TIF BALLOT PROPOSAL

LANGUAGE CONSIDERED FOR ADOPTION

At their Monday, July 15, 2024 meeting, the City Commission will consider approving the ballot proposal language relating to the Downtown Development Authority's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) 97 Plan.

TC Taxpayers for Justice have submitted a sufficient number of petition signatures, verified by the City Clerk, to place City Charter Amendments on the ballot relating to TIF.

Charter Amendment Language 1

The first City Charter amendment proposed by the TC Taxpayers for Justice will require a public vote on all tax increment financing (TIF) plans in the City of Traverse City. The ballot language was adopted by the City Commission at their January 16, 2024 meeting. As recently reported locally, the Governor rejected City Proposal 1 as inconsistent with Michigan Law, state law mandates it still go to voters in November.

Shall Section 28 entitled “Limitations on the Power of the City Commission” of Chapter IV entitled “Legislation, Powers and Procedures” of the Charter of the City of Traverse City be amended by adding a paragraph to read that “We declare that tax increment financing (‘TIF’) plans shall be submitted to a vote of the people, since TIF plans divert local property tax revenue away from the general fund and basic city services such as police, fire, ambulance, streets and parks. Any proposal to create a TIF plan, or to modify, amend or extend an existing TIF plan, shall not be adopted or approved by the City or City Commission until after the proposal is submitted to and approved by a majority of the electors of the City at a regular election or at a special election held for that purpose."

Charter Amendment 2

The second City Charter amendment proposed by the TC Taxpayers for Justice will require a public vote on the extension, amendment and/or modification of Tax Increment Financing Plan #97 and be considered for adoption on July 15, 2024. If adopted, the second proposal would require a review by state officials.

“The City Commission shall not attempt to evade the petition rights and voting rights of the city to extend, amend and/or modify Tax Increment Financing Plan #97 (TIF ‘97), which ordinance or ordinances were enacted or are enacted at any time after January 1, 2024, without first being submitted to an approved by a majority of the electors at a regular election or special election held for that purpose are repealed and such ordinance or ordinances shall be void and of no effect.”

VETERANS DRIVE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

BEGINS JULY 22, 2024

The City's contractor, M&M Excavating, will begin the Veterans Drive Reconstruction Project on July 22, 2024. The project limits will be on Veterans Drive between Fourteenth and the City limits (just south of Fairlane Drive), and is anticipated to be complete in mid-October, weather permitting. 

Project Details

• Pavement Removal: Existing pavements, selective sidewalks, and sections of curb will be removed to facilitate new pavement, water service replacements and other upgrades.
• Curb and Sidewalk Adjustments: Intersections will see the removal of curbs and sidewalks to create bulb outs on side streets, reducing pedestrian crossing exposure, and promote traffic calming. These removals will also occur in areas needing water service replacements. The curb along the west side of the road will largely remain in place.
• Water Main Installation: A new water main will be installed along the center line of the existing roadway at a depth of six feet, with the existing water main being capped and abandoned in place.
• Drainage Improvements: New leaching catch basins and dry wells will be added at low points and intersections to promote groundwater recharge and reduce the amount of stormwater runoff entering surface waters.
• Curb and Sidewalk Replacement: New curbs and sidewalks will replace those removed during the project.
• Roadway Construction: A new aggregate base and asphalt wearing surface will be installed.
• Sidewalk and Crossing Updates: A new sidewalk will be installed along the west side from Fourteenth to Boughey Street, featuring a new crossing.
• Roadway Striping: The roadway will be striped for 10-foot travel lanes, special emphasis crosswalk markings, 6 -7 foot bike lanes, and bike shields extending to the city limits.

Vehicular and Pedestrian Detours 

During construction, Veterans Drive will be closed to through traffic. Access for residents and businesses impacted will be maintained by the contractor. The detoured routes will be signed. If possible, please use alternate routes avoiding this area to reduce congestion, delay, and promote worker safety. 

Funding

The reconstruction project was selected for the recently developed regional Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to receive funding support. Federal and MDOT dollars will contribute $1,127,594. The City will contribute $682,646.89 from the Road Fund, $466,030.00 from the Water Fund, and a 10% contingency at $212,627.09. In addition, there is a requirement of field management and construction testing for Federal funding that will be for the amount of $116,595.00.

INPUT SOUGHT ON DRAFT CONSOLIDATED PLAN

The City recently became a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement community. To access annual funding, the City must develop a Five-Year Consolidated Plan. This plan is a process that recipients of grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)—such as states, local governments, and public housing agencies—undertake to identify priority needs and goals for housing and community development. Additionally, the plan will help identify at-risk populations in the City, the prevalence of low-to-moderate-income households, and will include an assessment of the community’s housing needs.

After a review with the City Commission, stakeholder meetings, and community feedback, a draft Consolidated Plan has been developed and is available for a 30-day public comment period.

The Five-Year Planning Document governs the use of federal housing and community development funds for PY2024/2025 through PY2028/2029. The City estimates funding of $365,323 for the first year.

For those interested citizens who are unable to attend the public hearing on August 12, 2024, please submit input via email to lsickterman@traversecitymi.gov or to the Planning and Zoning Department, 400 Boardman Ave, Traverse City, MI 49684. ATTN: CDBG/PUBLIC

DRAFT MASTER PLAN OPEN HOUSE: JULY 18TH

The City will host an open house on July 18th, from noon to 8 p.m. at the Governmental Center, to review and discuss the City's draft Master Plan and Mobility Action Plan. This event provides an opportunity for community members to engage with the future vision of the City, offering their insights and feedback.

In 2022, the City initiated the process to rewrite the Master Plan and formulate a Mobility Action Plan. After several months in 2022 and 2023 of active public engagement, both the Master Plan and Mobility Action Plan have been drafted.

The open house format will be informal, so residents may arrive and engage at their convenience. Throughout the event, staff, consultants, planning commissioners, and members of the leadership team will be available to answer questions and facilitate discussions.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, July 18, 2024

Time: Noon to 8 p.m.

Location: Governmental Center, Lower Level Cafeteria

Survey and Next Steps

In addition to the in-person open house, a community survey will be conducted from July 15, 2024, to July 28, 2024.



WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT CONTINUES

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 replacement line project started in April 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in October 2024.

The week of July 15th, the project will continue on the 700 & 800 blocks of E. State Street, 100 block of Barlow, 1000 block of Washington, 800 block of Webster, and 1000 block of E. Eighth, and the 1300 block of Veterans Drive. The work will cause sidewalk and intermittent street closures.

LOT C REPAIR PROJECT BEGINS JULY 15TH

Motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists should be aware that the resurfacing of Lot C will begin on Monday, July 15, 2024. Project activities will include repairing damaged asphalt and improving stormwater drainage. The lot will be closed during the construction period, which is anticipated to be complete by July 28, 2024, weather permitting.

The Lot C Repair Project is part of the 2023-2024 Pavement Preservation Project, which began in fall 2023 with the reconstruction of the Eighth and Cass Street intersection. Additional projects include Maple Street between Sixth and Griffin Streets (including reconstructing the brick intersection at Eighth Street), Twelfth Street between Division and Union Streets, Eastern Avenue between M-37 and the eastern terminus at the City Water Plant, Low Pump Station, Railroad Avenue (stormwater components), Union & Eighth Street Intersection, Maple & Eighth Intersection, and Parking Lot G Repair.

BILLING RESTORED AFTER NETWORK DISRUPTION

The City and Grand Traverse County continue to recover after the June 11, 2024, cyber incident.

Due to a service interruption on June 12, 2024, the City was unable to bill for roughly 50% of the Water/Sewer Utility customers in June. As a result, beginning on July 15, 2024, the City will be generating two utility bills for those affected customers: one for June and another for July.

Key Details

• If you did not receive a bill in June, both your June and July bills will arrive together in July.
• The due date for both bills will be the same.
• For customers enrolled in Autopay, the total amount of both bills will be deducted on the due date.
• No penalties or late fees will be assessed on these bills.



For any questions or concerns, please contact our customer service team at csr@traversecitymi.gov or (231) 922-4431.



ELECTION UPDATES

AUGUST 6, 2024 PRIMARY ELECTION

Election season is underway, marked by the upcoming Primary Election scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

Absentee Voting

For those who are enrolled in the Permanent Ballot List, or who have completed an Absentee Ballot Application, the initial mailing of ballots took place on Friday, June 28, 2024. Absentee ballots 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).

Ballot Marking Instructions for Primary Election

In the August primary election, voters will choose the candidates they prefer for a political party to nominate in the general election in November.

You may vote in one party section ONLY.

You cannot “split your ticket.” If you vote in more than one party section, you partisan ballot will be rejected.

Voters can request a replacement ballot from the Clerk's Office if they do split their ticket on the ballot.

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.

Precinct 9 Building Change at NMC

Precinct 9 was previously located at NMC's Health & Science Building and will now be at NMC's Innovation Center. The relocation will be effective for the August 6, 2024 election.

Voting Precincts 7 & 10 Relocation Reminder

The relocation of two polling places (used for in-person, election day voting) became effective with this year. Voting Precinct 7, formerly at Traverse Heights Elementary, and Precinct 10, formerly at Glenn Loomis Elementary, have moved locations.

Voting Precinct 7

Traverse City Area District Library Main Branch

McGuire Room

610 Woodmere Avenue

Traverse City, MI 49686

Voting Precinct 10

The Carnegie Building

322 Sixth Street

Traverse City, MI 49684

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.

MDOT PROJECT: SEGMENT 2 UNDERWAY

PRACTICE PATIENCE

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 Project detours.

Segment 2: 24 Hour Work

Segment 2 (the US-31/Grandview Parkway/Front Street intersection west to Division Street) began on July 8. Work activities have been conducted 24 hours each day, through the evening Friday, July 12, 2024. The intent of this work was to implement traffic control measures during periods of low traffic volume while also conducting infrastructure removals in preparation for pipe installation associated with utility upgrades.

Front Street/Grandview Parkway Intersection Closure and More

Front Street is closed on the west side of Franklin Street. The intersection at Front Street/Grandview Parkway will be closed for reconstruction until approximately mid-August, weather permitting.

Barricades have been placed directly south of work activities at Cass, Hall, and Oak Streets. Union and Park Streets will remain open.

Vehicular & Pedestrian Detours

Eastbound lanes of US-31/Grandview Parkway will be closed as they are rebuilt, and one lane of US-31 traffic will be maintained in each direction on the westbound lanes.

Once the eastbound lanes are completed, traffic will be moved to those lanes, again with one lane open in each direction while the westbound lanes are rebuilt. The switch is tentatively expected to happen shortly after Labor Day.

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 and the Murchie Bridge underpass. 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

EVERYONE LOVES A PARADE!

Big thanks to representatives of the City that participated in the Cherry Royale Parade, including the Traverse City Fire Department, Traverse City Police Department, members of the City Commission, and Traverse City Light & Power.

This year, the City had our very own Cherry Prince, Prince Wilder from Willow Hill! And, his float received the Queen’s Award! Fun Fact: Prince Wilder's mother, Katie Miller in the Planning Department, was a Cherry Princess in 1st grade!