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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope today is finding you well as the Governor continues to open up our economy and our abilities to get out more and do more (while still maintaining precautions and a social distance of at least six feet apart from others not in our immediate households).
This afternoon the Council’s Committee of the Whole met virtually to take up a few items and to receive a briefing from the Executive’s Office on the latest COVID-19 developments and response efforts. To be frank, we have a long and difficult road ahead. The economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is going to have a lasting financial impact on our County’s operations. As the Council’s Budget Chair, I will be tasked with the challenge of helping to craft our biennial budget in the fall that responds to this crisis, keeps our government running and fuels our economic recovery. I will be sure to share the video of today’s meeting in tomorrow’s update in case you were unable to stream it live.
With economic recovery in mind, Governor Inslee announced this morning that the Department of Commerce has awarded the first 500 Working Washington small business relief grants in 20 counties. Restaurants, wineries, bakeries, child care, health care, auto repair, clothing, fitness, manufacturing, salon businesses are among the first businesses to receive these state emergency assistance grants.
The grants are funded with $10 million from the Governor’s Economic Development Strategic Reserve Fund – $5 million from the Working Washington strategic reserve fund and an additional $5 million from the state’s $200 million COVID-19 emergency response package approved by the Legislature in March. You can read more by clicking the following link: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/news-releases/community-grants/commerce-awards-first-500-working-washington-small-business-relief-grants-in-20-counties/
The rest of this e-newsletter is meant to provide you with an update on some of the other issues on which I’ve been working as well as helpful information related to the COVID-19 crisis. You can read previous updates I sent out on an archive page so you can find any information you may have missed. I have been sending updates every day since March 1 (sometimes more than one in a day). However, I have now transitioned to sending updates only during the week unless there are major developments. Click here to visit the archive page.
As always, I would like to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have any questions or comments. You can call me at 206-477-1004 or you can reach me by email at jeanne.kohl-welles@kingcounty.gov.
All the best,
Latest numbers from Public Health
Since yesterday’s update, Public Health is reporting 53 new positive cases of COVID-19 in King County (7,582 total) and 6 new COVID-19-related deaths (529 total). So, very sadly, a bit of an uptick in recent day’s reporting’s of fatalities.
As of May 17, there were 18,611 confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide and 1,002 related deaths. (Note: We do not receive the statewide data daily in time to include in our daily enews.)
Detailed information about demographics of those who died from COVID-19 are available on Public Health’s data dashboard. And, interestingly, you can click on your zip code to learn of the number of “positive” cases and fatalities where you reside.
Also, and again, here is an excellent website that offers real-time COVID-19 data in clear formats, broken down by country and state: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries
   
Regional homelessness authority governing committee set to meet
Late last year, the King County Council, Seattle City Council and the Regional Policy Committee passed incredibly complex legislation to create a joint regional homelessness authority. I was the lead sponsor of the ordinance. A key step forward in the implementation of this new authority, and a critical component of the ordinance we passed in December, is set to take place on May 21, 2020 as the members of the new KCRHA Governing Committee meet for the first time.
The Governing Committee is comprised of three members representing King County, three representing the City of Seattle, three representing the Sound Cities Association, and three representing leaders with lived experience of homelessness. The Governing Committee approves all KCRHA plans and budgets.
In the coming weeks, the Governing Committee will be responsible for confirming the members of the KCRHA Implementation Board and partnering with the Implementation Board to recruit and select the Chief Executive Officer, a key management position for the KCRHA. The Implementation Board will consist of 13 members representing people with lived experience and experts from affordable housing, physical and behavioral health, criminal justice, fiscal oversight, research or evaluation, equity, business, homelessness services, labor unions/workforce, youth services, and child welfare.
The agenda for the first meeting and information on joining the meeting via Zoom are available online.
You can learn more about the authority and who serves on the governing committee by clicking the following link: https://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/constantine/news/release/2020/May/19-committee-members.aspx
National Guard assists with COVID-19 mapping
Members of the Washington National Guard are supporting Washington State Department of Health (DOH) workers with voluntary COVID-19 mapping. The information collected is entered into a secure DOH database that allows health officials to better understand where the virus is spreading and notify those at risk. Ultimately, the knowledge will help support the roll back of the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” proclamation issued by Governor Inslee.
The DOH is asking for those who test positive for COVID-19 to voluntarily provide the names and contact information of individuals who may have come in contact with them. The National Guard is assisting in the effort, as the DOH is the lead agency for this voluntary data collection. Click the following link to learn more about this effort: https://mil.wa.gov/news/guardsmen-support-washington-health-department-with-covid-19-mapping
Seattle Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund "Phase 2" grants now available
Managed by Seattle Foundation, the Fund makes grants to community-based organizations that are working on the frontlines to support our region’s most vulnerable communities. The Fund complements the work of public health officials and expands local capacity to address the many needs created by the pandemic.
In March, a first round of grants distributed more than $10 million to 128 nonprofits navigating the immediate economic and health impacts of the pandemic. In April, the Fund augmented those initial investments with an additional $850,000 in grants that helped further address mounting food insecurity in our region. In Phase 2, grants will focus on child care, mental and behavioral health, and emergency financial assistance, guided by a new advisory body. In future phases, the Fund will continue to adapt to urgent and emerging needs as they evolve. Learn more about the principles guiding the Fund.
Formed by a coalition of philanthropy, government, and business partners, the COVID-19 Response Fund so far has galvanized a total of $23.6 million from a growing list of partners and online contributors. In times of crisis, coordination is vital in getting critical resources to communities who need them most. We are grateful to everyone who has supported the COVID-19 Response Fund during this difficult and dynamic time.
Learn More:
Phase 1 Rapid-response Grants
Phase 1 Food Security Grants
Phase 2 Focus Areas and Priorities – announced May 19!
Advisory Groups
Fund Principles
Partners & Donors
FAQ
Additional helpful and informative links
Today's moment of levity
For those of us who can work remotely, a whole new set of workplace challenges can present themselves. From roommates and children to technical difficulties, it’s important to keep these challenges in perspective and even have a laugh at them. I hope you enjoy this moment of levity.
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my update. You can expect these to continue being sent out daily, sometimes more than one. Feel free to forward them to others who can subscribe by clicking here.
Finally, to prevent these updates from going straight to spam or junk folders, I encourage you to mark this email address as a “safe sender” by adding the email address to your contacts or address book. And be sure to check your spam folder if you think you may have missed an update.
And please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns and, most importantly, be well.
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