City Manager’s Report · 9/15/2020 · mid-August and will continue through the coming months....

City Manager’s ReportSeptember 15, 2020

City Manager’s Report ● Tuesday, September 15, 2020

COVID-19 Update

• Mercer Island has 175 confirmed cases and five deaths (9/14/20).

• 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


City Service Updates

• The Virtual Open House to collect feedback about the docks is in full swing.

• The socially-distanced Open House at the waterfront in Luther Burbank Park and online will run throughout the month, extended to October 7.

• Help us plan the future of the docks and the waterfront by completing our survey about project alternatives.

• A “Cheat Sheet” comparing the existing docks to the design alternatives is now available.

• View the project alternatives and access the survey from home at letstalk.mercergov.org/lbdock

• We’ve received 62 survey responses to date.

Luther Burbank Docks Open House


• Starting this week, access to the Luther Burbank Park waterfront will be partially restricted as we repair the brickwork and pavement surrounding the Handsome Bollards art installation.

• Parks users will still be able to access the docks and the Luther Burbank Docks Open House display, but other parts of the waterfront will be fenced off.

• This work will continue for up to three weeks.

• Visitors will find directional signage to help guide them to the waterfront.

• Contact Paul West [email protected] or 206-275-7833 with questions.

Luther Burbank Waterfront Plaza Repairs


mailto:[email protected]

• The Thrift Shop has opened on Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm, since mid-August and will continue through the coming months.

• In-store sales over the last month totaled $19,763.

o 51% of store sales came from Mercer Island with the remaining from Seattle (10%), Bellevue (9%), and surrounding cities.

• Staff and volunteers are processing the backstock of merchandise - customers will see new items on the floor each week.

• Adjusting for the hazardous air conditions, staff modified operations and added a concierge for local pick-up.

• Staff continue to evaluate opportunities to enhance sales and possibly accept donations in the future.

• Visit mercerislandthrift.org for updates.

Thrift Shop Open Sundays


• A big thanks goes out to the volunteers who continue to support Thrift Shop operations!

• Volunteers have helped with online sales, stocking the floor on non-sales days, and cashiering.

• As we enhance operations, additional volunteer opportunities will arise.

• We continue to need the community’s support in filling these positions.

• Visit mercerislandthrift.org for more information on opportunities.

Thank You Thrift Shop Volunteers!


• 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



City Service UpdatesMIFD

• On September 11, 2020, the Jewish National Fund, in partnership with Northwest Yeshiva High School (NYHS), presented MIFD and MIPD with 9/11 Memorial Plaques.

Remembering 9/11


• Firefighter Kent Bastrom participated in a 9/11 memorial climb at the Space Needle the morning of September 11.

Remembering 9/11


• MIFD still has a sufficient supply of PPE to continue treating every call as COVID-19 positive until proven otherwise.

• No reported exposure for firefighters in responding to calls.

MIFD Updates


• MIFD crews responded to a fire on September 12 involving a 14’ tall arborvitae hedge in the 6500 block of 83rd Pl.

• The crews were able to quickly knock it down and keep it from extending to the two homes adjacent to the hedge.

• The cause of the initial fire has not been determined.

• Crews also responded to a call for mutual aid assistance in Covington to help with brush fire (pictured).

Small Local Fire and MIFD Extends Mutual Aid Assistance


• Five members of the MIFD team have deployed on a two-week assignment to south Oregon as part of a 70-member Urban Search and Rescue Team.

• They are assisting with searching and documenting the destruction left from the Happy Farm Fire.

• FEMA will reimburse the City for the costs associated with this deployment.

MIFD Search and Rescue Team Deployed to Oregon


• On September 8, the Fire Marshal, in coordination with several other local cities, issued a burn ban prohibiting all wood burning including fireplaces and fire pits, and fireworks.

• Gas/propane and charcoal grills are permitted.

• The Fire Marshal will reevaluate as weather conditions improve.

• Visit mercerisland.gov/burnban for more info.

Local Burn Ban


• In addition to the burn ban, we’re asking the community to follow these tips to help prevent brush fires:

o Properly dispose of smoking materials in correct receptacles and douse in water.

o Check vehicle for dragging chains or other metal parts as they can throw sparks.

o Driving on an exposed wheel rim can cause sparks. Check your tire pressure before hitting the road.

o Avoid driving through or parking on dry grass as hot exhaust pipes can lead to fires.

o Sparks from lawn mowers can start fires. Avoid mowing when its dry or windy.

o Keep your yard green if possible. When it’s safe, mow to the lowest level that your lawn mower will allow.

Fire Safety


• Defensible space is the buffer between a home/building and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surrounds it.

• Help improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire by removing:

o Long grass, weeds, or anything that can burn from around homes.

o Limbs that touch buildings or hang near the roof.

o Dead plants or bushes and clear roof and gutters of pine needles and leaves.

• Visit mercerisland.gov/wildfire_safety for more info.

Fire Safety Cont. Creating Defensible Space


• Parks forests are managed and monitored by ecologists and arborists on staff.

• Woody debris plays an important role in the ecological health of PNW forests.

• Decomposing wood supports plant, animal, and insect populations, and can help forests retain moisture during dry season.

• To reduce fire risk, park visitors should:o Extinguish cigarettes completely and properly dispose,o Never ignite fireworks and sparklers,o Dispose of BBQ ashes in designated ash cans.

• Park in designated paved/gravel areas, not on vegetation.

Parks and Openspace Maintenance and Fire Safety



National Preparedness Month

• September is National Preparedness Month.• According to FEMA, half of Americans have not

discussed or developed a family emergency plan.• Take time this month to have a conversation with your

family to:1. Make a family emergency plan2. Build an emergency kit 3. Prepare for area-specific disasters (earthquakes,

mudslides, fires, etc.)• Visit mercerisland.gov/emergencyprep for

information on how to make a plan, learn about what disasters might affect Mercer Island, sign up for alerts, and more.

National Preparedness Month


• This past weekend, Emergency Management volunteers hosted a virtual Map Your Neighborhood (MYN) meeting with a group of MI neighbors.

• The MYN program helps Islanders prepare for disasters by facilitating a meeting to: o Get to know your neighbors.o Learn the nine steps to take after disaster strikes.o Select locations for a neighborhood gathering site and

neighborhood care center.o Identify the skills and equipment each neighbor has that

could be useful in disaster response.o And more!

• Contact Officer Franklin to sign-up your neighborhood [email protected] or 206-275-7905.

Map Your Neighborhood Virtual Event


mailto:[email protected]

• In response to the pandemic, MIYFS began providing grocery giftcards to the community in March.

• This resulted in some food items being left in the pantry.

• Emergency Management Volunteers cleared our expired or soonto expire food from the MIYFS Food Pantry at the closed LutherBurbank Admin Building.

• In an effort to limit any food from being wasted, soon to expirefood was donated to Rainier Valley Food Back. This food bank isutilized by Mercer Island families.

• Thank you, Emergency Management Volunteers!

• Learn how to get involved at mercerisland.gov/emergencyprep

Emergency Management Volunteers in Action



Other Updates

• Traffic coating and pavement marking work on the upper deck of the MI Park & Ride begins this week.

• Parking will be available in portions of the top deck and in the lower deck.

• The project will last for approximately 6 weeks.

• Work shall be conducted between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Visit soundtransit.org for more information.

Paving Project at MI Park & Ride


• Mercer Island Preschool Association is bringing the first StoryWalk installation to Luther Burbank Park this fall.

• Between Sept 26 – Oct 17, families can enjoy a short stroll through the park while reading "Tiny, Perfect Things" by M.H. Clark.

• The half-mile loop in Luther Burbank Park, will be lined with illustrated story boards.

• The story will be featured on signage throughout the park, so just bring your walking shoes.

Pop-Up StoryWalk


• A great way to get the whole family outdoors and engaged in reading.

• The StoryWalk is made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Mercer Island Community Fund.

• Find out more about the program at popupstorywalk.org.

• Please wear masks and socially distance along the path, especially while reading each page.

Pop-Up StoryWalk


http://www.popupstorywalk.org/

• The Friends of the Mercer Island Library book sale has popped up in Town Center.

• Stop by to support your local library, refresh your bookshelf, or donate a book!

• Located at 7605 SE 27th St, Unit #109 – the former Chamber of Commerce storefront (the Chamber moved upstairs).

• Open Thurs. and Fri., 9am-1pm and Sat., 12-5pm.• Cash or check is preferred. Credit card sales of $10 or more

are also accepted.• Please wear a face mask and physically distance inside the

store.• For updates visit facebook.com/MercerIslandFOL/• Thank you for supporting the Mercer Island Library!

Friends of the Mercer Island Library Pop-Up Sale in Town Center


• Next Tuesday, September 22, the City Council will convene for a Special Meeting.

• Council Meeting Packets will be published late this week - end of day on Thursday or Friday morning.

City Council Special Meeting


City Manager’s ReportAugust 20, 2019

Thank you!

City Manager’s Report · 9/15/2020 · mid-August and will continue through the coming months....

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Transcript of City Manager’s Report · 9/15/2020 · mid-August and will continue through the coming months....