The city of Mercer Island received a clean audit from the Washington State Auditor’s Office during an exit conference report at the March 15 hybrid city council meeting.
Supervisor Haji Adams and lead Jessie Fleming presented the audit results to council for the time frame of Jan. 1, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2020. Adams noted that the benefits of the audit show an increased trust in government; independent, transparent examinations; and improved efficiency and effectiveness of government.
Fleming said that general auditing practices don’t require the team to examine every city transaction, activity or policy, but they select a host of areas based on risk. Some of those areas were: self-insurance for paid family and medical leave, permit cost recoveries, small business grants and financial condition. One major program selected for the audit was the COVID-19 relief fund, in which the city expended a total amount of $1,138,522.
“In those areas that we audited, we didn’t note any concerns. That’s really good to hear. The city has really good controls over those areas,” Fleming said of the financial, accountability and federal grant compliance audits.
Fleming and Adams thanked city officials, notably deputy finance director LaJuan Tuttle, for their timely communications and cooperation throughout the audit process. The city’s next audit is scheduled for this summer.
“I do want to thank the staff. 2020 was a very unusual year and to get not only a clean audit, but also a special commendation for the way that all these new grant programs were handled on a really quick basis, is great,” said Deputy Mayor David Rosenbaum.
To sign up for an email notification when the audit report will be posted on the Washington State Auditor’s Office website, visit: https://sao.wa.gov/about-sao/sign-up-for-news-alerts/
UKRAINE SUPPORT
Mayor Salim Nice recently penned a letter to the community, noting, in part: “To all Ukrainian people worldwide: we stand with you – completely and unconditionally. We will do all we can to support, aid, and comfort Ukrainians wherever they may be.”
To read the full letter, visit https://www.mercerisland.gov/citycouncil/page/message-mayor-nice-ukraine.
CITY HALL PROJECT
The Mercer Island City Hall entryway remodel project went out to bid on March 14 and City Manager Jessi Bon said she anticipates they’ll receive bids by April 6. On April 19, city council will award the contract at its meeting, she added.
“This has been a project that’s been on the books for a couple of years to address some safety issues at the building and improve access,” Bon said during her report at the March 15 council meeting. September is the target month for the project’s completion.
Come early to mid-June, the city is planning a soft City Hall reopening with limited hours.
PLAYGROUND UPDATE
The Mercerdale Park playground is still on the holding pattern as workers wait for three days of 45-plus-degree weather to place resilient rubber surfacing. The ongoing concrete strike has also affected the addition of the paths and bench pads. The city is hoping for a spring opening, Bon said.
RECYCLING NEWS
The city partnered with Ridwell recycling in February for free doorstep Styrofoam collection. Along with Styrofoam, Ridwell amassed other “beyond the bin” materials not usually accepted for regular recycling.
Bon said the pilot program was a success and they collected 475 bags (filling two large box trucks) and 420 households participated in the event. All residents were eligible, including those in apartments and condominium buildings, and 220 of the recyclers were non-Ridwell participants.
Bon said the city is looking for more opportunities to partner with Ridwell and other businesses in the future.
In other recycling news, the city will hold its spring recycling event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 26 at the Luther Burbank Park south parking lot at 84th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 26th Street. There will also be a limited number of compost bins, rain barrels and worm bins available for purchase (cash only).
For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2pbntuhv.
PROS PLAN
The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office approved the Mercer Island Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan and the city is eligible for state grants. City staff members have commenced work on immediate-action projects, according to Bon.
City council adopted the plan presented by the Parks and Recreation Commission at council’s March 1 meeting.
