A NOTE FROM MAYOR FAVALE
Hello Neighbors and Friends,
I am excited to announce that the City Commission has voted to appoint Brad Hecksel as the new First Ward City Commissioner. A longtime EGR resident, Brad lives with his wife Andrea and their three children, Avery, Lauren and Sam. His passion and vison for our community has called him to serve and we are thrilled to welcome him onto the City Commission. He will finish out the rest of my Commission term until December 2021.
I would also like to again thank everyone that applied to the post of First Ward Commissioner. What a testament to our community that so many qualified and dedicated people considered serving in that role. We are very fortunate in East to have so many caring and engaged residents.
For those of you who would like to get more involved, please consider serving on one of the EGR Advisory Boards. We are encouraging all residents that are interested to please apply, so if that is you, please visit our
Boards & Commissions webpage.
Thank you to everyone that attended Public Safety’s Community Engagement event last week. It was a great success and many good conversations were had. A very special thank you to all the Public Safety officers that attended as well, they continue to show us how much they care about our community and its residents. I’m looking forward to the next event on April 30. I hope to see you there.
Last but not least, please join me and Commissioners Kris Pachla and Karey Hamrick for the next EGR Talk on Feb. 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This time we will be hosting at Carolina Lowcountry Kitchen in Gaslight Village, so please join us if you are able!
As always, feel free to drop by my office hours on Mondays & Wednesdays from 12 to 5 p.m., or call or email me anytime for an appointment. I hope we can talk soon.
All the best,
Katie
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE & FINANCE
RESCHEDULED CITY COMMISSION MEETING
To accommodate for Spring Break traveling, the Monday, April 6 City Commission meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, March 30 at 6 p.m.
PROPERTY TAXES DUE FEB. 14
As a reminder, property taxes are due before or on Friday, Feb. 14. You can learn more on our
Property Taxes webpage, where you can also
sign up for automatic payments.
ABSENTEE BALLOTS AVAILABLE
Absentee ballots for the March 10 Presidential Primary election can be obtained in person during normal business hours or by filling out an
Application for Absentee Ballot then fax it to 616.940.4884 or
email it to our offices.
For more information, visit
eastgr.org/elections or contact City Clerk Karen Brower at 616.949.2110 or
kbrower@eastgr.org.
EGR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY BUDGET GUIDE
You can review the EGRPS 2019-2020 Community Budget Guide
here.
VOLUNTEER IN EGR THIS SUMMER
Thinking about the warmer months ahead? With all the fun events that take place in EGR over the summer, it’s hard not to. If you are interested in volunteering for the Trail Blazer, Reeds Lake Run or the Triathlon, give us a call at 616.949.2110 and we will direct you to the appropriate race coordinator.
PARKS & RECREATION
INVASIVE SPECIES
Our Parks & Rec. Department, which partners with Kent Conservation District, is looking for volunteers to help control several aggressive woody non-native invasive species on park property on Feb. 15 and March 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Stewards will help cut stumps and treat targeted species that are growing unchecked and poisoning wildlife. Volunteers will also learn about winter bud identification and how non-native invasive species alter ecosystem processes in complex ways. All ages are welcome to help, but only those 18 years old and up may treat the stumps. No RSVP is required.
Questions can be directed to EGR Grounds and Maintenance at 616. 949.1750. For more information visit our
website.
2020 SWEETHEART DANCE
Join us on April 18 for an evening in our Enchanted Garden! Families are welcome to put their dancing shoes and enjoy a date night at the annual Sweetheart Dance. The evening includes your child’s choice of corsage, crafts, dancing, delicious desserts and two photos to capture this unforgettable evening.
Sign up by April 13 to receive a $5 discount.
$34 Resident // $44 Non-Resident
PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS
Did you miss the first Public Safety Community Engagement Session last week? No worries — there are still three remaining sessions that all residents and community members are welcome to attend.
The next meeting is on April 30. You’ll have the chance meet “B” shift and discuss topics important to EGR with your officers as you get to know them. Learn more at
eastgr.org/communityengagement.
PREVENT A CHIMNEY FIRE IN YOUR HOME
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, all chimneys, fireplaces and vents should be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits and correct clearances. Even if you don't use your chimney often, animals may build nests in the flue or there may be other types of deterioration that could make the chimney unsafe to use. Public Safety encourages you to take this step in fire prevention to keep you and your loved ones safe.
PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
For information regarding sanitary and storm sewer cured-in-place pipe work, DTE gas main renewal project areas and recently approved 2020 spring street projects, please visit our
construction webpage.
WINTER WEATHER INFORMATION
This winter has been more mild than usual, but that doesn’t mean Mother Nature won’t hit us with a couple snowstorms before the season is over. Visit our
Street/Sidewalk Winter Plowing webpage to learn more about our operations, priority road routes, how to avoid the second shovel and much more.
You can additionally prepare for inclement weather by reading our news articles on how to
prevent your pipes from freezing and what to do before, during and after a
power outage.
SPECTRUM HEALTH – BLODGETT HOSPITAL UPDATE
The EGR Planning Commission unanimously approved a recommendation to the City Commission to accept Blodgett’s revised site plan with conditions. It is anticipated that the City Commission will consider a variance and revised site plan at the March 16 City Commission Meeting. To view additional information pertaining to this project, please follow the
Blodgett Hospital Construction link also located on the City website home page as well as the
Planning Commission documents page.
FEEDBACK REQUESTED: 2045 METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN
The Grand Valley Metropolitan Council has completed a draft of the 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan, which includes transportation projects and investment priorities for all modes of transportation in Kent and eastern Ottawa Counties for the next 25 years. The document is open for public comment through March 2 and can be found in three portions at
gvmc.org/mtp.
A public meeting will also be held on Monday, February 10, at 5:30 pm at Rapid Central Station, 250 Grandville Ave SW, to discuss the document and take comments in person.
KENT COUNTY RECYCLING INFORMATION
The Kent County Department of Public Works Recycling & Education Center is scheduling upgrades to improve its efficiency and quality by replacing the mechanical screens used to sort paper. The Recycling Center and Recycling Drop-Off stations will be temporarily closed between Friday, Feb. 21 and Monday, March 16. While the new equipment is being installed, the facility will be closed and unable to accept recycling materials for processing.
For additional information about the project and progress updates, visit
reimaginetrash.org or call the dedicated phone line at 616-632-7945.