April McGrath Selected as Ferndale's New City Manager

Ferndale City Council selected April McGrath as city manager – the city's first female city manager – Friday afternoon by a vote of 4-0.

Councilman Scott Galloway had a last-minute work obligation but Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter announced it into the record that Galloway was in support of McGrath and would have voted in favor of her as well.

McGrath, 37, assistant city manager for the city of Ypsilanti, beat out Fred Zorn,  deputy city administrator for Southfield; and John Gabor,  city manager for Marine City.

"April was a top selection with Council and with staff," Councilwoman Melanie Piana said after the meeting.

Matthew Tepper, assistant city manager and city clerk for Grosse Pointe Farms, was also interviewed last Saturday but wasn't considered for the final spot.

Coulter said McGrath had a great amount of experience with managing staff.

"She had a vision and a passion for community that came through her interview (last Saturday)," Coulter said.

McGrath has worked in Ypsilanti since 2007 as assistant city manager, a position former Ferndale City Manager Bob Bruner had held. Prior to that, McGrath was the director of human resources for the city of Monroe.

Piana said McGrath has the type of experience to take Ferndale in the direction it needs to go. "With her human resource and city administration experience, her ability to organize goals and objectives, she was able to be a change agent in Ypsilanti and she can be a change agent here," Piana said.

Piana said that the city had delayed finalizing long-term goals due to the change in leadership it has seen recently. Now that the permanent city manager is in place, Piana said they would move forward with mapping out Ferndale's future. "She'll be part of that leadership and developing that guiding document," Piana said.

The decision on a so Council could call references and go over staff evaluations of the candidates.

When McGrath comes on board,  Coulter said in the short term he wants to see the city manager's office open its door to community groups, residents and others who want to do business with the city. "I want her to establish a positive relation with the staff and the community," he said.

Coulter also expressed his wishes for McGrath in moving Ferndale into the future.

"I want her to work with us to decide where Ferndale will be in 10 years, where we want to go and how we get there," Coulter said.

Council still needs to negotiate a salary and perform a background check before McGrath is officially hired. Piana said it is customary for city managers to give 30 to 60 days notice to their current employer. During McGrath's interview on Saturday, she said she would have to give 30 days.

Bruner's salary was $98,000. Salary negotiations have not started.