CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE & FINANCE
JOIN US IN OUR SEARCH FOR A NEW CITY MANAGER
Want to meet the six candidates that will be interviewed by City staff and our commissioners? Join us for a virtual meet and greet on
Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 7 - 9 p.m. Each candidate will have 20 minutes to introduce themselves and then answer questions. In a webinar fashion, Mayor Favale will facilitate the conversation by asking each candidate questions posted in the Google Meet chat. Participants will be able to see the candidates and Mayor Favale but they will not be able to see you. The Google Meet link and details on each of the candidates as well as their resumes can be found at
eastgr.org/citymanager.
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You can also voice your thoughts on qualities you’d like to see in our next city manager by completing our
community survey through Dec. 6.
COVID-19 RESOURCES & INFORMATION
As we continue to see an increase in COVID-19 cases across the country, state and West Michigan, City Hall will continue following state and local guidelines. As of Nov. 18, the Community Center is open for business-related activities only. You can find resources and more information at
eastgr.org/covid.
Additionally, the EGR COVID-19 Volunteer Task Force is up and running again ready to help residents and community members. Learn more about the program on our
website.
WINTER PROPERTY TAXES
Winter property taxes were billed Dec. 1 and are due Feb. 14. You can make a contactless payment online or by dropping it off in our secure drop box located in the front vestibule of City Hall any time before the due date. For more information, visit our
Property Taxes webpage.
BOARD OF REVIEW NOTICE
The East Grand Rapids Board of Review will be in session at 8 a.m. on Dec. 15, 2020 at City Hall, 750 Lakeside Dr, SE., for the purpose of correcting clerical errors and mutual mistakes of fact in the 2020 and 2019 assessment rolls as provided for under MCLA 211.53(b). The board may also consider 2017 through 2020 Principal Residence Exemption affidavits where no previous affidavit was filed or denied. Applications for Principal Residence Exemption Affidavits must be completed prior to the Board meeting and must include an accurately filed Principal Residence Exemption Affidavit and a cover letter explaining why they qualify.
The City does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access, or treatment in its programs or activities. Please call 616.949.2110 to coordinate compliance with the non-discrimination requirements contained in Section 35.107 of the Department of Justice regulations. Requests for accommodation under the ADA should be addressed to the Assessor, preferably at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
BLOOD DRIVE
The best gift you can give this holiday season? A blood donation to those in desperate need. The next community blood drive will take place Dec. 21- 23 in room 105 of the Community Center.
Please sign up by appointment by selecting one of the dates below. All donors will receive a $10 e-gift card.
MAKE A SHORTCUT TO THE CITY WEBSITE ON YOUR PHONE
Did you know you can quickly and easily make short cuts on your smart phone to any website? Stay informed by adding our mobile-friendly website to your home screen! You’ll be able to access everything you need at the touch of a finger. Here’s how:
- Using your web browser, visit eastgr.org and select the menu icon. It’s the three dots in the upper right corner.
- When presented with various sharing options, select “Add to Home Screen.”
- When prompted, provide a name for your shortcut and select “Add.”
- Close out of your browser and you’ll see your shortcut to the City website on your home screen.
PUBLIC SAFETY
DEPARTMENT SEEKS COMMUNITY’S HELP FOLLOWING WEEKEND INCIDENT
The East Grand Rapids Public Safety Department is investigating an incident that took place Friday, Nov. 27 at the high school track. A 22-year-old female reported being assaulted by two males between 7:20 and 7:45 p.m.
One of the males was wearing dark clothing, possibly a black zip up hoodie, white shoes and a dark face covering that concealed most of his face. There is no description of the second male.
An unidentified witness was in the area during this incident. This witness or anyone with information about this incident is asked to call East Grand Rapids Public Safety at 616.949.7010 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.
TOYS FOR TOTS
The Public Safety Department and our KDL branch are once again Toys for Tots drop-off sites! Bring new, unwrapped gifts to the Public Safety lobby through Dec. 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.
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STAY SAFE WHILE MAKING ONLINE PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS
If you're purchasing an item online through Craig's List, Facebook Marketplace etc. this holiday season, please feel free to make transactions in the Community Center parking lot which is in front of Public Safety. While these websites are a great place to find interesting merchandise and a good deal, we urge you to proceed with caution.
FRAUD SEASON
With the holiday season comes annual traditions, quality time with loved ones, plenty of shopping – and, unfortunately, people looking to take advantage of others.
EGR Public Safety reminds residents to never disclose personal information such as Social Security and credit card numbers over the phone — no matter how convincing a story may be.
Learn more.
MAKE SAFETY #1 THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
When referring to safety in 2020, we think COVID-19 and our health. However, there are still plenty of other things to keep top of mind while celebrating this holiday season. Our Public Safety Department has a few tips on fire prevention, cooking best practices and preparing for winter weather on our
website.
#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.
PARKS & RECREATION
COVID-19 UPDATE
Learn the latest on Parks & Rec. programming, playgrounds, public restrooms and pools at
eastgr.org/covid.
PUBLIC WORKS
CONSTRUCTION IN EGR
You can always visit
eastgr.org/construction for weekly project updates.
MOBILITY/BICYCLE ACTION PLAN UPDATE
We continue to work with
Progressive AE and
Aligned Planning as we develop this plan to provide a vision for future investments and opportunities for our transportation network. With public engagement sessions and surveys conducted throughout the summer and into the fall a draft plan is near completion. Additional engagement and input will be sought in the near future. 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 in the summer of 2021.
Until Monday, Dec. 14, the City has plans available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for residents and community members to 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. Several virtual Zoom meetings have also been held to date to cover initial draft plans and to engage residents.
Draft plans, project support materials and comment/question cards are also available on the City website for remote view and engagement during this time period as well.
Feedback received will help shape additional options for the City Commission to consider at the Dec. 21 meeting. Feedback is welcomed and will continue to help staff and consultants shape potential alternative options.
Visit
eastgr.org/HallStreet for information including plan options and another virtual Zoom meeting opportunity. Please contact the City at 616.940.4817 with any questions.
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FALL LEAF PICKUP
Fall leaf pickup will end next week, Dec. 7-11. Please place all leaves along or in the street (without obstructing the traveled portion of the roadway) by Monday to ensure all leaves are collected on time. You can view yard waste rules and regulations on our
Refuse Collection webpage.
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
Visit
eastgr.org/snowplow to learn about EGR’s snowplow contractor rules and regulations.
POLITICAL AND OTHER TEMPORARY YARD SIGNS
With election season now behind us, this is a reminder that temporary political signs must be removed from your yard within 30 days of election day. Throughout the year you are allowed up to three temporary signs in your yard. If it is a sign that involves an event (such as a political sign or a yard sign for your roofing company) it must be removed 30 days after the event has passed. There is no limit on the number of temporary signs you may have between Aug. 15 and Nov. 15.
Temporary wire frame signs cannot exceed six square feet in area and three feet in height. Temporary rigid frame signs cannot exceed 16 square feet in area and six feet in height.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
CHRISTMAS TREE SALE
Support EGR Athletics while purchasing your Christmas tree this season. Stop by Gerken Plaza before Dec. 12 to pick yours out:
- Weekdays: 5 – 8 p.m.
- Saturdays: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Sundays: Noon – 5 p.m.
Christmas tree curbside pickup by the Department of Public Works will take place Jan. 4-15. The route/pickup days are the same as the
regular yard waste pickup service.
DON’T JUST GO OUT, GO GASLIGHT!
Please support our business district this holiday season by shopping at and ordering takeout from our local retailers and restaurants. These are the businesses that support our schools, sports teams and overall community each year — now is the time for us to give back.
Gaslight Village is dedicated to providing you safe experiences. Following state and local health and safety guidelines, restaurants will be closed to indoor dining until Dec. 8. Learn which restaurants are currently open and their offerings at
gogaslight.com/covid.
SUPPORT THE EGRCF
Although Giving Tuesday has passed, there's still plenty of time to give to the East Grand Rapids Community Foundation, which serves as a catalyst to enhance the life of the residents in our community. This year alone, EGRCF projects helped keep you connected and informed of City happenings, assisted in your recreational activities during the pandemic and provided support to our Public Safety Department. Make your gift today at
egrcf.com/giving.
You can also support the EGRCF when purchasing items via Amazon. Simply select the EGRCF as your charity at
smile.amazon.com, at no cost to you, and Amazon will make a donation based on your purchases.
FROM THE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
We are giving thanks to our district and our community.
This fall, thanks to the enormously hard work of our teachers, staff, and administrators, our schools have been able to offer nearly a full semester of both in-person and virtual learning. That would not have been possible without the generosity of donors to the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation.
In the 2020-2021 school year, the Foundation, thanks to its donors, will contribute more than $870,000 to our schools. That includes more than $490,000 raised by our community in last summer’s One East campaign. One East will fund $293,500 in support for in-person learners and $164,000 in support for virtual learners. As we’ve learned, both are vital to our children’s education.
If you’d like to be a part of this unprecedented effort, there’s still time. You can visit the
We Are Giving Thanks page on our website to see a card we sent out to some of our supporters, or visit our
donation page to join nearly one thousand of your friends and neighbors who are helping our school district provide a range of educational opportunities for all our students.