January 2015 The City of Walker and the West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition (WMTGC) announced a fundraising kick-off to build a pedestrian tunnel that will connect the Fred Meijer Standale Trail under Lake Michigan Drive. The Fred Meijer Standale Trail currently has a missing link at Lake Michigan Drive that directs trail users, via sidewalk, a half mile out of their way to cross at a signalized intersection. However, many trail users cross the five-lane road to continue along the alignment of the trail. The location of the gap is within the City of Walker s Standale Downtown Development District and near a City parking facility that is heavily utilized by Grand Valley State University students riding The RAPID s bus service. One of the City s goals is to design the tunnel to operate with low future maintenance costs. The tunnel will be well lit by natural light and additional electrical sources. The tunnel will also include a Community Art Gallery, which will display local history and artwork from schools and other organizations. In the summer of 2014, the City of Walker was given a conditional commitment from MDOT for $1.2 million. In order for the commitment to be funded, Walker must raise approximately $700,000- $900,000 towards the project. Currently the City Commission has allocated $120,000 towards the project in FY 15. An additional $90,000-$120,000 is expected to be allocated by the City in FY 16. MDOT is looking for funding commitment from the City and partners by summer 2015. Community Sponsorship packets will be going out before the end of January. These packets will include multiple donor levels and benefits. We need community and local businesses support to make this pedestrian tunnel a reality! Make a $10 donation from your mobile phone with our Text to Give campaign. Be sure to follow the additional instructions your phone provider gives to complete the donation. Every dollar counts towards our goal! Thank you for your support. If you would like to make a donation to this project, please contact Amber Kneibel at the City or visit our website. For more information, visit the City of Walker website. www.ci.walker.mi.us
Dear City of Walker Residents, January is a time that we reflect on the events of the previous year and plan for the New Year. Last year, we conducted a strategic planning session and many of our initiatives are underway. In January, we will meet again to discuss what was successful in 2014 and how we can continue to implement and set new goals in 2015. One of our objectives last year was to improve communication with our residents. We have implemented several new ways for residents to receive timely information. These efforts include an e-newsletter and updates via Facebook and Twitter. If you do not follow the City Facebook or Twitter, I would recommend it. We work to provide real time information on road conditions, areas to avoid during automobile accidents, agendas and minutes for Commission meetings, and even where to bring your Christmas tree to be recycled. We kicked off our electronic newsletter in December to give everyone a preview of what to expect in the New Year. The e-newsletter can be e-mailed to you or you can obtain a copy on the City website and social media platforms. The new electronic version will allow us to disburse timely information to residents quickly and at a lower cost. To sign up for the e-newsletter, visit our website. We will continue to provide a printed newsletter twice a year in January and July. Transportation on roads and bike trails continue to improve in Walker: Currently we are working to raise funds for the proposed pedestrian and bike tunnel under Lake Michigan Drive in Standale. This is an important project to help connect the trail system, but most importantly to keep trail users safe. Your contribution to this exciting project is needed. The state has provided the City with a grant, and the City is paying for the engineering costs, but we still have to raise another $800,000 to make this project a reality. We are looking for community support, please consider giving to this project. For more information, please feel free to contact me or the City offices. Roads in Walker will receive additional improvements in 2015! You have probably started to see trees being removed at the intersection of Remembrance and Wilson. This clearing of trees is to prepare for the new roundabout that will be constructed. Our foremost objective with this roundabout is to provide a safe environment for motorist. To learn more about this project and how to use roundabouts, please visit the City website. Wilson Avenue south of Lake Michigan Drive will also be resurfaced in 2015 with additional widening occurring. Bus transit in Walker may see significant growth in the future if the Lake Line is approved. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) began in Grand Rapids with the north and south Silver Line this summer. This project is currently under study by The RAPID, if approved route 50 would be converted to a rapid transit line that would allow passengers to travel from Allendale to Downtown Grand Rapids. According to The RAPID over 12,000 people use this route daily. I have heard so many positive comments from residents about the community events the City has begun offering in 2014. We hope to continue to expand and improve these events. Many people attended the Standale Summer Concert Series, and these will continue in 2015. We also heard great feedback from residents and businesses about the first Winter Fest. Participation was great and there was something for everyone. Next year we plan to improve parking, offer extended time for the free ice skating, and provide additional wreaths for the businesses to decorate. If you have questions or concerns you would like to share with me, please feel free to contact me by e-mail mark.huizenga@ci.walker.mi.us or telephone 616-735-2950. Best wishes to you and your families for a wonderful 2015! Mark E. Huizenga Mayor www.ci.walker.mi.us City Commission MAYOR Mark Huizenga - 735-2950 mark.huizenga@ci.walker.mi.us FIRST WARD COMMISSIONERS: Al Parent 262-1204 al.parent@ci.walker.mi.us Dan Kent - 784-5591 daniel.kent@ci.walker.mi.us SECOND WARD COMMISSIONERS: Chuck Deschaine Mayor Pro Tem - 885-3496 charles.deschaine@ci.walker.mi.us Gary Carey - 292-1715 gary.carey@ci.walker.mi.us THIRD WARD COMMISSIONERS: Cynthia Stek 791-9381 cynthia.stek@ci.walker.mi.us Sandra Howland - 634-0046 sandra.howland@ci.walker.mi.us City Services CITY HALL 453-6311 Hours: M-Th - 7:30am - 5:00pm, Fri 7:30am - 11:30am ASSESSOR S OFFICE Kelly Smith, Assessor Phone: 791-6862 - kelly.smith@ci.walker.mi.us CITY MANAGER Darrel Schmalzel Phone: 791-6787 darrel.schmalzel@ci.walker.mi.us CLERK S OFFICE Sarah Bydalek, Clerk Phone: 791-6865 - sarah.bydalek@ci.walker.mi.us COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - BUILDING & ZONING Tim Musser, Building Official Phone: 791-6857 - timothy.musser@ci.walker.mi.us Frank Wash, Assistant City Manager - Community Development Director Phone: 791-6850 - frank.wash@ci.walker.mi.us DISTRICT COURT - 59TH Hours: M-W 7:30am-5pm, Th 8am-5pm, F 7:30am-3pm Judge Peter P. Versluis - Phone: 453-5765 ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Scott C. Conners, P.E., City Engineer Phone: 791-6792 - scott.conners@ci.walker.mi.us FINANCE DEPARTMENT Cindy Lewis, Finance Manager Phone: 791-6799 - cindy.lewis@ci.walker.mi.us FIRE / POLICE DEPARTMENTS Catherine Garcia-Lindstrom, Public Safety Director Phone: 791-6800 Robert Walker, Deputy Chief of Fire Operations Phone: 791-6840 - robert.walker@ci.walker.mi.us Greg Long, Deputy Chief of Police Operations Phone: 791-6825 - greg.long@ci.walker.mi.us INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT Julie Blok, Income Tax Director Phone: 791-6866 - julie.blok@ci.walker.mi.us PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE Mark Koning, DPW Director Phone: 791-6854 - mark.koning@ci.walker.mi.us: or tracey.muilenburg@ci.walker.mi.us TREASURER S OFFICE Dan DeVries, Treasurer Phone: 791-6852 - daniel.devries@ci.walker.mi.us WALKER ICE & FITNESS CENTER & RECREATION DEPARTMENT Phone: 735-6286 Cancellation Hotline: 791-6206 2 www.ci.walker.mi.us
Fire Department WINTER SAFETY ALERT This time of year many people will look for just about any means available to stay warm. The Walker Fire Department would like to pass along some basic fire prevention tips to help you remain safe and warm during the winter season. Home Heating Equipment Wood burning stoves and fireplace chimneys should be inspected and cleaned. Your space heaters should carry the label of an independent testing lab, and they should be equipped with an automatic shutoff. Combustible materials should be kept clear of all heating appliances. When using kerosene heaters, the following safeguards should be followed: Kerosene heaters should be equipped with a primary safety control furnished as an integral part of the appliance by the manufacturer to stop the flow of oil in the event of flame failure. Provide adequate ventilation. Do not place on carpeting. Keep at least three feet away from combustibles, furnishings, or drapes. Use only approved type 1-K water clear kerosene. Wait for burners to cool before refueling. YOU SHOULD NEVER USE YOUR OVEN AS A HEATING DEVICE! If you use an electric blanket, make sure that the wire is in good condition, and you should turn the blanket off and unplug it when not in use. Using electric blow dryers, torches, or other homemade remedies to thaw out frozen pipes is extremely dangerous. Lives have been lost and property destroyed by not taking proper steps to thaw pipes. Prolonged use of a blow dryer will cause it to overheat, and could easily start on fire. If you have a problem with frozen pipes, seek help from a professional to thaw pipes. If your pipes are susceptible to freezing, get advice from a plumber on how to protect your pipes against freezing. Lastly, it is very important to make sure your smoke detectors are in good working condition and practice your escape plan. FIRE HYDRANT ALERT Winter is here and we are now faced with the chore of snow removal from driveways and sidewalks. However, many people do not realize that keeping our fire hydrants clear of snow is equally important. In the event of a fire emergency, having access to the fire hydrants for a water supply is critical in order to successfully combat a fire situation. The Walker Fire Department is asking for your help in keeping the snow cleared from the fire hydrant in front of (or near) your home or business. The best way to do this is by clearing the snow from the street to the hydrant in a three feet circle around the hydrant. This will allow the fire hose to be connected to the fire truck faster in case of a fire emergency. The Walker Fire Department would like to thank the many residents and business owners that have taken time to assist with snow removal and to those who may assist us this winter in keeping our hydrants clear of snow. For more information, visit the City of Walker website. www.ci.walker.mi.us 3
Department of Public Works CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING LOCATIONS December 26, 2014 through January 24, 2015 (Drop off is open at any time) Recycling Locations: Walker City Hall, 4243 Remembrance Rd. N.W. Walker Community Park, 650 Cummings N.W. Fire Station #3, 1470 Three Mile Rd. N.W. TREES ONLY NO PLASTIC BAGS WALKER RESIDENTS ONLY Recreation Department / Walker Ice and Fitness Center UPCOMING EVENTS AND RECREATION REGISTRATION DEADLINES Skate with Your Mate on Valentine s Day Fun for kids and the entire family! Saturday, February 14 from 12 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Buy one admission get one FREE Girl s Softball February 1-28, 2015 Girls - 6 through 13 years of age Practices and games on Tuesday and Thursday evenings Practices begin week of April 13, 2015 First game on April 28, 2015 Registration Feb 1 - Feb 28 at Walker Ice & Fitness Center Girl s Softball Umpires Needed Girls Softball Program Ages 6-13 Games on Tuesday and Thursday evenings Season begins April 28, 2015 Minimum age is 14 years old Must have softball experience Adult Softball March 30-April 11, 2015 Softball Leagues offered for: Men s, Women s, and Co-ed teams 8-week season beginning June 8, 2015 Registration March 30 through April 11 Information packets available in February Adult Softball Umpires Needed Men s, Women s and Co-ed teams Monday through Thursday evenings Season begins week of June 8, 2015 Participation in Walker umpires classes required Co-Ed Spring Youth Soccer February 1-28, 2015 Boys and Girls - 5 through 13 years of age Practices on weekdays - Games on Saturdays Practices begin the week of April 13 First game on April 25, 2015 Registration Feb 1 - Feb 28 at Walker Ice & Fitness Center Youth Soccer Officials Needed Spring Youth Soccer Program - Ages 5-13 Games on Saturdays Season begins on Saturday, April 25, 2015 Minimum age is 14 years old Must have soccer experience Annual Easter Egg Hunt March 28, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Walker Ice & Fitness Center, 4151 Remembrance Rd. NW Boys and Girls ages 2-8 Hunt for wrapped candy and eggs that can be redeemed for prizes. Easter Bunny available for pictures For complete information on all of our programs, special events and schedules, please contact the Walker Ice and Fitness center at 735-6286, or visit our website at www.walkericeandfitness.com Connect with Walker Ice and Fitness Center www.facebook.com/walkericefitness 4 www.ci.walker.mi.us
Community Development Department The Walker Community Development Department administrates the planning, zoning, and building processes. The following chart provides information for several recent development projects. Walker is fortunate to have a diverse economic development base. The Meijer corporate campus upgrades seek to modernize their workplace while improving pedestrian and vehicular movements. Feyen Zylstra chose to repurpose the former Fairview Elementary School on Hillside Drive adjacent to Alpine Avenue. Plasan manufactures carbon fiber materials for the auto industry. Carbon fiber technology is on the cutting edge and can greatly reduce vehicle weight, which can lead to improved fuel consumption. Walker is a master planned City and these COMMUNITY important DEVELOPMENT projects fit well DEPARTMENT in their local neighborhoods. 2013 AND 2014 BUILDING ACTIVITY FOR LARGER PROJECTS SITE TYPE OF PROJECTION PERMIT ADDRESS CONSTRUCTION VALUATION FEES Meijer 2727 Walker Ave/2929 Walker Ave Office renovation/tunnel $19,000,000.00 $136,875.00 Custom Profile 1976 Avastar Parkway Office renovation $6,000,000.00 $36,054.00 Kenona Industries 2967 S Wilson Ct 39,967 sq. ft new warehouse $1,989,351.00 $11,994.00 Visser Brothers 3691 Northridge 67,020 industrial building $1,172,850.00 $7,092.00 Advantage Health 933 3 Mile 7,660 sq. ft. addition $1,075,000.00 $6,504.00 Visser Brothers 2640 West River 203,006 new industrial building $10,097,518.00 $60,642.00 Feyen Zylstra 2396 Hillside Renovate existing building $2,800,000.00 $16,854.00 Appletree Learing Center 2846 3 Mile New commercial building $1,200,000.00 $7,254.00 3 building permits for building Plasan 3195 Wilson renovations $725,000.00 $4,593.00 McDonald's 2652 Alpine Demo and rebuild building $600,000.00 $5,067.50 Clerk s Department PASSPORTS You can apply for a passport in the Clerk s Office. No appointments are necessary during normal office hours. Evening and weekend appointments are available upon request, please contact the Clerk s Office to schedule at 616.791.6865. Visit our website for details on passport requirements at ci.walker.mi.us by clicking on the How Do I? tab and then select Get a Passport. NOTARY SERVICES Notary services are available in the Clerk s Office at no charge and no appointments are needed. CITY HALL DROP BOX Any documents you need to turn into the Clerk s office MAY be dropped off in the City Hall Brown drop box outside City Hall. (i.e. Absentee ballot applications, signed and sealed absentee ballots and license applications and payments) For more www.ci.walker.mi.us information, visit the City of Walker website. www.ci.walker.mi.us 5
Income Tax Department (2014 Tax Information) Who Must File Every resident or part-year resident of Walker (this includes renters) who has taxable income of $600 or more in a calendar year must file a return. Income tax returns for tax year 2013 were due April 30, 2014. If you overlooked this filing, please mail your return as soon as possible to Walker Income Tax Department, PO Box 153, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0153. Residency Please do not assume that if your mailing address is Grand Rapids, you are not a Walker resident. All Walker addresses have Grand Rapids mailing addresses. Visit the following link on the Walker website to check whether your address is within the city limits of Walker. Walker street directory: www.ci.walker.mi.us/assessing_department.php Estimated Payments Fourth quarter estimated payments for 2014 Walker Income Tax are due January 31, 2015. If your employer does not withhold Walker Income Tax or you have non-wage income (rental income, capital gains, premature pension distributions, etc.) that is subject to tax and you think you may owe more than $100 with your 2014 return, you must make quarterly estimated payments. The 2014 Quarterly Estimated payment vouchers with instructions can be found: In the 2013 Resident Forms and Instructions booklet On our web site at www.ci.walker.mi.us/income_tax_forms.php By mail--call us at 616-791-6880 You must pay in at least 70% of your current or prior year liability (whichever is lower) through timely estimates, credits or withholding to avoid receiving a bill for penalty and interest for underpayment of estimated tax. If you need help calculating safe estimates, please call us for assistance at 616-791-6880. Please note that paying all four quarterly estimates with the fourth quarter voucher due January 31, 2015 may result in a bill for penalty and interest for failure to pay timely estimates. Required Attachments During the 2013 filing season, a large number of returns that were completed using tax preparation software designed for home use (TurboTax, Tax Cut, etc,) were missing required attachments. We will request the missing information one time by mail. If we do not receive a response, a notice of proposed assessment may be issued. After receiving a notice of proposed assessment, you have 30 days to file a written protest with the income tax administrator and include the requested information. If you do not file a written protest, the assessment will become final 30 days after you receive it. You will not have another opportunity to provide the missing information or to reduce the assessment after this time period has elapsed. Please respond promptly to all correspondence from the Income Tax Department. The most common missing attachments are: Page one of the federal 1040 required for all residents W-2 forms showing Walker withholding Page one of the Grand Rapids non-resident return for taxpayers claiming a credit for tax paid to Grand Rapids Forgotten Returns If you have past years of Walker returns that you have forgotten to file, contact the tax department immediately at 616-791-6880. If you file prior year returns and pay the tax and interest due, you may request a waiver of penalty. If the tax department contacts you first regarding unfiled returns, you will not be eligible for a waiver of penalty. We are continuing the process of electronically matching State of Michigan returns filed from a Walker resident address with Walker returns filed. If you have forgotten to file Walker returns from prior years, now is the time to get that cleared up before the letters go out from this matching program. 6 www.ci.walker.mi.us
Assessing Office As we greet 2015, there are two main items that our office would like our taxpayers and property owners to be aware of: 1) Changes in the Personal Property Tax Law and 2) 2015 Assessment Change Notices are coming next month. Changes in the Personal Property Tax Law This is the second year that small businesses in the State of Michigan can be exempt from paying personal property tax. A small business is one that the total of all the personal property in their possession (owned, leased, etc.) is less than $80,000 true cash value. To claim the exemption, you must file the Affidavit of Owner of Eligible Personal Property Claiming Exemption from Collection of Taxes (Form 5076) with the local assessing office. In 2014, if these exemption affidavits were not filed timely, then they could be put through March Board of Review and the exemption would be granted. For 2015, if these exemption affidavits are not filed in a timely manner then the exemption will not be granted. There will be no exceptions. To file the affidavit timely, they must be submitted to the assessor s office on or before February 10, 2015. If you are a small business, please do not miss out on a property tax exemption that you qualify for. If you are a business with personal property valuing $80,000 true cash value or higher, you are still required to file a Personal Property Statement (Form 632) with the assessor s office. For more information, please visit our website www.ci.walker.mi.us (Government Departments Assessing 2015 Personal Property Changes) or you can call at (616) 791-6872. 2015 Assessment Change Notices If you are a property owner in the City of Walker, you will receive your 2015 Assessment Change Notice in February. This notice contains a lot of very important information, please be sure to take the time and review the form in its entirety. If you own and occupy your home, the PRE (Principal Residence Exemption) should be at 100% (or less if it is a duplex). Does the property class make sense? Do we have your name and mailing address correct? Finally, look at the new 2015 values are we in line with what you feel your property is worth? We have gone through some rough times in the State of Michigan, with regards to real estate values, but that has definitely turned around in a big way during the last year to year and a half. Sales are rising big time! If you do not agree with your new value, you are free to appeal to the March Board of Review. By law, this is the only time of year that you can appeal your valuation, so do not miss the opportunity. Your notice will tell you how to call and schedule an appointment to appeal. You will be given a 15 minute time slot to speak to the Board of Review (who are three property owners in Walker just like yourself). If you cannot make an in person appeal, you also have the option of appealing in letter form. The best way to win an appeal is to come prepared, with evidence in hand. Evidence can include, but is not limited to: a recent real estate appraisal, a list of comparable sales in your neighborhood, a list of assessments of similar homes in your neighborhood, pictures/proof of items that may be wrong with your home, etc. Please feel free to call us with questions or concerns at (616) 791-6862. Walker Winter Fest Thank you to everyone who participated in the Walker Winter Fest! We had over 600 community members join us for an evening of holiday fun. A special thank you to Meijer for their donation and to all of our 25 local businesses that participated in the Walker Wreath Competition. 2014 Walker Wreath Community Choice Winner Spotlight: Once Upon a Child At Once Upon a Child, we buy and sell an amazing assortment of new and gently used kid s stuff. Including clothing, toys, equipment and more whatever your kids need, we are sure to have it at up to 70% off normal retail prices! We pay cash for gently used clothing (newborn to size 16 youth), toys and baby equipment. Just bring your items in to one of our stores. Check out our web site for selling tips and a list of our favorite brands. www.onceuponachildgrandrapids.com We have two local locations, one in Walker on Alpine Ave and the second in Wyoming on 28th St. Next year we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary. Please save the date for next year s Winter Fest on December 3, 2015. www.ci.walker.mi.us 7 For more information, visit the City of Walker website. www.ci.walker.mi.us
CITY OF WALKER 4243 Remembrance Road NW Walker, MI 49534 Connect with the City of Walker PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID GRAND RAPIDS, MI PERMIT #1 Engineering Department M-11 Roundabout Frequently Asked Questions Q: Is there really an accident problem at this intersection? A: The intersection averages about ten documented accidents per year. Those accidents are typically high speed and cause serious injury and potentially death. The skew of the intersection makes visibility difficult as some drivers must turn their heads 135 degrees to look left. This is much more severe than the typical right angle intersection that requires drivers to look 90 degrees left. The closing distance for drivers making left turns from Wilson can also be misleading. Drivers make a determination to turn left based on an oncoming vehicle s speed and location. In this intersection the turning vehicle actually closes the distance with the oncoming vehicle when making a left because it is only a 45 degree turn. That movement can cause indecision on drivers looking for ample turning gaps. The roundabout will eliminate those movements in favor of slow speed merging and right hand turns. Q: Why not install a dedicated left turn arrow? This would eliminate the accident potential. A: Adding a left turn arrow would not eliminate the movements that cause accidents. Most drivers would want the left turn arrow to be permissive to allow left turns on a blinking signal when opposing traffic is not present. This situation would be very similar to what we have now except that it would take additional phases (adding a dedicated left phase) and result in less green time for the straight movements. Adding phases to traffic signals generally increases delay and congestion. Turn arrows and indirect left turns were explored early in the review of this intersection and ruled out because they do not decrease congestion or increase safety. Q: Why would the City spend $5,000,000 this one project? It seems unreasonable. A: The cost of the roundabout is estimated to be just under $2,000,000. The $5,000,000 number includes all the resurfacing that will also take place along M-11.The roundabout cost is being funded with a variety of sources that are dedicated to these types of improvements. Walker s cost has been estimated to be between $600,000 and $700,000. Walker has obtained a $400,000 Congestion Mitigation Air Quality grant to go towards that amount. MDOT will also be dedicating traffic safety funds that are eligible due to the targeted decrease in injury related accidents. Q: How will fire trucks and busses get through the intersection? A: The roundabout is designed with a minimum of 16 lane width even in the single lane portions. It also has a concrete apron that will allow large trucks and tandem trucks to navigate the roundabout effectively. The size will accommodate buses and fire trucks. Q: Will this improvement make it more difficult to exit Richmond at Wilson? (The primary concern being with vehicles from the west leg of Richmond and the lack of gaps in southbound Wilson traffic.) A: This was one of the concerns that came up at the first open house. Since that time, MDOT s consultant, DLZ, has modeled the Richmond/Wilson intersection with existing traffic and then with the proposed roundabout. They determined that the impact was negligible. This may be due to the fact that southbound M-11 traffic only stops briefly at the intersection. The majority of vehicles making this movement either receive a green light or a quick right turn on red. Based on local knowledge, this might contribute to the fairly steady stream of southbound vehicles that local traffic observes at Richmond. MDOT has agreed to monitor the operation of this intersection closely after the project is completed. That will include an analysis for a future traffic signal as the signal warrants are met. Q: Won t the roundabout confuse drivers? A: MDOT has many examples of successful roundabout implementation around the state that can be used to educate drivers. MDOT and Walker are actively engaged in educating the public in West Michigan on how to use a roundabout. Walker will be reaching out to local groups to provide tutorials on how to navigate the intersection. The design team has also made very deliberate decisions on pavement marking, signage and landscaping that will increase safety and ensure that lane delineation is easy to identify. For more information regarding this project, please contact the City of Walker s Engineering Department at (616)453-6311 or visit our website at www.walker.ci.mi.us www.facebook.com/cityofwalkermi twitter.com/cityofwalkermi Connect with the Walker/Standale DDA www.facebook.com/walkerstandaledda www.ci.walker.mi.us