A Note From the Administrator
It sure has been an eventful couple of weeks highlighted by the Board of Commissioners approving approximately $108 million in ARPA funding for internal and community projects. This largely completed (nearly $8 million remains to be allocated) the ARPA process that the Board embarked upon in early May with surveys, meetings with leaders representing disproportionately impacted groups, and community forums. The process was designed to be transparent and engage the community.
In the end, the Board voted 18-0 with one Commissioner absent. Board Chair Stan Stek stated that any individual would have come up with their own and different list but that the compromise allocation represented the views of 19 Commissioners representing 19 vastly different districts. Chair Stek gave remarks just prior to the vote and really laid out what the package represents in very fine fashion. Click here to access a transcript of his remarks.
I had the opportunity to attend a couple of retirement celebrations for two colleagues and friends. Ken Krombeen retired from the Grandville City Manager position last week after a long and productive public management career. I met Ken early in my career when he served as Assistant Grandville City Manager when I was Assistant Greenville City Manager. Best wishes to Ken in retirement!
I also attended long-time Commissioner and former Board Chair Roger Morgan’s retirement from the County Board of Commissioners. Roger replaced former Board Chair Pat Malone in 2000 during my first stint with Kent County. He has done a phenomenal job for the County, airport and many other areas over the years. I wish him the best in retirement though I think we will see him emerge to serve the community in other ways.
I hope you find this Digest message informative and useful and would love to hear your content ideas for future editions.
- Al Vanderberg
Kent County Awards ARPA Funding
As noted above, the Kent County Board of Commissioners awarded funding to 30 projects that draw on the $127.6 million Kent County received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). In total, more than $108 million was allocated in this round of funding. To review the proposals for the approved projects click here.
Broadband Survey - Survey Closes on Friday
Please join us in our efforts to get residents in Kent County better connected to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband. We need 1,000 more survey responses to be statistically valid and responses from the cities of Kentwood and Grand Rapids are lower than other parts of the county.
Please share the survey link and website URL with your friends, family, networks, neighbors, and coworkers.
The survey results will help us compare, and potentially challenge, the data on the proposed federal broadband maps which will inform funding decisions to help expand access to affordable high-speed internet throughout the county.
Kent County Community Action Department - 36th St Townhomes
(Jenny James, Deputy County Administrator)
Six condominiums on 36th Street SE in Wyoming will be available for purchase in the coming months from LINC UP through the Kent County HOME Affordable Housing Development Program funds. The newly constructed homes have 3 bedrooms with 2 ½ bathrooms, an unfinished basement and a single car garage. One of the units is designed to be accessible for persons with mobility disabilities according to federal standards and will be reserved for sale to a household needing the specific accessibility features that are incorporated into that unit.
Interested homebuyers will need to qualify for a mortgage from a lender of their choice to purchase the home. Eligible buyers may be eligible for a 0% interest second mortgage loan from Kent County to help support their purchase. Homebuyers must meet the HUD Income Eligibility Guidelines below. Please see the flier for more information and to contact LINC UP to discuss eligibility.
Adoption Day
The Kent County 17th Circuit Court, Family Division celebrated its 26th Annual Adoption Day on December 8. Twenty-one adoptions were finalized at this year’s event. It is the first time Adoption Day has been fully held in person since the pandemic. Congratulations to the children and families who found their "forever home."
Sheriff's Office K-9 Calendars for Sale
(Krystal Stuart, Sheriff's Office)
The Kent County Sheriff's Office K-9 calendars are available for purchase for $20. Proceeds from the calendars go directly to the K-9 unit for medical bills, supplies, training, growth of the team, and more.
Calendars are available at the Sheriff's headquarters during weekdays, its South Substation on Tuesdays, or the North Substation on Thursdays. Additionally, the calendars are available at the following Family Farm and Home locations: 4325 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, 4175 17 Mile Rd NE, Cedar Springs, 53 Applewood Dr NW, Sparta.
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Thank You Savator Seldon-Johnson and Congratulations Tracey Silas
Savator Seldon-Johnson announced her retirement from the State of Michigan after over 30 years of service where she worked in various capacities and most recently as the Child Welfare Director in Kent County supporting the children and families of Michigan. Savator's retirement date is December 31, 2022. Thank you Savator for your services to our children and families. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
With the impending retirement of Selden-Johnson, Tracey Silas has been appointed as Kent County’s Child Welfare Director beginning January 1, 2023. Tracey has 23 years of experience with the department including positions in Genesee, Lapeer, Lansing, Wayne and Macomb Counties. She has held numerous positions throughout her time with the department including in general and children’s services. She has also worked as interim director for the Division of Child Welfare Licensing and holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology and a master’s degree in Counseling. Congratulations Tracey!
Thank You Dave Despres
(Dar Baas, DPW)
The Kent County Department of Public Works was established 60 years ago and during this time the department has had four directors. The first director was David Despres who recently passed away at age 95. We thank David for his years of service to Kent County and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
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Five Things to Know About Recycling Holiday Materials
(Steve Faber, DPW)
It’s that special time of year to open gifts with loved ones, decorate your space and cook for the family. It’s also the time of year when Americans throw away 25% more trash than any other time of year.
The Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) recently released its 2022 Holiday Recycling Guide, offering helpful tips for reducing holiday waste and keeping it out of the landfill. Here are five things to know about recycling holiday materials:
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Dispose of your holiday décor the right way by reusing or donating your artificial trees, wreaths or garlands. Holiday lights should never be placed in your recycling bin and should be dropped off at special collection locations at the appropriate DPW facility.
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Reuse your packaging. Wrapping paper and gift bags aren’t generally recyclable because of the dyes and glitters used to make them sparkly and enticing. We encourage Kent County residents to reuse these materials. Other common holiday packaging like Styrofoam, bubble wrap and shipping envelopes can’t be put in curbside recycling bins and need to go to drop off facilities.
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Donate unwanted gifts. After feigning delight opening yet another ugly sweater, consider donating it and other unwanted gifts and toys to a local organization. Toys, clothing and other holiday items are made of fabric that often has too many different materials to be recycled.
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Safely dispose of your cooking waste by bringing it to one of our free SafeChem locations. Any kind of frying oil should never be dumped down the drain or thrown in the trash. Instead, our SafeChem facility will repurpose the waste into biofuel.
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Contribute to holiday cheer – not to a landfill. Many items you’ll use this holiday season can be recycled. Glass bottles and jars, as well as cartons and hard plastics, can be placed in your recycling cart once they’re rinsed. Cardboard is safe to go in the recycling cart without other packaging like zip ties and air pillows. Pie tins and other metal containers can also be recycled, as well as paper cups.
Kent County Business Expo
(Cal Brinks, Purchasing)
Pure Michigan Business Connect and Kent County Purchasing Division are hosting a Kent County Business Expo on February 8, 2022. This no-cost virtual event includes welcoming comments by County leadership, an educational webinar, followed by one-on-one buyer/supplier meetings to learn about upcoming County business opportunities and how to do business with the County. Event details and registration is located here.
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