MI Weekly

    A weekly update from the City of Mercer Island


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(For event details, visit the City's online calendar or click on a specific event)

May 15

May 16


May 18

May 21

May 22


May 27

MAYOR
Debbie Bertlin
 
DEPUTY MAYOR 
 
COUNCILMEMBERS 



Volunteer Opportunities 

City Hall Address
9611 SE 36th Street
Mercer Island, WA 98040

Phone
206.275.7600


Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30am to 5:00pm



Donations Requested 

The Mercer Island Food Pantry relies on your non-perishable food donations to keep the shelves stocked year-round.
Click for more info.
May 15, 2019 | Vol. 14 | No. 20
UnderspendingPrudent Under-Spending Saves Tax Dollars
Click to view the City's
full-length news release
The City was able to end the 2018 fiscal year $1.1 million in the black, when comparing budget to actual. On May 7, ( watch meeting footage here) the City Council reviewed the 2018 Year End Financial Status Report, including the reasons for the fund balance. The budget savings was generated mostly by position vacancies and reduced spending on contracted services, while the modest revenue surplus was generated primarily by a one-time refund from the State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
 
In the lead up to the November 2018 election and Proposition 1 (a property tax levy), several staff resigned after finding new job opportunities elsewhere and the City also experienced an increase in retirements. In most cases, the City left these vacancies open, which resulted in salary savings. Moreover, due to less staff resources, the City reduced service levels by eliminating Summer Celebration, shrinking senior programs, trimming Community Center operating hours, and other measures. In some cases, existing staff temporarily took on additional responsibilities.
 
Given the City's financial challenges, staff also prudently under-spent what was budgeted in 2018. In some cases, previously contracted work was brought "in-house" and completed by City staff.
 
Staff also identified an irregularity regarding the reporting of worker hours for police and fire personnel to Labor & Industries. This resulted in a significant one-time refund of over $222,000 in L&I insurance premiums and will reduce future payments to L&I.
 
Collectively, staff attrition, under-spending, and one-time refunds have all helped the City get one step ahead of significant projected deficits and accelerate the implementation of its Fiscal Sustainability Plan. The Council will determine the disposition of the surplus funding later this fall. Even with this one-time surplus in place, significant future deficits are projected.
 
Read full news release 
CAO_SMPCouncil to Review Critical Area and Shoreline Amendments
Click for more information
On May 21, at its Regular Meeting (7:00pm at City Hall), the City Council will begin reviewing amendments to the Critical Areas Code (CAO) and Shoreline Master Program (SMP), as recommended by the Planning Commission. Please visit Let's Talk Mercer Island for more information, to view the latest draft, and to post public comments.

The Planning Commission's recommendation was developed after review and consideration of comments made by the public on the Public Hearing Draft. The recommended code updates will:
  • Expand buffer widths around geologically hazardous areas, watercourses, and wetlands consistent with the best available science 
  • Clarify the requirements around mitigation of impacts - applicants will be required to document how projects have avoided and minimized impacts, and how projects have mitigated unavoidable impacts
  • Clarify habitat protection standards for endangered & threatened species
  • Create processes for quicker review for small-scale projects and a more in-depth review for complex projects 

Visit the City's public engagement site, Let's Talk Mercer Island, for more information.

Mercer Island Goes Green
Bike_DayBike Everywhere Day: Friday May 17
Bike support booths on the UW Campus; click to learn more
Every May is national Bike Everywhere Month, and this Friday is  Bike Everywhere Day (aka "Bike-to-Work Day"). On May 17, approximately 20,000 cyclists across Puget Sound will participate in the all-day event.
 
It's a great opportunity for first time riders: even if your bike isn't in tip-top shape, just make sure your brakes are working, pump up your tires, and blow the dust off your helmet.

 Mercer Island cyclists will see lots of fellow commuters, and there will be a support booth ( click for map) at the east end of the I-90 bridge in Enatai. This year, almost 20 City staff will also be participating.  Learn more from  Cascade Bicycle Club.
Hunger_WeekendNew Seasons Market Hunger  Match Weekend
Click to learn more
Mercer Island's New Seasons Market will host its annual Hunger Match Weekend on May 18-19, matching the first $1,000 in customer donations to the City's Food Pantry and Emergency Assistance Fund.

As part of New Seasons Market's ongoing commitment to the community, the City's Youth and Family Services Department (MIYFS) is its chosen local organization that fights hunger and offers support to food insecure families. Customers can make a donation at the register anytime they shop, but on May 18 and 19 their donations will be matched 100%.

"Nourishing local communities and ensuring everyone has access to healthy food is a core tenet of our mission to be the ultimate neighborhood grocery store," said Chenoa Philabaum, New Seasons Market Community Relations Program Manager.  "We're thrilled to help our customers support their neighbors and give back to their communities, while shining a light on these amazing local organizations fighting to eradicate hunger."
Tobacco_21City Council Priority (Tobacco 21) Passes State Legislature
Governor Inslee signing the Tobacco 21 bill; click for bill language
The Mercer Island City Council identified Tobacco 21 - the effort to raise the age to purchase tobacco products to 21 years - as one of its state legislative priorities for 2019. This legislative effort, House Bill 1074 , passed the Washington Legislature on March 27 and was signed by Governor Jay Inslee on April 5. Starting January 1, 2020 , it will be illegal under Washington law to sell or give tobacco or vaping products to people under age 21.

"Access plays a role in youth decision making when it comes to addictive substance use, and we are encouraged that the State of Washington has taken this step to prevent youth use of nicotine products. We know that most adult nicotine users are addicted to tobacco products prior to their 21st birthday," said Cindy Goodwin, Director of the City's Youth and Family Services Department (MIYFS). "Council's inclusion of public health measures such as 'Tobacco 21' in their legislative priorities is essential to communicating to our State government that health and wellbeing are policy issues that are important to our community."

The Mercer Island Police Department and Mercer Island Youth and Family Services will be working together with other state, regional and local agencies on awareness campaigns, compliance checks, and cessation support for current 18 to 21-year-old youths already addicted to nicotine products. 

Please contact MIYFS if you, or someone you know, are in need of addiction resources or support at ( 206) 275-7611.  

 

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

ross.freeman@mercergov.org or 206.275.7662.