[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6247991,"mediaKeyId","3212393-1711854a5a16e7c69e96c8f044d91b16","parentId",3212393,"title","Council schedules second readings to renew interim temporary‑use and residential parking rules","audioSeconds",357,"startMs",1215000,"endMs",1572000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212393-1711854a5a16e7c69e96c8f044d91b16&start=1215&end=1572","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212393-1711854a5a16e7c69e96c8f044d91b16/thumbnail_1215000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6247991/Mercer-Island/King-County/Washington/Council-schedules-second-readings-to-renew-interim-temporaryuse-and-residential-parking-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247991-7cd996c43a1b7b88a3f87930cbaa78bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771050637&Signature=J7LPL3oyNfLpfUfT8gIZF8SvN2TQkhvmlyosu6g7bgU~PW-5X3jdKPoAAItUcviTU2dwXjQ55SpXLOQBjlHtd3RPSE5~5fGSWMR5ZRqX~pTAd-syTjXT8ZyhrhIc14tjsVrcYHOYLamyXg-H-P~i3UciNHkUW-tMHl8KZ0arENJvb6QEvOhVPJR1NuS4G8Bye5lXdMYSM7AKkyRU9VBLNmsZDH52hPYOX0D-3nqHBUVC0WFDeNt6B6zGi2FQvbOHRoP2~43EQhoPHqN2NNL0HZQmSMR4MrQoLvopowppxSEKdCowEoaE6lbaFGNtRoNzEwiu1cwns2MWay-kFCMmlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mercer Island, Washington","date","2025-05-07T15:59:10Z","article","Mercer Island City Council on May 6 moved to schedule second readings for two ordinances that would renew interim regulations: ordinance 25CO7 (temporary uses and outdoor dining) and ordinance 25CO8 (residential parking changes responsive to Senate Bill 6015). Both items were presented by planning staff; the council scheduled second readings for May 20.

Why it matters: renewing the interim rules extends existing local requirements while permanent regulations are drafted; SB 6015 changes state law on how parking is counted and required municipalities to adjust municipal code and standards.

Details
- Temporary uses and outdoor dining (Ordinance 25CO7): Jeff Thomas (Planning) and senior planner Molly Maguire briefed council. Staff said interim regulations were first adopted June 4, 2024, to establish when a temporary‑use permit is required, exemptions, approval criteria, time limits, removal standards and assurance devices, and that outdoor‑dining rules (first adopted in 2020) were folded into the interim rules. Planning staff said permanent regulations are in development and the current recommendation was to schedule a May 20 second reading with no changes to the interim text.

- Residential parking (Ordinance 25CO8) and SB 6015: staff explained that Senate Bill 6015 (state law) alters what counts as a parking space for minimum parking requirements (allowing tandem spaces to count at a ratio, changing size/material rules, etc.). Council adopted emergency interim regulations June 4, 2024, to comply with the state law; staff recommended renewal without changes while permanent updates are prepared. The Washington Department of Commerce released guidance in January that staff will incorporate as appropriate.

Council actions (motions and roll calls)
- Ordinance 25CO7 (temporary uses/outdoor dining): Motion to schedule second reading for May 20 was moved (recorded as moved by Council member Andral and seconded by Council member Weicker). Roll call recorded ayes from Mayor Nees, Council member Andral, Council member Reynolds, Council member Weicker, Deputy mayor Rosenbaum and Council member Weinberg; motion passed.

- Ordinance 25CO8 (residential parking/SB 6015): Motion to schedule second reading for May 20 was moved (moved by Council member Weinberg and seconded by Council member Andral). Roll call recorded ayes from Deputy mayor Rosenbaum, Council member Weinberg, Council member Reynolds, Council member Andral, Council member Weicker and Mayor Nees; motion passed.

Quotes
Molly Maguire, Senior Planner: “The recommended action here is to move to schedule the second reading of ordinance number 25CO7 for 05/20/2025.”

Jeff Thomas, CPD Director: “In order to remain in compliance with senate bill 6015, this should be renewed with no changes.”

Next steps
Both ordinances were scheduled for a May 20 second reading; staff said they are working with the Planning Commission on permanent regulations and will bring the finalized code updates and any necessary changes to the council for adoption after public hearings.

Ending
The council’s votes preserved the current interim regulations while staff and the Planning Commission complete permanent code updates.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05/06/2025 - Mercer Island - City Council Regular Hybrid Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council voted to schedule second readings for two ordinances renewing interim regulations: one governing temporary uses and outdoor dining (ordinance 25CO7) and another updating residential parking rules to comply with Washington’s SB 6015 (ordinance 25CO8).","taxTitle","Mercer Island, King County, Washington","taxId",70518,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6247996,"Resident tells council of dangerous curve near West Mercer on‑ramp; requests signage, enforcement and pavement repairs",138,830000,968000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212393-1711854a5a16e7c69e96c8f044d91b16&start=830&end=968","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212393-1711854a5a16e7c69e96c8f044d91b16/thumbnail_830000.jpg","/articles/6247996/Mercer-Island/King-County/Washington/Resident-tells-council-of-dangerous-curve-near-West-Mercer-onramp-requests-signage-enforcement-and-pavement-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247996-ea9251d4a463b10778e2e04c07af950d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771050637&Signature=fRwa8RfWVyOuuhD8czHK1KoJ30efCtaF5W6eF92vc~-k3s7hvdQulQ3ShMagkeytYKKmWNYuKUxprJb~i3tiTwNKeaEBt~qNbaUL2fr2BooWwtd8W0SD~rWY2cbIOH1ohDMsC6fHiGffNmTO~iwfFJSRAzAd1WetvLlx3dHw139pt3zjZnftt-Z2qaNWnZshGrc6sRP-jE5pU224Mny4fiufbmDS7qTn8GCGZknfnyMLI0Vlops0hq5icEyYxtY-hUNBzotiErsfR-q-j2tcyaxHZcQbuRJI7I9hMqsMZ~-l2wH2uexcSzlbwNpULlSt~NRlKnBBqqOnb8FbTnmjKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nicole Bernardi, a longtime Mercer Island resident, told the City Council on May 6 that a blind corner on West Mercer near the I‑90 west on‑ramp has become increasingly hazardous for pedestrians and asked the city to consider additional signage, police presence and pavement‑marking repairs.

Bernardi said she has stopped walking in the area because drivers “often come over into the pedestrian side” and pavement markers that once warned motorists have been damaged or disappeared. She told the council she has seen “a lot of near misses” and that she worries someone will be struck.

Why it matters: the complaint highlights a specific neighborhood safety concern and prompted staff to offer to follow up with the resident to explore low‑cost, near‑term mitigations such as repaired pavement markers, additional signage and targeted enforcement.

Details from the appearance
- Speaker: Nicole Bernardi, identified at the podium as a longtime Mercer Island resident, described frequent near‑misses on a winding section of West Mercer near the I‑90 west on‑ramp and urged the city to act before an injury occurs.

- Proposed measures offered by Bernardi: additional signage to warn motorists of pedestrians, reinstallation or repair of pavement road markers (rumble strips or tactile lane markers), and increased police presence or “lookout activity” to deter aggressive driving.

- City response: Mayor and staff indicated they had received Bernardi’s email and that council and the city clerk would follow up; city staff said they would continue to field inquiries and coordinate with the resident and police chief.

Quotes
Nicole Bernardi: “There used to be pretty clear pavement road pavement markers. A lot of those have been damaged or disappeared…I’ve actually stopped walking on West Mercer in that area because I’m afraid I’ll get hit by a car.”

Process and next steps
Bernardi was invited to follow up with the city clerk; Mayor Saleem Nees and staff confirmed they had received email correspondence on the issue and would continue coordination with the police department and the city clerk’s office.

Ending
City staff said they will follow up with Bernardi to consider targeted fixes and enforcement in the near term; no formal council action was taken during the meeting.","A Mercer Island resident raised safety concerns about a blind corner on West Mercer near the I‑90 west on‑ramp and urged signage, pavement markers, and police presence; city staff said they will follow up with the resident.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248002,"Mercer Island council hears options for solar, stormwater and storage at public safety/maintenance facility",3816,2888000,6704000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212393-1711854a5a16e7c69e96c8f044d91b16&start=2888&end=6704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212393-1711854a5a16e7c69e96c8f044d91b16/thumbnail_2888000.jpg","/articles/6248002/Mercer-Island/King-County/Washington/Mercer-Island-council-hears-options-for-solar-stormwater-and-storage-at-public-safetymaintenance-facility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248002-c222b9d511c5f7ce070b9d370f3230da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771050637&Signature=LsxJ-wdk67mSMAqfvCjWcwH~9N~xo9tEiRaaW8bzIn4neEt0yATIKp-pBYPEsz~NiXy1OYeKjVxJ4t~HNYqLpZsfGe4sl29ljQoImrpOW6eZf3at8dgiPl1XDmgDAVOGWD97rncrVPAmALD-DqjwYWgkQwSzMD0Mvabo1WiF3wldRD1eRLJdgTfSJjE7tLOW46GIs96blGXiHleMe9lk-7Odw6AF~-BQr7yWJZd5cBo8Uf4Kt1j7GZrxSsaieC6oPHhJ6KIqls8LJgALW~1PPizblb9hA9OG2Wq0k8dqoA4NiJjIsVbj27I8~rkWGXaYU-LtGkux57i9BTc3YvTw8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials and consultants on May 6 presented Mercer Island City Council with a set of schematic-design options for the city’s planned public safety and maintenance (PSM) facility, including three solar-array configurations, rainwater harvesting for nonpotable reuse, on-site potable water storage for emergencies and a hybrid approach to structural systems.

The presentation, led by the city manager’s office and consultants from Northwest Studio and PAE Engineers, outlined capital costs, 25‑year energy and water savings estimates and resilience benefits. Consultants said an expanded solar array sized to meet 100% of projected facility energy needs would increase capital cost but also increase long‑term energy savings; rainwater harvesting could offset a majority of nonpotable demand; and a modest potable storage tank would improve the building’s ability to operate during water outages.

Why it matters: the PSM facility will consolidate public safety and operations functions and is being designed both to meet everyday operating needs and to improve resilience during emergencies (power or water outages) on the island. Council direction tonight will shape the schematic shown to voters and contractors as the project proceeds toward cost estimating and, if approved, construction.

Most important details
- Solar: Consultants presented three options: a limited array on the south‑facing roof, an expanded array that adds panels on the north roof to meet a larger share of annual energy needs, and no onsite solar. The limited southern array was estimated to cover roughly 60–63% of the facility’s projected annual energy use with an estimated 25‑year energy‑cost savings of about $975,000 and a system capital cost of about $1,400,000; the expanded array (sized to approach full estimated demand) had a 25‑year savings estimate of about $1,445,000 and an estimated capital cost just under $2,200,000. Consultants said the calculations assume a 25‑year performance period and a 0.45% annual panel degradation and used available utility rate schedules for forecasts.

- Emergency power: the schematic assumes a diesel generator sized to run the facility for about seven days; on‑site solar was estimated to potentially extend that duration by roughly 30% (an approximate extension to nine–10 days under typical usage), with longer operation possible if facility loads are reduced during an emergency.

- Stormwater and potable storage: rainwater harvesting sized with a 10,000‑gallon cistern was modeled to provide roughly 75% of projected nonpotable demand and, in the consultants’ analysis, a 20‑year net operational savings relative to capital cost. A potable water storage option (5,000 gallons for seven days’ potable storage) was presented as a resiliency measure; combined approaches (rainwater harvesting plus a smaller potable tank) produced greater aggregate savings in the consultants’ tables than potable storage alone. Consultants noted irrigation demands for landscape could require substantially larger storage to be fully supplied by harvested rainfall.

- Structural systems: staff proposed a hybrid approach. Concrete would be used for foundations, retaining walls and portions of the operations building; mass timber was proposed for the primary PSM building and upper floors (cited for speed of erection and alignment with climate goals); and steel or hybrid steel/timber systems for flexible canopy/yard areas.

Council discussion and direction
Councilors asked detailed questions about the financial assumptions (utility rates, net‑metering limitations, maintenance costs and warranty assumptions), the interaction between solar, battery storage and EV fleet charging, and the operational maintenance burden of filtration and pumps for rainwater reuse. The city’s sustainability manager noted the city has a green power contract through 2038 that locks some rates for the near term but makes multi‑decadal projections uncertain.

By informal consensus (thumbs up), the council directed staff to carry forward solar readiness so the building can be solarized in the future and indicated support for including provisions for expanded solar capacity (with some councilors preferring the expanded option and others preferring to wait for improved economics). The council also expressed support for including rainwater harvesting and for potable‑storage capacity to improve water resiliency; staff said the items can be carried into the 60–90% design and that some elements could be included as bid alternatives to preserve flexibility.

Quotes (from meeting presenters)
Aaron Young, partner with Northwest Studio: “This project is a good candidate for roof mounted solar power generation.”

Tony Marino, associate principal, PAE Engineers: “For the PSM Building, we’re using similar building types that PAE has worked on in similar climates.”

City Manager (presenter): “Water resiliency is one of our highest priorities for this facility to operate.”

Next steps
Staff will update schematic designs and cost estimates and return to the council in June with more detailed estimates; several elements may be packaged as bid alternatives so the city can adjust scope if market or funding conditions change. If the ballot measure funding proceeds, the chosen schematic will inform final design and procurement.

Ending
Councilors and staff emphasized resilience—especially water storage—when weighing cost versus long‑term benefits. Staff said they will refine assumptions on utility rates, net‑metering, EV fleet charging and battery storage and will present revised cost estimates with the June schematic update.","City staff and consultants presented schematic options for solar arrays, rainwater harvesting, potable storage and structural systems at the proposed public safety and maintenance facility; council gave nonbinding direction to prepare the schematic design with provisions for future solar and with stormwater and potable water resilience features.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council schedules second readings to renew interim temporary‑use and residential parking rules

Resident tells council of dangerous curve near West Mercer on‑ramp; requests signage, enforcement and pavement repairs

Mercer Island council hears options for solar, stormwater and storage at public safety/maintenance facility