ARPA FUNDS

RECOMMENDATION FOR ALLOCATING REMAINING FUNDS

In 2021, the City was awarded $1,653,886 through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The City Commission allocated funds in 2022 and will consider allocating the remainder of funds as required by December 31, 2024, at their December 16, 2024, meeting. All allocated funds must be spent by December 31, 2026. Project alignment and prioritization have resulted in some funds that were previously approved for allocations being recommended for reallocation.

Previous Allocated Fund Expenditures

• City Tree Planting ($200,000)
• $500 per City Employee Stipend ($113,000)
• Jubilee House Day Shelter ($20,000 for two years, with $20,000 grant request for each of two years - $40,000)
• Senior Center ($500,000)
• Grant Writer Services ($75,000)
• Sanitary Sewer Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) Implementation Plan ($250,000)

Recommended Allocated Funds

• Jubliee House Day Shelter ($40,000)
• Safe Harbor Shelter ($250,000)
• Senior Center ($192,585.64)

SOLAR & BATTERY PROJECT

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

In 2023, the City was awarded a Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) Low Carbon Infrastructure Enhancement & Development Grant in the amount of $1,685,479 for a battery storage project and solar array on the rooftops of the Traverse City Wastewater Treatment Plant. At their December 16, 2024 meeting, the City Commission will consider authorizing an agreement for the final design and construction of the rooftop solar project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The WWTP uses approximately 5,048 MWh of electricity annually, based on an analysis of monthly electric bills. The total cost is about $411,525 for a unit cost of $0.082/kWh. The solar PV plant would produce about 510MWh per year of electricity, about 10% of the WWTP annual consumption. The project would reduce the WWTP’s electricity costs by approximately $41,000 each year, and over a 25-year lifespan, save the City at least $1.025 million in operations costs. In addition, the project is anticipated to reduce annual CO2e Emissions by 300 metric tons per year.

The recommendation for authorization includes awarding a construction agreement to Nova Consultants, Inc., in the not-to-exceed amount of $1,847,126, which includes a 5% contingency, for final design and construction services of the rooftop solar PV and battery energy storage system project at the TCRWWTP, utilizing the remaining allocated MPSC grant funds of $1,427,587 and $419,539 in matching funds from the Sewer Fund #590. The Return On Investment (ROI) for the City's match funds of $419,539 is calculated at approximately 8 years.

HOUSING UPDATE

INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT THE UNHOUSED AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The December 16, 2024 meeting will cover a number of items related to housing and the unhoused. Recognizing the complexity of homelessness, the City is working alongside partners to implement comprehensive short and long-term strategies and is committed to paving a way forward in caring for our vulnerable populations.

Safety Plan

The Traverse City Police Department has developed a comprehensive safety plan designed to protect both the neighborhood and unhoused individuals. Ordinance amendments will be introduced at the meeting that are related to public consumption, loitering, and prowling.

Resolution of Support

Additionally, the City Commission will consider adoption of a resolution supporting the Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness’ Effort to End Chronic Homelessness Through Permanent Supportive Housing at their meeting. The Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness has committed to ending chronic homelessness in our region by 2028, recognizing that this goal is both urgent and achievable with the collaboration of local governments, community partners, and other stakeholders. Permanent supportive housing provides long term housing for individuals experiencing homelessness and provides wrap-around support services to help them stay in their homes.

In May 2024, the City Commission greenlit a recommendation from City Administration for $360,000 to bridge a crucial gap, fast-tracking housing for 17 chronically homeless individuals by August 2024, and another 10 by January 2025. The permanent supportive housing will be located at Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan's East Bay Flats, which was acquired in November 2023.

Annika II

Lastly, the City Commission will hear an update from WODA Cooper Company on Annika II. A 6% PILOT with a term of 16 years, was previously approved by the City Commission for Annika Place II, a new residential development located at 1020 Hastings Street.  The development is to be a 56,146 square foot, four story building with fifty-two (52) residential units; 28 one-bedroom units and 24 two bedroom units. Of these, 6 units will be barrier free. Twenty-two (22) or 42% of the units are targeted for residents with an annual income between 70-80% of the area median income.

Permanent Supportive Housing: Woda Cooper Company will work with Goodwill Northern Michigan to provide 19 units for those experiencing homelessness and assist the Top 10% of Continuum of Care's Prioritization List and Households of Chronically Homeless. Woda will work with any Veterans in the area who may meet the above criteria. Goodwill Northern Michigan will be the Lead Agency and will provide case management and supportive services.

Sustainability: Annika Place II will seek LEED Silver certification, include EV charging stations, and is investigating electric heat.  

SHORT TERM RENTALS

PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE

The City continues to engage in extensive discussions regarding the multifaceted challenges posed by our community's housing crisis, encompassing both availability and affordability. Recognizing that no singular action can serve as a comprehensive solution, it was acknowledged last year that the Planning Commission's jurisdiction primarily extends to land use, influencing availability and, in turn, potentially addressing affordability through supply and demand dynamics.

In January 2024, the Planning Commission deliberated on establishing a diverse committee and conducting research to delve deeper into the prospect of implementing a cap on the percentage of dwellings allowed for short-term rentals within a building in commercial zoning districts.

Following is a list of districts and the percentage of dwellings in a building that may be used for short-term rental purposes:

• C-1 25%
• C-2 25%
• C-3 100%
• C-4 100%
• D-1 100%
• D-2 25%
• D-3 100%
• HR 100%
• I 100%

At their December 17, 2024, Study Session, the Planning Commission will review data related to the history and current state of short-term rentals in the City in an effort to provide direction for potential regulatory changes. No action on this item will be taken at the meeting.

TCFD GIFT CERTIFICATE

SENIOR CITIZEN HOME FIRE SAFETY & ALARM INSTALLATION

Looking for a unique gift for a senior citizen in your life? The Traverse City Fire Department is offering a Home Fire Safety Gift Certificate, perfect for ensuring safety and peace of mind.

The certificate includes a 1-hour Home Fire Safety Assessment and the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, featuring no-maintenance, 10-year lithium-ion batteries. This service, valued at $180, is redeemable for one year from the date of issue.

Recipients can schedule their assessment with Fire Inspector Jacob Steichen by calling (231) 631-7423 or emailing jsteichen@tcfire.org.

Safety never goes out of style—give the gift of protection today!

NOTIFICATION OF PAYEE

CITY OF TRAVERSE CITY

When making payments to the City of Traverse City, please ensure the payee is listed as "The City of Traverse City" and not just "Traverse City."

The City has encountered issues where payments are delayed because customers use incorrect payee names like "City Water/Sewer" or "Traverse City Water & Sewer." These errors prevent the e-vendor from processing the payment electronically, leading banks to send physical checks, which can take over 10 business days to reach the City.

This is particularly common for customers who set up payments through their individual banks. To avoid delays, please update the payee information with your bank to "The City of Traverse City" to ensure your payments are processed promptly.

SEASONAL SNOW REMOVAL

PRIORITIZATION & HOW YOU CAN HELP

The City's Streets Division is responsible for plowing public streets and alleys. Safety routes are prioritized—these are the main roads and critical areas that need to stay open for emergency access. The MDOT trunklines and emergency routes receive first priority for clearing snow in the morning and are continually plowed throughout the day if snow continues to accumulate. City crews then move on to major and local streets, and finally alleys.

Keep Your Sidewalk Accessible for Everyone

During winter, the City reminds residents and business owners that they are responsible by ordinance for the removal of any snow and ice that accumulates on the sidewalks immediately adjacent to their property. The City also encourages residents to help neighbors and relatives who have difficulty removing snow from their sidewalks.

City Sidewalk Snow Plowing

The City provides a supplemental snow plowing program for sidewalks. Sidewalks are prioritized near routes to schools and to provide access to City buildings. The City starts with sidewalks along main roadways and safety routes, then moves into residential areas when time and staffing allow.

Downtown Sidewalk Snow Removal

If snow accumulates over 3 inches overnight, the City's contractor clears the sidewalks of snow early in the morning in the Downtown commercial area. This process is conducted only in the early morning hours when sidewalks are clear of pedestrians. Sidewalks are not cleared by the contractor throughout the day. If snow continues to accumulate throughout the day after being cleared in the morning, property owners are responsible for shoveling their storefront sidewalks as needed.

Snow Removal Reminder for Residents, Businesses, and Contractors

When clearing snow with a shovel, plow, or snowblower, please avoid pushing or placing snow into the street or alley. This creates unnecessary snow piles, increases the workload for City crews, and can result in large accumulations being pushed into other areas, potentially causing safety hazards. Instead, snow should be placed on the tree lawn, your personal property, or, for those in the Downtown area, around street trees.

Let’s work together to keep our community walkable, welcoming, and safe for everyone this winter!