Council passed an emergency resolution on COVID-19, approved a moratorium on residential evictions, approved a $200,000 emergency fund, passed a resolution supporting a complete count for Census 2020, and more.
Council Passes Measures to Ease Impact and Support Response to COVID-19
To help ease the effects of COVID-19, the Burien City Council has approved an immediate allocation of $200,000 from the City’s reserve fund into an emergency fund overseen by the Human Services Commission and City staff. The fund will focus on helping mitigate the harms caused by coronavirus among our most vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness.
Council will vote on an ordinance on Monday, March 23, 2020 that will institute a moratorium on residential tenant evictions. This measure allows people to stay in their homes during the crisis, helping fulfill Public Health’s orders of self-isolation and social distancing. This is in addition to Burien's existing rental housing policies.
They also issued a statement asking the community to work together and support each other during this crisis.
Census
Council passed a resolution at the March 16, 2020 meeting in support of a complete count in the 2020 Census. Council also heard updates on how the Census Bureau is modifying their operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Garmon Newsom II Hired to be New City Attorney
Garmon Newsom II has been selected as the City of Burien’s new city attorney. He will start on March 31, 2020.
City Council Town Halls
City Council will hold quarterly town halls starting in June. The purpose of these events is to give the community the opportunity to have conversations with councilmembers on specific topics. More details will be shared in the future.