Central Neighborhood Association

Quarterly Meeting

December 3, 2025

 

 

Call to Order at 6:00 pm

Approximately 25 CNA residents in attendance.

 

Minutes are posted on our website.

Motion to accept minutes as distributed made by Darlene Germaine, seconded by Paul Deyo.

Minutes approved

 

Finance Report by Treasurer, Marilyn Vlach

Beginning balance $1103.11, Income $845, no new expenses and $1574 .86         ending balance.

Motion to accept financials made by John Germain, seconded by Fred Nelson  

Motion approved.

 

The City of Traverse City is developing an RFP process for rental of city buildings. The future of 322 Sixth St., our meeting location, currently houses the Crooked Tree Arts Center.  The Parks & Recreation department oversees building rental. There will be a work study session next week at the city commission to discuss the RFP process. Goal is for it to be ready in January. You can submit your feedback to the commission.

 

The Carnegie building currently needs about $1,000,000 in repairs. A possible grant of $700,000 is possible for restoration of historic buildings. HVAC in the buildings very problematic.

 

Traverse Area District Library and Crooked Tree Arts Center are both interested in securing the future lease of the building.

Michelle Howard, library director and Amy Monette, manager of the local history collection provided information regarding TADL’s interest,

• Historically the building was originally a Carnegie Library.

• The TADL main library is out of space for storage and access to the local history collection,

• Currently historical materials are only available upon request with a call and request and delayed delivery.

• The lower level currently stores the Con Foster Museum Collection that is not accessible,

• Desire to house all historical materials in one location,

• Vision for a place to gather and appreciate the past, present and future of Traverse City.

• Ability to assist the Historical Society with the digitization of materials.

 

Kristi Wodek, Vice President of Crooked Tree Arts Center presented evidence of the organization’s contributions to the community.

CTAC has been here for 10 years and would like to remain in the building.

• 10-year track record of meeting $5,000 monthly rental which will increase to $5,500.

• Free and open to the public.

• Engaged over 500 artists this year.

• Over $100,000 income to artists from teaching and sales.

• 148 artists exhibited this year.

• 70% of artists are from the greater GT region.

• Listed as one of the best of the best for the Plein Air event.

• Art classes are offered all year long.

• Classes are offered on Mondays.

• 118 children in summer art camps helps with childcare issues.

• 75% of survey participants felt CTAC is essential to the community.

 

Concerned citizens Brad Lystra and Andrea Stalf presented information on the state law the regulates the hotel tax and its uses.

The underlying area of concern is that hotel taxes into the private economy, not the public economy. Currently Traverse City Tourism has an annual income of about $13 million dollars that must be spent to advertise tourism in our area and the hotels that provide the tax income.

They have a proposal that would require a legislative amendment to allow hotel tax dollars to help support infrastructure, environmental conservation, and affordable housing that are used by the tourist population. Examples of infrastructure use are water and sewer, fire, police and ambulance services.

 

Cherry Capital Tax Share Initiative does not propose an increase in the 5% tax.

 

A 50/50 split of the 5% tax on all Hotels, Motels, and Short-Term Rentals in GT County shared between TCT and local governments.

Earmarked for near term and ongoing infrastructure and essential services.

 

Looking for a ballot initiative that could decide at the county level and need residents of the area to motivate our legislators to put forward the initiative.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m