HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2020-12-14 Item 4A - COVID-19 - Coronavirus Weekly ReportITEM INFORMATION
STAFF SPONSOR: RACHEL BIANCHI ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 12/14/20
AGENDA ITEM TITLE A weekly update on the City’s planning and response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
CATEGORY Discussion Motion Resolution Ordinance Bid Award Public Hearing Other
Mtg Date 12/14/20 Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date
SPONSOR Council Mayor HR DCD Finance Fire TS P&R Police PW
SPONSOR’S
SUMMARY The City is actively engaged in regional efforts to address the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Staff are providing the Council with updated information regarding the City’s response to
COVID-19.
REVIEWED BY Trans&Infrastructure CommunitySvs/Safety Finance Com Planning/Economic Dev.
LTAC Arts Comm. Parks Comm. Planning Comm.
DATE: N/A COMMITTEE CHAIR:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
SPONSOR/ADMIN. N/A
COMMITTEE N/A
COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
$ $ $
Fund Source:
Comments:
MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS
12/14/20 Coronavirus Report
C OUNCIL AGENDA S YNOPSIS
----------------------------------Initials --------------------------------- I TEM N O.
Meeting Date Prepared by Mayor’s review Council review
12/14/20 RB 4.A.
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Coronavirus Response Update
December 14, 2020
* Denotes All New Content in the Section
Essential Services and City Operations
With the recent Governor’s order, staff is being extra vigilant to ensure that worksites are being inhabited under the
mandated 25% capacity and that City facilities are being utilized only be staff who must report to work in order to
complete their jobs.
*Financial Stability
On Monday, December 7, the City Council adopted the proposed budget for the 2021-2022 biennium. The budget, as
adopted, includes an increase in service levels for street and park maintenance as well as human services. Noted in the
budget video and letter that was presented to City Council on October 5 is the fact that the City is in better financial
shape than anticipated in May when various cost-cutting measures were implemented. Due to the early action of the
Council and the tremendous sacrifice by our non-represented staff and most of our labor partners, the City is in a good
financial condition in 2020. While in May of this year the City initially projected the need to use $4.8 million in
contingency in 2020, the proposed Mayor’s budget uses only $700,000 from contingency this year and zero ongoing
contingency in 2021 and 2022. Even with utilizing this amount of contingency on a one-time basis, the City still
approaches 2021 and 2022 with contingency and reserve funds higher than the Council’s adopted policies.
Police Staffing and Calls for Service
There have been no changes to Police staffing since the last report.
Fire Staffing and Calls for Service
There have been no changes to Fire staffing since the last report.
*Human Services
This week human services staff assisted 12 households (36 individuals) with a total of $11,598.97 in rental and utility
assistance funds (HB 1406= $8268, GF=$3,330.97). One of these households (5 individuals) was assisted with $315 for
utility assistance.
New (follow-up data requested at budget workshop):
Responding to CM Kruller’s request regarding data on back owing rents from Tukwila residents: 8 residents confirmed to
HS staff that they owed $32,555 in back rent. While that averages to over $4,069 per household, the range was
between $1910 and $7,500. Having the flexibility to provide a grant up to $3000 lifetime maximum would provide
greater housing stability to those most needing assistance.
Also part of our discussion, KC EPRAP – King County Eviction Prevention Rental Assistance Program (lottery)
Tukwila specific data regarding the KC EPRAP individual tenant rental assistance program: 85 individual Tukwila tenants
have been assisted through the lottery as of the end of November. Although actual dollars spent cannot be confirmed
until January, program wide applicants are averaging approximately $3400 per unduplicated household. (potential value
of grants approximately $289,000)
KC EPRAP Large Landlord assistance (9 or more units): 13 Properties in Tukwila have been approved for the Large
Landlord rental assistance program. As of the end of November, these 13 properties are estimating a total of $945,000
in back owing rent. These numbers will not be verified until January 2021.
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* Business Recovery
Business Re-Openings and Closings
As of December 9, King County continues in Phase 2 of Washington’s “Safe Start” four phase business reopening plan.
The State continues to be “on pause” for counties to move into higher phases. Twenty-two counties are in Phase 2 and
17 are in Phase 3. None are in Phase 4.
During our current phase most of Tukwila’s business activities are allowed to be open (some under significant capacity
limitations and safety procedures). Key Tukwila business activities still not allowed in this phase include indoor card
rooms, indoor events, indoor bowling (except some league play), spectators at events, and vending game areas (pool
tables, video games, arcades, etc.). Card rooms are currently allowed outdoors in tents with restrictions (e.g. if two walls
are open, etc.).
Currently, COVID cases are surging and on December 8th the Governor announced that the temporary new restrictions
on some types of businesses are now extended through January 4. For Tukwila, the new restrictions that have the
greatest impact are:
• Restaurants and bars are closed for indoor service. Outdoor dining and to-go service is still permitted.
• Personal services are limited to 25% of maximum occupancy. This is a decrease from 50% for this phase.
• Fitness facilities and gyms are closed for indoor operations.
• Bowling centers and movie theaters are closed for indoor service.
• Museums are closed for indoor service.
• In-store retail is limited to 25% indoor capacity. This is a decrease from 30% for this phase. It will affect the mall
and some retailers but not all retail since some retail never operates at maximum capacity.
The largest impact on Tukwila businesses will be on the restaurants. The limit on indoor dining also limits the food court
at the mall to carry-out only. Some Tukwila restaurants may decide to open outdoor dining inside tents in their parking
lots.
Business Assistance
Work continues on Experience Tukwila, the Great Tukwila Carry-Out, SavingLocalKC.com, Southside Promise, and
collaborating with the Chamber and other regional organizations.
The application period for the small business grant program closed on December 11. Staff will notify the applicants of
their award by 12/16 and checks will be mailed in late December. We anticipate issuing approximately 24 grants of
approximately $1,000 each. This is funded from Federal CARES Act funds through King County.
On December 3, staff sent all Tukwila businesses an email with information about the new Working Washington grants
and other resources. An example of that email is attached.
Unemployment
The unemployment data report will be included monthly. Data through October was included in the agenda packet for
the November 23 Council meeting.
Business Clean and Safe Protocols
Tukwila businesses are investing significant effort to reassure their customers that they have clean and safe protocols
and that customers can shop and dine safely. Businesses are taking steps such as: requiring customers and employees
to wear masks, frequently sanitizing customer service areas, enforcing social distancing, increasing ventilation, posting
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signage promoting the safety protocols, following the State’s reopening guidelines, and implementing best practices
recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH).
The Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce is leading the Southside Promise, which is an outreach initiative that
provides businesses with tools and resources to reopen successfully and draw tourists and members of our community
to those newly re-opened businesses, all while remaining committed to public health. Participating businesses receive
reopening checklists, safe procedures, forms, signage, technical assistance, and marketing. The Southside Promise
launched in early August and is funded with $50,000 from Tukwila’s lodging taxes.
The Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority and Visit Seattle are asking tourism and hospitality businesses to take
the All Clear King County Pledge. As businesses take the pledge, visitors and residents can feel reassured that
companies and service providers are taking the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe as they travel in their
nearby communities. Businesses who take the pledge can participate in a countywide “Do Something” marketing
campaign intended to encourage King County residents and visitors to safely support local businesses. The Do
Something campaign launched in early October and is funded with $8 million from King County’s federal CARES Act
funds.
*Meeting our Community’s Basic Needs
Tukwila Food Pantry
•12/01 – 517
•12/03 – 756
•12/05 – 528
National Guard personnel is expected to stay on with the Pantry until March 2021 with a possibility of extending to June
2021.
Senior Meal Distribution: Meals numbers reflect distribution for the week of December 7:
•333 meals delivered
•69 people
•63 households
The Fitness Room at the Tukwila Community Center, along with in person fitness classes, have been placed on HOLD
since November 18, 2020, per Governor Inslee’s orders to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Staff learned this week that
restrictions have been extended into January.
The Youth Care Program at the Tukwila Community Center started the week of October 12, 2020. Attendance has
ranged from 9 – 16 kids per week. SkyHawks Sports is operating the program.
Youth meal and recreation activity kit distribution for the week of November 30 – December 3 was as follows:
•Recreation Activity Kits: 375
•Meals: 270
•Snacks: 422
•Masks: 147
•Breakfast: 422
•Overall Attendance: 249
Public Safety Plan Construction Projects
There have been no changes to the Public Safety Plan projects since the last report.
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Compliance with the Governor’s Order
There have been no changes to compliance issues since the last report.
* Covid-19 Testing Sites
Below are the three current nearest testing sites in/to Tukwila. For more information on free testing sites in King County,
visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/testing.aspx
• Tukwila Pantry, testing is no longer being offered at the Tukwila Pantry
• Highline College, Wednesdays 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Church by the Side of the Road, beginning Tuesday, October 6, 2020, 8:30 to 5:30 Monday through Saturday.
• Abu Bakr Islamic Center expects to offer free testing once a month.
The following are the number of individuals tested over the past week at the Church by the Side of the Road. This is a
regional testing facility drawing individuals from across south King County. Positive rates for the prior week was
18.5%. All testing locations in the region are seeing a significant surge in the number of people requesting tests. King
County has contracted with off-duty officers to provide traffic management along Tukwila International Boulevard and
Military Road to mitigate traffic impacts in the neighborhood.
• 12/9 – 586 individuals tested
• 12/8 – 418 individuals tested
• 12/7 – 617 individuals tested
• 12/6 - Closed
• 12/5 – 468 individuals tested
• 12/4 – 460 individuals tested
• 12/3 – 498 individuals tested
• 12/2 – 476 individuals tested
* Public Health – Seattle & King County Covid-19 Outbreak Summary – Tukwila
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1
Derek Speck
From:City of Tukwila <scott.kirby@tukwilawa.gov>
Sent:Thursday, December 3, 2020 10:29 AM
To:Derek Speck
Subject:COVID-19 Update for Tukwila Businesses - December 3, 2020
December 3, 2020
Dear Tukwila Business:
We hope you had a safe and happy Thanksgiving. As you know, recently coronavirus
infection and hospitalization rates have risen significantly and so we wish you the best for
keeping your business and employees healthy and safe this month. Here are some
resources you may find to be helpful:
Washington State Grants for Small Business – Apply NOW!
Washington State has started accepting applications from small businesses for grants of
up to $20,000 as part of the Working Washington Small Business Grants
program. Priority will go to businesses with 2019 annual revenues below $5 million and
in sectors most impacted by public health measures to combat the coronavirus such as
restaurants, fitness centers, bowling alleys and music and event venues. Visit the site for
more information including a list of organizations who will provide free translation and
other assistance with your application. You can sign up for a free webinar on how to
apply here. Good luck!
New Flexibility for Outdoor Dining and Temporary Signs
Tukwila businesses can now install small tents and seating in their parking lots for
customers to eat or wait without needing a permit. Larger tents and certain types of
heaters still require permits. See the flyer for more details.
Keep It Local King County
King County recently launched a shop local social media campaign with a focus on the
next few weeks. Businesses can participate for free by posting to your own social media
and matching daily themes and hashtags. Find out more and download graphics
here.
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2
Shop Local Contest
Now through December 18th, the Southside Promise’s Shop Local Contest is incentivizing
customers to shop local in Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac and Tukwila. All
that customers need to do is take a photo of their receipt and send it to
Promise@SeattleSouthsideChamber.com with the subject line “Shop Local Contest”
to be entered to win $500 cash. Businesses can participate for free and do not need to be
Chamber members. Click here for more information.
Post Your Deal Online at SavingLocalKC
If your business offers a deal that customers can purchase online or over the phone, you
can post it for free at SavingLocalKC.com.
Free Marketing for Restaurant Carry-Out
If your restaurant offers carry-out, you can reach additional customers for free by
participating in the Great Tukwila Carry Out.
Free PPE Supplies for Bars and Restaurants
Public Health – Seattle & King County is providing free COVID-19 protection supplies
to bars and restaurants including facemasks, gloves, thermometers, hand sanitizer,
disinfecting solutions, plus posters and educational materials. Starfire Sports Complex in
Tukwila will host one of the drive-through distribution sites between 10 AM and Noon on
Thursday, December 17. Find more information and other dates and locations here.
Stay healthy,
Office of Economic Development
City of Tukwila
City of Tukwila | 6200 Southcenter Blvd, Tukwila, WA 98188
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