Opportunities for engagement for Mercer Island residents

Published 10:30 am Friday, January 9, 2026

By Nancy Lee, Special to the Reporter

Opportunities for engagement

• Mercer Island Boat Launch at Luther Burbank Park has limited access until recovery of debris from flooding is completed.

• Biennial Community Survey will be redirected this year to focus on priorities for future city facility planning. The survey will be issued around Jan. 19, with results in March.

• Water debris: Citizens are encouraged to contact the city regarding any major debris noticed on lake beaches or in lake waters.

• Next city council meeting: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20. Options for joining the meeting include in person at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center, a Zoom link on the city’s website, and MI-TV (Channel 21). Citizen appearances: An opportunity to speak to the Mercer Island City Council on items of interest. Speakers must register by 4 p.m. on the day of the council meeting at cityclerk@mercerisland.gov and are given three minutes to speak.

Gatherings with councilmembers

• Councilmember Ted Weinberg will hold his next monthly gathering at 10 a.m. Jan. 18 at L’Experience Paris Restaurant on Mercer Island at 3020 78th Ave. SE, providing an opportunity to discuss a variety of topics of interest for Mercer Island residents. If you would like to attend, RSVP at tedweinberg@comcast.net.

• Councilmember Julie Hsieh will hold a gathering from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 15 at the South End Starbucks, providing an opportunity to discuss a variety of topics of interest for Mercer Island residents including current discussions regarding e-bikes in public parks.

Other citizen notices

• On Jan. 8, a joint Parks and Recreation Commission and Open Space Conservancy Trust meeting was scheduled to take place and open to public input regarding e-bikes in public parks.

• First Hill playground opened Jan. 5.