City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JULY 17, 2019
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
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Declaration of Local Emergency for July 8, 2019
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ISSUE: Severe weather event with flooding July 8, 2019
RECOMMENDATION: (1) Confirm the attached Declaration of Local Emergency; and (2) Confirm the authorization for the Director of Emergency Management to enter into contracts and incur obligations as enumerated in Section 4-3-5(c) of the City Code.
BACKGROUND: Whenever a natural disaster of a material nature threatens a state or locality, it is customary for states and localities to adopt a Declaration of Local Emergency. This Declaration usually signals to public and private sector employees and the general public that danger is imminent, thereby triggering pre-event preparation activities. Under the City Code: "A declaration of a local emergency shall activate the response and recovery programs of all local interjurisdictional emergency operations plans and authorize the furnishing of aid and assistance thereunder. " A Declaration also may make expenses and damages incurred, subject to federal and state reimbursement. I have signed such a Declaration, and I am presenting it to City Council for confirmation. In addition, the City's Emergency Services Code authorizes Council to authorize the City's Director of Emergency Management (who is the City Manager) to enter into contracts and incur obligations outside of the normal procurement and contracting processes. The rationale for this authorization is to be able to respond quickly to address emergencies in order to prevent or mitigate risks to persons and property.
This emergency procurement provision is similar to existing authority granted in the procurement section of the City Code but is more applicable to situations that arise as result of a nat...
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