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East Express | Sept. 2, 2021

A NOTE FROM MAYOR FAVALE 

Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

I hope this note finds you well and that you are enjoying the last few weeks of summer — it’s amazing to me that it’s September already! As summer winds down and fall lies before us, I do have to admit that I am looking forward to the cooler weather, EGR fall sports and all things pumpkin spice. 

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the community this season. Following are just a few to get you engaged: 

I am proud to announce that for the first time, East Grand Rapids will be participating in the annual Mayor’s Grand River Cleanup this year! The entire project will span over eight days between Sept. 11-18,  kicking-off on Saturday, Sept. 11 at the blue bridge in downtown Grand Rapids. The Reeds Lake/EGR portion of the cleanup is Sept. 12 from 12-3 p.m. Come help clean up our community and our portion of the Lower Grand River Watershed. For more information and to stay updated, visit the WMEAC website or the E-GReen Sustainability Initiative’s Facebook page. 

Please mark your calendar for Sept. 16! We have several new members of our EGR City team, so we will be hosting a meet and greet open house event on Wege plaza from 4-6 p.m. Please plan to stop by, meet our new team members and enjoy some refreshments. 

Additionally, City Manager Shea Charles and I will be hosting the next EGR Coffee Talk on Sept. 27 at EGR’s new Bagel Kitchen located in Gaslight Village at 2228 Wealthy Street. Join us from 10 -11:30 a.m. to ask questions, chat about all things East and meet Shea.

Finally, our next EGR Community Blood drive will be held on Sept. 28 in rooms 101 and 102 of the Community Center from 2-7 p.m. Each donation saves three lives, so please sign up today!  

As I reminder, I have started in-person office hours again: Mondays 1-5 p.m., Wednesdays 1-3 p.m. and Fridays 1-3 p.m. Please feel free to stop by City Hall to say hello or make an appointment to chat and/or address your questions or concerns. If those days and times are not convenient for you, please reach out and we can schedule a time that works: kfavale@eastgr.org, 616.949.2110 x 887. 

I am looking forward to seeing you at one of these events this season! 

I hope you and yours enjoy the holiday weekend and remaining days of summer. 

All the best, 

Katie 

CITY COMMISSION UPDATE 

In addition to multiple zoning items, the City Commission will discuss the creation of a Zoning Board of Appeals at its Sept. 7 meeting. It will also recognize the artists involved in the Lakeside Drive Mural redesign project. 

You can always find agenda materials at eastgr.org/agendas and watch meetings live via our YouTube channel.  

CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE & FINANCE 

LABOR DAY CLOSURE  

Wishing you a safe and restful holiday weekend! Special thanks to our incredible team and all front-line workers for navigating the ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic. 

Please note City Hall will be closed on Monday, Sept. 6 in observance of the holiday. Monday’s City Commission meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m.  

JOB OPENINGS AT THE CITY 

There are several positions open at the City! We’re looking for an account clerk, a crossing guard substitute, lifeguards and swim instructors to join our team. Learn more and apply on our Careers webpage.    

PUBLIC SAFETY 

CROSSWALK SAFETY  

As a reminder, per State law, all motorists driving through EGR are required to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks with or without a crosswalk signal. As our community is a very active one and our parks are destinations for surrounding community members, it’s particularly important to be alert and on the lookout while driving.  

OVERDOSE AWARENESS 

Aug. 31 was International Overdose Awareness Day. If you or someone you love needs help or resources, please visit overdoseday.com or call Public Safety's non-emergency number at 616.949.7010 for help. Always dial 911 first for emergencies.  

As a reminder, you can drop off any unused prescription medications in the Public Safety lobby at 770 Lakeside Dr. SE during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) for proper disposal. One of the many goals of this program is to prevent overdoses. 

LOCK YOUR DOORS 

In 2020, 106 of 108 automobile larcenies in EGR occurred due to unlocked doors. Public Safety urges you to bring any valuable items into your home before locking your doors and turning on exterior home lights. 

PARKS & RECREATION 

RHOADES MCKEE REEDS LAKE TRIATHLON/DUATHLON 

We’re just over one week away from the Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon Duathlon. Race Day is Saturday, Sept. 11 and there’s still time to register! 

Packet pickup will be held at the Parks and Recreation Department 12:30-6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 10 and 6:30-7:30 a.m. on race day. Body marking will be available during packet pickup. However, race organizers recommend participants get marked Friday to avoid the crowd on Saturday morning. 

Please note there will be road closures in addition to the boat ramp closure at John Collins Park until noon. Take a look at the racecourse map to plan ahead for any Saturday morning travels.  

VOLUNTEER FOR THE TRIATHLON 
We need your help managing aid stations, directing traffic and lifeguarding during the Triathlon from 7:30-10:30 a.m. It's easy, fun and a great way to serve your community. Sign up to volunteer at eastgr.org/triathlon.   

TRAILS & PARKS ON GOOGLE MAPS 

Did you know Google Maps is now updated with all of our parks, trails, restrooms and other amenities? Explore for yourself: 

WATER SAFETY TIPS 

With great weather in the forecast for one of the last weekends of summer, following are a few water safety tips to brush up on with your family:  

• Always stay within arm’s reach of young children and avoid distractions when supervising them.
• Children and individuals who do not know how to swim should always wear a life jacket around water. Everyone is strongly encouraged to wear a life jacket while in or on any open bodies of water. 
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol while around pools and open water. Talk with your teenagers about the potentially severe consequences of underage drinking, especially around bodies of water.  
• Always stay within designated swim areas. 
• Never swim alone. 

MOVIES & CONCERTS IN THE PARK 

Presented by The Brouwers Agency, Auto-Owners Insurance and Consumers Credit Union 

Thank you to all who came to our movie and concert series this summer! Parks and Recreation is always delighted to provide you this family-fun entertainment on the banks of Reeds Lake. We’re already looking forward to next year’s lineups! 

PUBLIC WORKS  

CONSTRUCTION IN EGR 

Visit our Construction webpage for the latest updates and learn more about upcoming projects. As a reminder, residents impacted by construction projects will receive mailed notices with project details. Public Works also posts notices at project locations.  

HALL STREET & MOBILITY/BIKE ACTION PLAN UPDATE 
If you’ve driven down Hall Street since construction was completed nearly two weeks ago, you may have noticed new bike lanes and sharrows, fulfilling a priority of our Mobility/Bike Action Plan.  

What’s the difference between bike lanes and sharrows? Bike lanes provide dedicated space, typically 4-6 feet, that enable cyclists to ride at their preferred speed without interference from traffic and facilitate predictable behavior and movements between bicyclists and motorists. Sharrows, or shared lane markings are often used to indicate a shared lane environment for bicycles and automobiles. The pavement marking sharrows reinforce the legitimacy of bicycle traffic on streets and recommend proper positioning and also are configured to offer directional and wayfinding guidance. Shared lane marking is a pavement marking with a variety of uses to support a complete bikeway network.  

TREES & SHRUBS 

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.   

TREE TRIMMING 

Consumers Energy and its contractors continue to conduct tree trimming and removal in private utility easements in various areas around EGR — take a look at the provided map and brochure.  

If you have any questions regarding this work, please call our  local Consumers Energy work planner at 616.530.4306. To learn more about the general tree trimming process and view FAQs, please visit the Consumers Energy Trees and Power Lines webpage.  

TREE PLANTING PROGRAM 

Interested 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 $350-$450, which includes a tree that is 2 inches in diameter and 12-14 feet tall as well as 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 between October and December, depending on the weather. 

For questions about the City's tree planting program, call Public Works at 616.940.4817. Learn more on our Forestry webpage.   

BOATS, TRAILERS & RVS 

With the holiday weekend quickly approaching, a friendly reminder that outdoor storage of boats, trailers and RVs is allowed for up to 72 hours on streets and driveways. Otherwise, they must be stored indoors or in a rear yard only and be reasonably shielded from view. Not all properties can accommodate such storage, so you may have to use off-site storage. 

COOL IT, CAN IT, TRASH IT 

Fats, oils and grease are the most common causes of sewer lateral blockages leading to backups. There are simple steps you can take to prevent them from adversely affecting your home and the community. The easiest way to solve these issues and prevent blockages is to keep them out of the sewer system by: 

• Never pouring grease down sink drains or into toilets or garbage disposals. 
• Pouring grease into a covered disposable container and putting it in the trash. 
• Soaking up remaining fats, oils and grease with paper towels and disposing with your trash. 
• Scraping meats and food with fat and grease into the trash before washing dishes.  
• Putting baskets or strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids, and emptying the drain basket or strainer into the trash. 
• Only using garbage disposals for fruits, vegetables and organic waste. 

REFRESH YOUR RECYCLING KNOWLEDGE 

Do you know what items the Kent County Department of Public Works accepts? Check out its website to know for sure: reimaginetrash.org. You can even use the helpful “How Do I Dispose of” search tool.   

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