HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial 2021-02-22 Item 3C - COVID-19 - Community Assistance: City Utility Payments Effective on 4/1/20ITEM INFORMATION
STAFF SPONSOR: VICKY CARLSEN ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 2/22/21
AGENDA ITEM TITLE COVID-19 Community Assistance: City Utility Payments
CATEGORY Discussion Motion Resolution Ordinance Bid Award Public Hearing Other
Mtg Date 2/22/21 Mtg Date 2/22/21 Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date
SPONSOR Council Mayor Admin Svcs DCD Finance Fire P&R Police PW
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 until futher notice.
REVIEWED BY Trans&Infrastructure Svcs Community Svcs/Safety Finance & Governance Planning & Community Dev.
LTAC Arts Comm. Parks Comm. Planning Comm.
DATE: 2/8/21 COMMITTEE CHAIR: IDAN
RECOMMENDATIONS:
SPONSOR/ADMIN. Department of Community Development
COMMITTEE Unanimous Approval; Forward to Committee of the Whole
COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
$ $ $
Fund Source:
Comments:
MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
2/22/21
MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS
2/22/21 Informational Memorandum dated 2/2/21
Interim Emergency Policy
Minutes from the Finance and Governance meeting of 2/8/21
COUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS
----------------------------------Initials ---------------------------------
Meeting Date Prepared by Mayor’s review Council review
2/22/21 Vicky
I TEM NO .
Spec 3.C.
53
54
City of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
Finance & Governance Committee
Vicky Carlsen, Finance Director
CC: Mayor Ekberg
DATE: February 2, 2021
SUBJECT: COVID-19
Community Assistance, City Utility Payments
ISSUE
Extend interim emergency policies regarding City water and sewer accounts in
response to COVID-19 until further notice, and consistent with any revised
proclamations or other orders issued by the Governor.
BACKGROUND
On February 29, 2020 Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency regarding the
COVID-19 Pandemic, directing state agencies to use resources necessary to prepare
for and respond to the outbreak. The Mayor issued a Proclamation declaring an
emergency on March 9, 2020. The City Council affirmed the emergency declaration at
its March 16 meeting.
As result of the Pandemic, the City has closed all City buildings to the public and moved
most City functions to a virtual city hall model.
Due to the economic disruptions in the community and the disruptions in City
operations, the Finance Department has adopted the following interim policy for all City
water and/or sewer accounts, both commercial and residential. These temporary
policies are consistent with policies adopted by other utility providers in the region, such
Water District 125, Seattle City Light, and Puget Sound Energy.
1. No late fees or penalties for non-payment would be incurred, effective with the
April 2020 billing.
2. Effective March 16, 2020, water shutoff for non-payment is suspended for
occupied premises. Due to concerns with potential squatting and protection of
the City’s utility system, water shutoffs for vacant properties will still occur. Water
Shut Off fees incurred prior to March 16, 2020 would still be due if there is a
request to restore service.
3. Customers can establish payment plans by calling the City’s Finance
Department.
55
INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Page 2
https://tukwilawa.sharepoint.com/sites/mayorsoffice/cc/CC Docs/Old W/2021 Info Memos/Info Memo - Water and Sewer Utility Payment Waiver Extended
2.2.21.docx
DISCUSSION
TMC 2.57.040 (3) requires the City Council to affirm any rules or regulations related to
the protection of life, environment, and property that are affected by the emergency.
The policy is one avenue that the City can do to help Tukwila community members
during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As a reminder, the policy only applies to ratepayers
within the City’s water and sewer service area. The policy was set to expire on
December 31, 2020 and staff is requesting that this policy be extended until further
notice, consistent with any revised proclamations or other orders issued by the
Governor of the State of Washington. This will allow the City to align shut off and late
fee policies with the proclamations at the State level.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City typically collects $2,000 in late fees per month from late payments, though it is
reasonable to assume there will be additional late fees incurred by utility customers
during the Pandemic due to employment and revenue disruption. This revenue would
be lost. Allowing delayed payments could also result in a cash flow issue for each of the
utilities.
RECOMMENDATION
Reaffirm the emergency policy provided by City Administration. Staff is requesting that
this item be placed on the February 22, 2021 committee of the Whole and Special
Meeting immediately following.
ATTACHMENTS
Interim emergency policy regarding City water and sewer accounts
56
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 December
31, 2020 unless otherwise terminated or extendeduntil further notice, consistent
with any revised proclamations or other orders issued by the Governor.
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
57
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 QuinnKate Kruller, Council President
Vicky Carlsen, Finance Director Kari Sand, City Attorney (initials)
58
City of Tukwila
City Council Finance & Governance Committee
Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2021 – 5:30 p.m. – Electronic Meeting due to COVID-19 Emergency
Councilmembers Present: Zak Idan, Chair; Kathy Hougardy, Cynthia Delostrinos Johnson
Staff Present: Vicky Carlsen, David Cline, Laurel Humphrey
Chair Idan called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
I.BUSINESS AGENDA
A.COVID-19 Community Assistance – City Utility Payments
Staff is seeking Council approval to extend the interim emergency policies on city water and
sewer accounts until further notice, consistent with revised proclamations or other orders
issued by the Governor.
Committee Recommendation
Unanimous approval. Forward to February 22, 2021 Special Meeting Consent Agenda.
B.Ordinance: Appeals Authority for Animal Control
Staff is seeking Council approval of an ordinance to amend Tukwila Municipal Code 7.12.260
and 7.12.270 to change references from “board of appeals” to “King County Hearing Examiner”
to be consistent with the County’s code.
Item(s) needing follow-up:
Provide link to the current interlocal agreement.
Committee Recommendation
Unanimous approval. Forward to February 22, 2021 Committee of the Whole.
C.2020 4th Quarter Investment Report
Staff presented the report.
Item(s) needing follow-up:
Include information on interest budget to actuals in future reports.
Committee Recommendation
Discussion only.
D.2021-2022 Budget Survey
Committee members and staff discussed the online survey, including development,
implementation, results, and lessons learned for the future.
59