Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed your holidays and are looking forward to the new year ahead.
Kicking off 2020, we will hold the first EGR Talk at Big Bob’s Pizza in Gaslight Village on Jan. 15 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Commissioners Karey Hamrick (Ward 2) and Kris Pachla (Ward 1) will be there with me and we would love for you to join us. Bring your comments and ideas, or just drop in and introduce yourself.
Also, starting this month, I will be holding regular office hours at the City Hall. If you have an idea, comment, suggestion or just want to chat, please drop in on Mondays from 12 – 5 p.m. or Wednesdays from 1 – 3 p.m. You are also welcome to schedule an appointment with me, if those hours do not work for you. You can call or email me at any time at 949.2110 x 887 or
kfavale@eastgr.org.
Again, happy 2020!
Katie
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 Jan. 11 and 25, 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.
SPORTS NIGHT OUT
Join us on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for sports, sports and more sports! You and your elementary school child will be in for a fun evening of games and challenges, including a photo booth and more.
Sign up by Jan. 10 to receive a $5 discount.
Couple R $40 NR $50 // Individual R $28 NR $38
PUBLIC WORKS
CHRISTMAS TREE & LEAF PICKUP
In addition to collecting Christmas trees, wreaths and other natural plant-based decorations, Public Works is also offering a special two-week leaf pickup following regular yard waste collection routes from Monday, Jan. 6 through Friday, Jan. 17.
Please note that the City is not able to collect trees, wreaths or other holiday decorations that have wire, ornaments, lights, etc. on them as the trees and wreaths are chipped/recycled.
This additional leaf pick up period will only take place under the following conditions:
- Leaves MUST be in paper bags or reusable containers — no loose leaves will be picked up.
- Leaves CANNOT be placed in the street during this time as they may be plowed under if/when the snow returns.
- Bags/containers should be kept in your garage or next to your house until your usual pickup date and then placed on the grass next to the street that morning. Do not leave bags or containers out by the road indefinitely as the bags disintegrate or the containers are knocked over if the plows are out plowing snow.
- If you have already raked leaves into the street, they will NOT be picked up. You will need to rake them into containers for them to be picked up.
Once this two-week period is over, there will be no yard waste pick up until early April as crews will be concentrating on snow removal, tree trimming and utility maintenance.
Additional information can be found on our
Refuse Collection webpage.
SPECTRUM HEALTH – BLODGETT HOSPITAL UPDATE
The EGR Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Jan. 14 at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers on the site plan revision application of Spectrum Health Hospitals for Blodgett Hospital. Spectrum Health-Blodgett Hospital received approval from the City Commission on May 7, 2018 for their initial site plan for improved wayfinding and parking and are now proposing a revision to that approved site plan. The Planning Commission may or may not make a recommendation to the City Commission at the conclusion of the public hearing. For further information, please contact the Public Works Administration Office at 616.940.4817.
LEAD & COPPER TESTING
The City completed lead and copper testing as required by EGLE for 2019. Testing results for the 90th percentile were 4 ppb (EGLE action level is 15 ppb) with no testing sites above the action level. Results in 2019 across water systems throughout the State may be different from previous testing due to a change in sample procedures by EGLE. EGR purchases water from the City of Grand Rapids that is treated with orthophosphates (protective pipe barrier coating) for corrosion control. EGR is proud to continue to provide safe and high-quality water to residents. To review testing results and consumer confidence report, please visit our
Water/Sewer Systems webpage.
CITY KNOCKS JOINT FACILITIES PROJECT OUT OF PARK
Did you know our Public Works and Parks & Recreation team members were able to score a drier playing field for our varsity softball players so they can participate in their season without worry of flooding? Read our
latest news article to learn more.
KENT COUNTY RECYCLING UPDATES
As of yesterday, Kent County will no longer accept shredded paper or plastic bags for recycling. To learn more and find out where you can recycle these items please visit the
Kent County’s Department of Public Works website.
RIGHT-OF-WAY TREE MAINTENANCE
Through the month of January, a City contractor will be performing tree pruning of public right-of-way trees as noted in the highlighted red streets on our
tree maintenance map. Public Works crews will also be performing tree maintenance trimming in the right-of-way adjacent to streets and sidewalks throughout winter months.
LGROW WINTER WATERSHED TIPS
Take a look at the
Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds’ tips to help protect our watershed throughout the winter season.
2019 REEDS LAKE WATER QUALITY REPORT
The 2019 Reeds Lake Water Quality Report and the GVMC-LGROW regional water quality repository, are now available on our
Environmental webpage.