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 

Debbie Bertlin  

 

COUNCILMEMBERS 

Dan Grausz 
Quick Links
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.
Aug 3, 2016 | Vol. 11 | No. 31
SeafairSeafair I-90 Bridge Closures Start Thursday
Click for detailed airshow schedule
Residents are reminded that the Blue Angels Airshow occurs this weekend as part of Seafair. Interstate 90 will be closed to all vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, eastbound and westbound, both mainline and express lanes, between Interstate-5 in Seattle to Island Crest Way on Mercer Island on the following dates:

  • Thursday, Aug 4:  9:45am-Noon & 1:15-2:40pm (Practice)
  • Friday, Aug 5:  1:15pm-2:40pm (Practice)
  • Saturday, Aug 6:  1:15pm-2:40pm (Full show)
  • Sunday, Aug 7:  1:15pm-2:40pm (Full show)
I-90 east of Mercer Island will NOT be closed during the performance, although drivers should note that heavy congestion during these closures often restricts access to the exits. 

For complete information about the bridge closures, please visit www.mercergov.org/seafair.
Mercer Island Goes Green
ICW_FlowersWildflowers Bloom on Island Crest Way
In full bloom; click to learn more about your City Public Works Department
Earlier this spring, the City's Right-of-Way Manager Brian Hartvigson hatched a plan: instead of just weeding the Island Crest Way median, why not plant wildflowers instead?...

His field team helped make it happen and this week, approximately 28 varieties of flower have been in full bloom, much to the delight of daily passersby. In fact, almost 6,000 people have read the story we put out on the City's Facebook page, and we've received hundreds of likes and positive comments. A great example of a simple City project improving the lives of countless residents and visitors! We chose drought tolerant species that also support our struggling honeybee populations.

Let us know if you have other locations in mind for next year, and feel free to give some thanks to your tireless City field crews next time to you see them. Learn more about all the programs and services that the Public Works Department provides for you.
MIPD_AcademyLearn More About Policing from 8-Week Citizens Academy
Learning about crime scene investigation; click to learn more about the MIPD
The Mercer Island Police Department will be hosting a Citizens Police Academy this fall, to be held on Thursday evenings from 6:30-9:30pm over eight consecutive weeks, beginning September 22, and ending with graduation on November 10, 2016.
The academy is designed to educate residents who are interested in law enforcement and would like to have a better understanding of police policies and practices, tactics, community policing, investigations and evidence, emergency management, traffic management, and other policing topics. The academy is designed for interactive learning and features several different course presenters.
Class size is limited to 30 students and will be filled on a first come, first served basis (students must be 16 years of age or older to register and attend); all classes will be held at City Hall. To register, request an application by Email from Sergeant Mike Seifert, the academy coordinator and planner, at [email protected]
HydrantsMake Sure to Keep Fire Hydrants Clear and Visible
Poor visibility hydrant on left vs. best-case scenario on the right
The Mercer Island Fire Department (MIFD) would like to remind residents that every second counts when your home is on fire...even more so if you or a family member are inside.  Therefore, it is crucial for fire safety that the nearest fire hydrant be immediately visible and available for rapid connection by the Fire Department so crews can do their job.

Recently, MIFD has responded to two house fires where the nearest hydrant was either blocked by landscaping or didn't have the clearance needed for easy access (see photos). Firefighters are trained to connect to a hydrant in less than one minute. But in both of these instances, that time rose two- or three-fold due to access issues. Luckily for the homeowners, the delayed water supply didn't impact the outcomes and all were safe.

With modern homes containing far more synthetic furnishings, the time to spontaneous combustion (known as "flashover") has dropped from approximately twenty minutes to just under four. If fire-dousing water is delayed for just a minute or two, it really could mean the difference between life and death.

Even though all MIFD engines carry 500 gallons of water, that supply can be discharged in just 30 seconds at full volume, and connecting to a hydrant is absolutely critical.

Please make sure that any hydrant near your house is up to Fire Code. The requirements are:
  • 3 feet of clearance around the hydrant
  • At least 18 inches above dirt to the lowest port
  • And visible from 75 feet down the street
Contact the MIFD with questions at [email protected], or call (206) 275-7607

 

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

[email protected] or 206.275.7662.