TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Dan Atchison, City Attorney
SUBJECT:
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Ratification of the City Manager’s Emergency Order relating to the February 13, 2021 storm event.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Good Governance
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ISSUE:
Shall the City Council ratify the City Manager’s Emergency Order relating to the February 13, 2021 storm event?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Ratify the City Manager’s Emergency Order relating to the February 13, 2021 storm event
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SUMMARY:
SRC 2.670(b)(2) permits the City Manager, acting as the City’s Emergency Program Manager to declare a state of emergency if there is not adequate time to present the request to Council. However, the Manager must, as soon as practical, request that Council ratify the declaration.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
On February 13, 2021 a significant winter storm impacted the Salem and much of western Oregon, resulting in catastrophic damage to trees and other vegetation, continuing power outages, blocked public right-of-ways, and property damage. Early on February 14, 2021, the City Manager declared a state of emergency, through Emergency Order No. 021321, effective to February 13, 2021. The Order authorized the activation of the City’s Emergency Operations Center, and implemented emergency procurement procedures to obtain supplies and engage contractors to address the emergency conditions. The Order was set to expire on February 20th, but has been extended to March 15, 2021 to allow continued emergency operations to address the recovery efforts, including waiver of permit and other requirements for removal of trees that constitute an imminent threat to health and safety or property.
BACKGROUND:
SRC chapter 2 establishes the City’s emergency management agency, and provides for procedures for the declaration of a state of emergency consistent with Oregon law.
Dan Atchison
City Attorney
Attachments:
1. Emergency Order No. 021321.
2. Extension of Emergency Order No. 021321.