CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the City Light and Seattle Public Utilities Departments; temporarily removing the charge of interest on delinquent utility consumption and utilization accounts; superseding several sections under Title 21 that authorize and require the collection of interest on delinquent utility consumption and utilization accounts; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
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WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar declared a public health emergency, beginning on January 27, 2020, as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Washington on February 29, 2020 issued Proclamation 20-05, proclaiming a State of Emergency for all counties throughout the state of Washington; and
WHEREAS, on March 3, 2020, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan proclaimed a civil emergency
exists in the City of Seattle; and
WHEREAS, while this practice of social distancing is critical in mitigating the rate of spread of the COVID-19 virus, it is having significant negative economic effects on the national and regional economy, in particular small businesses and workers in large sectors of the Seattle-area economy who cannot work remotely; and
WHEREAS, Seattle Public Utilities has several Seattle Municipal Code provisions requiring collection of interest on delinquent utility consumption and utilization charges; and
WHEREAS, Seattle Municipal Code ("SMC") Section 21.49.130 authorizes the City Light Department to charge interest on delinquent utility consumption and utilization accounts, but requires compliance with SMC Chapter 3.02 procedures for any changes; and
WHEREAS, a consistent temporary policy towards relief from the collection of interest on delinquent utility consumption and utilization policy is intended for utility ratepayers having dif...
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