HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2021-01-04 Item 5A - COVID-19 - Coronavirus Weekly ReportCOUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS
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ITEM INFORMATION
ITEM No.
5.A.
99
STAFF SPONSOR: RACHEL BIANCHI
ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 01/04/21
AGENDA ITEM TITLE A weekly update on the City's planning and response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
CATEGORY 0 Discussion
❑ Motion
Mtg Date
❑ Resolution
Mtg Date
❑ Ordinance
Mtg Date
❑ Bid Award
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❑ Public Hearing
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❑ Other
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Mtg Date01/04/21
SPONSOR Council 00 Mayor ❑ HR ❑ DCD ❑ Finance ❑ Fire ❑ TS ❑ P&R ❑ Police ❑ PIF
SPONSOR'S The City is actively engaged in regional efforts to address the coronavirus (COVID-19).
SUMMARY 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.
COMMIFIEE
N/A
N/A
COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
$ $
Fund Source:
Comments:
MTG. DATE
RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
MTG. DATE
ATTACHMENTS
01/04/21
Coronavirus Report
99
100
Coronavirus Response Update
January 4, 2021
* 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
In the month of December, Human Services assisted a total 32 households (84 individuals) with a total of $27,611 in rent
($25,312) and utility assistance ($2,299). Five households (20 individuals) received utility assistance and 27 households
(64 individuals) received rental assistance. This was a combination of human services GF ($12,714) and HB 1406 rent
assistance only funds ($14,897).
Data on back owing rent:
Human Services staff spoke to 30 households in December, who had a collective total of $69,847 in back owing rent.
The ranges were from $700 to $7,500.
KC EPRAP (Eviction Prevention Rental Assistance Program) Individual households:
As of December 21, KC EPRAP resident 'lottery' for eviction prevention funds, had assisted 47 households with a total of
$199,459. Grants ranged from $330 to $12,000. The EPRAP Large Landlord data should be available in January 2021.
* Business Recovery
Business Re -Openings and Closings
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As of December 29, 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.
On December 21 the Governor updated guidance for religious services to change the cap on number of attendees to a
recommended limit. The update also allowed wedding receptions to resume with limitations.
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. In December the City completed the small business
grant program and issued checks to 27 childcare businesses.
On December 21, staff sent all Tukwila businesses an email with information about vaccines, quarantine and testing, a
regional COVID impact survey, and the pending Federal relief.
On December 27, the President signed the $900 billion COVID relief legislation which will provide, among other things:
$325 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL); establishment of the
first-ever emergency federal residential rental assistance program ($25 billion); extension of federal residential eviction
moratorium through January 31, 2021; $286 billion provided for direct economic relief ($600 direct payment) and
additional $300/week unemployment benefit through March 14, 2021, including an expansion of who is covered. Due to
the delay in Federal approval, people currently receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) or Pandemic
Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) are likely to not receive a payment for the final week of the year and
may incur a delay of payments as the new year starts.
Unemployment
The unemployment data report will be included monthly. Data through November is included as a separate memo in
this agenda packet.
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* Meeting our Community's Basic Needs
Tukwila Food Pantry
• 12/10 - 594
• 12/12 - 578
• 12/15 - 425
• 12/17-738
• 12/19 - 683
• 12/22 - 848
• 12/29 - 573
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: The final meal distribution for the year occurred December 16, 2020. A total of 15,660 meals
were distributed from April — December via the Senior Meal Drop program. Another 7402 meals were distributed
through the Meals on Wheels program.
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. During the closure, all
fitness equipment has been serviced and all the weight machines have been refurbished w/ paint and upholstery —
something that hasn't been done since TCC opened over 20 years ago. This will extend the life of the equipment for
several more years.
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. The program will start up again in early
January.
Youth meal and recreation activity kit distribution fall session ended on December 17t". The winter program will begin
January 11, 2021. The following table shows data from the summer (July 5 -August 27) and fall session
Grand Total
Summer
Fall
TOTAL
Attendance
3727
2791
6518
Lunches
6680
2545
9225
Breakfast Items
5352
3722
9074
Snack Bags
N/A
4104
4104
Rec Kits
4212
4592
8804
Masks
9236
1615
10851
Public Safety Plan Construction Projects
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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* 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 weeks was
hovering around 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.
• 12/28 — 693 individuals tested
• 12/27 — closed
• 12/26 - 472 individuals tested
• 12/25 — closed
• 12/24 — 373 individuals tested (site closed at noon for holiday)
• 12/23 — 535 individuals tested
• 12/22 — 922 individuals tested
* Public Health — Seattle & King County Covid-19 Outbreak Summary—Tukwila
i oatittives
Hospitalizations
Deaths due to
COVID-19 illness
All test results
People tested
Legend:
104
Select all m ° i mm CO.flrmmt'amt
Coo
Summary at counts for 'fn.limr.
Overall
Percent
R.alle per 1.00,0lN0
pared to King
residents County rate
1433 7 7.2% of all tests 5,413.3
55 0 4.9% of all positive cases 262.8
6 0 0.5% of all positive cases 28.7
74,706.2
7,102 49 33,932.2
15,636 148
Lower than overall King County rate
A
A
58.90
3.0
0.0
601.0
241.0
4 days
Percent
9,7%
5.2%
0.0%
Similar to overall King County rate ♦ Higher than overall King County rate
HnN
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
City of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
City Council
Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator
December 29, 2020
SUBJECT: Unemployment Report for November 2020
The attached table shows unemployment claims for zip codes 98168 and 98188 through the
week starting November 29, 2020.
As you can see from the chart, totals for initial claims and unduplicated continuing claims have
declined significantly from their peaks earlier this year. This reflects that many people returned
to work as the year progressed. However, the number of people who are unemployed remains
very high. The current unemployment rate for the residents of the City of Tukwila is not
available but can be very roughly estimated for these two zip codes at 14.2% at the end of
November. This is significantly higher than the unemployment rates for November for the
United States, Washington State, and King County of 6.7%, 6.0%, and 4.3%, respectively.
The chart shows a positive trend through October which indicates job losses had slowed and
people were returning to work. However, during the month of November, the totals for initial
claims and unduplicated claims remained generally flat. This indicates that we are not seeing
significant new job losses but we are also not seeing significant numbers of people returning to
work.
Although the trend slowed in November, we can see in the unduplicated continued claims that
the regular claims continue to decline while PEUC claims continue to increase. This indicates a
core of businesses who have not re -hired and whose workers are now long-term unemployed.
Currently, about half of the people receiving unemployment are getting it under the special
Federal PEUC program which was expected to end this week. Fortunately, on December 27th
the Federal Government extended that program through March 14 and added an additional
$300 per week.
Although not reflected in the attached chart, many self-employed persons ("gig workers") who
are out of work are receiving benefits through a special Federal program, Pandemic
Unemployment Assistance (PUA). The number of people receiving PUA in these two zip codes
is about 1/3 of the number receiving regular and PEUC unemployment. Fortunately, the
extension of Federal benefits included that program.
Notes:
(1) Unemployment data is not available for the specific boundaries of the City of Tukwila.
The attached chart includes data for two zip codes, which include parts of Tukwila,
SeaTac, and possibly parts of unincorporated King County.
105
INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Page 2
(2) Initial Claims reflect the week when an unemployed person first files a claim. The person
may have become unemployed prior to the week in which they first filed.
(3) Unduplicated Continued Claims reflect the total number of claims paid during a specific
week. This number may be seen as an approximation of the number of people who are
unemployed during that week.
(4) Regular Unemployment is the standard program for unemployed workers. Eligible
unemployed workers may receive regular unemployment for up to 26 weeks.
September ended approximately 26 weeks after the start of job losses caused by the
pandemic and some of the reductions in Regular Unduplicated Continued Claims may
be due to lapse of eligibility.
(5) Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) is an extension of regular
unemployment benefits that is available 3/29/20 through 3/14/21. Under PEUC
unemployed workers can receive benefits for an additional 13 weeks. After PEUC ends,
participants may receive up to 20 weeks of Extended Benefits provide by Washington
State.
(6) Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is not included in this report because it
covers self-employed people, independent contractors, and part-time workers (with
fewer than 680 hours). It is available from 2/2/20 through 3/14/21.
(7) Unemployment data for Tukwila area zip codes provided by Washington State
Employment Security Department.
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Unemployment Claims
Zip Codes 91868 and 98188
Week # Start Date Initial Claims Unduplicated Continued Claims
Regular PEUC Total Regular PEUC Total
10 8 -Mar 299 * 299 * * *
11 15 -Mar 1,573 * 1,573 * * *
12 22 -Mar 2,227 * 2,227 * * *
13 29 -Mar 2,313 * 2,313 * * *
14 5 -Apr 1,902 * 1,902 * * *
15 12 -Apr 1,181 89 1,270 6,279 - 6,279
16 19 -Apr 1,886 2,609 4,495 6,228 59 6,287
17 26 -Apr 1,449 612 2,061 6,859 99 6,958
18 3 -May 1,226 508 1,734 7,155 123 7,278
19 10 -May 1,227 519 1,746 7,377 136 7,513
20 17 -May 514 246 760 6,888 123 7,011
21 24 -May 427 153 580 7,088 124 7,212
22 31 -May 388 115 503 6,367 145 6,512
23 7 -Jun 390 112 502 6,069 154 6,223
24 14 -Jun 385 87 472 5,895 174 6,069
25 21 -Jun 388 94 482 5,968 204 6,172
26 28 -Jun 390 90 480 5,790 214 6,004
27 5 -Jul 385 88 473 5,689 191 5,880
28 12 -Jul 349 68 417 5,591 199 5,790
29 19 -Jul 333 87 420 5,345 198 5,543
30 26 -Jul 296 62 358 5,292 197 5,489
31 2 -Aug 273 75 348 4,904 235 5,139
32 9 -Aug 256 93 349 4,776 280 5,056
33 16 -Aug 202 73 275 4,618 315 4,933
34 23 -Aug 242 80 322 4,574 341 4,915
35 30 -Aug 281 108 389 4,474 388 4,862
36 6 -Sep 210 171 381 4,400 452 4,852
37 13 -Sep 224 164 388 4,182 557 4,739
38 20 -Sep 221 174 395 3,918 797 4,715
39 27 -Sep 212 163 375 3,419 1,136 4,555
40 4 -Oct 308 127 435 3,046 1,427 4,473
41 11 -Oct 249 129 378 2,785 1,604 4,389
42 18 -Oct 204 107 311 2,545 1,719 4,264
43 25 -Oct 155 81 236 2,439 1,751 4,190
44 1 -Nov 321 92 413 2,253 1,794 4,047
45 8 -Nov 180 76 256 2,254 1,750 4,004
46 15 -Nov 287 76 363 2,184 1,825 4,009
47 22 -Nov 230 68 298 2,183 1,823 4,006
48 29 -Nov 250 84 334 2,182 1,844 4,026
Note: See memo for explanations of the data.
Office of Economic Development I Updated 12/29/20
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