CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE & FINANCE
CITY MANAGER SEARCH UPDATE
Our search for a new city manager is well underway! The City Commission last week reviewed nearly 20 applications and is in the process of extending interviews to potential candidates. Stay tuned to learn more about these candidates.
Please share your thoughts on what you’re looking for in our city manager by
completing this survey. It’s available until Dec. 3.
We hope you can join us for a virtual meet and greet with the candidates 7 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 8. More information is at
eastgr.org/citymanager.
HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
To keep our community safe and help stop the spread of COVID-19, our annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will look different this year. You’re invited to drive through Gaslight Village on Nov. 27 after sunset to admire the lit tree, streetscape decorations, lights and decorated storefront windows. We’ll miss gathering at Regatta Plaza for the traditional tree lighting to celebrate the start of the holiday season; however, we’re confident in this decision to help keep our community healthy.
SUPPORT GASLIGHT VILLAGE
As we approach the holidays, please support our business district by shopping at and ordering takeout from our local retailers and restaurants. These are the businesses that support our schools, sports teams and overall community each year — now is the time for us to give back.
Multiple retailers and salons will have special offerings starting Friday, Nov. 20. To motivate West Michiganders to shop locally before heading to the big box stores on Black Friday, About Face, Bang Blow Dry, Blackbird East, Coiffiteria Salon and Rosa’s Closet are participating in a
Pink Friday event on Friday, Nov. 20 with special offerings. Visit the
Gaslight Village Facebook page to stay informed on Pink Friday and other upcoming holiday shopping deals.
Gaslight Village is dedicated to providing you safe experiences. Following state and local health and safety guidelines, restaurants will be closed to indoor dining until Dec. 8. Learn which businesses are open and their offerings at
www.gogaslight.com/covid.
THANKSGIVING HOURS
City offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27 in observance of Thanksgiving. Normal office hours will resume Monday, Nov. 30.
We wish everyone a safe, healthy and relaxing weekend. A special note of appreciation to all those who work on Thanksgiving and throughout the holidays.
COVID-19 RESOURCES & INFORMATION
As we continue to see an increase in COVID-19 cases across the country, state and West Michigan, City Hall will continue following state and local guidelines. You can find resources and information at
eastgr.org/covid.
Additionally, the EGR COVID-19 Volunteer Task Force is up and running again ready to help residents and community members.
Learn more about the program on our website.
BLOOD DRIVE
The best gift you can give this holiday season? A blood donation to those in desperate need. The next community blood drive will take place Dec. 21- 23 in room 105 of the Community Center. Learn more and sign up today at
versiti.org/mi by searching by sponsor for “East Grand Rapids.”
Please sign up by appointment. All donors will receive a $10 e-gift card.
PUBLIC SAFETY
TOYS FOR TOTS
The Public Safety Department and our KDL branch are once again Toys for Tots drop-off sites! Bring new, unwrapped gifts to the Public Safety lobby
through Dec. 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
View this event on Facebook.
FRAUD SEASON
With the holiday season comes annual traditions, quality time with loved ones, plenty of shopping – and people looking to take advantage of others.
EGR Public Safety reminds residents to never disclose personal information such as Social Security and credit card numbers over the phone — no matter how convincing a story may be. Take a look at our
news article for more tips.
MAKE SAFETY #1 THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
In 2020, when referring to safety, we think COVID-19 and our health. However, there are still plenty of other things to keep top of mind while celebrating this holiday season. Our Public Safety Department has a few tips on fire prevention, cooking best practices and preparing for winter weather on our website.
Read more.
WEAR REFLECTIVE CLOTHING
With daylight savings behind us and the short, winter days ahead, ensure you and your children are wearing reflective clothing in the mornings and evenings while out and about. Remember, safety is a community effort. Additional safety tips and resources can be found at
eastgr.org/safety.
#9PMROUTINE
To help remind residents to lock all doors — vehicle, house and garage — and prevent theft, we’re inviting residents to adopt our #9PMRoutine campaign. Set an alarm on your phone or clock for 9 p.m. (or another time most convenient to you) each evening to help remind you to check that all your items have been brought inside, your doors are locked and your lights are on.
These simple steps will make a drastic difference in the number of larcenies that take place in EGR, as most are due to unlocked doors.
Remember, you are your first line of defense.
PARKS & RECREATION
COVID-19 UPDATE
Learn the latest on Parks & Rec. programming, playgrounds, public restrooms and pools at
eastgr.org/covid.
PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTRUCTION IN EGR
You can always visit
eastgr.org/construction for weekly project updates.
RECYCLE PAPER CUPS
The Kent County Recycling Program is now accepting paper cups! Learn more by reading its
press release and watching the video below.
MOBILITY/BICYCLE ACTION PLAN UPDATE
We continue to work with
Progressive AE and
Aligned Planning as we develop this plan, which will inform future funding decisions. To learn more, please visit
eastgr.org/2020mobilityplan. If you have any questions, call Public Works at 616.940.4817.
HALL STREET PROJECT
The cities of East Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids have secured federal grant funding for a collaborative rotomill and resurfacing project on Hall Street from Plymouth Road to Lake Drive in the summer of 2021.
Until Monday, Dec. 14, the City has plans available for residents and community members to review in the lower level of the Community Center. In a “rolling open house” fashion, small groups of citizens are welcome to visit City Hall to view these plans, complete comment/question cards and ask questions in person.
Drafted plans, project support materials and comment/question cards are also available on the City website for remote view and engagement during this time period.
Residents and community members are also invited to attend two virtual meetings will also be held on
Monday, Nov. 23 from 12- 1 p.m. and Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
All feedback will be provided to the City Commission for consideration by its Dec. 21 meeting. Visit
eastgr.org/HallStreet for details and contact the City at 616.940.4817 with any questions.
View this event on Facebook.
FALL LEAF PICKUP
Fall leaf pickup will end the week of Dec. 7. During fall leaf season, leaves may be placed out without being placed in containers. Leaves should be placed along or in the street without obstructing the traveled portion of the roadway and away from storm sewer catch basins. During peak pickup times crews may not pickup leaves on regular pickup days. Your patience and understanding are appreciated. Please view
yard waste rules and regulations on our website.
WINTER MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS
As winter approaches, you can review the City’s plowing regulations, plowing routes and how to avoid the “second shovel” on our
Street/Sidewalk Winter Plowing webpage.
PRIVATE SNOWPLOW CONTRACTORS
Please visit eastgr.org/snowplow to learn about EGR’s
snowplow contractor rules and regulations.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
KDL RETURNS TO CURBSIDE & ONLINE SERVICE ONLY
Out of an abundance of caution, Kent District Library closed its branches to in-person visits on Monday, Nov. 16 until further notice. The library will continue to offering curbside pickup services, online programs and expanded online resources. Curbside service is available during normal branch hours so there is no interruption for patrons who check out items, while online programs and other resources are available 24/7.
Learn more.
Our KDL branch will continue to collect Toys for Tots via curbside pickup. Call 616.784.2007 for more information.
GIVING TUESDAY
As we look ahead to Giving Tuesday on Dec. 1, we ask you to consider giving to the
East Grand Rapids Community Foundation, which serves as a catalyst to improve and enhance the life of the residents in our community.
You can also support the Community Foundation when purchasing items via Amazon. Simply select the EGRCF as your charity at
smile.amazon.com, at no cost to you, and Amazon will make a donation based on your purchases.
ONE EAST UPDATE
The East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation recently announced details of how the $490,000 raised through last summer's One East effort. Visit
egrsf.org for more information.