MI Weekly
    A weekly update from the City of Mercer Island


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Oct 15

Your City Council
MAYOR
Debbie Bertlin
 
DEPUTY MAYOR 
 
COUNCILMEMBERS 
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Volunteer Opportunities 
City of
Mercer Island
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.
Oct 2, 2019 | Vol. 14 | No. 40
RecologyRecology Launches: Leave Old Carts at the Curb
Click to visit the Recology website
Recology service began on Tuesday, October 1 for all residents, including both residential and multi-family accounts. 

This week, Recology will enhance its focus on collecting any old carts from Republic that may have been missed over the past few weeks of coordinated swapouts. Please continue to  leave old carts out at the curb 24-hours-a-day until they are removed.  The preference is for the carts to be empty, but they will be removed even if not empty.

For cart collection issues please contact Recology's Email hotline: mercerisland@recology.com.  Thank you for your patience during this major adjustment!
MI_CougarMercer Island Cougar Update
Click to visit the City's cougar information website
On October 1, the Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) received a call about a possible cougar sighting just south of Ellis Pond near 89th Avenue and SE 47th Street. The reporting party, who was walking their dog, stated that the animal was approximately 20 yards away, sunning itself near trail bollards, and then walked east into a neighboring yard. The animal was thought to be about 50 lbs, brownish in color, with a 2-foot long fluffy tail and pointed ears.

When officers met the reporting party onsite to investigate, there was some uncertainty as to whether the animal seen was in fact a cougar or just another dog. The MIPD thoroughly checked the area around the potential sighting and found no other substantiating evidence. All information was also forwarded to WDFW.

Visit the City's Cougar page for additional information. 
Mercer Island Goes Green
SalmonWatch Salmon Return to Local Creeks!
Click for info on where and when you can see salmon this fall
All around western King County this fall there are opportunities to view salmon returning to spawn.  Salmon need access to clean, cool water and good habitat -- restoration and stewardship projects all over Lake Washington are helping make a difference.  

The City of Mercer Island takes a number of extra measures in its own operations and during maintenance projects, including additional street sweeping, and stormwater runoff treatment, in order to protect salmon. 

Homeowners can also help by preventing polluted water from entering the lake: 
  • Use commercial carwashes (where wastewater is filtered)
  • Don't pour hazardous chemicals down stormdrains
  • Pick up after your dog (animal waste belongs in the garbage)
  • Make sure cars aren't leaking oil
Across the Lake Washington, Cedar River, and Lake Sammamish watershed (which contains Mercer Island), many different events are planned or underway.  Learn more about  Salmon Seeson and viewing opportunities.
FinanceStaffing the Finance Department
Interim Finance Director LaJuan Tuttle; click to learn more about the City's Finance Department
This City is pleased to announce the appointment of LaJuan Tuttle as Interim Finance Director, replacing departing Director Chip Corder who had served for 14 years. LaJuan has two decades of experience with the City and has performed nearly every function in the Finance Department, including managing the complicated biennial budget process. Her roles at the City include serving most recently as Deputy Finance Director, and previously as Accounting Manager.
 
In order to continue the substantial workload undertaken by the Finance Department, the City is also planning to contract for support from consultant Mike Bailey, who has extensive experience with local municipal finance. Mr. Bailey is a consultant with  Municipal Research Services Center (MRSC ), a former Finance Director with the cities of Redmond, Renton, Lynnwood and others, and will be assisting with the Council's fiscal sustainability work.

 

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

ross.freeman@mercergov.org or 206.275.7662.