TRAVERSE CITY — The Traverse City Commission is scheduled to consider a proposed two-year performance evaluation process for the city manager and city attorney at its meeting on Feb. 17, 2026. The recommendation would establish a standardized annual review cycle for 2026 and 2027.
Mayor Amy Shamroe and Mayor Pro Tem Laura Ness recommended the process, which fulfills requirements in the employment agreements for both City Manager Benjamin Marentette and City Attorney Lauren Trible-Laucht. The framework was developed through mutual agreement between the mayor’s office and the two city officials, with annual assessments to be completed by June 30.
The proposed framework is substantively similar to previous evaluation cycles but includes two primary modifications. Department heads currently subject to disciplinary procedures will not be interviewed as part of the feedback process. Additionally, the city will now incorporate feedback from the executive directors of Traverse City Light & Power and the Downtown Development Authority on a rotating basis each year.
Under the plan, City Manager Marentette and City Attorney Trible-Laucht are required to create a minimum one-page performance statement covering the previous 12 months. This document must summarize the year in review, outline upcoming challenges and detail how they have advanced the City Commission’s most recent goals. The statement also asks what the commission could do to help the officials become more effective in their roles.
The process involves a facilitator, appointed by the mayor and mayor pro tem, who will coordinate with the city officials to review performance questions. By April 30, the facilitator will distribute a board packet to the commission. This packet includes job descriptions, employment agreements, performance statements and the most recent evaluations conducted over the past year.
The facilitator will conduct interviews with commission members and department heads to gather feedback. This includes cross-evaluations where the city manager is interviewed for the city attorney’s review and the city attorney is interviewed for the city manager’s review. Results will be compiled into a report for the City Commission to review by the end of June. Officials may request that these review sessions be held in closed sessions.
Following the completion of the formal evaluation, Marentette and Trible-Laucht will each meet with the mayor and mayor pro tem to discuss potential changes to their employment agreements. Any desired modifications discussed during these meetings will then be presented to the full City Commission for consideration.
The City Commission is scheduled to vote on the proposal during its regular meeting on Feb. 17, 2026. If approved, the evaluations must be completed no later than June 30 each year.