RYAN BURDICK APPOINTED FIRST WARD COMMISSIONER
Join us in welcoming Ryan Burdick to the City Commission. He was unanimously appointed to the vacant First Ward seat by City Commissioners during their Feb. 20 meeting. The seat was vacated by Commissioner Kris Pachla following his election to the Kent County Board of Commissioners in November.
An EGR resident of five years, Mr. Burdick previously served as a professional pilot at Flagship Private Air in Ypsilanti, where he managed both domestic and international trips. He is currently a stay-at-home dad and has served on the EGR Parks and Recreation Commission since 2021. A community advocate, he has formed relationships with First Ward residents over the years and knocked on doors in support of the 2021 Parks Improvement Millage.
In appointing Mr. Burdick to the Commission, Commissioners noted his experience with local government and established relationships with his First Ward neighbors made him a great fit for this position.
Mr. Burdick holds a bachelor of science degree from Western Michigan University. He and his wife, Stephanie have two children: Walter, 10 and George, 7. The family enjoys spending time in East and connecting with other residents when they are out and about.
As a City Commissioner, Mr. Burdick looks forward to listening to residents and connecting them with the right resources.
“I enjoy problem-solving, and I will give residents all the effort I can,” he said. “I follow up and follow through.
Mr. Burdick will be sworn in as a City Commissioner during the Commission’s March 6 meeting.
PARKS & RECREATION
PAVILION RENTALS AVAILABLE
Planning a spring or summer event such as a reunion, graduation party or birthday celebration? Consider renting one of our indoor or outdoor facilities, such as the Manhattan Park Pavilion, shown above. Parks and Recreation staff will be happy to assist you.
Learn more about facility rentals here: https://bit.ly/3XPm7dA.
FINANCE & CITY ADMINISTRATION
UPDATES FROM THE ASSESSOR’S OFFICE
The 2023 assessment notices were mailed to residents Feb. 16. If you haven’t received your notice or have questions, call the Assessor’s Office at 616.940.4818 or email Assessor Stacey Hayes at shayes@eastgr.org or Deputy Assessor Robin Christoffersen at rchristoffersen@eastgr.org.
You can also access your property assessment information here.
The Organizational Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 7 at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. Assessment appeal hearings will be held on Monday, March 13 and Tuesday, March 14.
Appeal hearing appointments must be made by calling 616.940.4818 during normal business hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Non-residents may appeal by letter to the City Assessor’s Office, 750 Lakeside Drive SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506. Appeal letters must be received no later than the adjournment of the March Board of Review hearings.
Residents may appear in person or by a representative with their written permission. All appellants must have completed an appeal form for each parcel prior to their hearing.
Appeal forms are available at eastgr.org/appeal
Due to Proposal A, the taxable value of properties will increase with the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is less, each year. The inflation rate multiplier for 2023 assessments is 5% (the inflation rate was 7.9%). If there was not a transfer of ownership on your property in 2022, your 2023 taxable value is calculated by multiplying your 2022 taxable value by 1.05.
Physical changes of your property may also increase or decrease your taxable value. If there was a transfer of ownership on your property in 2022, your 2023 taxable value will be the same as your 2023 state equalized value, per MCL 211.27a.
ONLINE SERVICE FEES INCREASE
Starting April 2, the City’s payment processing provider, Invoice Cloud, is increasing the service fee for payments made with a credit card or debit card or through PayPal.
Residents who pay their water bill, taxes, parking ticket or permit with a credit card or debit card or through PayPal via Invoice Cloud’s online system will see this service fee increase. This change does not affect residents who pay via Automated Clearing House (ACH) or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
Here’s a summary of the service fee changes:
- Water bill: $3.75 for every $325
- Taxes: Minimum of $2.95 or 3% of amount
- Parking tickets: Minimum of $2.95 or 3% of amount
- Permits: Minimum of $2.95 or 3% of amount
Residents can still make payments by mail, via the drop box in the Community Center lobby available 24/7 or in person 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE.
For questions, please call the Finance Department at 616.949.2110.
NEXT CITY COMMISSION MEETING: MARCH 6
The next City Commission meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, March 6 at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE.
Read the agenda here: https://bit.ly/3Yf7sZa.
Community members can also watch the meeting live via the City’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3koI057.
PUBLIC WORKS
SNOWPLOW DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK
We’re celebrating Snowplow Driver Appreciation Week in EGR and taking this time to thank our amazing Public Works team for all it does during the winter season. From the December snowstorm to last week’s ice event – and everything in between – the team works tirelessly all winter long to ensure our streets and sidewalks are safe.
WINTER MAINTENANCE
For details on the City’s street and sidewalk salting and plowing operations, priority road routes and how you can help make snowplowing easier for the crews, visit eastgr.org/snowplow.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
BLOOD DRIVE
The City is hosting a blood drive 2-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 14 at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE.
Schedule your appointment today: https://bit.ly/3IELqsZ.
LGROW ANNUAL REPORT
Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds, or LGROW, has released its 2022 annual report. Check it out at https://bit.ly/3mg95ss.
Learn more about LGROW’s commitment to the health of our community’s watershed, new programs, community involvement and more.
COREWELL HEALTH IRISH JIG
The Corewell Health Irish Jig takes place at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 18. Participants will racing along Breton Road, Hall Street, Woodcliff Circle and Lake Drive.
Community members are asked to be aware of race participants and road closures during this time.
GRAND VALLEY METRO COUNCIL UPDATES
Learn more about Grand Valley Metro Council’s airport access study, safety program updates and upcoming meetings in its latest newsletter.
EAST GRAND RAPIDS HISTORY ROOM
The East Grand Rapids History Room website has moved to a new home on the city’s website: eastgr.org/historyroom.
On this new webpage, you can find written histories, indexes of documents and materials housed in the History Room, which is located inside the EGR library, as well as information on upcoming events and more.
The City’s historical archives are maintained by curator Mary Dersch, shown above. She has been preserving, organizing, promoting and building the collection of photographs, documents, artifacts and memorabilia since 1993. In recognition of her outstanding efforts to preserve our history, Mary received the Grand Rapids Historical Society’s 2022 Albert Baxter Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the preservation of local history.
Congratulations, Mary, and thanks for all you do to help preserve our community’s history.
In addition to checking out the new webpage, follow the History Room on Facebook.
KENT COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION
Kent County Community Action needs your input as it plans how best to use resources to meet the community’s needs. This survey is an opportunity for you to provide leaders information that will help inform decisions about KCCA’s services in the future.
Survey participants will be invited to enter a weekly drawing for a $50 utility credit. Complete the survey by Friday, March 17.
Take the survey.
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