FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR APRIL FLOODING

APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

Residents impacted by April's historic flooding may now be eligible for federal disaster assistance following a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Michigan. Grand Traverse County has been approved for Individual Assistance (IA), making financial assistance available to eligible homeowners and renters who experienced uninsured or underinsured losses.

If your primary residence or personal property was damaged during the April storms and flooding, FEMA may be able to assist with eligible expenses such as temporary housing, basic home repairs, replacement of personal property, medical expenses, childcare costs, vehicle repairs, and other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. If you have insurance, you should file your insurance claim first before applying for FEMA assistance.

How to Apply

The fastest and easiest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov, where applications can be submitted 24 hours a day. Residents may also apply using the FEMA mobile app or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance in multiple languages.

Before You Apply

To help complete your application, have the following information available:

• Proof of identification
• Social Security number
• Contact information
• Annual household income
• Insurance information (if applicable)
• Bank account information for direct deposit
• A general list of disaster-related damages and losses

Additional information, including locations for upcoming Disaster Recovery Centers and other recovery resources, will be announced as they become available. Residents who believe they experienced eligible flood-related losses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

PAVEMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN

PRESERVING THE CITY'S ROADWAY NETWORK

At their Monday, July 13, 2026, Study Session, the City Commission will hear a presentation on the City's updated 2025/26 Pavement Asset Management Plan (PAMP)—a long-term, data-driven strategy for preserving and improving the City's roadway network while making the most effective use of available resources.

The Plan provides a comprehensive assessment of the City's 78.4 centerline miles of major and local streets, evaluating current roadway conditions, establishing long-term performance goals, forecasting future roadway conditions, and identifying investment needs. Rather than waiting for roads to fail, the Plan prioritizes the right treatment on the right road at the right time, extending pavement life, reducing long-term costs, and preserving one of the City's most valuable public assets.

Using the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council's (TAMC) PASER rating system, City staff assess every City-owned roadway annually and use that information to guide maintenance and capital improvement decisions. The Plan establishes long-term goals of maintaining the majority of major and local streets in good or fair condition, while minimizing the number of roadways that deteriorate into poor condition, where reconstruction becomes significantly more expensive.

The presentation will also highlight how roadway projects are coordinated with underground utility improvements, stormwater infrastructure, and Complete Streets enhancements whenever possible. This integrated approach helps maximize the value of each construction project, minimize future disruptions, and ensure investments support the City's broader infrastructure and mobility goals.

The Pavement Asset Management Plan serves as a roadmap for maintaining a safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation network while increasing public understanding into the City's roadway conditions, funding needs, and long-term investment strategy. 

PROJECT UPDATE

COMPLETE, ACTIVE, AND UPCOMING

Cape Seal Preparation: Active

City crews will be working in various locations throughout the coming weeks to prepare roadways and asphalt surfaces for the 2026 Cape Seal pavement preservation program.

Eleventh Street Culvert/Kids Creek Restoration Project: Active

The City is advancing the next phase of the Kids Creek Restoration Project with the replacement of the undersized Eleventh Street culvert between Elmwood Avenue and Division Street. Supported by a $550,000 grant secured by The Watershed Center, the project will improve water quality, restore aquatic habitat, reduce barriers to fish passage, and expand green infrastructure to support ongoing efforts to remove Kids Creek from Michigan's Impaired Waters List.

To accommodate construction, the 700 and 900 blocks of Eleventh Street between Elmwood Avenue and Division Street closed on June 24, 2026. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are encouraged to follow posted detours. The project is anticipated to be substantially completed by October 1, 2026. This work continues a long-standing regional partnership focused on restoring the health and function of the Kids Creek watershed.

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Active

Construction is continues on the Monroe Street Reconstruction Project, which will completely rebuild Monroe Street from W. Front Street to Bay Street while upgrading water, sanitary sewer, stormwater infrastructure, sidewalks, and pedestrian amenities. The initial phase between Bay Street and Wayne Street is substantially complete, with work continuing north toward Front Street throughout the construction season. The project remains on schedule for substantial completion by October 30, 2026, weather permitting.



Projects Completed

Pavement Marking Project

Oak Street Mill and Fill (Seventh Street and W. Thirteenth Street)

Seventh Street Mill and Fill (S. Elmwood Ave. and S. Division Street)

Elmwood Mill and Fill (W. Front Street and W. Eleventh Streets)

Washington Street Resurface (Rose Street to Prospect Street)

Cass Street Crosswalk (E. State Street and E. Front Street)



Looking Ahead

The City's 2026 Cape Seal Program is anticipated to begin in August and will preserve several residential streets by extending pavement life and protecting existing roadway investments. As part of the project, Front Street will also receive a cape seal treatment.

AUGUST PRIMARY

ELECTION

The Statewide Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. This election will determine which candidates advance to the November General Election ballot. Remember, voters may only select candidates from one political party in a primary election.

Absentee ballots are now available through the City Clerk's Office, with the initial mailing sent on June 26, 2026.

Early In-Person Voting

Early In-Person Voting will begin on Saturday, July 25, 2026, and will run through Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 9 am to 5 pm. The Early Voting Site for voters in the City of Traverse City is at the Governmental Center, Lower Level, 400 Boardman Avenue.

Precinct 4 Location Change

As a reminder, Precinct 4 has moved polling locations.

Voting Precinct 4

Fire Station 1

500 W. Front Street

Traverse City, MI 49684

PUBLIC BEACH

MONITORING & TESTING

The Environmental Health Division of the Grand Traverse County Health Department works closely with the City of Traverse City, Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, and the Traverse City State Park to ensure the health and safety of several public beaches in Grand Traverse County.

The Watershed Center administers grants from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to sample surface water from swim areas of the beaches. The water samples are analyzed for E. coli, a relatively harmless organism that may indicate the possible presence of harmful pathogenic microorganisms.

The Beach Monitoring Dashboard is updated weekly on Thursdays. If any beaches report a "Level 2" or higher, those specific beaches will then be resampled. Resample results will be available and published 24 hours later.

On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, water sampling conducted classified all beaches as Level 1 and are considered safe for full-body contact.

FROM NMC TO CITY HALL
CELEBRATING CITY MANAGER BENJAMIN MARENTETTE AS AN NMC COLLEGE OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS

His roots were planted at NMC, and today he's helping lead the community he calls home.

Congratulations to City Manager Benjamin Marentette on being recognized as one of Northwestern Michigan College's 2026 Outstanding Alumni!

Benjamin's journey in public service has been rooted in a commitment to leadership, innovation, and community. NMC's University Center allowed him to earn his MBA while building his career in Traverse City, learning from faculty who brought real-world experience into the classroom.

After serving the City for 13 years as City Clerk, Benjamin now leads the organization as City Manager, bringing that same passion for public service to his hometown. Along the way, he also contributed nationally through MIT's Election Trust Initiative, helping develop a framework to strengthen post-election audits and reinforce confidence in our democratic process.

We're proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and thank Northwestern Michigan College for highlighting Benjamin's inspiring journey. Congratulations, Ben, on this outstanding honor!

NAMI LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR
CONGRATULATIONS OFFICER FRYCZYNSKI

The City is proud to congratulate Traverse City Police Officer Krista Fryczynski on being named the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Michigan Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

The statewide award recognizes law enforcement professionals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to supporting individuals experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, and other behavioral health challenges.

Officer Fryczynski serves at the TCPD's Community Officer and works with the department's RESILIENCE Program, building relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health crises, and substance use disorders while connecting them with housing, treatment, recovery, and other essential community resources. Her work reflects a proactive, compassionate approach that focuses on long-term solutions and improving quality of life for some of the community's most vulnerable residents.

The City is grateful for her dedication that has made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals and families throughout the community.

Congratulations, Officer Fryczynski, on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your outstanding service to the community.

COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE

Be a hero and join us for a Community Blood Drive hosted at the Governmental Center in the lower level cafeteria on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins welcome. Call 1-866-MI-BL00D.

Pro-Tip: Make sure to EAT a healthy MEAL and DRINK plenty of WATER before donating. 

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