PARKS & RECREATIONSPORTS NIGHT OUT

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Jan. 21 for the annual Sports Night Out event, presented by EGR Parks and Recreation. Open to children ages 5-12, this fun night includes games, challenges and activities from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the EGR High School gym. Plus, there’s a photo booth so you can have a keepsake from the evening. 

Registration is open. The cost is $24 for residents and $29 for non-residents, and adult chaperones also need to register. The cost increases $5 after Jan. 24.

FINALIZED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND DESIGNS

Thank you to everyone who participated in the various surveys, meetings and public input opportunities that helped guide the playground design process throughout the past year.

View the finalized playground equipment designs for the structures at Wealthy Elementary, Lakeside Elementary and Breton Downs Elementary here. 

These upgrades were made possible through the voter-approved 2021 parks improvement millage.  

FINANCE & CITY ADMINISTRATION

REVISED WINTER TAX BILLS

The City has identified an error on the Winter 2022 tax bills: The Veterans Millage should be 0.05 mills. Revised tax bills have been mailed out this week and the online system now reflects the revised tax bill amount – visit https://bit.ly/3Fuz6uY.

The City will issue a refund for overpayment if you’ve already paid your tax bill. If your tax bill is paid by your mortgage company, we’ve provided revised information to them.

If you have any questions, please call our Finance Department at 616.949.2110. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and have fixed this issue. 

FIRST WARD CITY COMMISSIONER OPENING

The City is accepting applications for the open First Ward city commissioner position through Jan. 6. This seat is being vacated because City Commissioner Pachla was recently elected to the Kent County Commission. First Ward residents who are interested can apply online or in person at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE, during normal business hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

View the map of city wards here.

If you have any questions, contact City Clerk Lori Parmenter at lparmenter@eastgr.org or 616.949.2110.

CITY COMMISSION MEETING MOVED TO DEC. 20

The Dec. 19 City Commission meeting has been moved to Tuesday, Dec. 20. 

PUBLIC WORKS 

WINTER MAINTENANCE
For details on the City’s street/sidewalk salting and plowing operations, priority road routes and how you can help make snowplowing easier for the crews, visit eastgr.org/snowplow. 

CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP

Public Works will collect natural trees and wreaths for chipping Jan. 3-13. Please remove lights, ribbons and ornaments from the greenery and place in the right-of-way on the day before your regular pickup day. Learn more at eastgr.org/debris.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

To learn more about street, sidewalk and utility projects and to receive frequent updates, visit the construction updates webpage. 

PUBLIC SAFETY

PUBLIC CALL-IN SESSION
Public Safety invites community members to participate in a call-in session Tuesday, Dec. 13 as part of a reaccreditation process through the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, which is the assessment division of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police.

The call-in session will be 2-3:30 p.m. During this time, community members are encouraged to provide feedback on the department’s ability to comply with MLEAC standards by calling 616.831.7889 or emailing egrdps-assessment@eastgr.org. Phone comments are limited to five minutes.

MLEAC standards are available online at michiganpolicechiefs.org or in person at the Public Safety Department, 770 Lakeside Drive SE, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday  

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

KENT DISTRICT LIBRARY: EAST GRAND RAPIDS BRANCH

The EGR branch is closed the following days during the holiday season:

• Saturday, Dec. 24
• Sunday, Dec. 25
• Monday, Dec. 26
• Sunday, Jan. 1
• Monday, Jan. 2 

GASLIGHT VILLAGE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
The Gaslight Village Business Association welcomes community members to its Sip and Shop event 4-8 p.m. today for holiday shopping specials. Gift wrapping provided by the EGR High School Key Club and EGR Schools Foundation will be available 5-8 p.m. at StretchLab. Carolers will fill the air with holiday cheer 6-7 p.m.

Stay up to date on Gaslight Village events and happenings by following Gaslight Village on Facebook or visiting its website.  

E-GREEN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE
The E-GReen Sustainability Initiative invites the community to its electronic waste and foam packaging recycling event 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7 at the EGR Public Works building, 2310 Reeds Lake Blvd. SE. 

View the list of accepted items here.

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