A.
The City Manager is fully authorized and directed to create an organization to prepare for community disasters utilizing existing agencies within the City. The City Manager, as the Chief Administrative Officer of the City, shall be responsible for the direction of the Emergency Management Forces of the City working with the Emergency Management Coordinator. In the absence of an appointed Emergency Management Coordinator, the City Manager is recognized as the Coordinator.
B.
The City Manager, working with the Emergency Management Coordinator, shall be responsible for the organization, administration and operation of disaster and emergency services and Emergency Management Forces. The powers and duties of the City Manager shall include the following:
(1)
Relieve any City employees of normal duties and designate employees, equipment, and facilities of all or any portion of City departments, boards, commissions and institutions suitable for or adaptable to emergency service activities, which may be utilized in case of emergency or disaster.
(2)
Provide for the appointment of other persons who shall be necessary to implement the Emergency Management Program. Those persons appointed shall act at the direction of the Emergency Management Coordinator and may be designated as assistant emergency management coordinators and shall assume, in the time and manner specified in their appointing resolution, the duties of the Emergency Management Coordinator.
(3)
Enter, with the approval of the City Commission, into mutual aid agreements or compacts with other eligible municipalities or counties, which agreements or compacts shall be limited to the exchange of personnel, equipment, and other resources in times of emergency or disaster. The Mayor is responsible for activating these mutual aid agreements.
(4)
For a period of up to seven days, send emergency management forces of the City to the aid of other communities stricken by disaster as provided by mutual aid agreements when he/she deems it in the public interest, provided that after the City Commission convenes, the continuance of any such emergency or emergency management and the period thereof shall be subject to the action of City Commission.
(5)
For a period of up to seven days, appropriate and expend funds, make contracts, obtain and distribute equipment, materials, and supplies for emergency or disaster purposes, and undertake any action necessary to provide for the health and safety of persons and property, including emergency assistance to the victims of an emergency or disaster.
(6)
When obtaining formal approvals would result in delay of emergency and/or relief activity, until the City Commission convenes, waive procedures and formalities otherwise required pertaining to the performance of public works, entering into contracts, the incurring of obligations, the employment of temporary workers, the rental of equipment, the purchase and distribution of supplies, materials and facilities and expenditures of existing funds; provided that the City Commission may also waive any otherwise-applicable procedures and formalities.
(7)
Following a declaration of a local state of emergency, establish an incident command system; activate the City Emergency Operations Plan and/or other applicable emergency procedures for the City on the advice of emergency management services officials and/or the Emergency Management Coordinator.
(8)
Notify the public and recommend in-place, evacuation, or other protective measures.
(9)
Employ temporary workers and volunteers.
(10)
If a state of disaster or emergency is declared by the Governor, assign and make available for duty the employees, property, or equipment of the City within or without the physical limits of the City as requested by the Governor or the Director of the State Police in accordance with the Act.
(11)
Authorize other emergency activities as provided for in the Act.
C.
The City Manager shall review for adequacy and effectiveness the Emergency Operations Plan as the Plan relates to the municipality once every two years. With the assistance of the Emergency Management Coordinator, he/she shall make recommendations and any changes to the Plan which may be needed. After this review and incorporation of necessary changes, the City Commission by resolution shall certify the Plan to be current and adequate for the City for the ensuing two years.
D.
The City Manager is authorized to exercise the powers granted to the Mayor in § 12-10 either in the absence or inability of the Mayor, where delay in the exercise of such powers would be contrary to the public interest, provided only that a majority of members of the City Commission are absent or unable to convene in order to declare a local state of emergency.