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City of East Lansing Invests in Community Solar at Burcham Park

At its meeting on Dec. 18, East Lansing City Council approved an agreement to lease 300 solar panels in the new community solar installation at Burcham Park. With this 25-year lease agreement in place, the City of East Lansing is joining many other community members across East Lansing in supporting this exciting project, which officially went operational at the end of December 2018.

Community solar parks offer residents, businesses, organizations and municipalities with the opportunity to support locally produced renewable energy without having to install solar panels on their property. Those who lease panels receive utility bill credits for the power their panels produce. Those who have leased panels in the Burcham Park solar installation (including the City of East Lansing) should see their investment paid back in energy credits in the next 11 to 14 years.

One of the overarching categories of the City of East Lansing’s Strategic Priorities is Environmental Sustainability, and an objective outlined under that category is to reduce the City’s environmental footprint, including moving toward the use of 100 percent clean energy. This investment in the Burcham Park community solar installation is a step toward accomplishing that objective.

“We are excited to join other Lansing Board of Water & Light customers in investing in this local and environmentally friendly project,” said East Lansing City Manager George Lahanas. “Our investment brings us one step closer to our goal of 100 percent clean energy and aligns with the City’s Climate Sustainability Plan. We recognize the importance of being a community with a sustainable future and plan to continue to implement practices and programs that protect the environment for future generations.”

The City’s $119,700 investment in this project includes $109,700 derived from the City’s new BWL franchise fee revenue and $10,000 contributed by the East Lansing Public Library.

Final landscaping and site work is expected to be completed at the Burcham Park project site this spring. The date of a spring ribbon-cutting event will be announced soon.

In addition to the new solar panels at Burcham Park, a new piece of public art (pictured) by local artist Jim Cunningham has been installed, entitled “Energy for Life.” This piece of art was commissioned in fulfillment of the City’s Percent for Art Ordinance.

Citizen Volunteers Sought to Serve on "Planning for Hannah Community Center's Future" Advisory Committee

The City of East Lansing is currently seeking community volunteers to serve on a newly established “Planning for Hannah Community Center’s Future” Advisory Committee.

This special advisory committee was established by the East Lansing City Council this past December, with a goal of receiving information and guidance from citizens regarding future improvements and programming needs at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center (ELHCC). The special advisory committee’s purpose is to conduct public meetings, gather information and prepare a report of its findings and recommendations relative to the following:

The current use and financial position of ELHCC
The current national trends in community center use and recreation options
East Lansing community interests and expectations regarding future use and programming at ELHCC
Potential physical and technology improvements at ELHCC
Potential marketing improvements at ELHCC

In addition to members from the East Lansing Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission, Planning Commission, Seniors’ Commission and Arts Commission (appointed by those bodies), this special advisory committee will include four representatives appointed by the City Council with professional experience in one or more of the following areas:

Construction
Architecture
Real estate development
Event planning
Facility management
Other facility or recreation/tourism-related field

Representatives do not need to be residents of East Lansing.

Those interested in serving on this special advisory committee with background in one of the above areas can apply by filling out and submitting a Board & Commission Application at https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/575/Vacancies. In the “Application for Appointment to” line, please type in: “Planning for Hannah Community Center’s Future” Advisory Committee. Interested community members are asked to submit their application to egordon@cityofeastlansing.com by Jan. 25.

Nominate An Unsung East Lansing Hero for a 2019 Crystal Award

The City of East Lansing is currently seeking community nominations for the 2019 Crystal Awards.

Community members are encouraged to help honor East Lansing’s unsung heroes by submitting nominations for deserving candidates. The deadline to submit a nomination is February 16, 2019.

An online nomination form is available at www.cityofeastlansing.com/crystalawards and paper nomination forms are available at East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbot Road; the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road; and the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road. To request that a paper nomination form be mailed to you, please contact Karla Forest-Hewitt at (517) 319-6823 or khewitt@cityofeastlansing.com.

About the Crystal Awards
The Crystal Awards, hosted annually by the East Lansing City Council, honor individuals, businesses, professionals, nonprofits and/or community groups that have made an outstanding contribution to community life in East Lansing. Recipients are dedicated to enhancing the East Lansing community. They demonstrate a passion for and commitment to creating a healthy and vibrant community and serve as an inspiration to others.

All nominations will be reviewed by a community selection committee and four recipients will be chosen. The selected recipients will be honored at the 2019 Crystal Awards community reception on Thursday, April 18 at 5 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road.

Visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/crystalawards to submit an online nomination, review eligibility criteria and view past recipients.

Christmas Tree Recycling

Christmas tree recycling will be offered to East Lansing community members through this Friday, Jan. 11. Community members can place their tree at the curb or take it to a number of drop-off sites located throughout the City. Trees taller than 6 feet should be cut in half. Learn more.

Curbside Recycling Schedule

The City of East Lansing's 2019 Recycling Guide & Curbside Collection Schedule (PDF) is available online for community members who need a refresher on their recycling weeks. A map (PDF) is also available for those who need to determine whether they are in green week or blue week.

January 2019 Meeting Calendar

The City of East Lansing's January meeting calendar is available here. All East Lansing City Council and Boards & Commission meetings are open to the public. Please note that meetings are subject to being canceled or rescheduled. For the most updated calendar of meetings and events, visit the City's website.