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East Express | December 2024

A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

Friends and neighbors, 

As the year comes to a close, I want to wish you and yours a safe, happy and fun holiday season. It was an absolute pleasure seeing you all at the annual Holiday Tree Lighting last week. Special thanks to the Gaslight Village Business Association, Public Works, Parks and Recreation and Public Safety for helping make this cherished tradition a reality every year. 

As you plan your holiday shopping, I encourage you to support our local businesses this season in Gaslight Village – from unique gifts and specialty services to an array of dining options – there’s something for everyone on your list.  

If you plan to travel over the holidays, our public Safety Department reminds you to lock up your home, remaining vehicles and any outbuildings to deter theft. Also, ensure to exercise increased caution while driving or using our sidewalks, as the days continue to get shorter.   

 Looking forward to seeing you all in the new year! 

All the best,

Katie

COFFEE HOURS 

Residents have the opportunity to speak with elected officials in-person at these upcoming coffee hours:

• Mayor Katie Favale and First Ward commissioners Ryan Burdick and Kate Skaggs: 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at Bagel Kitchen 
• Third Ward Commissioner Abbie Groff-Blaszak: 9-10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 at Bagel Kitchen 

PARKS & RECREATION

SPORTS NIGHT OUT

Mark your calendars: the annual Sports Night Out is Saturday, Feb. 8. Elementary school-aged children and their adult chaperones are invited to join us 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the East Grand Rapids High School gym, 2211 Lake Drive SE, for a fun evening of games, challenges and activities. Plus, there’s a photo booth so you can have a keepsake from the evening. 

Register children and adult chaperones online. The cost is $24 for residents and $29 for non-residents. 

PARKS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN

A draft of the new Parks and Recreation five-year master plan will be available for a 30-day public review and comment beginning Dec. 10. The plan will be available on the City website and a printed copy will be available at the Parks and Recreation Department during regular business hours.  

The new plan is a guide to parks and recreation development over the next five years. 

FINANCE & CITY ADMINISTRATION

CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS

The next City Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16 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.

HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURES

City offices will be closed the following days:

• Tuesday, Dec. 24 for Christmas Eve
• Wednesday, Dec. 25 for Christmas Day
• Wednesday, Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day

Public Safety will continue to provide 24/7 support to the community. 

WINTER PROPERTY TAXES

Winter property taxes have been mailed and are due upon receipt. They will be considered late after Feb. 14, and late fees will apply. Details at eastgrmi.gov/taxes. 

PUBLIC SAFETY

RIC BUIKEMA NAMED PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR

City Commission confirmed the appointment of Ric Buikema as the City’s public safety director during its Dec. 2 meeting. 

A 27-year member of the department, Buikema has served as captain for 10 years. Before that, he was a sergeant for 14 years and a public safety officer for four years after joining the department in 1996. He has served at every level within the department, including field training officer, detective and staff sergeant. 

In his role as director, Buikema will oversee the East Grand Rapids Public Safety Department’s daily operations, personnel and community relations. His new responsibilities include recruiting, hiring and supervising personnel and evaluating their performance. Buikema will oversee the department’s budget, ensuring fiscal accountability for Public Safety. He will also evaluate and respond to changing regulations and technology regarding law enforcement practices and develop departmental goals for continuous operational improvement. 

Learn more about Director Buikema’s appointment here.

REMINDER TO LOCK UP
Join your neighbors in locking your home and vehicle, which is especially important during the holidays. Public Safety encourages residents to participate in the #9PMRoutine – a national initiative that helps community members remember to take simple measures at 9 p.m. each night to keep their possessions safe. This includes bringing in items such as snow removal 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.

BE VIGILANT OF SCAMS
During the holiday season and beyond, Public Safety reminds community members to be alert of potential fraud via phone calls and text messages. 

While they can take many forms, common phone scams include the caller:

1. Pretending to be from an organization you know.
2. Confronting you with a problem or offering a prize.
3. Pressuring you into immediate action.
4. Telling you to pay them in a specific way.

The Federal Trade Commission outlines a few tips to protect consumers from fraud, including:

1. Block unwanted calls and text messages.
2. Do not provide your personal or financial information in response to a request you did not initiate.
3. Resist pressure to act immediately.
4. Stop and talk to someone you trust.

To report a suspected case of fraud or other non-emergency, contact East Grand Rapids Public Safety at 616.949.7010.

PUBLIC WORKS

WINTER WEATHER OPERATIONS
With winter approaching, learn about the City's street and sidewalk salting and plowing operations, priority road routes and how you can help make snowplowing easier for our team here.  

Additionally, a new state law requires motorist to stay back 200 feet from active Public Works snowplows and maintain a 20-foot distance when stopped at an intersection. EGR Public Works will be adding the yellow signs pictured above to the rear of its snowplows to remind motorists of the law.

Public Works thanks you for your partnership in making sure our streets and sidewalks stay safe for everyone.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS RECYCLING BIN
The City and Kent District Library East Grand Rapids branch have partnered to provide a recycling bin for holiday lights that no longer work. The bin is located inside the main entrance at the East Grand Rapids Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. 

SHAKE YOUR MAILBOX
Public Works asks residents to shake their mailbox if it is located near the street. If your mailbox moves when shaken, the mailbox or post may not withstand snow thrown from plows and should be repaired.

TEMPORARY SIGNAGE REMINDER
Public Works reminds residents of the City’s sign ordinance. Currently, residents are limited to three temporary signs per lot. Signs that are obsolete, including those referring to an event that has been completed, must be removed within 30 days of obsolescence.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS 

KENT COUNTY DEER SURVEY
Kent County, the Kent County Road Commission and other local government agencies are conducting a countywide deer population survey to help improve deer management.

Survey input will help guide plans to reduce nuisance issues and deer-vehicle collisions. 

Take the deer survey here.

KENT COUNTY MOBILITY STUDY
Do you live, work, or travel around Kent County? The county is conducting a transportation mobility study to find ways to make travel throughout Kent County safer, more convenient and reliable.

Your input is vital in helping the county improve mobility options. Share your thoughts in the survey here.  
 
Learn more about the county’s work and provide additional feedback here.

E-GREEN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE 
The E-GReen Sustainability Initiative invites community members to its last edition of its monthly sustainable neighbors series, Engaging with Community Wildlife Through Community Science, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Room 105 of the EGR Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. The discussion will be presented by Travis Kurtz, community science coordinator of the John Ball Zoo. 

The sustainable neighbors series is sponsored by Friends of the EGR Library.

E-WASTE RECYCLING EVENT
Don’t miss the E-GReen Sustainability Initiative’s electronic waste and foam packaging recycling event 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, at the EGR Public Works building, 2310 Reeds Lake Blvd. SE.

KENT DISTRICT LIBRARY: EAST GRAND RAPIDS BRANCH 
Children in grades K-5 are invited to become Legendary Readers. Read, write or visit the library for 100 days between now and June 13 to receive a special Loch Ness Monster bookmark and be entered to win a $100 gift card from Schuler Books. Enroll through Jan. 31, 2025.

Below are some fun featured programming:

• Stuffed Toy Sleepover – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9: Bring a plush friend to story time and leave it for a sleepover. Pick up your special friend the next day to see what fun it had while the library was closed. For families with young children.
• Ready for Reindeer! – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17: Traveling all the way from the North Pole (via Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farms), live reindeer will be visiting the library. Dress warmly for this outdoor program, bring some quarters to purchase treats to feed the reindeer if you wish, and don't forget the camera!
• Engaging with Local Wildlife Through Science – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17: Come learn about how to get engaged in the conservation of local species with John Ball Zoo. Attendees will receive native wildflower seed packets. This Sustainable Neighbors series is presented in partnership with E-GReen and sponsored by the Friends of the EGR Library.
• Hula Hoop Dancing – 2-3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27: Enjoy a fun, beginner-level hoop dancing class. Be enthralled by performances from a professional hula hoop dancer and learn a few hoop dancing tricks of your own. Hula hoops are provided. For families with children.
• Countdown to Happy Noon Year! – 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Dec. 31: We're giving kids an exciting way to ring in the new year with a countdown, noisemakers, crafts and fun – at an hour that won't keep them up way past their bedtimes. For families with young children.

The library will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 25 for Christmas. The library will also close at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 and all-day Wednesday, Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day.

EAST GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Save the date for the East Grand Rapids High School design presentation 6-7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the East Grand Rapids High School Performing Arts Center, 2211 Lake Drive SE. Read Dr. Kattula’s Nov. 15 letter here and find more information on the district’s website. 

GRAND VALLEY METRO COUNCIL
The GVMC is beginning the development of its Transportation Improvement Program for fiscal years 2026-2029, focusing on projects in Kent and Ottawa counties. Upcoming public meetings and opportunities for public engagement will be announced as the process progresses. 

For questions, contact Laurel Joseph, director of transportation planning, at laurel.joseph@gvmc.org or 616.776.7610.

Learn more about the improvement plan here. 

Additionally, GVMC invites community members to review and provide feedback for its Vision Zero 2050 Regional Safety Action Plan. Learn more, view the informational boards and take the survey here.  

EAST GRAND RAPIDS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
The East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation's end-of-year appeal is underway. Learn more here.

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