(a) The Mayor may exercise the emergency power and authority necessary to fulfill his/her general powers and duties. The judgment of the Mayor shall be the sole criteria necessary to invoke emergency powers provided in the City Charter, the Codified Ordinances and other appropriate authorities, and to declare an end to the emergency period. Council may convene to perform its legislative powers as the situation demands, and shall receive reports relative to all phases of emergency management activities, and may declare an end to the emergency period in advance of such declaration as aforesaid by the Mayor in his/her declaration of the end to the emergency period. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as abridging or curtailing the powers or restrictions of Council as defined in the City Charter or as creating any provision which would be in conflict with the City Charter.
(b) During any period when disaster threatens or when the City has been struck by disaster, within the definition of this chapter, the Mayor may promulgate such regulations as he/she deems necessary to protect life and property and preserve critical resources. Such regulations may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
(1) Regulations prohibiting or restricting the movement of vehicles in order to facilitate the emergency work forces, or to facilitate the mass movement of persons from critical areas within or without the City.
(2) Regulations pertaining to the movement of persons from areas deemed to be hazardous or vulnerable to disaster.
(3) Such other regulations necessary to preserve public peace, health and safety.
(4) Regulations promulgated in accordance with the authority above will be given widespread circulation by proclamations published and stated by newspaper and radio. These regulations will have the force of ordinance when duly filed with the Clerk of Council and violations will be subject to the penalties provided.
(c) The Mayor shall direct resources to the aid of other communities when required in accordance with the statutes of the State, and he/she may request the County, State, or a local subdivision of the State to send aid to the City of Groveport in case of disaster when resources of the City are no longer adequate to cope with the disaster.
(d) The Administrator may obtain vital supplies, equipment and other properties found lacking and needed for the protection of health, life and property of the people. The Finance Director shall be authorized to bind the City for fair value thereof.
(e) The Mayor may require emergency services of any City officers or employees. If regular City resources are determined to be inadequate, the Mayor may require the services of such other personnel as he/she can obtain that are available, including citizen volunteers. All duly authorized persons rendering emergency services shall be entitled to the privileges and immunities as are provided by State law, the City Charter and ordinances for regular City employees and other registered and identified civil defense and disaster workers and upon deemed, may receive appropriate compensation for their emergency employment.
(f) The Mayor will cause to be prepared at a minimum, an Emergency Operations Plan herein referred to and to exercise his/her ordinary powers as Mayor in addition to any special powers conferred upon him/her by this chapter.
(Ord. 1-92. Passed 2-10-92.)