City Council Study Session Summary 2011 04 12

Metadata

Thumbnails

Annotations

City Council Study Session Summary April 12, 2011 Page 3of 6 14. Seize any food, clothing, water or medical supplies necessary to sustain displaced disaster victims. The above provisions are not necessary to carry out emergency duties during a disaster, but are important and Malcolm presented examples of how paragraphs 3, 12, 13 and 14 are used in other communities. These orders would only be taken in a “declared emergency.” During a grass fire, the Broomfield government “seized” an unattended farm tractor and plowed a fire break around several buildings in the path of the fire. When the BroomfieldGovernment met after the event, the City/County representative offered compensation to the owner of the tractor, but the owner declined and expressed his appreciation for the action taken. Following a hurricane, a local Florida government “seized” all of a gas station’s gasoline in anticipation of a fuel shortage and paid the pre- hurricane price for every gallon of gas in the tanks. The Mayor and Council asked questions whether the proposed Ordinance is patterned after State Law and could we just avoid passing the Ordinance if we have the same abilities through the State and still achieve our goals. Malcolm noted that the City has a local emergency operations plan as each department has prepared a Continuity of Operations Plan in the event of a declared emergency. City staff has completed two FEMAonline classes on how to work together during an emergency and City staff has participated in a Table Top Exercise, instructor led, dealing with a simulation emergency of a train derailment with hazardous chemicals. Council Member Muckle wants to ensure the City has a plan to help house-bound citizens evacuate. Malcolm noted that the City wants to raise awareness of the City’s emergency plan, but also encouragecitizens to know their neighbors and assist in helping house-bound citizens during an emergency as the City won’t be able to extend their assistance to everyone when needed. Mayor Sisk suggested training first for elected officials and that the Council needs additionalinformation before approving the Ordinance. He agreed the City should have a plan, but was not comfortable at this time going forward with the Ordinance. Malcolm said that when staff brings the Ordinance back for Council approval, staff will provide more information about the provisionsof State Law.