Calendar “Naturally Grand Haven”
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2021 Calendar “Naturally Grand Haven” Photo By Mary A. Angel MESSAGE FROM MAYOR MONETZA Page 1 This year’s calendar theme is “Grand Haven, Naturally,” and the City is delighted to showcase our natural environment, parks, and outdoor activities. Located at the mouth of the Grand River, the longest river in Michigan, and on the shores of Lake Michigan, the Grand Haven area enjoys a spectacular array of river, dune, wetland, and upland environments, together with the songbirds and soaring birds of prey, riverine mammals, fish and amphibians that thrive in these forested and grassy habitats. Generations of Native Americans lived in harmony with this natural place, and the European voyageurs prospered in the bounty of the region. The people of the Grand Haven area have wisely preserved and reclaimed important pieces of that natural world for the generations to come. The spectacular cover photo of an eagle overlooking the river invokes the power of Nature, as does the stark dunescape on the shore of the Big Lake. Peace and introspection are inspired by the woods of Duncan Park, a vestige of old woodlands gifted to the people by Martha Duncan over one hundred years ago. On the Grand, the sparkling waters and still wetlands of the river, photos of East End Park and the river Pictured (left to right): Mayor Bob Monetza; Council Members Denny Scott, Ryan Cummins, Mike Dora; and Mayor Pro-Tem Mike Fritz. Council members scenes, convey the beauty and fertility of pictured above showing what 6’ social distancing looks like and doing their part in the prevention of the spread of COVID-19. this great river. Many thanks to all the photographers who captured and shared on the north bank of the river, preserves The parks, parklands, and natural areas, their potential to be remade and bent to the these stunning images. several major dune and interdunal ecosystems roughly one quarter of the land area of the city, will of man; that prosperous development of native plants and animals; walking trails are listed in the informational pages of this and human exploitation are the definition Our natural heritage may be appreciated entice visitors to appreciate this complex calendar. Also to be found is the City of Grand of value. However, with our opportunities to in several notable places. Lake Michigan natural system. Farther upriver, Ottawa Sands Haven’s full array of services to residents, experience the complexity and harmony of and the beaches are not only nationally is a park under construction, restoring nature visitors, business, and industry with a full staff natural places, natural ecosystems, plants, known for recreation and sunsets, but as to an old sand mining site for recreational of dedicated employees. Public amenities, animals, and the balance of nature, Grand an important fishery and source of pure use. Harbor Island itself arose from marsh to facilities, programmed activities, artifacts and Haven brings focus to the impact of Nature drinking water. Sheltering the City from historic industrial uses, and in recent years public art, are summarized here. Our own on our quality of life and outstanding the power of the Lake, a wall of sand portions have been restored to wetlands and Harbor Transit system provides door-to-door experiences for our visitors. dunes, covered in woods and dune grass, boating opportunities. The River, with its public transit. Our Public Safety, Public Works, stretches either side of the mouth of the marshy islands and wetland shores, wraps and Community Development departments Grand. Wooded dunes and trails are not around the east side of town to the delight of are dedicated to assuring the security and Mayor Robert Monetza only represented by Duncan Park, but also kayakers, boaters, and hikers. The City’s many comfort of our neighborhoods. throughout Mulligan’s Hollow Park, Lake parks offer charming and convenient access Natural places have inherent value. Many may Forest Cemetery, and Highland Park. The for residents and visitors alike to these rich believe that wild places can only have value in Kitchel-Lindquist-Hartger Dune Preserve natural features. GRAND HAVEN CITY COUNCIL GOALS Page 2 Goals Come From Public Input to view agenda packets and meeting Grand Haven City Council works on a goal notices. To view a live stream of City Council statement toward the end of each calendar year. meetings, as well as previous recordings, The graphic on this page is the goal statement you can visit the City’s Facebook page as for 2020–2021. Council sets priorities for staff well as our website at www.grandhaven. to accomplish and understands that, without org, then, click on the link for the City’s stated priorities, an organization tends to drift. YouTube channel toward the bottom With well-defined priorities, the City makes of the page. In addition to watching substantial progress on several key fronts. meetings live on YouTube and Facebook, residents can listen to the meetings live on In the fall of 2020, City Council will set a new WAWL (103.5 FM). series of overarching goals for 2021-2022. The goals generated by City Council provide Boards & Commissions guidance to the City Manager and enable him City of Grand Haven boards and to deliver the services and quality of life that commissions are made up of members the people of Grand Haven expect. chosen from the community. City Council Call your elected officials and let them know and staff rely on boards and commissions what YOU think is important for Grand Haven. to give a citizen’s point of view when All of the goals shown here came from the discussing specific projects or issues. people of Grand Haven, and next year’s goals Listening, expressing points of view will come from public input as well. and considering other points of view is essential. Government Structure Many terms end The Grand Haven in June; however, City Council serves openings can occur at as the elected body any time due to other of the City and is factors. Please check comprised of the the City’s web site for the most current list mayor and four of vacancies. council members, all who live within the City limits. City Council Apply today to serve on a City board or establishes policy by allocating public funds commission. Go to www.grandhaven. in the form of an annual budget. The City org, select City Services, Boards and Council appoints a professionally trained Commissions and submit the application and experienced manager to administer the online or print it and turn it into the Clerk’s day-to-day operations of the City and provide Office, 519 Washington Ave. policy recommendations. Grand Haven is among the more than 175 home rule cities in Michigan that use the council-manager form of government. City Council Meeting Schedule Council meetings are held in the Council Chambers of Grand Haven City Hall, located at 519 Washington Avenue on the first and third Monday of every month, at 7:30 p.m., except when otherwise indicated. Work sessions may be held prior to council meetings. Meeting dates are subject to change. Visit our website CITY FACILITIES & SErvicES Page 3 can develop their property and what may happen in the future within their neighborhood. Permits for smaller projects like driveways, sheds, and commercial signs are also issued by the Community Development Department. Finance Department The Finance Department ensures that budgetary and financial requirements are met, auditing and accounting standards are followed, the City’s annual audit is properly reported, payment of invoices and billing of services are made timely, and grants and loans to the City are appropriately reported. The department provides financial services for all City Funds (and, by contract, the Sewer Authority, the NOWS Plant, Northwest Ottawa Recreation Authority, and Ottawa County Central Dispatch Authority). Public Safety Department Members of the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety are cross trained to provide law enforcement, fire suppression and inspection, and emergency medical services to the community. Officers enforce state laws and local ordinances through criminal investigation and application of the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code. Officers also provide education programs, water and ice rescue, school crossing guards, and a School Resource Officer in partnership with the Grand Haven Area Public Schools. Additionally, the department is responsible for building services and code enforcement issues and Code of Ordinances, coordinating Freedom City Manager’s Office City Clerk’s Office through the Building and Code Division. The City Manager’s Office is responsible The City Clerk serves as Clerk to the of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and posting for facilitating the goals of City Council. The City Council. The Clerk’s Office provides public notices. Public Works Department mayor and council formulate broad policy informational services to residents, the Community Development The Department of Public Works is initiatives and direct the manager in the general public, and other City departments. comprised of the cemetery, custodial, The Community Development Department execution of their will. The City Manager’s Additionally, this office is responsible for facilities and grounds, maintenance, is responsible for administering the Office is charged with responding to the management and preservation of the marina/waterfront, motor pool, parks and City’s planning, zoning, housing, and the needs of the entire community and City’s official documents, maintaining voter grounds, project management, streets and community affairs. is ultimately responsible for the daily registration records and administering storm water, utilities (water distribution operations of the municipal organization. elections held in the City, maintaining and The department helps current and future and sanitary sewer collection systems), providing electronic access to the City Charter property owners understand how they and water filtration.