Ferndale to Explore Options for Ferndale Recreation Department as Director Resigns

Ferndale Recreation Director Julie Hall recently announced her resignation, which was received by Ferndale City Council members with remorse and thanks.

Hall's expected last day in Ferndale is Nov. 5 and her departure has left Ferndale with some short-term and long-term options to consider for the direction of the department.

“She brought a lot of value and organization to the department, she really stepped up the level of programming and the community has enjoyed that," Ferndale City Manager April McGrath said. "I think she set the bar nice and high."

A meeting with Hall and her staff will be the first step, McGrath said, to figuring out if restructuring is necessary. McGrath said the city will enter an exploratory stage right now.

In the short-term, Ferndale Recreation Supervisor Jill Stricker will take over.

McGrath said options to be considered for the long-term include whether the city wants to supplement fulltime positions with more part-timers. McGrath said she'll also take a look at the internal structure, what neighboring communities are doing, as well as considering staffing adjustments.

Although there are a lot of questions raised about what comes next, McGrath said it is too soon to tell what will happen at this point with the announcement still fresh.

In about a month McGrath said the city will have a better idea of what kind of changes may be made in this department.

Yet, in the meantime, Hall will be missed.

Ferndale City Council expressed its regrets in seeing Hall leave but also wished her the best in her next position at the University of Michigan's Business School.

"Congratulations Julie," Councilman Scott Galloway said during council's Oct. 10 meeting. "We've really enjoyed working with you but you're going off to bigger and better things."

Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter thanked Hall for her creativity during Ferndale's tough economic times.

"No department has absorbed the cuts your department has had the last couple of years, and your creative and out of the box thinking has kept our program up," Coulter said. "We owe a debt of gratitude and thank you."

"I thoroughly enjoyed the city of Ferndale," Hall told council at its Oct. 10 meeting. "I love the (Gerry) Kulick (Community) Center, the seniors, and I do intend on coming back to enjoy the events in Ferndale. And thank you for the support. Despite tough budget times you (council) always had an open mind to do and try new things, it's been a great experience and truly grateful for the friends I have made here."