Administrator's
Digest

A Message From the Administrator

We have been busy with many initiatives this year and several were submitted for County Board of Commissioners consideration and approval last week.  The County and City of Grand Rapids are partners in the Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention Arena Authority (CAA) which I had the privilege of helping bring to life during my first time at Kent County.  The Board of Commissioners on March 24, GR City Commission yesterday and the Convention Arena Authority this morning voted to authorize the CAA to purchase land at 201 Market from the City of Grand Rapids for construction of a projected 12,000 seat amphitheater and to allow the CAA to negotiate terms to operate the 20 Monroe Live entertainment venue on behalf of the new owner.  The County and City hold reserve powers over the CAA which requires each to vote to allow the CAA to purchase or lease real property.  The amphitheater project will be transformational not only for the City but for the balance of Kent County and West Michigan.  I sat in on some meetings hosted by Grand Action with national developers who said that the amphitheater was the type of transformational investment that piqued their interest in investment in this area.  In 2019, hotels throughout the County hit a major benchmark with a 70 occupancy which further highlights what increased investment  can mean in the County and broader region.  The Board of Commissioners also voted to authorize a grant application to the DNR Natural Resources Trust Fund grant program for the purchase of Cannonsburg.  This is the very start of a process that could see ownership of Cannonsburg shift to Kent County and its Parks Department.  This would preserve this year round asset for public enjoyment and use. As Women’s History Month comes to an end I again reflected on the following: Commissioners Bolter and Sparks were selected by the Grand Rapids Business Journal for its 2022 class of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan. Kent County received the Pillar Awards presented by the Women’s Resource Center. Kent County is the first governmental organization to receive the award in 35 years. Jenny James was selected as one of three finalists for a West Michigan Woman Brilliance Award in the Team Player category. There were 389 nominees in total with 30 finalists across 10 categories. The Kent County government workforce consists of nearly 1,750 employees of which 52% are female!  I am proud to be part of a workforce that values gender equality not only in our over workforce but strongly in our leadership as well. I hope that you find this Digest informative and as always I welcome your suggestions for improvement.

April 30th - KCPF Townsend Park

(Lisa Ampulski, Board of Commissioners Office) 

Commissioner Diane Jones has spearheaded a volunteer effort for a spring spruce up at Townsend Park on April 30. The efforts will kick off at 11 a.m. and go until approximately 1 p.m. Lunch, snacks, and fun will be provided! 

Please RSVP to Ginny Sines, Kent County Parks Volunteer Coordinator by calling (616) 826-0438 or via email. You must RSVP and fill out the volunteer release form in order to participate and volunteer at the County parks. 

Judge Yates Appointed to Court of Appeals 

Governor Whitmer recently announced the appointment of Christopher P. Yates to the Court of Appeals - District 3. Judge Yates is currently a judge with the 17th Circuit Court of Kent County. He has been with the circuit court since 2008 where he presides over a specialized business docket and has previously handled civil, criminal, and family dockets.

He is the current president of the Michigan Judges Association, vice president of the American College of Business Court Judges, a member and former president of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, and an appointed council member of the judicial section of the State Bar of Michigan. 

We congratulate Judge Yates on his recent appointment and wish him well in his new position of public service.

Michigan Green School’s Program

Kent County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) is the county coordinator for Michigan Green Schools. Each year DPW education staff process Kent County school applications that document various ‘green’ initiatives the school is teaching about and implementing. DPW then sends the vetted applications to the Michigan Green Schools program, administered through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Michigan Green Schools is a program that recognizes and honors schools around the state that are achieving energy goals, teaching environmental stewardship, and observing good ecological practices. This year, schools submitted a variety of activities including creating an environmental school media center in the library, composting lunch waste using worms (vermicomposting), designing a “care closet” to share used clothes, planting a native plant garden at school to attract local pollinators, alternative energy sources (using bikes to power blenders!), just to name a few.

Schools can achieve one of three certification levels each year based on the number of activities completed, as specified on the application. ‘Green Schools’ complete ten activities, ‘Emerald Schools’ complete at least fifteen activities, Evergreen Schools complete twenty or more activities.

Congratulations to this year’s Green Schools from Kent County! Know of a school that should participate in this program? Contact Lauren Westerman at  or check out the educational resources on www.reimaginetrash.org.

District Courts Announce Warrant, Traffic and Parking Tickets Waiver Program

(Danielle Castillo, 63rd District Court Administrator/Magistrate)

The 61st District Court in Grand Rapids, the 62-B District Court in Kentwood, and the 63rd District Court recently announced a waiver program for individuals to comply with court orders by settling their debts without further penalty or incarceration. Specifically, the program addresses outstanding warrants for non-compliance with a court order of fines, fees, court costs and any outstanding traffic or parking tickets that have gone into default or suspension. The waiver program is effective April 1, 2022 through April 30, 2022.

The respective district courts guarantee that those who pay in full will not be jailed because of the late payment. If the account is paid in full, the courts will waive all court-imposed late fees or warrant fees except for the $45 License Suspension Reinstatement Fees.

If an individual is unable to pay in full, but makes a significant payment, the courts will work with the individual to set-up a new payment plan regarding any outstanding balance and will not sentence them to jail for the inability to pay in full. Any existing driver’s license suspension will not be lifted until the account is paid in full. Payments must be made by contacting the 61st District Court at (616) 632-5525, 62-B District Court at (616) 698- 9310, or 63rd District Court at (616) 632-7770.

ASM Global Stars Scholarship Program   ASM Global is pleased to announce the launch of the ASM Global Stars Scholarship Program – reflecting its commitment to providing diverse and under-resourced students with educational and career development opportunities. To learn more, see detailed eligibility requirements and to apply, please click here.

First Steps Kent Leadership Announcement

(Paul Petr, Assistant to the County Administrator)

Please see the announcement regarding the resignation of First Steps Kent President, Annemarie Valdez who has been an invaluable partner in implementing the Ready By Five millage. She has been an incredible leader and champion for children and families in Kent County and her passion for service will be missed. Annemarie’s last day is May 6.

An interim plan is being developed and a search committee, led by First Steps Kent Board Chair Kate Pew Wolters, is being assembled. The County Administrator's Office has been asked to be part of this search committee. We will keep you updated on the search process as warranted.

US-131 PEL Study Survey Opportunity

(Jenny James, Deputy County Administrator)

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has identified the segment of US-131 between M-11 (28th Street) in Wyoming and Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids as a priority to be analyzed in a Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) study. The PEL approach considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in a transportation planning process. Public input gathered early in the US-131 study process resulted in potential options and higher-level design and improvement strategies for consideration.

MDOT created an online survey, in English, Spanish, and e-reader-friendly formats (Spanish), to collect input on the potential options and strategies. Please visit LINK to learn more and share your feedback by April 7, 2022. 

This survey is not the only opportunity for public comments. Additional public outreach efforts will be provided as the study continues into subsequent phases. Accommodations can be made for persons who require mobility, visual, hearing, written or other assistance for participation. Please contact Orlando Curry at 517-241-7462.