018-20 - Resolution - Support for App. to Governor for Variance from Healthy Start Four-Phase PlanRESOLUTION NO. 018-20
A RESOLUTTON OF THE ClrY OF PORT ORCHARD, WASHINGTON,
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR APPTICATION TO THE GOVERNOR FOR
A VARIANCE FROM GOVERNOR INSLEE,S HEALTHY START FOUR-
PHASE PIAN TO ENSURE THE EXPEDIENT AND SAFE RESTART OF
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAT ACTIVITY IN KITSAP COUNW.
WHEREAS, the City of Port Orchard, led by its residents and businesses, have had a strong
record of compliance with Governor lnslee's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy'' order and, as a result,
the City has had success minimizing the impact of COVID-19 on the City and its residents; and
WHEREAS, in coordination with Kitsap Public Health District, the City and County have
successfully preserved essential hospital and public health services; and
WHEREAS, as a result of these efforts, Kitsap County has seen only eight cases in the
month of May for a population of 27L,473 (.00003%), with only 152 cases in Kitsap County for
the duration of the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the economic impact of the Governor's order to businesses in the City has
been substantial, as businesses have prioritized public health concerns over their own fiscal
health; and
WHEREAS, the Governor adopted a "Healthy Start" program which allows reopening of
the state over four phases, based on public health guidance; and
WHEREAS, the Healthy Start program allows counties to seek variance from the
Washin4on State Secretary of Health to allow the early advancement to the next phase where
certain benchmarks are met; and
WHEREAS, earlier advancement to the next phase would enable the City's businesses to
reopen sooner utilizing safe social distancing; and
WHEREAS, the Governor initially restricted the variance to counties with less than 75,000
persons, regardless of the successful health measures taken by the county and cities therein; and
WHEREAS, on May L8,2O2O, the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners petitioned the
Governor to expand the variance eligibility in recognition that larger counties, such as Kitsap,
have successfully taken steps to protect public health and minimize potential outbreaks; and
WHEREAS, on May Lg, 2020, the Governor announced modifications to the eligibility
criteria, rendering Kitsap County eligible to apply for such a variance; and
WHEREAS, submission of an application for variance is the purview of the Kitsap Public
Health District, based on available public health data; and
Resolution No. 018-20
Page 2 of 2
WHEREAS, the Kitsap Public Health Board is set to meet on Wednesday, May 27,2O2O,to
discuss the submission of an application for variance; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to voice its support of an application for variance to
support the residents and businesses of the City, in light of the vital social distancing efforts to
date by those living and working in the City; now, therefore,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CtW OF PORT ORCHARD, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOTVES AS
FOLLOWS:
THAT: The City Council endorses and encourages Kitsap Public Health to apply for a
variance for Kitsap County under the Healthy Start program, so that the City and County
may advance to Phase 2 as soon as supported by local public health data.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Port Orchard, SIGNED by the Mayor and attested
by the Clerk in authentication of such passage this 26th day of May 2020.
Robert Putaansuu, Mayor
ATTEST:
MMC, City Clerk
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