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, 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 presence of the Delta variant continues to impact economic activity and recovery in many sectors; and
WHEREAS, more than 24,000 City Light residential customers have an overdue balance greater than $300 as of ...
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