From transportation improvement to upcoming facility-related bond readings to a building acquisition agreement, there was heaps of activity on tap at Mercer Island City Council’s June 17 regular meeting.

Council adopted the 2026-2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and also authorized an increase of $2,904,231 in street fund expenditures in 2026.

According to city documents, street fund projects include Gallagher Hill Road overlay and sidewalk improvements, Southeast 40th Street overlay and sidewalk improvements, Southeast 36th Street overlay and North Mercer Way sidewalk improvements. The project budgets align with the water supply pipeline.

When discussing these projects at the meeting, Mercer Island transportation engineer Rebecca Corigliano noted that the remainder of the design and all construction is now planned to occur in 2026.

Corigliano added that the city rescheduled several projects later in the TIP to maintain a positive street fund balance through 2029. They include West Mercer Way resurfacing, 78th Avenue Southeast overlay and sidewalk improvements, Southeast 24th Street overlay and sidewalk improvements and West Mercer Way overlay.

City documents describe the TIP as, “A planning tool used to identify specific projects that serve to maintain, preserve, and maximize use of the existing roadway and pedestrian/bicycle facilities. It forecasts revenues and expenditures within the street fund over the six-year period.”

9655 BUILDING

Also at the meeting, council authorized City Manager Jessi Bon to execute the agreement for acquisition of real property by eminent domain of a 22,000-square-foot building located at 9655 SE 36th St.

“There was also an authorization of other related documents anticipated in the agreement to complete the described acquisition, except a condemnation ordinance,” the city said.

The city has proposed acquiring the building for $9.06 million. The 9655 building will pair with the new — and currently under design — Public Safety & Maintenance (PSM) Facility to serve as the new home for the departments that are housed in the aging Public Works Building and other departments displaced due to the permanent closure of city hall, according to the city.

PSM BUILDING, BOND READINGS

The meeting also featured council’s approval of the PSM schematic design, setting the project budget at $103,900,000 and directing Bon to prepare a bond ordinance for first reading at the July 1 city council meeting. A second reading is scheduled for council’s July 15 meeting.

In the arts realm, council passed a motion to direct Bon to prepare an ordinance modifying the 1% for the arts code to allow the city council to fully or partially exempt projects from the 1% for the arts requirements, according to the city.

Council also directed Bon to begin the recruiting process for pro and con committees — comprised of a maximum of three individuals each — and preparing the materials for the Nov. 4 general election voters pamphlet.

After receiving and reviewing community applications at its July 15 meeting, council will appoint the committee members.

Addressing the pro and con committees, Mayor Salim Nice said it’s unusual to begin the recruiting process prior to the first reading of a bond ordinance. Nice and Bon discussed that with the July 4 holiday nearing and the timing of the next council meeting, “We didn’t want the public to have a shortened timeline for getting applications in for the July 15 deadline,” the mayor added.

While conversing with community members regarding the PSM, Bon said the top question from Islanders is where the planning department will be situated.

“Now I can say the planning department is going to the 9655 building, will be right next door to our customer service counter, the new facility where we will also do our engagement around the permit work we do as a city,” she said.