Ypsilanti City Clerk Frances McMullan appointed acting city manager

Hansen started with the city on Jan. 20 when former City Manager Ed Koryzno left the city after 16 years for a job with the State Treasurer’s Office. But Hansen abruptly resigned on Feb. 3.

Per the city charter, the city clerk becomes the acting city manager in an emergency. City Council could have opted to search for a new interim city manager, but instead is focusing on finding a permanent replacement.

No timeline has been set for bringing in a permanent candidate, but McMullan said that position will be posted with the Michigan next week.

McMullan was hired in Ypsilanti in 2007, and she previously worked 16 years in a variety of capacities with the City of Ann Arbor.

She and Mayor Paul Schreiber weren’t immediately certain how the situation would affect her salary.

“I feel like I’m prepared for the position. I’m aware of what’s going on with city business, and there will be new things to learn, but I feel I’m very prepared and have a strong foundation," she said.

“As Ed K. used to say, it wasn’t him (who made the city successful), but it was the great staff. We still have that great staff.”

Schreiber said he was pleased to see McMullan take on the position.

“I think Frances has earned my respect and the respect of a lot of the employees,” he said. “She will do a fine job as the interim city manager and shepherd us through until we appoint a permanent city manger.”

Mayor Pro Tem Lois Richardson also expressed confidence in McMullan.

“I do believe Ms. McMullan is capable of filling this position until we get permanent city manger,” she said.

In her absence in the clerk’s office, deputy clerk Felicia Rutledge will become the acting clerk. She previously worked for three years as the deputy clerk in Pittsfield Township where she had experience running elections by herself. She will likely have to run the May 8 special elections for the income tax and Water Street debt retirement proposals.

“I do have that experience and I’m very capable of running those elections,” she told council.