Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 41861 ORDINANCE NO. 4186 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, TO AUTHORIZE TRANSFER OF UP TO $100,000 FROM THE CITY’S HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE FUND FOR A SHORT-TERM PROGRAM TO ASSIST COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXPERIENCING HARDSHIP IN MEETING CERTAIN BASIC NEEDS DUE TO THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY WHEREAS, our city and region are experiencing a public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to sudden job losses and lower paychecks for some residents, as well as increased household costs to deal with COVID-19 impacts; and WHEREAS, unemployment claims have increased greatly since the COVID-19 crisis began and 83,796 unemployment claims were filed in Snohomish County during the four weeks ending April 11, 2020, according to the state Department of Employment Security; and WHEREAS, households earning 60% or less of the county median income are most affected by sudden changes to incomes and expenses; and WHEREAS, about 25% of Edmonds’ households earned 60% or less of the Snohomish County median family income in 2019; and WHEREAS, Chapter 3.85 ECC authorizes a homelessness response fund “to provide moneys with which to alleviate the problems of homelessness in Edmonds and the surrounding area”; and WHEREAS, Chapter 3.85 ECC prohibits the transfer of any funds from the Homelessness Response Fund without an authorizing ordinance having been adopted by the City Council; and WHEREAS, the Mayor declared an emergency of the city due to the COVID-19 crisis on March 5, 2020; and WHEREAS, the Washington State Governor issued a Stay Home order on March 23, 2020, and 2 WHEREAS, on April 21, 2020, the Governor stated that “A safe return to public life will require increased social and emotional supports, food and housing security, educational and child care support, internet infrastructure and equitable access to services”; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Article 8, Section 7 of the Washington constitution, the City is allowed to use public funds “for the necessary support of the poor and infirm;” and WHEREAS, RCW 35A.12.130 allows city councils to adopt public emergency ordinances, provided that the ordinance is passed by a majority plus one of the city council and meets other requirements of the statute; and WHEREAS, the City has determined that COVID-19 and its associated impacts have created a public health emergency, making it necessary for the protection of public health and public safety to adopt an emergency ordinance to prevent homelessness and reduce health and safety impacts by providing temporary assistance to qualifying households; and WHEREAS, assistance to qualifying household may be provided through transfer of moneys from the City’s existing Homelessness Response Fund; NOW THEREFORE; THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. To limit the negative effect on Edmonds residents facing serious economic impacts, which may include income loss and increased costs due to COVID-19, the city council hereby authorizes the transfer of up to $100,000 from the Homelessness Response Fund. City staff may establish specific program requirements and enter into agreements with one or more qualifying human services organizations, which will, collectively, grant up to $100,000 from the Homelessness Response Fund to support and provide emergency aid to qualifying residents of Edmonds. Funds will be distributed monthly in $33,000 increments and, to ensure the funds are serving the purpose for which they are intended, monthly reports will be provided to council outlining the organizations that have received funding, how many people they served, and the specific services provided. The qualifying human services organizations may distribute aid from this fund in amounts up to $1,000 per household for assistance with rent, food, medical, childcare, or utility costs. Receiving households must be residents of Edmonds who earned less than 60% of 3 the Snohomish County median income in 2019 and can demonstrate reduced income or increased costs due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Section 2. The authority provided in Section 1 shall end by September 30, 2020. Funds not distributed to qualifying households by that date shall be returned to the City. Section 3. Any organization providing emergency aid under Section 1 shall provide a written monthly reports and a final report to the City by October 30, 2020, about the amount of aid given, the purpose and criteria by which it was distributed, and any other pertinent information. Section 4. Severability. If any section, subsection, clause, sentence, or phrase of this ordinance should be held invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. Section 5. Declaration of Emergency. The City Council hereby declares that an emergency exists necessitating that this Ordinance take effect immediately upon passage by a majority vote plus one of the whole membership of the Council, and that the same is not subject to a referendum (RCW 35A.12.130). The region is in the midst of a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 virus, which has also become an economic emergency for many households, particularly those who earned less than 60% of the Snohomish County median income in 2019. Section 6. Publication. This Ordinance shall be published by an approved summary consisting of the title. Section 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force and effect immediately upon passage, as set forth herein, as long as it is approved by a majority plus one of the entire membership of the Council, as required by RCW 35A.12.130. If it is only approved by a majority of the Council, it will take effect five days after passage and publication. APPROVED: MAYOR MIKE NELSON ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED: