The City of Traverse City is losing two key leadership members. City Attorney Lauren Trible-Laucht announced Tuesday she will leave her position this June, while City Director of Public Services Frank Dituri announced his retirement Monday effective April 17. In other city employee news, City Manager Benjamin Marentette tells The Ticker he's made a conditional offer to a new fire chief for the Traverse City Fire Department, and Streets Superintendent Chris Weber was named the city's 2025 Employee of the Year.

City Attorney Lauren Trible-Laucht is leaving her position, the city announced in a release Tuesday. She will remain in the role until June, giving a 90-day notice required under her contract. "Over the next 90 days, I am committed to working with the city manager and staff to ensure a smooth transition," Trible-Laucht says. "This is a decision I made independently and one that I believe is right for me. Public service is in my DNA, and I look forward to remaining in Traverse City and continuing to contribute in other capacities. It has been a tremendous honor to represent the city for nearly 15 years. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such dedicated public servants and am proud of all that we have accomplished together."

Trible-Laucht has served as city attorney since 2011. During her tenure, "she successfully represented the city in appellate matters, with 100 percent of those cases decided unanimously in the city’s favor," the release notes. She has served as president of the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys and the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association, and as a board member of the Michigan Municipal League Legal Defense Fund. 

"I am saddened to see the resignation of Lauren Trible-Laucht, and deeply grateful for the years she has dedicated to the city," says Mayor Amy Shamroe. "She has been a steadfast and trusted city attorney, bringing a sharp legal mind and unwavering commitment to public service." City Manager Benjamin Marentette said Trible-Laucht's "magnificent skill as an attorney is unequivocally demonstrated by her winning every case unanimously on appeal in higher courts...I have witnessed, closely, Lauren's brains, heart, character, integrity, devotion and drive, which have helped our community achieve amazing things since she first arrived."

Trible-Laucht will support the city in making a "smooth and orderly transition," the release states. "The city commission will consider next steps regarding the position at a future meeting, with a date to be determined."

City Director of Public Services Frank Dituri has also announced his retirement. Dituri will step down from his position effective April 17. However, he will continue to assist the city on a part-time basis after he retires with FishPass. Dituri said at Monday's city commission meeting that it's been "an honor to serve the city." 

"I got to be involved in a lot of really great projects, and I still get to be involved in one that's near and dear to my heart," he said, referring to FishPass. Dituri said he was proud of efforts to cultivate a "more sustainable culture for the city and its residents" in programs ranging from the use of Beet Heet as a salt alternative to helping launch a city composting program. 

Marentette tells The Ticker that the city won't be replacing the DPS director position. Instead, the city's parks, streets, and fleet management departments will all now report to the deputy city manager. The FTE position vacated by Dituri will be reassigned as a new FTE position in the communications division under Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives Colleen Paveglio.

Another new leader could soon be coming on board. Marentette says he's made a conditional offer of employment to a candidate to become the new fire chief of the Traverse City Fire Department. Marentette declined to name the individual until that person has formally accepted, but expects the new hire could be announced within the next few weeks.

Finally, Marentette announced at Monday's commission meeting that Streets Superintendent Chris Weber was selected as the 2025 Employee of the Year. Winners are selected by a vote of various city department heads. Marentette said Weber was singled out for his “incredible work ethic” and innovation, as well as for elevating “the culture of your department to be one that inspires creativity and unique problem-solving.” Weber’s department was also selected as the city’s Department of the Year.