City’s Solarize campaign hits installation goal

Several weeks ago, Mercer Island’s Solarize campaign not only met, but exceeded the initial target of 30 new solar installations under contract.

A last-minute wave of interest generated additional sign-ups in advance of the Oct. 31 campaign deadline.

The final public workshop was held in October, but there’s still an opportunity to find out if solar will work at your home or small business.

Email Ross Freeman, the city’s sustainability manager, or call 275-7662 to receive a PDF or archived video version of the workshop.

After reviewing the materials, participants become eligible for a free site assessment from a pre-selected solar installer.

Three seats open on Arts Council

The Mercer Island City Council is seeking applicants with community relations and literary skills to fill three vacancies on the  Arts Council.

The Arts Council advises the City Council on matters related to the arts and organizes art events throughout the year.

The goals of the Arts Council are to:

Advocate for the arts, artists and arts organizations of Mercer Island.

Stimulate community awareness, and promote education and enjoyment of the fine arts.

Support performing, visual and literary arts programs, projects and events.

Committees of the Arts Council, working with the support of Parks and Recreation staff, provide community activities such as art galleries, concerts, plays and literary events. They also support local artists with grants and acquire public art for the city.

Eleven members meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center. One term expires on May 31, 2015, one term expires on May 31, 2016, and one term expires on May 31, 2018.

Interested applicants with questions should contact Karin Roberts, deputy city clerk, or call 275-7795.

First meeting of Transportation Benefit District is Nov. 17

The City Council passed an ordinance creating a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) on Oct. 20. The TBD, governed by the Council, will be able to pass a $20 car tab to bring in $335,000 (reduced from an estimated $350,000 due to administrative costs) for transportation projects. Its first meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 17.

The TBD was created to address deficits in the city’s street fund. The fund is still projected to go negative. The car tab fee can be increased if put to a vote, but is capped at $20 without voter approval.

“Islanders would be better served by putting these new taxes to an Island vote,” Councilmember Mike Cero wrote in an email update. “The car tab tax with its costs and benefits should be ‘owned’ by the citizens of Mercer Island.”

Grant for Island Crest Park is denied

At  the Nov. 23 City Council meeting, Finance Director Chip Corder said that the city  won’t be receiving a $500,000 Recreation and Conservation Office grant for the Island Crest Park South Field Turf Conversion project, which was proposed for 2015.

Corder said that because the project was contingent on receiving the grant, it is now classified as “unfunded,” or essentially, cut.

Another part of the project involves a $400,000 suspension bridge, which the city was looking to fund through private contributions.

City seeks space for emergency center

Even before the ‘boil water’ advisories, Mercer Island officials recognized a need for a dedicated Emergency Operation Center (EOC).

Corder said the suggestion for a dedicated EOC came up during the Capital Improvement project preview in June, after the city had experienced an active shooter drill.

The City Council chambers were used as a temporary EOC during the water situation, but staff is looking into designating an EOC space in a downstairs storage room in City Hall.

The Mercer Island Historical Society has a room right next to that storage room, Corder said.

Staff is putting together two options: one that involves  taking over that room and displacing the Historical Society, and one that doesn’t.

Corder said that this project “got tee’d up late in the budget process,” and that there are no cost estimates yet.

“A crisis like the one we just had demonstrates the need for dedicated space for emergency operations, but I would hope that a space could be found in the basement that does not impact the Historical Society,” said Councilmember Jane Brahm. “It is the repository of the history of Mercer Island and I would like to make sure they have a home.”

The Society’s space has already been downsized before.