Village of Sparta, Kent County, Michigan

Cityhood Investigatory Committee Summary and Recommendation on Governmental Transition for Sparta Village

The Cityhood Investigatory Committee was created in February 2005 with the purpose of reviewing the positives and negatives specific to Sparta on becoming the City of Sparta. The Committee was further tasked with evaluating the positives and negatives of a potential change in municipal status and recommending back to the Village Council whether or not to proceed with becoming the City of Sparta.

Membership on the Committee was by appointment of Sparta Village Councilmembers who presented three names of individuals from the community to evaluate the information that could be provided on the transition from a village to a city. The Committee’s membership was composed of 19 residents and business owners with representatives from the local police department, fire department, ambulance service, and school district also serving in an advisory capacity.

On Monday, December 12, 2005, the Sparta Village Council will hold a public hearing commencing at 7:00 PM in the lower level of the Sparta Township Hall located at 160 E. Division St, Sparta, MI 49345 for the purpose of receiving public comment on the proposed 2006 operating budget and millage rate. Any parties interested in commenting on the budget may do so during this public hearing.

A copy of the proposed 2006 operating budget may be inspected at the Sparta Village Hall, 156 E. Division St., Sparta, MI, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. You may also review the budget by clicking HERE.

The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied will be a subject of this hearing.

Over the next few weeks, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be working with area farmers to reduce the starling bird population in the area. Although the control program is designed to contain the starling birds to properties in the township, the agents used to euthanize these birds may not take effect immediately resulting in dead starlings being found outside of the control area.

The USDA has clearly indicated that there is no immediate threat to the general population in the Sparta area. Starling birds are described as:

Should you find the carcass of a starling on your property, it is recommended that you dispose of it with your regular household trash.

Should you have any questions, you may contact Aaron Gykema with the USDA at (517) 336-1928.

This year, the Village will begin its “Odd/Even” Winter Parking Regulations. From November 15 thru April 1, from 2 AM until 10 PM, vehicles may be parked on the odd side of the road on odd dates and on the even side of road on even dates.

With the start of October, the Village will be ending its seasonal Brush Pick-Up Program and being its annual Leaf Pick-Up Program. Please note the following items as they relate to the Leaf Pick-Up Program:

Residents may drop off leaves in biodegradable bags anytime behind the Public Works Garage located at 276 W. Division Ave. All residents are asked to remove leaves from plastic bags if they are utilizing the drop-off service.

Progress on S. State continues. Currently the project limits are from the Division intersection to just north of the State/Orchard intersection. Starting the week of October 10^th, the project will expand to include all of S. State between Orchard Dr and the 12 Mile Rd intersection.

Work between Orchard and 12 Mile will consist mostly of removing the top layer of asphalt and replacing it with new asphalt. During this same period, the portion of S. State between Division and Gardner will be paved as well.

Rogers Park Improvements are nearly complete! To date, all the new playground equipment is in, the new walking path has been installed, landscaping has been completed and foundations have been laid for the band shell and the new picnic pavilion.

The new pavilion should be installed by October 7^th and the new band shell is scheduled to be erected immediately following the pavilion.

The Halloween festivities on Monday, October 31, will begin with a kid’s parade at 5:15 PM from Central Elementary to the Civic Center where games and treats await. Then Trick-or-Treating for the youngsters will run from 6 pm to 8 pm.

The new pavilion should be installed by October 7^th and the new band shell is scheduled to be erected immediately following the pavilion.

The South State Street Reconstruction Project is finally underway! Currently, the project area is from the State St./Division Ave. intersection south to Gardner St. This portion of the project is scheduled to remain on-going through Friday, August 26th.

Starting the week of August 22nd, sub-surface work is scheduled to begin for the State St./Division Ave. intersection. Estimates show that work will continue on this intersection for approximately one week. Due to the complexity of underground utilities in this area, the intersection may be closed to through traffic. Should the intersection be closed, local detours will be posted.

On Monday, August 29th, the S. State St. Reconstruction Project limits will be expanded from Gardner St. to the Silver Creek Dr./Orchard Dr. vicinity. This portion of the project is expected to last until Friday, September 16th. As this phase, and previous phases are completed, the road sub-base is scheduled to be in place to help improve driving conditions for local and business traffic.

The Village of Sparta’s Cityhood Investigatory Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday, August 25th. The meeting will be held at 6:00 pm in the lower level of Sparta Township Hall. The Committee will be discussing possible methods on providing library and fire services. Interested parties are encouraged to attend.

The Village of Sparta and the Kent County Road Commission are planning to start their joint South State Street Reconstruction Project the week of July 25th.

The scope of the project is divided into two phases. The first phase of the project is from Division Ave. south to Orchard Dr. This area will be subject to road reconstruction, replacement of 100 year-old sewer main, and improvements to the storm sewer system. The second phase of this project is from Orchard Dr. south to 12 Mile Rd. This portion of the project will be the placement of road sub-base and road resurfacing. Both phases of the project will include sidewalk replacement, realignment, and curb and gutter.

During this project there will be access to all local traffic and general signage will also be posted indicating that there is access to local business. The Village will make every effort to maintain two-way traffic along South State Street throughout the project.

This project is currently scheduled for completion by the end of September and the Village will make every attempt to meet this time-table. However, due to the age of and unknown content of the street’s sub-surface, delays are expected and the length of the project could be extended to as late as November.

Shortly, more information regarding this project, its schedule, and any other information will be posted to this site as it becomes available. As the South State Street project progresses, the information on this website will be updated as appropriate to reflect areas under construction, scheduling, etc.

The Village would like to apologize for any inconvenience that this project may cause but would sincerely like to thank everyone in advance for their patience as we continue to make Sparta A Great Place to Grow!

The Rogers Park Rehabilitation Project is finally underway! Over the next few months the park will see the replacement of playground equipment and picnic pavilion with the addition of a new creek-side walking path, band shell, and landscaping. The project is expected to be completed by the end of September 2005. For a ‘bird’s eye’ view of the project, click here.

This month, the Village will again be host to the annual Town & Country Days event. This year, many changes have been made by the Fair Board to make this the biggest and best event to date so you don’t want to miss all the action. Town & Country Days is schedule for the Wednesday, July 13th thru Sunday, July 17th. For more information about Town & Country Days and all scheduled activities, click here.

Last year, the Sparta Police Department participated in the statewide Click-it or Ticket program and was one of 13 departments from around the state to be awarded grant monies for participating.

The Office of Highway Safety Planning sponsors and administers the grant, which is designed to help local departments acquire new equipment to help improve highway safety. The Sparta Police Department has used its grant monies to purchase digital cameras to document accident and crime scenes, acquire a new lasar radar unit, outfit patrol vehicles with ‘stop-sticks’ to terminate chases, and buy new light-bars to increase visibility of patrol units when conducting a traffic stop.

Earlier this month, the Sparta Construction Season got into full-swing. In May, the Village began reconstruction of Vine Street, which is scheduled for completion the week of June 13^th.

On Monday, June 6^th, the Village will begin reconstruction of S. Union Street from Gardner Street to just south of the School’s Transportation Center. Construction is scheduled through July 10^th. Signage directing access to businesses and homes on S. Union Street via Silver Creek Drive or Averill Street have been posted along S. State Street.

The Village’s Paul C. Miller Municipal Airport was the recent recipient of a 90% - 10% grant from the Michigan Aeronautics Commission. The Village requested funds in the amount of $120,000 from the Commission and was awarded that request provided that the Village’s Airport Fund match 10% of the awarded amount. The grant monies will be used to remove and replace the existing fuel farm with a larger, up-to-date fueling system.

The grant will be administered by the Michigan Aeronautics Commission on behalf of the Village. The new fuel farm is scheduled to be completed and in service by August 1^st

• Seasonal Brush Pick-Up
The Village began seasonal brush on the week of April 4th. Brush will be picked-up the first full week of the month thru September. Please place all brush at the curbside, but not in the street, with the cut ends facing the same direction. The Village does NOT pick-up leaves, garden waste, or grass clippings as part of this program.

• 2005 Code Enforcement
In its ongoing efforts to make Sparta A Great Place to Grow, the Village will begin active Code Enforcement the week of May 2nd. Although the Village will actively enforce all ordinances, the most common violations are as follows:

The Village strongly encourages those property owners who are, or have tenants, in violation of any of these Ordinances to take the necessary steps to rectify the matter as soon as possible. If you are unsure as to whether or not you may be in violation of any of the Village’s Ordinances, please do not hesitate to contact Village Hall.

• 2005 Memorial Day Ceremony
On Monday, May 30that 10:30 a.m. in Lamoreaux Park (located at the intersection of W. Gardner and Pine Streets), the Sparta chapter of the American Legion, Post 107, will be holding its annual ceremony to honor those who served the United States, past and present, to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. In honor of the 60th anniversary of this nation’s World War II victories over the Axis Powers, a special monument dedication is schedule to take place.

The dedication will include the addition of bronze busts of the three Lamoreaux brothers, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in World War II, to the existing monument which bears their name. The Lamoreaux family was one of only four families in the United States to lose three children during that conflict and all three brothers were laid to rest overseas.

Please join the members of the Legion in their ongoing efforts to forever secure our remembrance and respect for those who have made the sacrifice, both past and present, to preserve our freedoms.

• 2005 Spring Clean-Up
Sparta Village and Sparta Township will be holding their annual Spring Clean-up for residents & property owners on April 28th and April 29th from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm and on April 30th from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm.

The Clean-up will be held at the Village of Sparta Public Works Garage located at 276 W. Division Ave. Yard waste, rubbish/trash, tires (max. 4), metal and appliances will be accepted without charge. Hazardous wastes, commercial wastes, paint, oils, and other liquids will NOT be accepted. Village and Township staff will be on site to assist with unloading as much as possible, but residents should be prepared to unload their own items. I.D./property affidavits will be checked at the gate.

For more information, call the Sparta Village Hall (887-8251) or Sparta Township Hall (887-8863).

• Seasonal Brush Pick-Up
The Village will begin seasonal brush starting the week of April 4th. Brush will be picked-up the first full week of the month thru September. Please place all brush at the curbside, but not in the street, with the cut ends facing the same direction. The Village does NOT pick-up leaves, garden waste, or grass clippings as part of this program.

Please join the members of the Legion in their ongoing efforts to forever secure our remembrance and respect for those who have made the sacrifice, both past and present, to preserve our freedoms.

• Tax Rate Reduction for Village Property Owners
In December 2004, the Sparta Village Council approved a 2 mill reduction in the amount of taxes to be levied within the Village. The millage reduction is in effect as of January 2005 and property owners should note the reduction in their 2005 tax billing.

The reduction is comprised of a 1 mill reduction in the Village’s operating millage, reducing the total operating millage from 11.5 mills to 10.5 mills (9 mills for general operating, 1.5 mills for local streets) and a 1 mill reduction in the Village’s debt retirement millage from 5 mills to 4 mills.

• Dates for 2005 Spring Clean-Up Set
Old refrigerator sitting in the garage? Left over debris from last fall’s home improvement project still laying around? Then grab your calendar and write down these dates because now is your chance to dispose of excess or bulky refuse at no cost!

On April 28, 29 and 30, the Village of Sparta and Sparta Township will be holding their annual Spring Clean-up. With a valid photo ID and/or documentation proving ownership of property or residency in either the Village or the Township, you can take advantage of this free opportunity to dispose of those items that never seem to find their way to the curbside.

Everyone is encouraged not to miss this opportunity to do their part in helping to make Sparta A Great and Beautiful Place to Grow!

For more information, call the Sparta Village Hall (887-8251) or Sparta Township Hall (887-8863).

• Sparta's Tentative 2005 Construction Schedule
This year, several construction projects have been scheduled to be undertaken by the Village. Below is a list of all the projects scheduled for this year and their estimated schedules. Please check this schedule on a regular basis as more information regarding detour routes, scope of project, and completion dates will be added.

Rogers Park Improvements	May 11 thru August 1
S. Union St./Vine St Repair	May 11 thru June 24
12 Mile Road Repair	June 13 thru July 15
S. State St. Improvements	July 18 thru September 30