BROWN BRIDGE LAND ACQUISITION

COMMISSION TO CONSIDER BALLOT PROPOSALS

The City Commission will consider adopting ballot proposal resolutions related to the potential land acquisition adjacent to the Brown Bridge Quiet Area at the their June 19, 2023 meeting. 

Background

The Brown Bridge Quiet Area is approximately 1310 acres of City-owned property located 11 miles southeast of Traverse City within the Boardman/Ottaway River Watershed. The City of Traverse City obtained the property in the early 1900s. The property was established as a natural area for quiet recreation by the City Commission in the 1970s.

Brown Bridge Trust Fund

In the 1970s, oil was discovered on the property. As a result the City established the Brown Bridge Trust Fund. In 2019, a ballot proposal passed by 75.89% to allow the City Commission for a period of five years to use part of the Brown Bridge Trust Fund Principal that exceeds $12,000,000 in a separate trust fund to be used for City park capital improvements and/or acquisition of property to be designated and used as City parklands.

Brown Bridge Land Acquisition

In 2023, the City was presented the opportunity to acquire 528 acres of land adjacent to the Brown Bridge Quiet Area for $3,098,445. The City Commission approved a resolution to apply for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Grant in the amount of $2,352,200. If successful, the City Commission may ask City voters to approve using the principal from the Brown Bridge Trust Fund to match the grant in an amount not to exceed $746,245, if it is awarded.

About Ballot Proposals

The grant match expenditure would require two proposals on the November 7, 2023 ballot.

BALLOT QUESTION ONE: The 2019 ballot proposal included a provision that funds could not be used in excess of $250,000. Section 129 would need to be amended to delete the provision that no single allocation to a City park capital improvement or City parkland acquisition will be in excess of $250,000.

BALLOT QUESTION TWO: The second ballot question would ask the public for permission to spend the principal from the Brown Bridge Trust Fund to match the grant in an amount not to exceed $746,245.

Both ballot questions would need to pass in order to utilize the Brown Bridge Trust Fund. If these proposals were to fail in November, the grant application could be withdrawn.

BEACH MONITORING & TESTING

The Environmental Health Division of the Grand Traverse County Health Department works closely with the City of Traverse City, Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, and the Traverse City State Park to ensure the health and safety of several public beaches in Grand Traverse County.

The Watershed Center administers grants from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to sample surface water from swim areas of the beaches. The water samples are analyzed for E. coli , a relatively harmless organism that may indicate the possible presence of harmful pathogenic microorganisms.

The Beach Monitoring Dashboard is updated weekly on Thursdays. If any beaches report a "Level 2" or higher, those specific beaches will then be resampled. Resample results will be available and published 24 hours later.

SPLASH PAD UPDATE

The Clinch Park Splash Pad will open this week while improvements continue to be completed!

In 2022, improvement to the Clinch Park Splash Pad were approved to include an automatic weather detection sensor in combination with a touch activator. The automated system will operate more efficiently by utilizing rain and wind sensor, to gauge weather patterns, and in turn greatly reduce the amount of water, chemicals, and energy currently used to operate. The new system will also increase access and mobility for park users.

In addition to above-mentioned upgrades, the water-scape will now include a cascade river, a hands-on water play-scape that allows for exploration through flow play; interactive waves; orbs, and also allows for collaborative play. 

CITY APPOINTS CAPTAIN RICHMOND TO SERVE AS INTERIM POLICE CHIEF

CAPTAIN RICHMOND ASSUMES ROLE JULY 1, 2023

The City of Traverse City has appointed Captain Matthew Richmond to assume the Interim Police Chief role upon Chief Jeffery O’Brien’s retirement. O’Brien has been with the Traverse City Police Department (TCPD) since 1991, assuming the role of Police Chief in 2015. He announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2023, in February 2023. Captain Richmond will assume the role of Interim Police Chief on July 1, 2023.

During his tenure, Chief O’Brien focused his efforts on the 6 pillars of 21st Century Policing: Building Trust and Legitimacy, Policy and Oversight, Technology and Social Media, Community Policing and Crime Reduction, Officer Training and Education, and Officer Safety and Wellness. He was instrumental in the City’s Community Policing Program. Under his leadership, a LGBTQ+ Liaison Officer was assigned, and a Police Social Worker was hired to develop a Quick Response Team that focuses on mental health and overdose prevention. In addition, O’Brien worked closely with various outreach programs surrounding homelessness. He obtained his Master's Degrees in Management and Organizational Leadership. In 2021, the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police presented an award to the TCPD for accreditation from the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.

Captain Richmond began his career with the City in 2004. He has been assigned as a Detective, promoted to Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Lieutenant, and most recently Captain of Patrol Services in 2023. Richmond has also served as the School Resource Officer at Central High School, Crime Scene Technician, Interdiction Team Leader, and a Motor Cycle Officer. He holds a Master of Science in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership degree.

“With his vast experience serving in several positions, Captain Richmond is prepared to take on the role of Interim Chief. He has demonstrated he can solve problems, take on the work that has to be performed and has the leadership skills necessary to carry on our Community Policing Initiatives," stated Chief O’Brien.

GIS FOR EVERYONE AWARD

CONGRATS TO THE CITY'S GIS COODINATOR

The City of Traverse City’s Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Coordinator, Jerry Swanson, has been awarded the GIS for Everyone Award from IMAGIN! The IMAGIN GIS for Everyone Award is presented to an organization/individual that seeks to make GIS data or analysis accessible to other organizations and/or the public, and that strive to disseminate, share data, and make spatial data available to everyone.