Welcome to the City of Kentwood's monthly eNewsletter. Stay up to date about community news, events and programs happening this month.
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City of Kentwood Operations Update
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City of Kentwood facilities remain closed to in-person services through June 14. Essential services, including police, fire, emergency medical, water, sewer and public works continue uninterrupted.
Residents may continue to access City services online at
kentwood.us
and by calling or emailing City staff. Bills may be paid through U.S. mail, the drop box or electronically using ACH. Notices of electronic meetings are posted on the City website on both the
Meetings of the Week webpage
and the
website calendar
.
The City remains in contact with state and local health officials to ensure City operations align with their guidance. Updates about our operational changes in response to COVID-19 are shared on our website at:
kentwood.us/COVID
. For information regarding 62-B District Court operations, click
here
.
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Community and Business Resources
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Many organizations have stepped up to offer community support during this time.
Michigan 2-1-1
is a great place to start if you need to find help with food, housing, paying bills and other needs. Residents may call 2-1-1, text their zip code to 898211 or search online any time to get connected with resources in our community. Operators offer help in 180+ languages.
As businesses prepare to restart or ramp up operations, the City of Kentwood has taken some steps to reduce regulations and make things easier in a few key areas: business license fees, temporary sign display time limits and outdoor space accommodations. More information including the application for temporary outdoor business expansion can be found on our
website
.
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Community Clean-Up Day – June 6
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Kentwood residents are invited to our annual Community Clean-up Day on Saturday, June 6. Those wanting to clean their homes and yards may bring yard waste, trash and general debris for disposal and electronics for recycling to the Kentwood Public Works Facility at 5068 Breton Ave. between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The service is provided to Kentwood residents with proof by picture identification. Anyone wishing to participate is asked to enter the drive off Breton Avenue where staff will check for residency and direct traffic flow to maintain physical distancing. For the safety of City staff and community members, all participants are asked to adhere to CDC guidelines, including staying at least six feet from other people and wearing cloth face masks.
For more information, click
here
. Questions may be directed to the Department of Public Works at 616.554.0817.
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Brush and Leaf Drop-off – June 6-July 11
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Our brush and leaf drop-off sites will run Saturday, June 6 through Saturday, July 11 at the Public Works Facility, 5068 Breton Ave. SE. with open hours from noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. The brush drop-off site will accept brush, sticks, tree limbs and logs. The leaf drop-off site will accept loose leaves and grass clippings.
The services are available to Kentwood residents only; anyone wishing to drop off items must show proof of residency. Please click
here
to learn more and contact the Department of Public Works at 616.554.0817 with any questions.
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Fireworks Postponed to Fall, Alternate July 4 Parade Planned, Other Activities Canceled
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After much consideration and discussion, the City of Kentwood has made the difficult decision to join other communities in canceling this year’s Fourth of July Celebration. Due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and restrictions on large group gatherings, City Commission voted against hosting the event this summer out of an abundance of caution.
Please know this decision was not made lightly. The Fourth of July Celebration has been Kentwood’s most popular community event for generations, drawing thousands of residents and neighbors together for long-treasured activities and traditions. While we look forward to the time we can again gather as a community for such large-scale celebrations, our primary goal continues to be the safety of those living in, working in and visiting our community.
We are excited to share we are organizing a
parade of City vehicles
through our community as a way to still honor Independence Day safely. Additionally, instead of canceling the
fireworks show
originally planned for July 4, we plan to incorporate it into the Kentwood Food Truck Festival, which is slated for Saturday, Sept. 12. We are staying optimistic about how we can make next year’s celebration better than ever. Please visit our
website
for additional information.
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An Update on Other Summer Events
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The Spotlight on Seniors Health and Fitness Expo has been postponed from June 16 to Oct. 27 and will be combined with the annual South Kent Community Expo. For more information, click
here
.
The Summer Concert Series will return on select Thursday nights this summer beginning in July with some modifications to ensure physical distancing throughout the events. Concertgoers will be invited to grab a blanket or chair and join us on the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, where appropriately distanced areas will be marked for residents to safely enjoy the shows with others in their households. Concerts will be livestreamed for those who wish to watch from home. More information will be shared on our website as it becomes available.
Due to limited vendor availability, the Kentwood Farmers Market will return for its sixth season as a pop-up market on select Thursday evenings this summer at Kentwood City Hall, located at 4900 Breton Ave. SE. Please visit the
Kentwood Farmers Market website
and
Facebook page
for more information.
We continue to monitor public health guidance and state orders, which may necessitate changes or postponement of upcoming events or programs. Please continue to keep an eye on
Facebook
and our
website
or call 616.656.5270 for the latest updates.
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Kentwood Land Donation to Become Covenant Park
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Last month, the Kentwood City Commission accepted a donation of nearly 109 acres of the property known as the Christian Athletic Complex for public park and recreational purposes. An anonymous donor gave a substantial gift to the Kentwood Community Foundation for the purchase of the parcel, which is located at 3402 36th St. SE.
Previously owned by the Christian Reformed Recreation Center, the property contains a golf course, softball fields, soccer fields and a clubhouse, as well as many picnic pavilions and other outbuildings. It will be known as Covenant Park. Plans for development of the property and how it will be incorporated within the current park system will begin soon. Learn more
here
.
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We’d Like Your Feedback on Kentwood’s Draft Master Plan
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The City of Kentwood is seeking public input on its long-range vision for growth, land use, development and open space conservation, known as the Master Plan, which the City has been working to update since 2017. Please review the draft plan on our
website
and share your thoughts by July 31 in the following ways:
- Online via this form
- Over the phone by calling 616.554.0707
- Via email to eplanning@kentwood.us
- Or by mail to PO Box 8848, Kentwood, MI 49518
There will be a work session on Aug. 11, followed by a public hearing to adopt the 2020 Master Plan on Aug. 25. Both opportunities will allow for additional public comment directly to the Planning Commission.
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2020 Census – Be Counted Kentwood!
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Thank you to everyone who is helping shape the future of our community by responding to the 2020 Census. The City of Kentwood has nearly reached a 75% self-response rate so far, which is above our overall response rate of 73% in 2010!
Please help us get a complete and accurate count. If you haven’t responded yet, it’s not too late. Click
here
to complete the online questionnaire – it only takes a few minutes. Options for responding
by phone
or
mail
are also available.
Need language support? Click
here
to access census guides in 59 non-English languages, including American Sign Language, as well as braille and large print. For general census information, please visit
2020census.gov
or
kentwood.us/census
.
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Kent District Library Announces Reopening
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KDL is taking a phased approach to reopening, introducing services that can be immediately provided while staff make adjustments within the facilities to ensure safety and compliance. Learn more
here
.
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Summer 2020 taxes will be mailed the first week in July and will be due on Aug. 20. Summer tax deferments are available to qualifying taxpayers. Applications must be filed with the Treasurer’s office by Sept. 15. Click
here
for the Summer Tax Deferment Application, and click
here
for a list of frequently asked questions. For more information, contact the Treasurer’s office at 616.554.0761.
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Kentwood Community Garden Plots Available
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Are you interested in gardening, but don’t have the space? Consider renting a plot in the Kentwood Community Garden, located at 355 48th St. SE just east of Veterans Memorial Park. Plots are 360 square feet in size and cost $45 for the season. Reserve your plot online at:
http://bit.ly/kentwoodcommunitygarden
.
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New Polling Location for Precincts 14 and 18
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The polling location for precincts 14 and 18 has been changed from East Paris Christian Reformed Church to Covenant Park, located at 3402 36th Street. For any questions, please contact the Clerk’s office at
elections@kentwood.us
or 616.554.0730.
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4900 Breton Ave. SE Kentwood, MI 49508 | 616.698.9610 |
Contact Us
City Hall opens daily at 7:30 a.m. and closes Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays at 6 p.m.; and Fridays at noon.
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This is a monthly eNewsletter. You are receiving it because you have done business with the City of Kentwood or have signed up for news about our community events and programs. If you would like to no longer receive this, you may unsubscribe below.
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