Commission Work Session - 21 Apr 2025 - No Meeting Held

COMMISSION WORK SESSION AGENDA COMMISSION CHAMBERS 4243 REMEMBRANCE RD. NW. MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2025 6:30 PM Discussion Items Staff Reports 1. Police Department 2. Fire Department 3. IT Department 4. Community Development Department 5. Assessing 6. Clerk 7. Department of Public Works 8. Engineering 9. Human Resources 10. WIFC/ Recreation Department 11. Income Tax 12. Treasury/Finance 13. Kent District Library - Walker Branch Mayors, Commissioners, Managers Comments Public Comment Adjournment Page 1 of 39  CITY OF WALKER POLICE DEPARTMENT INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM DATE: April 3, 2025 TO: Mayor Carey, Commissioners, and City Manager Schmalzel FROM: Chief of Police Keith Mankel SUBJECT: MONTHLY POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT – MARCH 2025 As we conclude the first quarter of 2025, our incident reports show that the number of calls for service remains consistent with the same period last year. However, one concerning trend is a 55% increase in drunk driving arrests. Addressing this issue remains a top priority, and we will continue our efforts to keep our roads safe by holding impaired drivers accountable. On a positive note, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with many community members at our recent Coffee with a Cop event at Meijer. These events provide a wonderful opportunity for open conversations, allowing us to hear what is on residents’ minds. It was especially rewarding to receive such positive feedback about the Walker Police Department. A special thank you to Meijer for providing the space to host this important event. As many are aware, we are now in the midst of construction season, and one of the largest projects in our area is the replacement of the Fruitridge Ave bridge. This month, we have been actively involved in meetings to ensure the motoring public is well-informed about road closures and what to expect throughout the project. We understand that this construction may be an inconvenience, but we ask everyone to follow posted warning signs and detours to help keep traffic moving safely. Our team will continue to provide updates on any changes via our Facebook page, so be sure to follow us for the latest information. We ask for your patience and cooperation as we work through this important infrastructure improvement! Patrol Patrol responded to a retail fraud in progress at a business in the north district. Officers located and arrested three suspects that were involved. During their investigation it was discovered that the three suspects who were from the Kalamazoo area were part of a larger organized retail fraud ring. Patrol officers located a stolen vehicle and attempted to stop the car. The suspect intentionally rammed a patrol vehicle while attempting to flee. Officers terminated the pursuit a brief time later. Officers have obtained suspect information and the investigation is ongoing. Page 2 of 39 On 3/17 patrol responded to a car vs a pedestrian traffic crash near Lake Michigan Dr and Ferndale. The pedestrian sustained severe life-threatening injuries. The crash is still under investigation. On 3/29 patrol responded to a car vs a pedestrian traffic crash near Lake Michigan Dr and Ferndale. The pedestrian sustained severe life-threatening injuries. CPR was performed by officers and the patient was transported to the hospital where they remain in critical condition. The vehicle that struck the pedestrian did not stop and fled from the scene. Using the Flock Safety camera system, suspect vehicle information was obtained. The driver has been identified and interviewed. The crash is still under investigation. Patrol responded to a home invasion in progress at an apartment complex in the north district. Officers located the suspect in the area. The suspect was taken into custody after a short struggle with officers. Patrol drone pilots performed one drone deployment in the month of March. Road Patrol investigated 1315 offenses this month compared to1173 last month. Patrol officers completed 67 crash reports during the month of March. Patrol officers conducted 347 traffic stops. Officers issued 172 citations with 220 total violations this month. Patrol officers made 143 arrests in the month of March and responded to 109 medical calls. Investigations Retail frauds continue to be the most common cases investigated by the detective unit. In March 31 retail frauds were assigned for investigation. There were also eight larceny from auto cases reported, as well as an assortment of embezzlement, fraud, and damage to property complaints. Detectives investigated a retail fraud in the north district. The employees of the store recognized the suspect from prior thefts. He made off with $200 worth of merchandise. Detectives reviewed surveillance video and compiled a photo lineup for witnesses. Despite attempts to locate and interview the suspect, his whereabouts remain unknown. Due to his numerous prior convictions for theft, the prosecutor's office issued felony charges. A retail fraud was reported at a north district store. The suspect stole $300 worth of merchandise before fleeing. Employees recognized the suspect from prior thefts. Detectives compiled a photo lineup for witnesses and interviewed the suspect, who was in jail on an unrelated charge. He confessed and charges were authorized. Detectives investigated a retail fraud from a north district store. Two females stole over $600 worth of merchandise before fleeing in a vehicle. Detectives were able to use surveillance footage, photo lineups, and social media searches to develop two suspects. Both suspects were interviewed and subsequently confessed to the theft. Charges were authorized for both subjects. Patrol responded to a retail fraud in progress in the north district. A male and female worked together to steal over $200 worth of merchandise. Responding officers were able to take the fleeing Page 3 of 39 female into custody but the male suspect escaped. Detectives used surveillance footage and Flock to identify the male suspect. Although his whereabouts are unknown, a retail fraud charge was authorized. Patrol responded to a retail fraud in progress in the north district. Three males worked together to steal $500 worth of electronics from the store. The suspects had committed another theft in Gaines Township just minutes earlier. Patrol was able to stop the suspects as they fled in a vehicle. Detectives responded to the scene and obtained a search warrant for the suspects' vehicle. The search resulted in the recovery of numerous stolen items from multiple jurisdictions. The three suspects, who were from the Kalamazoo area, were all lodged at the jail for felony Organized Retail Crime charges. Detectives investigated a retail fraud in the north district. The female suspect stole over $1,000 worth of merchandise. Detectives used surveillance footage and a photo lineup to learn the identity of the subject. She was arrested by patrol several days later for another theft and lodged at the jail. Detectives interviewed the suspect at the jail, and she confessed to the retail fraud. Felony charges were authorized. Detectives investigated an embezzlement complaint in the south district. A gas station employee was accused of stealing $900 in lottery tickets. Detectives interviewed the suspect, and she confessed to the theft. Charges were authorized. A retail fraud was reported at a north district store. The female suspect had stolen over $500 worth of merchandise. Detectives viewed surveillance footage and recognized the suspect from a previous case. She was interviewed and confessed to the theft. The prosecutor's office authorized felony retail fraud charges. Detectives reviewed the local sex offender list. Two subjects were interviewed and subsequently charged for non-compliance. Vice Detective Pasternak started his new assignment with KANET this month, taking over for Detective Wisinski. Much of his first few weeks were spent training. KANET executed a search warrant in the city of Grand Rapids. The team seized five kilos of cocaine, as well as 34 grams of fentanyl and a firearm. Flock Officer Searches: 1159 Hot List Hits: 243 Suspects Identified: 2 Vehicles Identified: 2 Arrests: 1 Page 4 of 39 Training The mandatory in-service training for the Walker Police Department included a training block focused on Legal Updates and SFST refresher. City Attorney Crystal Morgan led the legal update session, covering topics such as updates to laws and procedures, improving report writing for trial and conviction success, tips for effective trial testimony, and the basics of search and seizure laws and arrest procedures. Department instructors conducted a 4-hour Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) refresher certification session. When officers arrest individuals for OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) or OUID (Operating Under the Influence of Drugs), they must follow SFST procedures to establish probable cause for the arrest. It is mandatory for all officers to complete the initial SFST certification and a refresher course every three years. Specialized training for department members included Special Response Team (SRT) training, which focused on room clearing techniques. Additionally, a new VICE detective was trained in the use of TruNarc, a handheld Raman spectrometer. TruNarc can identify a wide range of controlled substances, including narcotics, synthetic drugs, cutting agents, and precursor chemicals, all in a single test, typically without direct contact for most samples. Community Outreach and Engagement March kept Officers Glass and Harkema quite busy with a variety of activities. As part of March is Reading Month, Glass read to several classes in person, while Harkema read to classes and created two reading videos in collaboration with City Hall. Both officers also attended a career fair at Plymouth Christian School with the Walker PD Cadets, seeking to recruit future cadets. Throughout the month, they assisted the GRCC Police Academy with scenario training and instruction on several occasions. Harkema supported Kenowa Hills by conducting three behavioral threat assessments for students who either attend school in Walker or live in the city. Information from these assessments was shared with patrol to assist in responses at schools or homes. Both officers led department tours for West Michigan Academy and attended a meeting for the Walker HOPE Collaborative, a group spearheaded by area schools, churches, and Walker Community Officers. This group is working to create a better hub for resource information and exploring service projects for the Walker community. Harkema also attended Zinser Blitz, where he connected with school staff and families as they worked to improve various areas of the school. Additionally, Glass attended the Coffee with a Cop event hosted by Alpine Meijer and participated in an Axon VR Customer Review Board meeting. Glass also engaged with representatives at Irwin Seating, discussing their active shooter preparedness and exploring future training opportunities. In terms of student-related incidents, Glass assisted Central Elementary and SRO Bishop with a disorderly student who had been an ongoing issue and took a cyberbullying complaint at Walker Charter Academy. The month was full of both community outreach and professional development, with a focus on supporting the community, assisting local schools, and enhancing their training efforts. Page 5 of 39 Walker PD -- (616) 453-5441 04/09/2025 01:53 PM Offense Count Report Page: 1 Report Criteria: Start Offense End Offense Officer 000254 ACC-PP ALL MARCH 2025 03/01/2025-03/31/2025 Offense Description MARCH 2025 000254 NO REGISTRATION 2 000256 IMPROPER REGISTRATION/PLT 5 000315 DRIVING W/O OBTAINING LIC 6 000317 DRIVING WHILE LIC NOT VAL 2 000622 FAIL TO REPORT ACCIDENT 1 000626 RECKLESS DRIVING 1 000904 DWLS/DWLR 14 1203 ROBBERY-BUS, STRONG ARM 1 1300-1 NON-AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 7 1300-1A DOMESTIC ASSLT-NON AGG 18 1300-2 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 3 1300-2A DOMESTIC ASSLT-AGGR/FELON 2 1300-3 INTIMIDATION/STALKING 9 2200-1 BURGLARY-FORCED ENTRY 3 2200-2 BURGLARY-ENTRY W/O FORCE 1 2300-10 LARCENY-OF SCRAP METAL 1 2300-3 LARCENY-THEFT FROM BLDG 4 2300-5 LARCENY-THEFT FROM VEHICL 10 2300-7 LARCENY-OTHER 2 2300-8 LARCENY-FROM MAIL 1 2400-1 MOTOR VEH THEFT (UDAA) 1 2500 FORGERY-COUNTERFEITING 4 2600-1 FRAUD-FALSE PRETENSE 1 2600-2 FRAUD-CREDIT CARD USED 2 26007 FRAUD -IDENTITY THEFT 1 2700 EMBEZZLEMENT 2 2800 STOLEN PROPERTY 1 2900 DAMAGE TO PROPERTY 10 3000-2 RETAIL FRAUD-THEFT 39 30004 ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME 1 3500-1 VIOLATION OF CONT SUBSTAN 5 3500-2 NARCOTIC EQUIP VIOLATIONS 1 3700-0 OBSCENITY 1 3800-1 FAMILY ABUSE/NEGL NONVIOL 2 4100-2 LIQUOR VIOLATIONS-OTHER 3 4100-3 MINOR IN POSSESSION 1 4100-3 CI MINOR IN POSSESSION CIVIL INFRACTION 1 4200 DRUNKENNESS (EXCP OUIL) 1 4800 OBSTRUCTING POLICE 8 4900 ESCAPE FLIGHT 2 5000 OBSTRUCT JUSTICE/WARRANT 27 5000-12 SOR FAILURE TO CHANGE ADD 2 5200-3 WEAPONS OFFENSE-OTHER 2 5300-1 DISORDERLY CONDUCT 29 5300-1A DISTURBING BY SOLICITING 1 5300-3 NOISE DISTURBANCE 8 Page 6 of 39 Walker PD -- (616) 453-5441 04/09/2025 01:53 PM Offense Count Report Page: 2 Report Criteria: Start Offense End Offense Officer 000254 ACC-PP ALL MARCH 2025 03/01/2025-03/31/2025 Offense Description MARCH 2025 5400-1A ACCIDENT HIT & RUN TRAFFIC 4 5400-1B ACCIDENT HIT & RUN PRIV PROP 1 5400-1C HIT & RUN STRIKING PERSON 2 5400-2 TRAFFIC-OUIL OR OUID 9 5400-3 TRAFFIC-TRAFFIC VIOLS 27 5400-4 TR-PARKING VIOLATIONS 3 5500-1A ANIMALS-OTHER 5 5700-1 TRESPASSING 16 6200-1 LITTERING 3 7000-1 RUNAWAYS 2 7300 MISC CRIMINAL OFFENSE 1 9000 D DRONE DEPLOYMENT 1 9000-1 BARKING DOG COMPLAINTS 1 9000-3 ANNOYING PHONE CALLS 2 9200-4 MENTAL HEALTH 16 9200-4A MENTAL HEALTH PICK UP ORDER 2 9200-4B MENTAL HEALTH SUICIDE (INCL THREATS) 6 9200-4C MENTAL HEALTH DRUG OVERDOSE (INCL FATAL) 3 9200-6 SOLICIT W/O PERMIT CIVIL INFRACTION 1 9300-4 PARKING/ABANDONED VEHICLE 12 9300-7 TRAFFIC SAFETY ISSUE 8 93001 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT 69 9400-2 FALSE ALARM ACTIVATION 43 9400-3 FALSE ALARM WEATHER-EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES 5 9400-4 FALSE ALARM CANCELED PRIOR TO ARRIVAL 15 9400-5 MEDICAL ALARM 1 9400-9 FALSE ALARM NOT BILLED PER REVIEW 11 9600-1 BUILDING CHECK-DOORS OPEN 1 9800-2 MOTOR VEHICLE, INSPECTION 5 9800-4 INSPECTIONS OTHER 1 9800-6 CIVIL/FAMILY DISPUTES 54 9800-7 SUSPICIOUS SITUATIONS 18 9800-8 LOST & FOUND PROPERTY 6 9900-10 WELFARE CHECK 55 9900-2 NATURAL DEATH 3 9900-3 MISSING PERSONS 4 9900-5 MEDICAL ASSIST 109 9900-8 ASSIST OTHER AGENCY 27 9900-9 GEN NON CRIMINAL ASSIST 85 99504 TOT OTHER AGENCY 7 99505 TRAFFIC STOP 347 99507 BOL 38 99508 MOTORIST ASSIST 23 9999-9 VOIDED INCIDENT NUMBER 11 ACC-PP ACCIDENT-PRIV PROP (NOT HIT & RUN) 3 Totals: 1315 Page 7 of 39 Report By Violation From 3/1/2025 12:00:00 AM to 3/31/2025 11:59:00 PM Violation Code Description Count 82-26 CARELESS DRIVING 2 82-26 IMPROPER LANE USE 1 82-26 PARKING-HANDICAPPED W/O PERMIT 1 50-22 RETAIL FRAUD - THIRD DEGREE 3 82-26 IMPROPER TURN-LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF MOVING TRAFFIC- 1 ACCIDENT 82-26 LICENSE-GRADUATED PERMIT VIOLATION 2 50-22 RETAIL FRAUD 1 82-26 FURNISH OFFICER WITH FALSE VERBAL/WRITTEN ID INFORMATION 1 82-26 REG/PLATE VIOL-IMPROPER PLATES 5 82-26 LICENSE-DROVE WHILE NOT VALID OR IMPROPER 2 82-26 SPEEDING, 1-10 OVER 13 82-26 NO INSURANCE/NO PROOF OF INSURANCE 24 82-26 OPERATING WHILE INTOXICATED 1ST OFFENSE 8 82-26 VIOLATION OF BASIC SPEED LAW-ACCIDENT 1 50-27 TRESPASS 1 82-26 FAIL TO STOP OR YIELD FROM ALLEY OR PVT PROPERTY-ACC 1 82-26 NO PLATE 1 82-26 SEATBELT VIOLATION-FAIL TO WEAR-DRIVER 2 82-26 REFUSED PRELIMINARY BREATH TEST 4 82-26 FAIL TO STOP WITHIN AN ASSURED CLEAR DISTANCE-ACCIDENT 6 82-26 DISOBEY TRAFFIC SIGNAL-RAN RED LIGHT 4 82-26 CMV-DROVE WITH NO LICENSE IN POSSESSION 1 82-26 OPEN INTOX IN VEHICLE-DRIVER 3 50-39 FALSE INFORMATION 3 82-26 FAIL TO YIELD 1 50-87 POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA 1 82-26 REG/PLATE VIOL-IMPROPER ATTACHMENT OR DISPLAY OF PLATE 1 82-26 FAIL TO REPORT ACCIDENT 1 82-26 VIOLATION OF BASIC SPEED LAW-TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS 1 * Results do not include warnings or voided tickets. 4/9/2025 1:55:25 PM Page 1 of 2 Page 8 of 39 Violation Code Description Count 82-26 LICENSE-DROVE WHILE SUSPENDED/REVOKED/DENIED 14 82-26 PARKING-HANDICAP PARKING 2 82-26 DISOBEY TRAFFIC SIGNAL 3 82-26 IMPROPER PASSING 1 82-26 IMPROPER TURN-ACCIDENT 2 750.356D RETAIL FRAUD - 2ND DEGREE 5 82-26 CARELESS DRIVING-ACCIDENT 1 82-26 DROVE UNREGISTERED VEHICLE 2 82-26 FAIL TO STOP WITHIN AN ASSURED CLEAR DISTANCE 2 82-26 VIOLATION OF BASIC SPEED LAW-TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS- 1 ACCIDENT 6-19 MINOR IN POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL,CONSUMPTION,PURCHASE- 3 FIRST VIOLATION 82-26 REG/PLATE VIOL-EXPIRED PLATE 41 82-26 SPEEDING, 21-25 OVER 2 82-26 FAIL TO YIELD-ACCIDENT 9 82-26 SPEEDING, 11-15 OVER 3 82-26 LICENSE-DROVE WHILE UNLICENSED-FAILED TO OBTAIN 5 * Results do not include warnings or voided tickets. 4/9/2025 1:55:26 PM Page 2 of 2 Page 9 of 39 Page 10 of 39 Page 11 of 39 Page 12 of 39 Page 13 of 39 Page 14 of 39 Page 15 of 39 Page 16 of 39 Page 17 of 39 Page 18 of 39 Page 19 of 39  CITY OF WALKER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor, Commissioners, and City Managers FROM: Jason Rottman, Director DATE: April 17, 2025 RE: April 2025 Monthly Staff Report Ticket Highlights 135 Service Tickets opened in the last 30 days for the City of Walker • Continuing to work with the PD on some issues with disconnects in the squad cars. We have narrowed down the issue to a problem with 5G functionality, we have it disabled as a temporary fix and that has helped for now. Working with Firstnet on the root cause of the issue. Project Highlights • Library – Continuing to work with the library consultants on the Walker portion of the new library build and the systems Walker IT supports, such as the physical security system. • Fiber/Fruitridge – Was able to re-locate our fiber so that it would not been in the way for the construction on the Fruitridge bridge. It was discovered after that project was complete that we are in conflict north of the bridge as well. Working with Engineering, DPW, Kenowa Hills, MDOT and Turnkey (fiber contractor) on a solution. • Redundant fiber – Signed a quote from US Signal to provide a redundant fiber connection. Will be working on a project to setup the network for auto failover for this new connection. • IT Processes – We are working to automate more backend activities such as patching and new setups. Also working on new proactive processes such as monthly checks on equipment. • Physical Security – Adding a switch to the FS#2 community center entrance so that the handicap door will work for when that room is in use. Page 20 of 39  MEMORANDUM TO: Walker City Commission FROM: Frank Wash, Assistant City Manager / CDD Director DATE: 4/3/25 RE: March 2025 CDD Monthly Report BUILDING SERVICES Building Permits Number of Permits Fees Collected Permit Valuation Non Residential 9 $ 26,315.00 $ 3,277,750.00 Residential 17 $ 26,572.00 $ 4,291,205.00 Total 26 $ 52,887.00 $ 7,568,955.00 Plan Review Fees Building 17 $ 8,280.00 Electrical 5 $ 227.00 Mechanical 10 $ 358.81 Plumbing 4 $ 311.25 Total 36 $ 9,177.06 Trade Permits Electrical 38 $ 9,587.00 Mechanical 50 $ 9,366.56 Plumbing 31 $ 8,081.25 Total 119 $ 27,034.81 PLANNING AND ZONING SERVICES Planning Commission Total Fees Collected Escrow Fees Collected 0 Zoning Board of Appeals 0 $ - $ - Zoning Verification Letters 3 $ 150.00 Zoning Permits 14 $ 1,250.00 Building Code Board of Appeals 0 $ - $ - Mineral Mining Review Board 0 $ - $ - CODE ENFORCEMENT Total Resolved/Allowed Unresolved Abatement / Referral 34 33 0 1 Page 21 of 39 Page 22 of 39  CITY OF WALKER ASSESSING DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor, Commissioners and City Managers FROM: Kelly Smith, Assessor DATE: April 16, 2025 RE: April Report from Assessing Spring has sprung – well, kind of – if only the weather would cooperate! Spring brings our new assessment cycle, so we have rolled our database over to 2026 and have started on our processes and tasks for starting to create our 2026 values. Fieldwork will begin soon – when we take all the building permits, along with our record cards out in the field to see how far along the new construction projects have come. Fieldwork is done multiple times a year, so that we keep up on the new construction as much as we can - we don’t want to leave it all until the last week of December. Rachel and Taylor handle all the new residential construction, and I handle all the commercial and industrial new construction. So, we will all be doing fieldwork real soon. Taylor has started this year’s round of our 5-year reappraisal. This is when she sends out questionnaire letters to roughly 1,500 residents to keep our records up to date. We get a decent number of letters sent back. She will use these letters and the aerial maps/photos to make any changes to our records. Then Rachel will value those changes, so it is a team effort. The 5-year reappraisal will happen until the end of the year, then it gets shut down until the next year, which would start again at the end of March or beginning of April. I have started our annual Land Value Study. This is when I do a land sales study in each neighborhood to see how much each neighborhood’s land should be increased (or decreased) for the following year. Seeing how most of our neighborhoods are totally developed, there are not any lot sales in most of our neighborhoods – so I end up using the improved sales instead. When using improved sales, it is standard for the land to be roughly 25% of the improved sales, so I extract that from each improved sale and compare that amount to the current land value to see how much the land should be increased (or decreased). I should wrap up the Land Value Studies over the next couple of weeks. I also wanted to update you on our Michigan Tax Tribunal (MTT) appeals. We have no new ones yet for 2025, but I will quickly update you on the remainder of the 2024 appeals: Page 23 of 39  - Jessica Pakiela – this is a small claims appeal for her home – they have not scheduled the hearing for this one yet. - Target Corp – we tried to come to a settlement, and we were getting close, but then their tax rep said that they were going to hire an appraiser. This being a “big box” store, we decided to get an appraisal done too – because theirs will come in very low and ours will come in more like true market value. I will keep you posted on this one – we might still be able to get it settled with the appraisals. - Huntington National Bank – we are getting close to settling this one – I will keep you posted on this one too. - Flagstar Bank – we did settle this one over the last couple weeks, so we are done with it. - MREIC Grand Rapids/FedEx – we are trying to get them to share some of their valuation information with us so that we can start some settlement negotiations. Will keep you posted on this one too. - Walker FF LLC/Fairfield Inn & Suites – no movement on this one yet – will keep you posted. Rachel has been working on a couple of IFT/Tax Abatements too – one for Micron, one for 2547 Hillside LLC (part of Visser – a building in the parking lot next to the old Delta Plex), and possibly Camino Labs. Besides what has been brought up already, processing documents is always going on as they come in (deeds, property transfer affidavits and principal residence exemptions). That sums up our Spring so far. Until next month… Kelly Smith, Assessor Page 24 of 39  CITY OF WALKER CLERK’S DEPARTMENT TO: Mayor, Commissioners and City Managers FROM: City Clerk’s Office DATE: April 8, 2025 RE: March Clerk’s Department Report PASSPORTS Quantity Cost Per Total Applications Processed 53 x $ 35.00 = $1855.00 Passport Pictures 60 x $ 10.00 = $600 Total Passport Revenues for the month $2455.00 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT The City Clerk’s office received nine (9) requests for copies of public records for the month. ELECTIONS There are currently no scheduled elections for 2025. The clerk’s office is focused on the precinct redistricting project, which includes updating the street index and creating a webpage to inform residents. The City of Walker has reduced its precincts from 9 to 6, consolidation each of the 3 Wards from 3 precincts to 2. Affected voters may notice changes in their precinct numbers and polling locations, but the voting process will remain the same. Once the Michigan Bureau of Elections updates the voter registration database, new voter ID cards will be mailed to all registered voters with updated information. We will share additional information via social media and the Elections webpage to assist residents in finding their polling locations. BID OPENINGS There were no bid openings held in the City Clerk’s office for the month. LICENSING New Businesses Licensed for the Month: • Nails By Sammy • First Choice Robotics • Camino Labs • Lovet Pet Health • Day Breaker Laundromat • Sealmaster • Curry Bowl New Home Occupations Licensed for the Month: • EmpressNorth • Armstrong Law Page 25 of 39 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor, Commissioners, and City Managers From: Gary Postema, Director of the Department of Public Works DATE: April 16th, 2025 RE: DPW Monthly Report – March 2025 BUILDING MAINTENANCE • Working with Trane on annual maintenance and projects. • Electricians were here preparing the breakrooms for remodel. • Working through Fire suppression system monitoring, contracts, and inspections. • Cleaned drain lines at Station 2 and the Public Safety Building • Diagnosed leaking roofs at PSB and City Hall from the heavy rains. • Worked on lights for the City Hall Courtyard • Repaired broken pipe, drywall, and painting in the Fire locker room at the Public Safety Building. • Repaired sinks in the Jail Cells • Worked on lights and the vanity in the Judges office • Working on the City Hall Nursing station room. • Shower maintenance at the public safety building. SIGN SHOP • Made 40 signs. Installed/replaced 30 • Working on the replacement of aged-out signs 12+ years old • CDL training • Northridge Chevron project, added more signage • PD cruiser graphics • Worked with WIFC, PD, FIRE, and the Mayor’s office for multiple small sign/sticker designs • Set up contact with Michigan Pavement Markings for spring road striping Page 26 of 39 GARAGE Police • We have been steady with police car services. • Car 5 received a new water pump in March. • We installed undercover lighting in one of our detective cars and we utilized used take-off lighting to keep costs down. We ordered a siren controller for that which should be in hand next month. The car is in service with lighting. • Contacted Berger Chevrolet, and our 2024 budget year Tahoe’s should be in before July 1st. We are working with the upfitter to build the specs for those cars. • We had an incident with a police car getting hit in the front, which is at Riverbend Body shop to receive repairs, thankfully covered by insurance. • Admin Dodge Charger was struck by a rouge spare tire on the highway in March causing major damage. We are still waiting to hear if it will be repaired or replaced. Fire • The Tender 1 project continues to progress. The Tank was painted at Metal Works in Coopersville. It should be back in house in mid-April to set on the truck. • We received our new Led lights from Sound-off signal for the tender 1 project. • The main line engines came through the shop in March for some minor repairs. • We had a brake chamber go out at 3:15pm on a main line engine and with the collaborative help of Deputy Chief Host running to get the parts we were able to get the truck back in service 1hr later. Good work by both teams. DPW • Truck 411 was put into service in March. This will be used by the Engineering Department for site visits and daily inspections. (white Chevrolet 1500 W/T) • We are switching into summer operations. We worked on the shoulder maintenance truck and added a load agitator to keep the gravel from sticking to the walls of the box. The gravel spreader is now mounted and ready for work. • We started removing some of the snow equipment at the end of March so we could utilize the equipment for other things. • Our 20-yard dumpsters were received, and we started utilizing them right away to contain our old used tires and our scrap metal. This opens space in the DPW yard for equipment or material storage and keeps labor down in handling the materials multiple times. Page 27 of 39 ROADS • Mastic work was done on Veterans Memorial Dr. and Maynard. • Right of Way Tree work. • Landscaping at the Pistol Range. • Removing and cleaning Winter Operation equipment. Preparing for Summer operations. • Patching Streets city-wide. • Maintenance on city-owned retention ponds. • Shoulder maintenance on Butterworth. • Graded gravel roads. • Repaired snowplow sod damage. • Staff attended an Asphalt Paving inspection workshop put on by Michigan Tech University. PARKS • Received quotes for the City Hall basketball courts replacement project. • Received quotes for DDA irrigation contracts • Worked with Jake Gardner on task codes for City Works • Tree trimming in the City Parks • Wrapped up bridge work on the Standale Trail until fall • Crews were busy blowing out leaves from playgrounds and landscaping for woodchips • Superior Landscape put down hardwood bark and cushioned playground mulch city-wide • Swings were put up • Volleyball, tennis, and pickleball nets were put up • Assembled new Soccer goals for the 2025 season • Worked on ballfield maintenance for spring practices • Received our Canadian Goose nest/egg destruction permit from the DNR • Basketball Court resurfacing and backboard installation o Spartan Sports Services ▪ Sub-contractor to do demo and concrete work ▪ Install Dominator 72” Aluminum backboard hoops ▪ Paint basketball court lines • Received quotes for inline hockey rink resurface project. o Job awarded to Raquet Sports for resurface and paint. Page 28 of 39 RIGHT OF WAY • Permits/Plan reviews. o Right of way permits = 50 o Year to date right of way permits = 114 • MISS DIG o Normal Tickets = 1004 o Emergency Tickets = 18 o Year-to-date Tickets = 1345 • Design Tickets/As built requests o 13 o Year to date = 39 • Field Inspections o Storm Sewer/Culvert inspections ▪ Editing and field verifying Storm Sewer GIS Data o Underground Utility o Restoration o Traffic and Work Zone Monitoring o Assisting with underground utility locates for Library project. • AT&T o Permitted Project Installing ~ 24,000’ of Fiber on the Remembrance Rd. Corridor between Leonard and Justin Ave. – Ongoing o Working through relocations for the Fruit Ridge bridge project. – Ongoing o Fiber optic service installs city wide • Comcast o Permit/Design Reviews o Permitted projects near Alpine Ave. – Completed o Maintenance City Wide • 123.Net o Permit/Design Review o Permitted project on Holton Ct. – Pending Restoration o Working through relocations for Fruit Ridge bridge project – Ongoing • MCI/Verizon o No activity • Everstream Holdings LLC Fiber Optic o Permitted project on Walkent Dr. – Pending Restoration • Metronet o Design Review • Consumers Energy o Pole replacements & upgrades city wide Page 29 of 39  o Kent power doing relocations for Fruit Ridge bridge project – Ongoing o Began Streetlight install within the Waterford Village Development – Ongoing • DTE o Service installations, renewals, and upgrades city wide. o Installing pipeline anodes City wide o Working through relocations for Fruit Ridge bridge project – Ongoing o Permitted Project upgrading/installing ~44,000’ of new gas main in Ward 1 • Independent Electricity Transmission Company (ITC)/Michigan Electric Transmission Company (METC) o Permitted project replacing towers and right of way crossings. o Locations: 3 Mile Rd – North Wilson – Fruitridge Ave – Northridge Dr.- Walker Ave. – Bristol ▪ Ongoing • Water/Sewer o Emer Water Valve Repair on Walker Ct. o Watermain break on Fruitridge North of 96 • Right of Way staff attended an Asphalt Paving Inspection Workshop put on by Michigan Tech University • City Road Project meetings and updates with the Engineering Department • Assisted Parks Department as needed. • Assisted Road crew as needed. • Assisted Sign shop as needed OFFICE • Processed Right of Way permits • Daily Work Hours Approval in PubWorks • Prepared invoices for payment authorization • Adopt-A-Road renewals in progress • Prepped mailings to residents for the Paving Program 2025 • Asset Management program (City Works) implementation • Fruitridge bridge construction coordination with MDOT and Engineering • Multiple pre-construction meetings with City staff, City of GR, and private developers for the upcoming construction season. • Event coordination with the Walker Rec Department. • Walker/KHPS Fiber network coordination with Walker IT, KHPS IT, and Turnkey Network Solutions. Page 30 of 39 • Walker/KDL Library meetings and coordination. • Held Seasonal interviews • Working on Performance Evaluations. Page 31 of 39  CITY OF WALKER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: Darrel Schmalzel, City Manager FROM: Scott Conners, P.E., City Engineer DATE: April 15, 2025 RE: April Staff Report - Engineering We will provide updates on three of our most significant work items below: 1. Walker Library: Construction is continuing at a steady pace. Basement footings and walls are being constructed at this time. Owen Ames Kimball (OAK) is channeling shop drawings for various items to the Studio GC design team for approval. This is the first step in ordering long lead time items like structural steel, electrical controls, and our timber beams. The steering committee is beginning the process of specifying the Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FFE). These are the items that will be installed to finish out the library space just before KDL begins occupying the building. Our steering committee will meet on Thursday, April 24th to begin the FFE effort. There are many other tasks and active items related to the library. We tentatively have a date of 4/28/25 scheduled for an update to the City Commission but we may let this slip into May to provide a more comprehensive report on the 30 different trade packages that have been awarded. 2. Fruit Ridge Over I-96: Work is well underway on the interchange project. MDOT’s contractor, Kamminga and Roodvoets (K&R) has done an outstanding job over the first 2 weeks of construction. As the City Commission will remember, the job is being administered by MDOT staff. Our role is more advisory on the highway work. We are still trying to provide as much leadership as possible for the trail work along Three Mile Road and the widening of Fruit Ridge north of I-96 and in local right-or-way. The inspection of this work is by MDOT and their consultant. Page 32 of 39  We have fielded a lot of comments from drivers impacted by the closures. We have also been coordinating activities with Grand Rapids Traffic, the Kent County Road Commission, Ottawa County Road Commission, MDOT and local businesses. Numerous adjustments have been made to the traffic signals along the detour route. While we are seeing some lengthy delays at rush hour, we believe that the system is operating acceptably based on the addition of all the displaced traffic. We will continue to evaluate the traffic patterns as the project moves through the various phases. 3. Bristol Improvements: We have accepted 3 proposals for the engineering services associated with the Bristol Avenue improvements from Three Mile Road south to the recently improved railroad bridge. We will be reviewing the proposals with a staff leadership team and bringing a recommendation to the City Commission in May. This project has two 2026 grants but is likely to be built in 2027. There are many other critical items taking place as we continue to work on existing and future projects. We remain busy with administering many of the behind the scenes program tasks like soil erosion, stormwater audit from EGLE, Act 51 compliance, asset management, FEMA floodwall certification, etc. Please feel free to have Commissioners reach out to me directly at 616-791-6792 or sconners@walker.city if they have any questions on these high priority projects or any of the other tasks under our supervision. Cc: Frank Wash, Asst. City Manager Gary Postema, DPW Director Travis Mabry, P.E., Asst. City Engineer Jason Washler, P.E. P&N Dan Fredricks, P.E., LRE Brian Hannon, P.E., M&B Page 33 of 39  CITY OF WALKER HUMAN RESOURCES MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor, Commissioners, and City Managers FROM: Shannon Bales, SHRM-CP, HR Director DATE: April 8, 2025 RE: Monthly Staff Report March 2025 Recruiting / Staffing: Current job openings include: Public Works Maintenance (Seasonal), Engineering Intern (Temporary), Police Officer (Full-Time), Firefighter (Full-Time), Fire Chief (Full-Time), and Paid-on-Call Firefighter (always open). We have made more offers of employment for Paid on Call Firefighters this month. Welcome Tyler Postema to the team! MGT has begun their process for our Fire Chief recruitment efforts. The posting is live until the end of April. More details next month. We continue our search to fill the second Full-Time Firefighter position. We have reposted the position internally and will review new applicants next month. Four applicants were interviewed for seasonal positions within the Public Works Department. All four will be joining the team for the summer! Lien Rosner, Finance Assistant, has left the City. We wish her well on her next endeavor! Posting for this position will be done in April. Current employment:  8 Elected Officials  124 FT Employees  71 PT Employees  7 Seasonal Employees  14 Paid-On-Call Employees Other: The Earned Sick Time Act (ETSA) went into effect February 21, 2025. We have updated our sick time policy and continue to review all other policies impacted by the changing laws. We will present updated policies to the Personnel Committee for approval soon. Many other personnel and related activities were addressed this month. Page 34 of 39  CITY OF WALKER WALKER ICE AND FITNESS CENTER MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor, Commissioners and City Managers FROM: Mary Kay Sherman DATE: April 2,2025 RE: March 2025 – City Staff Report Rec Dept: • Easter egg hunt will be April 12, 11am sharp. Volunteers should arrive at 9am to help set up. • Soccer practice starts April 14 along with equipment pick up. • Ribbon cutting and first soccer game will be April 19. • Memorial Day parade registrations start April 1. Working with police on changing the end of the parade route due to safety/security reasons. • Still accepting adult softball registrations. • Hired a few more soccer officials and softball umpires. Fitness Dept: • Personal Training special will end on 3-31-25. Several members purchase the special to bank them for later use • Replaced all the Cardio MYE on the equipment to correspond with the new televisions • Six new 80-inch TV’s were installed—they look amazing! • Chad Morris from Center for Physical Rehab coming in to talk about Hips & Knees, on Wednesday, April 2nd at 1:30 in the aerobic room. • Tanning Punch cards are $10 off through April. • Working on quotes for new equipment for next fiscal year 25/26 Facility • The next scheduled blood drive is Wed, April 30th from 1-6pm • Rink project is underway from 3/31 through 4/10—Compressors rebuilt, ice taken out, repairs made to dasherboards and ice repainted. • Thank you to the Finance Committee for coming over to tour the WIFC on 3/28/25. • All WIFC Departments are working on budget items. • Working on staff schedules for spring and summer. Page 35 of 39 Ice • Ice Maintenance: We are taking the ice out, rebuilding the compressors and the ice from 3/31 - 4/8. • HAWK 14U and below Spring teams are set. Teams will practice once a week and play local games or a tournament. Fall Tryouts for these levels will take place the week of May 19th. • HAWK 14U, 16U Girls and U16 Midget A fall tryouts will take place the week of April 14th. This is a change from previous years with these levels trying out for fall earlier. U18 Midget JV will have their spring tryouts the week of April 14th as well, with Fall the week of May 19th. • Cross Ice and Mite Spring Hockey began on Thursday, March 27th from 5-6 pm. This will be a 7 week session Page 36 of 39  CITY OF WALKER INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor, Commissioners, Managers, Finance Director FROM: Cherie Roberts, Income Tax Administrator DATE: April 7, 2025 RE: March 2025 Monthly Staff Report Individual Income Tax The staff is very busy with counter traffic turning in 2024 returns as well as past year returns. W-2/W-3s received have been processed. We are noticing quite a few employers not compliant with the February 28 deadline for filing reconciliations. Assessments are being sent out to employers not in compliance with this deadline. 2024 returns are being processed and exported for e-filing. Corporate/Partnership Income Tax 20 24 Corporate/Partnership returns are starting to be received and processed. Other • We have opted to not use the Scan to Export program because of processing inefficiencies with our vendor. We have implemented an electronic download/fill-in option for taxpayers on our City of Walker website. We are getting a moderate amount of returns. • We are up-to-date in processing refunds of 2024 returns that have been filed complete and correct. Any returns lacking information will be notified of missing information needed and processed accordingly. Page 37 of 39  CITY OF WALKER Finance/Treasurer Department Staff Report April 2025 The Walker Finance Committee met in February 2025 to review the first draft of the proposed fiscal year 2025/2026 budget. I am currently in the process of finishing a second draft of the proposed 2025/2026 budget which includes some modifications from the first draft. The completed second draft will then be discussed with the Walker Finance Committee either later this month or in early May 2025. The final proposed fiscal year 2025/2026 budget will be presented to the Walker City Commission for their review and adoption in June 2025. For the current fiscal year, I am working on a list of proposed budget amendments. I anticipate that the fiscal year 2024/2025 budget amendments will be presented to the Walker City Commission in May 2025. During the months of April and May, our department will be working through a list of projects related to finance, treasury, special assessments, budgeting, WIFC and training matters. I will email a copy of the March 2025 bank balance report to you when it is completed. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me or stop in the office. Thank you. Submitted on April 15, 2025 by: Dan DeVries Walker City Finance Director/Treasurer 616.791.6852 Email: ddevries@walker.city Page 38 of 39  Walker Branch of Kent District Library Manager’s Report – April 2025 KDL Walker March Statistics • The temporary location was visited by patrons 7,085 times. • 7,077 physical items circulated; this number includes all items checked out in the branch or renewed for more loan time. Programming and Outreach Updates On Thursday, April 3rd Mayor Gary Carey visited the library for a special Goodnight Walker! Storytime with Mayor Carey. Regional Manager Joyanne Huston-Swanson enjoyed the storytime along with a small group of caregivers and kids. Thanks for visiting us! Mayor Carey and the librarians also found time for fun and games during the visit. Assistant Branch Librarian Ruth VanWalsum and Mayor Carey faced off in a Face Out Challenge! They went through the library shelf by shelf and looked at each shelf to see if there was a book they had read on that shelf. If there was, they put it face out at the end of the shelf. It was a close call, but Ruth snuck ahead with 15 face outs. Mayor Carey was close behind with 13! Programming Update In late March, we heard from one of the authors that was scheduled to appear at our On the Same Page Event that he was no longer able to attend. While we are sorry that Tommy Orange cannot attend, we were excited when Kaveh Akbar invited his friend John Green instead. John Green’s most recent book is an adult non-fiction novel Everything is Tuberculosis. John Green has become famous over the years for his young adult fiction that has been developed into movies, such as The Fault in our Stars, and his YouTube channel with his brother Hank Green. The event will be held on April 30, at 6:30 at Godwin Heights High School. This event is full; however, patrons can join the waitlist on kdl.org. Page 39 of 39