NOMINATION PACKETS AVAILABLE

MAYOR AND THREE CITY COMMISSION SEATS

Nominating packets for those who wish to run for the Office of Mayor or Office of City Commissioner are available from the City Clerk’s Office, first floor, Governmental Center, 400 Boardman Avenue, Traverse City, Michigan. 

Offices Available



• Mayor, two-year term ending November 10, 2025
• 3 City Commissioners, four-year term ending November 8, 2027

Filing Deadline

Candidates must file nominating petitions and other required documentation with the City Clerk by July 25, 2023, at 4 p.m.

City Commission Functions

The City Commission is the legislative body of the City of Traverse City, essentially functioning as the city's "board of directors."

The following is the mission statement for the City Commission:

The mission of the Traverse City City Commission is to guide the preservation and development of the City’s infrastructure, services, and planning based on extensive participation by its citizens coupled with the expertise of the city’s staff. The Commission will both lead and serve Traverse City in developing a vision for sustainability and the future that is rooted in the hopes and input of its citizens and organizations, as well as cooperation from surrounding units of government.

Very broadly speaking, the functions of the City Commission for the City of Traverse City are to:

• Set public policy for the city through ordinances and other official actions
• Allocate public funds under the city's control and responsibility, including adoption of the City Budget
• Exercise policy oversight of the city's resources
• Appoint the City Manager and City Attorney; and in order to maintain a system of checks and balances, to provide for appropriate separation of duties and autonomy in conducting and performing official and corporate functions, the City Commission approves the City Manager's indefinite appointment and removal of the City Clerk and the City Treasurer
• Appoint individuals to various board and commissions.
• Exercise other authority and powers granted to it by the Michigan Constitution, Michigan Law, Michigan Promulgated Rules, the City Charter and other authorities 

Candidates elected at the November 7, 2023, election, will be sworn in by City Clerk Benjamin Marentette and take office at 7 p.m. on November 13, 2023.

TART IMPROVMENT & EXTENSION PROJECT

A closer look at the proposed design for the Peninsula Drive portion of the TART Improvement & Extension Project will be presented on May 30th at the NMC Innovation Lab, 1701 East Front Street, from 6 - 7:30 pm.

The third round of public engagement is planned specifically for the Peninsula Drive segment of trail between the intersection of Peninsula Drive at E. Front Street and Eastern Ave.

At the session, the project team and engineers will reflect on the input that was provided at the February and March 2023 engagement sessions, share the proposed design plan and objectives for the Peninsula Drive segment, and discuss next steps and anticipated timelines. 

BRIDGE REHABILITATION PROJECT UPDATES

Construction is progressing on the two bridges under construction, the N. Cass Street Bridge and the S. Union Street Bridge.

The N. Cass Street Bridge is on schedule for completion by June 30th. The concrete deck for the bridge has been placed and work remains to install bridge railings the approach leading to the bridge.

The S. Union Street Bridge project has nonpublic utility infrastructure in the location that must remain in service during construction. This has created additional complexities and time to the project. In addition,  obtaining materials in a timely manner has presented challenges. As a result, the S. Union Street Bridge project is anticipated to be complete at the end of July.

The S. Union Street Bridge and N. Cass Street Bridge are the 5th and 6th bridges that have been rehabilitated in the last two years.

OUTDOOR EXPLORATION

CITY PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND UPDATES

A number of park improvements are near completion! In 2022, the City Commission adopted their Goals and Objectives and 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.

Indian Woods Park

The City has completed improvements to Indian Woods Park. The project included replacing play equipment with a small new structure that would meet current safety and ADA accessibility standards, new stairs, tree plantings, and bike racks.

The City received a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant for $50,000 with a General Fund Match of $50,000 and also has $62,000 of Brown Bridge Trust Park Improvement Fund (BBTPIF) dollars to bring the total project funding to $162,000.

F&M Park & Arbutus Court Park

Basketball courts at Arbutus Court Park and F&M Park received a facelift! A new reinforced concrete slab basketball court was enlarged with a new hoop structure in Arbutus Court Park. A new basketball court and hoop structures were also completed in F&M Park.

The park improvement projects were identified in the Capital Improvement Plan and funded by Brown Bridge Trust Parks Improvement Fund. 

Volleyball Courts at West End Beach

In 2022, the City served up new sand at the West End volleyball courts. Previous sand on the courts was from the original construction in 1980 and was not suitable for volleyball courts due to it becoming extremely hot, coarse, and rocky. The new sand is finer and also easier for to mechanically groom. The two-court expansion from six to eight volleyball courts is substantially complete. Funding for the project came from the Parks and Recreation Division Fund and the Capital Projects Fund.

IN THE COMMUNITY

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CITY ACADEMY CLASS OF 2023

The City just wrapped up the very first City Academy with a great group of inquisitive individuals! Congratulations on your graduation!

Class of 2023

Alice Bowe

Lisa Brady

Matt Bulloch

Bobby Busley

Thomas Comerford

Deborah Douglas

Margaret Fako

Megan Holtrey

Caroline Kennedy

Jack Lankford

David Page

Michelle Perez

Kathleen Ricord

Merek Roman