TRAVERSE CITY — The City Commission will be considering several important issues at their next meeting on Monday, Aug. 4.
Here are some to keep an eye on:
First, they will be holding a public hearing on the redevelopment of a property that currently houses T.C. Millworks at 1032 Woodmere Avenue. Developer Tim Pulliam wants to transform the property from an industrial site to a mixed-use development.
On the property, he wants to build facilities for an outdoor active lifestyle retailer, a restaurant and three, four story buildings to accommodate multi-family market-rate residential units. All of the new buildings would share an underground parking facility. It would also come with a new, non-motorized connection to the Boardman Lake Trail.
In addition to that, commissioners will also be discussing and are expected to vote on extending their agreement with Grace Episcopal Church’s Jubilee Outreach Ministry. It provides services to people experiencing poverty, like a day shelter for the homeless, a food pantry and community meals. The agreement would provide up to $102,256 for day shelter services.
The City Commission will also talk about priorities and an evaluation process for newly minted Interim City Manager, Benjamin Marentette. This is an action plan that Marentette is asking for. This is a portion of the memo from Marentette regarding this request:
With respect to priorities for me, I’m seeking direction from the City Commission on how you would like to establish those. If you’re seeking suggestions from me, I suggest the following:
1.) I want to work heavily on assisting the City Commission in developing the first-ever objectives and Key results to drive budgeting decisions.
2.) I want to work closely with our City Treasurer’s Office (and already have begun) to revamp our budgeting process to include a one-year budget with a three-year outlook, with projected expenses and revenue so that we can make budgeting decisions with longer-term impacts at the center. Also, this revamp will include a reformatting of the budget report to also include Objectives and Key Results, the pillars from the city’s Strategic Action Plan and demonstrate how proposed budget allocations align.
3.) I want to work extensively on our organization’s culture. As shared, I want to drive an organization that rooted in feedback, innovation, mutual-respect, openness, respect and trust, among others. This includes focus with the City Commission, employee staff team and community.
4.) Simply learning the role. It is my hope that I seek and am appointed permanent City Manager and I’m working toward that end; and regardless, I’m fully exploring opportunities to enhance and calibrate our delivery of public services wherever needed in order to drive an environment that is on a quest for optimization.
5.) Ensuring my work life balance and supporting the same for the entire employee team.
Marentette would also like to have his performance evaluated on a regular basis to make sure his objectives are on track.
The City Commission’s regular meeting is Monday, August 4, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., in the commission chambers on the second floor of the Governmental Center, 400 Boardman Avenue, Traverse City.