CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE & FINANCE
ELECTION RESULTS
Thank you to everyone who participated in the presidential election earlier this week. Whether you voted in person or by absentee ballot, your votes were counted and transmitted securely. Our teams processed 7,886 ballots on election day, including almost 5,600 absentee ballots (71% of the ballots cast). An unprecedented 92% of active East Grand Rapids voters voted on Nov. 3.
While results will not be officially certified by the Kent County Board of Canvassers until later this month, you can see preliminary unofficial results from East Grand Rapids precincts on our
website.
THANK YOU, ELECTION WORKERS
We’d like to extend a special thank you to all our precinct workers who helped ensure the presidential election was administered safely and efficiently: Ruth Bajema, Rob Barcelona, Betty Beck, Kathy Bego, Kathy Benoit, Angie Berg, Ann Berman, Mary Block, Jean Boebel, Connie Caruso, Christopher Caruso, Anita Cassetta, Kim Conover-Loar, Amy Conway, Gaylen Demarest, Catherine Frerichs, Ed Gray, Sam Helmrick, Mary Herndon, Susan Heynig, Bill Hill, Melinda Hoff, Cindy Humphries, Jo Kendall, Janet Koopman, Catherine Kriegbaum, Xristina Kuhlmann, Diane Lange, Don Levy, Steve Loar, Melissa Marsh, Pam Marshall, Alek Mizikar, Carol Ors, George Pawlowski, Teresa Potts, Wayne Potts, Phil Rewerts, Diane Ritzke, Deb Roper, Ginger Springer, Ron Springer, Jim Stanton, Nancy Steinbrecher, Marilyn Strickland, Vicki Whalen, Brad White, Deb Wilcoxson, Pat Wilson, Lisa Wolf and Maria Young.
Another thank you to our city clerk and front office staff members for their hard work not only on all three election days this year, but in the great preparation of each. Their invaluable dedication ensured every EGR vote counted. Using absentee ballots at this level drastically affected our preparation processes, but our team was on top of it every step of the way. Thank you, Karen Brower, Chris Berg, Robin Christoffersen, Jane Gray and Ann Berman.
RECYCLE YARD SIGNS
Don’t forget to recycle your yard signs! Bring all corrugated plastic signs to the Kent County Recycling Center drop-off area at
977 Wealthy St. SW during processing hours. Learn more about corrugated plastic and the process by watching the video below and visiting
reimaginetrash.org.
VETERANS DAY CLOSURE
Please note
City Hall will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. We extend a special thank you to all veterans, both past and present, for an unwavering commitment to defending our country and ensuring our freedom.
HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
The annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will look a little different this year. Stay tuned via our website and Facebook page for details as our team finalizes an alternative way to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season together safely.
COVID-19 RESOURCES & INFORMATION
As we see an increase in COVID-19 cases across the country, state and West Michigan, please note City Hall will continue following CDC and MDHHS guidelines. You can find resources and information at
eastgr.org/covid.
A NOTE FROM MAYOR FAVALE
Hello Friends and Neighbors,
This week, our community, nation and world wait patiently to hear the final election results from this past Tuesday. I would like to say thank you to all the election officials, clerks, judges and poll workers, both here in Michigan and across the country, that continue to work diligently to ensure each vote is counted.
Here in EGR, I would like to personally thank our wonderful City Clerk, Karen Brower, our amazing City Staff and all the dedicated volunteers that worked tirelessly to ensure another smooth election in East Grand Rapids. Thank you to Karen Brower and to everyone on her team for all the tremendous hard work, dedication and for a job well done!
The next
EGR Community Blood Drive will be held on Nov. 24 from 2 – 7 p.m. in the lower level of the Community Center. Each donation will be screened for COVID-19 antibodies and results will be reported to you within two weeks of your donation.
Sign up today!
I continue to hold office hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Please reach out via email at
kfavale@eastgr.org or phone at 616.949.2110 x 887 to schedule an appointment.
I look forward to meeting with you!
All the best,
Katie
PUBLIC SAFETY
#9PMROUTINE
To help remind residents to lock all doors — vehicle, house and garage — and prevent theft, we’re inviting residents to adopt our #9PMRoutine campaign. Set an alarm on your phone or clock for 9 p.m. (or another time most convenient to you) each evening to help remind you to check that all your items have been brought inside, your doors are locked and your lights are on.
These simple steps will make a drastic difference in the number of larcenies that take place in EGR, as most are due to unlocked doors. Remember, you are your first line of defense.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION
October was a busy month for our Public Safety Department! Thank you to all those who attended its Community Engagement Session and Annual Open House, as well as participated in National Drug Take Back Day. Our department is committed to having important conversations and building relationships in the community — stay tuned for opportunities to get involved in the new year.
PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTRUCTION IN EGR
You can always visit
eastgr.org/construction for weekly project updates.
MOBILITY/BICYCLE ACTION PLAN UPDATE
Thank you to those who provided feedback for our recent Mobility/Bicycle Action Plan demonstration. If you drove/walked/biked through the demonstration but have not yet completed the
survey, you can still do so until Nov. 11. Stay tuned for more opportunities to voice your thoughts and experiences.
We continue to work with
Progressive AE and
Aligned Planning as we develop this plan, which will inform future funding decisions. To learn more, please visit
eastgr.org/2020mobilityplan. If you have any questions, call Public Works at 616.940.4817.
HALL STREET PROJECT
The cities of East Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids have secured federal grant funding for a collaborative rotomill and resurfacing project on Hall Street from Plymouth Road to Lake Drive. The project was approved in the regional Transportation Improvement Plan through our metropolitan planning organization, the Grand Valley Metro Council. This project is slated for summer 2021 and may incorporate an aspect from our Mobility/Bicycle Action Plan.
Throughout the week of Nov. 16-20, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the City will have sets of plans available for review in the lower level of the Community Center. In a “rolling open house” fashion, small groups of citizens are welcome to visit City Hall to view these plans, complete comment/question cards and ask questions in person. Masks, physical distancing and adherence to facility entrance questionnaire will be required. Engineering consultants will also be present throughout the week. Drafted plans, project support materials and comment/question cards will additionally be made available on the City website for remote view and engagement from Nov.16-20.
Learn more about this project by reading our
latest news article. Please contact us at 616.940.4817 with any questions. Stay tuned for updates!
FALL LEAF PICKUP
Fall leaf pickup is underway and ends the week of Dec. 7. During fall leaf season, leaves may be placed out without being placed in containers. Leaves should be placed along or in the street without obstructing the traveled portion of the roadway and away from storm sewer catch basins. During peak pickup times crews may not pickup leaves on regular pickup days. Your patience and understanding are appreciated. Please view
yard waste rules and regulations on our website.
WINTER MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS
As winter approaches, please review the city’s plowing regulations, plowing routes and how to avoid the “second shovel” on our
Street/Sidewalk Winter Plowing webpage.
PRIVATE SNOWPLOW CONTRACTORS
Snowplow contractors hired by residents and businesses must be licensed with the City and adhere to the following regulations. Snow shall NOT be deposited:
- In the street or in public sidewalks
- Behind the curb (or where curbs do not exist, off the traveled portion of the roadway) along the same side of the street as the driveway being plowed
- Across the street from the driveway being plowed
- Around fire hydrants
Licenses may be obtained through the Finance Department. Complaints/concerns with respect to private snowplow contractors may be directed to Public Safety by calling 616.949.7010. Please provide as much detailed information as possible when reporting complaints, including the time and date, description of event, business name, plate number and photos or video if possible.
SHAKE YOUR MAILBOX BEFORE WINTER
Take this weekend’s uncharacteristically warm weather as an opportunity to check the condition of your mailbox and post. Over time, screws loosen and break and posts rot. If the mailbox moves when shaken, it and/or the post may not withstand winter snow plowing and should be repaired or replaced before winter. The most common reason a mailbox and/or post are damaged during the winter is not from physical contact with a plow, but their deteriorated condition in combination with the impact of snow being thrown from plows.
SPRING ZONING
Already thinking about all the projects you’ll have for your home come spring? Now’s the time to start planning for those projects so you can be ready to go when the snow clears. If you have any questions, visit our
Zoning webpage or contact Zoning Administrator Alek Mizikar at
amizikar@eastgr.org.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
SUPPORT OUR GASLIGHT VILLAGE BUSINESSES
Thank you to all those who have come out to (safely) support our business district during this challenging time. Please continue to visit Gaslight Village for everything you need from dining and shopping to real estate and physical and medical care.
As we approach the holidays, consider purchasing gifts locally.
Our businesses are dedicated to providing you safe experiences — if you’re uncomfortable visiting in-person, please give them a call for additional options and services. Visit
gogaslight.com for additional information.