MI Weekly

    A weekly update from the City of Mercer Island


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(For event details, visit the City's online calendar or click on a specific event)

   

Your City Council

MAYOR
Bruce Bassett
 
DEPUTY MAYOR 

Dan Grausz  

 

COUNCILMEMBERS 

Debbie Bertlin 

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City of Mercer Island Website

Volunteer Opportunities 

City of Mercer Island
Address
9611 SE 36th Street
Mercer Island, WA 98040

Phone
206.275.7600


Fax
206.275.7663


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 9, 2014 | Vol. 9 | No. 41
Dine_LocalCity Launches Dine Local Campaign to Support Restaurants
Click for a map and list  of all Island restaurants

Due to Public Health regulations, many food-related businesses on the Island experienced multiple days of closure during the recent Boil-Water Advisory.

 

Although about half of them were able to operate under a limited-menu option, revenues truly suffered. 

 

In partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, the City is launching the October 2014 "Dine Local" campaign. Residents are asked to support these critical businesses that help make the Island such a livable community.  Let's all make a difference together! 

 

Five Things You Can Do to Help

1)  Dine Out and Take a Friend

Our restaurants and food establishments need help now to recover from the Boil-Water Advisory losses they experienced.

 

2)  Buy Gift Certificates

Buy early for the holidays or to use later. Cash flow will help businesses get back on their feet.

 

3)  Tips Really Help 

Please be generous to waitstaff: many were out of work too.

 

4)  Try a New Restaurant and Write a Review

Enjoy your old favorite, but take this opportunity to discover a new restaurant, then write an online review to give an added boost.

 

5)  Spread The Word - Organize a "Dine Out Day"

Dine out days organized by schools, service organizations, clubs, churches, work groups, etc., can keep much-needed foot traffic going to our Mercer Island restaurants.

 

Click here for an updated map and list of Island restaurants.
Water_AlertNext Steps After the Second Boil-Water Advisory
Click for FAQ about what to do when a Boil-Water Advisory is lifted
As residents know, the Island underwent a second  "Boil-Water Advisory" recently (starting Thursday, October 2), due to the detection of E. Coli bacteria in some of the 18 water samples that were being collected daily on the Island, following the first advisory in late September.

Crews worked many days round-the-clock on increasing chlorination, flushing additional water through service mains, and on a checklist of detailed system inspections. When samples tested negative for E. Coli and Total Coliform contamination for the sixth day in a row, the second advisory was lifted Wednesday, October 8, at Noon.

In consultation with the state Department of Health, an ongoing action plan has been developed, which includes:
  • Expert review to assist with investigating the cause of the contamination.
  • The ongoing expanded collection of water quality samples.
  • Continued injection of additional chlorine.
  • Research into potential equipment upgrades and improvements.
  • A thorough review of the City's cross-contamination program, including the best means of overseeing the registration and certification of backflow prevention devices.
Many residents are interested in the data being collected, and some of that is now available on updated maps.

Mayor Bruce Bassett, the entire City Council, and City Manager Noel Treat are focused on ensuring the future safety of the water system. Council will discuss more findings as they become available.
FitnessCity Installs Fitness Equipment at Mercerdale Park
Part of the new equipment with a Parks Maintenance crew: click for info

Many Parks and Recreation Departments around the country are installing "healthy living equipment" to help residents be more active outside.  The City has elected to install four pieces of equipment at  Mercerdale Park with Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funds.  Since so many seniors, children and families use the popular trail around the park, the venue should be ideal.  The concept is that park users will stop in while talking a walk, complete a set of exercises, then move on to the next station.  Parks and Recreation Director Bruce Fletcher expects these installations to provide a fun interactive activity for all ages. The project should be complete by mid-October. 

Mercer Island Goes Green
RecyclingFall Recycling Event and Rain Barrel Sale
Click for full information and flyer
On Saturday, October 25, from 9:00am to 3:00pm all residents are welcome to safely dispose of old equipment, small electronics, home appliances, and other household items at the  Annual Fall Recycling Event held at the Mercer Island Boat Launch (3600 East Mercer Way). 

Note that computer monitors and all televisions are NOT accepted: those must be taken to Washington E-Cycle locations.

Please bring non-perishable food items, or a cash donation, to help support the City's food pantry, which serves over 150 local families each year.

Residents can also pick up a rain barrel to use in water conservation projects around the garden, and learn about installing raingardens, starting at 9:00am at City Hall (9611 SE 36th Street). At just $25 each, supplies are exhausted quickly.

For full information on accepted items, and downloadable event flyer, click here.
PumpkinMIYFS Pumpkin Patch Returns for the Season
Click here to learn more about donating to MIYFS
With the official arrival of the fall season, glass pumpkins have returned to the Island.  The annual Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser supports the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) Foundation, and is a partnership with local artists Joni Johnson, Sean Star, Ryan Staub, and new addition Roberta Wyde.

 

Proceeds directly support MIYFS, the City of Mercer Island's  human services department, which touches every member of our community through counselors in the schools, senior outreach and advocacy, affordable family and individual counseling, arrested youth and early intervention programs, family assistance, and a thriving thrift shop.

 

Please help preserve these vital programs and services by shopping for glass pumpkins at the following Island locations during the month of October:  

  • Aljoya: 2430 76th Ave SE
  • Au Courant: 7900 SE 28th Street, #100
  • Banner Bank: 2918 78th Ave SE
  • Cascade Frames: 3049 78th Ave SE
  • Chamber of Commerce: 7605 SE 27th Street
  • MI Community and Event Center: 8236 SE 24th Street
  • David Weed, DDS: 2955 80th Ave SE, #101
  • Island Books: 3014 78th Ave SE
  • Mercer Island Florist: 3006 78th Ave SE
  • Six Walls: 2630 77th Ave SE, #102
  • South Mercer Chevron: 8407 SE 68th Street
  • MIYFS at Luther Burbank Park: 2040 84th Ave SE 
  • Yogabliss: 7803 SE 27th Street, #174

The City thanks the glass artists, the Chamber of Commerce and local merchants for participating in this annual community event. For more information, email MIYFS Administrative Coordinator Kim Richards or call (206) 275-7754.

Shake_OutStatewide Earthquake Drill: Thursday, October 16
Click to learn more
At 10:16am on October 16, thousands of Washington residents will practice how to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" in the state's largest earthquake drill ever. 

Major earthquakes can happen anywhere you work, live, or travel in Washington. The ShakeOut Drill is our chance to practice how to protect ourselves when an earthquake strikes, with a goal of preventing a major earthquake from becoming a catastrophe for you, your family, and your community. You may only have seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake, so frequent practice results in successful outcomes.

The City encourages individuals, families, businesses, schools, colleges, and other organizations to practice their emergency plans and prepare.  Learn more about the statewide program here.

 

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

[email protected] or 206.275.7662.