MASTER PLAN - MOBILITY REVIEWED

MASTER PLAN SURVEY AVAILABLE

At their Monday, July 22, 2024 meeting, the City Commission will review the draft Mobility Action Plan that has been incorporated into the rewrite of the Master Plan.

In 2022, the City initiated the process to rewrite the Master Plan and formulate a Mobility Action Plan. After several months in 2022 and 2023 of active public engagement, both the Master Plan and Mobility Action Plan have been drafted.

Mobility Action Plan

A Mobility Action Plan is a strategic document that outlines a set of measures and strategies to guide policies designed to improve non-motorized transportation and mobility. The plan will address various transportation challenges and promote more sustainable, efficient, safe, and accessible transportation network. The Mobility Action Plan is crucial to addressing issues related to urban congestion, environmental concerns, and the overall quality of life for residents.

Draft Mobility Action Plan

Survey Open

In addition to the in-person open house that took place on July 18th, a community survey will be conducted from July 15, 2024, to July 28, 2024.

Take the Survey

Next Steps

July 22, 2024

• City Commission Draft Mobility Action Plan Review

August 12, 2024

• City Commission Draft "Magazine" Document Review

August - September 2024

• State statute does not require the legislative body to adopt a master plan, but does allow them to do so through ordinance, which the City has enacted
• Introduced to City Commission August 19
• Consideration of adoption through resolution September 3 with a majority vote required

DRAINAGE DISTRICT APPROVED

8TH STREET STORM OUTLET & WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

The City Commission approved the establishment of a Drainage District, identified as the 8th Street Storm Outlet and Water Quality Improvements Project, at their July 15, 2024 Regular Meeting.

After staff explored four locations, including the 8th Street Storm Outlet and Water Quality Improvements, East Bay Park (North Outlet), Bryant Park Storm Sewer, and Ramsdell Pond Outlet, it was recommended that the 8th Street Storm Outlet was the highest priority project and would have the most benefit to improve the quality of stormwater that enters the bay. In addition, storm sewer system capacity in the watershed will be addressed with the project.

In 2022, the City Commission adopted strategic priorities that included, “managing and maintaining the drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems for the health and safety of the citizens and environment.” Both drinking water and wastewater are funded by enterprise funds within the City. However, staff's recommendation to sufficiently achieve the goals of protecting the Grand Traverse watershed from pollution and erosion is by creating a Drainage District to fund stormwater infrastructure improvements. The Stormwater Ad Hoc Committee, developed in 2021, recommended that the City utilize the Drain Code process that follows the watershed boundary (properties benefited) contributing to the specific stormwater facility.

A drainage district in Michigan is a legally established area of land that drains to a common outlet, also known as a watershed or drainage basin. The boundaries of a drainage district are determined by the natural topography of the land, such as elevations and drainage flow patterns, and do not have to match municipal, jurisdictional boundaries. Municipalities, as well as land owners, may petition for the project, and a drainage Board of Determination takes testimony and evidence to determine if the project is “necessary”, then if necessary, the Drain Commissioner administers the project. The municipalities pay out of the general fund (or other funding source) or determine if the proposed project will require a special assessment, fee, or charge to property owners in the drainage district for a portion of the design and construction costs. 

INPUT SOUGHT ON DRAFT CONSOLIDATED PLAN

The City recently became a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement community. To access annual funding, the City must develop a Five-Year Consolidated Plan. This plan is a process that recipients of grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)—such as states, local governments, and public housing agencies—undertake to identify priority needs and goals for housing and community development. Additionally, the plan will help identify at-risk populations in the City, the prevalence of low-to-moderate-income households, and will include an assessment of the community’s housing needs.

After a review with the City Commission, stakeholder meetings, and community feedback, a draft Consolidated Plan has been developed and is available for a 30-day public comment period. The Five-Year Planning Document governs the use of federal housing and community development funds for PY2024/2025 through PY2028/2029. The City estimates funding of $365,323 for the first year.

For those interested citizens who are unable to attend the public hearing on August 12, 2024, please submit input via email to lsickterman@traversecitymi.gov or to the Planning and Zoning Department, 400 Boardman Ave, Traverse City, MI 49684. ATTN: CDBG/PUBLIC

VETERANS DRIVE RECONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN

The City's contractor, M&M Excavating, will begin the Veterans Drive Reconstruction Project on July 22, 2024. The project limits will be on Veterans Drive between Fourteenth and the City limits (just south of Fairlane Drive), and is anticipated to be complete in mid-October, weather permitting. 

The project involves removing and replacing pavements, selective sidewalks, and sections of curb for new pavement and water service upgrades. Intersections will have bulb outs, improving pedestrian safety and traffic calming. A new water main will be installed, with the old one capped. Drainage will be improved with new catch basins and dry wells. Updates also include a new sidewalk on the west side from Fourteenth to Boughey Street.

Vehicular and Pedestrian Detours 

During construction, Veterans Drive will be closed to through traffic. Access for residents and businesses impacted will be maintained. The detoured routes will be signed. If possible, please use alternate routes avoiding this area to reduce congestion, delay, and promote worker safety. 

An updated recommended pedestrian route has been published on the project website.



WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT CONTINUES

Michigan's 2017 Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) designates galvanized water services as lead service lines if they "are or ever were" connected to a lead gooseneck, requiring utilities to pay for replacing private water services from the curb stop to the building. Lead goosenecks, installed before the mid-1940s, are 3-foot lead pipes used between the brass connection to the water main and a galvanized pipe. The City has since installed copper services and has no known fully lead service lines. Not all private galvanized lines need replacement; those originally connected to City-owned copper services don't require replacement. The water service replacement line project started in April 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in October 2024.

The week of July 22nd, the project will continue on the blocks of 900 and 1000 Maple Street, 200, 500, and 600 W. Thirteenth Street, 900 and 1000 Pine Street, and 400 and 600 W. Twelfth Street. The work will cause sidewalk and intermittent street closures.

PILOT TWO-WAY STREET CONVERSION

EVALUATION

Well into the second year of the pilot for the Two Way State Street Conversion Project, factors to help gauge the success of the project will continue to be evaluated, including pedestrian volumes, bicycle volumes, crash data, traffic speeds, and traffic volumes. 

Traffic Data Evaluation

Traffic data will be sought in the upcoming weeks to record the frequency and volume of pedestrians, vehicle maneuvers, and speeds. Efforts are focused on understanding how the conversion of State Street to two-way traffic is currently operating, identifying opportunities for improvements, and best understanding how traffic is flowing into, through, and out of the downtown area and the impacts it has on the neighborhoods.

Provide Your Input

As the two-way conversion is experienced, users may provide suggestions at the email, two-way@downtowntc.com.



TIF BALLOT LANGUAGE APPROVED

BALLOT LANGUAGE CORRECTION - CHARTER AMENDMENT 2

At their July 15, 2024 meeting, the City Commission approved ballot language for a second Charter Amendment to be placed on the November 2024 ballot related to Tax Increment Financing.

Ballot Language Correction

In the July 12, 2024 Bay Brief, there was an error in the ballot language. The corrected language is as follows.

Shall Section 28 of the Charter of the City of Traverse City be amended by adding a paragraph to read that “The City Commission shall not attempt to evade the petition rights and voting rights of City residents. Any and all ordinances of the City to extend, amend, and/or modify Tax Increment Financing and Development Plan #97 (“TIF97”), which ordinance or ordinances were enacted or are enacted at any time after January 1, 2024 without first being submitted to and approved by a majority of the electors of the City at a regular election or at a special election held for that purpose are repealed and such ordinance or ordinances shall be void and of no effect.”?

The City is a great place to work! As an employer, we offer a wide range of rewarding jobs. Our employees take pride in their work and in making Traverse City the best it can be!

The City of Traverse City is an equal opportunity employer. Full-time positions receive a competitive benefits package, paid time off, short-term leave, health, dental, vision, and life insurance, employer retirement contribution, and participation in Michigan’s Municipal Employee Retirement System pension benefit program. 

Open Full-Time Positions

• Firefighter
• Patrol Officer
• Civil Engineer 1
• Police Social Worker
• Vehicle Equipment Technician
• Garage Supervisor
• DPS Administrative Specialist
• Equipment Operator
• Parks Laborer

IN THE COMMUNITY

HIKING THE BOARDMAN/OTTAWAY RIVER

Frank Dituri, Director of Public Services, Brett Fessell, River Restoration Ecologist at the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and Mark Wilson, GT Band Tribal citizen and City Commissioner, recently led a nature hike at Brown Bridge Quiet Area for the staff of the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.

During the hike, they shared insights about the multi-year collaborative efforts between the City and the Tribe that restored the Boardman-Ottaway River to its natural, undammed, state.