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With the forecast calling for nicer weather this weekend, this is a good time to refresh ourselves on good practices for social distancing when outside. Councilmember Kelli Curtis has a few tips on how you can stay safe and healthy while getting exercise and fresh air. Thank you Kirkland, we’re all in this together.
City of Kirkland Utility Discounts: Senior and Disabled Rates
The City of Kirkland offers reduced water and sewer rates for qualifying low income, single family residential customers who are 62 years or older, blind, disabled, or home kidney dialysis customers. To qualify, you must prove:
- You or your spouse (if married) are at least 62 years of age or older
- If single, you receive $3,229.16 or less gross monthly income
- If married, you receive $3,691.66 or less gross monthly income
More information about how to apply for the reduced senior rate can be found on the City webpage at: Senior and Disabled Rates.
Individuals who don’t meet this threshold but still need help during the COVID-19 emergency proclamation can request deferment of payment. Additionally, all late fees are currently being waived for the duration of the emergency proclamation as outlined in Ordinance 4722, passed by the Kirkland City Council in its special meeting on Tuesday, March 31.
Ordinance 4722 allows the City, during the emergency proclamation, to defer and suspend the payment of all utility charges and taxes otherwise provided for in Titles Five and Seven of the Kirkland Municipal Code (“KMC”), and also to waive any late fees, penalties or interest payments that might otherwise have accrued during such deferral and suspension. Deferrals will be granted upon request, and can be requested at: utilitybilling@kirklandwa.gov. If you can continue to pay your utility bills, we ask that you please do so.
Further, all water utility shutoffs have been discontinued for the duration of the emergency proclamation.
The Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund (Relief Fund) is accepting applications from eligible Kirkland-based small businesses and small not-for-profits through 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 7. Applications will be accepted online only, and the application form can be found on the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce webpage.
The City of Kirkland, the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce (Chamber), and Banner Bank’s Kirkland branch collaborated to create the Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund to provide immediate grants to qualifying small businesses and small not-for-profits in Kirkland impacted by COVID-19. The Relief Fund received initial seed funding of $250,000 from Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, and is open to additional contributions from any interested individuals and organizations to be used in later rounds of funding.
The Relief Fund is open to all qualifying applicants; applicants do not need to be Chamber members to apply. The Chamber will act as the fiscal agent for the Relief Fund and will manage all contributions. A committee comprised of members from the Chamber, Banner Bank, and other business leaders will review all applications and make all decisions regarding dispersal of grant funding.
For more details on the eligibility requirements, see the City's latest press release, or visit the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce webpage. Note: the application asks for a City business license number. For this please use your UBI number. If you do not know your UBI number, or whether you have a Kirkland business license endorsement, you can look it up here: https://secure.dor.wa.gov/gteunauth/_/
The Federal Trade Commission reports a significant uptick in consumer fraud complaints related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has spurred an onslaught of scams that capitalize on the fears and economic uncertainty surrounding this virus. Here are some things you can do to help prevent yourself and your family members from getting scammed during these challenging times (all information is taken from the Federal Trade Commission website at https://www.ftc.gov/coronavirus):
Hang up on robocalls!
If you answer the phone and are greeted with a recorded message rather than a live person, hang up immediately. Scammers use robocalls to lure victims because they are inexpensive, simple and can be made over the internet from anywhere in the world. Don’t be fooled if the call appears to be coming from an official government entity, as scammers use online spoofing applications to manipulate and falsify caller ID information.
Stay alert! Robocalls offering coronavirus tests for Medicare recipients, free test kits, sanitation supplies and health insurance, are known scams. For more information, including samples of what these “scammy” calls sound like, visit the Federal Trade Commission webpage. Always report illegal robocalls to the FTC.
Be wary of “checks from the government” scams
Most have already heard that the government plans to send relief checks to help mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. Although the details of what this will look like are still being solidified, there are clear ways to avoid being scammed. Never give your personal information over the phone! The government will not call you for your social security information, bank account detail or credit card number. Anyone who asks you for this is a scammer. Visit the FTC’s recent coronavirus relief check informational blog for more information.
Don’t click random links received in texts and emails
As a rule, never respond to text messages offering you the opportunity to “claim a free prize,” and never click on links sent in texts and/or emails from unfamiliar sources. Be hypervigilant about unsolicited emails that land in your inbox, even those claiming to be from official entities. When in doubt, avoid links, delete the email, and visit websites manually.
Fact-check everything
Knowing how and where to get accurate information is one of your best weapons! Arm yourself with information from reputable sources, including, Public Health – Seattle & King County, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Drug Administration, and the World Health Organization. Remember, there are no products proven to treat or prevent coronavirus available online or in stores, and there are no FDA-authorized home test kits for coronavirus.
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It's great to see our community rally around each other during these challenging times. The Kirkland Parks & Community Foundation (KPCF) has just launched a campaign linking local restaurants with people in need in our city. They're using their crowdsourcing platform to make it easier for our community to support both Kirkland people in need and our own local restaurant small businesses. So far, they are working with DERUmarket and Homegrown restaurants, but they would love to welcome others.
Additionally they have another campaign going to support the Nourishing Network.
Thank you KPCF for your efforts to support our community! More information is available on the Kirkland Parks and Community Foundation website.
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Because physical distancing is critical to stopping the spread of COVID-19, the following events are cancelled:
StyroFest: Styrofoam + Electronics Recycling Event
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 4
Kirkland Maintenance Center
For more information, visit the Kirkland Calendar.
KU Kids at Kirkland Urban
10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 11
The Fountain Court at Kirkland Urban
For more information, visit: https://www.kirklandurban.com/event/KU-Kids/2145540093/
The Kiwanis Club of Kirkland's 46th Annual Easter Egg Hunt
1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 12
Peter Kirk Park
For more information, visit: https://kirklandkiwanis.org.
ORCA Card Service
Wednesday, April 15, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Kirkland City Hall
For more information, visit: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/fares-orca/neighborhood-pop-up.aspx
The Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce
All Chamber events through the month of April are cancelled
For more information, visit: https://kirklandchamber.org/
Kirkland Performance Center
All Kirkland Performance Center shows through April 30 are postponed
For more information, visit: http://www.kpcenter.org
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