ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS

NEW PERMANENT BALLOT LIST OPTION

The Absentee Ballot and Permanent Ballot List Application has been mailed to all City voters for the November 7, 2023 election.

As of 2018, all registered voters in Michigan may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. In 2022, 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 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 right to verify identity with photo ID or signed statement
• Provide voter right to single application to vote absentee in all elections
• Require state-funded absentee-ballot drop boxes, and 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.

SENIOR CENTER PROJECT MOVES FORWARD

After years of planning, the City of Traverse City’s Senior Center rebuild project is becoming a reality with the approval of the construction agreement from the City Commission on Monday, August 21, 2203.

Project Elements

Square footage will increase from 5,780 to over 18,114 (including exterior spaces such as patios). The building will be oriented to the north to open park space and views of the public beach from Front Street, and will include exterior covered spaces to maximize the outdoor opportunities and the views along the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay. 

Next Steps

• The Senior Center building has closed and access to indoor restrooms is no longer available.
• Senior Center Network Programming has moved to the VFW, 3400 Veterans Dr., Traverse City, MI 49684, and will continue during the construction period.
• Access to the racquet courts, outdoor restrooms, Senior Center Beach will continue through Labor Day Weekend. Access to the racquet courts and outdoor restrooms will no longer be available beginning September 5, 2023. The City will provide notification when access to the Senior Center beach is affected.
• Preparation work at the site is anticipated in Mid-September.
• A groundbreaking ceremony is slated for Thursday, September 14, 2023, at 3 pm.
• Major construction to begin Monday, September 18, 2023.
• The Senior Center Building is to be completed by December 31, 2024.
• Additional amenities such as racquet courts, shuffle board courts, etc. will begin construction in spring 2025.

CITY MANAGER SEARCH: FINALISTS SELECTED

At their August 28th meeting, the City Commission selected finalists for the City Manager position. After a thorough review of 88 applicants, 5 candidates have been selected as finalists. The City Commission will interview the candidates at a Special Meeting on Thursday, September 7, 2023. A reception for the candidates will be held at 5:00 pm at the Governmental Center. Residents are welcome to attend the interviews and the reception.

Commission Interview Schedule

10:45 am: Elizabeth Vogel

11:30 am: Benjamin Marenette

1:00 pm: Christian Wuerth

1:45 pm: Jessica Kinser

2:30 pm: Christopher Forsyth

The City Manager is the administrative officer of the City and shall hold office at the pleasure of the City Commission. Under the general supervision of the City Commission, the City Manager performs a broad range of administrative and financial functions in support of the daily operations which serve the best interests of the entire Traverse City community, and oversees the functions of all City departments.

The individual should be an innovator, strong communicator, exceptional project manager, change agent, teambuilder and strategic leader who can work effectively with the City Commission, talented staff and an engaged community, to chart the vision for this exceptional community, and to put in place the strategies and tactics to achieve the community-embraced vision. This candidate will effectively collaborate with all stakeholders, is excited about the current position and greater potential of the region, and embraces an engaged public.

Next Steps

The City Commission will interview the candidates on Thursday, September 7th and determine next steps.

PROPOSED HOUSING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENT DISCUSSION SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

At their June 6, 2023 meeting, the Planning Commission approved an amendment to the Traverse City Code of Ordinances to allow additional dwelling types and to modify dimensional standards in the R-1a, R-1b and R-2 residential zoning districts.

The item was discussed at the City Commission Study Session on Monday, August 28, 2023.

Proposed Zoning Changes

• Create Definitions for Duplexes, Triplexes, and Quadplexes
• Eliminate the Annual Cap on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
• Remove the Owner-Occupancy Requirement for ADUs
• Allow ADUs with Duplexes
• Allow Duplexes by Right in the R-1a/b zoning District
• Allow up to Four Dwelling Units Per Lot in the R-2 District
• Reduce Minimum Lot Area in R-1a/b Zoning District
• Reduce Minimum Lot Width in the R-1a/b Zoning District
• Marginally Increase Impervious Surface Limits
• Allow Two Homes on a Lot That is Twice the Minimum Area without Being Split
• Reduce the Minimum Land Area for the Cluster Housing Development Option
• Rename the R-1a/b and R-2 Zoning Districts to Reflect the Proposed Changes

The demand for housing in our region remains high, particularly in locations that are convenient and accessible to one’s daily needs. Land use regulations as they relate to permitting housing types, densities, and locations are just one of the many levers influencing the housing needs in the City, and one that the City Commission and Planning Commission have direct influence over.

Next Steps

In order to approve the ordinance amendments (either in their current form or with modifications), the City Commission would need to take action to introduce them (at a future meeting) and then no sooner than 14 days later take action to enact them.

It is anticipated that the City Commission may determine, at the September 5, 2023, meeting, which amendments may be introduced at the September 18, 2023, meeting, with possible enactment, at the October 16, 2023, meeting.

IN THE COMMUNITY

GUNS & HOSES

Team TCFD participated in the annual Guns & Hoses Golf Outing this week! The outing is a charitable event that raises money for local causes. Thanks for all you do Traverse City Fire Department and our surrounding fire and law enforcement organizations!