CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the City Light Department; amending terms and conditions pertaining to the emergency bill assistance program and temporarily expanding access to assistance to certain eligible households for a limited time in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-19") emergency; and amending Section 21.49.042 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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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 due to the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-19") in the United States; and
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, the Governor of the State of Washington 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 that a civil emergency exists in The City of Seattle; and
WHEREAS, on September 21, 2021, in response to the continued threat posed by the COVID-19 Delta variant, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan issued Executive Order 2021-07, ordering the City Light Department ("City Light") to resume disconnections for nonpayment no earlier than January 15, 2022; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle's disconnection moratorium expired on April 15, 2022, and City Light plans to launch an extensive outreach and engagement campaign to customers with electric bill arrearages; and
WHEREAS, Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 35.92.020(5) authorizes cities to aid low-income persons in connection with services provided under chapter 35.92 RCW, Municipal Utilities; and
WHEREAS, Seattle Municipal Code Section 21.49.042 authorizes an emergency low-income bill assistance program whereby customers meeting certain criteria may receive a credit against delinquent bills; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse financial impact on many City Light customers; and
WHEREAS, the...
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