CITY ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM CONVERSION

NEW SYSTEM LAUNCHES JULY 27

Beginning Monday, July 27, 2026, the City will transition to a new payment system powered by BS&A Payments, providing residents and customers with a faster, more secure, and user-friendly payment experience. This payment system will replace InvoiceCloud.

The new platform offers convenient online payment options, enhanced account management features, and modern in-person payment devices at the Governmental Center. Customers will be able to make one-time payments, enroll in automatic payments, and access their payment information through an improved online portal. The new system also supports secure credit card and digital wallet transactions for those paying in person.

Existing Online Payment Users

Customers can make one-time payments without an account. However, an account must be created to enroll in AutoPay, paperless billing, or scheduled payments. The City will not charge late payment fees during the transition period (through the end of September 2026).

Support Resources

The new payment portal includes an Online Learning Center with step-by-step tutorials covering account creation, one-time payments, and AutoPay enrollment. City staff will also be available to assist customers with the transition.

Stay tuned for more information, including a link to the new payment portal, on the City's website when the system launches on Monday, July 27.

CITY COMPLETES FIRST ASPHALT ZIPPER PROJECT

WASHINGTON BETWEEN ROSE AND PROSPECT

The City has completed its first official rehabilitation project using its newly acquired Asphalt Zipper, with improvements on Washington Street between Rose and Prospect.

The project marks an important milestone following the City Commission's approval of the equipment purchase in December 2025. The Asphalt Zipper was acquired to expand the City's ability to rehabilitate roadways using in-house crews, reducing reliance on contractors while improving efficiency and lowering long-term costs.

Prior to purchasing the equipment, the Department of Mobility Infrastructure tested the Asphalt Zipper during the rehabilitation of Fourteenth Street, where crews completed more than 6,000 linear feet of milling at approximately half the cost of contractor estimates. The successful demonstration confirmed the equipment's value and supported the City's decision to invest in the machine.

By completing roadway milling in-house, the Asphalt Zipper enables the City to reduce project costs, accelerate maintenance schedules, shorten construction durations, minimize lane closures, and respond more quickly to roadway maintenance needs. Staff anticipate the equipment will nearly pay for itself through avoided contractor costs over time.

Washington Street was identified as one of the first roadway projects following the purchase, demonstrating the City's commitment to investing in tools that improve service delivery while maximizing taxpayer dollars. As the Streets Division continues its pavement preservation program, the Asphalt Zipper will help extend the life of City streets and support a more efficient approach to roadway rehabilitation for years to come.

PROJECT UPDATE

COMPLETE, ACTIVE, AND UPCOMING

Farmers Market Project: Beginning Week of July 27

Mobilization for the Farmers Market Project is anticipated to begin the week of July 27, 2026, resulting in minor impacts to parking in Lot B. Beginning the week of August 3, 2026, Lot B will be closed for the duration of the project.

The Farmers Market Pavilion project will create a modern, flexible, and accessible covered space at the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market, enhancing the experience for vendors and visitors with protection from the elements while supporting year-round community use. The project also includes reconstruction of Parking Lot B, featuring upgraded drainage and stormwater infrastructure, expanded landscaping, and parking improvements that support the market and surrounding riverfront.

The project is anticipated to be completed in spring 2027.

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

Construction continues onsite for the Kids Creek Restoration Project. The new culvert was recently placed and is a significant investment in the health of Kids Creek. Replacing the undersized crossing will improve water flow, restore aquatic habitat, enhance fish passage, and reduce flooding impacts, all while supporting 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 are closed. 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.

BE MOBILE WITH US 

YOUR INPUT - BETTER CONNECTIONS

The City recently established a Complete Streets Committee to help identify opportunities to improve mobility, accessibility, and safety for all users of our transportation network, whether walking, biking, rolling, taking transit, or driving.

As part of this effort, the City has dedicated a 1% allocation of transportation funding toward Complete Streets initiatives. While some of these dollars may be used to leverage larger infrastructure projects, the Committee is also interested in identifying smaller, low-cost improvements that can make a meaningful difference for residents and visitors.

With peak walking and biking season underway, now is the perfect time to hear from those who use our streets, sidewalks, trails, and crossings every day. Have you noticed a missing sidewalk connection, visibility concern, bicycle parking need, crosswalk issue, accessibility barrier, or another opportunity for improvement within the City limits? Tell us about it.

Your feedback will help the Complete Streets Committee identify potential "easy wins" that can improve mobility, safety, and connectivity throughout the community.

AUGUST ELECTION: EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING TO BEGIN

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.

Early In-Person Voting

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

Absentee Voting

For those who are enrolled in the Permanent Ballot List, or who have completed an Absentee Ballot Application, ballots have been mailed.

A voter may run their absentee ballot through a tabulator during Early In-Person Voting or at their precinct on election day (and of course, you may still return the ballot to the City Clerk's Office by 8 pm on election day to have it tabulated by the Absent Voter Counting Board).

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.

Water samples collected on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, classified Senior Center Beach, Sunset Park Beach, and West End Beach as Level 2, with a recommendation for partial-body contact only. All other beaches within the City limits were classified as Level 1 and are considered safe for full-body contact.

Senior Center Beach, Sunset Park Beach, and West End Beach have been resampled, and updated results are expected to be available on Friday, July 24, 2026.

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

Disaster Recovery Centers

Michigan Disaster Recovery Centers have now opened across the state to provide in-person assistance for residents applying for FEMA Individual Assistance. Specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to help survivors complete applications, upload documents, answer questions, and connect with additional recovery resources. Additional pop-up and mobile recovery centers are expected to open throughout the application period.

Learn More

WELCOME SUMMER INTERNS

The City is pleased to welcome Lorin McNeil, Engineering Department Intern, and Alec Biddinger, Information Technology and GIS Department Intern, to Team Traverse City!

Supporting students and emerging professionals is an investment in the future of local government. Through hands-on experience and mentorship, our internship program provides opportunities to develop valuable skills while contributing to meaningful projects that serve our community.

We are excited to have Lorin and Alec on board this summer and look forward to supporting their professional growth while they gain firsthand experience in public service.