Traverse City commissioners voted unanimously Monday night to approve a contract with a Colorado-based consultant for $92,500 to conduct a management and operations audit of Traverse City Light and Power. Hometown Connections International LLC, a utility services subsidiary of the American Public Power Association (APPA), was recommended as the best of four final applicants vying for the contract by a taskforce spearheaded by the Traverse Bay Economic Development Corporation. Commissioners also voted to allow Traverse City Light and Power, rather than the city, to enter into the contract directly with Hometown Connections.

In addition, commissioners voted to accept a $13,963 grant from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians for funds to construct a picnic pavilion at the Veterans Memorial Area, approved a measure to allow solar energy systems in all zoning districts except the Planned Redevelopment (PR) District, and passed the Zoning Element of the Traverse City Master Plan as recommended by the City Planning Commission.