[{"_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",6164080,"mediaKeyId","5431687-0d38734d461e49404e5af24568cc9b8f","parentId",5431687,"title","Trust approves April minutes after discussion on level of detail; one trustee dissents","audioSeconds",307,"startMs",155000,"endMs",462000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431687-0d38734d461e49404e5af24568cc9b8f&start=155&end=462","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431687-0d38734d461e49404e5af24568cc9b8f/thumbnail_155000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164080/Mercer-Island/King-County/Washington/Trust-approves-April-minutes-after-discussion-on-level-of-detail-one-trustee-dissents","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164080-562dfe92415fde91812fb184e72107da/orig.mp4?Expires=1775197101&Signature=OeZewDX9Qp99l0q7jjqvFksDNV4tYxtm2q8JAEI-AuSvTywODr5pagXWZU~iAXUc0-IkS0~kPrAxoUfVJp2vVAbhf48vH1KDr1meSC9LEs66OPOEqshiNq1Bh1W~BP3Q1PW2WF9EAaXog~i-rgVknE9HVjG~0jx5QnC6H5D4rLmKIafQDZCByKgGH17aTJGJIQtk~luNw0UlLcrD6CRWF6J3qxVrpy3MTJyMSy2Mfg7yPAQG02XUM8BvMKPvMvM5m2gMxLOLBvw0t51OODM6GwhQJMsXU-J5V81XG7QAstKurIZxqhdvZbxPJkyJXaMz2dtG8zWGAsjB8TsMYbKG-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mercer Island, Washington","date","2025-07-19T21:41:14Z","article","The Open Space Conservancy Trust voted to approve minutes from its April 29, 2025 special meeting after trustees debated the appropriate level of detail to include in meeting minutes. Chair Geraldine Poore called for a motion to approve the minutes; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with one member recorded as voting nay.

Trustee Thomas Hildebrand (identified in roll call) said he worried that “some of the interesting details are being lost in the lehi of brevity” and pointed to omitted items including the realignment at Southeast 60 Eighth Street and Island Crest Way and a quadrant report recommendation. Several trustees, including Carol Brissett, agreed that brevity is desirable but suggested a mid-point approach of listing one or two major points under agenda items to improve transparency.

City staff said they would discuss minute detail with the city clerk and consider scrivener edits for future minutes; trustees did not request a revision to the April minutes at the meeting. The roll-call vote recorded ayes by Council Liaison Daniel Becker, Marie Bender, Brian Gasper, Carol Brissett, Chair Poore and Hilary Atay, and a nay vote by Thomas Hildebrand. No further formal actions followed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","07/17/25 - Mercer Island - Open Space Conservancy Trust","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees approved minutes from an April 29, 2025 special meeting but several trustees urged more detailed minutes going forward; one trustee voted against approval citing omitted discussion points.","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},6164085,"Parks reports on events, playground projects and fire plan coordination with Eastside Fire",444,2816000,3260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431687-0d38734d461e49404e5af24568cc9b8f&start=2816&end=3260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431687-0d38734d461e49404e5af24568cc9b8f/thumbnail_2816000.jpg","/articles/6164085/Mercer-Island/King-County/Washington/Parks-reports-on-events-playground-projects-and-fire-plan-coordination-with-Eastside-Fire","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164085-84d5cf81219ba214104ee7c956f11dc8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775197101&Signature=F6wA6s3jkYE6j9V4Nn~zR~5ncGaBrvudxU5AyxowlmfZC3HcZKm4lxDmmEFJmIOsDr7qzQv3436mIQ0JXfqsHYwulkKr5IsFJXAQuPexFEbSsUJOoJbbEIZz5hneErF5fMPc8Mi25AlXmCyyMNJT3tkdbr75-bC7ETPLqiNp4X~QPf7vb2rc2ENbXrIiCQtKhws2IoXtCP2C65RAmG7T4L0CfWGuAWsEaPXS1enV9zn9SmG6RQi5UmJorLmufUN-S98CckEzfrtGesF4dXuCjPi0JFaymImXEthlq4t45urAfdpTGS0kJpsxLM~TmM3Yiixt7zWr4adz88aWUYJsXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks operations staff provided a department update on July 17, summarizing recent community events, capital projects and fire-planning coordination. Sam Hart said the city’s summer celebration drew large community participation and that several playground projects are progressing: Roanoke Park’s playground surfacing and equipment are mostly installed and expected to open this summer; First Hill Park permits are issued and equipment is staged; and Dean’s Children’s Park public engagement continues with an online survey open through Aug. 4.

Hart updated trustees on Luther Burbank pickleball courts, saying construction is complete and use is high. He then reviewed wildfire and emergency coordination work: staff updated Appendix M (the Pioneer Park and Engstrom Open Space fire-management plan) in 2022 in collaboration with the fire department and said the city is now working with Eastside Fire and Rescue following regional dispatch and service changes.

Trustees asked whether training or practice runs are planned under the updated fire-management approach. Hart said staff will continue discussions with Eastside Fire and identified a next step of contacting landowners adjacent to open space to discuss vegetation management. Trustees also requested a summary of volunteer events and participation: Lizzie Stone said staff maintain volunteer event data and will compile counts for the trust, and trustees discussed sending a group thank-you or hosting an appreciation event.

Staff listed upcoming volunteer restoration events in late July and noted the next trust meeting is Oct.16; no formal vote was taken.","Staff summarized summer events, playground projects nearing completion and ongoing coordination on the Pioneer Park fire-management plan with Eastside Fire and Rescue; trustees asked staff to compile volunteer participation data and consider a volunteer appreciation.",{"_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},6164089,"Trustors discuss updating Pioneer Park signage; staff to coordinate inventory and subcommittee work",664,2040000,2704000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431687-0d38734d461e49404e5af24568cc9b8f&start=2040&end=2704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431687-0d38734d461e49404e5af24568cc9b8f/thumbnail_2040000.jpg","/articles/6164089/Mercer-Island/King-County/Washington/Trustors-discuss-updating-Pioneer-Park-signage-staff-to-coordinate-inventory-and-subcommittee-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164089-665a6cc1b1633ce41e7d684d989a6898/orig.mp4?Expires=1775197101&Signature=kzI8mXoq~NNNe3r68GLR93eo2VuZwXANl641QXJJDu6R4U1UkMPSvsp-z3vWlPsxe1W5n7NwL9yqKflTzm70zVAj1YuZijpTH9~eLxVlo5j3nHzFjqS6zQEyh3nzdmuZfYWZ1yBdjFv9ZKq~mQPmlbAOxd6E1zouPsqONEoXtuDXuxjV5Gc684yt3UPg8lf3ahAE1gDUy~yG2Bvawdnozjbrj9rNCToIq1XSw5VUbeLYvtBG7YklLPFueM0HbALbPhQB5J1-fkUgF4I8~YSzWxvYrs5~XGXg0iQi4Wtn3eumjFL1GIkj4pmVVxn4ykm1e3HJL9nOiu~laYuJ637e7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks operations staff told the Open Space Conservancy Trust on July 17 that the last internal inventory of Pioneer Park signs dates to about 2016 and that many interpretive panels are worn and some smaller yield signs may be hard to see from bikes or horses. Sam Hart presented images of existing kiosk-style maps and cited an effort to document assets in the city’s GIS system.

Trustees discussed simplifying signage, consolidating rules into fewer, more comprehensive panels, and integrating the signage project with an ongoing QR-code and interpretive-signage subcommittee. Hart and staff said they can inventory existing signs in the field and that integrating signage updates with the subcommittee’s work would avoid asking volunteer groups (such as Scouts) to replace worn signs before a final design is chosen.

Trustees asked staff to follow up after the subcommittee meets in early August; staff noted there are about five or six larger kiosks across the park system and several smaller interpretive panels that may be candidates for redesign. No formal action was taken; staff will return with an update on kiosk locations, proposed designs, and an approach to scout or volunteer participation after the subcommittee meeting.","Staff reported an outdated 2016 signage inventory and showed kiosks, interpretive panels and small yield signs; trustees discussed simplifying signage, QR-code integration and potential scout projects for replacements.",{"_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},6164094,"Parks staff report few off-leash complaints; pamphlet and signage remain focus for outreach",280,1725000,2005000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431687-0d38734d461e49404e5af24568cc9b8f&start=1725&end=2005","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431687-0d38734d461e49404e5af24568cc9b8f/thumbnail_1725000.jpg","/articles/6164094/Mercer-Island/King-County/Washington/Parks-staff-report-few-off-leash-complaints-pamphlet-and-signage-remain-focus-for-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164094-8bedc3a494d33c887cbeec1f992f2a8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775197101&Signature=TaiDvDBhmZa1FIqfrL70TI3FgvLF0Ctj7tzFQSYM5o-ZXrrnRVegwgUFW~ykZaWyI2rCSqMP9yj~aqUrpU5UvopGbnkDbpiTkQfKoHocMUV8lnysNYwtc8bwGcR7wsjcLk~BlxNy0UiO5wcBaZL8I6QijEuTcohM4Hqq3UdAMQwYubACq92lWlf~vVj6gWZmEL7CyYEJcmZjovApW7Y5XDxo3Ou6gmecj3DTjHa8dFl5ucpkUmMGm8X1EF67OImSF~edJphv5UulydPhjdFqAs1DDqRX4ZdEAQPYfEyMmYkYUjxEBloK-KyWhdyBRyPp-NLYbWxMpK-94RXfpFE-nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sam Hart, parks operations manager, updated the Open Space Conservancy Trust on July 17 about off-leash dog issues and outreach in trust properties. Hart said the presentation was for discussion only and that staff had restocked informational pamphlets for dog owners.

Hart told trustees that Mercer Island Police Department records showed four dog complaints and three reports of lost dogs in 2024 tied to the Pioneer Park area, and that since January police logged four calls related to dogs. He described the city’s dog-owner pamphlet and said different park properties have differing rules: Pioneer Park northwest and southeast quadrants include voice-control areas, while the northeast quadrant requires dogs to be on leash. He noted South Mercer Playfield (a joint city–school district property) allows no dogs.

Trustees discussed outreach, signage and enforcement. Hart said the pamphlet could use updating and that staff periodically conducted education and outreach; he reported fewer behavioral complaints in recent years compared with earlier periods and that Pioneer Park “doesn't get any more complaints than the rest of the park system.”

No formal action was taken; trustees and staff discussed focusing on updating pamphlets and signage and continuing routine coordination with police on complaint tracking.","Parks operations manager reported a low number of off-leash complaints in 2024 and since January, outlined existing guidance, the dog-owner pamphlet and areas of voice-control versus leash-only policy in Pioneer Park.",{"_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},6164097,"Trust reviews 2024 herbicide use, plans more monitoring and neighbor outreach",624,657000,1281000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431687-0d38734d461e49404e5af24568cc9b8f&start=657&end=1281","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431687-0d38734d461e49404e5af24568cc9b8f/thumbnail_657000.jpg","/articles/6164097/Mercer-Island/King-County/Washington/Trust-reviews-2024-herbicide-use-plans-more-monitoring-and-neighbor-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164097-e5f20b49eb016799dea8b60e5082b48e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775197101&Signature=Ark0CyqOyY3W5KUlwT9rdG5-6WY9JHzA246U8T7hNkN-ybtyW3xq~KM5kjv7PYRTfQPAYY8sZf-g-W1bmKErvPjZYpBKKFL07OkK7aw5W4uNCyorakvOXTifbaI-tBo~iGVwCNb5fjCoO8zShDR7YYraShuIoex8Tk9WtS57dQE2hsZYphWnn5i04kesYaHbI-wpKr~pggy7NgbSIxn337EYWtk-oLzzYQTxXwFNUH2Lh~i8XZPvm7RFTZvA7jLEEfeSbqzwsD-aha~iOEvROHv0c9V82imt5uJg9M5YC8voPEVznUAFV3sGb3m~hkkZZ4spW6Mt3b2FzH8gqJtaEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Open Space Conservancy Trust on July 17 received a report from the City of Mercer Island on herbicide use in 2024 and a plan for 2025 monitoring and treatments. Natural Resources Program Manager Lizzie Stone presented the report and said staff and trustees share a goal to “minimize herbicide use wherever possible.”

Stone told trustees the trust adopted a herbicide use protocol in May and updated it in January; the protocol requires staff to report annually on recent and planned herbicide use. The nut of her presentation: staff surveyed for knotweed, shiny geranium, yellow archangel, yellow flag iris and spotted jewelweed in 2024 and encountered only yellow archangel on trust property.

In 2024, Stone said, contractors completed comprehensive invasive-plant removal in multiple zones in Pioneer Park and Engstrom Open Space. Treatments included dry-stem injection of imazapyr for larger invasive trees and a cut-and-paint application of triclopyr on smaller stems, which Stone said follows the protocol. She described two project sites where Himalayan blackberry was cut and a concentrated triclopyr product was painted onto cut stems “to minimize any off-target damage and to localize that treatment.”

Stone reviewed the history of yellow archangel in Pioneer Park, saying the species was first treated there in 2010 and an initial effort eradicated “approximately 90 to 95 percent of the infestation.” In 2024 staff found patches along the north edge of the northwest quadrant and the south edge of the southeast quadrant; crews treated those areas in spring and again in fall with the hope of shifting to hand-pulling within one to two years.

Stone also described outreach to adjacent residents: she delivered a weed alert, photos and management advice to neighbors bordering the infestations and said conversations were “very positively met.” Trustees encouraged broader public education because plants often spread from adjacent private properties.

Trustees asked about non-chemical pests; Stone said she was not aware of any insect or animal pests causing tree mortality on trust property, though other city parks have had bark beetle issues. She said 2025 work will include repeating surveys for the same set of species, continued targeted treatment where contractors perform comprehensive removals, and possible spot treatments of yellow archangel depending on post-treatment monitoring.

The trust took no formal regulatory action; staff presented the report for review and discussion and were directed to continue monitoring, prioritize outreach to neighbors, and use targeted treatments consistent with the herbicide use protocol.","City natural resources staff reported limited herbicide use in 2024, identified small patches of yellow archangel in Pioneer Park, and said the trust will prioritize monitoring, targeted treatments and neighbor outreach to reduce herbicide reliance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Trust approves April minutes after discussion on level of detail; one trustee dissents

Parks reports on events, playground projects and fire plan coordination with Eastside Fire

Trustors discuss updating Pioneer Park signage; staff to coordinate inventory and subcommittee work

Parks staff report few off-leash complaints; pamphlet and signage remain focus for outreach

Trust reviews 2024 herbicide use, plans more monitoring and neighbor outreach