City Manager’s Report · 9/1/2020 · • Mercer Island has 168 confirmed cases and five deaths...

City Manager’s ReportSeptember 1, 2020

City Manager’s Report ● Tuesday, September 1, 2020

COVID-19 Update

• Mercer Island has 168 confirmed cases and five deaths (8/31/20).

• As a reminder, if you have symptoms or were exposed, please get tested immediately.

• Mercer Island Call Center for assistance: 206-275-7626


Update on the Coronavirus

King County Confirmed Cases

• OPMA restrictions extended to September 30.

• Video Public Appearances start tonight.o Phone/audio will remain an option for

those that don’t have video access or prefer not to engage in that manner.

Council Meeting Updates


• Throughout the spring and summer, Emergency Management Volunteers, MIPD, and MIFD handed out 10,000 masks to the MI community!

• King County is providing an additional 8,000 masks to MI in the coming month for distribution.

• Distribution event details will be posted on Facebook, Nextdoor, and https://letstalk.mercergov.org/coronavirus.

• If you can’t make one of our distribution events, you can pick up a mask from the Police Lobby.


10,000 Masks Given Away!

https://letstalk.mercergov.org/coronavirus


City Service UpdatesParks

• There are over 210 garbage and recycling cans throughout parks and trails.

• All cans are checked and emptied at least three times a week.

o In busy parks, cans are emptied 5-7 times a week.

• Due to reduced park maintenance staffing and increased park use, staff have looked for ways to increase efficiency.

Park Garbage Cans Removed


• Staff evaluated cans in all parks to determine which are least used (smallest volumes of trash) - 25 were identified for removal or relocation to busier areas.

o Many of these cans were located in small parks with lower use.

• Staff continue to monitor these parks for increase in loose litter.

Garbage Can Removals in Parks


• Large amounts of trash continue to strain very limited parks maintenance staffing.

• Thank you, residents and business owners, who responded to the City’s call for help by packing out their garbage and helping pick up loose litter around our beautiful parks.

• Keep up the good work!

Please Continue Packing Out Your Garbage


• The City is hosting a socially-distanced Open House at the waterfront in Luther Burbank Park starting September 2 and running through the month.

• The Open House will feature an outdoor display of project alternatives presented on six posters.

• Boaters and waterfront users are invited to check out the new concepts for the docks, shoreline, and related facilities.

• After visiting the Open House, guests can fill out an online survey or take home a paper copy to return to the City.

• The posters, link to the survey, and more will be available at the project page: https://letstalk.mercergov.org/lbdock

Luther Burbank Docks Open House


https://letstalk.mercergov.org/lbdock


City Service UpdatesHR

• In early August, the City launched its new Job Opportunities portal hosted through NEOGOV.

• The newly streamlined process allows applicants to search and apply for open positions directly from the job description.

• Interested applicants can also sign up for job opening alerts.

• In the future all City job descriptions and classification information will be posted to NEOGOV.

New Job Opportunities Portal



City Service UpdatesYFS

• The YFS Back to School assistance program helps families in the emergency assistance program with gift cards to help with school supplies and shoes.

• This year, YFS was able to distribute:

o 34 gift cards for school supplies, and

o 52 gift cards for shoes!

• Our ability to provide shoes this year is due to the generosity of SoulMates, which did a fundraiser for this purpose in honor of Fran Call’s 80th birthday.

• Generous community donations to the Emergency Assistance program provided the remaining support.

YFS Back to School Assistance


• The Thrift Shop resumed modified operations on Sunday, August 16.

• Thanks to Thrift Shop staff, volunteers, and patrons, operations were smooth, and the maximum wait time was about 20 minutes.

• The soft opening garnered $4,070 in sales!

• The goal continues to be reducing inventory and generating revenue for Youth & Family Services.

• Check the Thrift Shop website for more information www.mercerislandthrift.org.

Thrift Shop Soft Reopening


http://www.mercerislandthrift.org/


City Service UpdatesCPD

• Last Meeting: February 5o Small Cell / Wireless Code update

• Discussed community engagement and policy direction for code amendment.

o Sign Code Update • Intro and scope of work for sign code

amendment.• Next Meeting: October 7

o Docket for Comprehensive Plan/code amendments.

o Elections of Chair and Vice Chair.o Adoption of bylaws.

Planning Commission


• Last Meeting: July 8

o Elected Chair and Vice Chair

o Reviewed and approved bylaws

o Study session for Mercer Park Building Renovation

• Next Meeting: TBD (before EOY)

o Design review of Xing Hua property

Design Commission



City Service UpdatesRoad Construction

• Two residential streets have been repaved with hot mix asphalt:o SE 40th / SE 41st St. (near East Mercer)o SE 78th St. (near Lakeridge Elementary)

• New ADA sidewalk ramps were installed at the intersection at SE 78th and 85th Pl.

• Arterial street reconstruction on SE 40th St. from 76th to 78th Ave. is complete.

• New curbs on north side and repaired sidewalks on south side.

• Pavement markings are scheduled for week of September 7th, completing the project.

2020 Arterial and Residential Street Overlays


• Mountains-to-Sound Trail crossing of West Mercer at I-90 will be improved with a wider crosswalk and curb islands.

• New crosswalks and a new streetlight will be installed at the parking lot entrance.

• Vegetation will be trimmed for crosswalk visibility.

• Construction is set to begin after Labor Day.

• Most work should be completed by early October.

West Mercer Way Pedestrian Crossings



Other Updates

• The SJCC’s volunteer program, Mitzvah Corps, helps address the needs of the community through volunteer opportunities and outreach programs.

• Fall Initiative: Food Insecurity• The SJCC will be distributing food to those in need during

this challenging time.• Food packages will be available for pickup every

Monday from 12–2 pm at the Stroum Jewish Community Center.

• Families can select non-prepared food packages as well as the day(s) for pick up.

• To request assistance or to learn how to help, visit https://sjcc.org/programs/jewish-life/mitzvah-corps/.

SJCC: Supporting the community


https://sjcc.org/programs/jewish-life/mitzvah-corps/

• Tomorrow is the first day of school for MISD!

• We recognize that the start to the 2020-2021 school year is a little different, but we wish all ofthe students, parents, extended families, caregivers, MISD faculty, and staff all the best for the school year!

• You got this!

Welcome Back MISD Students and Teachers!


City Manager’s ReportAugust 20, 2019

Thank you!

City Manager’s Report · 9/1/2020 · • Mercer Island has 168 confirmed cases and five deaths...

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