RES 20-784 - Supporting Ban on Residential Evictions RESOLUTION NO. 20-784
A RESOLUTION of the City of Federal Way,Washington,proclaiming
the support of Governor Inslee's ban on residential evictions and
ratifying the Mayor's Proclamation of Emergency No.20-02 establishing
a temporary moratorium on residential tenant late fees related to late
payment due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
WHEREAS,the outbreak of the novel coronavirus(COVID-19)and its rapid progression in
Washington state continues to threaten the life and health of its people as well as the economy of the
state; and
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020,the Governor of the State of Washington proclaimed a
State of Emergency due to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS,on March 9,2020,Mayor Ferrell issued a Proclamation of Emergency No.20-
01 in response to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS,on March 11,2020,the Governor issued Proclamation 20-08,which found that
COVID-19 spreads easily from person to person and may result in serious illness or death, and
continues to spread in the state with cases expected to double every five to seven days,without any
expectation to end soon; and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
issues CDCs Recommendations for the next 30 days of Mitigation Strategies for Seattle-King,
Pierce, and Snohomish Counties based on current situation with widespread COVID-19
transmission and affected health care facilities, which recommends "extensive community
mitigation activities" to slow the spread of, and minimize morbidity and mortality caused by
COVID-19; and
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WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national
emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, the Governor issued an order to require every
Washingtonian to stay home unless they need to pursue an essential activity, ban all gatherings for
social,spiritual,and recreational purposes,and close all businesses except essential businesses;and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 has severely impacted the local economy, resulting in increased
employee layoffs and reduction in hours,the cancellation of numerous public events,and significant
reductions in tourism and demand at restaurants and other local businesses; and
WHEREAS,the social distancing and self-isolation mitigation measure needed to slow the
spread of COVID-19 will likely result in continued reductions in employment and household
income,thereby leaving large numbers of residential tenants unable to pay rent and facing increased
risk of eviction; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to cause continued layoffs and reduced
work hours for a significant percentage of our workforce due to substantial reductions in business
activity impacting commercial sectors that support our state's economic vitality, including severe
impacts to the number of small business that make Washington State's economy thrive and
individuals employed; and
WHEREAS,the economic hardship residents will experience as a result of lost wages may
cause an inability to pay for basic household expenses, including rent; and
WHEREAS, the inability to pay rent by these members of our workforce increases the
likelihood of eviction from their homes,increasing the life,health, and safety risks and undermines
the containment and mitigation measures needed to slow the transmission of COVID-19, and
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WHEREAS, residential tenant evictions would negate the ability of tenants to self-isolate,
would increase their risk of contracting and/or spreading COVID-19,and would put them,and high-
risk individuals, at greater risk from COVID-19, and
WHEREAS,on March 17,2020 the King County Sheriff's Office issued notice that they will
temporarily suspend enforcement and execution of court-related evictions due to the significant risk
for both deputies and residents in contracting COVID-19, and
WHEREAS, on March 18, 2020, Governor Inslee expanded protections for residential
tenants in Washington through a 30-day statewide moratorium on evictions of residential tenants,
which prohibits residential landlords from serving a notice of unlawful detainer for default payment
of rent and from issuing a 20-day notice for unlawful detainer, unless the landlord attaches an
affidavit attesting that the action is believed necessary to ensure the health and safety of the tenant or
other individuals; and
WHEREAS, on March 27, 2020, the Mayor issued Emergency Proclamation 20-02
establishing a moratorium on residential tenant late fees related to delinquent payments and
supporting Governor Inslee's March 18,2020 order providing additional assistance and protections
for residential tenants and which will remain in effect as long as the Governor's Proclamation 20-19
on Evictions remains in effect; and
WHEREAS, late fees may accrue as a result of late rent payments that are not addressed by
Governor Inslee's order and will,in some cases,lead to debts that are unmanageable for renters,and
ultimately,to increased homelessness; and
WHEREAS, Federal Way Resolution 09-546 adopts the Greater Federal Way Community
Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan,delegating to the Mayor the duty to make emergency
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rules and proclamations that have the force of law during a proclaimed emergency period when
necessary to protect the life and welfare of the citizens of Federal Way.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY,
RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council ratifies the Mayor's Emergency Proclamation 2020-02,which
shall be in effect for the duration of the moratorium on residential evictions ordered by Governor's
Proclamation 20-19,issued on March 18,2020 as it currently exists or may be modified,as follows:
No late fees or other charges due to late payment of rent shall accrue during the state
moratorium on residential evictions;
Section 2.The City Council also recognizes and supports Governor Inslee's Order expanding
protections for residential tenants in Washington through a statewide moratorium on evictions of
residential tenants until April 17,2020 and finds that it is in the best interest of the people in the City
of Federal Way.
Section 3. vg1gbi.li y.If any section,sentence,clause or phrase of this resolution should be
held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or
unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section, sentence,
clause, or phrase of this resolution.
Section 4. Corrections. The City Clerk and the codifiers of this resolution are authorized to
make necessary corrections to this resolution including, but not limited to, the correction of
scrivener/clerical errors, references, resolution numbering, section/subsection numbers and any
references thereto.
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Section . Ratil ac ation.Any act consistent with the authority and prior to the effective date of
this resolution is hereby ratified and affirmed.
Section 6.Effective Date.This resolution shall be effective immediately upon passage by the
Federal Way City Council.
RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY,
WASHINGTON this 7th day of April, 2020.
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY:
', ER.RELL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
r( J pplpppl�I')
N i
STI PF ANIS COURTNEY, C° C Cl`ry CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
J. RYAN CALL, CITY ATTORNEY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 04/01/2020
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 04/07/2020
RESOLUTION NO.: 20-784
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