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East Express | May 5, 2022



YOU CAN HELP SHAPE OUR FUTURE
COMMUNITY INPUT OPEN HOUSES

We’re continuing our input open houses for parks millage and mobility improvements as well as other community initiatives. They will feature several stations around the room focusing on various projects. The open houses will take place 6-7 p.m. at the Community Center on the following Mondays: 

  • May 9: 6-7 p.m. at City Hall. Topics: Dog park, Manhattan Park trails, traffic/mobility plan projects, playground replacement process
  • May 23: 6-7 p.m. at City Hall. Topics: Playground replacement process, construction projects, composting program, Public Safety programs
  • June 13: 6-7 p.m. at City Hall. Topics: TBD 

  • June 27: 6-7 p.m. at City Hall. Topics: TBD

Please join us for as many sessions as you can. Specific topics for each open house and dates for future input sessions will be provided in the East Express. We won’t be mailing notices for each input session, so you’ll want to sign up for our e-newsletter at www.eastgr.org/signup.


PARKS & RECREATION

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENTS

As proposed in the Parks Improvement Millage approved by voters last November, the City is working with the EGR School District to replace the playground equipment at the three elementary schools. As part of this process, a community input session will be held at each elementary school to gather input from parents, caregivers, and other playground users. 

  • Lakeside Elementary: Tuesday, May 17, 6:30 pm.
  • Wealthy Elementary: Thursday, May 19, 6:30 p.m.
  • Breton Elementary: Tuesday, May 24, 6:30 p.m.

Our playground consultant, MCSA Group, is also collecting input via an online survey. If you haven’t received a survey link from your school building yet, you can take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/egrplaygrounds (please take the survey only once).

The survey will be active through May 30, 2022. After that date, MCSA will use the feedback received from community members to design three concept plans for each elementary school playground. Additional sessions will be held in late summer to gather feedback on the preliminary designs.

REGISTER FOR SUMMER PROGRAMMING

Don't forget to register for summer programming, including learn-to-swim classes and private swim lessons. View the summer program guide for details.

CITY MANAGER & FINANCE DEPARTMENT

APPLY FOR AN ADVISORY BOARD

The City Commission is assisted by several appointed advisory boards. If you're interested in serving on the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Library Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission, Board of Review or the EGR Community Foundation, fill out an online application to express your interest. We're currently accepting applications until May 15 for appointments beginning on July 1. Learn more about each board and apply online on our website.

MAY 16 CITY COMMISSION MEETING

To accommodate the middle school orchestra concert, the City Commission meeting on May 16 will begin at 5:30 p.m. instead of the usual 6 p.m.

NEW VOTER IDENTIFICATION CARDS

The City will be mailing new voter registration cards to all registered voters in the next few weeks. This is required due to the renumbering of the legislative districts following the last Census redistricting. Voters don't need to take any action unless the information on the card is not correct. Call our office at 949-2110 with questions.


PUBLIC SAFETY

Prescription drugs

NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY

We’re pleased to report that 170 pounds of prescription medication was collected at the annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 29 at the Public Safety Department. The drugs will be incinerated to avoid groundwater contamination and to keep the medications from falling into the wrong hands or being accidentally ingested.

If you missed the event, the Public Safety Department has a permanent drop box in their lobby that’s available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for anyone to drop off medications.

PUBLIC WORKS

Public Works: Ready and Resilient. National Public Works Week May 15-21, 2022

NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK EVENT

May 15-21 is recognized by the American Public Works Association (APWA) as National Public Works Week. The EGR Department of Public Works will be partnering with the EGR Kent District Library Branch on May 19 for a story time at 10 a.m. followed by “touch a truck” in the parking lot north of the library at the municipal complex until noon.  

The theme for this year is "Ready and Resilient," which highlights the ability of Public Works professionals to perform their regular duties while being ready at a moment's notice to react as first responders during natural disasters. Public Works professionals keep communities strong by providing an infrastructure of services in transportation, water, wastewater and stormwater treatment, public buildings, parks and more.

Touch-a-Truck Event. May 19, 2022.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Street and sidewalk projects are underway for the 2022 construction season. To learn more about street, sidewalk and utility projects and to receive frequent updates, visit the construction updates webpage.

TREES AND SHRUBS: TRIMMING REMINDER 

City code prohibits trees and shrubs from obstructing public ways and clear vision areas. With spring upon us, residents are asked to ensure their trees and shrubs are clear from impeding over sidewalks. The required height for clearance over sidewalk is 10 feet. Clear vision areas at street corners may not have plant height in excess of 30 inches in 20-foot by 20-foot triangle areas adjacent to street corners. Properly maintaining trees and shrubs adjacent to sidewalks and streets helps keep pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists safe. 

Tree and shrub trimming

TALL GRASS

City code allows for a maximum height limit of grass at 5 inches.  

BOATS, TRAILERS AND RVs

Outdoor storage of boats, trailers and RVs is allowed for up to 72 hours on streets and driveways. Otherwise, they must be stored indoors or in a rear yard only. They also must be reasonably shielded from view. Not all properties are capable of accommodating such storage, so you may need offsite storage for your recreational unit.

TREE PLANTING PROGRAM MAINTENANCE

The City would like to remind residents who participated in the 50/50 tree planting program this past year that the trees need to be watered. Please reference the tree planting and maintenance guidelines that were sent along with the purchase of trees for additional care instructions.

MOBILITY/BIKE ACTION PLAN: DEMONSTRATION AND ENGAGEMENT PILOT

The Department of Public Works will be installing temporary bike route signs and pavement markings for two demonstration engagement pilot project areas on Alexander Road from the west City limit to Plymouth Road and York Drive/Lake Grove Avenue from Berwyck Road to Lake Drive in May-June. Read more about the Mobility Bike Action Plan here.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS 

WEALTHY ELEMENTARY WIZARD WALK

Just a heads up that the students at Wealthy Elementary will be participating in their annual fundraising event called the Wizard Walk from Wealthy School east around the high school and back. Students and parents will leave the school at about 1:30 pm today. Please drive carefully and give them a friendly honk and a wave if you see them.

E-GREEN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

The E-GReen Sustainability Initiative presents an Electronic Waste & Foam Packaging Recycling event on Saturday, May 14 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the EGR Public Works building at 2310 Reeds Lake Blvd. You can bring small appliances, printers, computers, laptops, cellphones, VCR/DVD players, video games, miscellaneous wire or anything with a plug. Also accepting #6 block-style and #6 food-grade expanded polystyrene. CRTVs or monitors will not be accepted. See E-GReen's Facebook event for more details. 


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