Nov 20, 2019 | Vol. 14 | No. 47
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 City Council Endorses Updated Climate Commitments
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Click to view Resolution 1570
on GHG reductions |
On Tuesday, November 19, the City Council unanimously endorsed an updated version of a pledge to continue local and regional work on greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measures.
View Resolution 1570 here.
Organized by the King County-Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C), the
City endorsed the first Joint Letter of Commitment in 2014. Since that time,
climate-related policy advances made in Olympia, weakened federal emissions programs, and new technical developments collectively indicated the need to refresh the original 2014 commitments document.
The City of Mercer Island was a founding member of the K4C in 2011, and continues to partner with other member cities and the County on various GHG reduction programs, climate advocacy at the State Legislature, and related actions such as sign-on letters.
The 2019 Joint Climate Commitments letter represents a collective vision, but it is understood that GHG
actions and programs will look different for every member city.
The letter's overarching GHG goals also
align with several other existing City commitments already underway, such as City
Resolution 1389
from 2007, in which the City formally committed to strive for greenhouse gas emissions of 80% below 2007 levels by 2050.
Since personal vehicle travel and energy use in buildings are by far the two largest source of Mercer Island community emissions, the City has focused many environmental programs on transportation alternatives, first/last-mile solutions, and clean energy programs such as rooftop solar. Learn more about City sustainability programs.
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Progress on Commuter Parking and Mixed Use Project
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Click for more project information
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At last night's meeting, the City Council voted to approve an environmental clean-up agreement that will allow it to move ahead with the property purchase related to the Commuter Parking and Mixed-Use Project in Town Center (view map).
The property to be purchased lies adjacent to the future Sound Transit Light Rail Station, was the site of the old Tully's coffeeshop, and also formerly hosted a gasoline service station operated by the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARC).
Last year, the City announced that it was seeking an experienced development team to design and build the project on and near the former Tully's site, to consist of City-owned commuter parking, a performing arts facility in partnership with the Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA), and a mixed-use residential and commercial structure based on the City's Town Center vision and code.
As a first step, in June 2018, the City Council approved a Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) with the sellers of the property. Since then, the City has been actively engaged in due diligence research including extensive environmental assessment of underground contamination on the site, including a portion of Sunset Highway to the north and nearby WSDOT-owned properties.
By year's end, the City intends to complete the acquisition of the Tully's site, which when combined with the adjacent portion of Sunset Highway ("Parcel 12") that the City already owns and a small portion of WSDOT property, will allow the project development to move forward.
Read full news release and learn more from the City's public engagement website. |
MIYFS Foundation Holiday Tree Lot
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| Tree lot volunteers; click for details on this fundraiser event |
The holiday tree lot operated by volunteers with the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation opens soon, located once again at the old Tully's Coffeeshop in Town Center (7810 SE 27th Street).
Islanders can purchase fresh Noble and Douglas Firs and feel good about the proceeds supporting the activities of both the City's Youth and Family Services Department and the MI Lions Club. Credit cards only, no cash please.
Starting on November 30, the lot will be open Thursday/Friday 3:00-7:00pm, and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00am-5:00pm, until late December. Learn more here.
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Tips for a Greener Thanksgiving
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Click for more waste-free holiday ideas
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The holiday season is under way and many Islanders will be celebrating Thanksgiving and holding other gatherings over the coming weeks. As the community focuses on celebration, sometimes less attention is paid to green practices and caring for the environment.
In fact, from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, household waste typically increases by
25 percent. And nationwide, 1.3 of the 1.9 billion pounds of pumpkins grown each year end up in landfills!
- Since it's easy to get carried away with Thanksgiving food purchases, experts recommend realistic menu planning: try this online dinner party calculator to minimize waste and keep your guests happy.
- Make use of your freezer for storage or donate non-perishable items to the City's Food Pantry.
- If you do need to dispose of food, make sure you do so in your curbside compost cart, not in the garbage.
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