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East Express | June 6, 2024

FINANCE & CITY ADMINISTRATION

2024 STREET AND SIDEWALK MILLAGE PROPOSAL
The City will ask voters to consider a 10-year millage to improve streets and sidewalks on the August ballot. Voters will consider a ballot question of 2.0 mills, which both renews the 1.7307 mills expiring with the 2024 tax levy and restores the 0.2693 mill lost because of Headlee rollbacks from the previous street and sidewalk millage, which was approved by voters in May 2015. 

Continued funding is needed to maintain current street and sidewalk conditions, as well as recover the rising costs of asphalt and construction expenses.

Learn more here.

CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS

Here are a few highlights from the June 3 City Commission meeting. The Commission approved the following for fiscal year 2024-25:

• A resolution adopting the budget and millage rates.
• A resolution adopting the fee schedule.
• A resolution adopting the water and sewer rates. 

View the full agenda here. 

The next City Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, June 17 at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. 

Community members can also watch the meeting live via the City’s YouTube channel and view minutes and agendas.

CLIMATE ACTION PLAN DISCUSSIONS

Join us for an insightful and interactive discussion on the City's Climate Action Plan. Learn about current emissions and gain insight into the strategy being developed to achieve a carbon-neutral future.

There will be two informational sessions Thursday, June 13 at the EGR Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE:

• Afternoon session: 1:30-2:30 p.m., Commission chambers
• Evening session: 5:30-7 p.m., room 101/102

This is a great opportunity for you to participate in the City's future and stay informed about our commitment to environmental sustainability and approach to mitigating climate change.

PARKS & RECREATION 

CONCERTS & MOVIES IN THE PARK

The Parks and Recreation Department has announced the lineups for both of its all-ages summertime entertainment series, Concerts and Movies in the Park.

The free events will be held at John Collins Park on select Monday and Friday evenings. Concerts in the Park will feature musical talent, while Movies in the Park will showcase movies for all ages. John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Drive SE, offers a beautiful setting overlooking Reeds Lake for both series. 

On six select Monday evenings in June and July, the Concert in the Park series will feature a variety of musical genres from 7-8:30 p.m. This year’s lineup is: 

• June 10 – Yacht Rocket
• June 17 – Rags and Riches
• June 24 – Coty Bouchard
• July 8 – St. Sinner Orchestra
• July 15 – On The Lash
• July 22 – Deerfield Run

Movies in the Park will take place on four Friday evenings, with each film beginning at sundown. This year’s movie lineup is: 

• June 14 – “Shazam”
• June 28 – “Barbie”
• July 12 – “Elemental”
• Aug. 2 – “Wonka (2023)”

FARMERS MARKET NOW OPEN

The inaugural Farmers Market season began today. The market offers residents and community members convenient access to fresh, local produce, baked goods and artisan goods throughout the summer. The market will be open Thursdays 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. through Aug. 29, except for the week of the Fourth of July.  

Vendors interested in participating in the Farmers Market can contact Market Manager Tracy Will at egrmarket@eastgr.org. Vendors pay either a $100 fee for the season or $15 per week for a space at the market. Vendors should plan to bring needed equipment for their space, including tents, tables, chairs and tablecloths. 

REEDS LAKE RUN, TRAIL BLAZER & TRIATHLON REGISTRATION OPEN
Registration for the June 22 Reeds Lake Run, July 4 EGR Community Foundation’s Trail Blazer and Sept. 7 Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon are now open. Click on the name of each event for details and to register. 

PUBLIC SAFETY

WELCOME, BIKE PATROL
Join us in welcoming (pictured left to right) Karen McBurney, Jillian Lobbezoo, Leo Malecic and Joe Korcek to our community this summer as part of Public Safety’s bike patrol. They will assist with traffic control, youth helmet and crosswalk safety education, and parking enforcement.
 
 If you see the patrol during community events, be sure to wave and say hello.

PUBLIC WORKS

TOUCH-A-TRUCK: THANK YOU
Public Works thanks all who participated in the annual Touch-a-Truck event May 23. Shout out to our friends at the Kent District Library – EGR branch for their collaboration in making this day educational, fun and special for all ages.

REVIEW ZONING ORDINANCES BEFORE RENOVATING

The City reminds residents to follow City ordinances and regulations when planning to install a fence, driveway or other home renovation project, as special permits may apply. 

View the City’s development guide here.

View and download zoning-related forms and applications here.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS 

LIONS & RABBITS CENTER FOR THE ARTS 
Get ready for an unforgettable evening as DJ AB sets the stage for the EGR After Dark market 5-11 p.m. tonight (June 6) in Gaslight Village. Coordinated by the City, Gaslight Village Business Association and the Lions and Rabbits Center for the Arts, this all-ages event will have something for everyone to enjoy.  

Experience the magic as DJ AB spins while you explore various strolling performance artists, from mesmerizing magicians to awe-inspiring acrobats. Make sure to also bring your shopping bags so you can take home treasures from a curated selection of vendors offering unique and innovative goods. From handcrafted jewelry to delectable treats, there's something to delight every taste.

EAST GRAND RAPIDS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
The East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation has released its You Did That! impact statement detailing all 50-plus classroom grants it funded in its record-setting 40^th-year anniversary. 

Additionally, the Foundation's Midsummer Ice Dream returns 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, July 17 at the EGR Middle School parking lot with free Kona Ice, face painting, sidewalk chalk and more.

REEDS LAKE TRAIL BLAZER: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Reeds Lake Trail Blazer 5k Run/Walk returns July 4. This holiday classic supports the East Grand Rapids Community Foundation, which seeks to improve the quality of life for EGR residents and visitors by supporting various projects including the Reeds Lake Trail wayfinding signage, Public Safety AED purchase and the Ramona Park historical marker, to name a few recent examples. 

To make this race a reality, volunteers are needed to help with setup, cleanup, water stations and more. 

Volunteer here.

GRAND VALLEY METRO COUNCIL
Each year, more than 40,000 people die in traffic crashes in the U.S. In the last five years, there have been an average of 61 traffic deaths per year in the GVMC region.

GVMC is working with local cities, villages, townships and Kent and Ottawa counties to develop a Regional Safety Action Plan. The vision is to reduce deaths and serious injuries from crashes on roads, sidewalks and bike lanes.

Click here to share your experience and identify locations that need safety improvements. Complete the survey to be entered in a drawing for one of several gift certificates!

KENT DISTRICT LIBRARY: EAST GRAND RAPIDS BRANCH 
KDL’s Summer Wonder runs through Aug. 9, with programs and prizes for all ages. See the full list of events here.

Some upcoming programs include:

• Cameron Zvara – 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 11: Join us for some fun with comedy magician and entertainer Cameron Zvara. Cameron's show is filled with mind-blowing magic, comedy, juggling, music and tons of audience participation. For all ages and held at John Collins Park, weather permitting.
• Landscape Painting for Teens – 2-3 p.m. Thursday, June 13: Explore acrylic painting through making your own landscape art. Follow along step-by-step or do your own thing. Space is limited and on a first come, first served basis. 
• John Ball Zoo’s Travel Zoo – 2-3 p.m. Friday, June 14: John Ball Zoo is coming to KDL! Students will learn about wildlife conservation through interacting with live zoo animals in the comfort of the library. This program is designed for patrons ages 5-10.
• Nick Thomas Entertainment – 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 18: Get ready to laugh at this all-ages comedy, juggling and magic show. The show includes audience participation, world class juggling routines and a light-up LED juggling finale. This event will be held weather-permitting at John Collins Park.

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