HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2020-10-05 Item 4H - COVID-19 - Community Assistance: City Utility Payments (Thru 12/31/20)ITEM INFORMATION
STAFF SPONSOR: VICKY CARLSEN ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 09/28/20
AGENDA ITEM TITLE COVID-19 Community Assistance: City Utility Payments
CATEGORY Discussion Motion Resolution Ordinance Bid Award Public Hearing Other
Mtg Date 09/28/20 Mtg Date 10/5/20 Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date
SPONSOR Council Mayor HR DCD Finance Fire TS P&R Police PW Court
SPONSOR’S
SUMMARY
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City’s Finance adopted interim polices to aid
Tukwila water and sewer ratepayers. These policies include discontinuing water shut offs
after March 15, waiving late fees, and allowing ratepayers to set payment schedules. The
Council is being asked to extend the emergency procedures enacted by the Finance
Department through December31, 2020.
REVIEWED BY Trans&Infrastructure CommunitySvs/Safety Finance Comm. Planning/Economic Dev.
LTAC Arts Comm. Parks Comm. Planning Comm.
DATE: 09/28/20 COMMITTEE CHAIR: SEAL
RECOMMENDATIONS:
SPONSOR/ADMIN.
COMMITTEE
COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
$ $ $
Fund Source:
Comments:
MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
09/28/20
10/5/20
MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS
09/28/20 Informational Memorandum dated 09/21/20
Interim emergency policy regarding City water and sewer accounts
10/5/20
COUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS
----------------------------------Initials --------------------------------- ITEM NO.
Meeting Date Prepared by Mayor’s review Council review
09/28/20 Vicky
10/05/20 Vicky
Interim emergency policy regarding City water and sewer accounts
Forward to next Regular Meeting Consent Agenda
4.H.
65
66
Page 1 of 2
City of Tukwila
Water and Sewer Utility Policies in Response to COVID‐19
SUBJECT: Temporary Policy to Discontinue Water Shut‐off for Non‐Payment of Water and
Sewer Service Fees and to Discontinue the Imposition of Late Fees on Delinquent
Water and Sewer Accounts
PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to temporarily suspend the imposition of past‐due
and late penalties on delinquent water and sewer accounts and to temporarily
discontinue the water shut‐off on delinquent accounts subsequent to Governor
Inslee’s February 29, 2020 Proclamation of Emergency No. 20 05 and subsequent
orders. This policy will be effective on April 1, 2020 and will expire on September
30, 2020December 31, 2020 unless otherwise terminated or extended.
SCOPE: This policy applies to all City of Tukwila water and sewer customers.
DEFINITIONS:
1. “Public Health Emergency” shall mean any such emergency declared by the Governor of
the State of Washington pursuant to his or her powers under 38.08, 38.52 and 43.06 RCW,
any such emergency declared by the King County Executive pursuant to RCW 38.52, or
the Mayor of the City of Tukwila pursuant to RCW 38.52.
2. “Water Shut‐off” shall mean any notice of water shut‐off, the act of shutting‐off water,
and any fees, charges, or monetary penalties associated with water shut‐off and turn‐on
set forth in TMC 14.04.125 and TMC 14.04.130.
3. “Late fees” shall mean any penalty, fee, or charge associated with a delinquent account
as set forth in TMC 14.04.270.
POLICY:
During a Public Health Emergency, the City of Tukwila shall discontinue the issuance of Shut‐off
Notices for delinquent water and sewer accounts for the duration of the Public Health
Emergency. In addition, the City shall not apply Late Fees incurred after April 1on delinquent
accounts during the Public Health Emergency.
This policy does not suspend regular monthly utility charges for water and sewer service.
Customers are encouraged to continue making regular payments. In addition, late fee or water
shut off fees incurred before March 15 are required to be paid.
PROCEDURE:
The following procedures are established to allow for community members to continue receiving
water and sewer, utility service, without penalty, during a declared Public Health Emergency.
Notification
A. The Utility Billing Division shall provide written notice of the policy herein to customers
with delinquent accounts. Such notice shall state that all past due amounts are still owed
67
Page 2 of 2
but that a penalties incurred after March 15, 2020 will be suspended, and disconnections
will be postponed for the duration of the Public Health Emergency. In order to prevent
spoilage and to protect the City’s utility system, the City shall still disconnect water of
properties the City determines are vacant.
B. Within thirty (30) days of termination of the Public Health Emergency, the Finance
Director will review delinquent accounts and will work with customers to enter into
repayment plans as in the Director’s discretion is appropriate as to each account.
C. Late fees and shutoff shall resume 30‐days after discontinue of this temporary policy in
response to COVID‐19
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 1, 2020
APPROVAL:
______________________________________ ______________________________
Mayor Allan Ekberg De’Sean Quinn, Council President
________________________ ______________________________
Vicky Carlsen, Finance Director Kari Sand, City Attorney (initials)
68