CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
title
A RESOLUTION adopting revised financial policies for the Emergency Fund.
body
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council are committed to maintaining high standards of financial management; and
WHEREAS, adopting and periodically updating financial policies are important actions that help to ensure consistent and rational financial planning and management; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 31717 revised financial policies for the Emergency Subfund; and
WHEREAS, as part of the City’s conversion from SUMMIT to PeopleSoft 9.2, the Emergency Subfund was renamed the Emergency Fund; and
WHEREAS, the City has declared a State of Emergency in response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council wish to use some of the resources contained in the Emergency Fund to address the City’s response to the COVID-19 emergency in 2020 and 2021; and
WHEREAS, the City will not be able to restore the balance of the Emergency Fund according to the policy adopted in 2017 for several years; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council have reviewed the financial policies for the Emergency Fund and wish to revise and update those policies; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. Section 1. The City Council (“Council”) finds and declares:
A. In the exercise of The City of Seattle’s police powers, the City may pass regulations designed to protect and promote public peace, health, safety, and welfare.
B. On January 24, 2020, the Seattle Office of Emergency Management announced that the first reported case in Washington and in the United States of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) occurred in Snohomish County.
C. On February 28, 2020, Public Health - Seattle and King County announced the first King County and United States death due to COVID-19 at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, Washington.
D. On February 29, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency in response to new cases of COVID-19, directing state agencies to use all resources necessary to prepare for and respond to the outbreak.
E. On March 3, 2020, Mayor Jenny Durkan issued a proclamation of civil emergency in response to new cases of COVID-19, authorizing the Mayor to exercise the emergency powers necessary for the protection of the public peace, safety, and welfare.
F. On March 11, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee amended his emergency order to prohibit gatherings of 250 people or more for social, spiritual and recreational activities including, but not limited to, community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based, or sporting events; parades; concerts; festivals; conventions; fundraisers; and similar activities.
G. On March 13, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee amended his emergency order closing all schools in King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties through April 24, 2020 to apply statewide.
H. On March 13, 2020, the U.S. President declared that the COVID-19 outbreak constituted a national emergency.
I. On March 16, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee mandated the immediate two-week closure of all restaurants, bars, and entertainment and recreational facilities and amended his emergency order to prohibit gatherings of 50 people or more.
J. On March 18, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced a statewide moratorium on evictions, prohibiting landlords from serving a notice of unlawful detainer for default payment of rent and issuing a 20-day notice for unlawful detainer, unless the landlord provides an affidavit stating that the action is believed necessary to ensure the health and safety of the tenant or others.
K. On March 23, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced a “Stay-Home Stay Healthy” order that required that all non-essential businesses be closed and banned all gatherings for two weeks, and on April 2, extended the order until May 4. On May 1, 2020, Governor Inslee extended that order until May 31.
L. The City of Seattle’s 2020 Budget was adopted in late 2019, before the impacts of the COVID-19 could be anticipated.
M. The impacts of the COVID-19 emergency include a severe local, state, national, and global economic recession, all of which impact the City’s revenue streams. As a result, it is necessary for the City to revisit and adjust the 2020 Budget to reflect the new economic reality.
Section 2. The City Council adopts Attachment A to this resolution as Financial Policies for the Emergency Fund, which were last amended by Resolution 31717.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2020, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2020.
____________________________________
President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2020.
____________________________________
Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2020.
____________________________________
Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)
Attachments:
Attachment A - Emergency Fund Financial Policies