Apr 29, 2020 | Vol. 15 | No. 18
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 City Manager Jessi Bon on Finances and Layoffs
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Click to read the full message to the community
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Mercer Island Community,
Today, I regrettably share with the Mercer Island community that I have implemented a number of workforce reductions in response to revenue shortfalls resulting from the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This unparalleled situation has led to very difficult and painful actions that deeply affect staff and residents alike. The decisions I've made over these past two months are choices no City Manager ever wants to face.
Traditional sources of budgeted revenue such as rental fees, programming fees, sales tax, as well as Thrift Shop sales, have slowed or completely vanished. At this time, our best forecasting indicates that the City will end the year with a deficit of approximately $4.3 million in the General Fund and $1.3 million in the YFS Fund. The impacts of these losses are expected to extend into 2021. This situation, coupled with the unexpected expense of managing a lengthy emergency response and an already uncertain budget forecast, required immediate action.
To address the revenue shortfalls, I made the decision to lay off over 20 employees from the Youth and Family Services Department, the Parks and Recreation Department, and the Facilities Division, and furlough another 11. These decisions unfortunately come on the heels of a prior round of layoffs at the end of March, in which I made the decision to lay off almost 40 temporary and seasonal staff. Staff have been, and will continue, searching for any and all potential cost saving options; they will also be pursuing all possible grant and other funding options...
Please read the full message to the community here, with link to 9-page financial memo to Council.
The City Council will be addressing this topic at its May 5 video meeting (details here).
Jessi Bon,
City Manager |
Governor's Order Partially Restarts Construction Industry
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Click to read the full news release
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On Friday April 24, Governor Inlsee authorized a partial resumption of construction activity on existing job sites. Starting on Monday of this week (April 27) , the City of Mercer Island resumed inspections of existing, low-risk projects that comply with the Governor's "Phase 1 Construction Restart COVID-19 Jobsite Requirements" (see his Order here).
All City inspections will be conducted in a manner intended to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19, often by videoconference. To be considered low-risk, the project activities must NOT require workers to be closer than six feet apart. In order to restart an existing construction project, contractors will be required to meet a number of COVID-19 health and safety requirements - enforcement will be overseen by the State's Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), not the City.
Full details on the partial restart can be found in the City's news release; please contact the Community Planning and Development Department directly by phone at 206-275-7605 or by Email at epermittech@mercergov.org. |
Beware of Potential Mail Theft!
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Don't let thieves steal your stimulus check from the IRS;
click to learn more about MIPD crime prevention programs
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Although many people were able to receive their stimulus payment via direct deposit, the IRS has now also begun sending
paper checks by mail.
Unfortunately, criminals know this too and are already breaking into mailboxes on the Island looking for them...
The
Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) wants to help you keep your mail, your money, and your property safe. Though nothing is foolproof, here are some quick tips on how to prevent mail theft in general and avoid unwanted damage to your mailboxes:
- Consider investing in a high-quality security camera or doorbell camera for your mailbox and home. Adding lighting also helps - Video footage is one of the most effective items used by MIPD to identify and apprehend criminals.
- Collect your mail and packages on time - Do not let mail sit in your mailbox overnight.
- Sign up for "Informed Delivery" by USPS to preview what's coming.
- Consider dropping important outgoing mail directly at the Post Office when possible.
- Invest in a high-quality locking mailbox with a sturdy lock (the cheaper boxes are easy to defeat with a screwdriver).
- Try to choose direct deposit options when possible.
- Finally, you can always have your mail sent to a secure PO Box
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Mask Distribution at Mercerdale Park
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Volunteer mask distribution; click to learn more about the City's Emergency Volunteer Program
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Last week, the City's credentialed
Emergency Volunteers were out at Mercerdale Park, greeting users during Senior Hours (7:00-10:00am, Monday-Friday) and handing out free homemade cloth masks. Look for the volunteers again this Friday, May 1.
These cloth masks are homemade by Island volunteers (thanks to Debby Wilson and Dana Kim!), and are not surgical quality, but can be used by those who wish to wear a face covering when venturing outdoors. The masks are not sterile and should be washed and dried at a high heat setting before use.
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Bike Everywhere Month Postponed to June
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Click to learn more about Bike Month, postponed to June 2020
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Historically, May has been known as national Bike Everywhere Month for many years, bringing a range of organized activities and group challenges, and promoting cycling in general. On Bike Everywhere Day, up to 20,000 cyclists, from novice to expert, usually participate in events across Puget Sound.
Although Governor Inslee has stated that individual cycling is still allowed as exercise, group activities are currently not authorized, in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. As a result, Bike Month has been postponed to June 2020, and the details on how it will operate are yet to be decided. Keep track of the details as they emerge from Cascade Bicycle Club. Meanwhile, if your bike needs a tune-up, bike shops are still open due to their role in supporting public transportation.
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