BROWN BRIDGE QUIET AREA EXPANSION

CITY COMMISSION TO CONSIDER TO ADOPT RESOLUTION FOR GRANT APPLICATION

At their March 20, 2023 meeting, the City Commission will consider at a public hearing adopting a resolution for a grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resource Trust Fund (MDNR) related to the acquisition of two properties adjacent to the Brown Bridge Quiet Area (BBQA) that are combined, 528 acres.

The MDNR Trust Fund Grant request will be in the amount of $2,352,200 to support the 528 acre acquisition. The portion of funding on the City’s behalf will be up to $746,245. Should the City Commission adopt the resolution for the MDNR Trust Fund grant application, in the future, they will be asked to consider to allow taking the question of expenditures to a public vote to utilize the Brown Bridge Quiet Area Trust Funds for the City’s portion. The City intends to work with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy to assist with the development of methodologies on how to process the properties through the MDNR Land Acquisition Grant Program.

The Brown Bridge Quiet Area is approximately 1310 acres of City-owned property located 11 miles southeast of Traverse City within the Boardman River Watershed. The City acquired property in the early 1900s and it was established as a natural area for quiet recreation by the City Commission on March 21, 1977 and July 1, 1991, on the City-owned property, including frontage on the Boardman River.  Since 1993, the City has contracted with the Grand Traverse Conservation District (GTCD) through a series of three-year contracts to manage the property.

The proposed application is in support of the City’s 5-year approved Parks and Recreation Plan and the BBQA Management Plan. The City Commission's 2022 adopted Goals and Objectives identified connecting people with nature as a strategic priority with a goal to provide safe and accessible public spaces where people may recreate, socialize, or enjoy being alone in nature.

TART IMPROVEMENT & EXTENSION - ADDITONAL INPUT

Public engagement sessions for the TART Improvement & Extension Project on March 15 & 16 served as a follow up to the February engagement sessions and focused on various areas that are being targeted for improvement and extension. Refined concepts were developed based on community input and introduced to gather additional input on how to determine the best ways to enhance the TART network along the Bayfront.

The proposed project is located between West End Beach and the intersection of Peninsula Drive/US 37 and Eastern Avenue. The plan elevates the existing TART network by enhancing the functionality and enjoyment of the trail as well as extending its reach along Peninsula Drive from East Front Street to Eastern Avenue. The project is in support of multimodal efforts that aim to provide a more connected and safe trail network.

Provide Additional Input

Presentation slides with refined concepts are available for viewing. If unable to attend the sessions, an opportunity to provide input on the concepts is available through March 24th.

A recording of the virtual engagement session on March 15th will be available for viewing soon.

THE PERFORMANCE 2022

AT A GLANCE

The City has released its 2022 annual report, The Performance, which provides insight into major accomplishments and significant projects completed during the past year. Throughout the report many achievements for the City are highlighted, among many other topics.

This Week's Features

As the City continues to grow its communication landscape, a number of tools were launched in 2022 to better connect with City residents.

The City performed a complete website overhaul that launched in April 2022 with the goal of developing a site that is service forward with a unique design for navigational ease that demonstrates our special community and brand identity for communication moving forward. Special features focused on the following.

In June 2022, the City launched its E-Newsletter, The Bay Brief. The publication is issued weekly to serve as a quick and easy read on the latest scoop in the City of Traverse City. 

In effort to increase transparency through increased engagement, the City Commission and Planning Commission meetings began streaming live on the City’s Facebook page and the City’s YouTube channel in 2022.

JOIN OUR TEAM

The City of Traverse City is a great place to work! As an employer, we offer a wide range of rewarding jobs. Our employees take pride in their work and in making Traverse City the best it can be.

The City of Traverse City is an equal opportunity employer. Full-time positions receive a competitive benefits package; paid time off, short-term leave, health, dental, vision, and life insurance, employer retirement contribution, and participation in Michigan’s Municipal Employee Retirement System, pension benefit program. Employees must live within a radius of twenty (20) miles of the City limits, measured from the nearest City limit.  

Open Full-Time Positions

• City Treasurer/Finance Director
• Firefighter - 24 Hour

Seasonal/Temporary/Part-Time Positions

• Part-Time Grounds/Building Maintenance Worker

THE AWARD GOES TO

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

ALLISON GEISERT

HUMAN RESOURCE GENERALIST

DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

OUTSTANDING ASSISTANT AWARD

PENNY HILL

ASSSITANT CITY MANAGER

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION SEEKING NOMINATIONS



The Traverse City Human Rights Commission is accepting nominations for the 2023 Sara Hardy

Humanitarian Award. This annual award recognizes Sara Hardy’s contributions to the community by honoring someone who exemplifies the ideals of the Human Rights Commission, which are to promote mutual understanding and respect among all people and to discourage discriminatory practices.

COAST GUARD COMMITTEE SEEKING NOMINATIONS

The City of Traverse City Coast Guard Committee invites nominations for its Guardian Award, established to honor a member of the Coast Guard individual, family member, or entire family who is active at Air Station Traverse City and has shown exceptional community service.

IN THE COMMUNITY

SCHOOL VISITS

City Clerk, Benjamin Marentette visited Traverse City West High School during Career Day!