Yucaipa city leaders appointed Assistant City Manager Jennifer Crawford as interim city manager Monday, two weeks after City Manager Chris Mann exited as the city’s top administrative officer.

Mann officially departed March 31, though Crawford has been serving as acting city manager since Mann was placed on administrative leave March 3. The Yucaipa City Council appointed Crawford as the interim unanimously in a closed session meeting Monday, the city announced.

“Mrs. Crawford has the experience and skills we need right now,” Mayor Jon Thorp said in a city news release. “I know she’ll help the council keep our city on the right path. She cares about Yucaipa’s future.”

Crawford has worked for Yucaipa for 26 years. She started as management analyst in 1999 before her promotion to director of general services/city clerk/mobile home rent administrator in 2004, deputy city manager/city clerk/mobile home rent administrator in 2015 and assistant city manager in 2020, according to the news release.

“I’m honored to serve as interim city manager and to continue working with our dedicated city staff, City Council and community,” Crawford said in the news release. “I look forward to working with the council to ensure our city remains strong and well run. Together, we’ll focus on moving Yucaipa forward.”

The council also voted unanimously in closed session Monday to continue its contract with City Attorney Steven Graham Pacifico, the city announced.

Negotiating

The council is scheduled to meet and discuss approval of Crawford and Pacifico’s contracts at its April 28 meeting. Salaries for both positions were unclear Tuesday, as negotiations are ongoing, according to city spokesperson Joe Pradetto.

The council will also discuss how to proceed with recruitment for a more permanent city manager at the April 28 meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. at the City Hall Council chambers, 34272 Yucaipa Blvd.