The Mercer Island City Council sharpened its tone in its plan for a response to the proposed tolling of Interstate 90 -- and included language that made it clear that city would be ready for a possible lawsuit if the state pursues tolling.
The plan, called the I-90 Tolling Work Plan, outlines the city's strategy for responding to the Washington State Department of Transportation's proposal to toll Interstate 90 -- which Mercer Island residents largely and vocally have opposed.
The strategy includes the city setting up mechanisms for public input and information, coordinating outreach to residents and businesses, other Interstate 90 cities throughout the state that also would be affected by tolling, federal and state lobbying against tolls and more.
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You can watch the meeting online on the city of Mercer Island's website or on cable channel 21. You can get a full copy of the work plan here: www.mercergov.org/files/FinalI-90TollingWorkPlan.pdf
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The council approved $150,000 from the city's contingency fund for legal and consultant services to implement the plan, which was approved unanimously.
At the Feb. 25 Mercer Island City Council meeting, Cero and Grady criticized the city's initial draft plan as not specific enough in outlining its legal steps to prepare for a possible lawsuit and not specific enough in how the city would incorporate lawyers in its strategic response to the Interstate 90 proposal.
At the March 4 meeting, Grady also criticized any implication that tolling Interstate 90 may be inevitable and that the city should be open to exploring alternatives to tolling for Mercer Island residents, such as a double gantry, reduced rates, monthly maximums, and other possible ways to reduce the impact to people who live and work on Mercer Island.
"If we were to go in front of the legislature today and ask for a special deal, what are the likelihoods that we're going to get that?," Grady said. "There's not a whole lot of sympathy down in in Olympia for people who go down there and say, 'Gosh, I'd really like a special deal for Mercer Island.' "
The plan now includes new pointed language against the tolling proposal and more examples of how it would affect detrimentally organizations and residents of Mercer Island.
"Tolling I-90 is a short-sighted option that could have unintended consequences on the communities in the region," is among the newest language included.
It also includes an exploration of filing a "friend of the court" brief in a lawsuit that the city of Portsmouth, VA, has filed against the Virginia Department of Transportation related to the tolling of two tunnels, and makes clear that the city is open to exploring its legal options against a toll.
The latest version of the work plan includes "Challenge Federal Approval of Tolling," which would be through lobbying efforts at the state and federal levels, and "Legal Remedies," which outlines the following:
In addressing the significant impacts tolling will have on the region, it is important to ensure that legal requirements are followed and legal rights fully protected. Many aspects of the State’s tolling proposal (including, but not limited to, environmental review, consultation under the 1976 Memorandum of Agreement, federal approval of tolling, etc.) involve legal issues and the possibility that only through litigation will legal compliance and protection of the City’s legal rights be assured. To this end, the City will:
i. Retain litigation counsel, when appropriate, to review these issues and, if necessary, pursue legal remedies including litigation.
ii. Follow the pending Portsmouth, Virginia lawsuit and explore joining an amicus brief with other cities or civic organizations.
What do you think of the work plan? Tell us in the comments.
Clibborn deceitfully betrayed the trust of her constituents by proposing tolling. Furthermore, she has immunity to the tolling because she simply takes her 20-metre yacht to Olympia and back.
That may all be true. But do you really think a replacement (say from Eastern Washington) would be more likely to do what we Mercer Islanders want? Just seems really far-fetched. Ray
What Mercer Islanders want is No Tolls On I-90 for anyone, at anytime. Simply watching the number of public speakers at the Council meetings will reveal that "special-exemptions" will not work, and are not supported regionally.
Unfortunately, reality suggests otherwise. The public speakers (I watched on TV) are sure vocal...but their influence in Olympia is zilch. Though if we do through Clibborn out and you get your wish, hope you are ready to take the heat when full tolls for all MI folks at all times are imposed. Ray
As for Mayor Bruce Basset's lukewarm statements, and Judy Clibborn's fifth column activities in favor of tolling, let the ballot box decide and punish those who clearly resist or subvert the public's overwhelming hatred of tolling.
I think your interpretation shows your eagerness to attribute the same kind of motivations to others as you have! The slimiest thing to happen "around here" is the efforts by Representative Judy Clibborn to toll I-90 and then pretend that she is working hard to protect us from the devastating effects on all Mercer Islanders!
I think your interpretation shows your eagerness to attribute the same kind of motivations to others as you have! The slimiest thing to happen "around here" is the efforts by Representative Judy Clibborn to toll I-90 and then pretend that she is working hard to protect us from the devastating effects on all Mercer Islanders!
Also, when did you think email was private? These days there really isn't anything private about emails.
Since you persist in your "sliming" attacks, let me tell you exactly what I was going to do with the mailing list. I had planned to write a response to Judy Clibborn's Letter to Mercer Islanders, pointing out her many flip-flops and misrepresentations regarding her position on tolling I-90. I would consider that an attempt to provide much needed information to the same group of citizens who are interested in updates about the tolling of I-90. However, when I read Ms. Knight's email yesterday and realized I was being portrayed as a spammer, I notified her and The City Clerk that I was withdrawing my request for the mailing list - and that happened BEFORE i read your defamatory post impugning my motives. So, as a result, many of my fellow Mercer Islanders will not be able to read a factual and detailed response to Representative Clibborn's mis-statements - and perhaps that is exactly what you were trying to accomplish? In any event, I will not be receiving a copy of the mailing list - and I have asked the City to include that fact in an update.
We are Democracy Workshop, and have written Washington State Initiative I-1285 to "Prohibit Tolling on Interstate Highways" We need your help to get the message out, that we don't want the State tolling our Interstate Highways. We also need your help with contributions, so that we will have the ability to hire paid signature gatherers to ensure that we collect the 350,000 signatures that are needed to qualify this issue for the November ballot. Contributions can be made through our website where you can choose either PayPal, mail-in check, or credit/debit card transaction. Please Click Here to Contribute http://www.democracyworkshop.com/index_files/ContributionsPortal.htm Please "like" and share our Facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Democracy-Workshop/152713128216273 Thank you, we appreciate your support!!