From Staff Reports
TRAVERSE CITY — New or amended tax increment finance plans in Traverse City must now go to a citywide vote, and city commissioners will consider a policy for implementing that requirement.
Commissioners on Monday will discuss a revised draft from City Attorney Lauren Trible-Laucht that incorporates feedback from their Feb. 18 meeting, according to a memo from Trible-Laucht. She wrote a draft implementation policy after Traverse City voters agreed in November to amend the city charter to require votes on new, renewed or amended tax increment finance plans.
That original draft drew concerns over language that seemed to some charter amendment supporters like it exempted existing TIF plans altogether.
Trible-Laucht agreed in February that existing plans would be subject to the charter amendment if they were amended or extended, and revised the language in question.
The section in the current draft now reads, “Any lawfully approved TIF plan that pre-dates the Charter provisions that are the subject of this policy shall continue to exist according to the terms of such TIF plan. Any proposal to amend, modify, or extend such a pre-existing TIF plan shall be subject to this Implementation Policy and the Charter provisions that are the subject of this policy.”
Commissioners will also consider introducing an amendment to city ordinances for a later decision on May 5. The change would allow city police to give trespass warnings to anyone in city parks who violates park ordinances, according to a memo from Trible-Laucht and city Police Chief Matthew Richmond. Anyone so warned would have to leave the park for the rest of the day, and police could charge or arrest for trespassing anyone who refuses.
Commissioners will also consider an amendment to the city’s agreement with TC Ale Trail, which operates Paddle for Pints and Kayak, Bike and Brew, that would cut the number of allowed customers under the current agreement considerably. Instead of a total of 4,100 patrons, the two companies would be limited to 2,400 — 1,000 for Paddle for Pints; 1,400 for Kayak, Bike and Brew.
A restaurant eyed for a vacant spot on West Front Street could get a liquor license if city commissioners agree to its transfer.
Tacos & Tequila TC, LLC, owners Cesar Umbral-Quezada and Renanto Valerio-Avila are requesting the license, with outdoor and Sunday sales included, for 123 W. Front St. That location most recently was the home of Pacificoast.
The transfer is part of the city’s consent agenda, meaning commissioners could adopt it and other agenda items with a single vote and no discussion.