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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Our primary goal continues to be the safety of those living, working in and visiting our community. The City of Kentwood has remained open for business during this unprecedented time while taking steps to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Per the Governor’s
“Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order
, all City of Kentwood buildings are now closed to the public. Some employees are working remotely.
Essential services continue uninterrupted.
Residents are encouraged to continue to
access City services
through the following methods:
- Utilizing services available online at www.kentwood.us.
- Calling or emailing City departments or officials.
- Paying bills through U.S. mail, the drop box or electronically using ACH. A reminder that no fees apply to ACH, but a 3% fee applies to online and automated phone transactions.
At this time, the City plans to conduct its
City Commission meeting
on April 13 and the
Planning Commission
meeting on April 14 via Zoom conference. The agendas and login information will soon be posted to our
website
. The
Historic Preservation Meeting
on April 6 is canceled.
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Michigan 2-1-1 is an easy way to find help with child care, 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. Additionally, we have a running list of organizations that have stepped up to offer food assistance and other resources
here
on our website.
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A list of resources and information for Michigan businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak can be found at
www.michiganbusiness.org/covid19
. As the administrator of the MEDC Small Business Relief Grant, The Right Place has shared grant criteria and application details (
applications due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1
) on its
website
. To view the State of Michigan's guidance for businesses about Executive Order 2020-21, click
here
.
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The Latest on April Events
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Many events were slated to take place in April, but given the circumstances, have been postponed or canceled. We hope you will be able to join us when programs are rescheduled and appreciate your understanding. Please note these dates are tentative and may change depending on future state and local public health directives. We recommend you check our website and social media platforms for the most up-to-date details.
- Easter Egg Hunt has been canceled.
- Arbor Day Celebration has been postponed. A new date is yet to be determined.
- Spotlight on Seniors Health and Fitness Expo is rescheduled for June 16.
- Limb Loss Awareness 5K is rescheduled for Aug. 22.
Please note, some Parks and Recreation programs have been rescheduled for a later date. The Department is working hard to bring you virtual programming and other activity ideas you can do at home in the interim. Please keep an eye on
Facebook
and our
website
or call 616.656.5270 for the latest updates.
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What’s Open Under “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order
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Some critical businesses remain open during this time, including grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, health care facilities, banks and credit unions, school food service, hotels and blood banks. Restaurants may continue to offer take-out and delivery services. Gov. Whitmer encourages people to use delivery services if available rather than picking up their food at local restaurants. For more information, please see the full executive order
here
.
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To minimize the spread of COVID-19, The Rapid is discouraging non-essential travel on all buses and ridesharing services. A reduced service schedule is in place until further notice. Some routes have been suspended. To view the schedule details, go to
ridetherapid.org/coronavirus
.
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Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Library
Digital Services
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The Governor’s
Executive Order
has closed all libraries in the state to the public until April 13. Programs, outreach visits, bookmobile visits and book sales have been canceled. In the meantime, Kent District Library continues to provide many digital services available to you remotely and for free, such as eBooks and eAudiobooks; streaming TV, movie and music services; and digital subscriptions to newspapers and magazines. KDL is also live streaming programs through its Facebook page.
These are all available online:
For more information, visit
kdl.org
.
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Physical Distancing Outdoors
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While Michigan residents must stay home under the statewide “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order unless they are doing something essential, like getting food or medicine, the order specifies people can leave their homes to go outdoors for exercise as long as they stay six feet away from anyone not in their household. If you visit our trails during this time, please be sure to follow the guidelines for physical distancing to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and plan ahead before you arrive.
Because Kentwood parks do not officially open for the season until May 1, parking lot gates, park rental facilities and restroom facilities are closed. Additionally, sport fields and courts are not available. Please be aware that playground equipment is closed at the recommendation of the Kent County Health Department. Handrails and benches are also not disinfected.
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2020 Census – Be Counted Kentwood!
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The 2020 Census is underway and households across America are responding every day. Homes began receiving invitations to complete the 2020 Census last month. Most residences will receive an invitation to respond and/or a paper questionnaire. It’s important that everyone respond once the invitation arrives in mailboxes. A complete and accurate count is critical because the results will impact our community for the next decade.
When completing the census, you will include everyone living in your home on April 1, 2020. For the first time, the U.S. Census Bureau will accept responses online at
my2020census.gov
. The public is strongly encouraged to respond online as the process will be quick and secure and will ensure everyone has the opportunity to respond and be counted. Options for responding by phone or mail are also available.
The results will show where we may need new schools, new clinics, new roads and more services for families, older adults and children. Everything from school lunches and highway plans, to housing assistance and healthcare for our community is largely dependent on an accurate count of all the people who live in Kentwood. Additionally, census statistics provide baseline numbers for funding of emergency response and disaster relief and could impact Michigan’s congressional representation.
Census guides have been translated into 59 non-English languages, including American Sign Language, as well as braille and large print. To learn more about language support for the 2020 Census, click
here
. For general census information, please visit
2020census.gov
or
kentwood.us/census
.
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At this time, the May election will continue as scheduled with a Kelloggsville school proposal on the ballot for precincts 1, 4 and 5. Please visit
michigan.gov/vote
to view a sample ballot and find other voter information.
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62-B District Court Judge Petitions Due April 21
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An election will be held for a 62-B District Court judge this November. The candidate must be an attorney in good standing for five years, a registered elector of Kentwood and under the age of 70 on Nov. 3, 2020. Candidates must file petitions with the Secretary of State with 200 to 400 signatures by 4 p.m. on April 21, 2020. The judge will be chosen by Kentwood voters on Nov. 3, 2020.
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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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