• Editor’s note: Yesterday, Mayor Foster joined the Yelm Chamber of Commerce on a conference call with local business participants.
• I acknowledge the Yelm Chamber and mayor for this session.
• Click here for the video.
• Resources for Yelm Residents & Community Members Impacted by COVID-19
• Mayor Foster was asked by a caller if he was going to declare a city emergency.
• The mayor said “no,” that currently there is no reason to do so in his view. Said this doesn’t give the city any more resources.
• During this call, the Olympia City Council disseminated their just-declared city emergency,
• Thurston County Courts announced an escalated virus coronavirus response.
• Interesting that Mayor Foster feels no need to declare a city emergency to take advantage of opportunities that Olympia and Lacey deemed necessary!
• Second priority after public health is conserving the city’s cash due to diminishing sales tax and building permit revenue. This IS an emergency!

Olympia City Council declares public health emergency to fast-track coronavirus response

“Similar to emergency declarations taken up by other cities and states in recent weeks, the ordinance allows city staff to fast-track efforts to combat the outbreak while continuing to operate essential city services such as utilities, homeless services and police and fire response.

“The emergency declaration will be in effect until June 18, when it will be reconsidered,” by Will Rubin, The Olympian.

Lacey declares emergency, wants to create grant fund for small biz; other area businesses hurting

“The declaration also directs City Manager Scott Spence to ‘request all available state and federal assistance necessary to respond to this emergency,'” by Rolf Boone, The Olympian.

Thurston County courts delay trials, escalate response to coronavirus outbreak

Inslee announces relief for business, workers, tenants and more in response to COVID-19 outbreak

Washington ranks high in US for coronavirus containment policies. Here’s why

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• From Molly Carmody – Yelm City Council:
• “Reminder: DO NOT FLUSH Kleenex, paper towels, or baby wipes down the toilet. Our sewer system cannot handle them. Only toilet paper is designed to break down in septic and sewer systems. Don’t overwhelm our fragile system and put everyone at jeopardy. This might sound like a funny issue but it’s not. The last thing that we need right now is masses of stuff clogging our system.” Read more