Spring 2014

www.ci.walker.mi.us

WALKER OFFICIALS TAKE OATH OF OFFICE

On Monday, November 12, 2013, newly elected Mayor Mark Huizenga was sworn in to office. Also taking the oath of office that evening were: City Commissioners Al Parent (1st Ward) Chuck Deschaine (2nd Ward), Cyndy Stek, (3rd Ward) and Gary Carey (2nd Ward). Congratulations to all!

COMMISSIONER SANDRA HOWLAND (3rd WARD)Sandra Howland was appointed to fill a vacancy in the 3rd Ward on December 9, 2013. Sandra grew up in Walker and has had the privilege of watching the city grow from a few neighborhoods to the thriving city it is today. Her home is in South Walker where she has lived for 8 years. Sandra works for the Salvation Army as a Volunteer Services Specialist and as such, she brings a wealth of business experience and an active level of community involvement to her new position as a City Commissioner.Commissioner Howland can be reached by phone at (616) 634-0046 or via email at Sandra.howland@ci.walker.mi.us

YOUR ELECTED CITY OFFICIALS

Walker LibraryAre you staying at home for Spring break? Attend Spring Brings Very Hungry Caterpillars on Monday, April 7th at 7:00 pm and on Thursday, April 10th at 10:00am for butterfly fun. (For young children)Kids and parents can have fun creating structures at our Family Brick Building Party program from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm on April 8th. Craft earth-friendly garden projects using household containers at our Eco-Friendly Garden Craft program on Thursday, May 8th at 10:00 am. (For all ages) Attend one of two teen volunteer training sessions: April 19 at 6:00 pm or April 20 at 4:00 pm to learn about becoming a member of our Teen Crew this summer. Volunteers must attend one of these sessions in order to volunteer at the library this summer. (For teens in grades 6-12) Book Discussion Group: Meets the second Tuesday of the month at 10:00AM “Good Good Pig” by Sy Montgomery: March 11, 2014 “Heart Most Worthy” by Siri L. Mitchell: April 8, 2014 “End of Your Life Book Club” by Will Schwalbe: May 13, 2014

City Commission

City Services

MAYORMark Huizenga - 735-2950mark.huizenga@ci.walker.mi.usFIRST WARD COMMISSIONERS:Al Parent 262-1204al.parent@ci.walker.mi.usDan Kent - 784-5591daniel.kent@ci.walker.mi.usSECOND WARD COMMISSIONERS:Chuck Deschaine Mayor Pro Tem - 885-3496charles.deschaine@ci.walker.mi.usGary Carey - 292-1715gary.carey@ci.walker.mi.usTHIRD WARD COMMISSIONERS:Cynthia Stek 791-9381cynthia.stek@ci.walker.mi.usSandra Howland - 634-0046sandra.howland@ci.walker.mi.us

CITY HALL 453-6311Hours: M-Th - 7:30am - 5:00pm, Fri 7:30am - 11:30amASSESSOR’S OFFICEKelly Smith, AssessorPhone: 791-6862 - kelly.smith@ci.walker.mi.usCITY MANAGERCathy Vander MeulenPhone: 791-6859cathy.vandermeulen@ci.walker.mi.us CLERK’S OFFICESarah Bydalek, ClerkPhone: 791-6865 - sarah.bydalek@ci.walker.mi.us COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT -BUILDING & ZONINGTim Musser, Building OfficialPhone: 791-6857 - timothy.musser@ci.walker.mi.usFrank Wash, Community Development DirectorPhone: 791-6850 - frank.wash@ci.walker.mi.usDISTRICT COURT - 59THHours: M-W 7:30am-5pm, Th 8am-5pm, F 7:30am-3pmJudge Peter P. Versluis - Phone: 453-5765ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTScott C. Conners, P.E., City EngineerPhone: 791-6792 - scott.conners@ci.walker.mi.usFINANCE DEPARTMENTCindy Lewis, Finance ManagerPhone: 791-6799 - cindy.lewis@ci.walker.mi.usFIRE / POLICE DEPARTMENTSCatherine Garcia-Lindstrom, Public Safety DirectorPhone: 791-6800Robert Walker, Deputy Director - FirePhone: 791-6840 - robert.walker@ci.walker.mi.usGreg Long, Deputy Director - PolicePhone: 791-6825 - greg.long@ci.walker.mi.usINCOME TAX DEPARTMENTJulie Blok, Income Tax DirectorPhone: 791-6866 - julie.blok@ci.walker.mi.usPUBLIC WORKS OFFICEMark Koning, DPW DirectorPhone: 791-6854 - mark.koning@ci.walker.mi.us: ortracey.muilenburg@ci.walker.mi.usTREASURER’S OFFICEDan DeVries, TreasurerPhone: 791-6852 - daniel.devries@ci.walker.mi.usWALKER ICE & FITNESS CENTER& RECREATION DEPARTMENTPhone: 735-6286Cancellation Hotline: 791-6206

Dear Citizens of Walker,It is my privilege and honor to have been elected Mayor for the City of Walker. Walker is a great City and I am humbled to be serving in this position.We take pride at the City of Walker to protect the hardworking taxpayers. It takes a great management team, City employees and the Commission working together to ensure that we operate the City in an efficient manner. That might be our opinion, but don’t just take our

word for it. Each year an independent CPA firm audits the financial position of the City and this year’s results are in. I want to share a few highlights with you: • Walker’s millage rate of 1.336 is unchanged since 2000 and remains the lowest of all cities with an income tax.• Commercial building permits increased 235% over 2012.• The City spent $309,805 less than budgeted in 2013 – our fund balance (Rainy day fund) is 40% of our general fund.• The City transferred $1,178,000 from the general fund to the major and local street fund to support several road improvement projects.• Grant funding in the amount of $1,189,000 for future road projects was secured.• Chesterfield Heights west sidewalk network was completed in 2013.• Additional payments of $180,000 were made in anticipation of future pension obligations. • The Police Department hired two new officers – via a $250,000 COPS grant – for the next three years.• The Walker Ice and Fitness Center continues to cover 100% of its operating costs. Membership continues to grow and we have funds set aside for future capital improvement needs. During my campaign, I made several promises to each and every one of you. I take those promises seriously and to help deliver on my promise of accessibility and accountability, I will be holding office hours at City Hall. These hours will occur the first and third Monday afternoons of the month. If you have an issue or concern that you’d like to discuss, I am happy to schedule an appointment with you. Please contact Julia at the City Offices at 791-6860. You can call me on my cell phone at 616-334-4885 or e-mail me at mark.huizenga@ci.walker.mi.us to discuss any concern you have on what the City is doing. We have a great group of City Commissioners who are committed to you, the citizens of the City. Beginning in January, we start planning our fiscal year budget which begins in July 2014. In February, we will begin a strategic planning process which will conclude in March. Our updated strategic plan will guide our City through the next several years. The City of Walker is in a great position fiscally and I look forward to working with my fellow City Commissioners to continue building a community that is both family and business friendly. If you have feedback on how we can continue our trend of success I would love to hear from you.

Very truly yours,Mark Huizenga, MayorCity of Walker

www.ci.walker.mi.usFor more information, visit the City of Walker Web site. www.ci.walker.mi.us2

City of Walker Police Department

www.ci.walker.mi.us 3

The City of Walker recently adopted an amended local ordinance which addresses “disturbing others by soliciting” (Sec. 50-9.5). This ordinance provides guidelines for allowable solicitation of money or other valuables, along with actions that are not permitted. The ordinance has been crafted to not infringe on a person’s 1st Amendment Right of Free Speech, but rather defines practices or activities which create a public safety concern in the exercise of these rights. The actual words, terms and phrases used in the section are identified for clear context of the message. The ordinance details and explains those activities which are prohibited as a result of solicitation practices, focusing on public safety aspects for the public and solicitor. This ordinance does not replace or void the existing “Transient Merchant” ordinance (Sec 22-76) language, rather addresses specific activities as related to the act of soliciting. The primary focus of the local ordinance is to address the safety and wellness of all, ensuring the interaction of pedestrian and the motor vehicle occupants are eliminated to avoid personal injuries. The ordinance also addresses the “accosting or forcing oneself upon another” to ensure all citizens may engage in their daily activities without fear of intimidation or aggressive conduct on behalf of another party.To view ordinance Section 50-9.5 (Disturbing By Soliciting) in its entirety please visit the Walker website at www.ci.walker.mi.us.

City of Walker Fire DepartmentRULES FOR OPEN BURNING WITH PERMIT

In accordance with the Code of Ordinances for the City of Walker, Chapter 34 (Environment), Section 34-55(Open Burning), listed below are the rules and regulations for the City’s Open Burning Policy:Residential burning is allowed twice a year. The burning season begins on April 15th through May 15th and October 15th through November 15th. Burning permits are free and can be obtained at the main reception area at the Walker City Hall. You will be required to show your valid Michigan driver’s license when applying for your burning permit. If you do obtain a permit the following rules will apply:• You may only burn on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays during the burning season.• You must notify City Hall every time you burn. Please call 453-6311 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Please notify City Hall on Friday by 11:30 a.m. if you intend to burn on Saturday.• The burning of leaves and grass clippings is prohibited. • You are only allowed to burn small twigs. • ABSOLUTELY NO COMMERCIAL BURNING (Contractors, businesses, clearing land, etc.)• Burning of garbage, rubbish or any other solid waste is also prohibited.• Open burning shall be supervised and kept under control by an adult who shall be present at the site of the fire at all times and until the fire is completely extinguished without smoldering.• Fire extinguishing equipment must be readily available at the site of the fire. A supply of water must be available in the immediate vicinity of the fire.• Open burning is not permitted within 50 feet of any building or overhead wires.• Open burning is not permitted in any public street.• Open burning is not permitted in ditches or drainage courses other than the burning of natural vegetation growing therein (with permission from the Fire Dept.)• No burning in trash barrels or other containers.Burning is not allowed until sunrise and must be extinguished by sunset.• Materials to be burned must be dry and readily combustible. The fire must be small and no black smoke is permitted.• Burning is not allowed when the wind is over 20 mph.• You must renew your burning permit every spring.Lastly, if the Fire Department is called to your address because of a complaint from smoke or odor from your fire, and if our responding fire officer determines that your burning is causing a health hazard or nuisance to your neighbors, you will be asked to extinguish your fire.

SPRING SAFETY REMINDERSAs spring approaches, the Walker Fire Department would like to make you aware of the following points of interest:Tornado season is approaching. In the event of a tornado warning, be sure to take cover in a protected area such as a basement or storm shelter. Remember to stay away from windows, doors and walls that face the outside. Take shelter in the smallest room, closet or hallway near the middle of your house on the lowest level possible. Use blankets or cushions from furniture to cover you. You can also take shelter under a heavy table, under a bed or under stairs.Also, our outdoor warning sirens are tested on the first Friday of every month at noon from April through October. If you hear them sound off, other than during testing times, you are encouraged to turn on your radio or television for any important announcements regarding the weather, etc.When doing your spring cleaning, check your appliances for dust and lint buildup near heating sources. Please pay special attention to the back of your refrigerator and in the motor compartment of your clothes dryer. Also, check your clothes dryer vent stack for lint buildup.

City of Walker Clerk’s Department

www.ci.walker.mi.us4

PASSPORTSYou can apply for a passport in the Clerk’s Office. No appointments are necessary during normal office hours. Evening and weekend appointments can be made by calling the Clerk’s Office to make arrangements. Visit our website for details on the requirements.

ABSENTEE BALLOTSIf you are over 60 years old, you qualify to be on our Permanent Absentee Voter List which means you will automatically receive an Application to Vote prior to each Election. You then complete the application and return it to the Clerk’s Office to receive your ballot. Contact the Clerk’s Office if you wish to be on this list. If you already receive an application, you are already on the list and do not need to contact us again.

BUSINESSES IN WALKERIf you have a business in Walker or operate a home occupation, the following is a list of items that need to be addressed prior to opening your business:CLERK’S OFFICE – Contact (616) 791-6865. You will need to complete a Business License Application and submit a $25.00 annual fee.INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT– Contact (616) 791-6880.If you are an employer who has employees, it is mandatory that you withhold Walker tax from your employee’s wages. Go to the Employer Withholding Tool to register to withhold Walker income tax (at ci.walker.mi.us)Fill out SS-4 form and follow instructions to submit. A PIN number will be provided that will enable you to activate your account. Sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations (including S corporations) doing business in Walker are required to file a business income tax return. Withholding forms, Corporate and Partnership forms and Walker resident and non-resident 1040 forms can be found on our website or picked up at the City of Walker office.COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – Contact (616) 791-6858. If you are making any changes to your building, check with the Community Development Department regarding any necessary permits. ASSESSING DEPARTMENT – A Business Personal Property Statement will need to be completed by February 20th. Contact the Assessor’s office with questions at (616) 791-6862.FIRE DEPARTMENT – The Fire Prevention Bureau will stop in to conduct an inspection. If you will be leasing space, you should ensure that your landlord has all of the exit and emergency lights in working order and they have had up to date inspections on any fire systems that are in the building. Contact the Walker Fire Department at (616) 791-6840.POLICE DEPARMENT – The Walker Police Department relies on the emergency contact information submitted to the Clerk’s office on your business license application. No additional items need to be submitted unless you are an MLCC establishment. For questions, contact (616) 453-5441.

City of Walker Community Development DepartmentThe Walker Community Development Department (CDD) is a fairly recent creation. The administrative functions of building, zoning and planning were previously separate, both in budget and administration. The CDD was designed to improve service delivery while also reducing expenditures by combining the aforementioned functions, which are often interconnected from a practical standpoint. The CDD was created in FY 09-10, due to the significant impact of the recent recession. The Walker Community Development Department is a multi-service department, administrating the following regulatory functions:• Building code permits• Mechanical code permits• Electrical code permits (outsourced to a private company)• Plumbing code permits• Zoning / property maintenance permits and code enforcement• Building Code Board of Appeals reviews• Mineral Mining Review Board permits• Temporary Use permits• Sign permits• Contractor registrations• Planning Commission permits and reviews• Zoning Board of Appeals variances and reviews.

City of Walker Community Development Department Continued . . .

www.ci.walker.mi.usFor more information, visit the City of Walker Web site. www.ci.walker.mi.us 5

CDD revenues for the Fiscal Year of July 1st, 2012 through June 30th, 2013 were significantly higher than those from previous years. For example, total revenues generated by the CDD in Fiscal Year 12-13 were $491,918. Total expenditures for the same Fiscal Year were $435,607. Compare this to Fiscal Year 10-11, when the total revenues were $208,638 and the total expenditures were $403,361. For a more revealing view, Fiscal Year 07-08 saw total revenues of $243,940 and total expenditures of $719,139. This information reflects the ongoing commitment towards making the Walker Community Development Department an efficient and cost-effective part of City Hall.Master Planning Update: We are still working on the Parks & Recreation Master Plan update and the GATEWAYS Master Plan. All information and plans created to date for these projects are posted on the city website at www.ci.walker.mi.us. The Walker City Commission recently approved a Complete Streets policy, which will greatly assist in the eventual implementation of both the updated Parks & Rec Plan and the GATEWAYS Master Plan. Also, please check for updates on the Laker Line Bus Rapid Transit planning process at www.lakerline.org. Email me for other updates at fwash@ci.walker.mi.us. Frank Wash, AICP, PCP – Walker Community Development Director. Residential Accessory Buildings: Residential single and two-family homes are allowed one accessory building in addition to one garage. Accessory buildings are not allowed on a vacant lot. The construction of an accessory building must be compatible with construction of the main dwelling. No building permit is required for an accessory building 200 square feet or less. The size of an accessory building is limited by the size of the lot. The height of an accessory building is regulated by the distance from the property lines. Accessory buildings cannot be placed in a drainage easement. Please contact Walker Building Official Tim Musser with questions at 616-791-6857.Swimming Pools: All swimming pools must be located in the rear yard. Pool walls must be located at least five feet from a side or rear property line. All pools must meet the requirements of the Michigan Building Code. Please contact Walker Building Official Tim Musser with questions at 616-791-6857.

Walker Recreation Department / Walker Ice & Fitness Center

For more information contact the Walker Ice and Fitness Center at 735-6286 or visit our website at www.walkericeandfitness.com

GIRL’S SOFTBALLGirls - 6 through 13 years of age. Practices and games on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Practices begin week of April 14th. 1st game on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. Cost: $35.00 for Walker residents and $45.00 for non-residents. $5.00 discount for each additional family member. Registration deadline was February 28th. Late registrations accepted if openings are available. An additional $10.00 late fee will be charged. Registration at the Walker Ice and Fitness Center.

CO-ED SPRING YOUTH SOCCERBoys and Girls – 5 through 13 years of age. Practices on weekdays – Games on Saturdays. Practices begin the week of April 14th. 1st game on Saturday, April 26, 2014.Cost: 5-6 year old age group - $25.00 for Walker residents and $35.00 for non-residents. Cost: 7-13 year old age groups - $35.00 for Walker residents and $45.00 for non-residents.$5.00 discount for each additional family member.Registration deadline was February 28th. Late registrations accepted. If openings are available. An additional $10.00 late fee will be charged. Register at the Walker Ice and Fitness Center.ADULT SOFTBALL

Men’s, Women’s and Coed teams. Team entry fee: $340.00 per team for an 8-game schedule. Player Fee: $12.00 non-resident fee for any player that does not live or work in the City of Walker. Games begin the week of June 9, 2014.Information packets available after March 1. Registration March 24 – April 6 at the Walker Ice and Fitness Center.

GIRL’S SOFTBALL UMPIRES NEEDEDGirls’ Softball Program – Ages 6-13. Games on Tuesday & Thursdays evenings. Season begins Tuesday, April 29, 2014. Minimum age is 14 years old. Must have softball experience.

ADULT SOFTBALL UMPIRES NEEDEDMen’s, Women’s and Coed leagues play on Monday through Thursday evenings. Season begins the week of June 9, 2014. Participation in Walker Recreation umpiring classes is required.

SOCCER OFFICIALS NEEDEDSpring Co-ed Soccer Program – Ages 5-13. Games on Saturdays. Season begins on Saturday, April 26, 2014. Minimum age is 14 years old. Must have soccer experience.

EASTER EGG HUNTSaturday, April 19 – 11:00 a.m. Boys and Girls - Ages 2-8Hunt for wrapped candy and prize plastic eggs. Event will be outdoors at the Walker Ice & Fitness Center, 4151 Remembrance Rd. NW. Easter Bunny available for pictures.

MEMORIAL DAY PARADEMonday, May 26, 2014 starting at 12:00 noon. Registration deadline Monday, May 5, 2014. Parade Route – Lake Michigan Dr. NW between Lincoln Lawns and St. Clair. All veterans, bands, floats, companies, organizations and groups are invited to participate. Entry forms available at the Walker Ice & Fitness Center

2013 WALKER INCOME TAX RETURNS ARE DUE APRIL 30, 2014WHO MUST FILEEvery resident or part-year resident of Walker (this includes renters) who had taxable income in 2013 of $600 or more must file a return. All Walker addresses have Grand Rapids mailing addresses so please do not assume you are not a Walker resident based on your mailing address. Visit the following link on the Walker website to check whether your address is within the city limits of Walker and click on the Street Directory link on the right side of the page. http://www.ci.walker.mi.us/government/departments/assesing/index.phpESTIMATED PAYMENTSThe first quarter estimated payment for 2014 Walker Income Tax is due April 30, 2014.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 • By mail, call us at 616-791-6880You 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.PAYMENT OPTIONSWe accept credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover) for the payment of Walker income tax assessments and small claims judgments. These payments are processed through a company called Government Payment EXP and a service fee is charged. Information regarding the service fee and how to pay online, by telephone or at the Income Tax Department counter is mailed with each assessment and/or small claims affidavit and is also available at: http://www.ci.walker.mi.us/government/departments/income_tax/make_a_payment_online. Please contact us at 616-791-6880 if you have any questions regarding this service.REQUIRED ATTACHMENTSDuring the 2012 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. Please read the face of the form carefully. Frequently the requirement to attach a federal form, schedule or other city form is shown on the return itself and not listed in the instructions. The required attachments may not automatically print. If you are using the form booklet provided by the Walker tax department, please see page two of the Walker resident return for a list of required attachments. Missing attachments will delay the processing of your return and may result in a notice of proposed assessment. For example, if you take a credit for tax paid to another city and fail to attach a copy of the other city’s return, we will disallow the credit and send a notice of proposed assessment. After receiving a notice of proposed assessment, you have 30 days to file a written protest with the income tax administrator. 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.EMPLOYER WITHHOLDINGA company is required to withhold Walker income tax from an employee’s pay if the company has a location in the City of Walker. A company must also withhold Walker tax if they are doing business in the City of Walker even though the company has no location in the city. Companies outside of the City of Walker are not required to withhold Walker tax but may voluntarily do so as a convenience to their employees. Call Nancy at 791-6869 or visit the following link on the Walker website to register to withhold Walker income tax: https://www.municonnect.com/walker/login.aspxEmployers can make electronic payments of monthly/quarterly Walker withholding taxes due.BUSINESS TAXESIn addition to filing and paying withholding taxes on employees working in Walker, businesses are also subject to Walker income tax. Sole proprietors that file a Schedule C for Federal income tax purposes must also report this income on their individual Walker returns if the business is located in Walker or has activity within the city limits. Corporations located in or doing business in Walker must file form W-1120 to calculate tax due on the income apportioned to Walker. Partnerships located in or doing business in Walker must file form W-1065 to report the amount of partnership income apportioned to each resident or non-resident owner. Partnerships have the option to pay the Walker income tax on behalf of all owners as well. If you have any questions regarding filing requirements for businesses, please call Julie Blok at 791-6866 or e-mail jblok@ci.walker.mi.us for more information.FORGOTTEN RETURNSMany taxpayers are electronically filing their state and federal returns instead of mailing paper returns. We have determined that at this time it is not cost effective for Walker to process E-filed returns. Therefore, Walker cannot accept electronically filed returns. We have encountered a number of taxpayers that mistakenly believed that their tax preparer was electronically filing their Walker returns, only to discover the completed paper forms in their tax folder. For those taxpayers that prepare and file their own returns using software designed for home use (TurboTax, Tax Cut, etc) or online preparation sites, the Walker return appears to be connected to the Michigan return. This leads to the mistaken belief that e-filing the Michigan return also files the Walker return. By the time the tax department notifies the taxpayer of a missing return, the return is late and penalty and interest are owed. 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.

LAKE MICHIGAN DRIVE (M-45) RESURFACINGThe Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has plans to resurface Lake Michigan Drive through the City of Walker from May - August 2014. The project will involve milling portions of the old pavement, placing new asphalt in its place, performing concrete joint repairs, and upgrading ADA ramps. The project will run from the Kent/Ottawa County Line in Walker to the I-196 ramps in Grand Rapids.Throughout the course of the project, one lane of travel will be maintained in each direction. Evening weekday work is scheduled for the portion through Walker. Anticipated work hours are Monday - Thursday, 7:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. Weekend work is scheduled for the portion through Grand Rapids. Work will not occur on holiday weekends. Provisions have been made to allow the annual Memorial Day Parade to be held as usual.MDOT will hold a public open house to discuss any questions related to this project on Wednesday, March 19, from 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. at Walker Fire Station #2, 4101 Lake Michigan Drive.It’s important to point out that your Walker staff has an outstanding relationship with their colleagues at MDOT. We collaborate regularly on projects, conduct joint meetings, share traffic related data, and work through local and regional issues together to better serve the people of Walker and west Michigan.

REMEMBRANCE ROAD IMPROVEMENTSThe City of Walker will be using a National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) grant to reconstruct and resurface Remembrance Road from Walker Village Drive south and east to Leonard Street. The project will change the cross section of the roadway from 4 lanes to 3 lanes. The new cross section will offer sidewalks and bike lanes that will connect to the City of Grand Rapids bike lane network at Leonard Street. The project will also eliminate the slip lane from westbound Leonard Street to Remembrance Road. Drivers will now have to go through the signalized intersection. This has been designed in an effort to lower speeds and improve pedestrian safety in the area. Construction is expected to take place this summer between June and September. We will have an open house for the adjacent property owners prior to beginning construction.

THREE MILE ROAD CENTER TURN LANEA Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) grant has been secured to add a center turn lane to Three Mile Road between Kinney Avenue and Wilson Avenue. The work will also include finishing the sidewalk network along that corridor. We expect the work to begin in early June and be substantially completed by mid August. This improvement should dramatically improve the congestion we see in front of the Kenowa Hills Central Elementary school. The project will also provide a significant traffic safety improvement to other businesses in the area with the creation of the center turn lane. We will have an open house for the adjacent property owners prior to beginning construction.

WILSON AVENUE (M-11) RESURFACINGMDOT is currently designing a 2 phase project that that will allow them to resurface Wilson Avenue in the summer of 2015. The resurfacing will occur from M-45 south to Grandville as a single phase with the second phase including the portion of M-11 from M-45 north and west to Tallmadge Township and I-96. The second phase also includes Remembrance Road west of Wilson. Walker is collaborating with MDOT to explore the potential of a roundabout at the intersection of Wilson and Remembrance. This intersection is a high speed crossing with a very undesirable skew, rather than a typical right angle intersection. The idea for the roundabout surfaced after officials from both agencies got together to brainstorm potential options available to improve the crash safety and angle of intersection at this location. If both agencies decide to move forward on the roundabout, it will be constructed with the resurfacing project in the summer of 2015. If you are interested in how a roundabout works you can find more information on the City’s website under City Projects. We’ll also post more information about upcoming presentations and opportunities for public comment. An open house with MDOT is anticipated sometime in March.

WALKER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

WALKER CLEAN UP DAYSWalker Clean Up Days drop off location is behind City Hall, 4242 Remembrance Rd. N.W. There will be signs posted. You can drop off during the following dates and times: Thursday, May 1 - 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Friday, May 2 - 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Saturday, May 3 - 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM2014 Fee Schedule: Single car or minivan: $5.00 per visit, Single car with trailer or single pick up: $10.00 per visitSingle pick up with trailer: $20.00 per visit, $5.00 per tire and $10.00 per tire with rimNo Comercial Vehicles. Proof of Walker residency required. (Drivers License, Tax Bill, Voter Card).We will accept the following: Appliances (Refrigerators must have coolant removed with certificate. Check with an appliance store) computers, all electronics, wood, brush, leaves, grass clippings, metal, misc.Not accepted: Garbage, hazardous waste. (Hazardous wastes are toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive materials).Examples include: Rat poison, weed killer, bug sprays, mercury, oil base paint, paint thinner, lighter fluid, gasoline, acids, lye, oven & toilet bowl cleaners, propane tanks, gas tanks, CO2 cylinders, car and household batteries, and bleach mixed with ammonia. Kent County has a household hazardous waste program. Call the Walker Public Works Department with any questions. 616-791-6854.

WALKER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

www.ci.walker.mi.usFor more information, visit the City of Walker Web site. www.ci.walker.mi.us 7

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDGRAND RAPIDS, MI

PERMIT #1

CITY OF WALKER4243 Remembrance Road NWWalker, MI 49534

Meeting Dates & TimesCity Commission Meetings:7:00 p.m. - 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.Walker City Hall/Commission ChambersZoning Board of Appeals7:00 p.m. - 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month to hear appeals on the City’s zoning regulations.Walker City Hall/Commission ChambersPlanning Commission7:00 p.m. - 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month to make recommendations regarding land use planning and zoning concerns.Walker City Hall/Commission Chambers

Phone 791-6865 for more information on the following committees: Traffic, Historical, Community Relations / Volunteer, International Relations, Festival, & Mineral Mining Review Board

The City of Walker is looking for citizens interested in volunteering their time by serving on various boards and commissions. Most groups meet only once per month in the evening. If you would like to be considered for an appointed position on one of the boards, please stop by the City Clerk’s office to fill out an application or you can find an application on our web site, www.ci.walker.mi.us.

City of Walker Board Appointments

www.ci.walker.mi.us

Newsletter CommentsDirect comments, questions, or suggestions regarding this newsletter to: Attn: Newsletter, City of Walker, 4243 Remembrance Road N.W., Walker, MI, 49534.Phone: (616) 791-6860, E-mail: Julia.Kozminski@ci.walker.mi.us

2014 brings about some major changes to the State of Michigan’s Personal Property tax laws. Namely if a taxpayer who owns a small business, if all the personal property that they own, lease, or have in their possession has a total true cash value of less than $80,000, then they are eligible for a personal property tax exemption if they timely file Form 5076 (Affidavit of Owner of Eligible Personal Property Claiming Exemption from Collection of Taxes). If all the personal property that a taxpayer owns, leases, or has in their possession has a true cash value of $80,000 or more, then they must timely file the usual Form 632 (2014 Personal Property Statement). For further information on this change to the personal property law, please checkout our website at www.ci.walker.mi.us – under the Assessing Department…or you can call 791-6872.Property Owners in Walker – by the time that you are reading this article, you should already have received in the mail your 2014 Notice of Assessment, Taxable Valuations, and Property Classification. Please review this carefully: make sure the classification looks correct – if you own and occupy your home, make sure that we have you at 100% PRE (Principal Residence Exemption) – and look at the Assessed and Taxable Values. This is the only time of the year in which you can appeal your valuation to the March Board of Review, so you want to make sure that we have your valuation in the ball park of what you feel you could that you could sell your property for today. The following are the class ratios that the Kent County’s Equalization Department studies pointed to for 2014 in the City of Walker: Commercial = 49.11 (or +1.81%); Industrial 49.27 (+1.48%); Residential 47.86 (+4.47%). These ratios tell us what we have to raise total in each class. Our office breaks the residential into smaller neighborhoods and we study the sale activity in those individual neighborhoods and raise (or lower) the values as indicated by those studies…so the percent increases mentioned above are just averages – some neighborhoods might see smaller increases – some might see larger increases. For 2014, the CPI (Consumers Price Index) is 1.016 (or +1.6%) – this means that your Taxable Value can only increase 1.6% for 2014 at the most (baring any new construction or additions to your parcel).The following are the dates for the 2014 March Board of Review: • Monday, March 10, 2014 – from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM • Tuesday, March 11, 2014 – from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM • Wednesday, March 12, 2014 – from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PMPlease call 791-6862 to schedule a 15 minute appointment to meet with the Board. Also, if you are unable to make an appointment on one of these days, you are welcome to appeal your valuation in the form of a letter appeal. Whether you are appealing in person or by letter, please include any evidence to help you support your opinion of value (recent market value appraisal, a list of sales of comparable properties, a list of current “for sale” properties, etc – anything that you think may help your case). If you appeal without any valuation evidence, you will have a very slim chance of winning. As always, you can call 791-6862 with any questions.

WALKER ASSESSOR’S OFFICE