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05-05-2020 Governor InsleeCouncil Letter to Governor Inslee regarding a plan to reopen businesses 1 Council Letter to Governor Inslee regarding a plan to reopen businesses 2 Overview 3 Council Letter to Governor Inslee regarding a plan to reopen businesses 4 In light of the progress made on the COVID-19 outbreak, at our May 5, 2020, meeting and with the concurrent approval of the Mayor, the Federal Way City Council unanimously approved this letter to ask you to consider the careful acceleration of reopening our state’s economy, if the public health data continues to show positive improvement. Council Letter to Governor Inslee regarding a plan to reopen businesses 5 We are heartened that our citizens’ statewide efforts to flatten the curve on the COVID-19 outbreak is showing progress. This virus has been a tragedy for many of our neighbors and friends. The effort to save lives has also had an immense impact on our businesses. Council Letter to Governor Inslee regarding a plan to reopen businesses 6 We are taking action as a city to provide humanitarian relief to the many in need because of the suspension of their personal employment and other COVID-19 related hardships. Council Letter to Governor Inslee regarding a plan to reopen businesses 7 We are encouraged with the release of “Safe Start Washington: A Phased Approach to Recovery,” your four-phased plan to reopen businesses and use appropriate social distancing measures. As you and your team move forward with this balanced approach, we wanted to offer our thoughts to help responsibly advance the process for the reopening of the state, particularly businesses, as we “flatten the curve.” Council Letter to Governor Inslee regarding a plan to reopen businesses 8 We also commend the ongoing efforts to formalize safety guidelines to protect against the coronavirus. We are proud of our grocery, takeout, and other essential businesses that have been diligent in these efforts to helping contain the outbreak. Council Letter to Governor Inslee regarding a plan to reopen businesses 9 As other businesses open, the advance work by the essential businesses on social distancing guidelines, appropriate cleaning schedules, and employee health screening has set the baseline standard for future businesses eligible to open during the upcoming phases. Council Letter to Governor Inslee regarding a plan to reopen businesses 10 Our wish for your consideration is now that the guidelines have been put into practice and have been successful, that the experience of our essential businesses be used as an example to help the businesses in the next phases to open earlier. Council Letter to Governor Inslee regarding a plan to reopen businesses 11 Governor, your use of industry stakeholders from each economic sector, coupled with Public Health officials, has also been successful. In the spirit of your collaboration, we would like to offer the involvement of our economic and business leaders help give input on implementation with your newly formed “Safe Work and Economic Recovery Advisory Group.” Council Letter to Governor Inslee regarding a plan to reopen businesses 12 Our city (among others) has a rich diversity of sole proprietors, small businesses, and entrepreneurs that serve a city which speaks more than 120 languages. Through this collaboration it is our hope these owners may participate to help businesses reopen sooner than the projected dates. Council Letter to Governor Inslee regarding a plan to reopen businesses 13 In summary, we are “all in” to have our community members and leaders to participate in any initiatives to open our businesses safely and, if possible, open sooner. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Council Letter to Governor Inslee regarding a plan to reopen businesses 14 Discussion