Bringing new businesses to Ferndale and maintaining the vitality of its existing businesses is essential to the survival of our community. The road to success will have many obstacles. For these you must turn to your Council and Mayor as they work to overcome the difficulty in developing a successful business plan. We must interview our existing businesses and their plans to attain and maintain their success.
In our opening discussions we ask:
A. Why did you move to Ferndale?
B. What are your long term objectives?
C. What is your anticipated employee level?
D. Which of the following are your reasons to establish a businesslocation in Ferndale?1. Access to I-5
2. Close to rail connection
3. Power/Gas prices
4. Availability of established utility connections
5. Quality of Educational facilities
6. High traffic count on I-5
7. Access to quality infrastructure (roads and bridges,)
8. Annexation of potential business locations into the City
The annexation of properties in the Grandview and Slater Road area will encourage the
establishment and construction of the necessary roads and infrastructure to facilitate
businesses locating in these areas. It is vital that all utilities, provided by Ferndale, must
be established and completed, to make the City of Ferndale more attractive to businesses
who are seeking to either relocate or expand in our community.
To facilitate economic development well functioning Planning and Public Works departments with a well trained staff at all levels are in place to assist businesses inquiring about a location in Ferndale. (Ongoing education is encouraged, or in some cases required, at all staff levels.)
Planning and Public Works are areas where staff members are empowered. It is apparent in the vitality and increasing skill levels within these two departments. In past years our community has been know to have been difficult and awkward to work with in obtaining permits and other needed documents. We developed and implemented a process to make it easier for staff to obtain the skills necessary to provide prompt and pertinent information. We have provided them with the knowledge required to be in compliance with all WA State, Whatcom County and City requirements. (Occasionally Federal also.) We have installed the LEAN program which has allowed staff to streamline processes to improve service to their customers in a cost effective manner.
As we are all too aware, in business the axiom “Time is Money” is very true, and, is applicable at all levels of our work lives. My administration has as a constant goal: “to provide quality service to each customer, whether it is planning, paying utility bills, or enjoying your day at Pioneer Park.” An area contractor who attended a recent council meeting graciously complemented the staff for the significant changes that have been made and the effect upon the quality of service. That customer and many others feel that public relations are dramatically improved.New Police Station
After numerous meetings and many hours of review (and dollars spent) the building selected was the former library building.
There were several reasons for its selection:
Endorsements
In some campaigns political endorsements are an important part of the election process. In Ferndale we are “lucky” since a political campaign does not require a large influx of contributions for a candidate to be successful.
In my past campaign for Mayor I did not seek endorsements. However it is not unusual for supporters to contribute their time and money because of their recognition of how important campaign donations are to a successful campaign.The question of Union endorsements has been raised. I would be pleased to address a Union meeting if asked by the leaders of the Union. A recent example of Unions and Management working together for a common goal is how the Union members and Alcoa Corporate officials achieved the survival of the smelter and its hundreds of jobs.
The employees of the City of Ferndale dealt with the same reality. After experiencing minimal employee lay-offs and some staff re-organization they found it necessary to do more with less.
The position of Mayor requires that you hold negotiation meetings with the City Employees and their Union Representatives to work towards an equitable contract that will help Ferndale to achieve a balanced budget for the next year while maintaining the highly effective and well qualified staff we have developed.City Budget
Ferndale balances its budget each year. This is required by Washington State Law. Every year there is a team of State auditors that review and analyze our budget. This audit/review has approved Ferndale’s budget each year during the current administration.
Concerning the difficult times that you as a family or an individual experience, Ferndale City understands and shares your frustrations. The City must maintain its balanced budget and this has forced us to limit many of our planned improvements. The money is not here, as in your budget, to do what we would like to do. We must learn, as you do, to live within our budgetary allowances and wait for things to get better.
The City of Ferndale is now able increase its capital reserves. We are rebuilding our “rainy day” fund because of working within our budget!
Decisions must be made daily on how to spend Ferndale’s limited resources. If we need money, where can it come from in an already tight budget? Cuts must be made in other areas. These decisions are carefully reviewed by staff, and naturally, intense study is done by the City Council.
City Staffing
As you look at this website I hope you will acknowledge and recognize my belief:
“If you work for the City of Ferndale, you are expected
to do a quality job, in whatever arena you are working in.”The constant goals of Gary Jensen, Mayor of the City of Ferndale, are to:
Competently manage the City Staff in association with all Department Heads.
Be aware of, and respond appropriately to, any staff or resident issue that cannot be suitably resolved by front line staff and their manager.
The ability to manage a large staff is a key responsibility which comes with the position of Mayor. A person must have experienced many of life’s events to develop the skills to successfully manage a large staff such as the City of Ferndale has. There is also a need to recognize the experience and expertise of others and to allow them to join with you in realizing successful outcomes.During Mayor Jensen's term he has demonstrated what good staff mangement looks like and how to create a productive and effective work enviornment to better serve your community.
City Clerk
The position of City Clerk is of significant importance to the City. When Linda Knutson left, due to medical issues. We had to cancel a City Council meeting as we had no City Clerk and no one was available to cover those duties.
After reviewing the effect that this important position being vacant had upon the City, Mr. Greg Young and I reviewed Mr. Sam Taylor’s resume. It was our decision that he had the necessary education and qualifications to quickly assume the duties of the City Clerk. Mr. Taylor’s resume included the necessary computer skills. The training he would need was determined to be minimal so due to the urgency to fill this vital position the decision was made to bring him on board.
So far, based upon the reports that I have had from other City offices and my own daily observations and dealings with Mr. Taylor he is doing well. I have no doubts about the decision Mr. Young and I made to bring Mr. Taylor on board.Increasing Mr. Greg Young’s Salary
Mr. Young had been offered a higher ranking and better paid position in Alaska. We realized that due to recent personnel changes the need to retain an experienced administrator was essential to the continued efficient operation of City Hall.
I consulted with Council and with other City employees because it was a difficult economic time where other City employees and elected official were dealing with pay freezes and potential lay-offs.
After extensive research and reviewing of the salaries of similar positions in our vicinity it was determined that Council needed to discuss potential changes to Mr. Young’s contract. After reviewing all available information the City Council made Mr. Young an offer, which he accepted. I, as Mayor, thoroughly support the Council’s decision.
Main Street
Main Street has our highest traffic count. The major re-model of Main from Douglas to 3rd Avenue was accomplished because this street is an industrial corridor which allowed us to obtain funding from both Federa
l and State grants. All utilities were put under ground. New, and much needed, sidewalks were also installed along the street. This should dramatically increase the “kid” traffic as they walk to Mt. View School as well as dramatically improve safety for residents choosing to walk into downtown.
Due to the length of the construction project we have met with the citizens affected, local businesses, City staff and the contractor. Many new ideas were brought forth that will be utilized in any future construction project of this significance.
The Ferndale Downtown Association recently met with a director from The Washington Main Street Association. Several varied ideas to improve the appearance of Ferndale’s downtown core were presented.
It is a difficult process to approach downtown businesses to revitalize their “Store Front” during the recent economic down times that our entire Country has been experiencing. However, despite all that is down with our economy, Ferndale has grown: notice the East and West side of I-5 to see the continued influx of new businesses and developments. This is the type of continuing growth that will assist Ferndale to flourish and in doing so will increase our much needed tax base.2nd Avenue
If you have not driven and or walked through our new park and street on North 2nd Ave you should! It is a new entrance to our city that has been ignored far too long. New utilities have also been put in that will prove to
be a wise investment towards the future of this part of town.
There have been some questions about the park next to 2nd Ave. The land for this park was donated by the railroad with limitations as to its future use. This is an additional entrance to Ferndale, making it possible to avoid Main St. The development of this park was funded by mitigation monies which are specifically used for park
development.
Not only does this park allow for a convenient dog walking, bicyling, roller blading area, it also provides a great back drop to a valuable entrance into our town. A stark improvement as to the condition of the roads and the condition of the side streets that once use to occupy large amounts of traffic. Due to the new road design, we have made several homes more valuable and front yards safer by reducing traffic on Portal Way between the new roundabout and VanderYacht Park.
