On Monday, September 17, at 7:00pm, the Mercer Island City Council will hold a public hearing on Initiative 1631, in order to determine whether it wishes to formally support or oppose the Measure.  Initiative 1631 would enact  a carbon emissions fee on the State's largest greenhouse gas emitters.

Following the public hearing, Council will continue with the business of its regular Council Meeting. 

Members of the public are invited to attend the hearing and will have 3 minutes to express their perspective to Council: supporters and opponents will be offered equal time. Upon receiving all public testimony, Council will determine that evening whether it wishes to vote on its own Resolution regarding I-1631; the City Attorney's Office would prepare the necessary language.  

Last year, volunteers tallied about 75,000 bicyclists and pedestrians across the state during a three-day Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)  bicycle and pedestrian count.  

Many hundreds of volunteers will be needed again this fall to count the number of people who ride bikes or walk to their destinations from September 25 through 27, 2018. As in past years, Mercer Island will have several dozen morning or evening checkpoints. The dates are chosen to capture students and workers on foot or bike before the weather turns. 

"Counting bicyclists and pedestrians helps us more accurately measure demand, gauge the results of our investments and plan for future improvement projects," according to the WSDOT.  

For this eleventh annual survey, WSDOT is coordinating again with Cascade Bicycle Club to enlist volunteers for shifts; counts will be taken in many cities throughout the state.  Interested volunteers can learn more, or sign up, on the WSDOT site.

The City of Mercer Island is now accepting requests for Comprehensive Plan amendments to be considered in the 2019 cycle; note, this is different than the 2018 amendments currently under final consideration. 

New requests are placed on a preliminary docket of suggested amendments for review and consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council. Those requests determined suitable for further analysis and consideration by the Council are added to a final docket for action in 2019.

 

Comprehensive Plan amendment requests must be submitted on application forms available from Evan Maxim, the City's Development Services Group Interim Director; a filing fee is required.

 

Complete application forms and fees are due at City Hall by Monday, October 1, 2018 at 5:00pm either in person or by mail.

It is recommended that the applicant meet with planning staff in advance to ensure that applicable decision criteria are adequately addressed, and all necessary information will be submitted properly.  

A new landscape is truly taking shape over on West Mercer Way. Since their August 6 kickoff, local artist Rachel Holloway and her assistants are making great progress on the mural that will cover the retaining wall facing I-90's Exit 6. The team continues to work Monday-Friday for the next few weeks, so the sidewalk and the curb lane will be closed during work hours for safety.  Learn  more about the project from the City's Arts and Culture Coordinator Sarah Bluvas, at  sarah.bluvas@mercergov.org .