Also in this edition: Weekly Updates on Vaccinations, and Seattle Department of Transportation Vision Zero



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On Monday, King County cautiously moved into Phase 2 of the states reopening plan.

WhileI know that this comes as welcome news to many of us who are eager to support our favorite local restaurants and businesses,we must all remain vigilant-the high level of cases and the emergence of the new variants are cause for concern for our region.Iwill continue to watch these numbers closely withPublic Health and King County [ [link removed] ].

I have been working closely with our small businesses, and I know that predictability is important. Specifically I am concernedaboutthe unpredictability of these new variants that could lead to the Puget Sound region going backwards in the upcoming weeks ifourresidents and businesses do not continue to take public health precautions seriously.

Thesenewvariantsspreadfaster, but the same thingsthat have helped to slow the spread of thisvirus still work.This meanswe allstill need to continue wearing masks, practice social distancing, and follow all public health guidance-even asthe City continues our vaccination efforts.

With its weekly 1,000Modernadose allocation from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH),ourSeattle Fire DepartmentMobile Vaccination Teams have vaccinated some of the most vulnerable Seattle residents and workers. Despite the limited vaccines, our mobile teams can focus on addressing disparities in our communityand thus far, they have vaccinated more than 3,000 residents. Our teams areready and able to vaccinate more eligible workers and vulnerable older adults, supply permitting.

We know that Seattles road to reopening and economic recovery starts with vaccinations, and Seattle has a plan to be able to vaccinate every resident while ensuring the vaccine is easy and equitable for our Citys workers and residents.

Me like most Seattle residents are frustrated by the limited supply of vaccinationsfor now.I encourage everyone to utilize the in-language website,www.seattle.gov/vaccine [ [link removed] ], where Seattle residents can find information regarding the progress of the vaccination effort in Seattle and can sign up for weekly vaccination updates from the City.

We will get through this challenging time together.As always, please continue to write me [email protected], reach out viaTwitter [ [link removed] ]andFacebook [ [link removed] ], and stay up-to-date on the work were doing for the people of Seattle onmy blog. [ [link removed] ]

Stay Safe and Healthy,

Mayor Jenny Durkan's Signature________________________________________________________________________

City of Seattle Weekly Updates on Vaccinations

Vaccines are in limited supplyandhow many doses Seattle gets and who gets them is determined by the state and federal government.Washington State Department of Healthdeveloped aneligibility timeline [ [link removed] ]that aims to reduce hospitalizations and death and slow the spread of COVID-19. The state also createdFindYourPhaseWA.org [ [link removed] ](available in English and Spanish) that will alert you when you're eligible to get vaccinated based on your age, health conditions, and where you work.

You can also subscribe to our COVID-19 vaccination newsletter for weekly updates on eligibility criteria, vaccination progress in Seattle and King County, and new City of Seattle vaccination efforts.

Sign uphere [ [link removed] ]to receive updates.

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Mayor Durkan Statement on Selection of Regina Cannon as the First CEO of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority

Mayor Jenny Durkan issued the following statement on the selection of Regina Cannon as the first CEO of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA). Today, Ms. Cannon was unanimously selected by the KCRHA Implementation Board and the Governing Committee.

Today weve reached a critical milestone in our efforts to address the humanitarian crisis facing our region. With the unanimous selection of Regina Cannon as the new King County Regional Homelessness Authority CEO we demonstrated the ability to come together to address one of our most challenging issues, said Durkan.

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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With Weekly 1,000 Dose Allocation, City of Seattle to Vaccinate Older Adults in Congregate Permanent Supportive Housing, Host Pop-Up Vaccination Clinic with Ethiopian Community in Seattle

"With Weekly 1,000 Dose Allocation, City of Seattle to Vaccinate Older Adults in Congregate Permanent Supportive Housing, Host Pop-Up Vaccination Clinic with Ethiopian Community in Seattle"

Mayor Jenny Durkan today announced the upcoming focus for the Seattle Fire Department Mobile Vaccination Teams. With its weekly 1,000Modernadoses from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), from this Tuesday through next Monday the City will vaccinate adults living in congregate permanent supportive housing, older adults living in affordable housing buildings, and will host pop-up vaccination clinic in partnership with the Ethiopian Community in Seattle. In total, the City has vaccinated 2,436 vulnerable Seattle residents and workers since launching its vaccination effort on January 14, 2021.

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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Following Citys Victory to Reverse I-976, Mayor Durkan Announces Plan to Restore $23.7 million for Transit Service and Projects

MayorJennyDurkan has announced a proposal to invest $23.7 million in funding back into an array of transit service and mobility improvements consistent with the will of Seattle voters when they supportedSeattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD Proposition 1).These funds represent the amount collected but held in reserve while theWashingtonSupreme Court considered the legality of the TimEymansInitiative 976 (I-976).

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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DOJ Drops Investigation into Citys Racial Equity Training

The U.S. Department of Justices Civil Rights Division has dropped its inquiry into the City of Seattles racial equity training for City employees. The investigation was launched under U.S. Attorney General William Barr to investigate whether the Citys training violated the Civil Rights Act.

Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes said, This was a politically motivated investigation both without merit and without heart. City employees were not and are not excluded from participating in voluntary training sessions because of their racial self-identification. My gratitude to Assistant City AttorneyZahraaWilkinson who represented the Office for Civil Rights during this fruitless investigation. Im thrilled to have it in the rearview mirror.

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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City of Seattle Announces the Grocery Employee Hazard Pay Ordinance to take Effect February 3, 2021

"Employees of large grocery businesses in Seattle will earn and additional $4 per hour"

The City of Seattle announces the new temporary, emergencyGrocery Employee Hazard Pay Ordinance (GEHP), whichwill take effect Wednesday, February 3, 2021 upon signature by Mayor Jenny Durkan. Under the temporary law, grocery store businesses that employ more than 500 employees worldwide are required to pay hazard pay of $4 per hour to their employees during the COVID-19 emergency.

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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Seattle Department of Transportation recognizes Vision Zero accomplishments and acknowledges that there is more work to be done

Seattle Department of Transportation crew members install a 25 mile per hour sign

SDOT crew members installing a 25 MPH sign

As we start the new year, we want to celebrate our key accomplishments from 2020 that elevate community safety and support Seattles long-termVision Zero [ [link removed] ]initiative to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets by 2030, and also acknowledge theres more work to be done.

A year ago, Mayor Durkan announcedsignificant actions [ [link removed] ]in support of Vision Zero, including citywide changes to speed limits and additional investments to improve streets that have a history of high injury or deadly crashes. Despite the challenging year brought about by COVID-19, weve been able to deliver on a number of these efforts.

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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WEEKEND READ: Seattle Times: Trader Joes responds to Seattle pay hike mandate by raising pay, temporarily, nationwide

"ByDavid Gutman"

"Trader Joes has responded to the Seattle City Councils recently passed mandate for large grocery stores within the city to raise pay by $4 for their front-line employees."

"The grocer known for its quirky culture and unique offerings is raising pay for all its employees nationwide, albeit only temporarily."

"Effective February 1, 2021, the thank you premium for all hourly,nonmanagementCrew Members, was increased by two dollars, for a total of $4 an hour,Trader Joes wrote in an update on its website [ [link removed] ]."

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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