effects than previously analyzed in the environmental impact report; and (B) Section 15162 (a)(2):There have not been any substantial changes with respect to the circumstances under which the project is undertaken that require major revisions to the PEIR for the Land Use Map and Element, and Safety Element Updates due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously analyzed in the PEIR for the Land Use Map and Element, and Safety Element Updates; and
(C) Section 15162(a)(3): There is no new information of substantial importance that was not known and could not have been known with the exercise of reasonable diligence at the time the PEIR for the Land Use Map and Element, and Safety Element Updates was adopted that shows any of the following:
(i) The project will have one or more significant effects not discussed in the PEIR for the Land Use Map and Element, and Safety Element Updates; or
(ii) Significant effects previously examined will be substantially more severe than shown in the previous PEIR for the Land Use Map and Element, and Safety Element Updates; or (iii) Mitigation measures or alternatives previously found not to be feasible would in fact be feasible and would substantially reduce one or more significant effects of the project, but the project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or alternative; or (iv) Mitigation measures or alternatives which are considerably different from those analyzed in the PEIR for the Land Use Map and Element, and Safety Element Updates would substantially reduce one or more significant effects on the environment, but project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or alternative.
(3) The City Council has considered Addendum 2 to the PEIR for the Land Use Map and Element, Safety Element Updates, and the City Council has exercised its independent judgment in making the findings and determinations set forth herein.
(4) Pursuant to the above findings, the City Council determined that the Final Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the (State Clearinghouse No. 2023020217) for the Ferndale General Plan Land Use Map, and Land Use Element and Safety Element Updates of the Ferndale General Plan, together with Addendum 2, satisfy all the requirements of CEQA and are adequate to serve as the required environmental documentation for the proposed Project and, therefore, hereby adopts Addendum 2 to the PEIR for the Land Use Map and Element, and Safety Element Update for the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance.
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THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION IS HEREBY PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Ferndale, State of California this 15th day of October 2025, by the following ROLL CALL vote of the City Council for the City of Ferndale:
YES:
NO:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Randy Cady, Mayor
Attest:
________________________________
Kristene Hall, City Clerk
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Addendum 2 to the
Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR)
Prepared for the Ferndale General Plan Update: Land Use and Safety Elements State Clearinghouse#: 2023020217
Prepared for:
City of Ferndale
834 Main Street
Ferndale, CA 95536
In Collaboration With:
670 9th Street
Arcata, CA 95521
(707) 825-8260
October 7, 2025
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Purpose of this Addendum........................................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 CEQA Requirements .................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Incorporation by Reference....................................................................................................................................... 3
1.4 Summary of Effects ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures .............................................................................................................4
2.1 Background on the 2024 Land Use and Safety Element Updates and Ferndale PEIR...........................4
2.2 2024 Ferndale PEIR Findings.....................................................................................................................................4
2.3 Description of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance ............................. 5
3. Impact Analysis ......................................................................................................................................................................... 6
3.1 Findings Regarding the Proposed Zoning Amendments and Consistency with the Certified Ferndale PEIR ................................................................................................................................................................. 6
3.2 Conclusion....................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Appendix A. Proposed text amendments to the Ferndale Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose of this Addendum
The purpose of this Addendum to the Ferndale General Plan Update: Land Use and Safety Elements Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) (SCH #2023020217) is to evaluate the environmental effects associated with proposed targeted amendments to the City of Ferndale Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance (“Proposed Project”). The proposed amendments are intended to make the zoning consistent with the recently adopted Housing and Land Use elements, state housing laws, and the Subdivision Map Act. The City of Ferndale is the Lead Agency for the Proposed Project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and has prepared this Addendum pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15164.
On November 20, 2024 the City of Ferndale certified the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for and adopted the Ferndale Land Use and Safety Element Updates and the Ferndale General Plan Land Use Map.
These updates will guide development within the existing city boundaries while ensuring compliance with state housing laws and hazard mitigation requirements. The adopted Land Use Element and Land Use Map updated the land use descriptions, the map showing where the land uses occur, and the goals, policies, and implementation programs that articulate the vision for the City’s long-term physical and economic development, while preserving open space areas. The adopted updates accommodate future development within the City’s existing boundaries, concentrating growth in already developed or planned areas. Strategic increases in land use density and adjustments to development standards were included to ensure consistency with the City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element and recent changes to State housing law. The Safety Element was revised to address climate change impacts, evacuation planning, and other public safety October 15, 2025
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considerations in accordance with Government Code Section 65302(g) and SB 375, while aligning maintaining consistency with the City’s adopted Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
As indicated below in Section 2. Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures, the Proposed Project is intended to implement amendments to the zoning and subdivision ordinances consistent with the adopted Land Use Element, and to implement programs of the 6th cycle housing element as required to maintain consistency with state general plan, subdivision, and housing laws. The proposed amendments to Article 3, Article 4, Article 5, Article 6, Article 7, Article 10, and Article 12 of the Ferndale Zoning Ordinance are in Appendix A, along with the proposed Text Amendments Section 1.5, Section 1.6, Section 1.7, and Section 1.11 of the Subdivision Ordinance. The proposed Text Amendments are presented in redline format with additions underlined and deletions shown in strikethrough. These changes are intended to clarify definitions, update permitted uses, and align the zoning code with current legal requirements and land use practices.
All unaffected sections shall remain in full force and effect.
This Addendum therefore evaluates if the Proposed Project is consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15164 and 15162, and determine whether the Proposed Project results in a change to the project or circumstances which will require a major revision to the Ferndale General Plan Update: Land Use and Safety Elements PEIR due to the involvement of any new significant impacts or a substantial increase in the severity of a previously identified significant effect.
1.2 CEQA Requirements
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15164(a), a lead agency or responsible agency shall prepare an addendum to a previously certified EIR when minor changes or additions to the project are necessary, but none of the conditions identified in Section 15162—which would require preparation of a subsequent EIR— have occurred. Section 15164(c) further provides that an addendum does not require public circulation.
However, under Section 15164(d), the addendum must be considered by the decision-making body in conjunction with the certified EIR prior to taking action on the project. Additionally, Section 15164(e) requires the agency to document its decision not to prepare a subsequent or supplemental EIR in accordance with Section 15162.
Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, a subsequent EIR or Negative Declaration is required only when one or more of the following conditions exist:
1. Substantial Changes to the Project - When substantial changes are proposed that would require major revisions to the previous EIR or Negative Declaration due to the emergence of new significant environmental effects, or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects.
2. Substantial Changes in Circumstances - When changes in the surrounding circumstances or environmental setting would necessitate major revisions to the previous environmental document because of:
• New significant environmental effects, or
• A substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects.
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3. New Information of Substantial Importance - When new information becomes available that was not known and could not have been known at the time the prior EIR or Negative Declaration was certified or adopted, and the new information demonstrates that:
• The project will have one or more significant effects not discussed in the prior EIR or Negative Declaration;
• Significant effects previously examined will be substantially more severe than shown in the prior analysis;
• Mitigation measures or alternatives previously found infeasible are now feasible and would substantially reduce one or more significant effects of the project; • Mitigation measures or alternatives considerably different from those analyzed previously would substantially reduce one or more significant effects, and the project proponent declines to adopt them.
If none of these conditions apply, then an addendum is the appropriate CEQA document under Section 15164, and the agency is required to prepare written documentation of this determination pursuant to Section 15164(e).
The Proposed Project has been reviewed by the City of Ferndale in light of Sections 15162 and 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines. As the CEQA Lead Agency, the City of Ferndale has determined, based on the analysis presented herein, that none of the conditions apply which would require preparation of a subsequent or supplemental EIR and that an Addendum to the certified Ferndale General Plan Update: Land Use and Safety Elements PEIR is the appropriate environmental documentation under CEQA for the Proposed Project.
1.3 Incorporation by Reference
The Ferndale General Plan Update: Land Use and Safety Elements Program Environmental Impact Report (SCH No. 2023020217), certified November 20, 2024 (hereafter referred to as the Ferndale PEIR) was used in the preparation of this Addendum, and is incorporated herein by reference, consistent with Section 15150 of the Guidelines. The Ferndale Draft PEIR and Final PEIR as well as the record of project approval is available to the general public at: Ferndale City Hall, 834 Main Street. Ferndale CA 95536 and online at:
https://ci.ferndale.ca.us/documents/general-plan/
1.4 Summary of Effects
The Proposed Project consists of targeted amendments that largely maintain consistency with the project analyzed in the Ferndale PEIR. Where modifications represent a departure from the original project description, the analysis demonstrates that such changes do not introduce new or more severe environmental impacts than those previously evaluated. Specifically, the Proposed Project would not result in:
• Substantial changes to the project requiring major revisions to the Ferndale PEIR due to the emergence of new or more severe significant environmental effects; • Substantial changes in circumstances that would require revisions to the PEIR due to new or more severe significant impacts;
• New information of substantial importance showing previously undisclosed significant effects, more severe impacts, or feasible alternatives or mitigation measures that were not previously considered.
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Accordingly, none of the conditions outlined in Sections 15162 or 15163 of the CEQA Guidelines that would necessitate preparation of a Subsequent or Supplemental EIR are present. Therefore, consistent with Section 15164, this Addendum to the certified PEIR is the appropriate CEQA document to evaluate the environmental implications of the Proposed Project.
A detailed analysis of the environmental effects associated with the Proposed Project as they relate to impacts identified in the Ferndale PEIR is presented in Section 3. Impact Analysis of this Addendum.
2. Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures
2.1 Background on the 2024 Land Use and Safety Element Updates and Ferndale PEIR The City of Ferndale circulated a Notice of Preparation (NOP) on February 8, 2023, initiating the CEQA environmental review process. A Draft EIR was released on August 26, 2024, and made available to the public, responsible agencies, and interested parties. The public comment period extended through October 10, 2024, exceeding the minimum CEQA requirement. Public hearings were held to receive feedback and discuss the environmental analysis.
A Final EIR, including responses to comments, minor clarifications, and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP), was published in November 2024. The City Council reviewed and certified the FEIR prior to adopting the General Plan updates. A Statement of Overriding Considerations and Findings of Fact were adopted in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Sections 15091 and 15093.
On November 20, 2024, the Ferndale City Council certified the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) prepared for the 2024 General Plan Land Use and Safety Element Updates, State Clearinghouse No. 2023020217, and formally adopted the proposed updates. The updates were developed to align with new State housing and safety planning mandates, accommodate projected growth within city limits, and enhance long-term environmental and community resilience.
Land Use Element
The Land Use Element Update revised land use designations, goals, policies, and implementation programs to guide future infill development, preserve open space, promote housing affordability, and resolve inconsistencies with the City’s adopted 6th Cycle Housing Element. The update also incorporates the Open Space and Conservation Elements, consistent with state requirements.
Safety Element
The Safety Element Update, prepared in accordance with Government Code Section 65302(g) and Senate Bill 379, included new policies and hazard maps to address wildfire risk, flooding, seismic hazards, landslides, and climate change adaptation. The update integrates findings from the City’s 2020 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and identifies emergency evacuation routes and infrastructure resilience strategies.
2.2 2024 Ferndale PEIR Findings
Based on the analysis in the certified PEIR, the 2024 Land Use and Safety Element Updates were found to result in significant and unavoidable environmental impacts in the following areas:
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• Air Quality (Cumulatively considerable net increase in PM10 emissions) • Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Generation of GHGs and potential conflict with reduction plans) • Transportation and Circulation (Increased vehicle miles traveled inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines §15064.3)
The PEIR also identified potentially significant impacts that would be reduced to less-than-significant levels with implementation of identified mitigation measures in areas such as:
• Biological Resources (Impacts to special-status species, wetlands, riparian habitat, and wildlife corridors)
• Hydrology and Water Quality (Increased stormwater runoff and potential impacts to water quality) The following topics were analyzed and found to have no significant impact or to be inherently less than significant under CEQA:
• Agriculture and Forestry Resources
• Aesthetics
• Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources
• Energy
• Geology and Soils
• Hazards and Hazardous Materials
• Land Use and Planning
• Mineral Resources
• Noise
• Population and Housing
• Public Services
• Recreation
• Utilities and Service Systems
• Wildfire
These topics did not require mitigation due to the absence of significant physical environmental impacts under the proposed Land Use and Safety Element updates.
The PEIR evaluated two alternatives: (1) Reduced Housing Density Alternative and (2) No Project Alternative.
Neither alternative was found to avoid the significant and unavoidable impacts identified for the Proposed Project. In some cases, alternatives would result in greater impacts to greenhouse gas emissions, land use, or transportation, compared to the Proposed Project.
The Ferndale PEIR now serves as the programmatic environmental foundation for future implementation measures, including zoning code amendments and site-specific actions consistent with the adopted General Plan.
2.3 Description of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance The Proposed Project consists of text amendments to the Ferndale Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance. The purpose of the amendments is to achieve consistency with the adopted Housing, Land Use, October 15, 2025
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and Safety elements of the Ferndale General Plan, and the Subdivision Map Act (Calif. Government Code 66410 et seq.), implement Programs of the City’s adopted 6th cycle Housing Element, and address changes in State housing law. The Proposed Project’s amendments to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances are summarized as follows:
• Adopt text amendments to various sections of Ordinance No. 02-02 (the Zoning Ordinance), including:
Article 3: Definitions add and update terms such as single room occupancy housing, supportive housing, and other terms; Article 5: Regulations for the Principal Zone amendments that include adding single room occupancy housing and supportive housing developments as allowed housing types in the Residential Two Family (or R2), Residential Multiple-Family (or R3), Neighborhood Commercial (or C1), and Community Commercial (or C2) zones; update the Development Criteria of the R1, R2, and R3 zones to clarify the exterior siding material language, and to add “non-reflective or anti-reflective Class A metal roof” as a permissible roofing material; Article 6: Regulations for the Combining Zones to add provisions for a Streamside Protection Area (or -SPA) combining zone; Article 7: General Provisions and Exceptions to add new provisions for single room occupancy (SRO) housing and supportive housing developments in accordance with State housing laws and the Housing Element programs; and add new procedures requiring Planning Commission discretionary review for the demolition of existing hotels, motels, and multifamily development, and buildings and structures located in Ferndale’s designated historic district and designated historic buildings; Article 10 add the findings to approve a use permit and a special permit; and Article 12 move the provisions for Special Permits to Article 10. • Adopt text amendments to various sections of Ordinance 99-04 (the Subdivision Ordinance), including streamline the review of lot line adjustments and voluntary parcel mergers; and updates to the expiration and extension provisions for approved and conditionally approved tentative map subdivisions for consistency with the Subdivision Map Act.
3. Impact Analysis
3.1 Findings Regarding the Proposed Zoning Amendments and Consistency with the Certified Ferndale PEIR
The Proposed Project consists of targeted amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance. These amendments are intended to ensure consistency with the 2024 Land Use Element Update and Land Use Map of the General Plan, implement specific programs identified in the City’s certified 6th Cycle Housing Element, and comply with applicable State housing laws. The amendments fall into the following categories:
Text Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance: The proposed text amendments serve primarily to implement adopted policies and do not authorize new development beyond what was considered in the PEIR. Any potential for increased development, such as expanded residential uses or housing types, was already evaluated in the PEIR as part of the Housing Element and General Plan update process. The proposed text changes to the Zoning Ordinance include:
• Add and update terms in Article 3: Definitions to include terms such as single room occupancy housing, supportive housing, and other terms.
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• To the list of zones in the table found at §4.01, Article 4: Establishment and Designations, add Streamside Protection Area (-SPA).
• Amendments to Article 5: Regulations for the Principal Zone hat include adding single room occupancy housing and supportive housing developments as allowed housing types in the Residential Two Family (or R2), Residential Multiple-Family (or R3), Neighborhood Commercial (or C1), and Community Commercial (or C2) zones; update the Development Criteria of the R1, R2, and R3 zones to clarify the exterior siding material language, and to add “non-reflective or anti-reflective Class A metal roof” as a permissible roofing material.
• Article 6: Regulations for the Combining Zones to add provisions for a Streamside Protection Area (or - SPA) combining zone.
• To Article 7: General Provisions and Exceptions. add new provisions for single room occupancy (SRO) housing and supportive housing developments in accordance with State housing laws and the Housing Element programs; and add new procedures requiring Planning Commission discretionary review for the demolition of existing hotels, motels, and multifamily development, and buildings and structures located in Ferndale’s designated historic district and designated historic buildings. • To Article 10, the amendments propose to add the findings to approve a use permit and a special permit.
Related to the Article 10 amendments, revise Article 12 to move the provisions for Special Permits to Article 10.
The proposed text changes to the Subdivision Ordinance include:
• Amendments to Section 1.5 and Section 1.6 to update the expiration and extension provisions for approved and conditionally approved tentative map subdivisions for consistency with the Subdivision Map Act.
• Amendments to Section 1.7 to address inconsistencies with State law, notably for the eligibility requirements (e.g., that lot line adjustments are limited to four or fewer parcels), and findings (e.g., a LLA is consistent with the general plan, and CEQA). Other amendments are proposed to update the application submittal requirements and the procedures to follow a logical order, and remove antiquated references. The amendments include revisions to streamline the approval and appeal process to implement Housing Element Program 2, while providing structured and transparent noticing and appeal procedures.
• To Section 1.11, edits to clarify the conditions when provisions for reversion to acreage and resubdivision may be exercised consistent with state law, and new provisions that allow for voluntary parcel mergers.
The Proposed Project does not require new or revised mitigation measures beyond those identified in the certified Ferndale PEIR. Existing mitigation measures remain adequate to address environmental impacts associated with the amendments to the zoning ordinance and subdivision ordinance.
3.2 Conclusion
Based on the evaluation of the Proposed Project above, the targeted amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance would not result in:
1. substantial changes to the project requiring major revisions to the Ferndale PEIR due to new or more severe significant environmental impacts;
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2. substantial changes in the circumstances under which the project is undertaken that would necessitate major revisions to the PEIR due to new or more severe significant effects; or
3. new information of substantial importance indicating that previously identified significant effects would be more severe, or that feasible mitigation measures or alternatives, either newly identified or considerably different from those previously analyzed, should be adopted.
Rather, the proposed amendments are consistent with and serve to implement previously analyzed policies of the General Plan and Land Use Element. These changes do not introduce new significant environmental effects or increase the severity of previously identified impacts. Therefore, the Proposed Project does not meet any of the criteria set forth in CEQA Guidelines §15162 or §15163 that would require preparation of a Subsequent or Supplemental EIR. The City finds that the Proposed Project has been adequately addressed in the certified Ferndale PEIR, and that no further environmental review is required beyond the analysis provided in this Addendum.
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Appendix A.
Proposed text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance
(Ordinance No. 02-02) and
Subdivision Ordinance (Ordinance No. 99-04)
• The full text of the proposed text amendments can be read online and downloaded from the City’s web site, https://ci.ferndale.ca.us/wp/wp-content/uploads/PC-rec-zoning-ord-amendments-TC.pdf • The current Ferndale Zoning Ordinance can be read and downloaded here: https://ci.ferndale.ca.us/wp/laws/Zoning%20Ordinance.pdf • The full text of the proposed text amendments can be read online and downloaded from the City’s web site, https://ci.ferndale.ca.us/wp/wp-content/uploads/PC-rec-amend-to-TM-timelines_LLA- _NOM-Subd-Ord-TC.pdf
• The current Ferndale Subdivision Ordinance can be read and downloaded here: https://ci.ferndale.ca.us/wp/laws/1999-04%20Subdivision%20Ordinance.pdf October 15, 2025
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ORDINANCE NO. 2025-06
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FERNDALE AMENDING THE FERNDALE ZONING ORDINANCE, ORDINANCE 02-02
WHEREAS, the City of Ferndale, California (hereafter “City”) is a municipal corporation, duly organized under the constitution and laws of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 65850, et seq. authorizes cities to regulate land use, and to adopt and amend general plans and zoning and building ordinances for such purposes, and sets forth procedures governing the adoption and amendment of such ordinances; and WHEREAS, California Government Code subdivision (a) of Section 65860 requires that a city’s zoning regulations be consistent with its general plan; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 02-02 is the adopted Zoning Ordinance of the City of Ferndale, as provided by Title 7 of the Government Code of the State of California. Ordinance is known and cited as the “Zoning Ordinance” as provided by Article 1; and
WHEREAS, Article 8 of the Zoning Ordinance establishes the procedure to amend the Zoning Ordinance including changing property from one zone to another, imposing regulations not previously imposed, and by removing or modifying adopted regulations whenever the public necessity, convenience and welfare require such amendment; and
WHEREAS, the City has prepared amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Ordinance No. 02-02, (hereafter “Zoning Amendments”), that are attached hereto as Exhibit A and hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, that; and
WHEREAS, the Zoning Amendments implement programs of the adopted Housing, Land Use, and Safety elements of the Ferndale General Plan, and address changes to State housing laws; and WHEREAS, the Zoning Amendments would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City because the proposed amendments update old and outdated references; resolve inconsistencies with State law; allow for a greater variety of housing types and configurations in areas planned and zoned for residential development and where residential development is a compatible use; add new measures to maintain or improve the natural flow of Francis Creek; facilitate the prevention of the loss of lives, injuries, and property damage due to fires by enumerating non-reflective metal roof assemblies that meet Class A standards as a permissible roofing material in residential zones; and improve transparency for use permits and special permits by identifying the findings required to approve or approve with conditions; and WHEREAS, review and adoption of the proposed Zoning Amendments are done in compliance with California Government Code Sections 65853 through 65857, which require a duly noticed public hearing of the Planning Commission whereby the Planning Commission shall provide its written recommendation to the City Council for its consideration; and
WHEREAS, the City caused to be published in the July 24, 2025 edition of the Ferndale Enterprise, a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Ferndale, a Notice of Public Hearing on the proposed Zoning Amendments; further the City posted the same Notice on the City’s website at https://ci.ferndale.ca.us/, and on two public bulletin boards in accordance with Section 8.08 of the Zoning Ordinance; and said notices specified the availability of the draft Zoning Amendments, and the date, time, and location of the public hearing for these Zoning Amendments; and
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WHEREAS, on August 6 and September 3, 2025, the Planning Commission conducted a duly noticed public hearing to accept public comment and consider Addendum 2 to the PEIR, and the proposed text amendments to various sections of the Zoning Ordinance and proposed Zoning Amendments; and WHEREAS, on September 3, 2025, after closing the public hearing, the Planning Commission unanimously adopted the Planning Commission Resolution 2025-14, recommending the City Council approve Addendum 2 to the PEIR; and then unanimously adopted the Planning Commission Resolution 2025-15, recommending that the City Council adopt the proposed Zoning Amendments, as modified, to the Zoning Ordinance; and WHEREAS, the City caused to be published in the October 2, 2025 edition of the Ferndale Enterprise, a Notice of Public Hearing on the proposed Zoning Amendments; further, the City published a Notice of Public Hearing of the proposed amendment on its website at https://ci.ferndale.ca.us/, and posted the same Notice of Public Hearing on two public bulletin boards in accordance with Section 8.08 of the Zoning Ordinance; and said notices specified the availability of the draft Zoning Amendments, and the date, time, and location of the public hearing for these Zoning Amendments; and
WHEREAS, the City has complied with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, in the manner described in the City Council Resolution 2025-25 adopted on October 15, 2025, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, the City of Ferndale has been prepared pursuant to the provisions of Section 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines to address the proposed Subdivision Amendments as described in Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the staff report, supporting documents, public testimony, the Planning Commission’s recommendation that the City Council adopt the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map, and all appropriate information that has been submitted with these amendments; and WHEREAS, the subject Ordinance will amend Article 3, Article 4, Article 5, Article 6, Article 7, Article 10, and Article 12 of Ordinance No. 02-02 as set forth herein in Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, the Zoning Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Ordinance No. 02-02, would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City as the proposed amendments update old and outdated references; implement the allow a greater variety of housing types and configurations in areas planned and zoned for residential development, and the Zoning Amendments thereby implement programs of the adopted Housing Element and Land Use Element of the Ferndale General Plan; and improve transparency of the zoning regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Zoning Amendments are consistent with the Ferndale General Plan; and WHEREAS, the amendments are internally consistent with Ordinance No. 02-02 (Zoning Ordinance) and other adopted City of Ferndale ordinances; and
WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of the Ordinance have occurred.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FERNDALE, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals. Each fact set forth in the recitals above is true and correct, and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City Council determined that the Final Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the Ferndale General Plan Land Use Map, and Land Use Element and Safety Element Updates of the Ferndale General Plan, together with Addendum 2 approved by Resolution 2025-25, satisfies all of the requirements of CEQA and are adequate to serve as the required environmental documentation for the proposed Subdivision Amendments.
Section 3. Findings. Pursuant to the foregoing recitals, hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference, the City Council hereby determines all the findings required by State General Plan law and the Ferndale October 15, 2025
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Zoning Ordinance for the approval of the amendments to the Ferndale Zoning Ordinance are made, and that the Zoning Amendments in Exhibit A are in the public interested, are consistent with the General Plan, and are consistent with Zoning Ordinance and Other City ordinances as described in this report.
Section 4. Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance Text. The following Articles of the Ferndale Zoning Ordinance are hereby amended by this Ordinance as set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated in its entirety herein by reference:
Article 3: Definitions
Article 4: Establishment and Designation of Zones
Article 5: Regulations for the Principal Zone
Article 6: Regulations for the Combining Zones
Article 7: General Provisions and Exceptions
Article 10: Use Permits
Article 12: Non-Conforming Uses and Special Permits
Without modifying the substance, following adoption of this Ordinance, the City Clerk shall cause the amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to be consistent in form and style with the Zoning Ordinance.
Section 5. Effective Date. The effective date of this Ordinance is thirty (30) days after its adoption of the City Council. The Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be published in the manner required by Government Code section 36933.
Section 6. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, such invalidity has no effect on the other provisions or applications of the Ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this extent, the provisions of this resolution are severable. The City Council declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance irrespective of the invalidity of any portion thereof.
Section 7. Limited Repeal. Any provision of the Zoning Ordinance that is inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, to the extent of such inconsistencies and no further, is hereby repealed or modified to that extent necessary to effect the provisions of this Ordinance.
INTRODUCED and FIRST READING CONDUCTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Ferndale, California, on this 15th day of October 2025, by the following ROLL CALL vote of the City Council:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Randy Cady, Mayor
Attest:
___________________________________
Kristene Hall, City Clerk
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SECOND READING CONDUCTED, PASSED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Ferndale, California, on this _____ day of _____________2025, by the following ROLL CALL vote of the City Council:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Randy Cady, Mayor
Attest:
________________________________
Kristene Hall, City Clerk
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Ordinance 2025-06
Exhibit A
Notes:
1. Proposed amendments to the following sections are shown in underlined text for additions and strikethrough text for deletions.
2. Revisions recommended by the Planning Commission are shown with turquoise highlighting.
3. All sub-sections not included in the below sections shall continue in full force, unamended by this Ordinance.
ARTICLE 3: DEFINITIONS
…
§3.XX Single Room Occupancy or SRO: Multiple-unit residential building(s) containing housing units that may have kitchen and/or bathroom facilities and are single room dwelling units or efficiency units as defined by the State Health and Safety Code. Each housing unit is occupied by no more than 2 persons, for no less than 30 days, and the unit is the occupants’ primary residence. A housing facility that is configured as SRO units that meets the State definitions for transitional housing or supportive housing shall be regulated as transitional housing or supportive housing as applicable.
§3.xx Supportive Housing (§3.74 added by Ordinance 2025-x on2014-02 on 5/1/2014): As defined at Section 50675.14 65582(n) of the Health & Safety Government Code means housing has no limit on the length of stay, is linked to onsite or offsite services, and is occupied by a target population as defined in Health & Safety Code Section 53260. Services typically include assistance designed to meet the needs of the target population in retaining housing, living and working in the community, and/or improving health and may include case management, mental health treatment, and life skills. Supportive housing is a residential use that is permitted in the same manner as other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zone, and subject only to the same regulations and procedures that apply to other residential uses of the same type in the same zone pursuant to Government Code Section 65583(c)(3). §3.XX Supportive Services: As defined in Government Code Section 65582(o), supportive services include, but are not limited to, a combination of subsidized, permanent housing, intensive case management, medical and mental health care, substance abuse treatment, employment services, and benefits advocacy.
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ARTICLE 4: ESTABLISHMENT AND DESIGNATION OF ZONES
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§4.02 Combining Zones: In addition to the principal zones established in Section 4.01, certain combining regulation zones are hereby established as follows:
ZONE DESIGNATION
Agriculture -A
Special Building Site -B
Recreation -X
Design Control -D
Qualified Combining -Q
Housing Combining (Added by
Ordinance 2014-02 on 5/1/2014):
-H
Streamside Protection Area
Combining
-SPA
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ARTICLE 5: REGULATIONS FOR THE PRINCIPAL ZONE:
§5.01 In addition to the regulations specified in this Article for each of the principal zones, the general regulations set forth in Article 7 shall be applicable to each and every such zone. In the event of conflict between the particular regulations for each zone set forth in this Article and the general regulations set forth in Article 7, the Planning Commission shall determine which of the conflicting regulations shall be applicable. …
§5.02 Residential One-Family or R1 Zone is intended to be applied in areas of the City where topography, access, utilities, public services and general conditions make the area suitable and desirable for single-family home development. The following regulations shall apply in all Residential One-Family or R1 Zones:
5.02.1 Principal permitted uses:
a. Single-family dwellings.
b. Boarding of not more than two (2) persons not employed on the premises. c. Keeping no more than four (4) household pets for each dwelling unit. d. Vacation rentals.
e. Small employee housing.
5.02.2 Uses permitted with a Use Permit:
a. Guest houses.
b. Public and private non-commercial recreation facilities, including golf courses. c. Bed and breakfast inns.
5.02.3 Other regulations:
a. Minimum lot area: 5,000 square feet.
b. Minimum lot width: 50 feet.
c. Maximum lot depth: 3 times lot width.
d. Minimum yards: front, 20 feet; rear, 15 ft; side, 10% of lot width on each side except that no side yard may be less than 5 ft, or need be more than 12 ft. e. Maximum ground coverage: 40%.
f. Maximum building height: 35 feet.
5.02.4 Development Criteria: Any single-family home constructed or placed within the City of Ferndale in accordance with these provisions shall
a. Have a minimum width of 20 feet, and
b. Have a minimum twelve (12) inch roof overhang on all sides, and c. Have an exterior siding composed of one or more of the following materials:
i. Grooved Pplywood exterior paneling siding.
ii. Masonry or concrete.
iii. Stucco.
iv. Any wood product including shingles, shakes, horizontal overlapping board or pressboard siding or any material of wood-like appearance in widths of twelve (12) inches or less.
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d. Have exterior siding that shall extend to the ground, except that when a solid concrete masonry foundation is used, the exterior covering material need not extend below the top of the foundation, and
e. Have a roof composed of one or more of the following materials:
i. Interlocking roof tiles.
ii. Composition shingles.
iii. Wood.
iv. Wood asbestos cement or slate shingles.
iv.v. Low- to non-reflective or anti-reflective Class A metal roofs. f. The Planning Commission may allow a single-family dwelling to be constructed or placed within the City of Ferndale with alternative development standards substituted for those herein above set forth, or to exempt such a dwelling from the strict application of such development standards, upon showing of good cause. Application for such substitution of, or exemption from, development standards shall be made to the Planning Commission and any appeal of the decision of the Planning Commission may be taken in accordance with the provisions of Article 11, Appeals.
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§5.03 Residential Two-Family or R2 Zone. The Residential Two-Family or R2 Zone is intended to be applied in areas of the City suitable for a variety of low, medium, and high density residential development consistent with the Residential Medium Density (R2) land use designation of the Ferndale General Plan. The following regulations shall apply in all Residential Two-Family or R2 Zones:
5.03.1 Principal permitted uses:
a. Single family dwellings.
b. Two-family dwellings.
c. Vacation rentals.
d. Boarding of not more than two (2) persons not employed on the premises. e. Keeping no more than four (4) household pets for each dwelling unit. f. Multiple Dwellings and Dwelling Groups.
g. Small employee housing.
h. Single room occupancy housing and supportive housing developments.
5.03.2 Uses permitted with a Use Permit:
a. Guest houses.
b. Private institutions.
c. Bed and breakfast inns.
5.03.3 Other Regulations:
a. Minimum lot area: 5,000 square feet.
b. Minimum lot width: 50 feet.
c. Maximum lot depth: 3 times lot width.
d. Maximum ground coverage:45%.
e. Minimum yards: front, 20 ft; rear, 15 feet; side, 10% of lot width on each side except that no side yard may be less than 5 ft, or need be more than 12 ft. f. Maximum building height: 35 feet.
g. Dwelling units per acre: One (1) to eighteen (18) units. All density calculations resulting in fractional units shall be rounded up to the next whole number. i. Accessory dwellings units and junior accessory dwelling units do not exceed the allowable density of the lot.
5.03.4 Development criteria: Any two-family home constructed or placed within the City of Ferndale in accordance with these provisions shall
a. Have a minimum width of 20 feet, and
b. Have a minimum twelve (12) inch roof overhang on all sides, and c. Have an exterior siding composed of one or more of the following materials:
i. Grooved Pplywood exterior paneling siding.
ii. Masonry or concrete.
iii. Stucco.
iv. Any wood product including shingles, shakes, horizontal overlapping board or pressboard siding or any material of wood-like appearance in widths of twelve (12) inches or less, and
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d. Have exterior siding that shall extend to the ground, except that when a solid concrete masonry foundation is used, the exterior covering material need not extend below the top of the foundation, and
e. Have a roof composed of one or more of the following materials:
i. Interlocking roof tiles.
ii. Composition shingles.
iii. Wood.
iv. Wood asbestos cement or slate shingles.
iv.v. Low- to non-reflective or anti-reflective Class A metal roofs. f. The Planning Commission may allow a single-family dwelling to be constructed or placed within the City of Ferndale with alternative development standards substituted for those herein above set forth, or to exempt such a dwelling from the strict application of such development standards, upon showing of good cause. Application for such substitution of, or exemption from, development standards shall be made to the Planning Commission and any appeal of the decision of the Planning Commission may be taken in accordance with the provisions of Article 11, Appeals.
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§5.04 Residential Multiple-Family or R3 Zone. The Residential Multiple Family or R3 Zone is intended to be applied to areas of the City suitable for a variety of low, medium, and high density residential development consistent with the Residential High Density (R3) land use designation of the Ferndale General Plan. The following regulations shall apply in all Residential Multiple Family or R3 Zones:
5.04.1 Principal permitted uses:
a. Single family dwellings.
b. Dwelling Groups and Multiple Dwellings.
c. Keeping no more than two (2) household pets for each dwelling unit. d. Bed and breakfast inns.
e. Small employee housing.
f. Single room occupancy housing and supportive housing developments.
5.04.2 Uses permitted with a Use Permit:
a. Hotels, motels, mobile home parks and boarding houses. b. Private institutions.
c. Professional offices.
5.04.3 Other regulations:
a. Minimum lot area: 5,000 square feet, but not less than 600 square feet for each dwelling unit.
b. Minimum lot width: 50 feet.
c. Maximum lot depth: 3 times lot width.
d. Maximum ground coverage: 60%.
e. Minimum yards: front, 20 feet; rear, 10 feet; side, 5 feet. f. Special yards for dwelling groups: The distance between separate buildings of a dwelling group shall not be less than 10 feet. The distance between the front of any dwelling unit in the group and any other building shall be not less than 20 feet.
g. Residential transitions for dwelling groups: The distance between the front of any dwelling unit in the group sharing a side lot line with a single family home in a R1 zone shall be increased by 2 feet for each 2 feet that any building on the lot exceeds 2 stories.
h. Maximum building height: 45 feet.
i. Dwelling units per acre: One (1) to twenty-seven (27) units. All density calculations resulting in fractional units shall be rounded up to the next whole number.
i. Accessory dwellings units and junior accessory dwelling units do not exceed the allowable density of the lot.
5.04.4 Development criteria: Any multiple-family home constructed or placed within the City of Ferndale in accordance with these provisions shall a. Have a minimum width of 20 feet, and
b. Have a minimum twelve (12) inch roof overhang on all sides, and c. Have an exterior siding composed of one or more of the following materials:
i. Grooved Pplywood exterior paneling siding.
ii. Masonry or concrete.
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iii. Stucco.
iv. Any wood product including shingles, shakes, horizontal overlapping board or pressboard siding or any material of wood-like appearance in widths of twelve (12) inches or less, and
d. Have exterior siding that shall extend to the ground, except that when a solid concrete masonry foundation is used, the exterior covering material need not extend below the top of the foundation, and
e. Have a roof composed of one or more of the following materials:
i. Interlocking roof tiles.
ii. Composition shingles.
iii. Wood.
iv. Wood asbestos cement or slate shingles.
iv.v. Low- to non-reflective or anti-reflective Class A metal roofs. f. The Planning Commission may allow a multiple-family dwelling to be constructed or placed within the City of Ferndale with alternative development standards substituted for those herein above set forth, or to exempt such a dwelling from the strict application of such development standards, upon showing of good cause. Application for such substitution of, or exemption from, development standards shall be made to the Planning Commission and any appeal of the decision of the Planning Commission may be taken in accordance with the provisions of Article 11, Appeals.
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§5.05 Neighborhood Commercial or C1 Zone. The Neighborhood Commercial or C1 Zone is intended to provide for neighborhood shopping centers which provide convenient sales and service facilities to residential areas, detracting from the residential desirability of such areas.
The following regulations apply in all Neighborhood Commercial or C1 Zones.
5.05.1 Principal permitted uses:
a. Social halls, fraternal and social organizations and clubs, plant nurseries and greenhouses.
b. Professional and business offices and commercial instruction. c. Stores, agencies and services of a light commercial character, conducted entirely within an enclosed building, such as: antique shops, art galleries, retail bakeries, banks, barber shops, beauty salons, book stores, clothing and apparel stores, coin-operated dry cleaning and laundries, dry cleaning laundry agencies, drug stores, florists, food markets, furniture stores, hardware and appliance stores, radio and television sales and services, restaurants and licensed premises appurtenant thereto, automobile service stations, studios, tailor shops, enclosed theaters, variety stores and mortuaries, nurseries and greenhouses.
d. Sales of used and secondhand goods when appurtenant to any of the foregoing.
e. Vacation Rentals in conjunction with a dwelling use permit. f. Dwellings, small employee housing, and Multiple Dwellings and Dwelling Groups, single room occupancy housing, and supportive housing developments above the first floor.
5.05.2 Uses permitted with a Use Permit
a. Dwellings, small employee housing, Multiple Dwellings and Dwelling Groups, single room occupancy housing, and supportive housing developments on the first floor.
b. hHotels, motels, boarding houses and mobile home parks. c. Small animal hospitals, completely enclosed within a building. d. Stores, agencies and services such as: minor automobile repair, new automobile, trailer and boat sales, and used automobile, trailer and boat sales when appurtenant thereto, bowling alleys, licensed premises not appurtenant to any restaurant, pet shops, public garages, sales of used or secondhand goods, storage warehouses.
5.05.3 Other Regulations:
a. Minimum lot area: 2,000 square feet.
b. Minimum lot width: 25 feet.
c. Minimum yards: front, none, except where frontage is in a block which is partially in an “R” Zone, the front yard shall be the same as that required in such “R” Zone; rear, 15 feet, except where a rear yard abuts on an alley, such rear yard may be not less than 5 feet; side, none, except that a side yard of an interior lot abutting on an “R” Zone shall be not less than the front yard required in such “R” Zone.
d. Maximum building height: 35 feet.
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§5.06 Community Commercial or C2 Zone. The Community Commercial or C2 Zone is intended to apply to areas where more complete commercial facilities are necessary for community convenience. The following regulations shall apply in all Community Commercial or C2 Zones:
5.06.1 Principal permitted uses:
a. Social halls, fraternal and social organizations and clubs, plant nurseries and greenhouses.
b. Professional and business offices and commercial instruction. c. Stores, agencies and services of a light commercial character, conducted entirely within an enclosed building, such as: antique shops, art galleries, retail bakeries, banks, barber shops, beauty salons, book stores, clothing and apparel stores, coin-operated dry cleaning and laundries, dry cleaning laundry agencies, drug stores, florists, food markets, furniture stores, hardware and appliance stores, radio and television sales and services, restaurants and licensed premises appurtenant thereto, automobile service stations, studios, tailor shops, enclosed theaters, variety stores and mortuaries, nurseries and greenhouses.
d. Sales of used and secondhand goods when appurtenant to any of the foregoing.
e. Dwellings, small employee housing, Multiple Dwellings and Dwelling Groups, hotels, motels, vacation rentals, boarding houses, and mobile home parks, single room occupancy housing, and supportive housing developments. f. Small animal hospitals, completely enclosed within a building. g. Stores, agencies and services such as: minor automobile repair, new automobile, trailer and boat sales, and used automobile, trailer and boat sales when appurtenant thereto, bowling alleys, licensed premises not appurtenant to any restaurant, pet shops, public garages, sales of used or secondhand goods, storage warehouses.
5.06.2 Uses permitted with a Use Permit:
a. Stores, agencies & services such as: carpentry and cabinetry & cabinet-making shops, clothing manufacturers, contractors’ yards, dry cleaning & laundry plants, handicraft manufacture, lumber yards, metal-working shops, wholesale outlet stores, painters’ & decorators’ yards, plumbing shops, printing & lithographing.
5.06.3 Other regulations:
a. Minimum lot area: 2,000 square feet.
b. Minimum lot width: 25 feet.
c. Minimum yards: front, none, except where frontage is in a block which is partially in an “R” Zone, the front yard shall be the same as that required in such “R” Zone; rear, 15 feet, except where a rear yard abuts on an alley, such rear yard may be not less than 5 feet; side, none, except that a side yard of an interior lot abutting on an “R” Zone shall be not less than the front yard required in such “R” Zone.
d. Maximum building height: 45 feet.
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ARTICLE 6: REGULATIONS FOR THE COMBINING ZONES
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§6.08 Streamside Protection Area Combining or -SPA.
6.08.x Purpose and Scope
The Streamside Protection Area Combining or -SPA Zone is intended to be established along both sides of Francis Creek, and the -SPA Zone shall extend from the top of bank or the edge of the riparian dripline, whichever is a greater distance from the Francis Creek centerline, for fifty (50) feet, on either side of the creek, pursuant to General Plan Open Space and Conservation Policy LU-4.2 and Implementation Program LU-IP2.
The purpose of these regulations are to provide minimum standards pertaining to the use and development of land located within the Streamside Protection Area Combining Zone as defined in General Plan Land Use Element Policy LU-4.2–Francis Creek Riparian Habitat and Erosion Control; and to implement other applicable portions of the City’s General Plan Conservation and Open Space and Land Use Element Goal 4 – Conserve Soil Resources and Minimize Erosion and Other Soil Depleting Processes.
6.08.x Special Regulation
Development within the -SPA zone shall be subject to the following Policies and Implementation Measures set forth in City of Ferndale General Plan Land Use Element Goal LU-4:
a. LU-3.4–Francis Creek Corridor.
b. LU-4.2–Francis Creek Riparian Habitat and Erosion Control. …
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ARTICLE 7: GENERAL PROVISIONS AND EXCEPTIONS
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§7.x Demolition of Existing Hotels, Motels, and Multifamily Buildings
7.x.x Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this section is to establish a process and standards for evaluating requests for the demolition of existing hotels, motels, and multifamily buildings regardless of age, location, or zoning, and buildings and structures in the Main Street Historic District as designated in 1994 by the National Park Service, and on individually designated historic properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
7.x.x Definitions
For the purposes of this section, the following words are defined:
“Building” as used in this section shall have the same meaning as §3.17 “Building”. “Hotel” as used in this section shall have the same meaning as §3.39 “Hotel”. “Motel” as used in this section shall have the same meaning as §3.51 “Motel”. “Multifamily” as used in this section shall have the same meaning as §3.28.3 “Dwelling, Multiple” or §3.28.5 “Dwelling Group”.
“Non-transient” as used in this section shall mean a rental or lease for a term of thirty (30) days or more for the use as living quarters.
“Protected unit” means a dwelling unit, excluding a manager’s unit, in a hotel, motel, or multifamily building used on a non-transient basis and subject to a recorded covenant, ordinance, or law that restricts rents to levels affordable to persons and families of lower or very low income; or subject to any other form of rent or price control through a public entity’s valid exercise of its police power.
“Structure” as used in this section shall have the same meaning as §3.70 “Structure”. §7.x.x Review Required
No existing hotels, motels, or multifamily buildings located in any zone, or any buildings or structures in the Main Street Historic District as designated in 1994 by the National Park Service, or on individually designated historic properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places may be demolished and no building permit for demolition may be issued without approval pursuant to this chapter except as provided in Section §7.xx.xx Exceptions to Review Process. §7.x.x Exceptions to Review Process
The following is exempted from the demolition review process as detailed in §7.x.x through §7.x.x:
a. After consulting with the City Building Inspector or City Engineer, the City Manager may issue a demolition permit for a hotel, motel, and multifamily building, or any buildings or structures in the Main Street Historic District as designated in 1994 by the National Park Service, or on individually designated historic properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places that they determine to be an imminent hazard to public safety, either to the subject property or to neighboring properties, and where demolition is the only feasible means October 15, 2025
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to secure the public safety. The City Manager shall issue their determination in writing. Prior to demolition of any such building, the applicant will measure and photo document the resource, where safety permits, and submit the documentation to the City Clerk. §7.x.x Process for Demolition Requests for Hotels, Motels, and Multifamily Buildings Prior to the demolition of any hotels, motels, or multifamily buildings, or any buildings or structures in the Main Street Historic District as designated in 1994 by the National Park Service, or on individually designated historic properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places the following is required:
a. Application for a demolition shall be filed in the office of the City Clerk upon a form provided, and shall be accompanied by a filing fee and by such other information as may be required to describe fully the proposed demolition. Said filing fee shall be fixed by resolution of the City Council at such sum as it may determine necessary. i. For any building or design review permit application where demolition is also proposed, permits shall be processed and issued concurrently.
b. The City Manager, or their designee, will forward the demolition application to the Planning Commission for consideration pursuant to §7.x.x where they determine that satisfactory evidence has been provided by the applicant that documents all of the following:
i. That the building or structure is less than fifty years of age and is not listed or eligible for listing on a cultural or historic resources register.
ii. The building does not include any protected units; or any protected unit that is demolished will be replaced with an equivalent unit that complies with the affordability requirements specified in subparagraphs (B) to (D) of Government Code Section 65915(c)(3), and as they may be amended from time to time.
c. Where the building or structure is fifty years or older or is listed or may be eligible for listing on a cultural or historic resources register, the City Manager or their designee will require preparation of a cultural resource evaluation in conjunction with the demolition permit application. The applicant is responsible for the cost of preparing the cultural resource evaluation.
i. The cultural resources evaluation, prepared by a qualified consultant, shall determine the potential eligibility of the building for listing, individually and/or as a contributor to a potential district, on a cultural resources register.
ii. Concurrently with the preceding, the City Manager or their designee shall forward the application to cultural resources agencies and experts as they may deem necessary for review and comment.
iii. Buildings or structures determined eligible for listing, individually and/or as a contributor to a potential district, on a cultural resources register shall be referred to the Planning Commission for consideration as follows subject to the findings in §7.x.x.
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d. The City Manager or their designee shall forward a report to the Planning Commission, including comments and recommendations received in response to consultations pursuant to paragraph C and schedule the application for a public hearing before the Planning Commission. §7.x.x Planning Commission Findings for Approving Demolition Requests a. The Planning Commission may approve the demolition application for an hotel, motel, or multifamily building, or any buildings or structures in the Main Street Historic District as designated in 1994 by the National Park Service, or on individually designated historic properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places only after first finding all of the following:
i. The Planning Commission determines that the building does not include three (3) or more protected units; or determines that any protected unit that is demolished will be replaced with an equivalent unit that complies with the affordability requirements specified in subparagraphs (B) to (D) of Government Code Section 65915(c)(3), and as they may be amended from time to time.
ii. The Planning Commission determines that demolition of the building is consistent and does not conflict with the City's goals, policies, and programs with respect to the management and protection of historic resources in the City as reflected in the City's general plan.
iii. The requested demolition complies with the California Environmental Quality Act. b. If the Planning Commission approves the issuance of a demolition permit, the demolition permit shall not be issued for a period of ten (10) business days from the date of the Planning Commission action to allow for filing of an appeal to the City Council. §7.x.x. Appeals
a. Appeal procedures. Appeals of actions pursuant to this section shall be carried out in accordance with the appeal procedures established in Article 11 of the Ferndale Zoning Ordinance.
b. Stay of issuance of demolition permit. If the City Council approves the issuance of a demolition permit, the demolition permit shall not be issued for a period of ten (10) business days from the date of the City Council action to allow for filing of a judicial appeal. §7.x.x Expiration of Decision; Permit Expiration
a. A demolition permit must be obtained from the City Clerk after demolition is approved by the Planning Commission. A demolition permit must be secured within one (1) year after the date of the decision approving demolition unless:
i. Conditions of Planning Commission approval establish a shorter expiration period, ii. An extension has been issued by the City Clerk, or
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iii. A demolition permit has been issued by the City Clerk.
Upon application by the property owner filed prior to the expiration of a demolition permit approved by the Planning Commission, the City Manager or their designee may approve up to one (1) additional year unless a demolition permit already has been issued by the City Clerk.
§7.x.x Lot Maintenance After Demolition; Violation
All lots shall be maintained in a clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing manner after demolition.
Failure to comply shall be considered a violation subject to the penalties provided in Ordinance No. 06-04.
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§7.xx Single Room Occupancy Housing (or SRO)
7.x.1 Purpose.
This Section provides for the regulation of single room occupancy (SRO) housing facilities that do not meet the State definitions for transitional housing or supportive housing, as such SRO housing facilities shall be regulated as transitional housing or supportive housing. SRO housing facilities are intended to provide housing opportunities for lower-income one- or two person households who may not be able to afford other housing options. SRO housing units are rented out as a permanent residence and/or primary residence to individuals, within a multi-tenant building where tenants may share a kitchen, toilets or bathrooms. Some SRO units may have a small refrigerator, microwave and sink.
7.x.2 Applicability.
a. SRO housing facilities shall be permitted in the Residential Two-Family (R2), Residential Multiple-Family (R3), Neighborhood Commercial (C1), and Community Commercial (C2) zones in the same manner as other residential uses in the zone when they comply with the development standards of the applicable zone, are located, developed, and operated in compliance with the General Provisions and Standards identified in this Section.
7.x.3 General Provisions and Standards.
A Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing facility shall be located, developed, and operated in compliance with the following standards and requirements:
a. Except for a manager’s unit, SRO units shall be provided at rents affordable to individuals and households with lower incomes as defined by the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s State income limits for Humboldt County. b. No transient occupancy of SRO units shall be allowed. Tenancy of SRO units shall be for 30 or more days. SRO unit tenants shall not have an additional residential address other than the address of the SRO housing facility in which the unit is located. c. Maximum Occupancy. Each SRO unit shall be designed to accommodate a maximum of 2 persons. Occupancy of SRO units may be restricted to seniors or be available to persons of all ages. d. Minimum Size. An SRO unit must have at least 150 square feet of floor area for single person occupancy and 220 square feet for two (2) person occupancy. No individual unit may exceed 375 square feet.
e. Entrances. All SRO units must be independently accessible from a single main entry, excluding emergency and other service support exits.
f. Bathroom. An SRO unit is not required to but may contain partial or full bathroom facilities.
A partial bathroom facility shall have at least a toilet and sink; a full facility shall have a toilet, sink and bathtub, shower or bathtub/shower combination. If a full bathroom facility is not provided, October 15, 2025
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common bathroom facilities shall be provided in accordance with the California Building Code for congregate residences with at least one full bathroom per floor. g. Kitchen. An SRO unit is not required to, but may, contain food preparation facilities. h. Common Area. Four (4) square feet per living unit shall be provided, excluding janitorial storage, laundry facilities and common hallways. At least 200 square feet of interior common space provided as a ground floor entry area that provides a central focus for tenant social interaction and meetings.
i. Facility Management. The agency, organization, or entity operating the SRO housing facility shall provide full-time on-site management. The facility shall include a manager’s office or a manager’s unit.
j. Parking. One (1) space for every two SRO units, plus one (1) space for the management unit or office and 1 space for each employee, if any, on maximum shift. k. Common laundry facilities for tenant use shall be provided. i. For an SRO housing facility consisting of 10 or fewer SRO units, common laundry facilities shall be provided at a rate of not less than one (1) washer and one (1) dryer, in addition to a laundry sink and folding area.
ii. For SRO housing facility consisting of greater than 10 SRO units, common laundry facilities shall be provided at a rate of not less than one (1) washer and one (1) dryer for the first ten (10) rooms, with one (1) additional washer and one (1) additional dryer provided for every five (5) additional rooms or fraction thereof.
iii. The requirement for common on-site laundry facilities may be waived where it can be shown that a laundry facility open to the public is located within one-eighth (1⁄8) of a mile from the project site.
l. Storage for tenants. Private, secured storage space of not less than fifty (50) cubic feet per resident shall be provided. Storage space may be provided in private closet(s) accessible from individual SRO rooms; and/or as individually locked areas accessible from a common room; and/or within a separate on-site storage structure. Where storage space is provided within a separate structure, such structure shall provide for separate, locking storage spaces for each SRO room, and shall be of sufficient construction to protect stored items from weather.
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§7.xx Supportive Housing Developments
7.x.1 Purpose.
This Section provides for the regulation of supportive housing developments as required by Sections 65650 through 65656 of the California Government Code, as amended. Section 65651 prescribes that qualifying supportive housing developments shall be a by right use in zones where multifamily and mixed uses are permitted, including nonresidential zones permitting multifamily uses when specific requirements are met. Government Code Sections 65651 through 65656 establish specific requirements for the regulation of supportive housing developments. This Section is intended to comply with the standards in Sections 65650 through 65656 of the California Government Code to the greatest extent feasible.
7.x.2 Applicability.
The provisions of this Section apply to all lots in zones that permit multifamily and mixed uses, including nonresidential zones that permit multifamily uses, that is the Residential Two-Family (or R2), Residential Multiple-Family (or R3), Neighborhood Commercial (or C1), and Community Commercial (or C2) zones. Supportive Housing Developments shall comply with objective development standards and policies that apply to other multifamily development within the same zone.
7.x.3 General Provisions.
A supportive housing development developed pursuant to Government Code Section 65650 et seq., consisting of fifty (50) units or less, that meets all of the following requirements and is permitted in the Residential Two-Family (or R2), Residential Multiple-Family (or R3), Neighborhood Commercial (or C1), and Community Commercial (or C2) zones, provided:
a. Units within the development are subject to a recorded affordability restriction for fifty- five (55) years.
b. Affordability. One hundred percent (100%) of the units, excluding managers’ units, within the development must be restricted to lower income households and are or will be receiving public funding to ensure affordability of the housing to lower income Californians. Lower income households has the same meaning as defined in Section 50079.5 of the California Health and Safety Code. The rents in the development shall be set at an amount consistent with the rent limits stipulated by the public program providing financing for the development. c. Supportive Housing Units. At least 25 percent (25%) of the units in the development or 12 units, whichever is greater, are restricted to residents in supportive housing who meet criteria of the target population as defined in subparagraph (d) of Government Code Section 65650. In developments with fewer than 12 units, one hundred percent (100%) of those units, excluding managers’ units, must be restricted to residents in supportive housing. d. Services Plan. The applicant shall submit a plan for providing supportive services, with documentation demonstrating that supportive services will be provided onsite to residents in the October 15, 2025
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project as required by Section 65651, and describing those services, which must include all of the following:
i. The name of the proposed entity or entities that will provide supportive services. ii. The proposed funding source or sources for the provided onsite supportive services. iii. Proposed staffing levels.
e. Replacement Dwelling Units. The supportive housing development shall replace rental dwelling units in the manner provided in Section 65915 of the California Government Code. f. Facilities. Units within the development, excluding managers’ units, include at least one bathroom and a kitchen or other cooking facilities, including, at minimum, a stovetop, a sink, and a refrigerator.
g. Supportive Services Floor Area. For a development with twenty (20) or fewer total units, at least ninety (90) square feet shall be provided for onsite supportive services. For a development with more than 21 units, at least three percent (3%) of the total nonresidential floor area must be provided for onsite supportive services that are limited to tenant use, including, but not limited to, community rooms, case management offices, computer rooms, and community kitchens. h. Parking. A supportive housing development that is located within one-half mile walking distance of a public transit stop shall not require parking for units within the supportive housing development that are designated for supportive housing residents. i. Any other requirements of Government Code section 65650 et seq. regarding supportive housing, as may be amended.
7.x.4 Review Procedures.
a. The City shall approve a supportive housing development that complies with the applicable requirements of this Section.
b. The City shall only require the supportive housing development to comply with the objective development standards and policies that apply to other multifamily development within the same zone.
c. The City shall notify the developer whether the application is complete within 30 days of receipt of an application to develop supportive housing in accordance with this Section. The City shall complete its review of the application within 60 days after the application is complete for a project with 50 or fewer units, or within 120 days after the application is complete for a project with more than 50 units.
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d. The City’s review of a supportive housing development to determine whether the development complies with objective development standards, including objective design review standards, pursuant to this Section shall be conducted consistent with the requirements of subdivision (f) of Section 65589.5 of the California Government Code, and shall not constitute a “project” for purposes of Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code.
e. Any discretion exercised by the City in determining whether a project qualifies as a use by right pursuant to this Section or discretion otherwise exercised pursuant to this section does not affect that City's determination that a supportive housing development qualifies as a use by right pursuant to this Section.
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ARTICLE 10: USE PERMITS AND SPECIAL PERMITS
§10.01 Use permits may be granted upon application to the Planning Commission for any use for which a use permit is permitted or required by these regulations, or for any use which, while not specifically enumerated in these regulations is, in the opinion of the Planning Commission, similar to and compatible with the uses permitted in the zone in which the subject property is situated.
§10.02 Application for a use permit shall be filed at the office of the City Clerk upon a form provided, and shall be accompanied by such information as may be required to describe fully the proposed use for which the permit is sought and shall be accompanied by a filing fee. Said filing fee shall be fixed by resolution of the City Council at such sum as it may determine necessary.
§10.03 Subject only to the rules regarding the placing of matters on the Planning Commission agenda, the matter shall be set for a public hearing.
§10.04 Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation printed and published in the county at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing, by posting said notice in conspicuous places close to the property. §10.05 At the public hearing, the Planning Commission shall hear any person affected by the proposed use permit. The hearing may be continued from time to time, but shall be concluded within sixty (60) days the commencement thereof.
§10.06 The Planning Commission may approve a use permit only after first finding all of the following:
a. The proposed use is allowed within the applicable zone and complies with all other applicable provisions of this Zoning Ordinance and other applicable adopted City Ordinances or is a nonconforming use in compliance with § 12.01.2 of this Ordinance; b. The proposed use is consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan; c. The design, location, size, and operating characteristics of the proposed activity are compatible with the existing and potential future land uses in the vicinity; d. The site is physically suitable for the type, density and intensity of use being proposed, including access, utilities, and the absence of physical constraints; e. Granting the permit will not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare, or materially injurious to persons, property, or improvements in the vicinity and zone in which the property is located; f. Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. §10.0607Within thirty (30) days of the conclusion of the hearing, the Planning Commission shall grant or deny the issuance of the use permit applied for. The granting of any use permit may be made subject to terms and conditions attached thereto and made a part thereof. Failure of the Planning Commission to act within the time set herein shall be deemed to be a denial of the application on that date. The action of the Planning Commission shall become effective and final ten (10) days from the date thereof, unless an appeal is filed in accordance with Article 11 of this Ordinancehas been taken within that time. In the event an appeal is filed, the use permit approval shall be stayed until approval is obtained from the City Council.
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§10.0708Revocation of Use Permits: In any case where the terms and conditions of a grant of a use permit are not complied with, the Planning Commission shall give notice to the holder of such use permit of this intention to revoke such use permit. Proceedings for the revocation of a use permit shall be conducted in the same manner as proceedings for the grant of a variance. §10.0809(This section added by Ord. 07-01 on 2/12/07) Use Permits run with the land. (End of section added by Ordinance 07-01 on 2/12/07)
§10.10 Special Permits may be granted by the Planning Commission for any use for which a special permit is permitted or required.
10.10.1 An owner or his agent may file an application for a special permit with the City Clerk. The application shall be made upon a form prescribed by the City Clerk and shall be accompanied by a filing fee set by resolution of the City Council sufficient to cover the cost of handling the application.
10.10.2 Public Hearings are required for special permits.
10.10.3 Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation printed and published in the county at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing, and by posting said notice in conspicuous places close to the property.
10.10.4 At the public hearing, the Planning Commission shall hear any person affected by the proposed special permit. The hearing may be continued from time to time, but shall be concluded within sixty (60) days the commencement thereof.
10.10.5 The Planning Commission may approve a special permit only after first making all of the findings in § 10.06 of this Ordinance.
10.10.6 The action of the Planning Commission shall become effective and final ten (10) days from the date thereof, unless an appeal is filed in accordance with Article 11 of this Ordinance. In the event an appeal is filed, the special permit approval shall be stayed until approval is obtained from the City Council.
10.10.7 An approved special permit shall be subject to the revocation provisions specified in Section 10.08.
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ARTICLE 12: NON-CONFORMING USES and SPECIAL PERMITS.
§12.01 Non-Conforming Uses: Any use, building or structure, existing on the date a zoning ordinance amendment rendered the use or structure nonconforming, may be continued, even though such use, building or structure may not conform with the provisions of this chapter, except as provided herein:
12.01.1 No such use or building shall be enlarged, increased or structurally altered, nor be extended to occupy a greater area than that existing on the effective date of the application of these regulations to the subject property.
12.01.2 Any use for which a use permit is required by these regulations shall be considered a non-conforming use until a use permit is obtained.
12.01.3 If any such use or building after the effective date of the application of these regulations to the subject property is destroyed to the extent of 60% or more, then the subject property shall become subject to the regulations applicable to the subject property, and any subsequent use or buildings shall be in accordance with such regulations.
12.01.4 Any interruption of a non-conforming use, or the use of a non-conforming building which continues for 12 months or more, shall be deemed to be an abandonment of such use, and subsequent use of buildings shall be in accordance with the regulations applicable to the subject property.
12.01.5 Ordinary maintenance and repair may be made to any non-conforming use or building, provided that such maintenance and repair does not exceed 25% of the actual value in any one year.
12.01.6 Any use coming within the provisions of Section 7.04, concerning domestic animals appurtenant to residential uses shall, after the expiration of 6 months from the effective date of these regulations, conform to the provisions of Section 7.04.
12.01.7 Sections 12.01.3 through 12.01.5 are subject to Government Code §65852.25 when applicable to Multifamily Dwellings that are involuntarily damaged or destroyed by fire, other catastrophic events, or the public enemy.
12.01.8 Buildings within the Historic District shall be exempt from sections 12.01.3 and
12.01.5, provided any reconstruction, repair or restoration occurs within the building square footage as existing on the effective date of these amendments. §12.02 Special Permits may be granted by the Planning Commission for any use for which a special permit is permitted or required.
12.02.1 An owner or his agent may file an application for a special permit in the office of the Planning Department. The application shall b made upon a form prescribed by the Planning Department and shall be accompanied by a filing fee set by resolution of the City Council sufficient to cover the cost of handling the application.
12.02.2 Public Hearings are required for special permits.
12.02.3 Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given by publication once in a newspaper of general circulation printed and published in the county at least 10 days prior to the hearing, and by posting said notice in conspicuous places close to the property.
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12.02.4 At the public hearing, the Planning Commission shall hear any person affected by the proposed special permit. The hearing may be continued from time to time, but shall be concluded within 60 days the commencement thereof.
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ORDINANCE NO. 2025-07
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FERNDALE AMENDING THE FERNDALE SUBDIVISON ORDINANCE, ORDINANCE 99-04
WHEREAS, the City of Ferndale, California (hereafter “City”) is a municipal corporation, duly organized under the constitution and laws of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 66410 et seq. (Subdivision Map Act), authorizes the City to adopt a local ordinance for the review and processing of proposed subdivisions, the design and improvement of subdivisions, and the reconfiguration and/or consolidation of real property; and WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 99-04 is the adopted Subdivision Ordinance of the City of Ferndale, as provided by Title 7 of the Government Code of the State of California. Ordinance is known and cited as the “Subdivision Ordinance” as provided by Article 1.
WHEREAS, the City has prepared amendments to the Subdivision Ordinance, Ordinance No. 99-04, (hereafter “Subdivision Amendments”), that are attached hereto as Exhibit A and hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, that; and
WHEREAS, that Subdivision Amendments implement Program 2 of the adopted Housing Element of the Ferndale General Plan, and resolve inconsistencies with Subdivision Map Act; and WHEREAS, review and adoption of the proposed Subdivision Amendments are done in compliance with California Government Code Sections 65853 through 65857, which require a duly noticed public hearing of the Planning Commission whereby the Planning Commission shall provide its written recommendation to the City Council for its consideration; and
WHEREAS, the City caused to be published in the July 24, 2025 edition of the Ferndale Enterprise, a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Ferndale, a Notice of Public Hearing on the proposed Amendments; further the City posted the same Notice on the City’s website at https://ci.ferndale.ca.us/, and on two public bulletin boards in accordance with Section 8.08 of the Zoning Ordinance; and said notices specified the availability of the draft Subdivision Amendments, and the date, time, and location of the public hearing for these Subdivision Amendments; and
WHEREAS, on August 6 and September 3, 2025, the Planning Commission conducted a duly noticed public hearing to accept public comment and consider Addendum 2 to the PEIR, and the proposed text amendments to various sections of the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances and proposed Amendments; and WHEREAS, on September 3, 2025, after closing the public hearing, the Planning Commission unanimously adopted the Planning Commission Resolution 2025-14, recommending the City Council approve Addendum 2 to the PEIR; and then unanimously adopted the Planning Commission Resolution 2025-15, recommending that the City Council adopt the proposed Subdivision Amendments to the Subdivision Ordinance; and WHEREAS, the City caused to be published in the October 2, 2025 edition of the Ferndale Enterprise, a Notice of Public Hearing on the proposed Zoning and Subdivision Amendments; further, the City published a Notice of Public Hearing of the proposed amendment on its website at https://ci.ferndale.ca.us/, and posted the same Notice of Public Hearing on two public bulletin boards in accordance with Section 8.08 of the Zoning Ordinance; and said notices specified the availability of the draft Zoning and Subdivision Amendments, and the date, time, and location of the public hearing for these Zoning and Subdivision Amendments; and October 15, 2025
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WHEREAS, the City has complied with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, in the manner described in the City Council Resolution 2025-25 adopted on October 15, 2025, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, the City of Ferndale has been prepared pursuant to the provisions of Section 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines to address the proposed Subdivision Amendments as described in Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the staff report, supporting documents, public testimony, the Planning Commission’s recommendation that the City Council adopt the proposed amendments to the Subdivision Ordinance, and all appropriate information that has been submitted with these amendments; and WHEREAS, the subject Ordinance will amend Section 1.5, Section 1.6, Section 1.7, and Section 1.11 of Ordinance No. 99-04 as set forth herein in Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Subdivision Amendments to the Subdivision Ordinance, Ordinance No. 99-04, would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare because the proposed amendments update old and outdated references; resolve inconsistencies with the Subdivision Map Act including expiration timelines and extension procedures for tentative maps, lot line adjustment eligibility standards and approval findings; and provide streamline the process and procedures for lot line adjustments while providing appeal procedures for applicants and neighboring property owners, and introduce a process for voluntary parcel mergers; and
WHEREAS, the Subdivision Amendments are consistent with the Ferndale General Plan; and WHEREAS, the amendments are internally consistent with Ordinance No. 99-04 (Subdivision Ordinance) and other adopted City of Ferndale ordinances; and
WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of the Ordinance have occurred.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FERNDALE, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals. Each fact set forth in the recitals above is true and correct, and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City Council determined that the Final Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the Ferndale General Plan Land Use Map, and Land Use Element and Safety Element Updates of the Ferndale General Plan, together with Addendum 2 approved by Resolution 2025-25, satisfies all of the requirements of CEQA and are adequate to serve as the required environmental documentation for the proposed Subdivision Amendments.
Section 3. Findings. Pursuant to the foregoing recitals, hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference, the City Council hereby determines all the findings required by State General Plan law and the Ferndale Zoning Ordinance for the approval of the amendments to the Ferndale Zoning Ordinance are made, and that the Subdivision Amendments in Exhibit A are in the public interested, are consistent with the General Plan, and are consistent with Zoning Ordinance and Other City ordinances as described in this report.
Section 4. Amendments to the Subdivision Ordinance Text. The following Articles of the Ferndale Subdivision Ordinance are hereby amended by this Ordinance as set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated in its entirety herein by reference:
Section 1.5: Subdivision Maps (Five or More Parcels)
Section 1.6: Parcel Map Subdivisions (Four or Fewer Parcels) Section 1.7: Lot Line Adjustments
Section 1.11: Parcel Mergers
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Without modifying the substance, following adoption of this Ordinance, the City Clerk shall cause the amendments to the Subdivision Ordinance to be consistent in form and style with the Zoning Ordinance.
Section 5. Effective Date. The effective date of this Ordinance is thirty (30) days after its adoption of the City Council. The Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be published in the manner required by Government Code section 36933.
Section 6. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, such invalidity has no effect on the other provisions or applications of the Ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this extent, the provisions of this resolution are severable. The City Council declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance irrespective of the invalidity of any portion thereof.
Section 7. Limited Repeal. Any provision of the Subdivision Ordinance that is inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, to the extent of such inconsistencies and no further, is hereby repealed or modified to that extent necessary to effect the provisions of this Ordinance.
INTRODUCED and FIRST READING CONDUCTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Ferndale, California, on this 15th day of October 2025, by the following ROLL CALL vote of the City Council:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Randy Cady, Mayor
Attest:
________________________________
Kristene Hall, City Clerk
SECOND READING CONDUCTED, PASSED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Ferndale, California, on this _____ day of _____________2025, by the following ROLL CALL vote of the City Council:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Randy Cady, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Kristene Hall, City Clerk
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Ordinance 2025-07
Exhibit A
Notes:
1. Proposed amendments to the following sections are shown in underlined text for additions and strikethrough text for deletions.
2. All sub-sections not included in the below sections shall continue in full force, unamended by this Ordinance.
3. Two clerical errors that were found are shown with turquoise highlighting–see page 12.
SECTION 1.5 SUBDIVISION MAPS (FIVE OR MORE PARCELS)
Section 1.502 Tentative Subdivision Maps
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1.502.8 Expiration and Extensions.
1.502.8.1 Expiration. Expiration of an approved or conditionally approved Tentative Subdivision Map shall be as provided by this section and the Subdivision Map Act.
The approval or conditional approval of a Tentative Subdivision Map shall expire 24 months four (4) years from the effective date of the Planning Commission’s adopted Resolution adoption of the Resolution by the Planning Commission approving or conditionally approving the Tentative Subdivision Map unless an extension is approved as provided in Section 1.502.8.2. An extension to the expiration date may be approved as provided in Section 1.502.8.2.
Expiration of an approved or conditionally approved Tentative Subdivision Map shall terminate all proceedings and no Final Map of all or any portion of the real property included within such expired Tentative Subdivision Map shall be filed without first processing a new Tentative Map.
1.502.8.2 Extensions.
(a) Request by Subdivider. The subdivider or his/her engineer may request an extension of the expiration date of the approved or conditionally approved Tentative Subdivision Map by written application to the Planning Department. When a subdivider has not completed all Tentative Subdivision Map conditions of approval and filed a Final Map with the City within the time limits established in Section 1.502.8.1, time extensions may be granted in compliance with this Section.
1. The subdivider or their engineer shall file a written extension request. The October 15, 2025
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application shall be filed with the City Clerk not less than forty-five (45) days before the map is to expire and shall state the reasons for requesting the extension.
2. Pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act, upon receipt of the written application, the map shall an automatically be extended for sixty (60) days extension will be honored, or until the application for the extension is approved, conditionally approved, or denied, whichever occurs first. until a decision is rendered on the extension.
(b) Planning Commission Action. The Planning Department shall review the request and submit the application for the extension, together with a report, to the Planning Commission for approval, conditional approval or denial. A copy of the Planning Department's report shall be forwarded to the subdivider prior to the Planning Commission meeting on the extension. An extension of time may be granted if the Planning Commission finds the subdivision, at the time the application for the extension of time is heard, conforms to the then-existing General Plan, is consistent with the zoning of the parcels and conforms to the improvement standards that are being imposed upon similar new subdivisions. The Resolution adopted by the Planning Commission approving or conditionally approving an extension shall specify the new expiration date of the Tentative Subdivision Map.
(c) Time Limit of Extension. The approved “discretionary” extension shall not exceed 12 months. The approved new expiration date shall not extend more than three (3) years beyond the date of the Resolution adopted by the Planning Commission approving or conditionally approving the Tentative Subdivision Map. The Planning Commission may approve or conditionally approve the time when an approved or conditionally approved Tentative Subdivision Map expires. The Planning Commission may approve up to three (3) separate extension requests in increments of twenty-four (24) month periods. The expiration date may be extended but the total expirationextension period shall not exceed six (6) years from the effectiveexpiration date of the Planning Commission’s adopted resolution approving or conditionally approving the Tentative Subdivision Map.
(c)(d) Conditions of Approval. As a condition of the extension of the Tentative Subdivision Map, the Planning Commission may impose new conditions or revise existing conditions on the approved Tentative Map as recommended by the Planning Department in its report or as it may find necessary. The Planning Commission may condition its approval by subjecting the subdivider to any increase in applicable development fees or to new development fees which have occurred since the approval of the map.
Note: Conditioning of extensions of Tentative Maps is limited, but allowed, providing it is based upon the reasonable and necessary findings, and should be thoroughly investigated, pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act and any applicable case law, prior to implementation.
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(d)(e) Appeal of Conditions of Extension. The subdivider may appeal any action of the Planning Commission on the extension to the City Council within ten fifteen (105) days of such action in accordance with Section 1.502.7.1 of this Ordinance. (e)(f) Fee. The fee for processing an extension shall be at actual cost. A deposit to be applied toward this fee may be required.
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SECTION 1.6 PARCEL MAP SUBDIVISIONS (FOUR OR FEWER PARCELS) Section 1.601 Tentative Parcel Maps
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1.601.12 Expiration and Extensions.
1.601.12.1Expiration. Expiration of an approved or conditionally approved Tentative Map shall be as provided by this Section and the Subdivision Map Act. Approval or conditional approval of the Tentative Parcel Map shall expire 24 months four (4) years from the effective date of the Planning Commission’s adopted resolution approving or conditionally approving the Tentative Parcel Map Subdivisionof its approval. unless an extension is approved as provided in Section 1.601.12.2.
The expiration of the approved or conditionally approved Tentative Parcel Map shall terminate all proceedings and no Final Map of all or any portion of the real property included within such expired Tentative Parcel Map shall be filed without first processing a new Tentative Parcel Map.
1.601.12.2 Extensions
The request for extensions of the expiration date of an approved or conditionally approved Tentative Parcel Map, and any subsequent Planning Commission action, time limit of extension(s), conditions of approval of extension(s), appeals to Planning Commission action or conditions of approval of extension(s), and any associated processing fees shall be guided by, pursuant to and conform with, Section
1.502.8.2 of this Ordinance. The extension of time shall commence with the expiration date of the approved or conditionally approved Tentative Parcel Map. …
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SECTION 1.7 LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS
Section 1.701 General.
The Llot lines between four or fewer existing two or more adjacent adjoining parcels or lots may be adjusted pursuant to the provisions of this Section and the Subdivision Map Act. It is the City of Ferndale's policy to provide for the adjustment of property boundaries between contiguous parcels in a manner consistent with state law. The Planning Department City Planner shall limit its review and approval to the following determinations:
(1) The proposed Lot Line Adjustment occurs between two four or more fewer “existing” and “adjacent” parcels, as defined by the Subdivision Map Act. (2) No new parcels are created.
(3) Parcels involved in resulting from the Lot Line Adjustment will conform to the City's general plan, any applicable specific plan, and zoning and building and zoning ordinances.
(a) The proposal neither causes non-conformance nor increases the severity of preexisting nonconformities with zoning and building ordinances. Providing compliance with this subsection, the approval shall not be conditioned on correction of preexisting non-conformities with zoning and building ordinances. (3)(4) Complies with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.
The City shall not impose conditions or exactions on it's its approval of a Lot Line Adjustment except: a) to conform to the City’s general plan, any applicable specific plan, and zoning and local building and zoning ordinances, b) to facilitate the relocation of existing utilities, infrastructure or easements, and c) to require the prepayment of real property taxes prior to the approval of the Lot Line Adjustment. No Tentative Map, Parcel Map, or Final Map shall be required as a condition of approval. The Lot Line Adjustment shall be reflected in a Notice of Lot Line Adjustment and Certificate of Subdivision Compliance, Deed, and a Record of Survey or Lot Line Adjustment Plot Plan exhibit which shall be recorded.
If there is more than one ownership involved, and a Lot Line Adjustment is approved, along with a Record of Survey or Lot Line Adjustment Plot Plan exhibit, Notices of Lot Line Adjustment and Certificates of Subdivision Compliance, and Deed or Deeds for the areas to establish ownership of record for each parcel must be recorded. When parcels being adjusted are held in common ownership, no new Deeds shall be required. However, a Lot Line Adjustment Plot Plan exhibit shall be required. No record of survey shall be required for a Lot Line Adjustment unless required by Section 8762 of the Business and Professional Code.
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Section 1.702 Initiation of Proceedings
Proceedings for a Lot Line Adjustment shall be initiated by application of all the owners of record of the affected properties. The application shall be in a form prescribed by the Planning Department. A certificate, signed and acknowledged by all parties having record title interest in the effected land, excepting those parties having rights-of-way, easements, or other interest which cannot ripen into a fee, consenting to the lot line adjustmentLot Line Adjustment. If there is more than one ownership involved, and a Lot Line Adjustment is approved, along with a Record of Survey or Notice of Lot Line Adjustment Plot Plan, a Deed or Deeds for the areas to establish ownership of record for each parcel must be recorded.
Section 1.703 Information to Accompany Application
The following information shall be submitted along with the Application for Lot Line Adjustment.
(1) Three One (1) copyies of the present owners of record's Vesting Deeds and a Title Report for each lot to be adjusted (that have been prepared within six (6) months of submittal).
(2) Three One (1) copyies of a legible Lot Line Adjustment Plot Plan accurately drawn to scale, not to exceed 8 ½" x 14" in size, that shows all of the following information for each lot to be adjusted:
(a) All exterior and interior lines shall be shown on the plat and dimensioned based on information of record.
(b) Proposed new lines and lines to be eliminated shall be so identified by written notation or by legend and shall be readily distinguishable from each other and other lines.
(c) Areas of the initial and resulting parcels shall be identified in square footage or acreage.
(d) All existing structures, their uses, and other constructed improvements, located within 50 feet of the existing boundaries or the proposed new boundaries shall be accurately located and shown with dimensions from the property lines. (e) The names, county road numbers, and widths of abutting rights-of-way and their locations.
(f) The locations, purpose, and width of all proposed and existing easements, streets, and appurtenant utilities located within 100 feet of the existing boundaries or the proposed new boundaries.
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(g) The approximate location of all water courses, drainage channels, and existing drainage structures located within 100 feet of the existing boundaries or the proposed new boundaries.
(h) Approximate high water lines of all areas subject to inundation located within 100 feet of the existing boundaries or the proposed new boundaries, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood zones. (i) Assessed owners and parcel numbers.
(j) North arrow, and scale.
(k) Vicinity map.
(3) Location of wells, septic tanks and primary and reserve leach fields within 100 feet of the existing boundaries or the proposed new boundaries. (4) Fees per the applicable City of Ferndale Fee Schedule, or as otherwise established or directed by the City Council.
(5) A written statement from the Applicantapplicant explaining the reason(s) for the proposed Lot Line Adjustment.
(6) "Current Parcel Map Guarantee" for all properties affected. (7) Traverse closure and legal description (if required for deeds) of proposed parcel configurations prepared by a registered Civil Engineer or Land Surveyor. (8) Written confirmation of written request to the County Assessor for Boundary Line Adjustment.
Section 1.704 Submittal to City EngineerLot Line Adjustment Application Review Process
The following steps shall be followed for the review and approval of a Lot Line Adjustment application:
(1) The City Engineer shall determine the completeness of the application within thirty (30) days of its submittal. The Plot Plan for the Lot Line Adjustment together with all other data as required by this Ordinance shall be submitted to the City Engineer for review. Should the City Engineer determine the application is incomplete, the applicant shall be notified in writing within thirty (30) days from the date the application was accepted for filing by the City.
(2) Once the application has been determined to be complete, the City Engineer shall October 15, 2025
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forward the Lot Line Adjustment application to the City Planner. The City Planner, or their designee, shall review the application and related documents to verify compliance with the general plan, any applicable specific plans, zoning and building ordinances, and compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. The City Planner shall recommend to the City Engineer approval, conditional approval, or denial of the application based on the criteria outlined in Section 1.7. The City Planner shall prepare a report with recommendations of approval or conditional approval of the Lot Line Adjustment. The City Planner shall submit their report to the City Engineer and applicant within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the complete Lot Line Adjustment application.
(3) Referral to Interested Agencies. Lot line adjustment applications shall be referred to such departments and agencies as the City Engineer and City Planner deem to be appropriate. Such departments and agencies shall be allowed 15 days to respond with recommendations and comment, from the date of distribution to such departments and agencies.
(4) Within sixty (60) days of a determination that a Lot Line Adjustment application is complete, the City Engineer shall approve, conditionally approve or deny the Lot Line Adjustment if the application is determined to be exempt from environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
Upon finding that the application meets with the requirements of this Ordinance and the Subdivision Map Act, the City Engineer shall submit the Lot Line Adjustment Plot Plan, together with his report and recommendations of approval or conditional approval of the Lot Line Adjustment, to the City Planner for his consideration.
Section 1.705 Planning Department Action
The Planning Department, or other similar authorized representative shall review the Lot Line Adjustment application and Plot Plan for conformance with the City’s building and zoning Ordinances. The Planning Department may refer the Lot Line Adjustment Plot Plan to the Planning Commission for their consideration when the proposed Lot Line Adjustment has the potential for arousing extraordinary public concern. The Planning Department shall also prepare a report, in conjunction with the City Engineers report, with recommendations of approval or conditional approval of the Lot Line Adjustment. The Planning Department shall report back to the City Engineer and shall submit the report(s)to the Applicant.
Section 1.706 Review and Notice of Public Hearing
Upon receipt of the Planning Departments report, the City Engineer or his authorized representative shall set the matter for public hearing. Notice of the hearing shall be given in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.502.6.1 of this Ordinance.
The City Engineer, at his discretion, may require that a public hearing be held by the Planning October 15, 2025
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Commission when the proposed adjustment arouses extraordinary public concern. Said hearing shall be in accordance with Section 1.502.6 of this Ordinance.
Section 1.705 Findings for Approval and/or Denial
In approving or conditionally approving the Lot Line Adjustment, the City Engineer shall find that the proposed Lot Line Adjustment complies with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, and is consistent with the general plan, any applicable specific plan, and zoning and building ordinances.
The Lot Line Adjustment may be denied for any reason provided by the Subdivision Map Act, or other applicable State law.
Section 1.7076 Action by the City Engineer
Upon completion of the public hearing, the City Engineer shall approve, conditionally approve or deny the Lot Line Adjustment. If the Lot Line Adjustment is approved it shall be signed and dated by the City Engineer and City Attorney or their authorized representative. A letter of the action taken, along with any conditions imposed shall be sent to the applicant. If the Lot Line Adjustment is denied, the applicant shall be so notified in writing with a statement for the reasons of denial.
(1) The City Engineer has the authority to approve, conditionally approve, or deny a Lot Line Adjustment application. The City Engineer shall consider the written reports of other departments and agencies.
(2) If the Lot Line Adjustment is approved it shall be signed and dated by the City Engineer. A letter of the action taken, along with any conditions imposed shall be sent to the applicant. If the Lot Line Adjustment is denied, the applicant shall be so notified in writing with a statement for the reasons of denial. A letter of action taken for approval or denial of the Lot Line Adjustment shall be provided to the applicant within five (5) days of the City Engineer’s action.
(3) Within five (5) days of the City Engineer’s approval of a Lot Line Adjustment, the City shall provide written notice of the City Engineer’s approval of the Lot Line Adjustment shall be mailed through the United States mail to each owner of property within three hundred feet of the properties which are the subject of the Lot Line Adjustment application. The notice shall include the procedures for filing an appeal and indicate the last day to file an appeal.
(4) The City Engineer’s approval of a Lot Line Adjustment application shall become effective and final upon expiration of the fifteen (15) day appeal period unless an appeal is filed in accordance with Section 1.709 Appeal of City Engineer Action. In the event that an appeal is filed, the Lot Line Adjustment approval shall be stayed until approval is October 15, 2025
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obtained from the Planning Commission, or from the City Council on further appeal.
Section 1.708 Approval and/or Denial
In approving or conditionally approving the Lot Line Adjustment, the City Engineer or authorized representative shall find that the proposed Lot Line Adjustment is consistent with local zoning and building ordinances.
The Lot Line Adjustment may be denied for any reason provided by the Subdivision Map Act, or other applicable State law.
Section 1.707 When An Application is Denied
When a Lot Line Adjustment application is denied, the applicant shall be notified in writing by the City Engineer within sixty (60) days from when the application is deemed complete. The applicant shall be given the opportunity to correct the map. The applicant may file a revised Lot Line Adjustment application along with any additional fees required. Failure to file a revised Lot Line Adjustment within six (6) months from the date of the denial of the original application shall terminate all proceedings.
Section 1.7098 Conditions of Approval.
In approving the Lot Line Adjustment, the City Engineer may impose as conditions any of the following requirements:
(a)(1) Payment of all Aapplicable Fees.
(b)(2) Conditions to make the findings that, and to assure that, the Lot Line Adjustment conforms to and meets the requirements of this Ordinance and the Subdivision Map Act. (c)(3) Conditions to make the findings that, and to assure that, the Lot Line Adjustment conforms to and meets the requirements of the General Plan, any applicable specific plan, local building and zoning ordinances. A Lot Line Adjustment that does not increase the severity of preexisting nonconformities with zoning and building ordinances, shall not be conditioned on correction of preexisting non-conformities with zoning and building ordinances.
(d)(4) Recordation of “Lot Line Adjustment Plot Plan exhibit” if a record of survey is not required.
(e)(5) Conditions to facilitate the relocation of existing affected utilities, infrastructure or easements.
(f)(6) Require the payment of real property taxes prior to the approval of the Lot Line October 15, 2025
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Adjustment.
(7) Traverse closure and legal description (if required for deeds) of proposed parcel configurations prepared by a California licensed Land Surveyor or a California registered Civil Engineer qualified to practice land surveying. (8) Preparation of Notices of Lot Line Adjustments and Certificates of Subdivision Compliance.
These requirements shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance and the Subdivision Map Act. The applicants shall be notified in writing of all conditions imposed.
Section 1.710 709 Appeal of City Engineer Action.
1.710709.1 By Applicant. If the applicantapplicant(s) disagree with any action by the City Engineer with respect to the Lot Line Adjustment, they may, within ten fifteen (1015) days of receipt of such decision, appeal such action to the Planning Commission, in accordance with the below Section 1.710709.2 of this Ordinance.
1.710709.2 By Interested Persons Adversely Affected. Any interested person adversely affected by a decision of the City Engineer with respect to the Lot Line Adjustment may, file an appeal of such action to within ten (10) days of such decision, file an appeal with the secretary of the Planning Commission. The appeal shall be filed with the City Clerk within fifteen (15) days of the date of the notice of the City Engineer’s approval of the Lot Line Adjustment. The appeal shall be in writing, and accompanied by the filing fee as established by the City Council. The appellant shall state in their written appeal specifically why the approval of the City Engineer is not in accord with the standards and regulations of the Lot Line Adjustment ordinance, the Subdivision Map Act, or other applicable State law, or why it is believed that there was an error or an abuse of discretion by the City Engineer.
The Planning Commission shall consider the appeal within thirty (30) days, or at their next regular meeting. This appeal shall be a public hearing with notice being given pursuant to Section 1.502.6.1 with additional notices to be given to the petitioners appellantand to the affected interested persons. Upon the conclusion of the public hearing, or any continuance of said hearing agreed to between the Planning Commission and the applicant, the Planning Commission shall within ten (10) days declare its findings. The Planning Commission may sustain, modify, reject, or overrule any recommendations or rulings of the City Engineer and may make such findings as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance or the Subdivision Map Act.
The applicant, or any other interested person adversely affected by the decision of the Planning Commission with respect to the Lot Line Adjustment may file an appeal with the City Council concerning such decision. The procedure contained in Section 1.502.7 October 15, 2025
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shall apply.
Section 1.711 710 Expiration and Extension.
1.711710.1 Expiration. The approval or conditional approval of the Lot Line Adjustment shall expire twenty-four (24) months from the effective date of its approval.
The expiration of the approved or conditionally approved Lot Line Adjustment shall terminate all proceedings, and no adjustment of the real property included in said Lot Line Adjustment such shall be filed without first processing a new Lot Line Adjustment application.
1.711710.2 Extension.
(1) Request by PetitionersApplicant. The applicants for the Lot Line Adjustment may request an extension of the expiration date of the approved or conditionally approved Lot Line Adjustment by written filing an application to with the Planning DepartmentCity Clerk. The application shall be filed not less than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date and shall state the reasons for requesting the extension. (b2) Application Review and City Engineer and Planning Department Action. (a) The review of City Engineer shall review the request for extension shall be in accordance with Section 1.704.
(b) The Action by the City Engineer shall be in accordance with Section
1.706.
(3) Time limit of Extension. No more than two extensions shall be approved for a Lot Line Adjustment and the period of each extension shall not exceed twelve (12) months. The extension of time shall commence with the expiration of the approved or conditionally approved Lot Line Adjustment. The approved new expiration date shall not extend more than three four (43) years beyond the date of initial approval by the City Engineer.
(c4) Conditions of Approval. As a condition of extension, the City Engineer may impose new conditions or revise existing conditions on the approved Lot Line Adjustment, as recommended by the City Planner Planning Department in its their report, or as he/she they may find necessary. These conditions shall be in accordance with Section 1.7098 of this Ordinance, the Subdivision Map Act and any other applicable State law.
(d5) Appeal Conditions of Extension. The applicants, or any other persons adversely affected, may appeal any action of the City Engineer on the extension, to the Planning Commission within ten (10) fifteen days of such action. Appeals shall be in accordance October 15, 2025
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with Section 1.710 709 of this Ordinance.
(e6) Fee. The fee for processing an extension shall be at actual cost. A deposit to be applied toward this fee may be required.
Section 1.712 Correction or Amendments to an Approved Lot Line Adjustment.
Amendments to an approved Lot Line Adjustment or conditions of approval thereof may be approved by the City Engineer, upon written application of the applicants provided:
(1) Such changes are consistent with the intent of the original Lot Line Adjustment approval, and
(2) There are no resulting violations of the Ferndale City Ordinances, and (3) Such changes conform to all the provisions of Section 1.7 of this Ordinance.
The fee for processing an amendment to an approved Lot Line Adjustment shall be at actual cost.
A deposit to be applied toward this fee may be required.
Any revisions corrections or amendments shall be approved by the City Engineer and City Planner. The amendment shall be indicated on the approved Plot Plan, and certified by the City Engineer and City Planner, and shall be reflected within a recorded document as directed by the City Engineer.
Section 1.713 Boundary Corrections Exemption
Boundary Corrections. The adjustment of property lines for the corrections of record title descriptions or real property is exempt from the Lot Line Adjustment requirements of this Section 1.7, provided that the City Surveyor finds:
(a1) That the correction is necessary to correct deed descriptions to coincide with the physical conditions and/or occupation lines of the properties (b2) That such physical conditions and/or occupancy lines have existed for a minimum of five (5) years.
(c3) That all affected property owners consent to the correction. and (a) That the parcels resulting from the Lot Line Correction will conform to the local general plan and zoning and building ordinances.
A written statement declaring the purpose of the correction shall be submitted to the City Surveyor by a Licensed Land Surveyor or a Registered Civil Engineer qualified to practice land October 15, 2025
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surveying along with a Record of Survey or Subdivision Map for recordation showing the monumentation of the new property line.
A deed or deeds must be recorded to correct the descriptions and must have a note on the first page as follows: “The recordation of this deed is to correct record title to coincide to the physical occupation of the property. This correction is exempt from the provisions of the Subdivision Map Act and local ordinances enacted pursuant thereto. No new or additional parcels are created by this correction.” Legal descriptions within these deeds must be prepared by a California Llicensed Land Surveyor or a rRegistered Civil Engineer qualified to practice land surveying.” …
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SECTION 1.11 PARCEL MERGERS
This Section is enacted under the authority of Section 66499.20.3 of the Government Code.
Under certain circumstances, contiguous legal parcels owned by one and the same owner can be combined into one parcel, thus constituting a “Merger”. Section 1.1102 through to Section
1.1104 specify the provisions that apply to reversion to acreage and resubdivision of contiguous parcels. Section 1.1105 specifies the provisions that apply to the voluntary merger of parcels of land
Mergers initiated by the City are strictly governed by the provisions of Article 1.5 of the Subdivision Map Act.
Mergers initiated by the same owner of contiguous parcels, for the purpose of merging the parcels, merging and re-subdividing the parcels, merging with out reverting to acreage and resubdividing without reverting to acreage, are allowed and are governed by Section 66499.20- 1/4, Section 66499.20-1/2, and Section 66499.20-3/4 of the Subdivision Map Act, and the provisions of this Ordinance. However, these procedures only apply to property on which a previously filed subdivision exists.
Section 1.1101 Mergers Not Required.
Two or more contiguous parcels or units of land which have been subdivided under the provisions of this Ordinance, or the Subdivision Map Act, shall not be deemed merged by the City or a property owner by virtue of the fact that such parcels or units are contiguous and held by the same ownership. No further proceedings under this Ordinance or the Subdivision Map Act shall be required for the purpose of sale, lease or financing of contiguous parcels: except as provided by this Section.
The sole and exclusive authority for a local agency to initiate or deem a merger of contiguous parcels is granted by, and shall proceed in strict accordance with, the provisions prescribed in Article 1.5 of the Subdivision Map Act. However, this does not abrogate or limit the authority of the City, to approve Lot Line Adjustments, Reversions to Acreage, or Parcel or Final Maps which combine lots or result in the creation of fewer parcels.
City initiated Mergers require the adoption of a specific Merger Ordinance, in conformance with Section 66451.11 of the Subdivision Map Act, prior to implementation or action.
Section 1.1102 Reversion to acreage and Resubdivision of Contiguous Parcels A final map or parcel map may be reverted to acreage by the City Council pursuant to Section
1.10 of this Ordinance and Government Code Sections 66499.11 through 66499.20.
In addition, a parcel map may be recorded in accordance with Sections 1.1103 through 1.1104 October 15, 2025
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and Government Code Section 66499.20.1 for the purpose of reverting to acreage land previously subdivided and consisting of four or less contiguous parcels under the same ownership. Subdivided lands may be merged and resubdivided without reverting to acreage in accordance with Sections 1.1103 through 1.1104 and Government Code Section 66499.20.2.
Section 1.11021103 Filing of Parcel Merger Application for Reversion to Acreage and Resubdivision.
Any property owner of contiguous parcels requesting a merger of the parcels shall file an application with the City Engineer. Included with the applications shall be the following materials:
(a1) Application form with signatures of all parties having title in the affected parcels. (b2) Information on current ownership of all affected parcels. This information shall be in the form of a Preliminary Title Report, Lot Book Report or PIRT. The information shall be dated no more than sixty (60) days prior to the filing of the application, and may be obtained from a title company.
(c3) Materials required to process the Parcel Merger request as specified by the Planning Department City Planner and/or the City Engineer, or their authorized representative. Such materials may include documentation that affected departments, utilities, and local agencies have been contacted, and drafts of documents such as the action notice and notice of merger.
(4) Submittal of Parcel Merger Map which shall include, and/or conform to, the following:
(1)(a) Submittal number: One (1) original and three (3) copies legible Parcel Merger Map drawn to scale, and of a size to accurately show the required detail. (2) Size: Eight and one-half by eleven inches (8 ½" x 11"),or eleven by seventeen inches (11" x 17").
(3) Scale: Appropriate to the size of Map and amount of detail to be shown.
Map may be reduced from a larger to-scale Map if notation is made to show that Map is reduced.
(4)(b) Accurate location of all property lines including existing and proposed lot lines clearly labeled. Bearing and length of each line from existing recorded Maps.
The areas of the existing parcels and the areas of the adjusted parcels. Notation of the latest recorded subdivision or Parcel Map from which the Parcel Merger Map is prepared, and/or bearing and distance to a known survey point. (5)(c) Accurate location of all existing and proposed rights-of-way, easements, October 15, 2025
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existing and proposed structures, and adjacent streets and roads. (6)(d) Assessor's Parcel numbers, General Plan Land Use Designations, and current zoning.
(7)(e) The name of the person who prepared the map. The map need not be prepared by a licensed engineer or surveyor unless the location of buildings or property corners or lines requires more accurate data. In such -instances the property owner applicant may be required to have such -buildings, corners and/or adjoining lot lines accurately located to determine the effect that a Parcel Merger would have on the existing surrounding development.
(e)(5) A legal description describing the resultant parcels following the Parcel Merger.
The legal Description shall bear the original stamp of a California Llicensed Land Surveyor or a California registered Civil Engineer qualified to practice land surveying. (f)(6) Application fee in accordance to the City's Resolution establishing fees and charges, or as otherwise established or directed by the City Council.
Section 1.11031104 Processing and Approving a Parcel Merger for Reversion to acreage and Resubdivision.
(a1) The property owner of the affected parcels or lots proposed to be merged shall submit a complete application to the City Engineer in accordance with Section 1.11023 of this Ordinance.
(b2) The City Engineer, upon receipt of an application for a Parcel Merger that is deemed to be complete, shall submit the Parcel Merger application to the Planning Department for review and response per the provisions enumerated in Section 1.1004 of this Ordinance. In addition, the City Engineer shall transmit the Parcel Merger application to those departments, utilities, and local agencies, which may have an effect on the proposal, for review and response. Note: The applicant may also submit evidence that such contacts and responses have occurred.
(c3) The City Engineer shall forward the Parcel Merger application and his/her their findings, along with the Planning Department City Planner findings, to the City Council for approval per the provisions enumerated in Section 1.1004 of this Ordinance. (d4) The City Council shall approve all Parcel Merger applications per the provisions enumerated in Section 1.1005 of this Ordinance, as supercededsuperseded by, augmented by, and/or amended by, the specific provisions in Section 66499.20.1-1/4, and Section 66499.20.2 -1/2, and Section 66499.20-3/4 of the Subdivision Map Act. (e5) The approved Parcel Merger application shall cause a Final and/or Parcel Map to be recorded by the County Recorder per the provisions enumerated in Section 1.1006 of October 15, 2025
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this Ordinance, as supercededsuperseded by, augmented by, and/or amended by, the specific provisions in Section 66499.20-1/466499.20.1, and Section 66499.20- 1/266499.20.2, and Section 66499.20-3/4 of the Subdivision Map Act.
Section 1.1105 Voluntary Merger of Parcels by Property Owner Request (1) Upon written request of the legal owner of contiguous parcels, the City Engineer may approve the merger of the property. Such request shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by such data and documents as required by the City Engineer, and the application fee as established by the City Council.
(2) A merger pursuant to the provisions of this section shall not be approved unless the City Engineer determines that the parcel resulting from the merger meets applicable health, building, and zoning requirements and that approving the merger would not create health and safety problems.
(3) Upon approval of the City Engineer, a notice of merger shall be filed with the County Recorder. The form and content of the notice shall be as required by the City Engineer.
(4) In approving such merger, the city may impose reasonable conditions. The reasonableness of such conditions may be appealed by the property owner within 15 days of the written notice of the conditions to the City Council in accordance with Section
1.502.7.1 of this Ordinance.
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Section 13
BUSINESS
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Meeting Date: October 15, 2025 Agenda Item Number: 13.a Agenda Item Title: Report on the housing element 7th cycle update Presented By: City Planner
Type of Item: Action Discussion x Information
Action Required: x No Action Voice Vote Roll Call Vote
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council is requested to receive and file the report on the 7th cycle housing update cycle.
DISCUSSION
On September 18th, the HCAOG Board selected a preferred regional housing needs allocation (RHNA) Cycle 7th allocation methodology: which is a 50/50 weighted split between population and jobs. 1 Selection of the methodology formally initiates the public review and comment period. In November 2025 the HCAOG Board will hold a public hearing and review comments on the allocation methodology. At the December 2025 meeting, the HCAOG Board is to adopt the final allocation methodology. Ferndale’s total 7th cycle RHNA under this methodology is 57 housing units, as shown in Table 1.2
Table 1: Preferred Alternative - Weighting Jobs and Population at 50% Agency
2022
Employment
Data
DOF
Population
(1/1/2012)
Jobs
Distribution
Population
Distribution
Jobs-Pop
Allocation %
Jobs-Pop.
RHNA
Arcata 9,839 19,001 20.7% 14.2% 17.5% 1,042
Blue Lake 252 1,136 0.5% 0.8% 0.7% 41
Eureka 18,424 26,122 38.8% 19.5% 29.2% 1,740
Ferndale 427 1,361 0.9% 1.0% 1.0% 57
Fortuna 3,300 12,198 7.0% 9.1% 8.0% 479
Rio Dell 359 3,232 0.8% 2.4% 1.6% 95
Trinidad 330 296 0.7% 0.2% 0.5% 27
Unincorp.
County
14,501 70,471 30.6% 52.7% 41.6% 2,481
Totals 47,432 133,817 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 5,962
The second component of the regional allocation is to transform each agency’s total RHNA allocation into a distribution of units based on income categories. Table 2 provides the income allocation for each jurisdiction. 1 More information about the allocation methodology can be found on HCAOG’s RHNA webpage:
https://www.hcaog.net/regional-housing-needs-allocation-rhna-7th-cycle 2 The methodology that was not selected weighted jobs at 60% and population at 40%. Under this methodology Ferndale’s RHNA allocation is 56 housing units.
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Table 2: RHNA Income Distribution
Jurisdiction
Acutely Low
(0% - 15%
MHI)
Extremely
Low (15% -
30%MHI)
Very Low
(30% - 50%
MHI)
Low (50% -
80%MHI)
Moderate
(80% - 120%
MHI)
Above
Moderate
(120%<MHI)
Tl.
Jurisdictional
Allocation
Arcata 90 135 103 201 100 413 1,042
Blue Lake 3 7 4 7 4 16 41
Eureka 175 258 179 307 171 650 1,740
Ferndale 8 6 6 10 5 22 57
Fortuna 45 70 50 93 46 175 479
Rio Dell 8 14 8 16 10 39 95
Trinidad 4 4 5 7 3 4 27
County 229 372 272 423 226 959 2,481
Total 562 866 627 1,064 565 2,278 5,962
It is noted the procedural step for HCD to review the selected methodology and determine whether it meets the five statutory objectives (see Government Code Section 65584(d) for more information) is delayed. While HCAOG has initiated consultation with HCD, HCD has advised HCAOG that at this time that they are unable to provide specific input on the draft methodology. This is because HCD is developing the guidance documentation that will be used across the state. The overall schedule does allow time for HCAOG to make adjustments to the methodology if necessary.
CONCLUSION
No formal action is required at this time.
October 15, 2025
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Meeting Date: October 15, 2025 Agenda Item Number: 13.b Agenda Item Title: Report out from the October 2, 2025 meeting of HCAOG Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on projects nominated by the City for inclusion in the 2026 RTIP/STIP cycle.
Presented By: City Planner
Type of Item: Action Discussion X Information
Action Required: X No Action Voice Vote Roll Call Vote
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council is requested to receive and file the report our from the October 2, 2025 meeting of HCAOG Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) regarding projects nominated by the City for inclusion in the 2026 RTIP/STIP cycle.
DISCUSSION
In accordance with Resolution 2025-19, Ferndale nominated three roadway rehabilitation projects for inclusion in the 2026 cycle of the regional transportation improvement plan (RTIP):
Project 1 – Shaw Ave, Main Street to Berding Street for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the existing roadway, improvement of pedestrian facilities, including accessibility improvements, and correcting drainage issues that cause localized flooding.
Project 2 – Francis Street, Between Francis Creek & Eugene Street for the rehabilitation of the existing roadway, improvement of pedestrian facilities, including accessibility improvements, and completing a segment of the sidewalk network.
Project 3 – Ocean Ave, from Main Street to just beyond Portuguese Hall for the rehabilitation of the existing roadway, and installing accessibility improvements for pedestrian.
Projects included in the RTIP are programmed for State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funding.
HCAOG is the agency that is responsible for the development of the RTIP, and the HCAOG Board votes on which projects include in the RTIP. All member agencies may nominate qualifying projects.
The projects nominated by cities for the 2026 RTIP/STIP cycle exceeded the available funds by over $5 million. In consultation with the Acting City Manager, the City prioritized Project 2 for this cycle.
At the October 2, 2025 meeting, the HCAOG Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) discussed the nominated projects. Due to the limited funding, all jurisdictions offered to reduce their project funding requests. It is noted that the City of Trinidad voluntarily withdrew its roadway rehabilitation project.
The TAC is prepared to recommend Project 2 for inclusion in the 2026 RTIP/STIP cycle provided approximately $56,000 can be trimmed from its estimated cost of $481,098, a reduction of about 12%. The City Planner will continue to work with the City Engineer and Acting City Manager to meet the TAC’s request and reduce the overall project, allowing Project 2 to move forward.
The TAC will make its final recommendation to the HCAOG Board at the November 6, 2025 meeting.
CONCLUSION
No formal action is required at this time.
October 15, 2025
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Meeting Date: October 15, 2025 Agenda Item Number 12.a
Agenda Item Title: Introduction and 1st Reading of Ordinance 2025-05 Amending Ferndale Ordinance 295 Sections 1, 5, and 6 Naming the County as the Ferndale Health Official
Presented By: City Manager
Type of Item: x Action Discussion Information
Action Required: No Action x Voice Vote Roll Call Vote
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approve Introduction and 1st Reading of Ordinance 2025-05 Amending Ordinance 295 Sections 1, 5, and 6 Naming the County as the Ferndale Health Official.
DISCUSSION:
At the September 17, 2025, City Council Meeting, the council unanimously voted to enter into an agreement with the County of Humboldt for public health program implementation.
California Health and Safety Code Section 101400 explicitly provides for a process by which a city can contract with a county for the performance of health officer duties or other enforcement functions related to ordinances of public health and sanitation.
Amendments to Ferndale Ordinance 295 are necessary to grant authority to the Local Health Officer and DEH to apply county fees for services provided within City limits. Granting authority to the County Health Officer will allow for County implementation of the Retail food safety program as well as Water Well permitting and inspection, and Onsite Wastewater Treatment System permitting and inspection under a Local Area Management Program (LAMP) approved by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. DEH currently has regulatory authority, countywide, as the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) for oversight of threshold quantities of hazardous materials, fuel tanks and CalARP facilities; and as the Solid Waste Local Enforcement Agency.
As a division under the county Public Health Branch, DEH has active relationships with local and state health agencies and regularly participates in regional discussions to address public and environmental health challenges including investigation and mitigation of foodborne illness, and other communicable disease outbreaks. DEH programs are implemented in alignment with established regional, or state mandated, standards.
Staff of DEH programs are required to maintain current state certification, regularly complete continuing education contact hours and continuously accrue program specific experience implementing disease prevention programs.
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Continued support for the transition to the County for Health Services from CIRA has been ongoing. CIRA representatives added the following incentives in their support of naming the County as the Health Official:
1. Reduced Liability and Legal Exposure
By contracting with the County, the City transfers much of the liability risk associated with health inspections, enforcement, and compliance oversight. The County already carries the proper credentials, training, and insurance for this work. If something goes wrong—such as an inspection oversight or a public health issue—the responsibility would rest primarily with the County, not the City.
2. Continuity of Operations
The County has a team structure, meaning there’s built-in redundancy. If one inspector is unavailable due to illness, vacation, or weather, another can step in without interruption. A single contracted individual, by contrast, creates a “single point of failure” that could easily leave the City exposed or noncompliant.
3. Consistent Expertise and Training
County personnel are trained to current state standards, regularly updated on public health codes, and supported by subject-matter experts. This ensures the City receives consistent, professional service—something difficult to guarantee if handled by a lone contractor or an inhouse hire.
4. Cost Efficiency and Predictability
Working through the County typically eliminates the administrative burden of recruiting, training, certifying, and managing personnel. The City pays for services as needed, without taking on the full employment costs or HR responsibilities of a full-time position. The City also reduces the time commitment related to onboarding and oversight.
5. Stronger Public Perception and Accountability
Partnering with the County underscores the City’s commitment to public health and safety. It reassures residents and businesses that inspections are impartial, consistent, and handled by a trusted authority with established processes and oversight. There is also consistency in the interpretation of regulations for community members who may have a business location elsewhere in the County.
In short, contracting with the County not only provides operational stability and professional oversight but also helps safeguard the City from unnecessary risks, liabilities, and administrative strains. This is especially true given the increase in claims CIRA members are receiving on a wide range of items.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance 2025-05 Amending Ferndale Ordinance 295 Sections 1, 5, and 6 Naming the County as the Ferndale Health Official
2. Ordinance 295 An Ordinance Concerning issuance of Permits by Health Officer for the Maintenance and Operation of Food Establishments, and Providing Penalties for the Violation Thereof.
October 15, 2025
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ORDINANCE NO. 2025-05
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FERNDALE AMENDING ORDINANCE 295 SECTIONS 1, 5, 6, AND 9, NAMING THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT AS THE
FERNDALE HEALTH OFFICIAL
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Section 101460 requires the City of Ferndale (“City”) to retain a Health Officer either through appointment or by arrangement with the County of Humboldt (“County”); and
WHEREAS, the City has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the County to provide for the County Health Officer to perform any and all environmental health functions within the City as authorized under California Health and Safety Code Section 101400; and WHEREAS, the city wishes to provide a clear articulation of the authority, responsibilities, and duties of the County Health Officer while acting as the City Health officer or while otherwise operating under City authority.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FERNDALE DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
ARTICLE 1: Amendmentsto Ordinance 295 Concerning Issuance of Permits by Health Officer for the Maintenance or Operation of Food Establishments and Providing Penalties for the Violation thereof:
§1.01 Section 1 shall be amended to read as follows:
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or any servants or employees thereof to maintain or operate a bakery, confectionery, candy factory, ice cream factory, soda fountain, restaurant, hotel, tavern, grocery, meat market, sausage factory, delicatessen, store or other place in which food is prepared for sale, manufactured, packed, stored or otherwise disposed of, for human consumption, or to vend or peddle from any wagon or other vehicle, or from any basket, hand-steamer, or street stand any food products which are sold, or otherwise disposed of, for human consumption, within the City of Ferndale, without having first obtained a permit therefor from the Health Officer of the County of Humboldt. Said Health Officer shall not issue such permit unless and until it appears that the applicant thereof has complied with all laws and regulations of the State of California and all ordinances of the City of Ferndale relative to the maintenance and operation of any of the businesses and establishments mentioned above which the applicant proposes to operate and maintain. Said permit, when issued, shall be kept displayed in a prominent place on the premises of the person, firm or corporation to whom or to which it is issued.
§1.02 Section 5 shall be amended to read as follows:
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A permit and inspection fee in the amount as prescribed in the most recent fee for services schedule provided by the County of Humboldt shall be charged to any person, firm or corporation maintaining any business coming within the classification of Section 1. Said fee shall be payable annually, in advance, to the Health Officer.
§1.03 Section 6 shall be amended to read as follows:
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a term not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. §1.04 Section 9 shall be deleted in its entirety
ARTICLE 2. Severability: Should any provision, section, paragraph, sentence, or word of this Ordinance be rendered or declared invalid by any final court action in a court of competent jurisdiction or by reason of any preemptive legislation, the remaining provisions, sections, paragraphs, sentences, and words of this Ordinance as hereby adopted shall remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE 3: Effective Date: This Ordinance becomes effective thirty (30) days after the date of its enactment.
ARTICLE 4: Enacting Date and Signatures: Passed, approved, and adopted, by the City Council of the City of Ferndale at a regular meeting on______________, 2025, by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
____________________________________
Randy Cady, Mayor
Attest:
___________________________________
Kristene Hall, City Clerk
October 15, 2025
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ORDINANCE N0.295
AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING ISSUANCE OF PERMITS BY HEALTH
OFFICER FOR THE J\1AINTENA�CE on OPERATION OF FOOD
ESTARLISHMENTS, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE
VIOLATION THEREOF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FERNDALE D_OES HEREDY
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm,
corporation, or any servants or employee thereof to maintain or oµer�te a bakery, confectionery, candy factory, ice cream factory, soda fountain, restaurant, hotel, tavern, grocery, meat market, sausage factory, delicatessen, store, bed and breakfast, package liquor store, or other place in which food is prepared for sale, manufactured,packed, stored or otherwise disposed of, for human consumption, or to vend or peddle from any wagon or other vehicle, or from any basket, hand steamer, or street stand, any food consumption, within the City of Ferndale, without first having obtained a permit thereof from the Health Officer of the City of Ferndale.
Said health officer shall not cause such pennit to be issued unless and until it appears that the applicant therefor bas complied with all laws and regulations of the State of
California and all ordinances of the City of Ferndale
relative to the maintenance and operation of any of the businesses and establishments mentioned above.which· tbf;t, applicant proposed to operate and maintain. Said permit, when issued, shall be kept displayed in a prominent place on the premises of the person, firm or corporation to whom or p
to which it is issued. (Amended by Ordinance 2025-05 )
SECTION 2. The provisions of this ordinance shall not
apply to the disposing, by selling or otherwise, or fruits or ve�etahles which are grown in the City of Ferndale by the person, firm or corporation disposing of such fruits or vegetables.
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SECTION 3. S�ch permit shall not be transferable.
SECTION 4. Any permit issued pursuant to this
ordinance may be suspended by the Health Officer for a
maximum of ten (10) days upon violation of fany ot the
laws referred to in Section I. of this ordinance, and in the event of serious violation or repeat�d violations
such permit may be revoked by the Health
_
Pfficer, after
notice and hearing by the Health Officer or a member of his staff, Notice of the hearing for revocation of a
permit shall be given in writing by the Health Officer
�nd shall state the grounds· of the complaint and �he time and place of he�ring. Any person, firm or corporation
dis-satified with the �ction of the Health Officer in
revok.ing a permit may, within a period of ten (10) days after receipt of notice of r�vocation, file with the City Clerk a notice of intent to appeal �he matter to t6e City Council. �In the event of appeal, the City Council shall promptly hear and determtne the matter,. and notice thereof shall be given in the same manner as in the case o.f the original hearing. The permit shall be suspended pending the decision of the City Council and-such decision shall be·final and conclusive.
SECTION 5. A permit and inspecti'on fee in the amount
as provided by the City's resolution establishing fees
and charges, a
.
hall be charged to any person, fi:rm .or corporation ·maintaining�any· business coming. wi'thin •he-"elaesification of Section 1 of this ordinance. Said fee shall be payable annualjy, in advance, to the city. (Amended by Ordinance 2025-05 )
SECTION 6. Any person, firm or corporation violating
any provision of this ordipanoe shall be guilty of an
infraction. (Amended by Ordinance 2025-05 )
SECTION 7. The requirements of this ordinance are in
addition to any and all requirements for the Qbtaining of a business license�
p
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SECTION B. The City Council hereby declared that it
would have passed this ordinance and each ,:section, subsection, paragrapb., ·senten9e, clause and phra,se thereof, irrespective of the tact'that one or more s�ctions, sub� sections, paragr�phs, sentences, clauses or phra�e$ might be declared invaltd, such declaration sh��l not affect the validity of any other section, subsection, paragraph,sentence, clause or phrase.
SECTION 9. .Duties of Heal th Officer shall be. described in Job Description-Ferndale Health Officer in city ·file. (Amended by Ordinance 2025-05)
SECTION 10.09 Ordinance No. 286 and 291 are hereby repealed •..
SECTION- 11.10 This Ordinance bocomes effective
:
• thirty
(30) days �fte� ado�tion.
Adopted this ,2_ day of _A_p
_
r
_
1_1 __ , 1985 by the following
vote:.
AYES: Etter· , Ring, Lorenzen and Nicholson
NOES: O
ABSENT:Farrington
-,�-��---,.( lf' �frtt-4t�;&tnd
David K. Nicholsoh, Mayor
AT'l'EST:
Mary c. Jorgensen, Clerk
I
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Section 14
CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence Files are available for review at City Hall during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday, 9am to 4pm.
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Section 15
COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL
Section 16
REPORTS
City Manager’s Report
Commissions and Committee Reports
Minutes from JPAs and Reports
October 15, 2025
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City Managers Report
for September 2025 City Council Meeting
CITY MANAGER (September 11, 2025 – October 8, 2025)
Grant Updates
• Arlington Ave Drainage Project:
Continuing to work with Brett Vivyan on this Grant. We met with Jared Sousa on September 15th. The meeting was informative, and we are continuing to move forward. We will continue to connect with downstream properties and outreach with them. Public Works, with the assistance of MCI, did some potholing to figure out how deep the utilities are. There has been talk about moving the proposed swale from running in front of the Fairgrounds to running on the other side of the street. Once there is more of a definitive plan, Brett will update the Council with a presentation.
• Per Capita:
We are still buttoning up this grant. Rick Hill, the grant administrator, is scheduled to be in town on October 10th. He plans on taking the final pictures of all the improvements to send to the State Department of Parks and Recreation. Once this is all finished, the city can receive final reimbursement and close out the grant.
• 5th & A Street:
I have been in contact with RAO Construction on what the holdup is. The last contact was on October 1st and they were working on a project schedule. I have sent them the encroachment permit application as well as a business license application as these are required for the project. I hope to have more information to present at the October 15th meeting.
• OurEnergy Microgrid:
Biweekly meetings are being held in conjunction with this project. Meeting on October 8th went over some areas that may possibly house the grid. Many areas cannot be used due to them having the “prime ag” designation. It sounds like we will need to have around 20 acres, but maybe a little less if the project is downsized to energize less area. • State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP):
I am currently working with Planner Michelle Nielsen and City Engineer Brian Ontiveros on possible funding from STIP. At last month’s Council meeting, the council recommended three projects for the funding. Planner Nielsen attended the TAC meeting and was advised that grant funding fell shorter than what was expected. The good news is TAC is preliminarily recommending that Project 2, Francis Street, Between Francis Creek & Eugene Street, be included in the RTIP/STIP cycle. With this, the city will need to look at reducing the cost estimate of the project from $481,000 to $425,000. I will continue to work with Michelle and Brian to ensure we can meet their request.
PGE Undergrounding:
I was able to connect with Donna Pontrello, project manager for our Francis St undergrounding project. It appears that the project is in line to start in 2027. Much of 2026 will be the design build. One larger expense for the city will be streetlights and the trenching that will need to be done for streetlights. I received much of this information while Brian was on vacation and have not yet been able to speak with him regarding much of this. In my meeting with PGE, they stated joint trenching with them is a very expensive alternative and stated most cities trench separately for their streetlights. PGE is planning a job walk for this undergrounding project on October 15, 2025
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Thursday, October 30th from 1pm-4pm if any council would like to attend. It looks like the meeting will start at 219 Francis Street.
Public Works Projects:
• Wildcat Road Slip out:
Public Works has been in contact with MCI to get this project started. It sounds like they will be trying to get this on their schedule before month’s end. • East Side Drainage:
A huge thank you to Joseph Alexandre who has been working on this. I trust this will be completed by the October 15th meeting. We are thankful that this has been done and now will work on placing this on a routine maintenance schedule.
Wastewater Plant:
The plant is still in need of software upgrades. Shawn is diligent in completing this task. We will continue our efforts to upgrade the systems and assist Shawn with whatever means are necessary for him to accomplish this.
Russ Park
Went on a tour of Russ Park last month. We are blessed to have such a gorgeous natural resource. The new kiosk has been installed at the Eugene Street entrance. Thank you, Russ Park Committee and Public Works. I am working with Ken to put together a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new “Berry Run” trail. We are shooting for a day in the next couple weeks. We will be working on where the parking lot will be going and where the fence needs to be installed to ensure the timeline meets the easement agreement.
Fireman’s Park
The bathrooms at Fireman’s Park are coming along nicely. A huge thank you and shout out to the Spirit of Ferndale and all the volunteers who are coming out to work on these. They will be such a beautiful upgrade. The BBQ has been fixed and now is locked. Staff put a sign up so the community is aware that the BBQ rental is free, however, they will need to reserve so staff can unlock it upon request.
Community Center
I have been working with Leira Satlof, executive director for the Senior Center. We are getting the grant request written and plan on having it submitted by the end of the month. The grant request will be for replacement of the back porch entirely, children’s center bathroom upgrades, sink and refrigerator for bar area, and gutter replacements in the rear of the facility. These maintenance requests will assist the city in maintaining the Community Center and allowing the city to still offer the use of the facility at no cost for Ferndale non-profits and youth groups.
Regular Meetings:
• Daily Meeting with Lauren Boop, Finance Director
• Daily Meetings with Ron Sligh, Police Chief
• Daily Meetings with Mayor Cady
• Weekly meetings with Public Works.
• Weekly meetings with Planners and Engineer
• Monthly Meetings
o City Council Meetings (September 17th, September 23rd) o Planning Commission (Cancelled this month)
o Drainage Committee (Cancelled this Month)
October 15, 2025
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o Emergency Response (Second Thursday of the Month)
o Department Heads (Second Tuesday of the Month)
o City Managers’ Meeting (Last Thursday of the Month)
Other:
Films: There are currently three films occurring in Ferndale. Considering these all happening at the same time, staff is working on updating the Film Permit application and process.
1. Rose Colored Glasses – This is a minor production film by Clang Productions was completed with minimal disruption.
2. Sheriff Country – This filming was part of CBS Sheriff County Drone Unit. They completed their shots on Saturday, September 27th.
3. Dark Light – They will start filming on October 13th. I anticipate this film will cause moderate disruption in the downtown area. They are placing an ad in the newspaper that will help the community anticipate when and where the closures and filming will be taking place. It appears most of the disruption will take place from October 13-21. I have been assured that the production team will try to mitigate any concerns.
Department of Health Services: This subject and meetings have taken a lot of my time this month. Numerous interactions with Mario Kalson, DHHS Public Health Director Division of Environmental Health on providing Health Services to Ferndale. Numerous conversations with CIRA and City Attorney. This subject is sensitive to the food business community; however, the services are necessary to be provided. There are many services the county offers that require qualified personnel to assist in as well. I met with some of the food business owners on October 2nd and was able to hear their concerns. The timeline for transitioning to the county will likely start at the end of November and give a 60-day application window for businesses to apply for a permit with the county. An orientation with the county will also be scheduled around the end of November to very early December for those businesses that would like to more familiarize themselves with the process and ask questions. The Ordinance change is on the October 15th agenda, and the second reading is anticipated to be at the November 19th meeting.
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STAFF REPORTING SEPTEMBER 2025
CITY CLERK ACTIVITY
Meeting Activities:
• Met with Mayor to discuss agenda items.
• Attended, Wrote Agenda, and Compiled Packets for:
o City Council Meeting 09/17/2025
o City Council Special Meeting 09/23/2025
o Planning Commission Meeting 09/03/2025
• Transcribed and drafted meeting minutes
• Uploaded meeting videos for all above listed meetings. • Complied meeting agendas and public notices for Posting • Uploaded meeting packets to City Website.
• Meetings & Conversations with Attorney regarding City Business • Meetings with Community Center & Town Hall Renters to go over Facility Projects
• Assisted the public via telephone and email, answering questions and information requests. • On-going communications with contract Engineers and City Planner about agenda items before the City Council, Planning Commission, and Drainage Meetings. • Processed Building Permits, Encroachment Permits, and Parade Permits • Communications with the Building Inspector to review plans and discuss finals on projects. • Pick up and distribute City correspondence.
• Organized and filed paperwork.
• Processed checks, created revenue spreadsheet, and ready deposit for bank drop-off. • Responded to Public Records Act requests.
• Maintained minutes, resolution, ordinance, and agenda binders. • Read weekly ERMA bulletins.
• Processed Monthly Reports to Assessor’s office and Construction Industry Research Board • Processed Community Center & Town Hall Rentals
• Processed Film Permit Applications
FINANCE OFFICER ACTIVITY
Tasks:
• Answered phones and assisted citizens at City Hall
• Processed Payroll/Payroll Tax Payments
• Processed Accounts Payable
• Processed Accounts Receivable
• Completed Quarterly Duties
• Reconciled Monthly Debits and Credits for both GL and Russ Park accounts • Delivered and received mail correspondence
• Posted all notices, meetings, etc. to City Bulletin Board at Post Office • Reviewed ERMA and HR bulletins
• Provided necessary documents to Kris for City Council Meeting • Set up chairs and tables for various meetings at Town Hall • Provided necessary documents to Stacey and Kris for month end • Billed customers for Septic Dumps and Health Inspections • Sent Late Notices for all open invoices
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• Assisted the City Manager in the application and reporting for various grants • Updated notes in Finance Clerk Duties Manual on all new tasks and duties learned • Assisted in transition of City Managers
• Communicated with grant contacts and performed steps to continue projects • Assisted with TDA Audit preparations for FY 24/25
• Set up for and Attended City Council Meeting and took minutes as Deputy City Clerk • Purchased items requested by Department Heads
• Set up for and Attended City Drainage Meeting and took minutes as Deputy City Clerk
CITY PLANNER ACTIVITY
General Planning Services
Task 1 Response to Public Information Request:
• Responded to query about ADU at 149 Arlington: researched setbacks, easements, and prepared email/notes regarding requirements. Phone call with applicant’s representative about measuring zoning boundary, contents for the site plan, etc. • Phone call with City Clerk about installing an awning at Valley Grocery.
Task 2 CEQA Compliance
• No Planning actions for reporting period.
Task 3 Community Planning – Reporting, Other Planning Activities • Compiling City's project list and other info for 2026 update of the RTP, and submitted to HCAOG.
• Attended (virtually) Vision Zero demonstration project coordination meeting hosted by HCAOG.
Task 4 Meetings and Hearings, and Materials:
• Communications and coordination with Acting City Manager and City Clerk for September and October 2025 City Council and Planning Commission meetings. • Communications and coordination with Acting City Manager and City Clerk for October 2 TAC meeting.
• Prepared August and September 2025 Planning Commission meeting minutes. • Performed research to prepare staff report and resolution for programming City roadway rehabilitation projects for RTIP/STIP cycle.
• Prepared planner's report of August 2025 activities for September 17 City Council meeting. Also prepared City Council staff reports and resolutions for agenda items for an RTP amendment; nominating projects for inclusion in the RTIP for STIP programming; the 2026 RTP update,
• City Council and Planning Commission meetings – Attended and presented at the September City Council and Planning Commission meetings. • HCAOG Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) – Attended September 4 TAC meeting (in-person), and time for driving to meeting (one-way only). • Regional Climate Action Plan – No Planning actions for reporting period.
Task 5 GIS Mapping
• No Planning actions for reporting period.
Task 6 Grant Writing/Funding Coordination
• Virtual meeting with Caltrans about Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant. • Communications and coordination with City Engineer about RTIP/STIP projects, and the 2026 RTP project list.
• Communications with HCAOG Executive Director about RTP amendment for RTIP/STIP eligibility; also asked about when STIP funds can be accessed. • Preparing RTIP/STIP project nomination forms and request for RTP amendment; drafted October 15, 2025
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cover letters for Acting City Manager and City Engineer. • Assisting City Engineer with applying CPI factor to project estimates because funds cannot be accessed until 2029/2030. Compiling project nomination materials. • Phone call with HCAOG Executive Director about City RTIP/STIP projects because requests for inclusion exceed region’s allocation; discussed the TAC meeting and need to focus on a project given the funding is oversubscribed.
Planning Applications and Pre-Application Consultations • No Planning actions for reporting period.
6th Cycle Housing Element
• Preparing for September 5 virtual meeting with HCD.
• Working on housing element site inventory in response to HCD emails. • Emailed September 3 Planning Commission resolutions recommending adoption of Housing Element programs flagged in Letter of Inquire to HCD analyst. • Participated in 30" virtual meeting with HCD and internal post meeting debrief. 7th Cycle Housing Element
• Reviewing HCAOG info regarding proposed RHNA methodology.
Special Planning Projects
Group 1: Zoning Ordinance Amendments to Implement 6th Cycle Housing Element, Land Use Element, and Safety Element
• No Planning actions for reporting period.
Group 2: Zoning Ordinance Amendments to Implement 6th Cycle Housing Element, Land Use Element, and Safety Element
• Working on September 3 Planning Commission presentation and notes. Mapping out schedule of deadlines and deliverables to finish Group 2. • Reviewing the redline edits to the zoning ordinance, and compiled and prepared PC's recommended revisions to the amendments.
• Finalized the October 15, 2025 City Council public hearing and first reading notice, and sent to Ferndale Enterprise for proof and quote.
CITY ENGINEER ACTIVITY
Brian was on vacation and unable to provide Staff Report.
WASTEWATER OPERATIONS
• Monthly samples prepared and sent to North Coast Labs • Operators perform lab tests daily to measure efficiency of plant • Cleaned filters...Due to high pond flow recoveries.
• Monthly eSMR (electronic State Monthly Report) prepared and submitted • Monthly no spill verification report completed on CIWQS website • Continuous monitoring and adjustments to sludge blanket… • Monthly report of generator use for air quality.
• Front gate chain oiled each Monday
• Inspect manholes throughout town weekly
• Repair UV lamps and prepare for improvements on bank c. • Weekly maintenance performed on UV banks
• Service and maintain Aqua dams around pond.
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• Spray weed killer around pond and aqua dams.
• Dewater for total of 32 hours. Sludge dried at old site • Maintenance on filters, clean nozzles
• Operators cleaned walls and catwalk.
• Removal of duck weed from clarifiers on weekly basis. • Removed and serviced plugged a series of internal pumps. • Hydro Jett Main St. Multiple times to damaged collection system in front of Pizza Co. • Hydro Jett Dr office many times to clear collection system on Main St. • Multiple days of computer work to upgrade and repair our Scada system at treatment plant. • Repair and patch asphalt at emergency lateral replacement at 1182 Main St. • Partner with RCD Francis creek project to remove brush. • Back up at 638 4th St on Sunday at 6pm.
• Major disruptions from power outage on 9/5/2025.
• Pull influent pump #3 for repairs.
• Clear entrance to plant from pond influent.
• Billed, Steve’s Septic, Taylor and Wyckoff a total of 4,977.00 for the month of SEPTEMBER 2025. 21 total dumps for total of 34,900 gallons.
• Total flow through plant. SEPTEMBER was 4.463 MGD. Of that ..141 MGD average flow to irrigation and ..1.3 MGD was pumped to retention pond.
• 1” inches of Rain in SEPTEMBER 2025
PUBLIC WORKS
• Continued with monthly and daily duties. Such as, cleaning and maintenance of city's bathrooms, mowing of city's owned properties, cleaning of storm drains, keeping streets clear of debris and the maintenance of city's facilities. • Trim trees at police department that were growing into the building and storage container. • Trim trees and remove vegetation along the edge of Cleveland Street. We reclaimed about a 10-foot swath of road edge.
• Clean grease trap at Community Center.
• Cleared DI boxes of sand and dirt, cleared cross drains of debris. • Department head meeting at town hall.
• Drainage meeting with Brett Vivian and Sousa’s.
• Drainage meeting with Francis Street neighborhood residents. • Delivered kiosk to the Eugene Street side of Russ park where the new trail is going. • Repaired damaged picnic tables at Fireman’s Park picnic area. • Install rental info sign at pit BBQ at Fireman’s Park. Install warning signs at Russ Park kiosk.
• Replace bulbs on streetlights on Main Street.
• Adjust light timers at town hall.
• Painting curbs and “STOP” letters and stop bars around town. • Finish hauling off debris from the volunteer cleanup.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The department began a background investigation on a lateral police officer applicant for Police Sergeant. The applicant is retiring from a neighboring PERS agency in November and wants to continue serving with our agency.
CERT: Greg Waters from County OES was the guest speaker at CERT’s monthly meeting.
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Police Statistics – September 2025
SERIOUS CRIMES Number Cleared
Homicide 0
Rape (Attempted) 0
Robbery 0
Larceny 0
Assault 2
Burglary 0
Vehicle Theft 0
TOTAL 2
SECONDARY CRIMES 11
Calls for Service 287
Reports Written 23
Traffic Citations 7
Other Citations 0
Parking Citations 1
Warnings 31
ARRESTS 3
AGENCY ASSISTS 12
TRAFFIC COLLISIONS 1
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CITY OF FERNDALE, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, USA
Minutes for Planning Commission Meeting of August 6, 2025 Call to Order – Chair Jerry Rocha called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Commissioners Jorgen von Frausing-Borch, Josh Smith, Stuart Altschuler, and Mia Rudynski were present along with along with Contract City Planners Vanessa Blodgett and Michelle Nielsen, Planwest Partners, Inc. Those in attendance pledged allegiance to the flag.
Roll Call – All Present
Modifications to the Agenda – None.
Approval of Previous Minutes – There were no comments from the Commission or Public.
Motion: To approve the minutes of June 4, 2025, Regular Planning Commission Meeting, and the minutes of the July 1, 2025 Special Planning Commission Meeting. (Altschuler/Smith) Unanimous
Public Comment – There were no public comments
DESIGN REVIEW PERMITS – None
PUBLIC HEARING – City Planners Vanessa Blodgett and Michelle Nielsen provided a PowerPoint and gave the Commission and Public an overview of proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance and subdivision ordinance. Blodgett reviewed the proposed amendments to update the exterior material standards for the R1, R2, and R3 zones. The amendments would add clarifying language to the “plywood exterior paneling” standard. The Commission discussed the proposed amendment, and there was agreement with the language as drafted. Blodgett review the amendment to add non-reflective Class A metal roofs as a permissible roofing material for the R1, R2, and R3 zones. The Commission discussed the meaning of “non-reflective”. There was agreement that this standard would mean 0% reflection, and with the proposed amendment to add this type of roofing material. City Planner Michelle Nielsen reviewed the proposed amendments to add supportive housing developments by-right in select zones. Nielsen explained these amendments implement the city’s adopted housing element. Nielsen also explained that state law dictates the zones where they are to be permitted, how this type of development can be regulated, and that cities have very little discretion. Nielsen reviewed the proposed amendments for single room occupancy housing (SROs), and explained that the Commission did have some discretion, in contrast to the supportive housing developments regulations. Nielsen gave an overview of the SRO amendments.
Nielsen then presented the SRO provisions and requested Commission input as stated in the staff report. The Commission discussed and provided direction to the City Planner for each topic: The Commission agreed with applying the allowance for SRO housing to the R2, R3, C1, and C2 zones.
The Commission agreed with the proposed length of stay standard of 30 days or more. The Commission discussed and agreed with the proposed standard that SRO unit tenants do not have an additional residential address other than the address of the SRO housing facility in which the unit is located. There was agreement that the SRO regulations include a requirement that units be affordable to lower income households. There was agreement that the SRO amendments provide options for shared kitchen and/or bathroom facilities consistent with California Building Code.
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Chair Rocha continued the public hearing for the amendments zoning ordinance and subdivision ordinance to the September 3, 2025 Regular Planning Commission Meeting.
Adjournment: Chair Rocha adjourned the meeting at 7:28 pm Respectfully submitted,
Kristene Hall, City Clerk
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CITY OF FERNDALE, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, USA
Minutes for Planning Commission Meeting of September 3, 2025 Call to Order – Chair Jerry Rocha called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Commissioners Jorgen von Frausing-Borch, and Mia Rudynski were present along with Contract City Planners Vanessa Blodgett and Michelle Nielsen, Planwest Partners, Inc. Those in attendance pledged allegiance to the flag.
Roll Call – Commissioners Altschuler and Smith were absent Modifications to the Agenda – None.
Approval of the Previous Minutes – Not available at the time the meeting agenda was posted.
Public Comment – There were no public comments
Design Review Permits – None
PUBLIC HEARING – City Planners Vanessa Blodgett and Michelle Nielsen provided a PowerPoint and gave the Commission and Public an overview of proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance and subdivision ordinance. Blodgett and Nielsen gave a recap of the zoning amendments discussed at the Planning Commission public hearing of August 6, 2025. Nielsen explained that the “non-reflective” language of the proposed amendment to add Class A metal roofs as a permissible roofing material should be modified to be “low- to non-reflective” because all materials are reflective. A standard of “non-reflective” may be interpretative in a manner that is too restrictive. The Commission discussed the suggested language, and agreed the language should be modified to be “low- to non-reflective or anti-reflective Class A metal roofs”. City Planner Vanessa Blodgett gave a presentation on the proposed zoning amendments to establish Streamside Protection Area (-SPA) combining zone that implements the city’s adopted Land Use Element of the General Plan. Blodgett explained that the proposed -SPA combining zone would apply to properties along Francis Creek, and the -SPA standards are consistent with the policies and standards of the Land Use Element. Nielsen reviewed the proposed zoning amendments that would create a discretionary demolition procedures for some types of buildings.
Nielsen noted that the draft regulations include a safety value provision for demolitions where conditions of imminent public health or safety are found to be present. Nielsen explained that, as drafted, the proposed amendments to add discretionary demolition procedures for some types of buildings do not expressly include buildings located in the city’s designated historic district or designated historic structures. The current practice was explained: discretionary review is trigged by the California Environment Quality Act (CEQA) when there is a proposal to demolish a building in the city’s historic district or that is designated as historic. Nielsen stated the Commission has the option to recommend that the amendments be expanded to include the city’s historic district and designated historic structures. The Commission discussed the potential for expanding the discretionary procedures citywide, then agreed this would need to be explored further and the City Attorney would need to be consulted. The Commission discussed enforcement and if there were fines, or could be fines, in the event a historic structure was demolished without the necessary permit. Nielsen explained enforcement and fines were outside October 15, 2025
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the scope of the draft amendments. The Commission agreed to recommend that the City Council look into what fines could be applied if a historic building is demolished before the needed permits are secured. The Commission agreed to recommend to the City Council that the amendments to add discretionary demolition procedures for some types of buildings include buildings located in the city’s designated historic district and designated historic structures.
Nielsen review the amendments to add findings for use and special permits. Nielsen stated these findings are already a legal requirement for use permits and special permits. The proposed amendments would improve transparency for applicants, the public, and staff.
Blodgett and Nielsen provided an overview of the proposed amendments to the city’s subdivision ordinance for the approval period for tentative maps, and the extension procedures for tentative maps; updates to the standards, procedures, etc. for lot line adjustments; and the proposed new provisions for voluntary parcel mergers. Blodgett and Nielsen advised the Commission that the City Engineer was consulted extensively during drafting process of drafting the subdivision ordinance amendments, and that City Engineer provided detailed input on the amendments.
Chair Rocha opened the public hearing for meeting attendees to provide comment, surveyed the audience, and no members of the public provided public comments.
MOTION: to adopt Resolution 2025-14, making findings pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, and adopt Resolution 2025-15 recommending that the City Council adopt the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 02-02) and the Subdivision Ordinance (Ordinance No. 99-04) incorporating the Commission’s agreed upon modifications. (von Frausing-Borch/ Rudynski) Roll Call Vote: Unanimous BUSINESS:
Building Permits Issued May 29, 2025 – August 28, 2025: No Comments Correspondence – None
Commissioner Comments – None
Staff Comments – None
Adjournment: Chair Rocha adjourned the meeting at 7:32 pm Respectfully submitted,
Kristene Hall, City Clerk
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Item 4a
HUMBOLDT COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS
Regional Transportation Planning Agency
Humboldt County Local Transportation Authority
Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies
611 I Street, Suite B
Eureka, CA 95501
(707) 444-8208
www.hcaog.net
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING RECORD
August 21, 2025, 4:30 p.m.
Eureka City Hall, Council Chambers
531 K Street, Eureka, CA 95501
Present:
Mayor Mike Johnson (Chair) City of Fortuna
Supervisor Steve Madrone (Vice-Chair) County of Humboldt Councilmember Kat Napier City of Blue Lake
Mayor Kim Bergel City of Eureka
Mayor Pro Tem Bryce Kenny City of Trinidad
Councilmember Stacy Atkins-Salazar City of Arcata
Councilmember Robert Orr City of Rio Dell
Policy Advisory Committee Members:
Natalie Arroyo Humboldt Transit Authority
Tatiana Ahlstrand (PAC Member) Caltrans
Absent:
Councilmember Skip Jorgensen City of Ferndale
Staff:
Brendan Byrd Executive Director
Amy Eberwein Administrative Services Officer
Oona Smith Senior Regional Planner
Noah Sary CivicSpark Fellow
1. Call to Order
Chair Johnson called the meeting of August 21, 2025, to order at 4:30 p.m.
2. Adjournment of the HCAOG Board; Convening of the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC)
The PAC convened to include representatives from Caltrans and Humboldt Transit Authority.
3. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items – None
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HCAOG 2 PAC Item 4a – 09/18/2025
4. Presentations
a. Housing and Community Development (HCD) Regional Housing Needs Determination (RHND)
HCD staff presented information on the region's RHND and answered questions from the Board.
Public Comment: Pat Kaspari, Colin Fiske, Cristin Kenyon, Leslie Castellano b. Comprehensive Adaptation and Implementation Plan (CAIP) Update Caltrans Climate Change Adaptation Branch Supervisor Lorna McFarlane presented an update on the Eureka-Arcata Corridor CAIP.
Public Comment: Cristin Kenyon
c. Caltrans 2025 State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) TenYear Plan Projects for Humboldt County Caltrans District 1 Asset Manager Kirsten Thursesson presented an overview of the SHOPP Ten Year Plan development, the District 1 2025 Performance Plans, planned projects for Humboldt County, and feedback received from HCAOG partners.
5. Consent Calendar
Motion was made (Madrone/Kenny) to approve the following consent items:
a. Approval of Meeting Records – July 17, 2025
b. 2025 Draft Title VI Program and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan Update The PAC recommended that the HCAOG Board adopt Resolution 25-19 approving the 2025 Title VI Program and LEP plan.
c. 2025 Draft Public Participation Plan (PPP) Update
The PAC recommended that the HCAOG Board adopt Resolution 25-20 approving the 2025 Public Participation Plan.
Motion was approved unanimously.
6. Items Removed from Consent Calendar – None
7. Board Action Items
a. FY 2025-26 Overall Work Program (OWP) and Budget Amendment #1 (encl) Motion was made (Atkins-Salazar/Arroyo) to recommend that the HCAOG Board adopt Resolution 25-21 approving the FY 2025-26 OWP & Budget Amendment #1.
Motion was approved unanimously.
b. Draft Revised HCAOG Transportation Development Act (TDA) Rules (encl) Motion was made (Kenny/Napier) to recommend that the HCAOG Board adopt the HCAOG Transportation Development Act Rules as revised.
Motion was approved unanimously.
8. Reconvening of the HCAOG Board
Motion was made (Atkins-Salazar/Madrone) to reconvene as the HCAOG Board and approve the PAC recommendations.
Motion was approved unanimously.
9. Discussion Items
a. Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Update 2026: Discuss Plan Objectives, Update Approach and Development Schedule; Update on 2022 Safe and Sustainable Transportation Targets
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HCAOG 3 PAC Item 4a – 09/18/2025
Executive Director Brendan Byrd provided updates on the RTP Update including a proposed schedule. CivicSpark Fellow Noah Sary provided an update on the Safe and Sustainable Transportation Targets (SSTT) and potential revisions to metrics. The Board was asked to provide input on plan objectives, approach, SSTT revisions, and schedule.
Staff was directed to proceed with the current objectives, public outreach approach, and schedule. The Board directed staff to develop proposed revisions to the SSTTs as suggested in the staff report and bring back to the Board for further discussion. PAC Member Arroyo requested the inclusion of regional complete streets criteria, maintenance funding, and the Climate Action Plan Manager into the RTP. She also suggested implementing a transit audit/group bus ride.
Public Comment: Colin Fiske
b. Bike and Pedestrian Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) Assessment: Public Review & Comment Period
Senior Regional Planner Oona Smith presented the results of the Bike and Pedestrian LTS Assessment, demonstrated how the application functions, and requested Board input on the results of the assessment.
10. HCAOG Staff and Board/PAC Member Reports
a. HCAOG Executive Director’s Report
Executive Director Brendan Byrd discussed the following: Associate Regional Planner Stevie Luther has returned to work after his educational leave. CivicSpark Fellow Noah Sary will be finishing up his work with HCAOG with his internship ending in early September. Work has started on the Zero Emission Fleet Transition and the North State Hydrogen Fueling Station projects. All projects that were submitted to the Carbon Reduction Program have been obligated. RHNA working group has created a draft methodology and those will be brought to the Board at the September meeting for consideration. The Week Without Driving will take place September 29th through October 5th and Board members are encouraged to sign up for the challenge. b. Caltrans Report
• Jeff Pimentel discussed the current status of the Indianola Undercrossing Project and the timeline for completion.
c. Board/PAC Member Reports
• PAC Member Natalie Arroyo requested to present information about the Measure O spending plan and a marketing video for HTA at the October Board meeting.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Meredith Matthews, City of Arcata, Chair
Michelle Lewis-Lusso City of Blue Lake, Vice Chair
Leslie Castellano, City of Eureka
Randall Cady, City of Ferndale
Steve Madrone, County of Humboldt
Frank Wilson, City of Rio Dell
Minutes
Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 5:30 PM
Eureka City Council Chamber
Present: Meredith Matthews, Michelle Lusso-Lewis, Leslie Castellano, Randall Cady, Steve Madrone, Frank Wilson.
Absent: None
Staff: Eric Keller-Heckman, Tony Heacock, Helder Morais, Hilary Schwartz Legal Counsel: Nancy Diamond
1. Call to Order and Roll Call at 5:30 PM
Chairperson Matthews called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. A quorum was present and acting.
2. Consent Calendar
a. Approve Minutes from the July 10, 2025, regular meeting of the HWMA Board of Directors.
b. Review and Approve Draft May 2025 Financial Reports
c. Review and Approve Draft June 2025 Financial Reports.
Chairperson Matthews inquired if there were any requests to pull items from the Consent Calendar, and a request was received to pull item 2c from the Consent Calendar.
Chairperson Matthews opened the floor to public comment, and no public comment on the Consent Calendar was received.
Chairperson Matthews closed the floor to public comment.
Motion: Director Castellano motioned, and Director Cady seconded, to approve the items a) through b) of the Consent Calendar as delivered.
Action: Approve the Motion as made by Director Castellano and seconded by Director Cady.
Ayes: Unanimous
Noes: None
Absent: None
Executive Director Keller-Heckman explained that, due to an unforeseen issue, the attachment to the June financials was omitted from the September Board packet.
Chairperson Matthews directed staff to bring the draft June 2025 financial statements back before the HWMA Board at the next regular meeting.
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3. Oral and Written Communications
Chairperson Matthews opened the floor to public comment regarding items not on the agenda. No public comment was received.
Chairperson Matthews closed the floor to public comment.
4. Proposed Resolution 2026-04, updating the HWMA Financial Policy 3020.3 to capitalize and depreciate assets of $10,000 or greater.
Executive Director Keller-Heckman provided background on Financial Policy 3020.3, the Authority’s policy on capitalization and depreciation of assets. In January 2004, the Authority identified a threshold of $1,000 for the capitalization and depreciation of assets and revised that threshold to from $1,000 to $5,000 in February 2007. Following consultation with the Authority’s auditors and other public agencies, staff is requesting that the Board again revise this threshold from $5,000 to $10,000.
Director Lewis-Lusso asked if the proposed change would impact any grant deliverables or other aspects of the Authority’s financial position. Executive Director KellerHeckman replied that the proposed revision would not affect any assets currently on the Authority’s depreciation schedule, but it will reduce the staff time associated with capitalization and depreciation of ancillary operational expenditures.
Chairperson Matthews opened the floor to public comment. No public comment was received.
Chairperson Matthews closed the floor to public comment.
Motion: Director Cady motioned, and Director Castellano seconded, to approve Resolution 2026-04, updating the HWMA Financial Policy 3020.3 to authorize capitalization and depreciation of assets of $10,000 or greater.
Action: Approve the Motion as made by Director Cady and seconded by Director Castellano.
Ayes: Unanimous
Noes: None
Absent: None
5. Proposed Resolution 2026-05 updating the HWMA Policy 6010 Labor Charges Executive Director Keller-Heckman explained that Policy 6010 Labor Charges was originally adopted by the HWMA Board of Directors in July 2001 and revised in May 2009. In current practice, HWMA staff utilizes the Labor Charge for a myriad of operational activities related to materials, such as concrete and trailers, that require additional staff time compared with typical municipal solid waste. As HWMA’s best practices have shifted in response to changing materials, staff identified that a better definition of what the Labor Charge can be applied to was warranted. The proposed revisions include updates to the tone and tenor of the policy, how customers are notified of the charge, how the charges are calculated, and revising how the charges are named on October 15, 2025
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the Fee Table from “Labor Charges” to “Special Handling Fee.” Overall, these proposed revisions update the policy to better reflect current HWMA practices.
Director Wilson asked how customers would be notified of the charges. Executive Director Keller-Heckman explained that the Authority’s approved Fee Table is available on the HWMA website and posted in various location at the facility and includes a brief list of which materials can be subject to the Special Handling Fee. As this fee has been in place for a long time, most customers notify HWMA staff when they are disposing of materials to which the fee applies. For customers who are not familiar with the fee, staff notifies them of the fee before the customer disposes of any materials. If that customer choses to proceed with the disposal, they do so with the awareness that special handling fees will be levied on their ticket.
Director Lewis-Lusso asked about the proposed revision to how the fee is calculated, which was previously rounded to the nearest half hour and currently rounded to the nearest quarter hour. Executive Director Keller-Heckman affirmed Director LewisLusso’s understanding of the fee calculation and explained that improvements in scale and billing software have allowed staff to estimate and apply this charge with a higher level of precision than in the past, reducing the potential for both over- and undercharging customers for the fee. Director Castellano inquired if the passage of this resolution would generate revenue actuals for the Special Handling Fee. Executive Director KellerHeckman clarified that the fee was adopted a long time ago and that while the language defining the fee is being updated, the cost of the fee remains unchanged.
General Counsel Diamond inquired about a missing word in the proposed language for Policy 2010. Executive Director Keller-Heckman confirmed that the third sentence in Policy 6010-Proposed should read as follows: “From time to time, Authority may receive wastes or waste in such a way that requires additional staff time resulting from accepting said waste.” (emphasis added)
Chairperson Matthews opened the floor to public comment. No public comment was received.
Chairperson Matthews closed the floor to public comment.
Motion: Director Lewis-Lusso motioned, and Director Cady seconded, to approve Resolution 2026-05, updating the HWMA Policy 6010 Labor Charges.
Action: Approve the Motion as made by Director Lewis-Lusso and seconded by Director Cady.
Ayes: Unanimous
Noes: None
Absent: None
6. Receive presentation on New Pit Scale
Interim Director of Operations Morais delivered an informational presentation to the Board on the recent installation of the Authority’s new Pit Scale. The presentation October 15, 2025
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covered the historical use of the previous scale, the Board’s approval of a new pit scale as a part of the Authority’s Capital Improvement Plan, the awarding of the bid to Quality Scales Unlimited, and the successful installation and certification of the new pit scale in June 2025.
Chairperson Matthews opened the floor to public comment. No public comment was received.
Chairperson Matthews closed the floor to public comment.
7. Receive presentation on potential for 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Match.
Executive Director Keller-Heckman explained to the Board that HWMA employees participate in the CalPERS defined benefit retirement program and are currently classified into two categories, Classic and PEPRA. The Authority offers additional employer-sponsored deferred compensation retirement plans called 457 plans that are available to all employees, regardless of their CalPERS classification. However, participation in these deferred compensation plans has remained persistently low at 15- 20% of Authority staff.
In November 2008, the HWMA Board adopted resolutions to begin making member contributions to CalPERS on behalf of Authority employees. CalPERS contributions are split between employee and employer contributions, and at that time, the Board authorized HWMA to pick up, or pay, the employee portion of the required contributions.
In 2013, the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) was passed, which removed the employer’s ability to pick up new employee contributions. This degraded the previous benefit to all HWMA employees hired after January 1, 2013.
Over the past year, the HWMA Board has requested that staff begin evaluating both current compensation and the overall benefit package provided to HWMA employees, with a goal of improving recruitment and retention of qualified employees. While a salary survey is forthcoming prior to the next budget cycle, staff has also identified another option utilized by other public agencies – an employer match to 457 plan contributions.
Staff has determined that there are two common options for a match of this type, a match of either 3% or 5% of compensation. For example, if a staff member participates in a deferred compensation plan, the Authority would match their contributions up to a set threshold percentage of either 3% or 5% of their annual simple wages.
Executive Director Keller-Heckman presented a chart showing the impact of an employer match of 3% or 5%, assuming 100% staff participation, both in terms of total cost and the resulting increase to rates. Executive Director Keller-Heckman also noted that while increased participation is desirable, at the current participation level, the impact to rates would be considerably lower. Staff recommends that the Board choose one of the options presented, or direct staff to return no later than November 2025 with draft language for Board consideration.
Director Lewis-Lusso inquired about the number of staff members, when the match would come into effect, and how it would impact the approved budget. Executive Director Keller-Heckman clarified that there are 34 full-time equivalent employees October 15, 2025
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(FTEs) in the Authority budget, although some positions are currently frozen. At the Board’s discretion, an employer match could be rolled into the next budget cycle and implemented on July 1, 2026. Alternatively, the Board could approve a match in the current fiscal year and utilize the Employee Benefits reserve funding, which has been untouched for several years. The cost of an employer match would appear as a new line item in the payroll and benefits section of the HWMA annual budget.
Director Castellano inquired if any local agencies were offering a 457 match. Executive Director Keller-Heckman indicated that all the agencies identified by staff as offering a 457 match were within the state of California. Director Castellano commented on how the desire to see staff prosper must be balanced with consideration for the impact of rate increases and requested more data on local rates across a variety of public services.
Executive Director Keller-Heckman pointed out that unlike other public agencies, the HWMA is solely funded by its tipping fees, excluding grants, and does not have the ability to add additional fees. Chairperson Matthews inquired if staff had been asking for this match. Executive Director Keller-Heckman clarified that the HWMA board directed staff to analyze compensation and benefits, and that the 457 match was identified as an option to strengthen the Authority’s benefits package. Overall, Executive Director Keller-Heckman predicted that a match might double participation in the 457 plans.
Director Madrone pointed out that many local non-profits offer a 457 match, and that these programs reduce the cost of failed recruitment and retention efforts. Director Madrone predicted that if reserve funding was utilized in the short-term, the Authority would have a better idea of how much the match would impact rates going forward.
Director Wilson asked if the match would completely offset the employee contributions, and Executive Director Keller-Heckman clarified that the cost of the match would be additive for the Authority but capped at the threshold percentage. Director Madrone pointed out that although the positive impact of a match is not yet known, it would not have any negative impact on staff and would be likely to increase morale.
Chairperson Matthews opened the floor to public comment. No public comment was received.
Chairperson Matthews closed the floor to public comment.
Motion: Director Madrone motioned, and Director Wilson seconded, to poll staff and return with a recommendation. Director Castellano amended the motion to include a request for more information about HWMA staff and tenure.
Action: Approve the Motion as made by Director Madrone, seconded by Director Wilson and amended by Director Castellano.
Ayes: Unanimous
Noes: None
Absent: None
8. Standing Item: Board Member Reports
There were no Board Member reports.
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9. Standing Item: Executive Director’s Report
Executive Director Keller-Heckman had no further reports.
10. Closed Session
It is the intention of the Board of Directors to meet in closed session for one item, pursuant to Government Code 54956.8 Real Property, to consider the potential price and terms of purchase of APN 405-081-0036.
Chairperson Matthews adjourned the meeting to Closed Session at 6:08 pm.
11. Report Out of Closed Session: No report.
Chairperson Matthews adjourned the Closed Session at 6:13 pm.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
Wharfinger Building, Great Room August 28, 2025
1 Marina Way, Eureka, CA 95501 Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
Chair Scott Bauer called a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Redwood Coast Energy Authority to order on the above date at 3:36 p.m. Notice of this meeting was posted on August 21, 2025.
PRESENT: Natalie Arroyo, Chair Scott Bauer, Carlos Diaz, Michael Gerace, Skip Jorgensen, Alt. Dir. Cheryl Kelly, Elise Scafani, Sarah Schaefer, Frank Wilson, Vice Chair Sheri Woo.
ABSENT: Jason Ramos, Jack Tuttle.
STAFF AND OTHERS PRESENT: Information Technology Technician Ken Beals, Executive Director Elizabeth Burks, Legal Counsel Nancy Diamond, Power Resources Director Richard Engel, Power Resources Specialist Forrest Novotny, Board Clerk Lori Taketa, Deputy Executive Director Eileen Verbeck.
REPORTS FROM MEMBER ENTITIES
Vice Chair Woo asked the group to encourage people to run for the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District Board District 3 vacancy. Director Arroyo reported that the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors passed a non-street light lighting ordinance for the unincorporated areas of the county.
CONSENT CALENDAR
3.1 Approve Minutes of July 24, 2025, Board Meeting.
3.2 Accept Disbursements Report for June 2025, and Financial Reports for This Fiscal Year Through June 2025.
3.3 Receive Federal Activity Report.
3.4 Approve Sole-Source Procurement of a Two-Year Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Agreement with BlastPoint, Inc. for Northern Rural Energy Network (NREN) Customer Analytics and Outreach, Not-to-Exceed $250,000, and Authorize the Executive Director to Execute All Applicable Documents.
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3.5 Authorize the Purchase of a Sixth Sun Titan L30 Power Trailer from RPS Solar Pumps for the Energy-Resilient Fire Services in High-Threat Communities Project and Amend the Total Not-to-Exceed Amount from $157,101 to $188,522 and Authorize the Executive Director to Execute All Applicable Documents in Fulfillment of Regional Resilience Grant Program Requirements.
M/S: Wilson, Schaefer: Approve Consent Calendar items.
The motion passed with a unanimous vote. Ayes: Arroyo, Bauer, Diaz, Gerace, Jorgensen, Kelly, Scafani, Schaefer, Wilson, Woo. Noes: None. Absent: Ramos.
Abstain: None.
COMMUNITY CHOICE ENERGY (CCE) BUSINESS - Chair Bauer confirmed that a CCE quorum was present.
NEW CCE BUSINESS
6.1 RCEA’s Community Choice Energy 2024 Power Sources
Power Resources Specialist Novotny described the state power source reporting requirements and outlined where RCEA’s REpower and REpower+ electricity comes from. Despite temporarily halting RCEA’s higher-than-state-targets renewable energy procurement strategy last year due to forecasted poor financial conditions, RCEA is on track to achieve its 100% carbon-free and renewable electricity portfolio goal on schedule in 2025. The group discussed that the goal may be difficult to maintain in the volatile energy and political environment and how public messaging must take this uncertainty into account. There were no public comments.
M/S: Arroyo, Schaefer: Adopt Resolution 2025-5 Approving and Attesting to the Veracity of RCEA’s 2024 Power Source Disclosure Report.
The motion passed with a unanimous vote. Ayes: Arroyo, Bauer, Diaz, Jorgensen, Kelly, Scafani, Schaefer, Wilson. Noes: None. Absent: Ramos. Abstain: None. Non-Voting:
Gerace, Woo.
STAFF REPORTS
7.1Executive Director’s Report
Staff expect to hear from the Federal Department of Energy about the Tribal Energy Resilience and Sovereignty project funding status soon. The Karuk Tribe has withdrawn from the project and the group is working with Schatz Energy Research Center to identify minimum viable solar microgrid and battery storage projects within the original, larger plan for which funding can be pursued. Staff are providing NewGen Strategies and Solutions data to begin the cost-of-service analysis. Customers have reserved almost all RCEA’s new and used electric vehicle rebates and the soon-to-be-launched e-bike rebate program is already oversubscribed. There are 200 customers on the ebike voucher waiting list. Executive Director Burks listed the many community outreach October 15, 2025
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events and presentations in which the Community Strategies team have participated.
Staff will send Board directors invitations to the Foster Avenue Solar Project ribbon cutting. RCEA received 114 customer calls in July about billing concerns, solar program checks, collection agency notices and opt out requests. Of the 18 opt out requests, 9 customers decided to stay with RCEA when staff explained what RCEA does. The directors clarified that RCEA’s electricity load is smaller due to loss of cannabis industry customers and a lack of large industrial customers rather than customers switching back to PG&E electricity generation service. Staff will provide the Board with a list of federal tax credits which are ending much sooner than originally planned, as well as brief responses to common customer questions, “Who is RCEA?” and “Is RCEA an extra charge on my electricity bill?” There were no public comments.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Director Gerace requested a staff report on efforts by other agencies to oppose unilateral Federal government shutdowns of renewable energy projects, including those that are already underway.
Chair Bauer adjourned the meeting at 4:16 p.m.
Lori Taketa
Board Clerk
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Section 17
ADJOURN
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