CITY TO SEEK PROPOSALS FOR VOLLEYBALL COURT EXPANSION

At the July 18, 2022 meeting, City Commission authorized staff to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for volleyball court expansion at West End Beach, in the amount not-to-exceed $60,000, with a contract to be brought back to the City Commission for possible authorization.

A two-court expansion was first proposed in 2007 as part of the Your Bay, Your Say initiative and most recently in 2022. The proposed additional courts (2) will serve the 700+ local volleyball players who use the current six courts on a weekly basis and provide expanded opportunities for recreation during busy weekends. 

A Volleyball League analysis was conducted by City staff to determine the viability of a volleyball court expansion. It is anticipated that revenue from the City’s recreational beach volleyball leagues will repay the costs of both the expansion and the sand replacement in roughly five years.

In May 2022, improvements at the volleyball courts included new sand. The previous sand on the courts was from the original construction in 1980. The original sand was not suitable for volleyball courts due to sand becoming extremely hot, coarse, and rocky. This season, recreationists will enjoy finer sand that will also be easier for staff to mechanically groom.

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.

CITY PROJECTS WEBPAGE

The City's new website has a webpage for the City's major projects.  

The webpage features active, upcoming, and past projects. Active projects provide a summary and timeline, detour map (if applicable), project updates, public engagement opportunities, and department contact information. 

See what is being planned for in the future by reviewing Upcoming Projects and check out the City's accomplishments by viewing Past Projects. 

The Projects webpage also contains a link to the City's Street & Sidewalk Closure Interactive Map that shows real time closures to help with your commute!

AUGUST 2ND

PRIMARY ELECTION

It was recommended that City voters send their absentee ballot in the mail by July 18 to ensure it arrives in time for the August 2nd primary election. After July 18th, submit your absentee ballot at the City Clerk's Office or the red drop box at the Governmental Center.

July 18th was the LAST DAY to register online or by mail to vote in the August 2nd statewide primary election. You CAN register in person at the City Clerk's Office at any time up to 8 p.m. on Election Day with proof of residency. Learn more at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Reminder: The City Clerk's Office will be open 8 am - 10 am on Saturday, July 29th for election purposes.

988 HOTLINE LAUNCHED

Michiganders in crisis now have an easy-to-remember number to call for help – 988. Michigan joins the nation in transitioning to the 988-dialing code, which will operate through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s network of crisis centers.

The 988-dialing code does not replace the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-TALK (8255) or other locally operated crisis lines. Instead, it serves as a universal entry point to connect individuals in need to trained crisis counselors who can help.

MDHHS is working to ensure a solid infrastructure is built through coordination with 911 and other crisis service providers.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPEN HOUSE

Join the City and Jacobs Engineering for a public open house at the Traverse City Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility on Friday, July 29th from 10 am to 2 pm.  

Tour goers will follow the path of wastewater throughout the multiple treatment processes utilized to remove pollutants and protect the waterway. We’ll describe how and what microorganisms remove organic matter, what role membrane filtration plays, how biogas produced during digestion is recycled as an energy source, what happens to the solids during and after treatment and much more.

Plant tours provided on the hour.

• 10:00 am
• 11:00 am
• 12:00 pm
• 1:00 pm

Tour Requirements:

• Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult
• Must have close toed shoes
• Hard hats and safety glasses are required and will be provided
• Photos are not permitted for security purposes

IN THE COMMUNITY

The City's Parks and Recreation Division team sprucing up the J Smith Walkway, a beloved pocket park in the heart of Downtown TC.