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East Express | June 20, 2024
A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR Friends and neighbors, I hope your summer is off to a great start you’re taking advantage of all the fun outdoor activities our community has to offer– from the Farmers Market and Fred Bunn Multipurpose Trails at Manhattan Park to our summertime traditions of Concerts and Movies in the Park and upcoming Fourth of July Celebration. With so many happenings this time of year, I will be available for my coffee talks at 11 a.m. Fridays June 28, July 12 and July 26 at Bagel Kitchen, 2228 Wealthy St. SE, and at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17 at Carolina Lowcountry Kitchen, 2212 Wealthy St. SE. Looking forward to connecting over coffee. Additionally, representatives from the Gaslight Investors development group will be hosting a community engagement open house 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, June 24 in Room 101 in the lower level of the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE to discuss their proposed development. Community members are invited to attend, view the concept plan, ask questions and fill out comment cards. I am also available to meet with residents during weekday office hours and on weekends. If you have questions or would like to discuss something, please contact me by email or call 616.949.2110, ext. 887 to schedule a meeting.  Happy summer!
Katie
FINANCE & CITY ADMINISTRATION 
2024 STREET AND SIDEWALK MILLAGE PROPOSAL: FAQs
To help inform residents of the upcoming 2024 Street and Sidewalk Millage Proposal on the Aug. 6 ballot, we have created a series of FAQs. This week’s question: What is the City asking voters? Our answer: East Grand Rapids will ask voters to consider a 10-year millage to improve streets and sidewalks on the Aug. 6 ballot. This millage both renews the 1.7307 mills expiring with the 2024 tax levy and restores the 0.2693 mill lost because of Headlee rollbacks from the previous street and sidewalk millage for a total of 2 mills. Learn more about the millage proposal by visiting eastgrmi.gov/streetmillage. 
CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS Here are a few highlights from the June 17 City Commission meeting. The Commission: - Renewed a three-year investment agreement of $2,500 annually with The Right Place.
- Approved the Mayor’s recommendations for the Board and Commission appointments.
- Approved a resolution amending the fiscal year 2023-2024 budget.
View the full agenda here. The next City Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, July 1 at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. Community members can also watch the meeting live via the City’s YouTube channel and view minutes and agendas here. PARKS & RECREATION  REEDS LAKE RUN THIS SATURDAY The annual Reeds Lake Run returns this Saturday (June 22), with the various races beginning at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE, at the following times: - 8 a.m. – 5k
- 8:15 a.m. – 5k Doggie Dash
- 8:45 a.m. – Family Fun Run Mile
- 9 a.m. – 10k
Community members and drivers are asked to be aware of race participants along the course, pictured above. Learn more here.  UPCOMING CONCERTS & MOVIES IN THE PARK Join us Monday evenings in June and July for the Concert in the Park series, which feature a variety of musical genres from 7-8:30 p.m. Upcoming shows include: - June 24 – Coty Bouchard
- July 8 – St. Sinner Orchestra
- July 15 – On The Lash
- July 22 – Deerfield Run
Movies in the Park will take place on four Friday evenings, with each film beginning at sundown. Upcoming movies include: - June 28 – “Barbie”
- July 12 – “Elemental”
- Aug. 2 – “Wonka (2023)”
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION Join us for our annual Fourth of July Celebration made possible by title sponsor Corewell Health and support from the East Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Enjoy all-ages entertainment and activities at John Collins Park, including a concert and fireworks show later in the evening. The day’s schedule of events is: The parade will begin at the intersection of Sherman Street SE and Wealthy Street and continue east on Wealthy, turning left on Lakeside Drive and ending at Reeds Lake Boulevard. After the parade, community members are invited to John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Drive, for various activities, including kids inflatables, a water ski show by Grand City Show Skiers and a performance by music group Full Cord. Food trucks offering a variety of cuisines and treats will line Lakeside Drive throughout the afternoon. The festivities will culminate with a fireworks show over Reeds Lake at sundown. Those attending the show are encouraged to bring a blanket or chairs. To sponsor the fireworks show, contact Parks and Recreation Leisure Supervisor Rachel Fiedler at 616.949.1750. The City is also still accepting parade entries. Those wishing to participate can enter until 5 p.m. Friday, June 28. 
EAST GRAND RAPIDS FARMERS MARKET Be sure to visit the East Grand Rapids Farmers Market for a wide selection of fresh, seasonal produce, baked goods, treats and more. From 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the market will run every Thursday this summer through Aug. 29, except for the week of the Fourth of July, at the East Grand Rapids Community Center north parking lot, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. Vendors interested in participating in the Farmers Market can contact Market Manager Tracy Will at egrmarket@eastgr.org. Vendors pay either a $100 fee for the season or $15 per week for a space at the market. Vendors should plan to bring needed equipment for their space, including tents, tables, chairs and tablecloths. REEDS LAKE RUN, TRAIL BLAZER & TRIATHLON REGISTRATION OPEN
Registration for the June 22 Reeds Lake Run, July 4 EGR Community Foundation’s Trail Blazer and Sept. 7 Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon are open. Click on the name of each event for details and to register. PUBLIC SAFETY
FIREWORKS
As Independence Day approaches, Public Safety reminds residents that fireworks are permitted in East Grand Rapids 11 a.m.-11:45 p.m. June 29-July 4 per Michigan law.
If you choose to celebrate the Fourth of July by setting off fireworks, please be safe in doing so and courteous of your neighbors. Learn more by reading our fireworks safety tips.
REMINDER TO LOCK UP
Join your neighbors in locking your home and vehicles when heading out of town this summer. Public Safety encourages residents to participate in the #9PMRoutine – a national initiative that helps community members remember to take simple measures nightly at 9 p.m. to keep their possessions safe. This includes bringing in items such as lawn equipment, toys and other personal items, locking your house, garage and vehicles and turning on outside lights to deter theft. Learn more about the #9PMRoutine here. WILDLIFE REMINDER
Throughout the spring and summer, many community members see unattended baby animals and want to help. The best way to help, however, is to leave the animal alone. Many animals, such as deer, will hide their young for safety and eventually return. PUBLIC WORKS WATER QUALITY REPORT
The City is proud to present its annual Water Quality Report, which provides residents important information regarding their drinking water. East Grand Rapids continues to meet or exceed requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.
Read the full report here. FIRE HYDRANT SANDBLASTING AND PAINTING
A City contractor will be sandblasting and painting fire hydrants over the next few weeks. Sandblasting and painting help maintain the hydrants’ exterior coating, function and appearance. WATER NEWLY PLANTED TREES
During heatwaves, residents who have participated in the City’s right-of-way tree planting program over the past few years should make sure to water their trees. CONSTRUCTION UPDATES & DTE WORK
View the latest construction updates from Public Works on our website. A reminder DTE Energy is working on large-scale replacements of private gas mains throughout EGR this year. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact DTE at 616.551.2621. When driving through a work zone, please be mindful of crews, pedestrians and traffic. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGThe Planning Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 9 in the Commission chambers at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. COMMUNITY PARTNERS  REEDS LAKE TRAIL BLAZER: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Reeds Lake Trail Blazer 5k Run/Walk returns July 4. This holiday classic supports the East Grand Rapids Community Foundation, which seeks to improve the quality of life for EGR residents and visitors by supporting various projects, including the Reeds Lake Trail wayfinding signage, Public Safety AED purchase and the Ramona Park historical marker, to name a few recent examples. To make this race a reality, volunteers are needed to help with setup, cleanup, water stations and more. Volunteer here. 
GASLIGHT VILLAGE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
Save the date for the Taste of East Grand Rapids, returning to Gaslight Village from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. Booths will line Wealthy Street between Lovett Avenue and Lake Drive, offering attendees a sampling of local cuisine from Gaslight Village eateries and featuring local artisans, all-ages entertainment and live music. The event benefits Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Tickets for food and entertainment options will be sold through 8 p.m. 
KENT DISTRICT LIBRARY: EAST GRAND RAPIDS BRANCH
KDL’s Summer Wonder runs through Aug. 9, with programs and prizes for all ages. See the full list of events here. Some upcoming programs include: - There’s Magic in Books – 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 25: Embark on an imagination-filled reading adventure with magician Jania Taylor. For all ages and held weather permitting at John Collins Park.
- Storytime – 10:30-11 a.m. Wednesday, June 26: Nurture your child’s love of books and build early literacy skills through stories, rhymes, music and movement; held weather permitting in John Collins Park.
- Introduction to Watercolor: For Teens – 2-3 p.m. Thursday, June 27: Discover the essentials of watercolor and leave with the skills needed to continue your watercolor exploration independently. Space is limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.
- Decorate Your Bike and Celebrate Fourth of July – 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 2: Bring your bike and decorate it for the Fourth of July! We will have many patriotic decorations to help you festoon your ride. For all ages and held weather permitting in John Collins Park.
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