Tag Archives: Jack Poll

In 2020, residents came together in a challenging year, according to Wyoming mayor

January 19, 20213-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming2020, Ideal Park, Jack PollJoanne

Mayor Jack Poll gave his 12th State of the City address on Monday, Jan. 18, during the City Council meeting. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

If there was a word for 2020 it would be collaboration, said Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll as he presented his 12th State of the City address at the City Council’s Jan. 18 meeting.

Through the annual address, Poll reflects on the past year while taking a look at the future.

“We did not see 2020 coming,” Poll said. “No one did.”

But despite the challenges faced by many, the residents of the City of Wyoming came together to help each other.

“Our community stepped up together,” he said. “I could spend an entire evening highlighting the ways in which we worked collaboratively to overcome challenges and create a brighter future for all who live, work and play here in Wyoming.”

As the state went into lockdown, businesses were forced to close their doors — some permanently — and employees who could worked remotely did. But cities like Wyoming, Poll noted, are not able to shutdown and the Wyoming City staff “without missing a beat” developed a response plan to ensure the safety of residents, business, and visitors.

Due to social distancing, many activities did not take place and others were moved to virtual. More than 2,400 people participated in virtual programs, Poll said, adding that the Wyoming Senior Center staff has worked with Senior Meals on Wheels to prove more than 6,800 senior meals and in a drive-thru format for personal care items.

Poll noted a number of other successes:

More than 78 percent of the residents self-responded to the U.S. Census, which was nearly a six percent increase over the 2010 U.S. Census. Through in-person follow-up, the city had a 100 percent participation once the 2020 U.S. Census was completed.

At the November presidential election, 65 percent of the registered voters in Wyoming cast ballots with more than half of these ballots being absentee. That is a 420 percent increase in absentee voting over the last presidential election.

The city’s Department of Public Works added more than a mile of new waterman in two separate projects and repaired more than 40 waterman breaks including repairng a major water transmission line in just nine days so that more than 230,000 West Michigan residents could receive clean water.

One of the highlights for 2020 was the grand re-opening of Ideal Park. (WKTV)

In 2020, the city issued more than 580 building permits at a value of more than $105 million in construction.

The Wyoming Planning Commission reviewed more than 40 projects such as the new residential development with multiple buildings to businesses near Burlingame and 60th Street and another new resident developments that included the addition of single family, multi-family and dedicated senior living homes.

Restoration of the Burlingame water tanks

More than 14 miles of streets were resurfaced.

The city celebrated the grand re-opening of Ideal Park and began construction work to improve Jackson Park.

The city invested more than $663,000 in Community Block Grant funding with more than $140,000 spent on housing rehabilitation programs and support services and $79,000 spent on additional public services to prevent homelessness.

The Wyoming Housing Commission participated in a venture with developers to help complete applications to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority which lead to the Housing Commission passing eight resolutions to help increase affordable housing options in Wyoming.

The Department of Public Safety assisted the City of Grand Rapids during several protests. The police responded to 28,500 calls for service and fire responded to about 6,500 calls for service in 2020. Public Safety also responded to 900 calls for confirmed or suspected cases of COVID.

As the city looks toward the future, Poll said the city will have to consider how to maintain its current financial stability.

“Today, our city is in a solid financial place, but we cannot rest on those laurels nor rely on this to continue to grow,” Poll said. “We have to anticipate our future growth and the corresponding future needs of our community.”

Wyoming must continue to address its community needs, such as the staffing of the Department of Public Safety which is understaffed compared to other similar sized communities, Poll said.

“The council and I will be working with city staff to evaluate financial options we hope to bring to residents for review in the coming months,” Poll said.

Poll said there are many exciting events set to take place in 2021:

The hiring of the city’s next deputy city manager

Working with local developers and continuing to identify the right tenant for the Site 36 property.

Additional retail development along 28 West as the city welcomes nearly 400 new residential units on the site for the former Studio 28

Approving the city’s new master plan

Continuing to work with the cities of Kentwood and Grand Rapids and The Rapid in the Division United study to help the growth of the Division Avenue corridor.

Poll encouraged residents to get involved and mentioned that there were openings on several of the city’s boards and commissions such as development, community enrichment and others.

“Let’s make 2021 a year where we ll are commit to be involved and be informed,” Poll said.

Mayor Poll’s state of the city address set for Monday

January 15, 20213-bottom, City of WyomingJack Poll, State of the City, WyomingJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Wyoming City Mayor Jack Poll is set to give his State of the City address at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18.

Mayor Jack Poll is set to present his State of the City address on Monday. (WKTV)

Poll will be presenting his address during the city’s Council Meeting, which can be viewed on WKTV Channel 26 or livestreamed on WKTV.org or the WKTV Community Media Facebook page.

The annual State of the City address will reflect on the past year while taking a look at the future.

For more information, visit www.wyomingmi.gov.

Wyoming Christmas Greetings

December 22, 20183-bottomChristmas Greetings, City of Wyoming, Jack PollJoanne

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

At the Wyomig Gives Back event held on Dec. 7, several city officials and community members stopped by the WKTV booth to record a personal Christmas Greeting. The greetings have been airing on WKTV. Here is the complete line up:

Mayor Jack Poll

City Manager Curtis Holt

Brian Bennett
Deputy Director of Wyoming’s Fire Services

Marcy Schaller’s Daughter
Wyoming Department of Public Safety

Krashawn Martin
Special Events and Marketing Planner, City of Wyoming

Emily VandeGriend and family
Employee, City of Wyoming

Jim Ward
Wyoming Tree Commission

Bob O’Callaghan
President/CEO, Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce

Wyoming High School Jazz Band

Godwin Heights High School Choir

Lillian VanderVeen

Jesus

Lizzy and Natalie

Yelie

Malcom

Dolly

LaMar

Aaliyah

Tyrian

Serida

Shawn and Friends

Dinorah

Katherine and Family

Franchely

Esther and Family

Abraham Family

Michelle and Family

Eva Aguirre Cooper
Community Affairs, WOOD-TV8

We the People: City of Wyoming Council Candidates

October 25, 20183-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming1st Ward, City of Wyoming, Jack Poll, Ken Vanderwood, Pete Rickertson, Sam Bolt, Sheldon DeKryger, Wyoming City CouncilJoanne

WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

For the Wyoming City Council, there is only one seat contested out of the four seats on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Mayor Jack Poll is seeking his third term as the city’s mayor. He is running unopposed for the seat. Also running unopposed are Sam Bolt and Kent Vanderwood, both who are seeking re-election as council members at large.

For the city’s 1st Ward Councilor seat, incumbent Sheldon DeKryger will face candidate Pete Rickertson. DeKryger was appointed in March to fill the 1st Ward seat when longtime council member Bill VerHulst announced he would not be seeking re-election and stepped down from the council due to health concerns.

The city’s 1st Ward Wyoming’s encompasses Precincts 1 – 9. That area covers most of the eastern edge of the city which is Clyde Park Avenue to Eastern Avenue north of 36th Street and from Burlingame Avenue to Eastern Avenue south of 36th Street.

Sheldon DeKryger – Incumbent

Occupation: Residential home builder

Why did you decide to run for the Wyoming City Council Ward 1 seat?

My wife and I believe in servant leadership, that is why our family has spent the last 20 years serving others in our community, school, and church. I believe the next step in serving my community is being the people’s voice on the Wyoming City Council. That is why when Bill Verhulst retired I applied for the position and was appointed last March. I would like to continue the great work the City is doing now.

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?

Public Safety- I believe the Police and Fire departments need the tools and equipment necessary to do their jobs. The city needs to maintain the current funding levels to keep our community safe and protected.

Pro Business- I want to work on getting good manufacturing businesses in the Site 36 property. It would bring in hundreds of well paying jobs and be great for our city.

Financial Sustainability – I believe the city needs to live within its means. We also need to keep taxes low and bring funds back to our city from Lansing.

Pete Ricketson – Candidate

Occupation: Bus Driver

Why did decide to seek election to the Wyoming City Council Ward 1 seat?

Well for one thing, I saw how the city council influenced things with The Rapids. I see how things could be for public transportation and how as I looked into the city, I was appalled to see thousands of dollars being wasted. The majority are putting there own interested above the people who elected them. For that reason, I believe there is a huge disconnect between the actions of the city council and the will of the people.

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?

I think we need to overhaul how we use our resources as a city, stopping unnecessary spending. I would like to see us bring back things for our community such as the Fourth of July parade or perhaps, create a Taste of Wyoming at Lamar Park.

Wyoming celebrates grand opening of Ferrand Park

August 22, 20183-bottom, City of WyomingCity of Wyoming, Ferrand Park, Jack Poll, Parks and Recreation Commission, Rebecca RynbrandtJoanne

By Krashawn Martin

City of Wyoming

After almost six months of closure, the City of Wyoming is excited to re-open Ferrand Park, 4715 Byron Center Ave., on Saturday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m. The community and neighborhood is encouraged to join the Mayor, City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission in celebrating the renovations.

Two new features at Ferrand Park is the green half-circle seesaw and the dragonfly seesaw.

The new park features new and expanded play equipment, including swings, custom powerscape playground structure, and dragonfly see saw. There are also universally ADA accessible walkways, improved turf conditions and a picnic shelter.

“The City of Wyoming and Parks and Recreation Commission are pleased to celebrate the grand opening of Ferrand Park,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, Director of Community Services. “We pride ourselves on excellent facilities and know that the improved accessibility of Ferrand will be a great asset to the families of our community.”

Ferrand Park is a small neighborhood park with a shady oak canopy. It also serves as a storm water collection area during large rains. The tree canopy is protected by a deed restriction that prohibits the removal of any trees unless dead or unsafe.

The grand opening celebration will feature Mayor Jack Poll and Parks and Recreation commissioner Doug Wustman.

The construction project, valued at $419,750, is made possible by the Capital Projects Revolving Fund and the Parks and Recreation Operational Millage.

Snapshots: Wyoming and Kentwood news you need to know

July 24, 20183-bottom, Citizen JournalismAugust Primary Election, Charlie Kormanik, City of Kentwood, Gerald R. Ford International Airport, GFIA, Jack Poll, Kent County Commission, Mamma Mia!, The Crane Wives, Volunteer of the Year, WKTVJoanne

WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

"Don't ever question the value of volunteers. Noah's Ark was built by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals."  - Dave Gynn, an engineer out of the San Francisco Bay area.

A BIG Thanks

WKTV Volunteer of the Year was Charlie Kormanik

And WKTV values its volunteers, this year hosting a Brazilian-style barbecue at Johnson Park.

This year’s Volunteer of the Year was Charlie Kormanik who had more than 300 volunteer hours. Charlie travels almost 80 miles, one-way, from St. Joseph, Michigan, to participate in a number of WKTV programs. Thanks Charlie and to all our volunteers for another wonderful year. To see all the volunteers who were recognized at this year’s picnic, click here. To become volunteer, call 616-261-5700.

Song spinners

After making recent tour stops throughout the country, the band will be returning home to play at the Kentwood Summer Concert Series this Thursday.

Show time is set for 7p.m. at the lawn next to the Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. Click here for more.

Who’s counting?

After reporting the busiest June ever in its history, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport has 1,406,644 more to go to hit the three million passenger mark. At the rate things are going, we expect GFIA to land that goal soon. For more on the story, click here.

Be Involved and be informed

Stealing Mayor Jack Poll’s closing line for every Wyoming City Council meeting, WKTV reminds residents that the upcoming primary is Aug. 7 and there are a number of candidates seeking their party’s spot for the general election. In the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, there are two Kent County Commission races, two Republicans for the 8th District and four Democratic in the 12th District. For more, click here.

And today’s fun fact:

400

That is the number of meters of Lycra (an elastic polyurethane fiber or fabric) needed to make the costumes for the "Super Trooper" scene in the ABBA-inspired "Mamma Mia!" Don't believe us? Then check out the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre production this February and see for yourself.

Wyoming City Council hosts second on-the-road meeting, discuss roads, master plan

July 6, 20183-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming56th Street, City of Wyoming, Jack Poll, master plan, Rebecca Rynbrandt, road projects, Team 21Joanne

The Wyoming City Council prepares for the meeting at Del-Mar Community Center

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

For this first time in his council career, Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll walked to the council meeting.

The meeting was the second council-on-the-road one for the Wyoming City Council which was at the Del-Mar Community Room, the subdivision Poll lives in. The last on-the-road summer meeting is Aug. 6 at Oriole Park.

Community members filled the Del-Mar Community Room and thanked the council for bringing the meeting to the residents.

Poll said staff worked to bring subjects to the meetings that would be important to the residents of the southwest area. This meeting included discussion on the city’s master plan, upcoming road projects, and the TEAM 21 program.

City of Wyoming’s Principal Planner Nicole Hofer

Master Plan

So what will the City of Wyoming look like in the future? This was the question that the Wyoming City Council, staff, and residents will be asked to consider as the city begins the process to review and update its current master plan.

“Ultimately, a master plan helps to define our future vision, our economic development opportunities, what housing will look like in our city, what transportation we will have,” said the city’s new principal planner Nicole Hofert. “Will we have busing? Will we continue with cars? Will we integrate bike lanes? It is about land use.”

The city’s current master plan was adopted in 2006 with the plan projected out to 2020. The city has done periodic updates on the plan but with 2020 only a few years away, the time is now for the city to look ahead at the next 20 years.

Hofert said a lot has happened within the city since the master plan was first adopted. This has included the adoption of a form base code, the discussion of affordable housing, and looking at the city’s industrial sites. Also, the City of Grand Rapids has had tremendous growth and the city needs to consider how that impacts the Wyoming community, she said.

The review process is expected to take about 14-16 months with the goal of getting the community involved as much as possible. This includes hosting pop up events, utilizing social media, and attending community activities such as school homecomings to interact with residents and collect as much input as possible. The next step in the process will be to create a request for proposals to send it out to potential consultants for the master plan update, Hofert said.

Welcome sign at the Del-Mar Community Center

Road Projects

Wyoming Department of Public Works Director Bill Dooley spoke about the road work that will be taking place in the City of Wyoming. The Wyoming City Council approved a bid of around $4 million for the city’s resurfacing projects. The bid was awarded to Michigan Paving and Materials Company.

Dooley said the city has 650 miles of lane roads. The lifespan of a road depends on use with most being about 25-30 years with roads that have high traffic such as truck traffic, being around 10 years. The city spends about $5.5 million annual on road projects with some of the money coming from the state’s gas tax.

Because the bids came in 22 percent higher than last year, a few roads were eliminated from the scope of the project. The increase cost is related to what oil prices are and asphalt is made from oil, Dooley said.

Poll noted that because last year bids came in so low, the city did add on some roads so as to make its dollars go farther.

Dooley said that the remaining $1.5 million in roads was being used for the reconstruction of 56th Street between Byron Center and Ivanrest avenues and will include the addition of a new signal at Ivanrest and 56th. That project is scheduled to start on July 9 with the intersection being done in the fall, closer to the project’s completion.

Community members and city officials chat before the meeting

Team 21 program

The Wyoming City Council approved about $1.46 million for the city’s after school and summer program, TEAM 21.

The city partners with four school districts, Wyoming Public Schools, Kelloggsville Public Schools, Godfrey Lee Public Schools and Godwin Heights Public Schools to provide 15 TEAM 21 sites around the city. These sites support about 2,000 students. Wyoming Public Schools serves as the fiduciary agent for the program.

“These budget amendments actually recognize approximately $1.6 million that will come into the City of Wyoming, specifically to the operations of the parks and recreation service area in supporting and employing our site coordinators and our program administrative staff,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, the city’s director of community services.

This year, the city saw an increase in funding for the program, however; funding, which comes from the federal government, has been “more challenging” since the Trump administration has taken office, Rynbrandt said, adding the administration has zeroed out funding for these types of programs. Congress has been putting the funding back in when reviewing the budget, Rynbrandt said.

Next year, 10 sites are up for renewal. Because the city does not know its funding level until on or about July 1 and since there remains a question on funding for the future, Rynbrandt said city staff will be meeting with area superintendents to work on plans to make sure there is funding at least through the summer of 2019. She said she will be reporting at a later date on what those plans will be to accomplish that goal.

Wyoming City Council hires city’s first-ever in-house attorney

May 15, 20183-bottom, City of WyomingCity of Wyoming, Dickinson Wright PLLC., Jack Poll, Scott SmithJoanne

Scott G. Smith will be joining the city as its new attorney on July 1.

In a unanimous vote, the Wyoming City Council has hired Scott Smith as its city attorney during its May 14 meeting.

In this role, Smith will serve as the chief legal advisor to the City, responsible for providing legal services to the City Council, city manager, all departments, and City boards and commissions. He will render legal opinions, prepare contracts, ordinances, resolutions, leases and other documents, and assist in drafting proposed legislation on matters of interest to the City. He will defend the City in cases filed in all courts and assist with managing the hiring and work of outside attorneys retained to provide legal services to the City in various specialty areas. Smith will begin his duties on July 1.

With the hiring of Smith, the City will bring its legal services in-house for the first time in its history. Wyoming had previously contracted with Jack Sluiter and his firm Sluiter, Van Gessel & Carlson PC, who will continue to do project work. Sluiter has indicated his intention to slow down his practice as he prepares to retire.

“As Wyoming continues to grow and the nature of our work becomes more complex, we feel the time is right to bring legal services in-house,” said Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt. “We have long partnered with Scott Smith on innovative development projects, policy recommendations and other issues and have admired the depth and breadth of his knowledge on municipal matters.

“We have appreciated the fine work of Jack Sluiter and his legal team over the years. We look forward to building on that foundation and are delighted to welcome Scott to our team. We know having him contribute to our efforts on a daily basis will greatly benefit our City.”

Smith comes to the City with nearly four decades of municipal law experience, most recently with the firm Dickinson Wright PLLC. He has worked with dozens of public entities and authorities across Michigan, providing general counsel on municipal matters as well as special counsel regarding joint emergency services, brownfield and downtown development, local development financing, utilities, tax increment financing, district libraries and utilities.

He has been a part of several legislative workgroups, most recently serving on Lt. Gov. Brian Calley’s personal property tax legislative work group. He has also authored the municipal partnership act, 2011 PA 258, as well as amendments to other intergovernmental contract statutes, the brownfield redevelopment financing act, 1996 PA 381 and tax increment financing legislation such as 2018 PA 57.

“The City is on the brink of some exciting developments, and we need a strong internal team to get the work done,” said Mayor Jack Poll. “Scott has been a trusted advisor to the City for many years, and we know he will help us turn our vision into reality. He is thoughtful, innovative and an extremely strong collaborator.”

Smith earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and his bachelor’s from Wheaton College in Illinois. He is active in the community, serving in board capacities for Grandville Baptist Church, Wedgwood Christian Services, Lake Ann Camp and Freedom Baptist School.

He resides in Grandville with his wife, Mari, and has two sons who live nearby with their families. He and Mari are the proud grandparents of five, soon to be six, grandchildren.

Wyoming Director of Police and Fire Services James Carmody announces his retirement

February 5, 20183-bottom, City of WyomingChief James Carmody, City of Wyoming, Curtis Holt, Jack Poll, Wyoming Department of Public SafetyJoanne

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After an award-winning career spanning more than four decades, Wyoming Director of Police and Fire Services Chief James E. Carmody has announced his retirement, effective April 26.

Chief Carmody has served in his role since 2006, leading a team of nearly 130 full-time personnel, including 86 sworn police officers and 29 full-time firefighters. During his tenure with the department, he has built a strong foundation of community trust and led his team to serve and protect the public during natural disasters, organized crime and medical emergencies, among others. Carmody also developed innovative programs improving the department’s ability to address key issues, while bringing a hands-on approach to police services.

Under his leadership, the City of Wyoming:
·       Consolidated police and fire services into a single Department of Public Safety, improving efficiencies while expanding services and saving money
·       Worked to secure accreditation for the Department from the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, making Wyoming one of the few CALEA-certified departments in Michigan
·       Developed cross-training of City employees so they can serve as on-call firefighters, supplementing full-time firefighters as needs arose
·       Directed safety and recovery efforts during two tornadoes that did significant property damage in the City
·       Instituted a community policing model that placed officers in every Wyoming school every day of the school year in an effort to build relationships
·       Built stronger relationships with the business community by developing an after-hours program of checks and visits

“Chief Carmody has been a significant asset and leader not only within our City offices, but especially for our residents, whom he has built countless positive relationships with,” said Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt. “I’m deeply honored to have served with him for more than a decade and am incredibly proud of his accomplishments and contributions to improve Wyoming.

“Jim has become a personal friend as well over the years, and I know that I speak for all of us at the City in wishing him the best as he begins his next chapter.”

With more than four decades of law enforcement experience, Carmody began his career as a police officer in Port Huron in 1975, where he held positions of increasing responsibility – up to a major – until joining the City of Wyoming as chief. In 2013, he managed the development of a joint public safety department and was named public safety director with responsibilities for both police and fire services in Wyoming.

“The departure of Chief Carmody is tremendously bittersweet,” said Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll. “He has exemplified superb professionalism and leadership during his time here, while bringing an incredible amount of energy, passion and commitment to his profession, his City and his department.

“We wish him well as he transitions into his retirement and thank him for his remarkable service throughout the years.”

As it begins its search for Carmody’s replacement, the City plans to look first at internal candidates before expanding beyond the department.

In his letter to Wyoming’s City Council, Carmody wrote: “…I leave you with an organization that is at the top of its game. The police and fire services that are provided to the residents and visitors of the City of Wyoming are second to none. You have, without question, some of the very best public safety professionals who work extremely hard every day for you and the people of this City.”

During his career, Carmody has received multiples awards and recognitions for exemplary service. Most recently, Carmody was recognized as Michigan Police Chief of the Year in 2016 by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police.

Carmody received his bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and his master’s degree from the University of Michigan. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy, the Michigan Police Executive Development School and the Michigan Law Enforcement Leadership Institute.

Carmody has served as longtime assessor with CALEA, evaluating departments across the country and in Mexico. He has also served on Michigan District 5 MACP as executive board alternate representative. In 2017, he was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to serve on the Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission.

Carmody sits on the interview panel for Congressman Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, reviewing high school students who have applied for appointment to West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy and the nation’s other military service academies. In January 2016, Carmody represented the MACP and Michigan’s law enforcement community when he attended Pres. Barak Obama’s final State of the Union address in Washington, D.C.

A passionate advocate for law enforcement, he has taught several police executive training classes that focus on topics ranging from suicide prevention to officer-involved shootings.

Carmody and his wife, Ralene, will continue to make their home in Wyoming.

‘2017 was a busy year,’ Poll states as he announces his re-election bid

January 17, 20183-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of WyomingCity of Wyoming, Jack Poll, Sam Bolt, State of the CityJoanne

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

With such accomplishments as resurfacing more than 40 miles of roads, the approval of four new hotels, the opening of 28 West Place and the passage to open the library millage for park improvements, Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll said “How can I walk away from that?”

So in his State of the City address last night, Poll, the longest-serving mayor in the City of Wyoming’s history, officially announced that he would seek his fourth term as mayor.

“So therefore, if the residents desire that I continue as their mayor, I will be placing my name on the ballot in this year’s election year, to serve four additional years,” Poll said during the Monday night meeting.

Poll has served as the Wyoming mayor since 2009. Before that, he served on the Wyoming City Council from 2001-2005 and 2007-2009.

After the Jan. 15 meeting when Poll presented his State of the City Address, he said that he is considering retirement from his full-time job. Poll is pharmacist for Family Fare.

“So basically, during the next term, of the four years, I will be retired for about three of them, allowing me to be more of a full-time mayor attending more events for the city,” Poll said.

Also after the meeting, Mayor Pro-Tem and Council Member at Large Sam Bolt said he would be seeking his third term on the council.

“I still enjoy it,” Bolt said. Council Member at Large Kent Vanderwood, whose seat is also up for election this fall, was on vacation and did not attend the Jan. 15 meeting.

To a packed house of city officials and residents, which included Poll’s wife, Mary, and family members, Poll said he hoped to provide a “snapshot” of what has taken place in the city with his State of the City address, noting it has been “a very busy year.”

“This is a long list of accomplishments but it hardly scratches the surface when we consider all that city leaders and staff have done over the last year, primarily in collaboration with one another,” Poll said.

Highlights included:

• For infrastructure, the city completed two water main projects that total almost two miles of water main, resurfaced about 43 lane miles and added two miles of non motorized trails.

• For the water plant, which, according to Poll, continues to provide the highest quality water in the state, is looking to add a second Lake Michigan intake and a third transmission pipeline, expanding the plant’s capacity which will help the community to grow, Poll said.

• Parks and Recreation has focused on storm clean up and replacement of trees along with improvements at Palmer, Kelloggsvile, Lemery, and Pinery parks.

• The library milage allowed for new technology and LED lighting in the library and was opened by voter approval to allowed for park improvements for Ideal, Ferrand, Gezon and Jackson parks.

• The Planning Department has approved in 2017 four hotels, annexed 60 acres of industrial development, worked on the 28 West Place project and a number of other developments including The Havens. Inspections also approved permits for about $70 million new and renovated construction projects.

• The city also was able to implement a new medicare advantage prescription drug plan for retirees that will allow the city to reduce its longterm liability by $42 million.

Public Safety continues to make community outreach its main focus. Police officers logged 6,000 visits to local schools, 8,500 business contacts and 7,000 physical business checks. The police department also has instituted a cadet program to recruit students. On the fire side, staffing at station 3 and 4 has allowed response times to be cut in half along with there being training on speciality skills for water, ice and trench rescues. Also a partnership with Metro Health – University of Michigan Health has allowed for a helipad to be placed at Station 3.

“We are blessed with employees who are so highly respected in West Michigan, across the state and even at the federal level,” Poll said. “I have watched the skillful handling of tragedies both natural and produced, deep thinking and solving of situations that seemed impossible. I can stand here today and say, we made it through them all. Our city is better today because these trials have become victories that make Wyoming a beacon of bright light shining in West Michigan.”

For the complete speech, click here.

For 2018, Poll said the city will continue to work on those areas with a number of opportunities and challenges on the horizon.

“Above all these things, financial sustainability remains our top priority and biggest challenge we face,” Poll said. “The city council and I will continue to look for ways to insure that we can provide services at the highest level to our residents and businesses.”

Poll said while many things have been discussed, such as a millage increase and an income tax, city leaders “don’t know yet what the best solution is. However through all the ideas we proposed, we ask that you, our friends and neighbors, and the partners that come along beside us, give thoughtful consideration and examine all sides of the issues…

“The only way we will continue to be a city of vision and progress is if we work through these challenging times together.”

Wyoming’s VerHulst announces he will not run for re-election

January 11, 20183-bottom, City of Wyoming1st Ward Councilmember, Elections, Jack Poll, Kent Vanderwood, Sam Bolt, William VerHulstJoanne

Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

At the January Wyoming City Council work session this week, 1st Ward Councilmember William VerHulst announced he would not be seeking re-election this fall.

VerHulst said due to health issues, which caused him to miss the Jan. 2 meeting, he has made the decision to not run for his current seat. VerHulst has served as the city’s 1st Ward Councilmember since 1993.

Wyoming’s First Ward encompasses Precincts 1 – 9. That area covers most of the eastern edge of the city which is Clyde Park Avenue to Eastern Avenue north of 36th Street and from Burlingame Avenue to Eastern Avenue south of 36th Street.

Besides the 1st Ward Councilmember seat, seats also up for election will be the mayor’s, currently held by Jack Poll, and two council-member at large seats currently held by Kent Vanderwood and Sam Bolt. Bolt also is currently serving as mayor pro tem. Vanderwood and Bolt have not made any announcements on whether they will seek re-election. Mayor Jack Poll is expected to make an announcement on if he seeks to run for re-election at his State of the City Address set at the next council meeting Monday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW.

Those interested in running for any of the council or mayor seats need to file with the Wyoming City’s clerk office by 4 p.m. April 24. The clerk’s office is located in the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28^th St. SW. Candidate packets are available at the front desk.

The primary election is set for Aug. 7 and the general election is set for Nov. 6.

Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll to deliver State of the City address

January 11, 20183-bottom, Citizen JournalismCity of Wyoming, Jack Poll, State of the City Address, Wyoming City CouncilJoanne

The community is invited to attend Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll’s annual State of the City Address on Monday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. The Address will be delivered at the beginning of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting in the Council Chambers of Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28^th St. SW. Individuals who are unable to attend in person are invited to watch the Address on WKTV or stream it live at wktv.org.

Mayor Poll will give an overview of the City’s activities from 2017 and a preview of its initiatives for 2018. He is also expected to announce his future political plans, as his current term expires in November of this year. Prior to being elected mayor, Poll served on the Wyoming City Council from 2001-2005 and 2007-2009.

For more information, visit www.wyomingmi.gov or follow the City on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CityofWyoming. You can watch the the Wyoming City Council meeting live on WKTV Channel 26 and it is rebroadcast again at 7 p.m. on Fridays.

Wyoming resident steps down from city service after 45 years

September 28, 20173-bottom, City of WyomingCity of Wyoming, Jack Poll, Lyle Converse, Robson Department StoreJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

When Wyoming resident Lyle Converse received a letter of his pending reappointment to the city’s Officers Compensation Commission, it was then that he realized “I just wasn’t sure I could do another seven years.”

It was then that the 91-year-old decided to retire from public service having served on various city boards and commissions for 45 years.

“Well certainly on behalf of a very grateful city, thank you for your many years of service,” said Mayor Jack Poll during the Sept. 18 Wyoming City Council meeting where Converse was honored for his years of service. “As long as I have been mayor, I have always ended every letter that I sent out and other things to ‘be involved, be informed” and certainly you are the epitome of being involved and being informed.”

Lyle Converse when he ran for Wyomig City Council

Poll noted that Converse brought so much knowledge to the several boards he served which included the city’s Officers Compensation Commission, the Economic Development Corporation, the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and the Planning Commission.

“You have served our city wonderfully well but all good things have to come to an end,” Poll said. “Your years of service will always be remembered fondly and we appreciate everything you’ve done.”

For which Converse than received a standing ovation from the crowd. “I never get standing ovations and you were never mayor for crying out load,” Poll said with a chuckle to Converse.

“Well, I ran for the seat once,” Converse responded. It was through the urging of some friends that Converse ran for the Wyoming City Council in 1969. Converse would not win but he was appointed to the Economic Development Corporation which later became part of the Brownfield Development Authority.

Converse came to Grand Rapids in the 1940s on a GI Bill to attend Davenport College. Earl Robson, who owned Robson Department Store on Division Avenue, was looking for a sales person, so Converse took the job with the intention of getting his feet wet in sales for a year and moving on. Converse stayed, eventually taking over the store and finally closing it in 1993.

“When Lyle recently turn in his resignation from the Officers Compensation Committee, the city clerk looked at his past history with our community and realized that he had served the city faithfully for 45 years,” said Wyoming Assistant City Manager Megan Sall. “He was one of the founding fathers of the commission.”

And while Converse may have founded the Officers Compensation Committee, he is more well known for coming up with the idea of the Wyoming Rodeo which was operated out of Lamar Park for almost 25 years. He also served in the South Kent Chamber of Commerce and the Wyoming Chamber of Commerce, which at the time was a branch of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, according Converse.

Poll said the city has a number of openings available on various commissions and boards. For more information contact the Wyoming City Clerk’s Office at 616-530-7296.

Serving the community, according to Converse, is an important part of being in that community.

“It’s rewarding,” he said. “You meet a lot of people. You help promote the city.

“For myself, if I was to do it over again, I think I would probably do the same thing. Overall you get more out of it than what you give and I think we should all give back to our community for what the community does for us.”

Wyoming Alliance one of five groups to receive a grant from GM Foundation

August 28, 20173-bottom, City of WyomingChief James Carmody, Feeding America - West Michigan Food Bank, Finish the Mission Veterans Relief Fund, GM Components, GM Foundation, Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance, Jack Poll, UAW Local 167, West Michigan Environmental Action Council, YWCAJoanne

Recipients of the GM Foundation grants with GM and UAW Local 167 representatives.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

Five local organizations, which provide a range of services from environmental to empowerment of girls, were selected to receive a total of $25,000 from the GM Community Grants program funded by the GM Foundation.

“This is not only where our employees come to work each day, it is where our families, friends and neighbors live,” said GM Components Assistant Plant Manager Michael Skilling, who made the announcement during the Metro Cruise opening ceremonies on Saturday. GM Components Holdings LLC is located at 2100 Burlingame Ave. SW.

Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody

The GM Foundation is providing $2 million to more than 180 organizations in 47 communities where GM employees live and work. One of the five local organizations to receive a grant was the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance.

“This is the fourth time we have received this from GM and its speaks of their commitment to the community,” said Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody who along with Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll accepted the $5,000 check for the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance.

The money will be used to help fund scholarships for youth and families to participate in health, wellness, and recreational activities; public safety initiatives including National Night Out festivities and support and advocating for citizen-driven committees and organizations including Pinery Park Little League, the Community Enrichment Commission and neighborhood associations.

“Most of the stuff we do is really interesting in that 100 percent of the donations/contributions that come to the Alliance go back out,” Carmody said. “So there is no administrative costs and that’s a great benefit to the people here, especially to the local community which is our focus.”

Poll added that the Alliance has had a number of people from the city step up to volunteer and commit time to make Wyoming a good place to live and work.

“They are very good neighbors,” Poll said of the donation from GM Foundation.

Accepting for WMEAC was (left) Executive Director Bill Wood and Director Development Mary Robinson

These following groups also each received $5,000 each from the GM Community Grants program:

Feeding America – West Michigan Food Bank, which supports four School Mobile Pantries, feeding more than 1,200 families over a four-month period. “At Parkview Elementary, less than a mile from the GM facility, the School Mobile Pantry distributes 7,500 pounds of fresh produce, dairy products, and grains directly to individuals in need,” Skilling said.

Finish the Mission Veterans Relief Fund, which has the goal to make West Michigan the most Veteran Friendly community in the nation, will use the money to help local veterans in need and with ongoing capital improvement projects at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

West Michigan Environmental Action Council will be using the funds to support “Teach for the Watershed” at Godfrey-Lee Elementary School. This program gives all fourth graders the hands-on opportunity to learn about their watershed, storm water contamination and what they can do to prevent pollution. Skilling noted that mentors from GM volunteer to help students make a connection between science and science-based careers. The funds also will support WMEAC’s Annual Mayors’ Grand River Clean Up.

YWCA – Grand Rapids provides prevention and empowerment services for women and girls. The grant will be used to provide girls with experiences that develop their awareness and engagement in their community, all while supporting their individual and collective power to become the next generation of leaders.

Turn your porch light on and join your neighbors for National Night Out

July 31, 2017City of Kentwood, City of WyomingCity of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Consumers Energy, Grace Bible College, Jack Poll, James Carmody, National Night Out, Stephen Kepley, Tom HillenJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

Turn your porch light on and come out and meet your neighbors.

It is a simple action and one for the past 33 years has been the mantra of National Night Out — this year Aug. 1 — a nationwide movement created by the National Association of Town watch to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Always the first Tuesday in August, the event has evolved to neighborhoods hosting block parties, festival, parades, cookouts and other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personal, exhibits and much more.

This year, both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming will have numerous events and activities taking place during the Aug. 1 National Night Out event with police officers, firefighters and city leaders out in full force to meet with residents and show support of the annual community building event.

Both communities will kick off the day’s activities with the Consumers Energy Kick Off from 5:30 – 8 a.m. at the company’s service center located at 4000 Clay Ave. SW. Both Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley will be in attendances along with Kentwood Police Chief Thomas Hillen and Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody and representatives from the cities of Walker and Grand Rapids.

Last year’s Consumers Energy kick off event for National Night Out.

City of Kentwood National Night Out Activities

The Kentwood Police Department has once again partnered with Woodland Mall and Celebration! Cinema for a daytime event from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the outdoor courtyard between Celebration! Cinema and Barnes & Noble and also inside the mall near the North Face store. Residents can come to meet with Kentwood police and firefighters and their vehicles, enjoy prizes, games and free popcorn, and there are reports that McGruff the Crime Dog will be making an appearance.

“For the past 50, Kentwood has shown over and over again that we’re really about helping each other through community involvement,” Mayor Stephen Kelley said. “City leadership is looking forward to continuing our community relationship with Kentwood residents through block parties, cookouts and other events on Aug. 1.

“Fostering a better community starts with open communication. We’re excited that National Night Out provides that open communication we find so essential.”

Various neighborhoods will host community activities in the evening.

Most of the neighborhood activities will be taking place from 6 – 8 p.m. There are about 13 community gatherings planned with police, firefighters, and city officials planning to fan out and visit each one. Those gaterhings include Christ Community Church, 2400 Forest Hill Ave. SE from 6 – 8 p.m . which will include games and a slip ’n’ slide and South United Methodist Church, 4500 Division Ave. SW near Ridgewood Street, from 6 – 8 p.m.

“Our officers really look forward to National Night Out,” said Police Chief Thomas Hillen. “It really energizes our officers and residents because of the open communication. We enjoy listening to citizens and issues important to them. The day allows us to get to the root of the community to build those open lines of communication that are vital to keeping our city safe.”

City of Wyoming National Night Out Activities

Wyoming City officials are estimating there will be 14 neighborhood-hosted events along with the last Concerts in the Park being dedicated to National Night Out activities. Starting at 7 p.m. in Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW, Concerts in the Park will including a night of family fun and the music of country band Union Guns.

Wyoming firefighters help some local children cool off during last year’s National Night Out.

“National Night Out is always a great opportunity for residents in Wyoming and around the Country to get out and meet new neighbors, or reconnect with the old,” Carmody said. “It is also an opportunity to reaffirm our community’s commitment by joining together to keep our neighborhoods safe by keeping a watchful eye on each other.”

Major Jack Poll said, during a recent city council meeting, that city officials will be working to make as many of the neighborhood events as possible. Rolling Hills Neighborhood Watch will host a bike parade to kick off its event at 6:30 p.m. near 2523 Oak View SW. Other Wyoming National Night Out Block Parties include:

Grace Bible College died just west of Clyde Park on 26th Street, 4- 6 p.m.

Taft Avenue near 2860 Taft Ave, 5- 8 p.m.

Rogers Lane Neighborhood Watch near Old Rogers Lane Elementary, 2929 Rogers Lane, 5:30 – 8 p.m.

South Godwin Neighborhood Association at Southlanw Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE, 6 – 8 p.m.

Ferrand Estates, at the club house located at 4528 Halifax Ave. SW, 6 – 8 p.m.

Riverview Condos at the club house at 3325 Scenic River Dr., 6 – 8 p.m.

Oriole Park Neighborhood Watch at Oriole Park, 1380 42nd St. SW, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

43rd Street in the 2400 block of 43rd Street, 6:30 – 9 p.m.

Other National Night Out Actives

Outside of the Kentwood and Wyoming areas, there are several other National Night Out events.

The South Kent National Night Out will be from 4 – 8 p.m. at Celebration! Cinema South, 1506 Eastport Dr. SE. Communities in the Kent County Sheriff’s Department’s South Kent area, such as Byron, Gaines, Caledonia and Bowne townships, are invited to meet the local first responders who service their communities. The event will include demonstrations by the K-9 Unit, vehicle extraction demonstrations, the Kent County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit, children ID packets, a bounce house and dunk tank.

The Salvation Army Kroc Center, in partnership with the Garfield Park Neighborhood Association, will host activities from 5 to 8:30 p.m. This free event feature family fun activities such as slip ‘n’ slide rides, games, and community resources. Concessions will be available for purchase. Local police and fire units, along with American Medical Response (AMR) will also be on hand to interact with families in attendance. Garfield Park Neighborhood Association will be handing out information to visitors as well.

“The Grand Rapids Kroc Center is honored to be a host site for National Night Out,” said Lieutenant Bill Brutto, senior officer for The Salvation Army Kroc Center. “We always want to continue working toward unity and reconciliation in our city, and special events like this are a good way to bring people together.”

The Salvation Army Kroc Center event will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain or lightning. Visit GrKrocCenter.org or call 616-588-7200 for more information on the Kroc Center event.

Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll ready to ride for this year’s Bike Night with the Mayor

July 21, 20173-bottom, City of WyomingBike Night with the Mayor, City of Wyoming, Jack Poll, Monelli's Italian Grill and Sports BarJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

With last year’s announcement of the City of Wyoming’s Bike Night with the Mayor, Mayor Jack Poll thought it would be a good idea if he got a bike to participate in the event.

“So I went out to [Mayor Pro-Tem Sam] Bolt here who is the king of cyclists and he told me just what bike to buy,” Poll said during a recent City Council meeting. “So I bought that bike and I rode those two miles. Now this year will be mile three and four put on that new bike.”

Due to the success of last year’s Bike Night with the Mayor, the city will be hosting its second Bike Night with the Mayor on Thursday, Aug. 10. The event will start at Monelli’s Italian Grill and Sports Bar, 5675 Byron Center Ave. SW, at 7 p.m. The group will travel north on the Kent Trails for about two miles. Along the way, bike lights, ice cream and other prizes will be handed out.

“So grease those tires on that bike and come out and take a little bike ride with me,” Poll said.

Other events coming up in the City of Wyoming are National Night Out on Aug. 1 with the Concerts in the Parks series concluding with a celebration at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW., and the Buck Creek Clean Up on Aug. 5. For details on the clean up, click here.

Wyoming City Council pleased with turnout at second outdoor meeting

July 18, 20173-bottom, City of WyomingCity of Wyoming, Dan Burrill, Godwin Heights Public Schools, Jack Poll, Rick Hamilton, Southlawn Park, Wyoming City CouncilJoanne

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

As children play at the splash pad and on the playground, the Wyoming City Council hosted its second outdoor meeting for the summer at Southlawn Park.

About a dozen residents attended the meeting with many echoing what Pastor Wayne Ondersma, from The Pier Church, said just before giving the invocation.

“Thanks for coming to my neighborhood,” Ondersma said.

“I have loved seeing all the different folks,” said Council Member Dan Burrill. “I enjoyed the meeting at Lamar Park and I have enjoyed being at Southlawn. Having these meetings has allowed us to see a lot of folks we normally wouldn’t see.”

Residents attending the meeting brought up several items of concern for their community including promoting the annual leaf pick up in December more to adding more playground equipment to Southlawn Park. Godwin Heights Board Member Rick Hamilton asked the city to consider transferring the north parking lot area of the Site 36 area to Godwin Heights Public Schools, which would use the area for school parking. If the school had ownership over the lot, it could push for no parking on the neighborhood streets, Hamilton said.

“As any of the fire personal knows, driving a fire truck down through the neighborhood for a fire during a football game is virtual impossible,” Hamilton said, adding that the city has allowed the district to use the parking area and the district has been very grateful for that but he does believe the school could maintain the area better.

The council’s regular meeting agenda also included an item that had direct impact on the neighbor, the restoration of the pedestrian bridge just south of Bellevue Street on Division Avenue. Two other pedestrian bridges just south of 36th Street already have undergone the same process. Cost for the restoration is $24,700.

Other agenda items included the purchase of seventeen replacement vehicles for the police, parks and public works departments and two law mowers for about $580,955 and the replacement of an electric switchgear at the Water Treatment Plant Low Service Station and Gezon Booster Station at cost of about $2.4 million. The current switchgears have been in service for more than thirty years said Public Works Director Bill Dooley. The switchgears are essential in the operation of the plant with the one at the Water Treatment Plant pumping more than a 100 million gallons a day. Work on the switchgears would be done during the plant’s non-peak season which is the winter months, Dooley said.

The council also placed a tentative approval for a preliminary plat approval for Reservoir Ridge located on 56th street near the city’s water tower. Mayor Jack Poll noted that the lots for the plat are some of the largest the city has seen in awhile with plans calling for seven homes to be placed on almost 15 acres with some of the homes having more than an acre of land.

“The development of Metro Health has created interest in having larger lots in the area,” Poll said. The council will review the preliminary plat at its next meeting set for Aug. 7.

The council meets every first and third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at its chambers in Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. The meetings are broadcast live on WKTV Channel 26 and rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

The last Wyoming Council outdoor summer meeting is scheduled for Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Metro Village, located in front of Metro Health on Byron Center Avenue. For more information about city activities, meetings, and events, visit www.wyomingmi.gov.

On the road again: Wyoming City Council hosts meeting at Southlawn Park

July 14, 20173-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of WyomingCity of Wyoming, Dan Burrill, Jack Poll, Kent Vanderwood, Marissa Postler, Robert Postema, Sam Bolt, Southlawn Park, William VerHulst, WKTV, Wyoming City CouncilJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

This Monday, July 17, the Wyoming City Council again takes its meeting on the road, this time heading to Southlawn Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE.

“Taking our meetings outside of council chambers provides us with a great opportunity to meet residents and educate them about our decision-making process,” said Mayor Jack Poll. “Their input is critical to our success as a community.”

Poll, Mayor Pro Ten Sam Bolt, and Council Members William VerHulst, Marissa Postler, Robert Postema, Dan Burrill, and Kent Vanderwood and city officials are scheduled to be at the park around 6 p.m. Ice cream also will be served at that time. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. with it being broadcast live on WKTV Channel 26.

In June, the council hosting a meeting at Lamar Park with city leaders pleased at the overall turn out. More than half a dozen residents made comments at the end of the meeting from thanking the city for help with such projects as the new light at 44th Street and Burlingame Avenue and working with the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission on the Concerts in the Parks programs to discussing such items as the Paris Accord, a concern over a home being rented out and the condition of West Lake and West Pond.

“This is like a dream come true for me,” said Councilor Dan Burrill at the June 19 meeting, who added he has enjoyed looking out from the stage, to the sights and sounds of the park.

Pastor Wayne Ondersma from The Pier Church is scheduled to give the invocation. The council will follow its normal meeting procedures with Poll explaining each segment, like he does at the regular council meetings. To see the July 17 agenda, click here.

Being environmentally conscious is just part of the city’s DNA, according to Wyoming mayor

July 3, 20173-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyomingcarbon footprint, Compact of Mayors, Curtis Holt, greenhouse gases, Jack Poll, Southlawn Park, Wyoming City CouncilJoanne

One of the events the City of Wyoming hosts is its annual Community Clean-Up Day.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

A recent discussion on whether to sign a pack on its comment to reduce greenhouse emissions has lead officials of the City of Wyoming to the discovery that the city does quite a lot in helping to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainability.

“It is part of our DNA,” said Mayor Jack Poll at a recent council meeting on June 19. “We are very conscious of everything we do in the City of Wyoming that we are as green as possible and save funds in different areas as best as possible.”

One of the items the city does not have is an inventory of all its efforts, which staff and officials are currently working to put together.

Many municipalities — locally and across the nation — have been having the discussion on greenhouse gases and carbon footprint on the environment as an outcome of President Donald Trump’s recent decision to pull the United States out of The Paris Agreement or Paris Climate Accord. This is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change dealing with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in the year 2020.

A reaction to this decision has been local residents asking their city and state representatives what those governments are doing to reduce emissions. Poll said several individuals have reached out to the City of Wyoming, asking where the city stands on this issue and have suggested agreements or packs the city could sign.

Wyoming residents and students help to make their community better.

“There are agreements out there now that they are asking the City of Wyoming to sign on to and some of those agreements if you go in and sign on, the City of Wyoming could be held financially responsible for not doing some things,” Poll said, adding city officials did not want to lock the city into something that it would not have a lot of control over.

However, by looking over such agreements as the Compact of Mayors, which was established in 2014 a year before the Paris Climate Accord was signed, city leaders found that within many of its own projects and various ones in the city, the city has been environmentally aware.

“The City of Wyoming has a long history of being environmentally conscious and it starts with things like our bio-solids land application program, our yard waste program that we have for disposal of yard waste and reuse of yard waste rather than disposing of it,” said City Manager Curtis Holt during the June 19 council meeting. “We recently have done things related to LED traffic lights. As many of you know we do a four-day week in the city of Wyoming and part of that was to close our buildings for one day a week and we have estimated in the past that has been a savings of roughly $50,000 a year in energy costs for the city.”

The city also has a formal sustainability policy that was developed a couple of years ago that the council takes into consideration on every resolution it adopts, using it as guidance related to the economic, social and environmental impacts of that particular issue that they are dealing with, Holt said. City officials also have seen a lot of LEED certification of buildings within the City of Wyoming.

“I am really very proud to live in a city that we do a lot of those things without out a formal agreement in place telling us to,” said Second Ward Council Member Marissa Postler. Postler said she would proposed the city make a compact with itself to keep track of what the city is doing, which is what she liked most about the Compact of Mayors was keeping track and being accountable.

The Compact of Mayors has four components to it, a city would have to register its commitment; take inventory on its current impact on climate change; create a reduction, targets and establish a system of measures; and establish an action plan within the city planning for how the city will make a commitment to reduce its greenhouse emissions and adapt to climate change.

Holt said he believes the City of Wyoming would do very well achieving the goals of something like the Compact of Mayors, however; there would be some costs involved in doing so.

None of the council members were in full support of spending dollars and some raised concerns about spending too much staff time on building the report, however; Poll said he believed it would not take that much time and would mostly those involve those who are handling various projects to put together an inventory of what the city is currently working on and what it has accomplished.

The Wyoming City Council July 3 meeting has been cancelled and the next city council meeting is July 17 at 7 p.m. at Southlawn Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE.

With first outdoor meeting a success, Wyoming eyeing next one for July

June 20, 20173-bottom, City of Wyomingcity council meeting, City of Wyoming, Dan Burrill, Jack Poll, Lamar Park, outdoor, Wyoming City CouncilJoanne

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

It was a beautiful night to visit a park, have some ice cream and attend a Wyoming City Council meeting, which is what several people did on Monday evening at Lamar Park.

For the first time, the Wyoming City Council moved its meeting outdoors to the park in an effort to connect more with the citizens of Wyoming, according to Mayor Jack Poll. Those who attended were treated to an ice cream.

“This is just great,” Poll said from the stage as about the fourth citizen made his way up to the podium to speak. “This is just the type of forum we were hoping for.”

More than half a dozen residents made comments at the end of the meeting from thanking the city for help with such projects as the new light at 44th Street and Burlingame Avenue and working with the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission on the Concerts in the Park programs to discussing topics of concern such as the Paris Accord, a concern over a home being rented out, and the condition of West Lake and West Pond.

“This is like a dream come true for me,” said Councilor Dan Burrill, who added he has enjoyed looking out from the stage, to the sights and sounds of the park while at the meeting.

“It is a great opportunity for us to get into our community,” Poll said, acknowledging that many people don’t always want to head indoors for a meeting, especially on a nice summer day.

The council followed its normal meeting procedures, starting at 7 p.m., with Poll explaining each segment, like he does at the regular council meetings. The council went through its regular agenda which included approving tax exemptions for GR 1001, LLC, which is taking over the former Klingman’s/Rogers Department Store and for Advantage Sales & Marketing which is planning to move its operations into the building around the beginning of 2018.

The Wyoming City Council will host two more outdoor meetings this summer. The next is scheduled for July 17 at 7 p.m. at Southlawn Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE. For more information about city activities, meetings, and events, visit www.wyomingmi.gov.

On the move: Wyoming City Council heads to Lamar Park for its regular Monday night meeting

June 15, 20173-bottom, City of WyomingDan Burrill, Jack Poll, Kent Vanderwood, Lamar Park, Marissa Postler, meeting, Megan Sall, Robert Postema, Sam Bolt, William VerHulst, Wyoming City CouncilJoanne

Wyoming City Council will have its Monday meeting at Lamar Park.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

The Wyoming City Council is taking its meeting on the road, heading to Lamar Park this Monday.

“This is the first time we’ve taken our council meetings on the road and we’re excited to provide an opportunity for residents to meet their council members in their own neighborhoods, while taking part in the local government process by attending one of the our council meetings,” said Assistant City Manager Megan Sall.

Mayor Jack Poll, Mayor Pro Ten Sam Bolt, and Council Members William VerHulst, Marissa Postler, Robert Postema, Dan Burrill, and Kent Vanderwood and city officials are scheduled to be at the park around 6 p.m. Ice cream also will be served at that time. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. with it being broadcast live on WKTV Channel 26.

“Our council members are excited to expand the physical walls of our council chamber to encompass the whole City,” Sall said. “They look forward to meeting residents, visiting different neighborhoods, and hearing about the issues tat affect our community the most.”

Lamar Park is located at 2561 Porter St. SW, near the corner of Byron Center Avenue and Porter Street. In the event of inclement weather, the meeting will be at City Hall, located at 1155 28th St. SW.

The official agenda for the Monday meeting will be announced here later this week.

Metro Health celebrates affiliation with U-M, looks toward the future

January 6, 20173-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of WyomingBrian Calley, City of Wyoming, Jack Poll, Metro Health, Michael Faas, University of MichiganJoanne

Metro Health: University of Michigan Health President and CEO Michael Faas (second from the left) stands with some of the officials who attended the celebration on Jan. 5. They included Metro Health: University of Michigan Health Chief Administrative Officer Floyd Wilson Jr. (far left), University of Michigan Executive Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs and President, Clinical Enterprise, David Spahlinger, M.D. (center) and Metro Health: University of Michigan Health Corporate Board Chair Doyle Hayes (far right). (Photo by Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

Metro Health’s announcement of its affiliation with the University of Michigan had even Lt. Governor Brian Calley saying “Go blue.”

“And those who really know me, know that is a hard thing for me to say,” said the Michigan State University graduate. Calley, along with state and local officials joined hospital staff and officers for a celebration Thursday, Jan. 5, of the new affiliation between Metro Health and U-M. The event took place at the hospital.

T-shirts were handed out with the new logo that includes the familiar maze-color M with Metro Health and the words University of Michigan Health underneath. Blue and gold balloons adorned the Professional Building as the Godwin Heights High School cheerleaders welcomed people in through the hospital doors and the Godwin Heights High School Band played the U-M fight song.

The purpose of the event was to provide staff and elected officials more detail about the new affiliation, which, according to a press release handed out at the event, is not a partnership. According to Metro Health: University of Michigan Health Corporate Board Chair Doyle Hayes, who spoke at the event, Metro Health employees would remain Metro Health employees and the decisions of what’s important to the community will remain with the physicians and members of West Michigan.

Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll congratulates Metro Health University of Michigan President and CEO Michael Faas. (Photo by Abigail Stricker.)

“This affiliation brings together a trusted community resource, this is your resource, and the specialty care of U-M national leadership which also brings medical research and innovation,” Doyle said. “This affliction will provide West Michigan with greater access to high quality health care.”

Metro Health: University of Michigan Health President and CEO Michael Faas said Metro Health already has begun recruiting and is starting to look at future plans that include expansion of the Metro Village Health, the first of its kind in the nation, and beyond into other buildings outside of the Wyoming campus. Hospital officials have indicated that future plans could be announced later this year.

Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll said it has been wonderful to watch Metro Health grow over the past 10 years since it moved to the city, with changes that no one really could have predicted.

“Well this is obviously very exciting for the City of Wyoming to see the merger occuring,” Poll said. “Two wonderful organizations that are very well established that are now teaming together to bring better health care to the City of Wyoming.”

Grant helps Wyoming make improvements at Ideal Park

December 29, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of WyomingCity of Wyoming, Grant, Ideal Park, Jack Poll, Michigan Natural Resources Trust FundJoanne

Ideal Park was loved for its dense tree canopy now lost from the 2014 tornado.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

The City of Wyoming received a yearend bonus from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust this month when it was awarded a $300,000 grant to help rebuild Ideal Park.

Announced last week, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board’s recommendations totaled more than $47.6 million for projects in 2017. This included $19.9 million in recreational development and $27.7 million in land acquisition projects. Of the $19.9 million recreational development funds, the City of Wyoming received one of the largest grants of $300,000.

Ideal Park was reopened this past summer.

City officials had made it clear that the grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust was key in helping to rebuild the park which was devastated during a 2014 tornado wiping out the park’s playground, tennis and basketball courts and a majority of the trees.

“We are extremely excited that our City has been chosen by the state as a grant recipient for 2017,” said Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll. “The grant awarded by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund will allow the City to continue restoring Ideal Park, which sustained tremendous damage after the (2014) EF-1 tornado touched down.

“There is still more work to be done, but the state grant allows us to tackle some of the most pressing issues.”

The city spent the next two years cleaning up the park, located at 5843 Crippen Ave. SW, and just reopened it this past summer. The park currently does not have any playground equipment or basketball or tennis courts.

One of the unique features of Ideal Park is that Buck Creek runs through the middle of the park..

Because of the amount of damage caused by the tornado, it gave city officials and residents a chance to review the current layout of Ideal Park and consider some improvements in access and safety, said Rebecca Rynbrandt, Wyoming’s director of community services.

“What the city had done in the past with Ideal Park was to maintain the historical heritage of the park for the community,” Rynbrandt said. In fact, Ideal Park pre-dates the City of Wyoming, having been created in the 1930s.

One of its natural features is that Buck Creek runs through the middle of the park with bridges providing access to most of the parks amenities such as the shelters and former playground area. This also created limited access for emergency personal and others if something should happen at the park, Rynbrandt said.

So the city began to look at ways to reconfigure access into the park with a new gateway from Crippen Street, a new drive from Crippen Street to east lot and a connector drive to Averill Avenue. Other improved security and access include a connector path from art deco bridge to the west lot, lighting in parking areas, a new west parking lot gate, new natural area between Park Drive and west lot, open play area with irrigation, basketball court, trailhead signage, a footpath trail to connect to existing pathway and interurban trail and a new creek overlook.

Playground areas within Ideal Park were destoryed by the 2014 tornado.

The $300,000 grant money will be combined with with about $508,000 the city has to move forward on the first phase for Ideal Park, Rynbrandt said. That includes developing construction drawings and hopefully going out for bids at the end of 2017 or beginning of 2018 with construction starting in 2018, she said.

The City of Wyoming has a five-year parks plan which shows more than $26 million in capital need such as major maintenance and replacing of assets such as playgrounds, fencing and trail work. Among those capital improvements is funding the master plans for Ferrand, Oriole Phase II, Jackson and Gezon. In May, Wyoming will ask voters to allow City leadership to change the way dollars can be spent under the dedicated Library Maintenance millage to help with the capital improvements at the parks.

Two other Kent County municipalities received funding from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust, the City of Rockford for its Rogue River Nature Trail Phase IV, $150,000, and Algoma Township’s River’s Edge Park Development, $50,000. A total of 79 projects throughout Michigan received grants.

Wyoming works to clean up after Saturday’s tornado

August 22, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Hard NewsCity Hall, debris, Jack Poll, National Weather Service, Saturday's tornado, Tornado, trees uprooted, WyomingJoanne

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It’s the Monday after and residents and city officials of Wyoming continue to assess the damages left after Saturday’s tornado passed through the city.

The National Weather Service teams are currently surveying the damage caused and have confirmed tornado-related damage in Van Buren, Allegan, Ottawa and Kent counties. In its preliminary review, the National Weather Service has the tornado in Wyoming listed as an EF-0 which is weakest rating with winds between 65 to 85 mph. The tornados in Van Buren, Allegan and Ottawa were listed as EF-1 with winds 86 to 110 mph in the preliminary findings. The 2014 tornado that hit Wyoming was classified as an EF-1.

There were no related deaths or injuries from the storm just trees up rooted hitting homes and blocking roads along with a lot of debris.

“The teams at City Hall have been working through the weekend, answering residents’ questions, connecting them with the Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc.,” said Mary Ann Sabo with Sabo PR, the city’s public relations firm.

In fact, shortly after the storm, Mayor Jack Poll, in a video on the city’s Facebook page, was talking to residents and mentioned he was among the city officials going door-to-door in affected neighborhoods checking on residents. Other city staff was out clearing debris, inspecting structures and responding to medical emergencies.

In a statement released today, Poll said “Our Public Safety teams have done a tremendous job handling first response calls, and we so appreciate the support from Kent County and neighboring jurisdictions. Public Works, Inspections, Parks & Recreation, along with our Administrative team, have done an incredible job meeting the needs of our residents. Storm cleanup is well underway, with neighbors helping neighbors.”

Wyoming received helped from several departments from Byron Township, Caledonia, Cutlerville, Dutton, Kentwood, Georgetown, and Grandville.

Because of commitments to help clean up, Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce President Bob O’Callaghan said they have lost a few volunteers for this weekend’s Metro Cruise, but the event is expected to take place Friday, Aug. 26, and Saturday, Aug. 27 as scheduled.

“The city has a crisis response plan that was immediately put into play,” Sabo said. “The process is to focus on immediate needs first, then turn attention to areas like parks.”

Due to damage and safety concerns, five of the city parks are close until further notice. Those parks are Pinery, Lemery, Prairie, Ferrand and Buck Creek. The Parks & Recreation team is contacting those with park reservations to see if events can be relocated or rescheduled. Reservations canceled by the storm will be refunded unless the reservation was relocated to another park or facility. For reservation questions, call 530-3164.

As of today, Consumers Energy has restored power to all but a few homes in Wyoming. Working with the American Red Cross, a resource center has been set up at Gladiolia Elementary School, 3500 Gladiola Ave. SW today through 5 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents may coordinate tree removal help and other issues at the center. The Red Cross will have disaster kits available as well.

Debris removal is probably the biggest item facing residents with the city’s yard waste center at 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW, being opened 24 hours a day through Saturday, Aug. 27. The city received kudos on its Facebook page for this with Kathy Walcott posting “Can’t say enough good things about [City of Wyoming]. Friends were amazed we dropped off over eight trailer loads of debris without paying! Thanks for stepping it up when it was needed.”

The yard waste center will be closed Sunday, Sept. 4 through noon Thursday, Sept. 15. Public Works crews are working on picking up debris. If you need the crew to come through your street or to make arrangements for a drop off at the yard waste center after Aug. 27, contact the Public Works Department at 530-7260. City officials are asking that all storm debris be placed behind the sidewalk and not in the public right-of-way.

Also the City of Wyoming is waiving the fees for building or electrical permits for storm-related repairs. Residents still must secure a permit before making those repairs.

Wyoming residents who need assistance that is not related to debris removal or have other storm-related questions may call call 530-7226 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

National Night Out a huge success in Wyoming, Kentwood

August 2, 20163-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Hard NewsConsumers Energy, Jack Poll, National Night Out, Stephen Kepley, WKTVJoanne

Mayors from the communities of Kentwood, Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Walker and Rockford attend the National Night Out kick-off event at Consumers Energy. Police officers from the various municipalities also were on hand. — Mayors from the communities of Kentwood, Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Walker and Rockford attend the National Night Out kick-off event at Consumers Energy this morning. Police officers from the various municipalities also were on hand.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

The mayors and police officers from both Kentwood and Wyoming kicked off National Night Out activities in the wee hours of the morning at Consumers Energy, 4000 Clay Ave. SW.

Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley were joined by officials from Rockford, Walker, and Grand Rapids at the Consumers Energy location for the annual reading of the official National Night Out proclamation which all the participating communities’ governing boards have approved.

Established in 1984 with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, National Night Out marks its 33rd year. The event’s goals are to heighten crime prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody and Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll are interviewed by WOOD-TV's Eva Aguirre for National Night Out. — Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody and Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll are interviewed by WOOD-TV’s Eva Aguirre for National Night Out.

“This is an opportunity for people to get to know their neighbors,” said Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody. “When I was young, your community and the people you knew were your neighbors as people spent time on the front porch.”

Today, people are more transient with individuals and families moving in and out of a community on a regular basis. Neighborhood groups are still the main “eyes and ears” of a community, Carmody said adding that Neighborhood Watch groups are helpful in preventing crime before it even happens.

National Night Out is administered by the National Association of Town Watch. The National Association of Town Watch officials have indicated that the 2016 National Night Out event could be the largest ever, involving about 38.3 million people in more than 16,700 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world.

Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalyn Biss and Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley talk at the Consumers Energy's National Night Out event. — Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley talk at the Consumers Energy’s National Night Out event.

For 22 consecutive years, Consumers Energy has been recognized by the National Association of Town Watch as the recipient of the National Electric Utility Award.

The Wyoming Consumers Energy location has served as the early morning kick-off to the local activities with police cars from various municipalities on hand as early as 5 a.m. Two large Consumers Energy trucks also were on site with buckets extended above U.S. 131.

“We appreciate the support we receive from our cities and law enforcement agencies not only for this annual event, but during every day of the year,” said Guy Packard Consumers Energy vice president of electric operations. “We feel it’s very important to show our appreciation of police officers across our state.”

Wyoming’s 28 West moving from concept to reality

June 21, 20163-bottom, City of Wyoming, Hard News28 West, 28th Street, City of Wyoming, Jack Poll, Wyoming MallJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

The City of Wyoming took a giant step forward on its 28 West project by entering into a development agreement with Wyoming Mall Monday night.

In a unanimous vote, the Wyoming City Council accepted a $1.6 million agreement with Wyoming Mall, LLC, to facilitate the mall owner’s construction and demolition projects, and the relocation of city water, sewer and storm water lines and construction of a new public street. The actual cost to the city will be about $1.2 million for the relocation of city services and construction of the road. The developer’s costs is around $113,000 with there being a 25 percent contingency, around $322,000, for the entire project.

“The Wyoming Mall approached us about doing some major reconstruction/demolition on their property,” said Mayor Jack Poll during Monday night’s council meeting. Mall officials indicated they were ready to allow the city to put in a public road since they were planning to teardown the north end of the mall where Once Upon A Child is located and add a new structure along the northwest side of the building, Poll said.

City Manager Curtis Holt said the city is in active discussions with Loeks Theatre Inc. which owns the Studio 28 property just to the west of the Wyoming Mall. It is the goal of the city to acquire property for the proposed road to continue through with an egress across from Hook Avenue located on the north side of 28th Street between Applebee’s and Anzah Sands West. Proposed land acquisition and construction of the road on the Studio 28 lot is estimated about around $708,000. The entire project from Michael Avenue to Hook Avenue is estimated to be around $2.2 million.

Holt said the city plans to put the project out to bid with the goal of completing the entire road project from Michael to Hook within the next few months.

Because of the Wyoming Mall owners’ decision to move forward with construction, it gave the city an opportunity to officially start its 28 West concept which is a reimagining of the south side of 28th Street between Clyde Park and Burlingame into a mixed-use town center with new complete streets and compact blocks. Part of that plan features a curving slip street to be the center’s new “main street.” That street is proposed to start on the south side of 28th Street across from Hook Avenue to Jenkins Avenue, which runs next to the former Klingman/Rogers Department Store building. A portion of the road runs straight through the Wyoming Mall property which is bordered by the former Studio 28 site on the west side and Michael Avenue on the east.

Adopted in December of 2013, the 28 West plan has a form-based code, which is a land development regulation that fosters predictable built results and a high-quality public realm by using physical form rather than separation of uses. Form-based codes address the relationship between building facades and the public realm, the form and mass of buildings in relation to one another, and the scale and types of streets and blocks. 28 West calls for an increase in retail space with a mix of office and residential space.

City officials have been working on the 28 West concept for the past couple of years acknowledging that they knew it would take several years for the plan to materialize. With Wyoming Mall officials’ announcement that they had decided to remodel its facility at 28th Street and Michael Avenue construction of the first part of the 28 West could begin, Poll said.

Plans for Wyoming Mall include removing the north end of the mall and adding a new building to the northwest side of the current facility.

City officials said this is a first good step on the project and they hope it will help encourage growth along the corridor and future development of the 28 West project.

Construction on the site should start soon, Holt said, adding that the city can not begin the road until the demolition at Wyoming Mall is completed . In fact, mall officials want construction to start on the new building so quickly that they are willing to build on top of existing utilities instead of waiting for the city to move those utilities. The council approved a second agreement with Wyoming Mall Monday night that mall officials assume any risk for doing this so that the mall could begin construction.

No local millage increase with Wyoming’s 2017 budget

June 16, 20163-bottom, City of Wyoming, Hard Newsbudget, City of Wyoming, Curtis Holt, Jack Poll, taxable valueJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Through planning and controlling costs over the past several years, the City of Wyoming had good news with its 2017 budget: the city is recovering from the economic downturn the state experienced about six years ago.

The City of Wyoming, like many Michigan municipalities, faced challenging times when the housing market decline that caused the city’s taxable value to drop. Coupled with the fact that the State of Michigan has diverted state money away from Michigan municipalities since 2002 – about a $2 million lost annually for the City of Wyoming – city officials have worked to provide the same level of services to its residents with less income.

And the city has succeed in doing just that, according to City Manager Curtis Holt. The 2017 budget is about $105.4 million, a 4.7 percent increase over last year with no scheduled increases in the local millage and sewer and water rates. In fact, the city’s millage will remain the same as it has been for the past two years at 11.9073 mills.

“Compared to similar cities we maintain a very low cost per capita for the services we provide,” City Manager Curtis Holt said. “The leaning of the organization hasn’t stopped service delivery, though. We’re committed to investing in technology and training to continue to provide better service and greater value while ensuring the safety of residents and city employees. This year’s budget reflects our work to maximize every tax dollar we receive.”

In fact, staffing levels have decreased from 2006’s 402 to 345.5, but this does include the addition of five and half new positions to the city including a part-time firefighter program introduced in 2016, which continues to provide significant overtime cost savings, while improving response times and firefighter coverage.

Other positive factors impacting the city’s 2017 budget include the state’s 17 percent increase in road funding which will allow the city to spend down some of its reserves in its street funds; the relocation of the Wyoming’s public safety dispatch operations and the refinancing of two water bonds and the anticipated payoff of one water bond.

Residents will see an increase in property tax of about 1.97 percent, which is actually less than the 5.6 percent assessed value. The reason for this is that in 1994, Michigan voters approved Proposal A, which is designed to limit the growth in property taxes by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) until ownership in the property is transferred. The CPI is a statistic calculated by the State of Michigan that tracks the cost of living in Michigan.

Most property taxes are based on a capped value multiplied by the CPI or 5 percent, whichever is lower which has crimped how quickly Michigan municipalities such as Wyoming can recoup from when property values dropped in 2009. In fact, even with the slight property tax increase, making the city’s taxable value around $2.35 billion, the city’s overall taxable value is still about $338 million below the highs of 2009, when the housing market crashed. This represents a lost of about $1.6 million in revenues to the city, said Deputy Finance Director Rosa Ooms as she presented the council the 2017 budget at a meeting last month.

The lost of taxable value also has hit Wyoming’s Downtown Development Authority, whose budget was also approved by the council in May. While the council has adjusted the amount the DDA can capture, the current funding has limited what the authority has been able to do, Holt said.

Despite the fact that the city probably will not see its taxable values return to the levels of 2009 for about another 14 years, Wyoming residents will see several improvement projects taking place in the upcoming year such as work at several of the city parks including Palmer, Kelloggsville, Lemery and Pinery along with improvements at the Wyoming Senior Center, the reconstruction and widening of 56th Street from Ivanrest Avenue to Byron Center Avenue and upgrades to the Kent District Library Wyoming branch.

Mayor Jack Poll cited the City’s tradition of maintaining its fiscal stability and commended Holt for his work and commitment to balancing the budget. “Our city runs extremely efficiently thanks to the good work done by the city manager and our city employees,” Poll said. “They serve our community admirably while working to maintain a healthy and sustainable financial position.”

For further information, call the City of Wyoming at 530-7272 or click here.

Mayor Jack Poll

City Manager Curtis Holt

Brian BennettDeputy Director of Wyoming’s Fire Services

Marcy Schaller’s DaughterWyoming Department of Public Safety

Krashawn MartinSpecial Events and Marketing Planner, City of Wyoming

Emily VandeGriend and familyEmployee, City of Wyoming

Jim WardWyoming Tree Commission

Bob O’CallaghanPresident/CEO, Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce

Wyoming High School Jazz Band

Godwin Heights High School Choir

Lillian VanderVeen

Jesus

Lizzy and Natalie

Yelie

Malcom

Dolly

LaMar

Aaliyah

Tyrian

Serida

Shawn and Friends

Dinorah

Katherine and Family

Franchely

Esther and Family

Abraham Family

Michelle and Family

Eva Aguirre CooperCommunity Affairs, WOOD-TV8

Sheldon DeKryger – Incumbent

Pete Ricketson – Candidate

Quote of the Day

A BIG Thanks

Song spinners

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Be Involved and be informed

And today’s fun fact:

400

Brian Bennett
Deputy Director of Wyoming’s Fire Services

Marcy Schaller’s Daughter
Wyoming Department of Public Safety

Krashawn Martin
Special Events and Marketing Planner, City of Wyoming

Emily VandeGriend and family
Employee, City of Wyoming

Jim Ward
Wyoming Tree Commission

Bob O’Callaghan
President/CEO, Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce

Eva Aguirre Cooper
Community Affairs, WOOD-TV8