MIPD to host annual Citizens Police Academy
The Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) will host a repeat of its popular Citizens Police Academy this spring.
Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-9:30 p.m. over eight consecutive weeks (no class April 12), beginning March 22, and ending with graduation on May 17.
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. Courses include Crime Scene Investigation, Patrol Procedures, Emergency Management, Special Response Teams (Dive, SWAT, Bikes), Less Lethal Tactics and others, and are taught by MIPD officers who are experts in their particular assignment.
Class size is limited to 30 students and will be filled on a first come, first served basis (students must be at least 16 years of age). All classes will be held at City Hall. This year’s academy is also open to residents of other off-Island communities.
Learn more and register online at www.mercergov.org/Page.asp?NavID=3153.
Fire Station 92 close to closeout
The Mercer Island City Council got an update on the close-to-final costs of the new Fire Station 92, which serves the south end of the Island, at its Jan. 17 meeting.
The project faced several challenges, including construction delays and a leaky roof that required replacement, as debris had been trapped in the roof membrane during installation.
“One new roof later and having had to spend hundreds of thousands in legal fees, the south end fire station is physically and financially completed,” Councilmember Dan Grausz wrote in an email update to Islanders on Dec. 19.
The city ended up spending $68,977 over its $5.34 million budget, a 1.3 percent exceedance. It received a $330,000 settlement from the contractor, Corp Inc.
The council members agreed that they should debrief the project and talk about “lessons learned” at their February planning session.
“We have done, and can do, a better job managing capital projects,” Grausz wrote.
Sewer pipeline upgrade meeting is Jan. 26
King County’s Wastewater Division finalized the route for an upgraded sewer pipeline in North Mercer Island and Southwest Bellevue after planning and community outreach.
King County staff will hold a community meeting from 6-8 p.m. on Jan. 26, at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center to discuss the pipeline route and how public feedback informed it, potential construction methods, pump station upgrades and other upcoming key dates.
Installed in the 1970s, King County’s North Mercer Island and Enatai sewer pipelines are reaching capacity, and must be replaced. Construction is expected to begin in 2019 and is coordinated with upcoming light rail projects.
For a project map and more information, see www.kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/wtd/capital-projects/active/north-mercer-island-enatai-sewer-upgrade.
