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Ferndale City Council

FER-CON-2026-01-05 January 05, 2026 Committee Meeting City of Ferndale
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The January 5, 2026 Ferndale City Council meeting began with the swearing-in of three councilmembers and proceeded to receive critical updates on the challenging budget environments facing both federal and state government for 2026. The meeting was dominated by presentations from the city's federal and state lobbyists, painting a sobering picture of difficult budget conditions ahead while outlining opportunities for continued advocacy efforts. Joel Rubin from CFM Advocates provided an extensive federal outlook, noting mixed results from the Trump administration's approach to grant funding. While some programs have been eliminated or frozen, new transportation awards have been distributed fairly across blue and red states. However, significant backlogs in permitting continue to slow project implementation, and concerns remain about sanctuary jurisdiction compliance requirements. Brian Enslow from Arbutus Consulting delivered an equally challenging state outlook, describing Washington's budget crisis as potentially requiring cuts to programs traditionally protected for local governments. With super majorities in both houses, Democrats could pass bond bills without Republican support, but revenue shortfalls and flood-related expenses are creating unprecedented fiscal pressure. Both presentations emphasized that while 2026 will be difficult, Ferndale's strong financial position allows the city to offer solutions rather than request emergency assistance, potentially strengthening relationships with both federal and state partners.

**Consent Agenda (AB #26-01-001):** Passed unanimously. Approved December 1, 2025 Council meeting minutes and December payroll authorizations ($562,374.40 and $569,399.76). **December 2025 Claims (AB #26-01-003):** Passed unanimously. Approved routine monthly clai…

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**Federal Advocacy Strategy:** Extensive discussion centered on continuing federal funding requests despite challenging political environment. Key projects include $4 million Grandview Sewer Extension, Portal Way improvements ($12-15 million construction), and innovative youth opioid prevention pilot program based on Iceland model. Rubin emphasized that while some federal programs have been eliminated (electric vehicle charging, BRIC resilience), transportation funding continues to flow reasonably evenly across partisan divisions. **State Legislative Challenges:** Enslow outlined severe budget constraints facing Washington State, with particular concern about potential shifts of state responsibilities to local governments. The 2026 session's short duration (60 days) and election year timing…
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**Joel Rubin, CFM Advocates:** Cautiously optimistic about continued federal funding opportunities despite administrative changes. Emphasized importance of meeting sanctuary jurisdiction requirements and adapting to new federal priorities around energy infrastructure and community safety. **Brian Enslow, Arbutus Consulting:** Expressed concern about state budget crisis but highlighted Ferndale's strong position to offer solutions rather than seek bailouts. Recommended focusing on regulatory efficiency improvements over d…
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**Joel Rubin, on Trump administration grant funding:** "What we did see with new awards, the major programs the build program, which is a big transportation program, were allocated pretty evenly across blue States and red states." **Brian Enslow, on budget challenges:** "I don't know if I came prepared to talk about successes. I think I did that last April or June when I came here, but because mostly I'm here to not grow my heart 2 times and to be very grinching and talk about just like it's …
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**Federal Advocacy:** Mayor scheduled to visit Washington DC in late February or March to lobby for priority projects. Portal Way planning grant ($1 million) awards expected January/February 2026. **State Session:** 60-day legislative session begins January 13, 2026. Transportation reauthorization bill expected February/March markup, with potential extension if bipartisan consensus not reached by summer. **Local Projects:*…

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Following this meeting, Ferndale has clarified advocacy priorities for both federal and state levels despite challenging budget environments. The city has committed to a solutions-oriented approach rather than requesting emergency funding, potentially strengthening long-term relationships with government partners. Federal strategy now emphasizes adapting to new administrative priorities wh…
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# Advocacy Updates and Civic Campus Progress — January 5, 2026 Ferndale City Council Meeting ## Meeting Overview On a Monday evening in early January, the Ferndale City Council convened for their first meeting of 2026, bringing together elected officials, city staff, and residents to chart a course for the year ahead. The meeting at City Hall Annex carried the ceremonial significance of swearing in three councilmembers — O'Larey, Pinkley, and Mutchler — while also serving as a crucial planning session for the city's state and federal advocacy efforts. The evening's agenda reflected the dual nature of municipal governance: honoring democratic traditions while tackling the practical challenges of securing funding and navigating complex political landscapes. Two presentations dominated the meeting, offering detailed looks at how Ferndale positions itself in the corridors of power in both Olympia and Washington, D.C., while department reports revealed the steady progress of major infrastructure projects like the Civic Campus. ## Police Accountability Public Comment The meeting began with an impassioned public comment from a speaker who did not identify themselves for the record but delivered a pointed critique of local law enforcement. The speaker described being victims of death threats alongside three others, alleging that both Ferndale and Blaine police departments failed to provide adequate protection or investigation. "We've all heard the phrase cops protect cops," the speaker began. "It sounds like something from the movies, but this is real life in Ferndale and Blaine. It wasn't enough that we were threatened by a violent felon with murder. We were also victimized by the very police...who swore an oath to protect the citizens without fear or favor? Who did they protect? Their own." The speaker detailed their experience with what they described as a compromised investigation, alleging that when they requested help from Officer Hart and Chief Huffman to secure an unbiased investigator, their pleas were ignored. "Chief Huffman, you told 4 victims of a court verified death threat to get help themselves," they said. "You refused to help us. You told us to pursue the attorney general with this tainted and compromised investigation." The allegations painted …
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### Meeting Overview The Ferndale City Council convened on January 6, 2026, for their first meeting of the new year, featuring swearing-in ceremonies and presentations from both federal and state advocates outlining legislative priorities and advocacy strategies for the coming year. ### Key Terms and Concepts **CFM Advocates:** Ferndale's federal lobbying firm led by Joel Rubin that has represented the city for four years, securing over $30 million in federal funding for local projects. **Arbutus Consulting:** The city's state lobbying firm led by Brian Enslow, representing Ferndale for nearly a decade in Olympia legislative matters. **Congressionally Directed Spending:** Federal earmarks or community project funding secured through Congressional appropriations, formerly called earmarks. **Transportation Reauthorization Bill:** A five-year federal infrastructure package expiring September 2026 that funds major transportation programs nationwide. **Grandview Sewer Extension:** A major infrastructure project with $4 million in authorized federal funding to extend sewer services and support housing development. **Portal Way Improvements:** A planned $12-15 million project to rebuild Portal Way with sidewalks, lighting, transit, and bike lanes connecting east and west Ferndale. **Main Street Program:** Washington State economic development program that Ferndale has been working to join for downtown revitalization efforts. **E-bike Regulation:** Emerging transportation policy issue regarding definitions, licensing, and enforcement of electric bicycles versus motorcycles. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Greg Hansen | Mayor | | Joel Rubin | CFM Advocates (Federal Lobbyist) | | Brian Enslow | Arbutus Consulting (State Lobbyist) | | Jori Burnett | City Administrator | | Herb Porter | Councilmember | | Ryan O'Larey | Councilmember | | Robert Pinkley | Councilmember | | Jon Mutchler | Councilmember | | Erin Gunter | Councilmember | | Ali Hawkins…
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Budget & Finance Transportation & Infrastructure Government Operations Arbutus Consulting Biden Administration Cfm Advocates Congress Ferndale Police Department Trump Administration Washington State Legislature Brian Enslow Erin Gunter Greg Hansen Herb Porter Joel Rubin Jon Mutchler Jori Burnett Robert Pinkley Ryan Olarey Budget Finance Civic Campus Federal Advocacy Grandview Sewer Extension Infrastructure Investment Permitting Reform Portal Way State Legislature Transportation Policy Youth Opioid Prevention