Word on the street is that big changes may be coming at Ypsilanti City Hall. As I understand it, there’s going to be a closed session of City Council tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM, where options will be discussed concerning the future of at least one high-ranking City employee. It would seems that, now that the Water Street debt has been refinanced, and the campaign is officially underway to pass the millage, some on Council are thinking that the time might be right to find a different person to take the reins… someone who not only has financial skills, but the communications skills necessary to articulate a vision, build consensus, and get development moving in a positive direction. It’s unclear as to whether or not tomorrow’s meeting will yield a definitive answer one way or the other, as there are a number of items that need to be resolved before such a change can be made, given existing contracts and the like, but, from what I’m hearing, it sounds as though we’ve now got a majority on City Council demanding that a change be made at the top. So stay tuned.
10 Comments
It’s not exactly a secret that certain members of Council have wanted Ralph Lange out for a while.
The question isn’t whether Lange needs to go, it’s how he goes. Either we fire him, and pay him his 90 days, or we negotiate a package with him and allow to retire.
does anyone know if amanda can become the city manager and be mayor at the same time? can’t she simply hire herself?
News just broke on Mlive that Lange resigned.
Lang resigned, according to MLive.
I guess he and his attorney accepted the buy-out that was offered.
dennis — consult an attorney for a specific opinion.
Until that point, consider that the city’s charter states that “No Mayor or City Council Member shall be eligible for employment with the City of Ypsilanti, for a period of two years after leaving office.”
The charter also states that the City Clerk serves as Acting City Manager in the case of a vacancy in the CM’s office, unless Council acts to designate a different individual. (e.g. the Police Chief could be tagged for that duty.)
Also, legally-significant hair-splitting of your question, the Mayor cannot “hire herself” in any case; the City Manager is appointed by a majority vote of Council (including the Mayor), not by the Mayor alone/directly. (This differs in “strong mayor” cities, where the Mayor acts as the chief administrative officer of the city, but often may, acting in their own authority, hire a city administrator or deputy mayor(s) to support this work.)
How much is it costing us to get Mr. Lange out of office? Has it been reported yet?
Ralph wasn’t what you’d call a people person.
RETIREMENT OF CITY MANAGER RALPH LANGE
As there seems to be some speculation about the terms of Mr. Lange’s retirement, let me set the record straight with the actual Retirement and Release Agreement that was signed by Mr. Lange and approved on a 7-0 vote of City Council.
Mr. Lange’s last day as City Manager will be August 5.
As per his employment contract he is entitled to 90 days severance pay. Instead of a lump payment Mr. Lange will remain on the City payroll for 90 days after August 5th (until Nov. 3) but will have no City duties after August 5th.
1 . “The parties agree that Mr. Lange-shall resign from the position of City Manager as of the close of business on August 5, 2016 , and from his employment with the City of Ypsilanti on November 3, 2016. It is further agreed that, as of the close of business on August 5, 2016, Mr. Lange shall resign from, and no longer possess, any duties or authority to act on behalf of the City, including contacting third parties on behalf of the City. The parties recognize that Mr. Lange’s decision to resign is irrevocable and shall take effect on the dates stated. Mr. Lange agrees to make himself reasonably available to assist the City with-any matters if contacted by City staff. The parties agree that this Agreement does not modify the “Indemnification/Reimbursement” provision of the “Ypsilanti City Manager Employment Agreement between the City of Ypsilanti and Ralph Lange.”
4 b. “The City shall provide Mr. Lange ninety (90) calendar days’ severance and benefits after he resigns as City Manager at the close of business on August 5, 2016. The City shall fulfill this sub-paragraph by maintaining Mr. Lange on the City’s payroll through November 3, 2016, at which point his employment with the City shall end. As provided by the City’s health insurance coverage, Mr. Lange shall be entitled to health insurance benefits through November 30, 2016. The City agrees that it will inform MERS that Mr. Lange is on the City’s payroll until November 3, 2016, and report his wages during that period to MERS. Mr. Lange agrees that the City is not responsible for how MERS treats this time, or whether it is viewed as credited service by MERS.”
Mr. Lange is entitled to any accumulation of earned Vacation and Sick time per administrative policy – the same as any other employee
4 c. “The City agrees to reimburse Mr. Lange for all accumulated, but unused,vacation time as of August 5, 2016 as provided in Section 3.03 of the City’s Non-Union Employees’ Handbook on or before November 17, 2016. It is understood that Mr. Lange shall not accumulate additional vacation time after August 5, 2016.”
4 d. “The City agrees to pay Mr. Lange for three-quarters (3/4) of his accumulated, but unused, sick leave as of August 5, 2016 as provided in Section 3.07 of theCity’s Non-Union Employees’ Handbook on or before November 17, 2016. It is understood that Mr. Lange shall not accumulate additional sick time after August 5, 2016.”
4e. “The parties recognize that Mr. Lange is allowed five (5) personal days per annum under paragraph 10 of the “Ypsilanti City Manager Employment Agreement between the City of Ypsilanti and Ralph A. Lange.” Mr. Lange shall be entitled to use any remaining personal days from said allowance before August 5, 2016, but personal days shall have no other value and will not be paid out to Mr. Lange.” ·
The City is not responsible for any retiree health care benefits for Mr. Lange.
5. “Mr. Lange shall not be entitled to any retiree health care benefits of any kind through the City of Ypsilanti. Further, Mr. Lange shall not be entitled to payment for any accumulated leave or personal time except as explicitly set forth in this Agreement”
Mr. Lange is enrolled in the MERS retirement system as per his employment contract. He is pursuing retirement or deferred retirement through MERS. His eligibility is determined by MERS and the City is not involved in that decision by MERS..
The full document can be found here.
http://www.votemurdock.com/images/20160708-RLangeRetirementAgreementAndRelease.pdf