Traverse City commissioners to hold public governance retreat January 10

Traverse City officials will gather for a citywide governance retreat 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Traverse City/Grand Traverse County Senior Center, 801 E. Front St. The event is open to the public and will be led by leadership development coach Lucille Chrisman and consultant Becky Ewing.

City Manager Benjamin Marentette described the session as the start of a broader effort to strengthen how the commission and staff operate together. In a memo to commissioners he said the retreat is intended to “kick off a multi-phase learning journey for us as we kick off the new year.” The retreat is scheduled to run four hours and will cover a compact agenda of governance topics.

Agenda items include Governance vs. Management, Trust: A Foundation for Effective Governance and Communication Styles and Their Impact. Organizers say the curriculum is designed to clarify roles and improve communication among commissioners and city leadership, an emphasis echoed by Marentette’s outlook for the year ahead. “I’m excited for this new chapter, the new year and a re-imagined focus and framework for how we work together as Team Traverse City to deliver meaningful results and an intentional city government,” he wrote.

For Grand Traverse County residents, the retreat offers a rare public view into internal efforts to bolster municipal decision-making. The focus on trust and communication can affect how quickly and transparently elected leaders respond to local concerns, from infrastructure projects to budgeting and public services. Open attendance allows residents to observe discussions that set tone and expectations for future commission conduct and priorities.

The use of outside facilitators follows a growing practice among municipalities seeking neutral ground to address governance challenges and reduce friction between policy-making and administration. By framing the session as a multi-phase learning journey, city leadership signals an ongoing commitment rather than a one-time workshop.

Residents interested in attending may go to the Senior Center at the listed time. The retreat’s outcomes may inform future commission meetings and public interactions, making its lessons relevant to anyone who follows local government or relies on city services.