STRATEGIC PLANNING THINK TANKS

OCTOBER 8 & 9

The City is embarking on a community driven Strategic Action Plan, looking out to 2030, designed to build on the City’s current success and chart a sustainable course for the future. The Strategic Action Planning process will be inclusive, transparent, and forward-looking, with extensive research and community engagement that focuses on the community of Traverse City.

Think Tank Workshops

The City’s Strategic Action Plan Project is kicking off with a future-oriented exploration of trends and scenarios. Two Think Tanks will be held on October 8 and 9, 2024, at the Governmental Center, 400 Boardman Avenue. Community members, City staff, and City partners are encouraged to attend both days and be part of this exciting exploration of our future.

Don’t miss your chance to weigh in on this foundational step in the creation of the Traverse City Strategic Action Plan! It is ideal, but not required for participants to register, and attend both sessions.

In addition to these Think-Tank workshops, this project will include surveys and community visioning sessions to reach as many residents as possible. Keep an eye on the project portal and join the project mailing list to stay up to date on the opportunities to get involved.

ELECTION PROTECTION

TOWN HALL

The City of Traverse City, in collaboration with the Michigan Secretary of State's Office, will host a Defending Democracy Town Hall Meeting on September 27, 2024, at the Traverse Area District Library, Main Branch, 610 Woodmere Avenue. Doors open at 4:00 pm, and the program will begin at 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm. The public is invited to attend the election protection town hall to learn how election officials are safeguarding elections to protect every vote and uphold the integrity of the democratic process.

This community town hall is designed to educate the public on the critical importance of safeguarding the integrity of electoral processes. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the measures being implemented to ensure free, fair, and secure elections. Key topics will include the role of secure voting technologies, voter ID laws, and the importance of transparency in vote counting.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Traverse City Clerk Benjamin Marentette, and Grand Traverse County clerk will provide an in-depth overview of the upcoming election. The program will be moderated by Traverse City Mayor, Amy Shamroe. The Secretary of State can provide authoritative insights on legal frameworks that ensure fair and secure elections. Additionally, legal concerns from the public can be addressed, clarifying laws related to voter fraud and election interference, and outlining the actions being taken to uphold election integrity.

The public is welcome to attend, the event will have a panel discussion and an open platform for community members to ask questions. 

HICKORY HILLS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED

The City has established an official Hickory Hills Advisory Committee. The purpose of the committee is to make recommendations to operate, restore, preserve and protect the integrity of Hickory Hills under the direction of the City Manager. The Committee shall make recommendations regarding planning documents related to Hickory Hills.

Composition

This committee consists of 12 members appointed by the City Commission. All appointments are for 3-year terms expiring 6/30. Appointments consist of:

• One member is the City Manager or designee has full voting authority (this is required by our City Charter)
• One member is a Parks and Recreation Commissioner (Parks & Rec Commissioners must be a City resident)
• One member is a City Commissioner (City Commissioners must be a City resident)
• Minimum of six members shall be a City residents

To initially provide staggered terms for the at-large representatives: Three of the initial at-large appointments shall be for a one-year term, three for a two-year term and three for a three-year term, and then all subsequent appointments to these at-large seats are for three-year terms

Apply Now

The Clerk's Office is accepting applications from those interested. In addition to City residents, user group representatives, including non-city residents, are encouraged to apply. Once a slate of applicants is completed, interviews will be scheduled.

WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT - WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 30TH

Michigan's 2017 Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) designates galvanized water services as lead service lines if they "are or ever were" connected to a lead gooseneck, requiring utilities to pay for replacing private water services from the curb stop to the building. Lead goosenecks, installed before the mid-1940s, are 3-foot lead pipes used between the brass connection to the water main and a galvanized pipe.

The City has since installed copper services and has no known fully lead service lines. Not all private galvanized lines need replacement; those originally connected to City-owned copper services don't require replacement. The water service line replacement project started in April 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in October 2024.

The week of September 30th, the project will continue on the 400 and 600 blocks of Sixth Street, the 500 and 600 blocks of Fifth Street, the 200 block of Wadsworth, and the 200 block of Oak Street. The work will cause sidewalk and intermittent street closures.

TIF PROPOSALS INFORMATIONAL PANEL - LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

The League of Women Voters – Grand Traverse Area will be hosting an Informational Panel Discussion on Tuesday October 8, 2024, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. The discussion will address the issues and questions related to the two tax increment funding (TIF) proposals that will be on City of Traverse City's ballots for the November 5, 2024 election. The panelists include those who will provide general information as well as those who will provide the “pro” and “con” points of view. The panelists are Fred Bimber, TC Taxpayers for Justice (“pro” panelist), Paul Compo, Crawford County Administrator/Controller (general info panelist), Gary Howe, Traverse Together (“con” panelist) and Bill Twietmeyer, former City of Traverse City Treasurer (general info panelist). The program will be held in the McGuire Room at the Traverse City Public Library.

The program will be broadcast on Spectrum channel 189 and livestreamed on Traverse Area Community Media website, www.TACM.tv/CommunityTvNow, and on the LWVGTA Facebook page.

ELECTION UPDATES

NOVEMBER 2024 ELECTION

Election season is underway!

Absentee Voting

As of Thursday, September 26, 2024, Absentee Ballots are available at your City Clerk's Office, excluding Precinct 4. For those who are enrolled in the Permanent Ballot List, or who have completed an Absentee Ballot Application, the initial mailing of ballots will take place on Friday, September 27, 2024. Precinct 4 ballots will be mailed as soon possible. Absentee ballots will continue to be mailed as applications are received.

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).

Electronic Notification System Now Live!

Proposal 2022-2 amended the Michigan Constitution to include a voter’s right to receive updates on the status of their absent voter (AV) ballot applications and ballots, including by electronic notification. 

Voters can now subscribe to receive electronic notifications at Michigan.gov/Vote directly, when registering to vote, or when submitting an online AV application.

Once subscribed, voters will be notified of all the following: 

• When their AV ballot or application has been received by their local clerk,  
• When their AV ballot has been sent by their local clerk, 
• If their AV ballot or application has been rejected for any deficiency, 
• Instructions for how to cure any deficiency to have their AV ballot or application accepted.  

Early In-Person Voting

Early In-Person Voting will begin on Saturday, July 27, 2024, and will run through Sunday, August 4, 2024, 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.

Third Party Voting Advocates

During election season, third party organizations that advocate for voter participation may send you text messages, emails, and absentee ballot applications (even if you are already registered, have completed a form, etc.)

Have a question on the status of your voter registration, absentee ballot, or more?

Call your local Clerk. We are happy to help! Or visit, michigan.gov/vote to check the status of your registration, absentee ballot, and more.

RAILROAD AVENUE PROJECT UPDATE

The Railroad Avenue Project, from the Railroad/Boyd Avenue intersection (near the TART Trail crossing at Woodmere) north to the curve into Station Street, began on September 9, 2024. The work includes storm drainage installation, street reconstruction, and paving.



Paving activities began this week, and the project is expected to be completed by Monday, September 30, 2024, weather permitting.

VETERANS DRIVE PROJECT UPDATE

Paving activities on the Veterans Drive Project are anticipated to begin on October 2, 2024. The project is expected to be substantially completed by October 11, 2024, weather permitting.

Project activities include removing existing pavements, curbs, and sidewalks to install new pavement, water mains, and drainage improvements, along with curb adjustments to create traffic-calming bulb-outs. The project also involves installing new sidewalks, asphalt, and road striping for travel lanes and bike lanes.

LOT G PROJECT UPDATE

Improvements to Parking Lot G, which began on September 9, 2024, include removing access driveways along State Street, replacing curbs, sidewalks, and improving internal circulation.

The project has been delayed and is now expected to be completed by Friday, October 4, 2024. Paving activities have begun, and brick work will start next week. During construction, access to Lot G will be via the alley.

MDOT PROJECT UPDATES

PAVING ACTIVITIES TO BEGIN

Temporary traffic control measures during the MDOT Project deviate from the usual traffic controls. Your cooperation and diligence are essential for ensuring the safety of yourself, pedestrians, bicyclists, and fellow motorists during this period of construction. We urge all drivers to exercise caution, yield to pedestrians, and remain vigilant while navigating the MDOT Grandview Parkway Project.

Paving Activities Anticipated to Begin

Paving activities are planned to begin the week of September 30th, weather permitting.

Parking Lot & Marina Access

During the remainder of Segment 2, the RB Parking Lot and West End Parking Lot will be closed. In addition, the West End Beach Restrooms are closed.

Access will continue to shift between Marina Drive and the Marina Parking Lot.

Front Street/Grandview Parkway Intersection Closure

Front Street continues to be closed on the west side of Franklin Street. Turns at the US-31/Front Street intersection will still be restricted until next week. After that, drivers will be able to turn from US-31 onto Front Street. However, turns from Front Street onto US-31 will be restricted until Segment 2 is completed and all lanes are open.

Pedestrian Detours: TART Closed at Murchie

The Clinch Park Tunnel will be the alternate pedestrian crossing during construction.

The TART is closed just east of the Murchie Bridge to Cass Street. When utilizing the Murchie Bridge underpass, the trail is only accessible to travel east.

While crews are working on the Grandview Parkway/Front Street intersection portion of Segment 2, pedestrians will be detoured across Front Street and Grandview Parkway at the Barlow Street signalized crossing.

While crews are working on the Division Street/Grandview Parkway intersection, pedestrians will be detoured to the High-Intensity Activated CrossWalK (HAWK) signal crossing at the Elmwood Street/Grandview Parkway intersection and the signalized crossing at the Division Street/East Front Street intersection.

Additional Improvements

In addition to rebuilding the roadway, this project will include replacing concrete curb and gutter, upgrading sidewalk and ramps, improving storm sewer, and repairing the Murchie Bridge over the Boardman/Ottaway River.

During this project, the City has planned utility infrastructure improvements to coincide with the project, investing $3.2 million to replace underground water and wastewater utilities.

Businesses Open

Anticipate that the construction will affect businesses, particularly those situated along the construction zone. However, it's important to note that our local businesses will continue to operate, and by demonstrating patience, you can actively support them throughout this period of disruption.

IN THE COMMUNITY

TCFD ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATES FIRE PREVENTION

Last week, the Traverse City Fire Department hosted its Annual Open House, bringing the community together to celebrate Fire Prevention Week. Families enjoyed interactive demonstrations, station tours, and learned valuable fire safety tips from our dedicated firefighters. Thank you to everyone who joined us in promoting safety and preparedness!