Traverse City Approves Ethics Ordinance, Explores Electric Vehicle Push

The Traverse City commission approved an ethics ordinance and discussed electrifying the city fleet this week.

After several months of discussion, commissioners approved an ethics ordinance that applies to city staff and elected officials. Commissioner Jackie Anderson, who helped spearhead the effort, thanked everyone involved in getting it to the finish line.

“(This is to) establish and strengthen an even greater trust between the public and its public servants,” she told commissioners Monday, partially quoting an email from a resident. “This (covers) everyone who serves the citizens of Traverse City, and I’m really excited about this.”

Voters will be asked to approve a ballot resolution on Nov. 4 that would amend the city charter to require an ethics ordinance. Interim City Manager Benjamin Marentette tells The Ticker that the ordinance adopted Monday will stand regardless of the outcome of that vote.

The new ordinance replaces (and greatly expands upon) a two-page conflict of interest policy the city had in place. It outlines in-depth expectations related to fiduciary and ethical duties for public servants, who are called to “prioritize the city’s interests above their own and to act with the utmost good faith, trust, and loyalty.” 

Notably, Anderson says, the ordinance covers not only actual and direct conflicts of interest, but perceived, indirect and potential conflicts of interest.

Discussion about the need for such an ordinance began after former City Manager Liz Vogel initially failed to disclose a friendship with the head of a technology firm she recommended for a city contract.

Though Vogel didn’t stand to gain anything financially from the deal – and Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg reviewed the case and found no criminal wrongdoing – the situation raised questions about how to deal with perceived conflicts of interest or ethical issues among city officials.

Commissioners on Monday also heard a presentation from Traverse City Light & Power Executive Director Brandie Ekren about that utility’s own move to electrify its vehicles and its willingness to help the city do the same.

Those conversations began after Interim City Manager Ben Marentette recently looked into a request to purchase four hybrid police vehicles. He realized then that it made sense to look at the bigger picture, he says.

“As we dove into that conversation, it became very clear to me that rather than looking at the purchase of vehicles vehicle by vehicle, we needed to have a city-wide fleet strategy for electrifying our vehicle fleet and reducing our carbon footprint," Marentette told commissioners.

Right now, about 17 percent of the city’s fleet of more than 200 on- and off-road vehicles is electric or hybrid, Marentette says. He wants to discuss increasing those numbers and is excited to have Light & Power assist with that process.

“I know Ms. Ekren and the team at Traverse City Light & Power are going to move a little bit further down the field with their own journey for electrifying their fleet, and I think within the next few months, Ms. Ekren and I will sit down and discuss her proposal with how Light & Power could assist us,” he tells The Ticker.

Ekren spoke of the limitations of electric power in the types of vehicles used in municipal services, particularly with heavy equipment. Similarly, Marentette says the city would take a practical approach in terms of what vehicles are electric, hybrid, or traditionally powered. Current electric technology doesn’t make sense for police vehicles, for instance.

“Based on our geographic location and the emergency nature of police work – and the need to provide mutual response sometimes 100 miles away – we aren’t at a point (where we would) support fully electric vehicles," he says.

At Monday’s meeting, though, the commission shot down the purchase of the four hybrid police vehicles that prompted the electric fleet discussion in a 3-2 vote (with commissioners Mi Stanley and Mark Wilson absent).

Commissioners Tim Werner and Mitch Treadwell voted no. Speaking to The Ticker after the meeting, Werner says hybrid vehicles are simply not good enough. His vote was more or less a "protest vote" to remind the city that it needs to be aggressive in its sustainability goals, he says.

"Hybrid vehicles were cutting edge 20 years ago.They're a waste of time now," he says. "We need to be moving to full electrification, and frankly, we as a city have been dragging our feet."

Werner says that fully electric police vehicles are available and should at least be explored as an option, even if only one is purchased to start. 

Treadwell did not respond to a request for comment. Marentette says he plans to circle back with both Treadwell and Werner to learn more about their concerns. 

“I need to have a conversation with Commissioner Werner and Commissioner Treadwell to better understand their concerns,” he says.