Mental health counselors still face funding issue

At its Sept. 8 meeting, the City Council approved an interlocal agreement with the Mercer Island School District to share the costs of providing mental health counselors in schools.

Despite an ongoing discussion that the funding model for this service needs to change or face a deficit, “there are no substantive changes in this year’s Interlocal as to service provision,” according to the council agenda bill.

The city is currently paying $452,400 to the district’s $60,000 for 6.5 full time employees, including three elementary school counselors, one middle school counselor, two drug and alcohol specialists at the middle school and high school and one R & R place counselor.

“Both the district and the city are aware of the upcoming YFS deficit and have agreed to review and discuss the terms of the Interlocal prior to the development and execution of any future Interlocal Agreements,” according to the agenda bill.

“We’re continuing to kick the can down the road on this problem,” said Deputy Mayor Dan Grausz.

Mercer Island women to be celebrated

Islanders can gather and walk to support women at 5:30 p.m. at Mercerdale Park on Sept. 30, National Women’s Health and Fitness Day. Mayor Bruce Bassett also proclaimed it to be “Mercer Island Women’s Equality Day,” commemorating the adoption of the 19th Amendment on Aug. 26, 1920.

Bassett also proclaimed September as National Recovery Month and Sept. 19 as the Mayors’ Day of Concern for the Hungry. The Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle & King County coordinates an annual food drive to help support the efforts to fight hunger which will be held throughout King County, on Saturday, Sept. 19. Islanders are encouraged to join the Emergency Feeding Program and donate to the Youth and Family Services Food Pantry to nourish those who are hungry.

Council reviews Town Center interim report

At its Sept. 8 meeting, the City Council reviewed the interim report on the Town Center visioning process and heard from Karen Reed, a a local communications and public engagement consultant who will make recommendations on next steps on Sept. 21.

“There are a lot of really different opinions on what should happen next,” Reed said, noting that only nine percent of the stakeholders interviewed said their group should be reconvened, though 70 percent said they supported the draft vision statement.

The council voted 6-1 to move forward, with Councilmember Mike Cero voting against the plan and expressing concern that it doesn’t do enough to quell concerns about density and building heights.

Deputy Mayor Dan Grausz said that though he doesn’t agree with everything in the report, it reflects the majority opinion in the Stakeholder Group.

The city also presented a revised rendering of the proposed Starbucks Square “opportunity site” on S.E. 27th Street, and the council suggested that an economic feasibility study be done on the proposed changes in Town Center.

Medicine take-back day set Sept. 26

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the City of Mercer Island are coordinating a nationwide drug “take-back” day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Mercer Island City Hall (9611 S.E. 36th Street).

Drop-off unwanted and expired medicines on the west side of the building, in the lower loading dock area. This is a no-cost, anonymous collection of unwanted and expired prescriptions (including narcotics) and over-the-counter medicines. Medicines in the home are a leading cause of accidental poisoning, and flushed or trashed medicines can end up polluting waterways. Rates of prescription drug abuse are alarmingly high: over half of teens abusing medicines get them from a family member or friend, including the home medicine cabinet, and often without anyone’s knowledge.

Go to the city’s website for a list of accepted medicines or call Lisa Stewart with Youth and Family Services at 206-275-7743.