Archive Center • East Express 2022-03-03

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East Express | March 3, 2022

SNOWPLOW DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK

We’ve been celebrating our Public Works employees this week and saying thank you for all they do to keep our streets and sidewalks passable and safe in the winter months. We even arranged some spring-like weather this week to give them a break from the ice and snow. Even without snow to plow, they stay busy with other things to stay ready for whatever comes their way with these duties:

Check all traffic and pedestrian crossing signals
Check street lights
Patch potholes
Clean piled snow from cul-de-sacs and City parking lots
Clear storm drains in flood-prone areas
Maintain City vehicles and equipment
Make repairs at City buildings
Inventory parts and supplies
Preparing for spring projects
Flushing and repairing hydrants
Marking utility lines for construction
Monitoring lift stations and water tower
Repairing water meters and home services
Training and continuing education
Tree trimming

EGR Snowplow Driver Appreciation Week Kickoff

FINANCE & CITY MANAGER

CITY COMMISSION MEETING - MARCH 7

Monday’s City Commission meeting is all about the routine business of running a small city. Commissioners will be looking at revised water billing procedures, getting an update on budget and financial matters, and approving staff recommendations for telephone service, engineering services and grounds maintenance supplies. You can see the full agenda on our website. Can’t attend in person? Watch the meeting live on our YouTube channel.

PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING ON CHANGES TO MULTI-FAMILY ZONING DISTRICT

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing next week on proposed increases to density, height, setbacks and other requirements for the multi-family zoning district. The meeting is Tuesday, March 8 at 5:30 p.m. View the agenda and proposed changes.

PUBLIC WORKS

YARD WASTE SERVICE RESUMES APRIL 4

Snow is melting and it’s almost spring — but not just yet. Yard waste service will resume Monday, April 4. As a reminder, no loose yard waste is permitted in the street in the spring. For yard waste regulations and routes, please visit our Refuse Collection webpage.

LEAD INFORATION UDPATED

We’ve recently updated our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on our website dealing with lead in water services in East Grand Rapids.

POTHOLE PATCHING

Please note that City crews fill potholes on a routine basis. When there are freeze and thaw cycles, crews are out on a more frequent basis as these weather cycles cause potholes. To report potholes in EGR, residents can contact Public Works at 616.940.4870 or report them online by selecting the “submit a request” icon on our home page.

TREE MAINTENANCE

The city’s right-of-way tree pruning program is underway and will continue throughout the months of March and April in cycle 1 or Monday’s yard waste-compost route. City contractor Good Earth Tree Care will remove and clean up limbs and branches that are removed as part of the pruning process. Certified arborists and foresters target cycle areas of the city for preventative maintenance pruning services. For more information and program area progress map please visit the forestry webpage.

SAVE THE PIPES-DON’T FLUSH WIPES!

Did you know products that are labeled “flushable” can lead to clogs and costly repairs to private and public sanitary sewer infrastructure? Just because a product is marked “flushable,” does not mean that it can be flushed because they do not degrade like toilet paper and can end up clogging pipes. Only toilet paper and human waste should be flushed - all other products should be properly disposed.

When flushed, products like disinfecting wipes, “flushable” wipes, and paper towels can cause damage to pumps, clog sewer pipes, and systems in your home and neighborhood, and negatively impact the environment.

Thank you for continuing to protect our sanitary sewer system and keeping it free from clogs caused by paper products and disinfecting wipes!

Wipes

PARKS & RECREATION

NEEDED: LIFEGUARDS

We Want You to Consider Becoming a Lifeguard! We have two- and four-hour lifeguard shifts that are perfect for college students, stay-at-home parents and retirees who are looking for fun and flexibility. You’ll earn $15 an hour, and we’ll even help you find certification training. More information and an online application link can be found on our website.

SPRING BREAK CAMP

Looking for something to keep the kids occupied during a staycation over spring break? Our Parks & Recreation Department is offering a video-design camp for kids in grades 2-7. Check it out in our online catalog.

SWEETHEART DANCE COMING IN APRIL

Families, join us Saturday, April 23 for our Enchanted Garden! Put on your dancing shoes and enjoy a date night at the annual Sweetheart Dance! The evening includes your child’s choice of corsage, crafts (open 5:30 - 8:30 pm) dancing, delicious desserts, and two themed photo backdrops to help capture this unforgettable evening. Please remember to provide your own personal camera. Sign up at https://secure.rec1.com/MI/city-of-east-grand-rapids-mi/catalog

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

KDL RESUMING IN-PERSON PROGRAMMING

The Kent District Library: East Grand Rapids Branch has resumed in-person programs:

Mondays: Babytime at 9:30am (ages 0-18M)
Tuesdays: Kent ISD Early Childhood Playgroup at 10:00am (ages 0-5)
Wednesdays: Toddler Time at 10:00am & 11:00am (ages 0-5)
Thursdays: Family Storytime at 11:00am (ages 0-5), Teen Zone at 3:00pm (ages 11-17)

Special Note: The Library will be opening at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 19 due to the Irish Jig Event.

FRIENDS OF THE EGR LIBRARY BOOK SALE

The next Friends of the EGR Library Used Book Sale will be held March 18-20 at the Community Center. Thousands of books, music CDs and DVDs for all ages at bargain prices.

Members Only Pre-sale - Friday, March 18, 3:00-7:30 pm. If you are not a member, you may join at the door or via friendsoftheegrlibrary.org
Bag Sale Saturday - March 19, 9:00am - 5:00pm $10 per bag (public sale)
Bag Sale Sunday - March 20, 9:00am - 3:00pm $10 per bag (public sale)
Location: East Grand Rapids Library, 746 Lakeside Dr SE, lower level, EGR Parks & Rec rooms
Payments Accepted: Cash, check, credit card, PayPal, Venmo

If you’d like to donate books, bring them to the upper level circulation desk at the Library as soon as you can.

EGRPS HARRY POTTER YULE BALL

The Interscholastic Harry Potter Yule Ball is back March 11-12 for students grades 3-8! This fun, interactive event will feature a scavenger hunt and lots of themed activities. Watch for links in school newsletters on Friday, March 11.

KENT COUNTY RECYCLING CENTER

The residential recycling drop-off station at 977 Wealthy St. SW is open Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Customers can pull up to the building’s front entrance facing Wealthy Street and deposit recyclable material directly into the building. A full list of recyclable materials that can be accepted at the drop-off station is available on our website.

Electronics and chemicals can be safely dropped off at the SafeChem Station located just west of the recycling drop-off station. Hours are Mondays from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Please don’t to not leave anything outside the building when we are closed.

The SafeChem Swap Shop is a new service that offers customers no-cost home and maintenance products like bathroom cleaners, lawn care products, paint thinner and motor oil. The Swap Shop provides an opportunity for residents to give these donated materials a second life. The Swap Shop operating hours are Mondays from 1:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

IRISH JIG COMING TO GASLIGHT VILLAGE MARCH 19

The Spectrum Health Irish Jig will take place in East Grand Rapids on Saturday, March 19 beginning at 8:30 am and concluding by 11:30 am. There will be some road closures during the event to protect the participants and spectators. More information at https://www.spectrumhealth.org/irish-jig/race-day.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS MEANS TIME CHANGE ON MARCH 13

Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 2:00 A.M. On Saturday night, set your clocks forward one hour (i.e., lose one hour) to “spring forward.”