City may look to hire long-range planner
The City Council discussed adding a new employee — a long-range planning manager — to its Development Services Group (DSG) staff at its March 21 meeting. The motion passed with a 5-2 vote, with Councilmembers Wendy Weiker and Dave Wisenteiner voting against it and noting staffing concerns in other city departments, as well as projected deficits in the next biennial budget.
The new hire will start by July 1 and “effectively manage the required and discretionary long-range and policy planning projects on the approved work plan.” Examples of these projects are the ongoing Town Center visioning and code development and upcoming discussion on residential density.
At its January planning session, the council discussed the need to provide resources to support DSG. DSG’s four-member planning staff is devoted almost exclusively to reviewing development permits and providing public information about planning and zoning to residents and builders.
The cost for this position is estimated to be $160,000, which includes salary, benefits, supplies, training/travel, and office equipment/furniture, and the funding mechanism is an increase in development fee cost recovery targets for planning and engineering services, from 60 percent to 85 percent.
Help map your neighborhood
Councilmember Benson Wong was the first council member to participate in the Map Your Neighborhood emergency preparednesss program. The Wongs enjoyed a solid community turnout, and everyone appreciated a great presentation from MIPD Sergeant Mike Seifert and volunteer Sue Robboy. The city currently has 20 neighborhoods mapped and is seeking to expand the program.
The Map Your Neighborhood program helps neighbors, generally about 15 to 25 households, hold an informal event and get to know each other. Through this networking, they will: learn what to do following a natural disaster, identify skills and equipment that each household can offer, identify natural gas and propane locations, determine households that may need extra help and pick a suitable neighborhood gathering site.
Contact emergency manager Jennifer Franklin at 206-275-7905 to learn more about the program.
Park and rec seeks volunteers
The Parks and Recreation Department’s Seniors Transportation Program is looking for bus helpers and drivers who will assist seniors as they are transported to and from their homes to the Community Center. Transportation is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and help on Thursdays is currently most needed. The position does not require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
The city is also looking for individuals to assist in the Senior Social Adult Care Program at the Community Center.
This program addresses the need for senior adults who have physical, memory, hearing or vision limitations to be with one another and enjoy an atmosphere that is fun and interactive, while engaging in a variety of activities.
The program currently runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and staff hope to add Wednesdays this spring.
Call events coordinator Amber Britton at 206-275-7841 if you are interested, and for additional details.
Two East Mercer Way projects underway
Construction work on the city’s Roadside Shoulder Improvements – East Mercer Way Phase 9 project was scheduled to begin last week, covering the portion from the 6600 block to Southeast 71st Street.
The city is continuing to install storm drainage pipes and create a new asphalt shoulder along the southbound side of East Mercer Way to allow safer pedestrian and bicycle use. The project should be completed by the end of April.
During work hours (typically weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.), the roadway will be reduced to one lane of alternating traffic and controlled by flaggers. Motorists and cyclists should expect only brief delays through the area. Residents in and near the project have been notified of the pending construction.
This project will have minor impacts to several school bus routes and Metro’s 201 bus route.
Learn more about the city’s multi-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) online.
For more information, contact street engineer Clint Morris at clint.morris@mercergov.org.
In addition, last week city contractor Kemp West Tree Service removed nine trees in the 6500 block of East Mercer Way, adjacent to Engstrom Open Space, as part of a City Natural Resource project.
These trees, primarily big leaf maples, currently lean toward the roadway and will be removed to avoid blow downs and protect public safety.
For more information, contact natural resources manager Alaine Sommargren at alaine.sommargren@mercergov.org.
