MI Weekly
    A weekly update from the City of Mercer Island


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2020 MercerFest Canceled

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

Phone
(206) 275-7600

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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.
Apr 8, 2020 | Vol. 15 | No. 15
TaxesExtension of Tax Deadline for Local Businesses
Click for additional business resources
At its April 7 video meeting, the Mercer Island City Council passed an ordinance that will temporarily allow Island businesses to delay Business and Occupation (B&O) tax payments. Over the past few weeks, the City has heard from the Chamber of Commerce as well as a number of business owners about the undue financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 emergency and mandatory closures.
 
For businesses that submit their B&O tax payments quarterly, the Council amended the City's code allowing the Finance Director to extend payment deadlines this year during the declared COVID-19 emergency. The extensions would apply to businesses earning gross receipts of at least $250,000 per quarter; all other businesses (earning at least $150,001 per year) pay their B&O tax annually.
 
The Director will be announcing that first and second quarter payment deadlines will be extended to October 31, 2020. The City will rely on cash reserves to sustain City operations due to the delayed tax revenues and also to support the City's ongoing emergency response. The new ordinance is expected to become effective on April 20.
 
This measure comes on the heels of other City actions designed to assist local businesses, including the designation of a Small Business Liaison, promotion of Takeout Tuesday events, special parking zones for food delivery drivers, and providing extensive information on grants and Small Business Administration disaster loans.
 
Further businesses resources are available here: https://letstalk.mercergov.org/coronavirus_business
DistanceSocial Distancing Reminder
Stay six feet apart; click to learn more about the City's COVID-19 response
Staying home, limiting going out to essential trips, and staying six feet away from others when you do go out, are all critical steps to slowing the spread of COVID-19 in King County...

With sunny weather here, a lot of people are outdoors again. It is OK to be outside gardening, walking your dog, or exercising, but remember to give SIX FEET of space whenever you encounter someone else. With so many people now walking along the Mercer Ways, please be extra-aware of oncoming bicycles and vehicles and share the space.

Per Governor Inslee's Order, it is NOT permitted to take group walks, join group bike rides, play group sports (like a basketball game), or meet up for ANY organized group activities (like a fitness club), with anyone other than the people you already live with.

City staff have been seeing this occur repeatedly in parks and have recently placed additional signage to help remind the public. Based on Public Health guidance, the City has already closed playgrounds, sports courts, and picnic shelters. Most park restrooms, the Boat Launch, and the Luther Burbank Dog Park remain open at this time.

Learn more: https://letstalk.mercergov.org/coronavirus
Culture Connect to Culture From Your Couch
Click to visit the new "Culture From The Couch" list
The Mercer Island Arts Council would like to remind everyone that art offers us escape, beauty, inspiration, and hope, especially during stressful times.

While we are all doing our part to Stay Home and Stay Healthy, it is the perfect time to also stay connected to culture.  Don't let your confinement to the couch prevent virtual visits to the arts! 

Mercer Island resident and member of the Arts Council, Erin Vivion, put together an extensive list of suggestions, available on the City's Let's Talk page. Have fun!
Mercer Island Goes Green
MetroTemporary Bus Service Reductions
Route #630 is one of many temporarily suspended routes across the region; click for alternatives
Due to drastic 70-80 percent declines in ridership, King County Metro and Sound Transit have made significant temporary service reductions throughout the region.

Mercer Island's Community Shuttle Route #630, running to Seattle's First Hill medical district has been suspended.
Route #204 remains in service, connecting the MI Park & Ride to the south end shopping area; it is the only intra-Island public transportation at this time.

Metro has provided an interactive web tool that lists suspended and reduced routes as well as provides assistance finding alternate routes via public transportation.  Metro has temporarily discontinued fare payments and has moved to rear door bus boarding except for passengers with mobility challenges.  
MercerFest2020 MercerFest Canceled
MercerFest was intended to celebrate 
the City's 60-year anniversary
The community organizers planning MercerFest for this July recently decided to cancel the event and released the following statement:

"On behalf of the Mercer Island Community Fund and the Mercer Island Historical Society, we are announcing the cancellation of MercerFest, planned for July 11. It was to be a one-day outdoor festival  - with music, food, fireworks, a car show, a pet parade, and boat rides - to celebrate Mercer Island and the 60th anniversary of our City.
 
While we hope and pray that the situation improves by July, right now we need to focus on taking care of those dear to us, doing what we can to help others and supporting our community. 
 
We look forward to your support when we resume planning for a 2021 MercerFest. In time, Mercer Islanders will be able and ready to come together again, and celebrate our town and its strength.  If you have questions or concerns, please e-mail us at mercerfest@gmail.com.

Meanwhile, please stay safe and stay home."
 
Best wishes,
MercerFest Steering Committee
 (Debbie Hanson, Terry Moreman, Jane Meyer Brahm, Jayme Witman and Tinya Anderson)

 

  
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