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East Express | July 15, 2021
CITY COMMISSION UPDATE At its July 6 meeting, the City Commission approved the 2021 Parks Improvement Millage proposal, which will be placed on the Nov. 2 ballot. Whether this millage moves forward in 2022 will be decided by EGR voters during this election. Learn more at eastgr.org/parksmillage and stay tuned for upcoming education meeting dates and additional resources. Commissioner Hamrick was also elected president for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, meaning she will serve should Mayor Favale be absent from Commission meetings. You can watch the full meeting on our YouTube channel. The agenda materials for the July 19 meeting, including Public Safety’s quarterly report, is available at eastgr.org/agendas.
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE & FINANCE THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL INDEPENDENCE DAY Special thanks to those who came out to enjoy our 4th of July Celebration presented by Spectrum Health! Although a transitional year, we’re glad we were able to celebrate as a community again in honor of our nation’s birthday. Take a look at some of the pictures we captured on Facebook. 
SUMMER PROPERTY TAXES Summer property taxes were billed Thursday, July 1 and are due Monday, Aug. 16. Residents can pay property taxes in one of the following ways: - Dropbox: The City has a 24/7 drop box located in the Community Center vestibule at 750 Lakeside Drive.
- Online: Online payments using a savings or checking account (EFT) will be free for the 2021 property tax cycle. Credit and debit card payments may be made online but will still have a 2.75% convenience fee added at the time of the transaction.
- Mail: Payments must be received on or before the due date. Postmarks are not accepted. If you desire a receipt, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope along with both portions of the tax bill or supply an email address on the tax bill stub for an electronic receipt.
More information can be found at eastgr.org/taxes.
JULY WATER BILL Due to a printing issue, incorrect return envelopes were included with some mailed July water bills. Please send us your payment using a regular envelope or drop it off at City Hall: City of East Grand Rapids, 750 Lakeside Drive SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506. If you inadvertently sent your July water bill to Lansing, please know we are working with its team to make sure all bills are brought back to us on time. The Lansing Public Service Department is holding all payments and our vendor is delivering them to EGR City Hall on a daily basis. Please remember that, by ordinance, bills are due by July 30, 2021. Contact the City at 616.949.2110 with any questions. 
BOARD OF REVIEW NOTICE The EGR Board of Review will be in session at 8 a.m. on July 20, at the Community Center for the purpose of correcting clerical errors and mutual mistakes of fact in the 2021 and 2020 assessment rolls as provided for under MCLA 211.53(b). The Board may also consider 2018 through 2021 Principal Residence Exemption affidavits where no previous affidavit was filed or denied. Applications for residence exemption affidavits must be completed prior to the Board meeting and must include an accurately filed Principal Residence Exemption Affidavit.
COVID-19 UPDATE & RESOURCES As of July 1, all broad epidemic orders were lifted. Learn more at michigan.gov. Not vaccinated? There are several opportunities for you in West Michigan including both scheduled appointments and walk-ins. Visit vaccinatewestmi.com for details.
PUBLIC SAFETY LOCK YOUR DOORS Keep your family and possessions safe! Please make sure to lock all doors — vehicle, house and garage — to prevent theft. Need to get in the habit? 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. 
SAVE THE DATE: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION Make sure Public Safety’s third Quarterly Community Engagement Session is on your calendar — Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. Stay tuned — more details to come. View this event on Facebook.
PARKS & RECREATION RHOADES MCKEE REEDS LAKE TRIATHLON The Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon is Saturday, Sept. 11 — are you ready? Register or sign up to volunteer at eastgr.org/triathlon today! 
REGISTER FOR FALL PROGRAMMING Residents and nonresidents can now sign up for fall programming! Flip through the department's virtual guide to view all our fun offerings.
MOVIES & CONCERTS IN THE PARK Presented by The Brouwers Agency, Auto-Owners Insurance and Consumers Credit Union Thanks to all who have joined us in John Collins Park this summer! There are still several opportunities to enjoy family-fun entertainment on the banks for Reeds Lake: Concerts - July 19 – Rachel Curtis
- July 26 – Josh Rose
Movies - July 16 – “Sing”
- August 20 – “Aladdin” (2019)
- August 27 – “Raya and the Last Dragon”
SWIM INSTRUCTORS & LIFEGUARDS NEEDED We're looking for lifeguards and swim instructors to join our team! Learn more and apply on our careers webpage. 
PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION IN EGR Visit our regularly updated Construction webpage to stay updated and learn more about upcoming projects. This page includes a timeline for the Hall Street Project, which began on July 6. As a reminder, residents impacted by construction projects will receive mailed notices with project details. Public Works also posts notices at project locations.
TREES & SHRUBS As a reminder, residents are asked to make sure that any trees or shrubs, bushes, etc. are clear from impeding over sidewalks. There must be a clearance of at least 10 feet before a tree can overhang a sidewalk. For more information, take a look at Chapter 32 section 3.38 of the City Code.
CONSUMERS ENERGY TREE MAINTENANCE CONTINUES In order to improve the reliability of electric service to residents, Consumers Energy and its contractors continue to trim and remove trees in private utility easements in various areas around EGR. To learn more about the tree trimming process, FAQs and contact information for Consumers Energy, please visit the Consumers Energy Trees and Power Lines webpage. If you have any questions regarding this work, please call our local work planner at 616.530.4306.
ADOPT A DRAIN The City, along with other local jurisdictions through the Grand Valley Metro Council and Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds, have partnered to promote water quality for our watersheds while also mitigating localized flooding by creating an online adopt a drain portal. What Does it Mean to Adopt a Drain?
By pledging to keep your drain free of leaves and debris, you are joining your neighbors in helping to protect the environment, manage stormwater, and minimize flooding. EGR has ~1,300 catch basins throughout the City. Though our 15 Public Works team members help clean catch basins, just a few leaves can plug them during rain events, so a community effort working together is a huge help! How to Care for Your Adopted Drain
Check the weather report weekly. If possible, clear leaves and debris off the drain before it starts raining and shovel snow off the drain in winter to keep water flowing. Remove leaves, other natural materials, and trash. Compost if possible in your yard compost container. Clear about 10 feet on both sides of the drain. Drain Cleaning Safety Tips - Please stay out of the street as much as possible. Place yourself in the right of way (the area between the sidewalk and the street) to clear the drain.
- Always wear gloves and be careful of sharp objects! Use a rake, broom, or shovel if possible.
- Never try to lift/remove the drain grate.
- Wear reflective clothing so vehicles can see you.
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