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)

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June 14

Your City Council
MAYOR
Debbie Bertlin
 
DEPUTY MAYOR 
 
COUNCILMEMBERS 
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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.
May 30, 2018 | Vol. 13 | No. 22
Revive-I5Full Closure of Northbound I-5 This Weekend
Click for full details and project map
Summer construction season is here! This weekend, WSDOT continues its Northbound I-5 repaving work with a FULL closure in south Seattle slated to start at 8:00pm on Friday, June 1, and end at 5:00am on Monday, June 4 , weather permitting. Southbound I-5 will remain open.

Vehicles detouring to Northbound I-405 are expected to generate additional traffic on Westbound I-90 across Mercer Island. VERY extensive regional congestion is expected! Island residents wishing to reach Seattle should allow plenty of extra time for their journey.

Ramp impact summary:
  • Westbound I-90 to NB I-5 will remain OPEN, but congested
  • Westbound I-90 to SB I-5 will be OPEN, slowdowns likely
  • Northbound I-5 to EB I-90 will be CLOSED
  • Southbound I-5 to EB I-90 will be OPEN 

Full details, and map, are available from WSDOT.
Mercer Island Goes Green
SolarizeResidential Solar Installation Campaign Launches
Click here to pre-register for a Summer workshop
Based on the notable success of the City's 2014 residential solar campaign which led to almost 50 new installations in just 6 months, the City is helping local clean energy advocates and community volunteers launch a second Solarize Mercer Island. In partnership with regional non-profit group Spark Northwest, the mass solar installation initiative seeks to bring at least 60-80 new residential solar arrays online, and will be run as a collaborative program.  

Although the State of Washington's solar incentives are not as generous as they were a few years ago, the 2018 version of Solarize Mercer Island should allow most participants to fully pay off their system in 9-10 years, depending on roof location and equipment selected.

All interested property owners (residential and small business) must attend a 90-minute informational workshop to qualify for a free site assessment.  Workshops begin in late June and run through the summer; dates are currently being finalized. Click here to pre-register and be notified when dates and times are set.
 
Read more about the City's solar programs at www.mercergov.org/SolarPower, or Email Ross Freeman, Sustainability Manager, at [email protected]
MICAMercer Island Center for the Arts Community Visioning
Click to learn more or register
Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA) is a Washington State nonprofit corporation and registered 501(c)3 organization formed to promote arts performance, exhibition and education on Mercer Island. MICA seeks to create a central facility on the Island that brings together arts and community under one roof.

The organization has recently launched a Community Visioning Dialogue with a series of events that consist of individual interviews, large group visioning sessions, small group discussions, and an Island-wide survey. 

MICA is eager to listen to the Island and find out what the residents would like in a community arts center.  The first large group visioning session will be held on Monday, June 11th, from 7:00-8:30pm at the Boys and Girls Club; all attendees will have an opportunity to share their unique point of view.
 
Boat_SafetyGet Certified in Boating Safety
Click to learn more about State regulations
The Mercer Island Police Department's Marine Patrol wants boaters to be prepared for the upcoming season by taking a safety education course. This spring the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) along with state, federal and nonprofit partners coordinated an annual effort that aims to get boaters' educated and certified before summer. But it's not too late.

Why get certified in boating safety? For many boaters, it's the law. In Washington State, boaters who operate a vessel with a 15-horsepower engine, or larger, MUST be certified and carry a Boater Education Card to prove they passed an accredited boating safety education course.

"You are responsible for knowing the laws and keeping yourself and others safe," said MIPD Sergeant Brian Noel. "Boating trends and statistics tell us that educated boaters are less likely to get in an accident. When people take a course, they learn a wide variety of skills that can make them a better boater. We want our waterways to be safe and fun for all recreational boaters."

Generally, WA boaters have three options:
  • An instructor-led course
  • An online self-study course
  • Or a home study and equivalency exam (for boaters who already have a lot of experience)

 

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

[email protected] or 206.275.7662.