SUPPORTIVE TRANSITION PLAN AT THE PINES

RELOCATION EFFORTS FOCUS ON SHELTER AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

At their April 7 meeting, the City Commission scheduled a May 5 public hearing to consider amending the Special Land Use Permit to allow a year-round emergency shelter in Traverse City. If approved, the Traverse City Police Department (TCPD) will begin enforcing the City’s no camping ordinance (1064.05) starting May 6 at 12:00 am. This effort will include The Pines, an encampment near the Men’s Trail and Division Street.

The City, TCPD, and community partners recognize that encampments, while offering temporary refuge, are not a safe or sustainable solution. Residents face exposure to extreme weather, fire hazards, unsanitary conditions, and limited access to healthcare and basic services—posing risks to both individuals and the broader community.

In preparation, TCPD and the City have worked closely with the Homelessness Response Team and local providers to prioritize a compassionate, housing-focused approach. Outreach teams have engaged with individuals in The Pines to develop personalized transition plans and connect them with shelter, healthcare, and support services.

This phased process is designed to give individuals time to move forward safely and with dignity. Daily outreach from Community Police Officers, social workers, and the City’s Quick Response Team will continue, focused on building trust and connecting people with long-term solutions.

The City acknowledges that a sense of community has formed within The Pines and that this transition may be difficult. Efforts will continue to ensure that everyone affected is met with empathy and access to the resources they need.

Anyone in need—or newly arriving in the area—is encouraged to connect with the Quick Response Team or local service providers for support.

FIVE-YEAR PARKS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN

CONTINUING GRANT ELIGIBILITY

At the April 21, 2025 meeting, the City Commission will consider approving a contract for services related to the development of a new five-year Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

A Parks and Recreation Master Plan is a strategic document that guides the development and maintenance of a community’s recreational spaces. It identifies existing facilities, assesses future needs, and outlines goals and actions for improving parks, natural areas, and recreational amenities. Having an approved plan is also a prerequisite for receiving critical state and federal funding—such as grants from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The City’s current plan is set to expire at the end of 2025. In order to remain eligible for grant opportunities, an approved five-year plan must be submitted to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources by February 1, 2026.

The goals of the new plan include:

• Assessing current park facilities and recreational opportunities;
• Identifying future recreational needs based on community input and demographic trends;
• Enhancing accessibility and ADA compliance;
• Improving multimodal transportation access to parks;
• Supporting capital improvement planning and sustainable development.

The City issued a request for proposals in February and received ten responses. After a thorough vetting process based on qualifications, cost, and community engagement strategies, Beckett & Raeder was selected for recommendation. The proposed agreement is for a total of $72,578, which includes a 10% contingency.

If approved, the firm will conduct surveys, host public meetings, and collaborate with City staff and advisory boards to finalize the plan by late 2025.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HICKORY WINTER

TAKE THE SURVEY

The Hickory Hills Advisory Committee is looking for your feedback on the 2024–2025 winter season! Whether you hit the slopes for alpine or nordic skiing, enjoyed the lodge amenities, or participated in club activities, your input is essential to guiding the next steps for Hickory Hills.

The survey should take about 5-minutes and will help inform decisions on everything from operations and safety to amenities and capital improvements. Your experiences—what worked well, what could be better—will directly influence upcoming improvements. The survey will close on Monday, April 21st.

OAKWOOD CEMETERY

DATA AND RECORDS DIGITIZATION

The City is embracing modern technology to preserve the past and improve the future of cemetery management by digitizing and mapping burial records at Oakwood Cemetery.

This project will create a searchable database of cemetery records that currently exist in outdated paper formats and develop a user-friendly, online map accessible to the public. Key benefits include easier public access to burial sites, improved staff efficiency, accurate mapping of graves, and long-term preservation of historic data.

The mapping initiative will also include the Catholic section of Oakwood Cemetery, which is managed by the Diocese of Gaylord.

The initial phases of the project began in 2024 as a pilot effort, focusing on digitizing a portion of Oakwood’s records and mapping select sections of the cemetery. With that successful groundwork in place, the City is now moving forward with phases 4 through 6, which will complete the digitization and mapping of the remaining sections. This next stage also includes the development of a GIS-based application that will allow users to access cemetery information digitally.

The full project is anticipated to be complete by mid-2026, providing the public with an easy way to locate loved ones and request information about gravesites online.

LEAF & BRUSH PICK UP BEGINS APRIL 28TH

The City's Leaf & Brush Pick Up is scheduled later this season and will begin on April 28, 2025. In 2024, the City launched a new map to streamline its annual leaf pickup program, dividing the city into six zones for efficient service. Leaf collection will begin on the west side in Zone 1 and progress eastward through all zones. Residents can view the map to identify their zone and prepare for leaf pickup accordingly. The City will conduct one pass only.

Brush piles cannot exceed 8' x 8' and 4' high - branches no more than 4" in diameter and should be placed in the alley. If there is no alley, brush can be placed behind the curb or pavement edge of the street.

GARFIELD AVENUE RESTRIPING AT HANNAH AVENUE

Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians should be aware that restriping work is scheduled to take place at the intersection of Hannah and Garfield Avenues on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

Motorized and non-motorized traffic will be maintained. However, it is suggested to avoid the area if possible to reduce congestion, delay, and promote worker safety. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the day, weather permitting.

Work includes a slight realignment of Garfield Avenue northbound lanes on the south side of the intersection. Lane designations for turning movements will remain the same.

FAIR HOUSING MONTH

YOUR FAIR HOUSING RIGHTS

April is Fair Housing Month. The City will be working with the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan through our CDBG initiatives. The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan is a private, non-profit fair housing organization committed to providing comprehensive fair housing services, including education, outreach, research, advocacy, and enforcement. 

What is fair housing?

Fair housing means you can choose where you live free from illegal discrimination. The Fair Housing Act and other civil rights laws protect fair housing choice. Fair housing laws protect you when you are looking for a place to live. This includes renting or buying a home, or getting home or renters’ insurance. Fair housing laws protect you after you have housing too.

Fair housing laws protect against unfair treatment based on a protected class.

Protected classes are specific traits of someone, including:

• Race
• Skin color
• National origin or ethnicity
• Religion
• Gender/Sex, including Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
• Familial status (living with kids under age 18 or being pregnant)
• Disability
• Marital status
• Age

Housing discrimination means unfair treatment because of a protected class. This could mean not letting you live somewhere or treating you different. Housing discrimination is obvious sometimes, but not usually. Most of the time it can be hard to tell if discrimination has happened.

Signs of Possible Housing Discrimination

• Telling people to live in a certain building or floor because they have kids

• Asking someone if they have medical issues or a disability

• Telling someone that they have to speak English to get an apartment

• Renting only to single adults, and not to couples or people with kids

• Charging a fee for or not allowing an emotional support animal

• Not allowing someone to put in a wheelchair ramp or grab bars

• Requiring residents to have a job or work a certain number of hours

• Rejecting an application because of a “no felonies” policy

• Making rules that only apply to kids or charging extra for kids

• Requiring someone to go to church services to stay at an apartment

• Experiencing sexual harassment by a landlord or maintenance person

• Telling someone that the neighborhood is not ‘right’ for them

• Telling someone that nothing is available when there is a “For Rent” sign

CITY ACADEMY

WELCOME CLASS OF 2025!

This week, the City proudly kicked off year three of City Academy! Thirteen dedicated residents are volunteering their time to learn more about how the City operates and discover new ways to get involved in the community. We're learning right alongside them, and we’re excited to grow together.

A big thank you to the City Academy Class of 2025 – we’re so glad you’re here!

SAVE THE DATE

SENIOR CENTER & PARK GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION

Mark your calendar for April 30, 2025, and join the City and Grand Traverse County for the exciting Grand Opening Celebration of the Senior Center and Senior Center Park!

The event will run from 2–6 pm in an open house–style format, with speakers at 4 pm.