The City Council is pleased to endorse Friday, June 19, as Juneteenth 2020 in Mercer Island. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, recognizing African American freedom and emphasizing education and achievement.

Mercer Island will join many other communities across the country to celebrate Juneteenth, when people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today.

ONE MI, the Mercer Island PTA, the Mercer Island School Board of Directors, and the Mercer

Island Community Fund, invite all Islanders to jointly celebrate this Friday from 5:00-8:00pm, even while we stay apart. Islanders are encouraged to mark this historic day with (socially distanced) front yard and park cookouts, picnics, and music while building community with neighbors. Everyone can share Juneteenth traditions that include drawing the Juneteenth flag, reading the Emancipation Proclamation, and serving red foods and drink, which symbolize resilience.

Learn more at: www.juneteenth.com

Last week, on June 10, the City was most honored to receive two awards from the  Mercer Island PTA Council . The annual event, presented online this year, recognized exceptional people and organizations that have served the students and families of the Mercer Island School District.

• MI Community Partner: The City's Youth and Family Services Department (MIYFS) was recognized as a local Island organization that "goes above and beyond standard expectations to help and facilitate local units, and that helps build a cooperative relationship between students, schools, and community."

• Outstanding Advocate: Cindy Goodwin (Recent Director of MIYFS). This award recognizes and honors individuals for their advocacy work on behalf of children and youth.

The City of Mercer Island evaluates various components of the water system on a regular basis to ensure that the infrastructure remains in good condition and maintains adequate capacity to provide water to customers.  

As water mains age, they need upgrading to improve the system's structural integrity and reliability, and improve water flow for fire suppression. Other piping to capture stormwater (rainfall) also periodically needs replacing.

This week the City's contractor, Oceanside Construction, launched a summer project in the vicinity ( see map) of Fruitland Landing and St. Monica School, which includes  the following elements:

Affected neighbors have been notified. Learn more and read updates here:  www.mercergov.org/2020WaterSystem  

The City of Mercer Island's  Water Utility is pleased to release its 2019 water quality report, reflecting that the City is in full compliance with all applicable standards for drinking water.  

For efficiency and sustainability, the City continues to publish the report in an electronic format, as permitted by state regulations. All Island addresses will receive notice of publication via a small postcard in the mail.

Please contact the Public Works Department at (206) 275-7608 with any questions or concerns, or learn more here: www.mercercergov.org/WaterUtility 

Last month, the City promoted awareness of May being  Mental Health Awareness Month. The City's Healthy Youth Initiative (HYI) and the Mercer Island High School  Minds Matter Club partnered to sponsor the 2020 "Be Kind to Your Mind" art contest. 

The contest drew 33 entries ranging from elementary to high school aged youth, and this year's winners were  Mia Thiagarajan, Aadyaa Singhal, and Arshia Singha. Other entries will be posted soon on the MIYFS Facebook page.

Mental health is important in all stages of life and now more than ever, it is important to build connection and advocate for mental health awareness on the Island. If you are in need of mental health support, please call the MIYFS Intake Line at (206) 275-7657; this is a confidential phone line, and our clinical team will return your call within one business day. For more immediate assistance, call Crisis Connections at (206-461-3222).