Council considers temporary tax increase

At its May 1 meeting, the Mercer Island City Council held a public hearing on and approved a “Temporary Increase in Utility Tax Rate on Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Utilities.”

This will generate $700,000 in new revenue for Interstate 90 litigation and other related costs. The effective date of the tax increase is July 1.

Four citizens testified at the hearing, agreeing with the council’s decision to generate more revenue to fund its lawsuit against Sound Transit and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Some suggested that increasing the car tab fee could be another way to bring in more funds.

City studies traffic around school mega-block

Since the opening of the new Northwood Elementary last fall, the city has been studying traffic patterns on surrounding streets and intersections.

The city hired consultant KPG to complete a traffic study and operational assessment of the Southeast 40th Street corridor between Island Crest Way and 88th Avenue Southeast. According to the findings, the level of service at intersections in the area drops during peak periods in the morning and afternoon, but rarely below LOS D, and usually only for about 10 to 15 minutes. The corridor “operates reasonably well under current traffic conditions.”

The Mercer Island City Council had previously discussed constructing a dedicated right-turn lane at 86th Avenue Southeast, but at the April 17 meeting, decided to hold off on that and continue to monitor queue lengths and operations.

Dedicated left-turn lanes with protected left-turns for both eastbound and westbound Southeast 40th Street traffic, designed to improve pedestrian and vehicle safety, were constructed before the start of the school year.

Other improvements to the corridor, including pedestrian and bike facilities, will be addressed as the council starts discussing the 2017-2022 Transportation Improvement Plan.

Council adopts 2017 goals and work plan

At its planning session at the beginning of the year, the Mercer Island City Council discussed its priorities for 2017, focusing on preserving Interstate 90 access and mobility and preparing for light rail.

At its April 17 and May 1 meetings, the council discussed and formally adopted its goals and work plan. I-90 remains the number one goal, followed by: maintaining the city’s residential character, enhancing communications and opportunities for community engagement, maintaining quality of life services by addressing the city’s financial challenges, strengthening and realigning City Manager role and City Council-staff relations and addressing outdated city code and practices.