Site Privacy and Security Notice
Thank you for visiting the City of Mercer Island website and reviewing our privacy and security notice. The information in this statement and/or the policies described here may change at any time, without prior notice to any visitor. Our privacy policy is very simple. We do not collect personal information about you unless you provide it to us. You can still access the site; however, you cannot transact business without providing this information.
We automatically collect statistical information as described below but only to assist us in improving this site. The City of Mercer Island does not:
- Share any personal information gathered on this web site with other agencies, organizations, or persons unless required by law.
- Collect and/or sell information for commercial marketing.
Automatically Collected Information
If you only browse our web site or download data, some information will be collected automatically. This information will not identify you personally. It is used only to improve this site by telling us the number of visitors and the browser and operating system our visitors are using. The following information is collected each time someone visits any web site:
The Internet domain name (examples: aol.com or foxinternet.net) from which you access our site. Note, this is not your Internet address.
- The IP address from which you connected to our site. The Internet Protocol address is a number assigned to your computer or provided by your Internet Service Provider whenever you browse the Internet. We use this address to send data you request back to you.
- The browser you used to visit our site.
- The operating system you used.
- The date and time you visit our site.
- The specific pages you visit at our site.
- If you linked to our site from another web site, the address of that site.
Personal Information
Except as otherwise provided in this policy, we will keep personal information private and not share it unless disclosure is necessary to comply with the law, a court order, or other legal process or to protect the rights of the City of Mercer Island or enforce some term or provision of this policy. In registering for, applying for, and paying for classes, courses or performing some other transaction on-line; in filling out a form or a survey; or in sending an e-mail, you will be asked to voluntarily provide the following personal information:
- Information by participating in an on-line transaction.
- Information through an on-line form or forum.
- Information through an on-line application.
- Information in response to a survey or poll.
- The e-mail address and contents for those who communicate with us via e-mail.
A domain name or Internet protocol address is not considered personal information. The information you provide will be used only for the purpose for which it is intended. This personal information, once submitted to this or other city managed web sites, becomes a public record subject to public record keeping regulations, including disclosure. (See the definition of a public record RCW 42.56.010). In most cases the information you give us will be used only to help us in providing you with the services or information you request.
Public Access to Information
If personal information is requested on the website or volunteered by the user, state and federal law may protect it. However, this information is a public record once it is provided and may be subject to public inspection and copying if it is not protected by law. Washington State laws exist to ensure that government is open and that the public has a right to access appropriate records and information possessed by government agencies, including the City of Mercer Island. There are exceptions to the public’s right to access public records that serve various needs, including the privacy of individuals. Both state and federal laws provide exceptions.
RCW 42.56.070(9) prohibits the disclosure of lists of individuals requested for commercial purposes. If a conflict arises between this Privacy Notice and the Public Records Act or other law governing the disclosure of records, the Public Records Act or other applicable law will control.
Use of Cookies
To better serve our users, we use "cookies" to customize your browsing experience on some parts of the City of Mercer Island web site. Cookies are simple text files stored on your computer by a web server. Cookies created on your computer by using this website do not contain personally identifying information and do not compromise your privacy or security.
Cookies Defined: Persistent Client-State HTTP Cookies are files containing information about visitors to a web site (e.g., username and preferences). This information is provided by the user during the first visit to a web server. The server records this information in a text file and stores this file on the visitor's hard drive. When the visitor accesses the same web site again, the server looks for the cookie and configures itself based on the information provided.
Subscriber Lists
The City of Mercer Island does not sell or rent mailing lists of its subscribers to any organization. The City may provide lists of its subscribers to project partner government agencies, and then only to provide customized information to residents or business owners who may be served by receipt of that information.
Please note: The City may have to provide e-mail lists to third parties if the information is requested under Washington State public disclosure law
MI-Connect Mobile App
The City of Mercer Island is using SeeClickFix, an online and mobile service request system, to power its mobile app (MI-Connect) and reporting forms. SeeClickFix is an application that allows Mercer Island residents to report non-emergency related issues. SeeClickFix can be used via the Web on a desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, or tablet. SeeClickFix is a public application. The description entered will be visible to the public. Your display name will also be visible unless you choose to submit as Anonymous. Your email address will never be displayed publicly.
Mercer Island Comment Policy
The City of Mercer Island moderates all limited public forums. The City reserves the right to delete comments or submissions that:
- Clearly violate a social media site’s Terms of Service
- Are topically related to City programs, services, projects, issues, events and activities, or the particular post being commented upon
- Solicit commerce, advertisements, commercial promotions, or spam
- Contain political statements, including comments that endorse or oppose political candidates or ballot propositions, are prohibited under state law (RCW 42.52.180)
- Contain religious statements, including comments that endorse or oppose any type of religious opinions or activities
- Promote, foster, or perpetuate discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, transgender status, or sexual orientation.
- Include vulgar, offensive, threatening or harassing language, personal attacks, libelous or unsupported accusations.
- Contain private, personal information published without consent.
- Contain obscene or sexual content, and links to obscene or sexual content.
- Incite violence or hate speech
- Contain profane language or content
- Promote illegal activity or encouragement of illegal activity
- Contain information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems
- Violates a legal ownership interest of any other party
Site Security
The City of Mercer Island has taken steps to safeguard the information on this site and prevent unauthorized access to information it maintains--including authentication, monitoring, auditing, and encryption. Security measures are taken as a part of implementing all software and hardware infrastructure as part of our continuing commitment to risk management. However, we cannot warrant as fail proof the security of information collected or provided via this web site. Unauthorized attempts to change information on this site or upload information are strictly prohibited.
Disclaimer
The City of Mercer Island does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of the information published on this website and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by the reliance on such. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this site does so at his or her own risk. Other sites may link to the City of Mercer Island.
The City of Mercer Island endorses no content, viewpoints, products, or services linked from this site and is not responsible for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information.
Although we take measures to safeguard against unauthorized disclosures of information, we cannot assure you that personally identifiable information we collect will never be disclosed in a manner that is inconsistent with this Privacy Notice.
Internet Terms of Use
This web site is governed by Washington. Any use of the site must comply with all state and federal laws and regulations and the policies and disclaimers on this site.
