WORKFORCE HOUSING PILOT ORDINANCE

SCHEDULED FOR ENACTMENT OCTOBER 2, 2023

The City Commission will consider adoption of a new PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) ordinance at their Monday, October 2, 2023 meeting.

Background

In late 2022, the State of Michigan enacted legislation that allows local governments to establish PILOT policies and engage in PILOT agreements with developers involved in the construction or rehabilitation of workforce housing units, without the previous requirement of securing state or federal tax credits.

Previously, local government participation in PILOTs depended on developers obtaining low-income housing tax credits through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). However, this was a competitive program, and local authorities lacked the discretion to grant a PILOT unless the developer secured MSHDA tax credits.

With the approval of Senate Bill 432 on December 13, 2022, local governments gained the authority to enter into PILOT agreements with developments not seeking state or federal tax credits. This legislative change marks a significant policy shift.

City Attorney, Lauren Trible-Laucht, President of the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys, worked with other attorneys, MSHDA, and the State of Michigan to create the necessary policies and a model ordinance that municipalities statewide can use for implementation.

Opportunities

This legislative modification aims to simplify the approval of PILOT agreements and aligns with the City Commission's objectives concerning affordable housing. It provides a more flexible approach that can contribute to the advancement of affordable housing initiatives within the community.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS CANDIDATE FORUM RECORDING

Learn about the Mayoral and City Commission candidates on the November 7, 2023 ballot! On September 26th, the Traverse City Area League of Women Voters hosted a Candidate forum for the seats of Mayor and City Commission.

The forum was streamed and recorded by Traverse City Community Media and can be found at the link.

MEET YOUR FIRST RESPONDERS EVENT

The Department of Natural Resources is hosting a "Meet Your First Responders" event this Friday, September 29, 2023, from 5 - 7 pm at the Traverse City State Park Beach.

Multiple agencies from Grand Traverse County will be in attendance, including our great crew at the Traverse City Fire Department! In addition, an appearance from Smokey Bear, a Black Ops Obstacle Course provided by the National Guard, and free ice cream!

ABSENTEE BALLOTS MAILED

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

The initial mailing of Absentee Ballots for the November 7, 2023 election was sent on Friday, September 29, 2023. Voters may still return an Absentee Ballot Application if interested in receiving an absentee ballot.

Permanent Absentee Ballot List 

As of 2018, all registered voters in Michigan may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. In 2022, as part of Proposal 22-2, Michigan voters gave themselves the right to join a Permanent Absentee Ballot List. Joining the Permanent Absentee Ballot List allows voters to complete an application once and receive an absentee ballot for all elections moving forward. If a registered voter moves within the State of Michigan, and updates their voter registration address, the status on the Permanent Absentee Ballot List will remain. In the past, voters were required to complete an absentee ballot application for each election in which they desired to receive an absentee ballot.

Proposal 22-2

Proposal 22-2 amended the Michigan Constitution to add several provisions regarding elections, including:

• Recognize fundamental right to vote without harassing conduct
• Require military or overseas ballots be counted if postmarked by election day and received by the local clerk within six days following the election
• Provide voter the right to verify identity with photo ID or signed statement
• Provide voter the right to a single application to vote absentee in all elections
• Require state-funded absentee-ballot drop boxes, and paid postage for absentee applications and ballots
• Provide that only election officials may conduct post-election audits
• Require a minimum of nine days of early in-person voting for all statewide elections
• Allow donations to fund elections, which must be disclosed
• Require canvass boards certify election results based only on the official records of votes cast.

The State of Michigan has been preparing for changes related to the above provisions.  However, the provision for nine days of early in-person voting will not be put into effect for the November 7, 2023, election.

CRACK SEALING PROJECT BEGINS

SEPTEMBER 25TH - MID OCTOBER

The annual crack sealing maintenance project kicked off this week on Monday, September 25, 2023 and is anticipated to be completed by mid-October, weather permitting. Crack sealing is the process of placing an adhesive sealant into cracks on the pavement surface to prevent the infiltration of moisture and non-compressible materials into the pavement. The process preserves the lifespan of pavement and reduces the chances of creating larger more costly issues.

The project is being conducted as a moving operation that will take place city-wide, with temporary closures to allow the sealant to cool. This work may cause disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Appropriate signage will be in place, and access to homes and businesses will be maintained at all times. If possible, use alternate routes and avoid project areas to help reduce congestion, delays, and promote worker safety. Please abide by any signage and temporary closures to avoid driving through the fresh crack sealant.

IN THE COMMUNITY

ELECTROFISHING SURVEY WITH THE GREAT LAKES FISHERY COMMISSION AND THE GRAND TRAVERSE BAND OF OTTAWA AND CHIPPEWA INDIANS

Our partners, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) completed the third of four scheduled “quarterly” index electrofishing survey in the lower Boardman-Ottaway River (below Union St. Dam). These surveys are conducted to understand the seasonal diversity and abundance of the Boardman-Ottaway River fishery in this section of river.

During these surveys GLFC and GTB staff also implant a variety of bio-telemetry tags. Bio-telemetry in the most basic sense is the remote detection, measurement, and monitoring of animal activity. As such, these tags facilitate ongoing research on fish movement and presence in the river interim to the physical sampling of fish. The utilization of telemetry tags will further be used to assist the development of FishPass, which will be outfit with numerous telemetry sensors to understand the efficacy of various sorting and selective technology at the site.

While fish surveys in the lower Boardman-Ottaway River began in 2017 this annual schedule has been ongoing since 2019. The GTB has provided equipment and staff to support this work since 2019. The City has supported these efforts by by providing access to the upper reach of the lower Boardman River via Hannah Park to facilitate the work. Results can be found below. It should be noted that pacific salmon primarily Chinook Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and Coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch are not enumerated or measured as part of this work. Hundreds of Chinook and coho salmon were identified by staff on this survey but not processed because the numbers are monitored thoroughly by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at the Salmon Weir. The Boardman-Ottaway River fish community is very much dominated by these introduced salmon this time of year!

Results in Species, Number of Fish, and Length in Inches

Northern Pike: 2

26.8

Brown Trout: 3

14.9

Common White Sucker: 4

13.7

Rainbow Trout: 17

11.5

Smallmouth Bass: 1

5.5

Walleye: 1

17.7

Photos include: Nicholas Vander Stelt (GTB), Nathaniel Campbell (GTB), Reid Swanson (Great Lakes Fishery Commission). Photo credit: Sean Leask (GTB) and Reid Swanson.