[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6229074,"mediaKeyId","3464838-9dc30778bb759d785dc427e1516ab2a1","parentId",3464838,"title","Mercer Island Rowing Club seeks support for docks and year‑round home","audioSeconds",154,"startMs",676000,"endMs",830000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464838-9dc30778bb759d785dc427e1516ab2a1&start=676&end=830","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464838-9dc30778bb759d785dc427e1516ab2a1/thumbnail_676000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6229074/Mercer-Island/King-County/Washington/Mercer-Island-Rowing-Club-seeks-support-for-docks-and-yearround-home","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229074-ca9dff7a6c26d71192a33a1263ea2e9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163158&Signature=CGw~ksCPf7iaoXydDkK5qv4vcAdz4NRNmzesZhnXaVT7qOrc9fDoRLleUFJh50PYUc7hrTIQSm4MM1HjQl67eOPDhh2MyeI0lDIwh58qQoFOm0RgKmPmSKc-TiOSPSQR595eFLQkY5gqZQIiII1zpNvfAIfSxqTNkYIoOYBHfrCOpj61gVogTPvnVi84pAmbqo-8tH9ljaxpOL-GjelhRg65ZRkJ9mby-jGiRIrhLWmImCYnXCwk~yoePCZMhp4ImRcpIbeT0NGQikA6yt1bQEGkkMYmcmbKAC9iayEfre2zxZdeyUfBCFEzaM5l3UzPxHCNOxj3tzctRcMesRricw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mercer Island, Washington","date","2025-05-23T15:59:01.267Z","article","At the public‑comment portion of the May 20 council meeting, Lauren Alexander, founder and director of the Mercer Island Rowing Club, asked the council and community for awareness and support as the organization grows.

Alexander described the club as a registered nonprofit offering rowing opportunities for all ages and abilities, and said more than 300 people on Mercer Island have expressed interest. She noted prior planning references to a “shell house” in the 2006 Luther Burbank master plan and repeated mentions of rowing as an unfinished recommendation in the city’s 2022 parks, recreation and open‑space (PROS) plan; she also cited a PROS survey finding that 44% of respondents expressed interest in rowing.

The club requested that the city consider ‘future‑proofing’ the Boiler Building docks currently slated for replacement by lowering the dock freeboard to about five inches to improve access for rowing shells and other low‑freeboard nonmotorized craft such as kayaks and paddle boards. Alexander said the club hopes to run summer programming and seeks a year‑round boat home for community programming. She provided a website for further information: MercerIslandRowing.org. The council did not take any formal action during the meeting; staff noted program and dock design considerations would be part of related capital‑project discussions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05/20/2025 - Mercer Island - City Council Regular Hybrid Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives of the newly formed Mercer Island Rowing Club introduced the nonprofit to council and asked the city to consider design changes to upcoming dock work to improve access for low‑freeboard boats and to help the group find a long‑term home.","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},6229078,"Council directs $15,000 pilot for stationary ALPR cameras; staff to report by Q1 2026",1746,8054000,9800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464838-9dc30778bb759d785dc427e1516ab2a1&start=8054&end=9800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464838-9dc30778bb759d785dc427e1516ab2a1/thumbnail_8054000.jpg","/articles/6229078/Mercer-Island/King-County/Washington/Council-directs-15000-pilot-for-stationary-ALPR-cameras-staff-to-report-by-Q1-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229078-c2c8513d0704b40ba997580aa521c8e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163158&Signature=QQcY6rimCvXj5A6tL1Twd9Kulk-Rm5wySqu6XH2Ni9wJnnL--WifUjwt5sdwQrrvdhCNSdjgx45EsNMCOHgqpkY9wB76gaa8Si5ah0S7VOtwuAO4LPWdSdcorJ53bROktcLRfGAqLwiEAfjSlVm-i13G-w2VQ3p2SOHuXd9zzp7QgClaj8jecZeWDQC0RdqB~R87z3KzUY7iDIRZCrEsxYVbzg5bEzdvwKzDSqyWfoJqfekuhuHG~4vHETdaj9GeLBHDvOw7n-BfTvc3W9MFxQ9Z9SI13L3Q-F2vDEE2howjIYVyLJumHfr7KYpID5GGLcYTlgN7oS0Uj73uqmxPvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mercer Island City Council on May 20 approved a pilot program to test stationary automatic license plate reader (ALPR) equipment on the island and appropriated $15,000 from available funds to support installation, operation and evaluation.

Deputy Mayor Rosenbaum moved the addition to the police department’s 2025‑26 work plan to pilot stationary ALPR units and to return to council no later than the first quarter of 2026 with findings on system performance, operational evaluation, legal and privacy considerations, community feedback and recommended policies. Councilmember Weicker and staff described the pilot as a limited, time‑bound test intended to gather operational data before any broader deployment.

Discussion focused on public‑records implications and data retention. Interim police staff and representatives who had worked with neighboring agencies said Flock (a widely used ALPR vendor) typically retains raw plate data for about 30 days unless data is flagged for evidentiary reasons; agencies receive “hits” only when predefined parameters are matched (for example, stolen vehicles, missing persons, wanted fugitives), and the department would define retention and access policies as part of the pilot. Several councilmembers raised privacy and public‑records concerns and asked for definitive legal guidance. The city manager and police staff said the city attorney would be engaged before deployment and that staff would draft policy and community outreach materials.

The council vote passed 5–1 (Councilmember Reynolds opposed). Vote tally on the motion: Deputy Mayor Rosenbaum — Aye; Councilmember Weicker — Aye; Councilmember Andral — Aye; Mayor Saleem Nees — Aye; Councilmember Reynolds — Nay; Councilmember Weinberg — Aye. The motion included an appropriation of $15,000 and a direction to return with a report by Q1 2026.","The City Council approved a pilot to test stationary automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras on Mercer Island, authorizing $15,000 for installation, operation and evaluation; staff were directed to return with legal, privacy and operational findings no later than Q1 2026.",{"_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},6229083,"Council appoints arts, parks and utility members; adopts Resolution 1677",1154,1319000,2473000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464838-9dc30778bb759d785dc427e1516ab2a1&start=1319&end=2473","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464838-9dc30778bb759d785dc427e1516ab2a1/thumbnail_1319000.jpg","/articles/6229083/Mercer-Island/King-County/Washington/Council-appoints-arts-parks-and-utility-members-adopts-Resolution-1677","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229083-f4cfe2746287e2b80b6f2a5844ffb2f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163158&Signature=RI1H6iMj~AHr8-s0hcNNxE6QDHLfFv1gEGmv68Nqd0RQprkngwdSspLUPYiWam6iiTlYq4stj-gLk2AR2z5opcRl95yAcU6UsU~n99A72dmBc08zknL19EyueYByQtf8PTpY8EQ2J5cl37ZAl7Lfr7YZm2c7pOMNSMzm9lKrfd05~11CecVfXZzX5pIdZH5TM-l~iCnxy9FY~WGK3PsZxSKRl5WosRpgQegVq3xIzXpx9AYiD-f1B7H7ddMk1m8bE-jx9eECZFCPyUHdvBaGtrhkQXCaEc5r9TAf0hEMCAMvqzfQgKfD4BHnAbLogMggHl2xMzI4aaKvxFBIMSmNBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mercer Island City Council on May 20 completed a series of ballots to fill vacancies on local boards and commissions and adopted Resolution No. 1677 recording appointments to the Arts Council, Parks & Recreation Commission and Utility Board.

The council followed procedures in its rules of procedure for in‑meeting written ballots. After several rounds of voting for open Utility Board seats, the council appointed Brian Thomas to Position No. 3 (term to 05/31/2029), Geraldine Poor to Position No. 4 (term to 05/31/2029), Steve Milton to Position No. 5 (term to 05/31/2029), and George Marshall to Position No. 7 (term to 05/31/2026). The Arts Council appointments were Pam Rock (Position No. 5, term to 05/31/2028) and Britta Echol (Position No. 7, term to 05/31/2029). The Parks & Recreation Commission appointments included Sarah Markson (Position No. 5, term to 05/31/2029) and Mar Bretman (Position No. 6, term to 05/31/2029).

City Clerk Andrea Larson administered emailed ballots and read tallies aloud as required in the rules when councilmembers participated remotely. The clerk explained that each seat requires a minimum of four votes to be appointed; multiple rounds were used when no candidate met that threshold in initial balloting. Council then moved to adopt Resolution No. 1677 to formalize the appointments. The roll‑call vote to adopt the resolution was unanimous.

Council thanked outgoing Arts Council member Daniel Becker for his service; his resignation produced one of the vacancies filled at the meeting. The appointments will be reflected in the city’s official roster and in Resolution 1677.","Following multiple rounds of ballots, the City Council appointed members to the Arts Council, Parks & Recreation Commission and Utility Board and adopted Resolution No. 1677 to record the appointments.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6229087,"City releases FY24 year‑end results, but forecast shows structural gap by 2027",1357,4177000,5534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464838-9dc30778bb759d785dc427e1516ab2a1&start=4177&end=5534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464838-9dc30778bb759d785dc427e1516ab2a1/thumbnail_4177000.jpg","/articles/6229087/Mercer-Island/King-County/Washington/City-releases-FY24-yearend-results-but-forecast-shows-structural-gap-by-2027","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229087-ef5718fb56b17361b9bf0587dfc00b36/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163158&Signature=m2VSPo4-pPe4fIqCty7pn1r9nDvn2I70ElJA47anvMu-uel~COhHIn74AC7Mt1CLZW9jgrteZQbSDlc8weNMl5oZDrDjMKL4wKpX6NRvASxYnu4WKpsy5sLzWjSmt1CXA4lof0OBnK64SH87-ujOJ0VcCyg9NdDhziIaYOwr3v~byxSO0kIyB0RoN3yXpc4~AMDh1XznmuwKHRHjLPyBDLI5YjtOsikMPhHaN2bSRn8wxNQ5KxGQWNw9tvOFQjZBzQEHl5iONjQdKQ-vEoEJPcN-J0Ri0soOGVrj-NW-8zCmfXJkHCtl3Y4bSKL4fywEUccTbNHHRTUVCV0UC9vLHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mercer Island’s finance director on May 20 told the City Council that the city ended fiscal 2024 with a general fund balance of $12.3 million, of which $7.0 million is reserved and $5.3 million remained available at year end. Staff credited higher‑than‑expected sales‑tax receipts and a resurgence in interest earnings for the one‑time gains.

Finance Director Matt Mornick presented the 2024 year‑end financial status and an updated May 2025 forecast that models three scenarios (favorable, most probable, unfavorable). The most probable scenario assumes near‑term revenue strength but projects structural pressures beginning in 2027 that will draw down available fund balance and could produce multi‑million‑dollar operating shortfalls in later years. Staff told council they would return this fall with mid‑biennial budget analysis and long‑term financial strategies.

Key 2024 figures cited by staff included a $12.3 million general fund fund balance (reserves $7.0 million; available $5.3 million), $7.2 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds invested in local programs, and ongoing underperformance of real estate excise tax receipts (REET). Staff said the city set aside $4.1 million of one‑time 2024 resources into a municipal facility replacement fund established after the city hall closure. The contingency (rainy‑day) balance presented in the update was reported at $94.9 million and was noted to exceed the target funding level; staff flagged that any change to contingency requires council action.

The May forecast also updated the Youth and Family Services (YFS) fund. Revenue from the city thrift shop was reduced by roughly $340,000 in each of 2025 and 2026 to reflect a temporary closure for building renovations earlier this year. Updated projections for YFS showed the fund’s operating balance drawn down fully by 2026 and an $800,000 operating deficit projected in 2027 under current assumptions.

Council adopted Ordinance No. 25‑10 to amend the 2025‑26 biennial budget as presented in the agenda bill. The roll‑call vote was unanimous. Mornick and staff emphasized that using one‑time fund balance now allows time to develop long‑term measures (rate adjustments, reserves policy, program changes) and that staff will return with refined options in October and the mid‑biennial process.

Councilmembers asked for the city’s full balance‑sheet statements (to be provided when 2024 financial statements are completed this month), clarification on ARPA uses, and more detail on assumptions behind the forecast. Staff said all ARPA funds were invested in Mercer Island programs and that they would monitor REET and capital cash flows closely.","City finance staff reported a $12.3 million general fund year‑end balance for 2024 and a multi‑year forecast that draws down reserves and could produce operating shortfalls in the 2027–2030 window; council adopted an ordinance to amend the 2025‑26 biennial budget.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6229093,"Mercer Island council approves increased PBRS tax reduction for 5045 Forest Ave SE",131,2643000,2774000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464838-9dc30778bb759d785dc427e1516ab2a1&start=2643&end=2774","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464838-9dc30778bb759d785dc427e1516ab2a1/thumbnail_2643000.jpg","/articles/6229093/Mercer-Island/King-County/Washington/Mercer-Island-council-approves-increased-PBRS-tax-reduction-for-5045-Forest-Ave-SE","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229093-3005ca083ad6d9727b615e63fed88039/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163158&Signature=ofDyY4A429EFjORxQl06Yg0Nc4cMaf9bZVK7UGQPoWExtF2o6DlRhMew~TFNIPIq3EqL2m~jtUHF-xASuZUSn4gk1HNj9hJAncIGD9yC53-oAj1vsLKOKvmFubbahfyIxWOmpKg1PaAgO1so4LO9sGcI0EQKlj0fHYv0oejx74UFR8f-trBIYeHnnABIpW5Ks37bNzs47ATGe8pc~CDTjrhrc4uMxLhUIwe0hMvyDwRpL9Wk5IITJKG5jsEa6f01JpY1t50~jc9lygUSi16qx1HeI6v75JJu5XEwJOZ6sPpqFLCNM0ABoKG91K-fhOxylMG-J6~4VKk04EpIS4izZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mercer Island City Council on May 20 approved a King County Public Benefit Rating System (PBRS) application that raises the property tax reduction on 2.91 acres at 5045 Forest Avenue Southeast from 80% to 90%, with the change effective for the 2026 fiscal year.

The PBRS program, administered by King County, offers tax reductions to private landowners who voluntarily protect open-space resources. Planning staff and King County program staff presented the application during a public hearing; no members of the public spoke on the item. Planner Grace Manahan and CPD Director Jeff Thomas summarized the application record; Bill Bernstein, PBRS program manager for King County, was available to answer technical questions.

Council members questioned whether field verification of wetlands and streams had been completed and whether the enrolled acreage might limit future development. Staff said the city relied on a 2015 third‑party reconnaissance in the record and that any development affecting enrolled acreage would require exiting (or partially exiting) the program and could trigger financial remuneration tied to the benefit received. Staff also said the application excludes the parcel’s residence and cabin from the enrolled acreage and that the owners declined to include public access as part of the application. King County held a public hearing March 20 and approved the application May 13; Mercer Island’s approval completes the local granting authority step.

Councilmember questions focused on (1) the degree of public benefit when no public access is provided, (2) criteria used to award PBRS points, and (3) whether enrolling the land shifts tax costs to other island property owners. County staff explained PBRS awards points mainly for resource protections (forest cover, critical‑area buffers, wildlife habitat) and that city tax levies collect a set revenue target so the deferred taxes are effectively distributed across other taxpayers.

The council voted to adopt Resolution No. 1674 approving the PBRS current‑use assessment for 2.91 acres at 5045 Forest Avenue SE. Vote tally: Mayor Saleem Nees — Aye; Councilmember Weicker — Aye; Deputy Mayor Rosenbaum — Aye; Councilmember Reynolds — Aye; Councilmember Andral — Abstain; Councilmember Weinberg — Aye. The city will execute the open‑space taxation agreement after King County records the final documents, and the tax change will take effect in 2026.

The planning division will provide the recorded agreement and map to the assessor’s office as required.","After a public hearing and staff presentation, the council approved a King County Public Benefit Rating System application to raise the tax reduction on 2.91 acres at 5045 Forest Avenue SE from 80% to 90%; the change takes effect for the 2026 tax year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mercer Island Rowing Club seeks support for docks and year‑round home

Council directs $15,000 pilot for stationary ALPR cameras; staff to report by Q1 2026

Council appoints arts, parks and utility members; adopts Resolution 1677

City releases FY24 year‑end results, but forecast shows structural gap by 2027

Mercer Island council approves increased PBRS tax reduction for 5045 Forest Ave SE