FROM THE MAYOR
Hello friends and neighbors,
Spring has officially sprung in East Grand Rapids. As snow turns to rain, I am hopeful for warmer temperatures soon. I know many of you are enjoying spring break this week. Whether you are traveling or staying local, I hope that you are enjoying some quality time with your loved ones.
Starting May 5, EGR Coffee Talk will be held at Bagel Kitchen on the first Thursday of every month from 7-8 a.m. The coffee is on me, so please mark your calendars and join for some great coffee and conversation. Special thanks to Bagel Kitchen for hosting!
The City will be hosting several community input open houses, starting April 11 through June. These open houses will inform residents and gather feedback about upcoming parks projects, mobility improvements and other community initiatives. City staff are dedicating a tremendous amount of time and effort to ensure that your questions are answered and your voices are heard, so please join us at one or more of these sessions. Visit the City’s Facebook page and eastgr.org/parksmillage for details. Thank you to City staff for hosting these important community events!
Earth Day is just around the corner. To celebrate, the E-GReen Sustainability Initiative is hosting its first annual Earth Day celebration April 23 at Manhattan Park. This event has something for everyone! A community park cleanup will be held from 9-11 a.m. followed by fun activities and informational booths from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, visit E-GReen’s Facebook page.
I am also available to meet with residents during weekday office hours, coffee hours and weekends. If you have questions or would like to discuss something, please contact me by email or 616-949-2110, ext. 887 to schedule a meeting.
Happy spring!
Katie
PARKS & RECREATION
ENCHANTED GARDEN SWEETHEART DANCE
Families with children ages 4-14, join us Saturday, April 23 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for our Enchanted Garden Sweetheart Dance! Put on your dancing shoes and enjoy a date night! The evening includes crafts, dancing, desserts and photo backdrops to help capture this unforgettable evening. Please remember to provide your own camera. Register by April 18 on our website.
PUBLIC SAFETY
PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT ISSUES ANNUAL REPORTS
The Public Safety Department recently issued their annual statistical and investigative reports for 2021. You can read Chief Herald’s overview, view statistical information and read the analysis of the events here.
PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Street and sidewalk projects are underway for the 2022 construction season. To learn more about street, sidewalk and utility projects and frequent updates, please visit the construction updates tab on the City’s homepage.
With these construction projects in mind, remember that April 11-15 marks National Work Zone Awareness Week. This annual event focuses national attention on worker and motorist safety in work zones. This year’s theme is “Work zones are a sign to slow down.” For more information and how you can get involved, visit the Michigan Department of Transportation's website.
YARD WASTE PICKUP
Public Works began yard waste pickups this week. For the start of spring pickup, the placement of loose leaves in the street is not permitted. Read our yard waste guidelines here.
WATER SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
Public Works will be completing preventative maintenance work on the drinking water system during April and May. The initial work will include valve exercising (opening and closing of water system valves typically located in the street on water mains) for two weeks from April 4-15. This work will not disrupt water service and will take place Monday-Friday between 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Beginning April 18 through late May, water mains will be flushed (flowing water through fire hydrants). To help limit disruption of service, this will take place during night shifts from 10 p.m.-6 a.m., Sunday evenings through Friday mornings.
Valve exercising and flushing for spring 2022 will be in zones 3,4 and 5 (zone maps). Residents in these areas have been mailed notifications in advance of this maintenance work. Public Works crews will also post signs in areas when flushing is taking place.
Call Public Works at 616-940-4870 if you have any questions.
MOBILITY/BIKE ACTION PLAN UPDATE
The Mobility/Bike Action Plan draft is now available. Learn more about the plan, process and opportunities for public engagement and input.
CONSUMERS ENERGY TREE TRIMMING
Consumers Energy will have a contractor trimming and removing trees in private utility easements this spring to improve reliable electrical service to residents in the southern area of the City. Consumers Energy will be mailing notices with information to residents in the impacted areas. Learn more about Consumers Energy.
EAST GRAND RAPIDS EARNS TREE CITY USA DESIGNATION AND GROWTH AWARD
The City of East Grand Rapids again has earned a Tree City USA designation and Growth Award for promoting and caring for trees within the community. Tree City USA is a program of the Arbor Day Foundation that provides the necessary framework for communities to manage and expand their public trees, celebrate the importance of an urban tree canopy and improve care of vital city trees. A community achieves Tree City USA designation by having a tree board or department, community tree ordinance and annual Arbor Day celebration and spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry activities.
Participating Tree City USA communities that demonstrate higher levels of tree care and community engagement during the calendar year are eligible for the Tree City USA Growth Award. For more information about Tree City USA, visit the Arbor Day Foundation.
SPONGY MOTH INFORMATION
As spring rolls around, the spongy moth (formerly known as the “gypsy moth”) emerges. This invasive species can damage trees, especially oaks. Residents can help limit the spongy moth population by applying a sticky tape or band specifically designed for insect control to the base of trees this spring. This tape limits the spongy moth caterpillar’s ability to crawl up the tree. If you see dead or dying caterpillars on a tree, leave them in place. They may be infected with a virus or fungus. Leaving these caterpillars in place will help ensure the disease spreads to other caterpillars. For more information regarding spongy moths visit the forestry webpage.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
EAST GRAND RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS “ONCE UPON A MATTRESS”
The EGRHS Drama Department presents “Once Upon A Mattress” April 28 and 29 at 7 p.m. and April 30 at 8 p.m. at the high school Performing Arts Center (PAC).
Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale “The Princess and the Pea” provides some side-splitting shenanigans.
Starting April 12, tickets are available through the online ticket system. In-person sales are available in the high school main lobby April 27-29 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. PAC box office in-person sales are available April 28 and 29 from 6-7 p.m. and April 30 from 7-8 p.m.
AIRPORT ACCESS STUDY
The Grand Valley Metro Council (GVMC) needs your help! They are conducting an Airport Access Study, investigating ways to improve access to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport as well as the surrounding roads, freeways, walking/biking networks and bus system. Survey results will help inform future improvement plans. Interested in providing feedback? Take the survey and be entered to win a $50 gift card for your time.
E-GREEN HOSTS EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES AT MANHATTAN PARK
Celebrate Earth Day by spending time with your community. E-GReen Sustainability Initiative is hosting an Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration at the Manhattan Park Pavilion (430 Manhattan Road) on Saturday, April 23. Community cleanup is from 9-11 a.m., and community partner booths with activities and educational opportunities will take place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The City will provide participants free native trees for planting and stormwater educational materials from LGROW to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day.