MI Weekly 9/13/17 | MICA Permitting | Financial Challenges Update | Low-Income Assistance

On Monday, September 11, the City's Development Services Group (DSG) released a decision regarding its review of the potential environmental impacts of a proposed performing arts facility located next to the downtown business district in Mercerdale Park. This State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination of Non-Significance with Mitigation for the proposed Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA) project found that there are expected to be some environmental impacts from the project as proposed, which can be adequately mitigated through alterations to the proposal. Read the full press release here.

This SEPA determination is the first of a number of City actions needed for the proposed MICA project to continue and is limited to: (1) a proposed zoning code text amendment application to allow a performing arts facility to be located in Mercerdale Park, and that would allow parking for such a facility to be located off-site; and (2) an "agreement to lease" between the City and MICA.

Other land use actions, such as a subdivision, critical area determination and construction permits, will need to be submitted and reviewed as part of the City's customary review process for large projects. These land use actions will also require their own SEPA environmental review, but the timing has not yet been established.

In addition, the City announced today a schedule for formal review of the requested zoning code text amendment. The City's Planning Commission will conduct an initial evaluation at its October 4 meeting, and will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, after which it will ultimately make a recommendation to the City Council (both meetings are 6:00pm at City Hall)

For full documentation underlying this SEPA determination, please visit the City's online permitting archive for the MICA proposal.

Financial Challenges Public Engagement Process Revised


	Click to view the Community Advisory Group application

In July the City began a public engagement process to share information about the City's financial challenges with the community and to seek public input on how best to balance the budget.

While the current 2017-2018 budget has been temporarily balanced using a one-time surplus, the City is projecting significant deficits starting in 2019. This includes the General Fund which pays for a wide range of City services such as park maintenance, police and fire services, and special events, as well as the Youth and Family Services Fund which supports school counselors, emergency family assistance, and employment assistance programs.

At its recent September 5 meeting, the City Council decided to extend the City's public engagement plan into 2018 to allow more time to inform and educate the community. A key outreach component is the formation of a Community Advisory Group (CAG) appointed by the City Manager to review the data, discuss the challenges and solutions, and provide a recommendation; CAG meetings will be widely advertised and open to all.

Now that a revised engagement calendar has been set, the City Manager has reopened recruitment for volunteers interested in serving on the CAG and strives to appoint a broad-based, diverse group of citizens. Residents are invited to apply here before October 27, 2017.

Read more about the history of this issue, including links to budget documents and a schedule of upcoming meetings here: www.mercergov.org/FinancialChallenges

Telephone Town Hall Meeting

Save the Date! -- The City is piloting a new technology that allows interested residents to join a moderated, community meeting by telephone or computer, providing a new option for those who are unable to attend in-person. Participants may ask questions in real-time, and a recording of the event is available afterwards.

An interactive Telephone Town Hall meeting covering financial issues is set for October 11, 2017 (7:00-8:00pm) and online registration will open soon.

City Departments Collaborate to Help Low-Income Residents


	Click to learn more about the City's utility bill financial assistance program

Summer brings with it an increase in the number of residents unable to pay their water bills. "We see this jump every year, as the weather heats up and water usage climbs," says Suzanne Riddell, Utility Billing Supervisor with the Finance Department.

But there is help available: "We recognize that when people aren't paying their water bill, they may be facing severe financial hardship so we let them know the City has a discount program for low-income residents." Qualifying accounts are able to secure a 75 percent reduction on most portions of their bill -- currently, 42 people are enrolled, mostly seniors on fixed incomes.

The City's Youth and Family Services Department (YFS) contributes by offering assistance to Islanders in filling out the discount application. "When we can take care of that situation for an individual, it relieves a big stress in their life," says Cheryl Manriquez, Family Support and Employment Coordinator. A social worker and employment counselor, Manriquez can help residents with more than their water bill. "We can take a close look at their whole financial picture and their needs, be it employment assistance, food, clothing, medical care or something else, and we work in partnership with folks to help them address their family's needs," says Manriquez.

She credits Riddell in the Finance Department with steering late-paying utility customers her way. "The close connection between the City's Finance and YFS Departments reflects how we both share the same mission of providing outstanding services to Mercer Island residents," adds Manriquez.

Mercer Island Goes Green

Gathering of the Greens Moved to Sept 18


	Click to view meeting details

The City's sustainability program has rescheduled the upcoming "Gathering of the Greens" meeting to Monday, September 18, from 6:00-9:00pm, at City Hall. The meeting was originally slated for Thursday, September 21, but has been moved to avoid the Rosh Hashanah Jewish holiday.

Learn more about the sustainability meeting agenda, or the City's recent sustainability milestones.

For questions and comments on the MI Weekly, contact
Sustainability & Communications Manager Ross Freeman at

ross.freeman@mercergov.org or 206.275.7662.