City and school officials to host joint meeting
The Mercer Island City Council and School Board will discuss shared issues at a joint meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.
Topics include: 2014 bond projects, discontinued propane bus pilot program, bus stop-arm violations and cameras, diversity initiative, dedication of Northwood Elementary and the school district’s 75th anniversary.
Six-year transportation program update underway
Mercer Island is preparing an annual update to the six-year transportation improvement program (TIP), which includes roadway, pedestrian and bicycle projects planned for 2017-2022. A public comment period runs from April 1 through April 30.
Those who are interested in learning more about the TIP, viewing the TIP adopted by the City Council in 2015 or submitting an online comment for consideration in the 2017-2022 TIP can visit the city’s TIP web page.
The City Council will hold a public hearing on the draft 2017-2022 TIP at its June 6 meeting. Interested individuals may appear and provide input at the hearing or provide written comments in advance via the TIP web page. The TIP is scheduled for adoption by the City Council on July 5.
For questions about roadway projects, contact City Engineer Patrick Yamashita, or call 206-275-7722. For questions about pedestrian and bicycle facility projects, contact Assistant City Engineer Anne Tonella-Howe or call 206-275-7813.
Sustainability fair features family activities
Activities have been added to the program from the Leap for Green Sustainability Fair, to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 16 at the Community and Event Center.
In addition to displaying several low-emissions or zero-pollution city vehicles, there will be a DeLorean car from the early 80s. Other activities include art projects, a Pacific Science Center harvesting exhibit, urban farming and a petting zoo, live music all day and give-aways and prizes.
Food options include BUNS gourmet burger food truck and The Peach & Pig food truck. Nancy Stewart will host a kids’ sing-along at 11 a.m., and there will be Mercer Island Library storytimes at 10:30 a.m. and noon, followed by a presentation by bug chef David Gordon at 12:30 p.m. and a bird watching tour at 1 p.m.
This indoor/outdoor event is free. For more information, go to www.mercergov.org/GreenFair or contact Sustainability Manager Ross Freeman at 206-275-7662.
Register for summer youth volunteer programs
This summer, the city’s Youth and Family Services Department (MIYFS) is offering two summer volunteer opportunities for youth: Summer Volunteer Program (SVP) for current sixth and seventh graders and Volunteer Outreach in Communities Everywhere (VOICE) for current eighth graders.
Both programs provide students the opportunity to raise their social awareness by working directly with populations in need around the greater Seattle area, while volunteering alongside their peers. The SVP and VOICE projects available are plentiful and diverse, providing a chance to: cook a meal at a homeless shelter, tutor a child in need, participate in recreational activities with people living with disabilities, build a hiking trail in Snoqualmie, and many other options.
MIYFS planners are excited to announce that they have increased the number of partnerships, and will work with over 60 nonprofits this summer.
Additional details and an application can be found at: www.mercergov.org/voice. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27.
For more information contact MIYFS Youth Development Program Coordinator Tambi Cork at 206-275-7755 or tambi.cork@mercergov.org.
