|
Greetings City of Rockford Residents!
I was pleasantly surprised by the great weather we had over the 4th of July weekend. Now that summer is in full swing, we are rolling with some of the major projects in the downtown. Hotel Rose has broken ground, and the City has hired an engineering firm to develop plans to renovate the Towers Parking lot; adding more parking spaces and taking care of underground utilities. The only major street project in the City this year is nearly complete, and we're planning to lay the topcoat of asphalt on Courtland and Northland during the week of July 16.
This edition of our newsletter starts with information about the Krause Memorial Library Expansion Project. The Krause Memorial Library is a crucial part of our Rockford Community, leading the way in participation in the KDL system and is in desperate need of expansion. We are fortunate to have a dedicated group of community members working to enable us to increase the footprint and services for everyone to enjoy. It's heartbreaking to see children who are unable to participate in programming due to the lack of available space. You can find a link in the article for more information about the campaign goal and project objectives.
July also begins our new fiscal year. Some of the items included in this year’s budget include: renovating the Welcome Center downtown to add an accessible family restroom, replacing our 1998 plow truck with a new one, new traffic signals/pedestrian crossings at E. Division/Main St, mill and fill part of Glen Arbor and Glenwoods Ct., and so much more.
Thank you again for your patience during all of the improvement projects in our downtown. I hope you enjoy the rest of the summer!
Thad Beard
City Manager
| |
 |
Krause Memorial Library Expansion
The Krause Memorial Library has been a pride of the Rockford community for many years. It is a beloved institution that is heavily used and enjoys great support. The library provides reading and viewing materials, programs for all ages, as well as technology resources such as public computers, Wi-Fi, mobile hotspots, iPads, and a robust digital collection.
Over the past 20 years, patrons have increasingly asked about the expansion of the library, as it is one of the smallest in the Kent District Library (KDL) system. Despite its small size, it has the highest circulation per square foot and visits per capita in the system. The library was last expanded in 1989, and with the area's population nearly doubling since then, the need for expansion has become more pressing.
Today, we are taking steps to ensure that our beloved library meets the needs of our community now and in the future. To achieve this, we need your support for the Krause Memorial Library Expansion Project.
Highlights of the expansion project include:
- Growing the library from 9,500 sf to 23,000 sf
- Improving accessibility by widening doors and aisles, adding barrier-free and family restrooms, moving accessible parking closer to the entrance, and adding Thursday morning and Sunday hours
- Adding a drive-up book return
The current library space will be transformed into the adult wing, with study rooms, a quiet reading room, and a designated reading area.
The new wing will include:
- An accessible library entrance with natural light and open space
- A larger children's area
- A flexible community room
- A fenced courtyard off the children's area
- A dedicated teen area with a study room and social space
To learn more or to donate to the Krause Memorial Library Expansion Project, click here.
|
|
 |
August 6 State Primary Election
The August 6 State Primary is quickly approaching, here is what voters need to know…
The August election is a primary election. Even though both parties have candidates on the ballot, voters must choose one party for the partisan sections of the ballot. Voters cannot split their ticket in this election.
Absentee Voting
All registered voters are now eligible to vote absentee if you have met the photo ID rule when you registered to vote. If you are on our Permanent Absentee Ballot List, your absentee ballot was mailed to your home address the last week of June. If you are not on the Permanent Absentee Ballot List and would like an absentee ballot you may request one from the Clerk’s office by filling out an Absentee Ballot Application.
If you’ve received your absentee ballot there are several ways to return it. Absentee ballots must be received by 8:00pm on August 6 to be tabulated.
- By mail, return postage is paid. We recommend mailing before Monday, July 29.
- Drop off in person to the Clerk’s office inside City Hall during normal business hours.
- 24 Hour Drop Box located outside the entrance to City Hall.
- Bring your completed ballot to our Early Voting site or polling place on Election Day and convert your ballot to in-person and feed it into the tabulator yourself.
Please, don’t forget to sign your Absentee Ballot envelope using the signature that is on your drivers license or State ID.
Early Voting
Michigan voters now have the right to cast a ballot early and in person at an early voting site. The Early Voting process is very similar to voting on Election Day. Voters will fill out an application to vote, be given a ballot to vote, and then place the ballot in the tabulator themselves.
The City of Rockford’s Early Voting Site will be located at City Hall and open daily (including Saturday and Sunday) from July 27-August 4 from 8:00am-4:00pm.
Election Day
If you would prefer to vote on Election Day, polls will be open on Tuesday, August 6 from 7:00am-8:00pm.
The City of Rockford has two voting precincts. Precinct 1’s polling location is at the Fire Station. Precinct 1 is any house east of the Rogue River. Precinct 2’s polling location is at City Hall. Precinct 2 is any house west of the Rogue River. Both of these polling locations are at 7 S. Monroe St.
| | | |
Department of Public Services | |
|
Summer is also Construction Season
Sometimes, it feels like you can’t get from Point A to B without orange barrels and construction. The results will be worth the wait. The work on Courtland St and Northland is a significant inconvenience but should be done by the end of August. The new underground utilities and repaved roads will be an improvement from the previous condition. If you must get to the locations on this construction route, know that most days, one lane will be open, except for the days new pavement is installed.
The block of Main St. between Maple St. and Bridge St. will see a lot of exterior activity through the fall as the new Hotel Rose is being constructed. Once the building is closed, however, street disruptions will be significantly less.
The remediation work at the Wolverine greenspace on Main Street continues but offers minimal traffic disruptions. Please be cautious in that area, as construction and pedestrian traffic are a bit atypical.
| | | |
|
Interior Water Line Inspections
The 2018 revisions to the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act, 1976 PA 399, as amended, require that water suppliers develop and maintain a Complete Distribution System Material Inventory (CDSMI). The purpose of the CDSMI is to characterize, record, and maintain a comprehensive inventory of distribution system materials, including service line materials on both public and private property. Maintaining an accurate inventory of distribution materials supports effective asset management planning, lead service line replacement efforts, and notification of those served by a lead service line. In May, letters were sent to 571 addresses for the purpose of completing the necessary inspections of the home’s water service as it enters the home. We have scheduled and completed over 35% of those addresses so far. If you received that letter and haven’t scheduled it yet, please get in touch with the city office to get that inspection completed.
| |  |
|
Mowing & Maintaining Parks
Next time you are out mowing your lawn, think about the city's many beautiful parks and open areas. The DPS staff mows and weed whips 38 locations around the city every week. When you see the crew any Monday through Thursday, please give them a wave, as spending 80+ hours a week can be lonely. Along with lawn care, our staff spends at least 20 hours a week cleaning and emptying trash at the facilities within our park system. Although the cemetery isn’t considered a park, our staff spends 50-60 hours per week maintaining this peaceful place, along with the many burials that take place frequently.
| | |
|
Miss Digs
If you are considering landscaping, tree planting, excavating or putting a shovel in the ground, public act 174 requires that you must contact Miss Dig before you start. The last thing you need is to hit a water, power, gas, sewer or electrical line. Our DPS crew marks all water, sewer and storm sewer for Miss Dig requests. That work amounted to over 307 requests between April and June.
| | |
|
Branch Chipping
Branch Chipping will resume again on Monday, August 5.
Branch chipping occurs on the east side of the river on the 1st & 3rd Monday of the month and on the west side of the river on the 2nd & 4th Monday of the month.
| | |
|
Start of Summer celebration requires much behind-the-scenes work
The DPS crew is called upon for much of the heavy lifting that takes place before, during, and after the SOS events. Parade routes, trash removal, barricades, stage, PA/podium, set up and removal of all the above, cleaning the streets, traffic control, and so much more require over 94 hours of work Thursday through Saturday, all above and beyond the normal requirements of keeping the city functioning.
| |
Department of Public Safety | |
Speed Limits and Detour Signs
Like most communities in Michigan, summer often means road construction. With multiple road projects underway in the Rockford area, we encourage drivers to obey speed limits and detour signs. Speed limits are clearly marked throughout the city and should always be obeyed. Warmer weather means more pedestrians, cyclists, and children playing in our neighborhoods. Focus on safety and make certain you’re traveling at or below posted speeds.
When you encounter “Road Closed to Thru Traffic” signs and other warnings of construction throughout town, find an alternate route. Motorists should only cross this barrier when their destination is in the construction zone and there is no other access. A motorist may not pass through these construction zones to access an address or street that is on the other side. For instance, a motorist can pass the sign at N Lincoln St and Courtland St to access Herman’s Boy but may not continue north on Northland Dr from there to access OLC. Safety is a top priority of our road construction crews, so please do your best to stay out of their work environment.
| |
National Night Out
As we all enjoy the summer heat, the Rockford Department of Public Safety is preparing for the annual National Night Out (NNO) celebration in downtown Rockford. This year’s event will be held on Tuesday, August 6th from 6:00pm-8:00pm on Bridge St. This annual community building campaign promotes police-community relationships in an effort to bring everyone together under positive circumstances. Those who attend will have an opportunity to interact with area officers and fire fighters, look over police and fire emergency equipment, and learn more about safety programs offered through our department.
August 6 is also Election Day, please note the City Hall Parking Lot will be reserved for voters. Please do not park there for National Night Out.
| | | |
Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget Highlights
The Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget went into effect on July 1, 2024. Some of the improvements that were approved in the budget include:
Department of Public Safety
- Updated Public Safety equipment
- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) grant match
- Turn out gear
- Water Rescue Suits
- Airvac System
- Exhaust System grant match
Department of Public Services
- City Hall Updates; paint, flooring, furniture, and bathrooms
- Community Cabin Updates; paint and carpet
- Peppler Park retaining wall repairs
- Replace lights on bridge for dam
- New picnic tables at Rotary Park
- Welcome Center Remodel to add Accessible Family Restroom
- Garden Cub Park, Phase II
- Walkway from Riverfront Parking Lot to Courtland St.
- Cemetery Road Improvements
- Replace our 1998 plow truck with a new one
Street Improvements
- New Traffic Signals/pedestrian crossings at E. Division/Main St
- Mill and Fill part of Glen Arbor and Glenwoods Ct.
- Cape Seal various streets
- Storm Sewer Repair on Longview
Water/Sewer
- Water Treatment Plant Painting
- Valve Turner/Vac
- Well House 3 Rehab
- Peach Tree Lift Station conversion to gravity sewer + watermain loop
- Heritage Park Lift Station Rehab
- Lead Service Line Replacement
- Middle School Water Tower Maintenance
- Sanitary Sewer Main Lining
2024-2025 Budget
City Projects
| |
Your Tax Bill Broken Down
When property taxes are paid to the City of Rockford with homestead, only 31% of the revenue remains within the City of Rockford, with the remaining 69% is allocated to other entities such as Kent County, Rockford Public Schools, the State of Michigan, and others. It's worth noting that the City of Rockford levies a 12.9 mill tax, which is comparatively one of the lower tax rates among our surrounding municipalities.
| | | |
|
7 South Monroe St. NE
Rockford, MI 49341
(616) 866 1537
| |
| | | |
