Ferndale Council approves Market Days permit after debate over process, costs and location

Ferndale City Council on June 23 approved a special-event permit for Ferndale Market Days, a new downtown event slated for July 2025, and amended the permit to move the event to the Ferndale Public Library parking lot.

The vote was 4–1 in favor: Council Members Johnson, Kelly, Mikulski and Leakesmaier voted yes; Council Member Polica voted no. The council authorized the director of special events to sign the agreement as submitted by staff.

Council members and local business owners questioned how the event was organized and budgeted on a compressed timeline after the cancellation of another summer event. “As of today, we’ve generated $2,500 in sponsorships and $5,000 in vendor fees,” the city manager said during the meeting, describing the event’s current revenue and vendor commitments. The city manager also told council staffers had tentatively reserved equipment but had not spent funds to date.

Why it matters: Council members said the issue raises broader questions about equity between city-run events and privately run events that contract with the city, and about internal communication when the city produces short‑notice events. Several council members and business representatives said Ferndale Bridal and other long‑standing events had to meet tougher review and budget expectations. Supporters said the Market Days event was intended to fill a July gap and drive customers to downtown businesses.

Details and debate: Vendors and residents addressed council during the public comment period. Chris Johnston, a Ferndale business owner, asked that events be treated consistently and said some city-produced promotions had not shown full service-cost estimates. Julie Musick, who runs Ferndale Bridal, said she was “surprised to see a new event being advertised after being told earlier this year that we couldn’t even advertise Ferndale Bridal,” and objected to closing 9 Mile Road for an event that she said may not yet have proven demand.

Special Event Director Michael O'Leary defended the decision to propose the event quickly after the earlier event was canceled. “I did not do this for any other reason but because I love this community and I want to show that we support our local businesses,” O'Leary said, noting the staff committee that reviewed the plan included representatives from fire, police, parking and sustainability.

Council members pressed for greater advance notice and more consistent budgeting for city-run events. Council Member Polica said she could not support the event as presented, calling the process “rushed” and noting potential impacts on transit riders and downtown traffic. Multiple council members suggested appointing a council liaison to the special-events committee so elected officials are informed earlier in planning.

Operational and safety clarifications: Staff described the event as a Class 2 (moderate) hazard special event, focused on vendors rather than large live-music draws. At the time of the meeting staff reported 26 vendor commitments and two food service providers (goal: about 30 vendors), and said emergency personnel had not required on-site medical tents or additional fire staffing for the proposed footprint. Staff said moving the event to the library lot would reduce barricading and DPW costs but would forfeit some parking revenue.

Outcome and next steps: The council approved the permit with the amended location to the library parking lot and directed staff to proceed with event preparations. Several council members asked staff to provide a full expense/income accounting after the event and to engage council earlier on future new city-run events.

Provenance: The topic was introduced when the agenda item for the special event permit was read into the record and concluded with the motion, second and roll-call vote recorded on the council floor.