An Impactful Month for the City of Ypsilanti

From work decades in the making, to family fun on the Huron River, to recognizing Ypsilanti's finest, September was certainly a month of action for the City of Ypsilanti. We are pleased to share with you all the city has been up to, and what to keep in mind for later this fall!

YFD's Captain Schulz named Firefighter of the Year!

"A cornerstone of our department culture."

The City of Ypsilanti is proud to announce that Captain Jeff Schulz of the City of Ypsilanti Fire Department has been named 2025 Washtenaw County Firefighter of the Year!

Captain Schulz joined the City of Ypsilanti in 2014 and attributes this award to many in his life.

“I would like to give credit for the award to my faith in God which is where my values and integrity come from, my parents who instilled discipline and the importance of a hard-work ethic, along with my wife and seven children who have supported me through every goal I have set out to achieve,” said Schulz, also recognizing the men he works alongside. “The personnel on Shift Two assist me with every project I take on at the Fire Department. Their positivity and consistent hard work are truly deserving of the award.”

Fire Chief Ken Hobbs says the captain exemplifies the highest standards which define the city’s fire service.

“Captain Schulz is a cornerstone of our department culture. He consistently lifts team morale, models integrity, and inspires those around him.”

One of his accomplishments this year includes having been a key contributor in the design of YFD’s new ladder truck, providing input that will be instrumental in making sure the city’s new apparatus will meet the department’s unique operational needs.

His leadership, however, has been felt well beyond the city limits.

This year, Captain Schulz organized and hosted a three-day countywide high-rise training at Eastern Michigan University. Through this initiative, local firefighters were trained in advanced tactics for fighting high-rise fires, with participating departments being left with lasting impacts.

Captain Schulz actively serves as a Rescue Squad Officer on the countywide Technical Rescue Team, where he leads three to seven personnel in complex, high-risk rescue operations. In addition, he also serves as the Rescue Task Force Coordinator for YFD, collaborating with YPD, neighboring departments, SWAT and county partners to organize and lead RTF training throughout the year.

This award will be presented to Captain Schulz on October 23^rd, at the Annual Dinner for The Washtenaw 100, an organization that provides financial assistance to the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters in Washtenaw County who die in the line of duty.

In addition to this award, the YFD will also be receiving a $2,500 grant from this recognition.

Please join us in expressing our gratitude for the dedicated and life-saving services we receive every day from Captain Schulz and all the city’s first responders.

Digging Deep for Water Street

"Bring back this site as an asset that will serve our community.”

Along Michigan Avenue at River Street you may have noticed activity which has been absent from the area for years. The Water Street Redevelopment Area is now in the first stages of receiving a new purpose for this community, and this time, it is all hands-on deck to bring its future to life.

Starting in September, crews began the soil remediation at Water Street to remove the worst of the contamination from the site’s industrial past. The process involves excavating the contaminated soil and replacing it with new soil that has been tested to make sure it is free of contamination, while safely disposing of the excavated soil at a specialized site.

With access to the Huron River and the Border to Border Trail, the City of Ypsilanti facilitated community focus group sessions where members of the community were able to voice their hopes, concerns, and expectations for future development, with many common themes such as needs for affordable housing, mixed-use development, and preservation of the area’s natural beauty all being discussed.

For Katie Jones, the city’s Manager of Economic Development and Equity, seeing the first truckloads of soil removed proved to be an emotional experience.

“I’ve been working on this project since starting at the City and it is truly a passion project. I’ve heard or known about Water Street most of my life, and to be able to bring this project closer to fruition is truly a dream come true,” said Jones. “We are looking forward to continuing collaboration with residents and our local partners to bring back this site as an asset that will serve our community.”

The City of Ypsilanti appreciates everyone who attended the city’s five focus group sessions, along with those who took time to complete the online survey. While the remediation continues, city staff are working to prepare the site’s RFQ that will be presented to a committee for a review and input on community benefits for the site.

For the trash, they are a-changin’

A new system underway

The city’s new trash bins sure look snazzy in front of everyone’s homes! The new schedule and system for trash collection is underway, as we appreciate the cooperation and patience we have received from residents.

Information to remember as we move forward is that:

• Items placed outside of the bin will not be collected.
• Items placed on top of the bin will result in the entire cart (and item) being skipped.
• Households who used to have their trash and recycling picked up on Fridays are now on a Thursday pickup for garbage, recycling, and yard waste. Please refer to the new schedule you received in the mail if you are one of these households.
• We recommend that all items in the bin be bagged.
• Pick-up for all bulk items will take place on Fridays and will need to be scheduled in advance by contacting Stevens Disposal by email at bulk@stevensdisposal.com or calling 734-279-2611.

If you are concerned that you may need an additional cart, you have the ability to rent a second cart directly from Stevens. You are also free to put your address on your cart as long as the logo and serial number remain visible.

Double trash week will continue in the fall and spring, allowing residents to set out two times the normal trash volume than on a regular trash day. During these weeks, single family homes can set out three additional 33-gallon bags of trash in addition to their 96-gallon bin. Two-unit apartments can set out their two bins and six bags of trash, while three or more units can set out their three carts and nine bags of trash.

Click here to sign up for city notices so we can let you know when it is time for double trash week!

An update for Election Day 2025

Election Day on November 4th will be here before we know it! While there will be no state or local office elections in the city this year, we will be having a Special Election to vote on a Career Technical Education Millage Proposal placed on the ballot by the Washtenaw Intermediate School District.

Residents can vote absentee or vote at their regular precinct on Election Day.

The Washtenaw County Election Commission has decided not to offer a county-wide site for early voting this year, so there will be NO early voting in the City of Ypsilanti this November.

You can click here to make sure your voter registration is up to date, or to register if you are a first-time voter! 

City Parks Receiving Extra Love

Thank you to recent volunteers who have stepped up to help us keep our city parks clean! On September 19th (above) the Huron River Watershed Council and 35 students from the Eastern Michigan University Honors College picked up litter at Frog Island, Riverside Park, Waterworks Park and the Spring Street Boat Launch leading up to Fall River Day.

On September 20th (below) we had volunteers from Target and the National Society of Black Engineers at the University of Michigan attend the city's Pen Park Cleanup Day.

Thank you to all of the volunteers who came out in September! Mark your calendar for October 18th for the Recreation Park Volunteer Cleanup Day from 9 a.m. to noon. You can sign up here and remember to wear long pants, closed toe shoes, and be prepared for the weather!

Construction at YPD and YFD Completed

Thank you for pardoning our dust, but we are now pleased to say that work has been completed to repair the parking lot at the City of Ypsilanti Police and Fire Stations!

The work to repair the lot’s concrete began in August and was completed in mid-September, correcting uneven concrete that had cracked and settled over time. The YFD retaining wall, which had shifted over time, has also been repaired.

Employee Spotlight: Human Resources Behind the Scenes

With more than 200 employees in various buildings and departments and departments throughout the city, there is one team who finds their mission in bringing them all together. Nestled on the fourth floor of City Hall, the City of Ypsilanti Human Resources Department works to make sure city employees are cared for while serving their community.

“HR, is all about people, policy, and purpose,” said Human Resources Director Rachel Frye. “We create programs and a positive workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Every day, we work behind the scenes to help our team thrive and grow.”            

Rachel oversees all of the city’s HR functions, including recruitment, labor relations, employee development and compliance with employment laws. She says highlights of her career with the City of Ypsilanti have been bringing in programs such as the Michigan College Savings Plan and pet insurance for city employees, eager to support their personal and family well-bring as well.

HR Generalist Kirstie Williams assists in the handling of duties that support both the city and its employees.

“My role is about making sure people feel supported, informed, and valued throughout their time with the city,” said Kirstie, adding that some of her most meaningful experiences have been from creating events that help city staff engage with each other.

For both Rachel and Kirstie, it’s the people they work with who make it all worthwhile.

“Our employees are caring, and being part of this workplace feels like being part of a family. We share the same goal: making sure everyone feels heard, valued, and supported,” said Rachel.

“We’re often behind the scenes, but we’re deeply involved in supporting the people who make the city run,” Kirstie added. “I’m surrounded by coworkers who are not only hardworking but also genuinely caring and supportive.”

Thank you to everyone who came out for Fall River Day 2025!

We would like to extend out thanks to the Huron River Watershed Council and Evan Sweet for organizing such an impactful event, and for support received from the DTE Foundation.