Tag Archives: State of the City

Vanderwood delivers his first State of the City address

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

In his first State of the City address, City of Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderwood called it a “season of change” for the city as he highlighted several successes from 2022 and looked to the future at upcoming projects.

 

Mayor Kent Vanderwood presented his first State of the City address on Jan. 16. (WKTV)

“Change can be scary. With change comes new opportunity. With new leadership comes fresh eyes and energy,” Vanderwood said at the Jan. 16 City Council meeting where he presented the State of the City address. “Building on the legacy of those who have come before, Wyoming is a city with a proud history and a bright future…and I say with confidence that the best days are in front of us.”

Representing that “season of change,” Vanderwood noted that three of the six current city council members are new along with a new mayor pro tem, Rob Postema, as well as himself having been seated as mayor in December. Vanderwood recognized guests State Rep. John Fitzgerald, State Majority Senate Leader Winnie Brinks, whose district includes the cities of Wyoming and Kenwood, and Wyoming Kentwood Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Keith Morgan. He also recognized City Manager Curtis Holt, who will be retiring in February after 23 years of service, along with all the city staff, for their dedication to the city. 

Public Safety Remains a Main Priority

Safety remains the city’s top priority, Vanderwood said. Like most cities, Wyoming saw a sharp increase in crime in 2020 but has seen a reduction in violent crime over the past two years due to the leadership of Chief Kim Koster and her team, Vanderwood said.

The Wyoming Police Department hired 10 additional police officers and has been able to increase crime analysis efforts to help in preventing and solving crime. The team continues to work in removing illegal guns off the street and to help with the opioid and mental health crisis, he said.

The fire department responded to more than 7,000 calls in 2022, Vanderwood noted. To help the increase in call volume, the city has added quick response, a training captain, radio upgrades, and restructured the commend service, he said.

Vanderwood also noted that Wyoming is a growing community, with more than 2,000 building permits, adding about $108 million in construction value. The city has seen about 1,300 new housing units constructed in the past few years. To help with city development, planning, economic development and inspections were placed under one department with Nicole Hofert now serving as the director of community and economic development.

Looking to Meet the Needs of a Growing City

To continue to meet up with the growth of the city, residents will be asked in May to approved a dedicated 1.5 mill that will be used for police, fire, and first responders, Vanderwood said. The millage proposal has a five-year capped which he said would give the city time to look for other ways to fund the staffing needs.

“The reality is clear, we do not have the longterm resources to support our current staffing levels in the police or fire department and our current staffing levels are not adequate to address the current needs of the city,” Vanderwood said, adding that the city has had to rely on surrounding communities for emergency assistance.

“Our city continues to grow but our police department has shrunk nearly 45 people since 2000,” he said.

The millage, which would generate about $3.9 million annually, would allow the city to hire additional police and fire which in turn would increase public safety by decreasing response times, enhancing crime prevention efforts and traffic safety, Vanderwood said, adding that the additional funding would allow fire staff to operate out of all four of the city’s fire stations. Currently, only two stations are staffed.

 

The city will host three public meetings about the millage, the first on March 9 at the KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. More information about the millage can be found at wyomingmi.gov/future.

Other 2022 Highlights

The Parks and Recreation Department has new leadership with Krashawn Martin taking the helm. This department runs more than 250 sports and activity programs, along with 12 after school TEAM 21 sites and special events that include the summer concert series, the spring carnival, Memorial Day events, the Trunk or Treat Trail and several other programs. Along with that, the department lead the improvements at Jackson and Gezon parks, which included new playground equipment and splash pads.

 

Vanderwood said the City of Wyoming’s infra structure continues to grow with the city adding its third main for water service along with a new $8 million ultraviolet disinfection facility, which is a cost effective, safer way to clean water.

Looking Ahead

In economic development, residents will see the start of the City Center project this spring with the construction of a new pedestrian bridge on 28th Street and 3.1 miles of new trails that will connect to existing trails within the city. Vanderwood noted that the project was made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The city received $6 million from the county’s ARPA Funds distribution and has put $10 million of its own ARPA Fund monies toward the project.

Also breaking ground in the spring will be the public market at the former Site 36 location, Vanderwood said. The city kept the northern portion of the site with Franklin Partners purchasing about 74 acres with plans for development of the site.



Also in 2023, the city will be unveiling its branding project that involved many focus groups and community events, Vanderwood said.

“At the outset, I said we are in a season of change,” Vanderwood said. “You have the opportunity to work with us to shape the future of this city. I encourage you all to stay connect, serve on boards and commission and participate in elections.

“As I begin my time as mayor, I look forward to working with city staff, residents, community members, surrounding municipalities and organizations. I am committed to making Wyoming a better place to live, work and play.”

For the complete State of the City address, visit click here.  

Mayor Poll’s state of the city address set for Monday

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Wyoming City Mayor Jack Poll is set to give his State of the City address at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18.

Mayor Jack Poll is set to present his State of the City address on Monday. (WKTV)

Poll will be presenting his address during the city’s Council Meeting, which can be viewed on WKTV Channel 26 or livestreamed on WKTV.org or the WKTV Community Media Facebook page.

The annual State of the City address will reflect on the past year while taking a look at the future.

For more information, visit www.wyomingmi.gov.

‘2017 was a busy year,’ Poll states as he announces his re-election bid

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , ,

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

With such accomplishments as resurfacing more than 40 miles of roads, the approval of four new hotels, the opening of 28 West Place and the passage to open the library millage for park improvements, Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll said “How can I walk away from that?”

 

So in his State of the City address last night, Poll, the longest-serving mayor in the City of Wyoming’s history, officially announced that he would seek his fourth term as mayor.

 

“So therefore, if the residents desire that I continue as their mayor, I will be placing my name on the ballot in this year’s election year, to serve four additional years,” Poll said during the Monday night meeting.

 

Poll has served as the Wyoming mayor since 2009. Before that, he served on the Wyoming City Council from 2001-2005 and 2007-2009.

 

After the Jan. 15 meeting when Poll presented his State of the City Address, he said that he is considering retirement from his full-time job. Poll is pharmacist for Family Fare.

Mayor Jack Poll

 

“So basically, during the next term, of the four years, I will be retired for about three of them, allowing me to be more of a full-time mayor attending more events for the city,” Poll said.

 

Also after the meeting, Mayor Pro-Tem and Council Member at Large Sam Bolt said he would be seeking his third term on the council.

 

“I still enjoy it,” Bolt said. Council Member at Large Kent Vanderwood, whose seat is also up for election this fall, was on vacation and did not attend the Jan. 15 meeting.

 

To a packed house of city officials and residents, which included Poll’s wife, Mary, and family members, Poll said he hoped to provide a “snapshot” of what has taken place in the city with his State of the City address, noting it has been “a very busy year.”

 

“This is a long list of accomplishments but it hardly scratches the surface when we consider all that city leaders and staff have done over the last year, primarily in collaboration with one another,” Poll said.

 

Highlights included:

 

• For infrastructure, the city completed two water main projects that total almost two miles of water main, resurfaced about 43 lane miles and added two miles of non motorized trails.

 

• For the water plant, which, according to Poll, continues to provide the highest quality water in the state, is looking to add a second Lake Michigan intake and a third transmission pipeline, expanding the plant’s capacity which will help the community to grow, Poll said.

 

• Parks and Recreation has focused on storm clean up and replacement of trees along with improvements at Palmer, Kelloggsvile, Lemery, and Pinery parks.

 

• The library milage allowed for new technology and LED lighting in the library and was opened by voter approval to allowed for park improvements for Ideal, Ferrand, Gezon and Jackson parks.

 

• The Planning Department has approved in 2017 four hotels, annexed 60 acres of industrial development, worked on the 28 West Place project and a number of other developments including The Havens. Inspections also approved permits for about $70 million new and renovated construction projects.

 

• The city also was able to implement a new medicare advantage prescription drug plan for retirees that will allow the city to reduce its longterm liability  by $42 million.

 

Public Safety continues to make community outreach its main focus. Police officers logged 6,000 visits to local schools, 8,500 business contacts and 7,000 physical business checks. The police department also has instituted a cadet program to recruit students. On the fire side, staffing at station 3 and 4 has allowed response times to be cut in half along with there being training on speciality skills for water, ice and trench rescues. Also a partnership with Metro Health – University of Michigan Health has allowed for a helipad to be placed at Station 3.

 

“We are blessed with employees who are so highly respected in West Michigan, across the state and even at the federal level,” Poll said. “I have watched the skillful handling of tragedies both natural and produced, deep thinking and solving of situations that seemed impossible. I can stand here today and say, we made it through them all. Our city is better today because these trials have become victories that make Wyoming a beacon of bright light shining in West Michigan.”

 

For the complete speech, click here.

 

For 2018, Poll said the city will continue to work on those areas with a number of opportunities and challenges on the horizon.

 

“Above all these things, financial sustainability remains our top priority and biggest challenge we face,” Poll said. “The city council and I will continue to look for ways to insure that we can provide services at the highest level to our residents and businesses.”

 

Poll said while many things have been discussed, such as a millage increase and an income tax, city leaders “don’t know yet what the best solution is. However through all the ideas we proposed, we ask that you, our friends and neighbors, and the partners that come along beside us, give thoughtful consideration and examine all sides of the issues…

 

“The only way we will continue to be a city of vision and progress is if we work through these challenging times together.”

Development, public services, and fiscal responsibility prominent at Wyoming State of the City

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Hard News, Our Cities, , ,

Mayor Poll address Wyoming during the annual State of the City
Mayor Poll address Wyoming during the annual State of the City

By: Mike DeWitt

 

While national news outlets are pumping out stories of local governments and authorities gone awry – think Flint water crisis and numerous police scandals – the City of Wyoming is a beacon of shining light in government balance and transparency.

 

On Monday, January 18th, Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll delivered the annual State of the City address in front of the Wyoming City Council and residence in attendance. Mayor Poll’s message shed light on Wyoming’s growing business and building development, productive and advancing city services, and the government’s consistent fiscal responsibility.

 

“We wish to keep our city financially strong while maintaining the valued services we provide,” said Mayor Poll during the address. “We must continue to build our foundation for the future.”

 

Back in 2010, Wyoming’s largest taxpayer, the JM Stamping Plant, left and taxable values of homes dropped. Now in 2016, the taxable home values have leveled off and improved. In fact, home tax values went up by 5 percent from the beginning to the end of the year. That trend is expected to continue in 2016 and keep improving until 2025 when tax dollars will reach the levels they were at back in 2008.

 

“Development in the city was strong in 2015,” added Mayor Poll. “Construction values totaled more than 44 million dollars. A 7% increase over the previous year.”

 

Part of that was due to three businesses – Zeeland Lumber and Supply, the Habitat for Humanity Restore, and the Well Mannered Dog Center – reopening their doors after taking damage from the tornado that hit Ideal Park in 2014.

 

Not only is Wyoming seeing development in the private sector, but the city is constantly looking to improve its services to better serve the residents of Wyoming.

 

Last year, all four of Wyoming’s fire stations were ready and open during peak time. This year, the city is expecting to reach their goal of 80 firefighters ready for emergency in the city. Wyoming is also equipped for a potential ice storm in the winter or a swift flood come spring.

Firetruck Wyoming
Quick Response Vehicle

 

The city utilized two Quick Response Vehicles (QRV) this past year to up the efficiency of city services. QRV’s led to an overall reduction in response time as three fires were quelled by QRV’s before the larger engines arrived. The city is strongly considering adding a third to the fleet in 2016.

 

Police officers consistently visit local businesses, business meetings, and perform off hour business checks to keep communication flowing throughout the community and to keep local business owners safe. Plans for program and high school advisory groups are being set to educate the community on police procedures, gather feedback, and to better understand the issues the Wyoming community faces.

 

On top of improved emergency services and communication, families and businesses in Wyoming continue to benefit from water and sewage rates that are the best in the state. The public works department provides safe drinking water, sanitation, roads and plowing all while operating in a financially responsible way.

 

“Our financial responsibility is perhaps most evident in our successful early payoff of capital debt in 2015,” said Mayor Poll.

 

That eliminated debt includes an early payoff of six physical buildings that are owned by the city. The buildings include the library, city hall, police station, motor pool, and two fire stations.

 

As the City of Wyoming continues to build and grow, the city council insists on staying transparent. Mayor Poll’s hope for 2016 is that more Wyoming citizens look to get involved with city government, Every city council meeting is open to the public, and if you can’t make the meeting, they’re broadcasted live on WKTV and can be reviewed online.

 

“As I have now started my seventh year, it is truly my honor and sincere privilege to serve as the Mayor of the City of Wyoming,” proclaimed Mayor Poll. “My hope and prayer is that this year we all continue to build on that tradition of success.”