Oct 10, 2018 | Vol. 13 | No. 41
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 How Much Money Does the City Keep in Reserve?
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Click to view current reserves
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The City of Mercer Island has a long tradition of conservative fiscal planning, including reserving funds for capital projects (e.g., street repaving), unexpected events (e.g., major storm damage or the next recession), and long-term liabilities.
Just like a parent setting aside money for a child's future college fund, saving for major expenses is easier when spread out over the long-term. These reserves are NOT the same as a "surplus" which is truly unallocated money.
At the end of 2017, the City had $22.1 million in total fund balances, excluding the City's Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Utilities which are all highly regulated. Of this total amount, $16.6 million was reserved for specific purposes, which are detailed in Note 4 of the City's 2017 Annual Financial Report.
The remaining balance of $5.5 million was unreserved and includes the following:
- $3.4 million in the Contingency Fund, which is the City's "Rainy Day" reserve
- $1.3 million in one-time funding, which has been used to bridge the General Fund deficit that was projected for 2018
- $300,000 revenue stabilization reserve in the General Fund (to be moved to the Contingency Fund at the end of 2018)
Tapping the Contingency Fund for ongoing operations, when there isn't a recession, is neither responsible nor sustainable, and also threatens the City's enviable, top-tier "Triple-A" credit rating.
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Council Vacancy Announced
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Current City Councilmembers; click for an application
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Mayor Debbie Bertlin has announced that
application forms
are available for citizens interested in filling vacant Position #4 on the Mercer Island City Council.
Individuals should be willing to commit a minimum of 18 to 20 hours per month for preparation, participation, and attendance at various meetings and community activities. Councilmember duties also include, but are not limited to:
- Attendance at regular City Council meetings on the first and third Tuesday evening of each month, annual Planning Session, and Mini-Planning Session;
- Serving on Council committees, regional boards, City's advisory boards and commissions, and to represent the City Council at various community functions; and,
- Some travel is expected locally, regionally, and/or within the state of Washington.
The seven-member Council is the legislative authority of the City of Mercer Island, responsible for setting policy, passing an annual budget, adopting laws, setting priorities, and appointing citizens to its advisory boards and commissions. The City operates under a "Council-Manager" form of government in which a City Manager is appointed to administer operations.
The appointee to Position #4 will serve until the certification of the November 2019 general election, at which time the candidate elected for position #4 will take office. See
RCW 42.12.070(6)
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To be eligible, applicants must reside within the City limits for a minimum of one year prior to appointment, and be registered to vote in the City of Mercer Island.
Click here
to download the application form, visit City Hall, or call/Email City Clerk
Deb Estrada
at (206) 275-7793. Applications must be received by the City Clerk
no later than 5:00pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2018, no exceptions.
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Fall Recycling Event Two Weeks Away
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Click here to view the event flyer
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The City's popular annual Fall Recycling Event is only two weeks away, so it's time to start gathering your materials. Rain or shine, it will be held on Saturday, October 27, from 9:00am to 3:00pm at the South Luther Burbank Parking Lot.
NOTE: This is a different, temporary, location than the usual venue (Mercer Island Boat Launch).
Come safely dispose of the old equipment, electronics, appliances, and other household items that are cluttering your basement or garage; document shredding will once again be available too.
Click here to view our
NEW event flyer - it provides a good overview of what to expect. Discounted rain barrels are sold out, and won't be available until next spring, 2019. \Please also bring a non-perishable food or cash donation for the City's
Food Pantry.
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Proposed Parking and Mixed-Use Project Receives Nine Submissions
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Project location; click for more information
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In early September, the City issued a
Request For Qualifications
(RFQ) seeking innovative and capable property developers to design and build a development consisting of a City-owned commuter parking facility, and a mixed-use residential/commercial structure.
The premier location (site of the former Tully's Coffee) is adjacent to the future
Sound Transit Light Rail Station
and centrally located in Mercer Island's Town Center. This is a unique opportunity to participate in a public-private partnership and develop a gateway connection between the City's Town Center and the station's east entrance off 80th Avenue SE (opening in 2023).
The deadline for RFQ submissions was Friday, October 5 and the City received nine submissions from the following teams:
- Columbia Pacific Advisors, LLC (CPA)
- Imagine Housing
- Lowe
- Mainstreet Property Group LLC
- Reve Development
- Shelter Holdings / Weinstein A+U
- Stream Real Estate Partners
- Trammell Crow Company (High Street Residential)
- White/Peterman Properties, Inc. (WPPI)
Later this week,
semifinalists will be posted on the project webpage. A community presentation/Q&A meeting is scheduled for
Monday, October 22, 6:30-8:30 pm, at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center
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Read full press release
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Pedestrian and Bicycle Upgrades Along North Mercer Way
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Some of the Park-and-Ride pathway upgrades proposed; click for more information
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Beginning as early as Monday, October 15, Sound Transit crews will begin making improvements at two areas near the future Mercer Island Rail Station: at the intersection of 76th Ave SE and North Mercer Way, and along the sidewalk adjacent to the Park-and-Ride.
At the first location, workers will install a pedestrian-activated north-south crossing signal and new ADA accessible ramps. Further east, in front of the Park-and-Ride, various small projects will improve sightlines, remove obstacles, mark pathways, and reduce potential conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists along this busy trail corridor.
Work will last approximately two weeks and will occur outside of rush hour, from 9:00am to 3:00pm daily; flaggers and signage will provide detours. Learn more from the Sound Transit website. |
National Depression Awareness and Screening Day
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Click for more information
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National Depression Screening Day is October 11 and the City's Youth and Family Services Department (MIYFS) calls on Islanders to get screened for depression and related mood and anxiety disorders, and to raise awareness about the importance of mental health.
According to MIYFS Director Cynthia Goodwin, "As a community, we all play a role in recognizing warning signs of depression or anxiety in ourselves, family and neighbors." This year's theme, Reach Out, focuses on that connection and the importance of finding support for yourself and others.
Depression is a common, treatable, mental disorder that will often show up in adolescence and early adulthood
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Studies indicate that 15-20% of young people are likely to experience an episode of depression before adulthood.
However, due in part to the stigma against treating mental health on par with physical health, most do not get help.
MIYFS invites all Islanders to spread the word about the importance of mental health check-ups. Parents can contact their pediatrician or MIYFS school counselor (in all public schools) for consultation or screening. Adults are encouraged to contact their physician or MIYFS counseling staff (206-275-7611) for assistance.
In King County, you can also call 2-1-1 for any mental health crisis.
To learn more about how to keep kids in crisis safe, please join Parent EDGE and The MIHS Forefront Suicide Prevention Team for a free training on Wednesday, November 14, at 7:00pm in the MIHS Library presentation room.
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