Also in this edition: Small business resources and additional guidance on parks, farmers markets, and safe streets



Durkan Digest Standard Header



This week, the City Budget Office released their latest economic forecasts and revenue projections for Seattle. Although there is still muchuncertaintyabout the total economic impact of this pandemic, what we know for certain that the effect on our workers, small businesses, non-profits and artists will be felt deeply for months and years to come. It will be tough, but just as Seattle has overcome challenges in the past, we will overcome this too.

Before this pandemic, a mere eight weeks ago, Seattle had three percent unemployment and one of the most booming economies in the country.The newforecastsshow a new devastating realitythat will continue in the following weeks and months:significant job loss, high unemployment andsignificantimpacts to the City budgetincluding a potential $300 million reduction in revenue for 2020. This is approximately a 20% loss in our general fundfor this year alone.

Understandingthat our sales tax and business taxes would facesignificantimpacts,I asked City departmentsin Marchto puta hold onor cutnon-essential and non-COVID19relatedhiring,travel, spending,and contracts.Whilethis will create significant savings, the Citymust work to rebalance our budget while also provideadditionalresourcesfor thecrisis responseto the most vulnerable in our community.The truth of the matter is, we have some tough decisions ahead of us. Those decisions will be made thoughtfully, and we will continue to prioritize the needs of those who need support the most.

To help our businesses, workers, and most vulnerable at scale, the Citysefforts alone wont be enough. An important part of both assistance and recovery is resources from the State and federal government, and I will continue to do everything possible to get the region the resources we need to get through this pandemic and to rebuild a strong, equitable City.

As we think about the 2020 budget, the Citys continuedcrisisresponse to COVID19, preparing to re-open, and long-term recovery, my team is focused on three priorities:decreasing the community spread for COVID-19,creating plansto reopen that prioritize worker and communitysafety,and short termassistanceand long term economic recoveryfor our workers andbusinesses.

My office and I will continue to focus on actions that get workers, families, and small business the relief they need. This week alone, we opened the doors of our librariesto increase the number of hygiene locations available to those experiencing homelessness, put a cap on the fees delivery app companies chargeso more money can go directlyto small businesses,and transmitted a plan to City Council to put $14 million towards rental assistance, small businesses and meals. [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ]

As always, remember to stay home and stay healthy. And, if you need to leave your house, be smart about it by keeping six feet from other people and wearing a mask.

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Delivery Fee Cap and Relief for Small Business
"Video Update" written on a blue background with the seal of the Mayor's Office below [ [link removed] ]

Click to watch this week's update

The Mayorsigned an executive order putting a 15% commission cap on third-partydeliveryservice companies andrequiringthat 100% of tips go to drivers.The announcement builds on measuresover the last two monthsby the Mayor to help small businessesduring the pandemic.The necessary statewide Stay Home, Stay Healthy ordercaused restaurants to rely solely on delivery and takeout services for revenue, and many restaurants use third-party delivery services to meet the needs of their customers and keep their staff safe. The 15 percent commission cap will remain in place until restaurants are allowed to offer dine-in service in the City of Seattle.

Mayor Durkan and the City of Seattle have worked to implement a series of actions that support artists, nonprofits, small businesses, and workers, including:


* Deferring utility payments for customers impacted by COVID-19;

* Implementing a temporary moratorium on residential, small business, and nonprofit evictions to provide relief for working people financially impacted by COVID-19;
* Creating temporary restaurant loading zones to facilitate curbside pickup at restaurants;
* Announcing a small business relief package that included deferred business taxes and a $2.5M stabilization fund;
* Creating a new Arts Recovery Package to provide immediate financial relief to artists and cultural organizations that have been impacted by COVID-19;
* Providing 6,250 Seattle families and 1,800 workers with $800 in grocery vouchers;

* Providing rent relief to tenants of City-owned facilities; and
* Partnering with United Way of King County and King County to invest $5 million in rental assistance to help families stay in their homes.
* Building the #SupportSeattleSmallBizmap to help residents find restaurants, bars, cafes, and breweries offering takeout or delivery in their neighborhood.

The City has also created a comprehensive resource page for residents and small businesses impacted by COVID- [ [link removed] ]19. [ [link removed] ] This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Parks, Farmers Markets and Stay Healthy Streets

Last weekend, the City announced additional guidelines for safe use of City parks, greenways and local farmers markets.As part of the #KeepItMovingcampaign, theCity allowedmajor parks to remain open throughout the weekendbut required thatresidents keep moving and not play sports, picnic or barbecue.City also openedtwo neighborhood greenways in West Seattle and the Central District to allow safe exercise opportunities free of cars.

The City also grantedU District and Ballard farmers markets one-time permits to operate. We saw vendors and customers alike largely following physical distancing guidelines and innovation from vendors including drive-throughs, pre-packing, and quick transactions. There were a few changes that needed to be made on-site to accomplish physical distancing requirements, but with the markets associations partnership, these changes were quickly implemented. The farmers markets continue to be a collaborative and responsive partner, and we look forward to our ongoing work together in these unprecedented circumstances.

Customer compliance is critical to ensuring the continued operation of our famers markets. If you plan on shopping at a farmers market this weekend, please make sure to follow mandatory physical distancing measures.Before you shop, please review this list of customer responsibilities and expectations. [ [link removed] ]Farmers markets are such beloved community hubs and they provide affordable, healthy food for residents across our City. Were so grateful for the serve they provide our residents, and we appreciate that residents are adjusting quickly to new public health guidance and expectations.

Following the success of last weekendsStayHealthyStreetsprogram, this weekend we are opening up six additional miles ofcalm residential streets to allow for safe social distancing while walking, rolling, running, skating, and biking.Greenwood [ [link removed] ],Othello and Rainier Beach [ [link removed] ], andBeacon Hill [ [link removed] ]communitieswill be able toaccess essential services, recreate, and walk their dogsnear their homeswhileprotecting their neighbors by keeping 6 feet apart24/7.

Were alsoextending the Central District [ [link removed] ]routeto includeEColumbia St, creatinga total of9milesof Stay Healthy Streets.Stay Healthy Streetsbuildsoff the196 miles of Seattles bike facilitiesand trails. [ [link removed] ]Read more about the Stay Healthy Streets program on theSDOTBlog. [ [link removed] ]

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Seattle, WA 98104

*Phone: 206-684-4000*

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