|
View Other Items in this Archive |
View All Archives | Printable Version
East Express | August 5, 2021
A NOTE FROM MAYOR FAVALE Dear Friends and Neighbors, I hope you and yours are enjoying this beautiful weather and all of summer’s bounty. This is my favorite time of year — tomato season — and my garden is bursting at the seams! I hope to enjoy every glorious minute, as there are just a few more weeks before school begins, and then fall will be right around the corner. As we wind down these last few weeks of summer, I will be spending some time with my family but still available to meet with any residents that have concerns or just want to chat. Please reach out to me via email or phone at kfavale@eastgr.org or 616.949.2110 x 887 and we can arrange for a time to meet. Starting the week of Aug. 23, I will return to regular office hours. I will be available to meet with residents on Mondays 1-5 p.m., Wednesdays 1-3 p.m. and Fridays 1-3 p.m. If those hours are not convenient, just let me know and I am happy to schedule something that works! Additionally, EGR coffee talk hours will recommence in September. Enjoy the rest of the season and I look forward to meeting with you soon. Stay healthy, Katie
CITY COMMISSION UPDATE At its July 19 meeting, the City Commission approved new requirements for the placement of telecommunications equipment in the right-of-way and appointed City Commissioner Kris Pachla to represent the City at the Michigan Municipal League Annual Meeting next month. Additionally, Chief Herald presented Public Safety’s quarterly report and answered questions about various operations. At its Aug. 2 meeting, the Commission reviewed and discussed a strategic planning proposal from City Manager Shea Charles. You can always find agenda materials at eastgr.org/agendas and watch meetings live via our YouTube channel.
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE & FINANCE WEST NILE VIRUS UPDATE Mosquitos testing positive for West Nile Virus have been found in East Grand Rapids by the Kent County Health Department which has testing sites located throughout the county. The City has treated all storm sewer catch basins with biological larvicide pellets this week. We advise residents, community members and visitors to follow Health Department guidelines, including wearing bug spray with a minimum of 25% DEET, covering exposed skin when possible and avoiding areas with high insect concentration between dusk and dawn. Learn how to protect yourself and your family and prevent spread on private property: 
SUMMER PROPERTY TAXES Summer property taxes are due Monday, Aug. 16. Residents can pay property taxes in one of the following ways: - Dropbox: The City has a 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.
PUBLIC SAFETY UPCOMING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION Make sure Public Safety’s third Quarterly Community Engagement Session is on your calendar — Thursday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. Stay tuned — more details to come. View this event on Facebook. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CROSSING GUARDS Our crossing guards began their annual certification training this morning by recognizing four of their team members for their incredible dedication to our community: Mary Brown on 15 years and Susan Maccardini on 20 years as of 2021 as well as Jean Timmer on 25 years and Elizabeth Noreen on 30 years as of 2020. Of course, as Chief Herald and Officer Wallace noted, we are thankful for all of our crossing guards for keeping the students of EGR safe on their way to and from school — especially during one of the most challenging years our students have faced. CROSSING GUARDS NEEDED
We're searching for adult crossing guards living in the area who are willing to help EGR students get to school safely. Know someone who's interested? Direct them to our website or call Public Safety at 616.949.7010 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
PARKS & RECREATION 
WELCOME, DEREK! We're excited to introduce Derek Melville as our new Parks & Recreation director. Derek brings more than 16 years of experience to the City with a robust background in leadership, programming, invaluable training and more. “East Grand Rapids is known for its many beautiful outdoor spaces, which attracted me to the position and this community,” Melville said. “I look forward to using my background and experience to lead the department in its mission to serve the community by providing accessible programming for residents and nonresidents alike and inspiring healthy, active and fun lifestyles.” Please join us in welcoming him to our community! Learn more about Derek on our website.
PARKS IMPROVEMENT MILLAGE PROPOSAL UPDATE As noted in our last newsletter, the City Commission approved ballot language for the 2021 Parks Improvement Millage proposal at its July 6 meeting. This millage proposal will be decided by EGR voters on the Nov. 2 election. Stay tuned — we will be providing additional resources and educational meetings for all residents to attend.
VOLUNTEER AT THE RHOADES MCKEE REEDS LAKE TRIATHLON We are looking for volunteers to help manage aid stations and direct traffic as well as lifeguards to ensure racers’ safety while swimming Reeds Lake between 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11. It's easy, fun and a great way to serve your community — sign up to volunteer or register to race at eastgr.org/triathlon today! 
MOVIES & CONCERTS IN THE PARK Presented by The Brouwers Agency, Auto-Owners Insurance and Consumers Credit Union Thanks to all who joined us in John Collins Park this summer! While the concert series is over for the season, there are still two opportunities to enjoy family-fun movies on the banks for Reeds Lake: - 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. Residents impacted by construction projects will receive mailed notices with project details. Public Works also posts notices at project locations.
TREE PLANTING PROGRAMInterested in having a new tree planted in the out-lawn area in front of your home? Split the cost 50/50 with the City! The estimated total cost of a tree is between $350-$450 which includes a two-inch diameter tree between 12-14 feet tall, planting, mulching and a two-year warranty. Interested residents should complete an order form and send it to or drop it off at the City Forester at City Hall (750 Lakeside Drive SE) by Oct. 1. Planting occurs in the fall, between October and December, depending on the weather. Questions related to the tree planting program can be directed to Public Works at 616.940.4817. Learn more on our Forestry webpage.
DISPOSABLE, NOT FLUSHABLE! You can help protect public health, the environment and our water quality by putting used cleaning wipes, pads, swabs or anything besides human waste and toilet paper in the trash and not in the toilet. Did you know that flushing baby wipes, disinfecting wipes, disposable mop refills, toss-in toilet bowl wands, dental floss and even paper towel can cause problems in the City’s sewer system? Many of these products are labeled as disposable/flushable, but they can clog the sewer system, causing costly clean-up. They don’t dissolve or break down after being flushed and can cause backups for you or your neighbors. Other products from mail order meal delivery services/products advise that contents of freezer pouches are safe to dispose of down drains. These pouches can contain chemicals that can damage plumbing and release chemicals in the sanitary sewer system that is a concern to the treatment process and environment.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS TASTE OF EAST CANCELLED Unfortunately, while the Gaslight Village businesses hoped we would all be able to gather again for Taste of East this year, the event has been cancelled due to staffing shortages and other challenges that make it impossible for them to organize a fun and successful event for our community. More at gogaslight.com/tasteofeast.
Stay up-to-date with all things East Grand Rapids by following us on Facebook and Twitter.
|