City Manager’s Report · 10/6/2020 · • October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. • Police...

City Manager’s ReportOctober 6, 2020

City Manager’s Report ● Tuesday, October 6, 2020

COVID-19 Update

• Mercer Island has 183 confirmed

cases (10/6/20).

• Mercer Island Call Center for

assistance: 206-275-7626.

• For the latest info and resources visit

letstalk.mercergov.org/coronavirus


Update on the Coronavirus

King County Confirmed Cases

• kingcounty.gov/covid/data

• King County has updated

their data dashboards again

and things have shifted a bit.

• To find Mercer Island specific

information, click on the

City-level tab on the daily

summary page.


Finding Mercer Island Data

http://www.kingcounty.gov/covid/data

• Once the City-level page

finishes loading, select

Mercer Island from the

drop-down list of cities to

compare.

• Data is updated daily

between 3-5 pm.


Finding Mercer Island Data

• Today, Governor Inslee announced more activities will be

permitted in each county statewide, depending on their

specific Recovery Phase.

• In Phase 2 counties, movie theaters will be able to operate at 25% capacity, but facial coverings and 6 feet of distance between households will be required.

• Restaurants can now serve alcohol now up to 11:00pm

(previously10:00pm), maximum table size has been increased

to six individuals, and indoor dining groups need not be

comprised solely of household members.

• Changes have been made to real estate, outdoor group

sports (bicycle rides, fun runs and marathons, etc.), and more.

• Visit the News & Announcements section of

www.mercerisland.gov for more information.

Governor Relaxes Some Phase 2 Restrictions


http://www.mercerisland.gov/

• Halloween has some good celebration options since many

activities can be outside and mask wearing is already part

of the holiday, but there are still some risks with COVID-19

circulating.

• If you are deciding whether to engage in trick-or-treating, there are a number of important safety considerations to

keep in mind.

• Remember the basics:

o Limit close contact with other people

o Limit touching points

o Practice good hand hygiene

• And keep in mind, many households may not be

participating in traditional Halloween activities this year.

Halloween


• Public Health recommends safer Halloween options:

o Organize a neighborhood costume parade with social

distancing.

o Decorate your yard or neighborhood.

o Do a Halloween scavenger hunt while kids are walking

outdoors, keeping a distance from people outside your

household.

o Hold a virtual costume party online.

o Exchange candy with families you know. Do a drop-off delivery

at their doorstep for a Halloween surprise for the kids.

o Trick-or-treat inside your home by hiding candy for your kids.

o Have a spooky movie night or Halloween craft party with the

family.

Halloween



Council and Boards & Commissions

Updates

• Proclamation 20-28, extends the existing OPMA statutory

waivers through November 9.

• Upcoming Virtual Council Meetings:

o Special Video Meeting - October 13

o Regular Video Meeting - October 20

o Special (Monday) Video Meeting - November 2

• Upcoming Virtual Boards and Commissions Meetings:

o Utility Board – October 14 at 5pm

o Arts Council – October 14 at 6:30pm

o Open Space Conservancy Trust – October 15 at 5pm

• For more information visit www.mercerisland.gov/bc.

Boards and Commissions Virtual Meetings


http://www.mercerisland.gov/bc

• Last Thursday, October 1, staff released the 2021-2022

Preliminary Biennial Budget.

• At the last Council Meeting (September 22), staff

previewed the proposed organizational changes

reflected in the budget.

• Over the next two months, Council will review the

proposed budget and the community will have

opportunities to provide their feedback.

• To read the budget document and learn more about

how to provide feedback, visit:

www.mercerisland.gov/21-22Budget

2021-2022 Biennial Budget Schedule


http://www.mercerisland.gov/21-22Budget

2021-2022 Biennial Budget Schedule


October 13 at 5:00 PM 2021-2022 Biennial Budget Presentation

October 20 at 5:00 PM Public Hearing: 2021-2022 Biennial Budget

November 2 at 5:00 PM

Study Session: 2021-2022 Biennial Budget Workshop

Q3 2020 Financial Status Report and Budget

Adjustments

November 17 at 5:00 PMPublic Hearing: 2021 Property Tax Ordinances and

Biennial Budget; NORCOM and Utility Rate Resolutions

December 1 at 5:00 PM Adoption of 2021-2022 Biennial Budget


City Service Updates

• As of Friday, September 25, all park playgrounds have been re-

opened to the public.

• In order to re-open, staff cleaned the area around the

playground equipment, re-hung swings, and performed safety

checks of all structures.

• Tips for using playgrounds safely:

o Avoid crowded play areas – visit one of the other playgrounds.

o Do not visit if you or your child feel sick.

o Wear a face covering.

o Practice physically distancing.

o Wash your child’s hands often or use hand sanitizer.

• Looking for playground locations? Visit

www.mercerisland.gov/playgrounds

Playgrounds Are Open


http://www.mercerisland.gov/playgrounds

• Open Sunday’s from 10am-3pm.

o Donations not yet accepted.

• As we increase our volunteer staffing, the Thrift Shop will be able

to increase operational hours including donations acceptance.

• MITS needs your help in filling these volunteer positions:

o Donation management & acceptance

o Cashier

o Sales Floor

o Apparel

o Halloween Decorations and Costumes

o Marketing and Administrative Assistance

• Volunteer shifts available to accommodate various schedules.

• For more info please contact [email protected]

Calling All Thrift Shop Volunteers


mailto:[email protected]

• Five members of the MIFD were deployed to the Holiday Farm

wildland fire in Oregon from September 11 to September 19.

• Our team is highly trained in every aspect of technical rescue,

including trench and rope rescue operations, search, and

forcible entry and helped with:

o Assisting residents who had not been able to evacuate and

needed food, water, or other essentials.

o Documenting fire damage.

o Locating and assisting pets and livestock (primarily horses) that

were trapped or unable to be removed during the fire and

evacuation.

o Performing searches within the area using specially trained

search dogs to locate remains for identification.

MIFD Search and Rescue Team Returns from Deployment to Oregon


• More than 1300 homes and hundreds of

vehicles were searched during this 7-day

deployment.

• The residents of the many towns devastated by

the fire openly displayed enormous

appreciation, gratitude, and emotion

whenever they saw team members in town

getting supplies.

• This was the first time a FEMA Task Force was

used in a wildland fire.

• All costs to any fire department with members

deployed in these type emergencies are fully

reimbursed by FEMA.

MIFD Search and Rescue Team Returns from Deployment to Oregon


• October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

• Police Department personnel will wear pink patches on

their uniforms during the month of October to help bring

awareness to this disease.

MIPD Pink Patches for Breast Cancer Awareness


• At its July 21 meeting, the City Council

authorized funding for MIPD to purchase,

install, and train on Automatic License Plate

Readers (ALPR) for police vehicles.

• The ALPRs have arrived and will be installed

on three police vehicles during the next few

weeks.

• Officers will subsequently receive training on

their use and the policy that governs their use.

Automatic License Plate Reader Update


• Now open to all vehicles (no permit

required).

• Facility remains closed to public.

• Ballot Box is accessible for the 2020

general election from October 15 to

November 3.

o Traffic patterns in the parking lot do not

allow for a drive through.

o Designated parking spots are available

for patrons to park next to and deposit

ballot.

MICEC Parking Lot


• Key Dates

o October 14 – Ballots mailed

o October 15 – Drop boxes open

o October 19 – Voters should have their ballot in hand

o October 26 – Deadline for online and mail voter registration

o November 3 – Election Day!

• Drop boxes close at 8 pm sharp

• Ballots must be postmarked

o November 23 – Final day to return challenge/signature issue forms

o November 24 – Certification Day (official end of vote counting)

• For more info visit VoteWA.gov

Upcoming Election Information


• On Saturday, October 17, the City will host the biannual

sustainability recycling event at the Luther Burbank Park

South Parking Lot from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

• New COVID-19 protocols will be in effect:

o Wear masks and gloves

o Pack items to be removed quickly

o Provide exact change (this is a cash-only event)

• Rain barrels and worm bins will be available for purchase.

• In lieu of the annual YFS food drive, we’re asking for

donations in the form of grocery gift cards ($10, $25 or $50),

cash, or credit card. Thank you!

• Visit mercerisland.gov/recyclingevent for details.

Fall Recycling Event


• Arbor Day is scheduled for Saturday, October 17. Due to

COVID-19 restrictions, the City is creatively celebrating this

year.

• Join us on the City’s social media channels for Mercer Island

Arbor Week 2020.

• Arbor Week will feature educational posts that highlight the

importance of trees to the Mercer Island community and

give residents ideas of how they can help on their own!

• Countdown to Arbor Day begins Monday, October 12 with

updates throughout the week.

• Then on Saturday, October 17 a small volunteer event, run

by EarthCorps, is planned for Pioneer Park.

• Watch for event video after October 17.

Arbor Day


Updated News and Public Notice Section



Construction Updates

• This project consists of water system

improvements in the following 2 areas:

o Fruitland Landing neighborhood

(SE 34th St, 96th and 97th Ave SE )

o St. Monica School neighborhood

(87th Ave SE from SE 42nd to SE 44th St)

• Contractor started construction on June 15

and reached Substantial Completion on

September 23.

2020 Water System Improvements Project


• Work completed to-date:

o Replaced approximately 1,385 lineal feet of water

main

o Replaced 8 fire hydrants

o Replaced 33 water services

o Replaced 6 catch basins and approximately 180

lineal feet of storm pipes

o Roadway restoration

• The remaining punch list items, including meter boxes

and valve cans adjustment, asphalt patching, property

restoration, and final cleanup, are expected to be

completed in October 2020.

2020 Water System Improvements Project


2020 Arterial and Residential Street Overlays Project

• Two residential streets (SE 40th/SE 41st Street near East

Mercer, and SE 78th Street near Lakeridge Elem) were

repaved with hot mix asphalt.

• New ADA sidewalk ramps were installed at SE 78th and

85th Place intersection.

• Arterial street reconstruction on SE 40th Street from 76th to

78th Avenues is complete.

o Work included new curbs on north side and repaired

sidewalks on south side, followed by repaving the street

with hot mix asphalt.

• Pavement markings were installed in mid-September,

which completed the project.

Summer Road Construction Wraps Up


West Mercer Way Pedestrian Crossings Project

• The Mountains-to-Sound Trail crossing of West Mercer at

I-90 has been improved with a wider ADA crosswalk and

new curb islands.

• New ADA sidewalk ramps for crosswalks have been

installed at the parking lot entrance.

• Landscaping is complete and existing vegetation has

been trimmed for crosswalk visibility.

• Signage and pavement markings will be installed by

mid-October.

• Street lighting should be completed in November.

Summer Road Construction Wraps Up



Other Updates

As flu season approaches, keeping up-to-date on your vaccinations

is one of the best ways you and your family can stay safe and healthy

during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Schedule an appointment or walk in to get your annual flu shot at one of

three pharmacies on Mercer Island:

o Walgreens (7707 SE 27th Street); call 206-232-1197.

Pharmacy Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-10pm; Sat: 9am-6pm; Sun: 10am-6pm

Closed 1-1:30pm daily for break

o Rite Aid North End (3023 78th Ave SE); call 206-236-0776.

Administering the high-dose vaccine for Seniors 65+

Pharmacy Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-9pm; Sat: 9am-6pm; Sun: 10am-6pm

o Rite Aid South End (8441 SE 68th Street); call 206-232-3000.

• Pharmacy Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-7pm; Sat: 10am-5pm; Sun: Closed

Don’t Forget Your Annual Flu Shot!


The Seattle Visiting Nurse Association is also hosting a

series of drive-thru flu vaccination clinics throughout

King County.

• Open to community members ages 4+

• All insurances accepted, and no cost to uninsured

or underinsured

• SVNA does not offer the high dose vaccine for

those 65+

• Learn more and register at:

https://schedule.seattlevna.com/home

Drive-Thru Clinics Offered by SVNA


Small businesses can still use your help as the COVID-19

pandemic continues. Here are a few reminders for how you

can shop local while staying safe and healthy.

• Pick up takeout from your favorite Island restaurant, or stop

by for outdoor dining while the weather is still nice.

• Start your holiday shopping early; order gifts for delivery or

in-store pickup from your favorite Island retailers.

• Share your local favorites with your friends, family, and

neighbors by talking them up on social media.

• Stay tuned for MInext, a new Island-wide marketing

campaign to support YOUR Island businesses. Where will

your next Island experience be?

Support Mercer Island Businesses


• Thanks to the Mercer Island Preschool

Association and Community Fund, Islanders are

enjoying the StoryWalk installation in Luther

Burbank Park.

• Now through October 17, enjoy a short stroll

through the park while reading "Tiny, Perfect

Things" by M.H. Clark.

• The half-mile loop in Luther Burbank Park, is lined

with illustrated story boards.

• The story will be featured on signage throughout

the park, so just bring your walking shoes.

Pop-Up StoryWalk


• Last year, a generous group of community members coordinated

donations to fund the Lighting of Mercerdale Park.

• While there has been interest from a few community groups, we still

need significant donations to see this through.

• Funds needed: $14,080

o Pays for installation of lights on hedges and tree

• Deadline: October 9

o Funds must be committed by this date.

o This is a tight deadline and largely dependent on availability of the

professional installer.

o Lights will be installed approx. a week later.

• If you or your organization would like to sponsor contact: [email protected]

• Due to the Pandemic, organized events will not be permitted.

Call for HelpHoliday Lights at Mercerdale


mailto:[email protected]

City Manager’s ReportAugust 20, 2019

Thank you!

City Manager’s Report · 10/6/2020 · • October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. • Police...

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