North Michigan News

Today, Traverse City has introduced a new platform aimed at enhancing communication between residents and city staff. The initiative, named "Ask the City," provides an interactive space for community members to pose questions directly to the city. Responses will be delivered either through AI-generated answers on the city's website or via personalized video messages.

Residents will receive notifications by email once their queries are addressed, facilitating prompt and clear exchanges. This platform is designed to offer a direct line of communication with city employees, fostering dialogue and simplifying engagement with local government.

City Manager Elizabeth Vogel commented on the launch: “This new platform is an exciting step forward in how we engage with our community. It provides a direct, transparent way for residents to ask questions and receive accurate information, while also fostering a personal connection between citizens and the city employees who serve them. We believe this tool will help humanize local government, making it more accessible, responsive, and affirming that being heard is a priority of the City."

Communications Manager Colleen Paveglio added: “Our goal is to build stronger relationships between the City and our residents, and this interactive platform is a powerful tool for doing just that. By giving residents an easy way to connect with City staff, we hope to not only answer questions but showcase the real people behind City services. It’s about building trust and creating meaningful conversations within the community.”

The "Ask the City" program will initially run as a three-month pilot project. Its success will be evaluated based on community interest before any decision on its continuation is made.

Residents are invited to participate in this new mode of interaction by visiting the city's homepage where they can find a link labeled “Ask the City” directing them to the platform.