On March 12, 2020, a Mayoral Proclamation of Civil Emergency and Order declared a state of emergency in the City of Yakima due to the coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19"), and subsequent proclamations have extended the civil emergency.  The Governor, in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Health, recently issued “Safe Start Washington Phased Reopening County-By County”, which includes a data-driven approach to a phased reopening.  On June 1, each county began in their current phase.  The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has continued to increase significantly in Yakima County and the City of Yakima, and Yakima County remains in Phase 1.    

The internship program is part of the settlement in the case of Montes and Arteaga v. City of Yakima, et al., where the plaintiffs donated part of their fee award back to the City of Yakima for the mentorship and internship program.  $23,696.28 remains for the internship program in 2021. As a result of the continuing significant increase of COVID-19, attached for the Council’s consideration is a Resolution deferring and continuing the summer internship program to 2021.