TRAVERSE CITY — Grand Traverse County commissioners will consider a slew of actions this week addressing housing and homelessness and recreational trails.
Board discussions are expected to include a proposed housing and homelessness task force, an application for more workforce housing and a proposed county trails millage that may land on the Nov. 3 ballot, if approved during the board’s regular meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Governmental Center.
Commissioners will also receive updates on dental services offered through the former United We Smile clinic, as well as a contract termination with Dental Clinics North.
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
A proposed resolution to establish a task force to address the region’s housing shortages and its homeless population is included in the agenda following a joint meeting that took place last month between county and city commissioners.
The Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness spearheads the collaborative initiative, which involves both Traverse City and Grand Traverse County representatives who formed a strategic plan to address the region’s housing and homelessness concerns.
The plan was originally presented in a joint city-county meeting that identified critical shortages and three main priorities: increased emergency shelter openings, bolstered safety net services and development of more affordable housing.
According to the agenda’s documents, the resolution authorizes a comprehensive implementation plan to be completed by Dec. 31 for board review at a future meeting. The resolution also doesn’t commit the county to any new financial obligations, such as taxes, millages or spending.
Commissioners will also be asked to consider an application submitted by ShoreNorth Development for a waiver of a Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) service charge. The developer is planning to construct a new workforce rental housing project at 520 Railroad Ave., totaling 57 units.
The project’s development consultant, Eric Helzer, is slated to join the board for discussion and to answer questions.
A previously amended resolution will also factor into the discussion, according to the agenda. The resolution aimed to “set factors to be considered for requiring payment of additional amount on a service charge payable in lieu of taxes for tax-exempt workforce housing projects.” An interim checklist — adopted by commissioners in December — is also expected to be considered in the project’s discussion, which sets further guidelines for rental housing projects that aim to involve Tax Increment Financing (TIF) or PILOTs.
“Staff have reviewed the application and it conforms to both the amended resolution and interim guidelines checklist,” the agenda memo reads.
NEW MILLAGE PROPOSAL
A proposed 10-year millage for countywide trails may be up to voters during the Nov. 3 election if commissioners adopt a resolution Wednesday to place the request on the ballot.
The request proposes a new millage — 0.3 mills per $1,000 of taxable value — to provide a projected $2.6 million annually for trail construction, ongoing maintenance and future land purchases connecting the trails across the region.
TART Trails’ CEO Julie Clark presented the millage proposal to commissioners last month, highlighting that the idea has been discussed throughout the community for years. Clark is expected to join the board at this week’s meeting, too.
The millage would begin with the 2027 tax levy and continue through 2036, if approved by voters in November.
“Millage proceeds would be dedicated exclusively to recreation and transportation trail purposes, including program administration, land acquisition, planning, engineering, maintenance, construction, replacement and improvement of recreation and transportation trails throughout Grand Traverse County,” the memo states.
Furthermore, the resolution notes that commissioners would retain final authority over the program. It also includes the possible development of a Trails Advisory Committee that would form recommendations for trail priorities, funding and annual budgets.
DENTAL SERVICES
County Health Officer Mike Lahey is scheduled to update the board following last month’s contract termination with Dental Clinics North.
The Health Department of Northwest Michigan owns and operates nine Dental Clinics North locations, according to Lahey, including the clinic in Grand Traverse County.
During the Board of Health meeting last month, board members reviewed an evaluation of Dental Clinics North and its operations, which identified “operational inefficiencies.”
“Following that review, the board voted to terminate its existing contract with DCN (Dental Clinics North) Nonprofit for staffing and management services of the clinics,” Lahey wrote in the memo to commissioners. “Following this transition, HDNW (Health Department of Northwest Michigan) will assume responsibility for payroll, human resources and executive leadership.”
Lahey also wrote that HDNW doesn’t plan to close any of the nine clinic locations and intends to “preserve and strengthen dental services.”
County Administrator Nate Alger also listed in the agenda’s consent calendar that services provided by former dental clinic United We Smile are being offered through federally-qualified health clinic Northwest Michigan Health Services at 10767 E. Traverse Highway in Traverse City.
The county board meeting will convene at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the second-floor Commission Chambers at the Governmental Center, 400 Boardman Ave., in Traverse City. The public is welcome to attend.