HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2020-004 Authorizing COVID-19 Economic Relief RESOLUTION NO. 2020-004
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ARLINGTON AUTHORIZING COVID-19 ECONOMIC RELIEF
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, the Governor of the State of Washington
proclaimed that a State of Emergency existed in all counties in the State of Washington
due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19); and
WHEREAS, on March 5, 2020, I, Mayor Barbara Tolbert, issued a Declaration of
Emergency as a result of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the Governor issued an emergency proclamation
requiring all K-12 schools to close from March 17, 2020 through April 24, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Governor issued an emergency proclamation
placing statewide limits on food and beverage services, restricting large gatherings of the
public, and recommending the public practice "social distancing"; and
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2020, the Governor issued the Stay Home, Stay Healthy
order to stop spread of the disease; and
WHEREAS, these recommendations and restrictions are to protect the health and
safety of the citizens of Washington, but have an adverse impact on local businesses and
residents including loss of income, layoffs, and reduced work hours which will lead to
significant financial hardships with the inability to pay rent, utilities, and other basic
expenses; and
WHEREAS, the city proposes to provide temporary economic relief to local
businesses and residents as a way to mitigate financial hardships as a result of the impact
of COVID-19; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARLINGTON,
WASHINGTON AS FOLLOWS:
1. Utility Customers:
a. City staff is authorized to implement a late fee and shut off waiver for April,
May, and June 2020.
b. City staff is authorized to extend the payment arrangement program from 10
days to three months. The three-month agreement would be a one-time
agreement which could be entered into anytime beginning April 1 through June
30, 2020. No late fees or shut off would be applied during the payment
arrangement period as long as the terms are being met.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2020-004
2. Airport Customers:
a. City staff is authorized to implement a late fee waiver for April, May, and
June 2020.
b. City staff is authorized to offer a three-month payment arrangement with the
same terms as above, except that account may be turned over to collection
(instead of shut off) if the terms of the arrangement are not met.
3. Gambling Taxes: City staff is authorized to allow customers to pay and file taxes up
to July 15, 2020, instead of monthly. This will aid businesses in paying employees first.
4. Lodginjg Tax Grant Recipients: City staff is authorized to allow grant recipients to
choose any of the following options for events postponed or cancelled in 2020.
Reimbursement of expenses are only authorized for the specific budget items that were
awarded in the 2020 grant agreement. All new program and project requests for 2021
will go through the regular application process;
a. Allow the 2020 event to be rescheduled to 2021, the full amount awarded in
2020 will carryover for use at the same event in 2021 and the application process
for 2021 will be waived. No reimbursement of expenses incurred in 2020. The
application process will still apply for new events.
b. For events cancelled and not rescheduled in 2021, reimburse expenses incurred
up to April 7, 2020 and waive the 33% match requirement. No amounts will
carryover.
c. Reimburse expenses incurred up to April 7, 2020 and allow the balance of
unspent grant funds to be carried over and applied to the same event in 2021.
The 33% match requirement will be waived for the portion of expenses incurred
in 2020. The application process in 2021 will be waived. The application process
will still apply for new events.
ADOPTED by the City Council and APPROVED by the Mayor this 61h day of April,
2020.
CITY OF ARLINGTON
Barbara Tolbert, Mayor
YAEST: .,
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Wendy VA Der Meersche, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Ste e . Peiffle, City Attorney
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