HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2020-05-11 Item 3B - COVID-19 - Weekly Coronavirus ReportCOUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS
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ITEM INFORMATION
ITEMNO.
STAFF SPONSOR: RACHEL BIANCHI
ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 5/ 11/20
AGENDA ITEM TITLE A weekly update on the City's planning and response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
CATEGORY ® Discussion
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❑ Motion
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❑ Resolution
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❑ Ordinance
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❑ Bid Award
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❑ Public Hearing
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❑ Otber
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SPONSOR ❑ Council ® Mayor ❑ HR ❑ DCD ❑ Finance ❑ Fire ❑ TS ❑ P&R ❑ Police ❑ Pik
SPONSOR'S The City is actively engaged in regional efforts to address the coronavirus (COVID-19).
SLTMNLARY Staff are providing the Council with updated information regarding the City's response to
COVID-19.
REVIE','ED BY ❑ Trans&Infrastructure ❑ Communit sys/Safety- ❑ Finance Com ❑ Planning/Economic Dev.
❑ LTAC ❑ Arts Comm. ❑ Parks Comm. ❑ Planning Comm.
DATE: N /A COMMITTEE CHAIR:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
SPONSOR/ADNIIN. N/A
COMMITTEE N/A
COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
Fund Source:
Comments:
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RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
05/11/20
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ATTACHMENTS
05/11/20
Coronavirus Report
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Coronavirus Response Update
May 11, 2020
Essential Services and City Operations
There have been no changes to essential services.
The City has begun developing a reopening plan corresponding with the State's "Safe Start" phased approach to
reopening the state. It should be noted that only in Phase 3 do they recommend re -opening customer -facing
government services, and even at that time telework is still strongly encouraged for non -customer facing
positions.
Financial Stabil
City staff have been working with the Finance Committee since mid -April to review the financial impacts to the
City resulting from the pandemic. At the May 4 Council meeting there was significant discussion on potential
tools available to close the gap between revenues and expenditures this year. Both the Finance Committee and
full Council will discuss these issues at length on May 11 and again on May 18, with possible action. Detailed
information is provided in the committee and council packets.
Police Staffing and Calls for Service
There have been no changes to Police staffing since the last report. Calls for police service were as follows, with
the prior year's month included for reference:
April 2019: 2659
April 2020: 1978
There has been no increase in domestic violence reports and no bias crimes reported against people of Asian
descent associated with the coronavirus.
Fire Staffing and Calls for Service
There have been no changes to Fire staffing since the last report. Staff is still analyzing the calls for service data
to ensure accurate data is shared with the council.
Human Services
Human services received 424 requests for assistance in April of this year, compared to 274 last year. Of the
requests this year, 245 were for either rental assistance (148) or utility assistance (97).
Human Services staff has begun distributing the HB 1406 funds this month. Staff expects to spend the Council -
authorized amount of HB 1406 funds collected up through February of this year. Staff will return to Council on
May 18 with a more thorough update on the disbursement of HB 1406 funds and human services update.
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Business Recove
As previously announced, the Governor extended his stay home order through the month of May. The Governor
also announced the phases on how reopening the economy will work, which will occur in four phases. The State
is currently developing guidelines for specific industry groups. Phase 1 of the reopening began on Tuesday, May
5 and allows some auto sales activities and curb side retail sales. Westfield Southcenter is currently work on
logistics for curb side sales at the mall.
On Monday the City launched SavingLocalKC.com, in partnership with nine Chambers of Commerce and the City
of Kent. SavingLocalKC.com is funded by the City's lodging tax fund and its mission is to help consumer facing
businesses throughout King County offer deals and discounts that could be purchased now, for use once the
Stay Home order limits are eased. As part of the SavingLocalKC.com campaign, the City has launched social
media accounts specifically for the campaign and also have launched social media accounts for the City. Multiple
emails have been sent to Tukwila businesses inviting them to participate.
On May 71", Parks and Recreation staff started calling businesses to survey their status due to the pandemic. We
anticipate reporting on results by the end of May.
A full business recovery update memo was included in the packet for the Planning and Economic Development
Committee meeting of May 5, 2020.
Meeting our Community's Basic Needs
Food Security
City staff are in communication with a variety of partners that serve our community. The Tukwila Pantry
continues to serve several hundreds of families at each distribution event. Staff estimates approximately 1,000
households were served at the Tuesday and Thursday food distribution events this past week. In addition, some
households that were previously not able to receive SNAP benefits are now eligible under new temporary rules
developed as a result of the pandemic.
The City has been approved for a FEMA grant to reimburse expenses associated with providing food to Tukwila
residents. Staff is currently working through the details and contracts but expects to use the funds to support
the Pantry, senior meal distribution and potentially for summer meal programs for kids. Additional updates on
this will be forthcoming once more information is available.
Seniors
City staff again supported our senior community through direct food distribution to homebound residents. Staff
calls residents on Monday and Tuesday, to set up a Wednesday meal delivery. Staff called 119 senior households,
which represents 138 seniors. 69 households requested and received meals this past week.
Students
Technology and Innovation Services (TIS) staff report that the entire hotspot inventory has been exhausted. We
are currently work with AT&T on a resupply of another 300 devices. Staff is waiting to hear from the school
district as to what term of the contract with AT&T they would prefer.
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Public Safetv Plan Construction Pro
There have been no changes to the Public Safety Plan projects since the last report.
Compliance with the Governor's Order
There have been no changes to compliance issues since the last report.
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