FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS
Tanisha Jumper, Media and Communications,tjumper@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5152
Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054
Tacoma City Council Confirms COVID-19 State of Emergency Proclamation
TACOMA, Wash. -- Council voted this evening to confirm the City of Tacoma’s March 12 state of emergency proclamation in response to COVID-19.
The City’s state of emergency proclamation was made in accordance with Tacoma Municipal Code Chapter 1.10. It allows the City to waive certain contracting and budget requirements, authorize staff to implement emergency purchasing requirements, and take other steps in response to the emergency.
Pursuant to the City’s state of emergency proclamation, Council required the City’s power, water, sanitary sewer, storm water, and solid waste utilities to postpone shutoffs for non-payment. Council also adopted Resolution No. 40575 approving the creation of an Emergency Assistance Program by Tacoma Public Utilities to allow more households to qualify for assistance. The Emergency Assistance Program is funded for up to $1 million.
As the City continues planning for a wide range of incidents and scenarios to ensure continuity of services for customers and community members, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department continues to provide updates on Pierce County residents who have received presumed positive test results for COVID-19 and the World Health Organization has officially categorized this outbreak as a pandemic.
At the recommendation of its Emergency Management Team and Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, City facilities including administrative offices at the Tacoma Municipal Building complex (747 Market St. and 733 Market St.) are closed to the public beginning at 7:30 AM on March 18, until further notice. Essential City services, including emergency services and solid waste collection services, remain operational.
Details on impacts of measures taken in response to COVID-19 on City facilities are available here.
Community members are strongly encouraged to participate at Council meetings in written form. This guidance extends to Public Comment for items on the agenda and Community Forum for items limited to matters over which the Council has jurisdiction.
Written comments may be submitted to cityclerk@cityoftacoma.org every Tuesday before 4 PM prior to that evening’s Council meeting, and comments will be compiled and sent to Council.
Pursuant to the City’s state of emergency proclamation, Council has set the maximum occupancy of Council Chambers, not including Council and staff, at 10. This number is consistent with current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations.
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the CDC also recommend that individuals over the age of 60 as well as individuals with underlying medical conditions – like heart disease, lung disease or diabetes – stay home as much as possible and avoid crowds.
Council meetings are televised on TV Tacoma, which is carried on both the Click! and Comcast Cable systems.
On Click!
High definition on channel 512 in Tacoma and Pierce County
Standard definition on channel 12 in Tacoma and Pierce County
Standard definition on channel 21 in University Place
On Comcast
High definition on channel 321 in Tacoma and Pierce County
Standard definition on channel 12 in Tacoma
Standard definition on channel 21 in Pierce County
Not available in University Place
Council meetings can also be streamed on tvtacoma.com or on Facebook Live at facebook.com/cityoftacoma.
A recording of this morning’s press conference, hosted by Mayor Victoria Woodards in partnership with Dr. Anthony Chen, Health Director, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and Scott Heinze, Board President, Tacoma Public Schools, is available here.
As the situation evolves, information about the City’s response to COVID-19 will be posted on the “What’s Going On” section of the City’s website. Information about COVID-19 is available at TPCHD.org/coronavirus.
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