Drafter
Clerk 03/19/2020
Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to service of process on the county during an emergency; amending Ordinance 13, Section 1, and K.C.C. 2.04.010; and declaring an emergency.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. On February 29, 2020, public health - Seattle & King County confirmed the first cases of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19"), including one death, in the county.
B. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death and can easily spread from person to person.
C. On March 1, 2020, King County executive Dow Constantine signed a proclamation of emergency in response to COVID-19, enabling "extraordinary measures" to fight the outbreak.
D. On March 16, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee ordered the statewide closure of food establishments to sit in serve and the prohibition of gatherings of more than fifty people.
E. Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer for public health - Seattle & King County issued a parallel local Health Officer Order in King County stating "These orders are essential to protect our whole community from an unprecedented outbreak, especially the most vulnerable people and our health care system."
F. On March 16, 2020, public health - Seattle & King County reported 488 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and a total of forty-three reported deaths from COVID-19.
G. The council has authority to delegate the agent upon with a summons may be served and during this emergency proclamation it is necessary to allow for alternative means for serving the clerk of the council.
SECTION 2. Ordinance 13, Section 1, and K.C.C. 2.04.010 are hereby amended to read as follows:
A. For the purpose of service of summons on King County under provisions of RCW 4.28.080, the person to be served is the clerk of the county council.
B.1. During a period of an emergency proclaimed by the executive, and as directed by the chair of the council in writing and until the emergency provisi...

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