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Mayoral Proclamation of Civil Emergency - Seattle, WA

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Mayoral Proclamation of Civil Emergency
City of Seattle, WA
November 30, 1999

WHEREAS, Seattle Emergency Management has reported to me that during the morning of November 30, 1999 the City has experienced civil disturbance; that the circumstances threaten the safety of citizens and public and private property; and that, as described in Section II of this proclamation, the situation is sufficiently serious that I need to declare a civil emergency and exercise the Mayor's civil emergency powers; and

WHEREAS, I have reviewed the situation, consulted with City Department Heads and verified the existence of the emergency cited below, and the necessity for me to take immediate, extraordinary action as outlined in the proclamation;

NOW, THEREFORE,

I, PAUL SCHELL, AS MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE DO

PROCLAIM THAT:

I. CIVIL EMERGENCY POWERS

A. A CIVIL EMERGENCY EXISTS REQUIRING ME TO EXERCISE THE EMERGENCY POWERS VESTED IN ME AS MAYOR BY RCW CHAPTER 38.52 and SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 10.02 AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROCLAMATION;

B. EFFECTIVE UPON MY SIGNING THIS PROCLAMATION, I WILL BE EXERCISING THAT AUTHORITY THROUGH THE ISSUANCE OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND THROUGH THE USE AND DIRECTION OF SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT; AND

C. IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANYONE TO FAIL OR REFUSE TO OBEY AN ORDER PROCLAIMED BY ME.

II. DETERMINATION OF EMERGENCY

Based on my review of the present circumstances, the report of Seattle Emergency Management, and my consultations with City Department Heads, I have determined that these circumstances result in or threaten to result in death or injury to people, or the destruction of property, or the disruption of local government to such an extent as to require me to exercise the authority assumed in Section I and to take the extraordinary measures in Section III in order to prevent death or injury of persons and to protect the public peace, safety and welfare, and alleviate damage, loss, hardship or suffering.

III. CONTRACTING AND BORROWING AUTHORITY

A. Pursuant to SMC Section 10.02.030, I hereby assume the authority to enter into contracts and incur obligations necessary to relieve the emergency, protect the health and safety of persons and property, and provide emergency assistance to the victims, and to exercise them in light of the exigencies of the situation without regard to time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by ordinance (excepting mandatory constitutional requirements), including, but not limited to the following limitations and requirements:

The budget law (RCW 35.32A) and the adopted City budget;

Competitive bidding and the publication of notices pertaining to the performance of public works (RCW 35.22.620 et seq.; RCW Chapters 39.04 through 39.12; SMC Chapter 3.18; and SMC Chapter 20.48, etc.);

Entering into contracts;
Incurring of obligations;
Employment of temporary workers;
Rental of equipment;
Purchase of supplies and materials (including Seattle Municipal Code Chapters 20.44 and 20.46);
Appropriation and expenditure of public funds; and

Use of streets, parks, and municipal building for shelter, for temporary storage, or as places of refuge.

I intend to consult with the City Council wherever practical and present legislation to the City Council for review and appropriate action at the earliest practical time.

B. I delegate to the following City department heads and officials the authority under my supervision to take the actions identified for and on behalf of the City: To the Fire Chief and Police Chiefs, direction of any necessary population and property protection, as well as control of incidents and maintenance of public peace and order. Other departments and personnel will assist as requested.

C. I delegate to City department heads generally the authority to permit the use of City facilities and equipment under their control for supplying necessary food, clothing, medicines, shelter or transportation to care facilities for people in need of assistance; to reassign personnel from their ordinary duties to work deemed necessary for the emergency without regard to job classifications, and to require work beyond normal working hours; and to secure the assistance of volunteers and donations of supplies or the use of equipment in performing tasks that the department head deems most helpful in relieving the emergency.

IV. CIRCULATION

A copy of this Proclamation shall be delivered to the Governor of the State of Washington and to the County Executive of King County. To the extent practicable, notices of this Proclamation shall be made available to all news media within the City and to the general public.

V. PRESENTATION, RATIFICATION, TERMINATION

This Proclamation shall at the earliest practicable time be presented to the City Council for ratification and confirmation, modification, or rejection, and if rejected, shall be void.

This Proclamation shall be terminated by the issuance of another proclamation when I determine that the extraordinary measures are no longer required for the protection of the public peace, safety and welfare.

DATED this 30th day of November 1999.
_________________________________________
Paul Schell, Mayor
The City of Seattle