A NOTE FROM MAYOR FAVALE

Dear Friends and Neighbors,  

The holidays are a wonderful time for loved ones to gather, reflect on the year gone by and look toward the coming year with optimism and enthusiasm. In this, my first holiday message as your Mayor, I would like to take a moment to do just that. 

Last month, I was honored and humbled to be elected as your Mayor. I am thrilled and look forward to serving our community in the years ahead. I am grateful for the trust and aware of the responsibility you have placed in me. I am also grateful to our amazing City staff for their help with the transition into my new role. We are truly fortunate to have such remarkable people working to better our community. 

I would also like to express my gratitude to the dedicated men and women in our Public Safety Department, who work tirelessly to keep our community safe. Another thank you to the tremendous people in our Public Works Department who work diligently on improvement projects and deliver our community’s top-notch services. Also, special thanks to our amazing EGRPS staff, administrators and school board, who continually educate and advocate for our children. 

Looking ahead, the City will continue to deliver quality services to our community, and as your Mayor, my door will remain open to all our residents. I look forward to the coming years with hope and optimism. The future promises to be positive and exciting for our community. 

I would also like to encourage everyone to shop and eat locally in Gaslight Village. This helps to sustain our important local businesses. 

Finally, the holidays also give us an opportunity to be thankful for what we have, support those who are less fortunate and to express acts of kindness and forgiveness. It is a time of joy and festivities, but also a time when we need to look out for those who are alone or vulnerable. Please consider reaching out a bit further to friends and neighbors that may be struggling. 

On behalf of the City of East Grand Rapids, I want to extend my warmest regards and best wishes to everyone. May the spirit of the season touch you and your loved ones throughout the holidays and into the New Year. 

Happy Holidays! 

Katie 

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FROM THE CLERK'S OFFICE & FINANCE

CITY HALL HOLIDAY HOURS 

Cheers to you and yours from everyone at City Hall! Please note that our offices will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 25 in recognition of Christmas. We will also be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 1 for the New Year's holiday. 


 

2019 WARD ONE COMMISSIONER APPOINTMENT 

The City Commission continues to accept applications for the open First Ward City Commissioner position through Dec. 31. First Ward residents who are interested can apply in person at City Hall, 750 Lakeside Dr. SE, or online. Any questions can be directed to City Clerk Karen Brower at 616.949.2110 or kbrower@eastgr.org. 

To learn more about the appointment process, please read our news article. 


SPECTRUM HEALTH – BLODGETT HOSPITAL UPDATE 

The EGR Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Jan. 14 at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers on the site plan revision application of Spectrum Health Hospitals for Blodgett Hospital. Spectrum Health-Blodgett Hospital received approval from the City Commission on May 7, 2018 for their initial site plan for improved way finding and parking and are now proposing a revision to that approved site plan. The Planning Commission may or may not make a recommendation to the City Commission at the conclusion of the public hearing. For further information, please contact the Public Works Administration Office at 616.940.4817. 

 
WINTER TAXES 
 
Please note, property taxes were mailed on Dec. 1 and are due on or before Feb. 14. For more information on property taxes, visit our website. 
 



LUMINARIES 
 
Make driving through the luminary display part of your Christmas celebration this year. On Christmas Eve, the luminaries will once again brighten the streets just south of Hall and east of Breton starting at dusk and ending around 10 p.m.   


WE’RE HERE TO HELP 

Do you have a question, concern or complaint? Give us a call! We cannot help if we are unaware of a problem/situation so please give us a chance to make note and work to solve it. If there isn’t a quick solution, we will be happy to give you the information we do have or offer you other resources or advice. You can always reach us at 616.949.2110 if you’re unsure which department to call and we’ll direct you the right person. 
 

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PARKS & RECREATION

SPORTS NIGHT OUT 

Join us on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for sports, sports and more sports! You and your elementary school child will be in for a fun evening of games and challenges, including a photo booth and more. 

Sign up by Jan. 10 to receive at $5 discount. 

Couple R $40 NR $50  //  Individual R $28 NR $38 
 

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD RESOLUTION RUN  
 
The 35th annual Resolution Run will once again take place in East Grand Rapids on New Year’s Eve. Starting at the high school at 3:30 p.m., the estimated 800 participants will run around Reeds Lake. Please expect traffic delays and make a note of road closures.   For more information, visit the event website.  

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PUBLIC SAFETY

SGT. DEJONGE’S CHIEF’S CITATION 

Sgt. Jeffery DeJonge was awarded the Chief’s Citation at Dec. 16’s City Commission Meeting for his unwavering dedication as Director of the Kent County Toys for Tots program. Thanks to his 20+ years of work, hundreds of thousands of children have been impacted each holiday season. Visit our Facebook page to see photos from the meeting.  




TOYS FOR TOTS 

Tomorrow is the last day to drop off new, unwrapped toys at Public Safety! The lobby will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 


BE ALERT TO FRAUDULENT PHONE CALLS 

Around the holidays each year, Public Safety sees an increase in fraudulent phone calls. The department warns everyone that federal government agencies, including police departments, will NEVER call you asking for money and/or personal information. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please call the department at 616.949.7010. 

 

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PUBLIC WORKS

CONSTRUCTION  
 
Visit our construction webpage — which is updated weekly — for current information on construction projects in EGR.  


KENT COUNTY RECYCLING UPDATES 

As of Jan. 1, Kent County will no longer accept shredded paper or plastic bags for recycling. To learn more and find out where you can recycle these items please visit the Kent County’s Department of Public Works website, reimaginetrash.org/recycle. 


FREEZING PIPE PREVENTION 
 
As we face another Michigan winter, pipes and water meters can freeze as temperatures remain below freezing for extended periods of time. The City is responsible for water services from the curb stop in the right-of-way to the water main in the street. Property owners are responsible for their water service from the curb stop to and throughout their property.  Read our frozen pipe news article to learn how to prevent and remedy frozen pipes. 


RIGHT-OF-WAY TREE MAINTENANCE  

Now and through the month of January, a City contractor will be performing tree pruning of public right-of-way trees as noted in the highlighted red streets on our tree maintenance map. Public Works crews will also be performing right-of-way tree maintenance trimming adjacent to streets and sidewalks throughout winter months. 


WINTER MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS 
 
As winter approaches, please review the City’s plowing regulations. To view plowing routes and to learn how to avoid the “second shovel,” which helps prevent snow being deposited at the end of your driveway, please visit our street/sidewalk winter plowing webpage. 


LEAD & COPPER TESTING 

The City completed lead and copper testing as required by EGLE for 2019. Testing results for the 90th percentile were 4 ppb with no testing sites above the 15 ppb action level. Results in 2019 across water systems throughout the State may be different from previous testing due to a change in sample procedures by EGLE. EGR purchases water from the City of Grand Rapids that is treated with orthophosphates (protective pipe barrier coating) for corrosion control. EGR is proud to continue to provide safe and high-quality water to resident. To review testing results and consumer confidence report, please visit our Water/Sewer Systems webpage.  

 
KEEP FIRE HYDRANTS CLEAR OF SNOW AND ICE 

If you have a fire hydrant near your home, please consider helping the Public Safety Department by keeping snow piles away from the hydrants or shoveling out around the hydrant after heavy snows.  Public Safety officers do make the rounds and shovel where/when necessary, but traffic issues, accidents and other duties may keep them from getting to all the hydrants in a timely manner. If there is a fire in your neighborhood, seconds count, and taking the time to dig out a fire hydrant to attach hoses can make a difference in fighting a fire. Thank you in advance for any help you can give. 

 


2019 REEDS LAKE WATER QUALITY REPORT 

You can view the 2019 Reeds Lake Water Quality Report and/or the GVMC-LGROW regional water quality repository on our Environmental webpage. 


CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP 
 
Every year, Public Works collects Christmas trees, wreaths and other natural plant-based decorations that have been left at the curb after the holidays. The crews will pick up these decorations following regular yard waste collection routes from Monday, Jan. 6 through Friday, Jan. 17. The City is not able to collect trees, wreaths or other holiday decorations that have wire, ornaments, lights, etc. on them as the trees and wreaths are chipped/recycled.