(A) Purpose. A disaster may require a declaration of a state of emergency, thus it is necessary to insure the continuity of the government through emergency interim succession of key necessary officials by providing a method for temporary emergency appointments.
(B) Succession to local offices. In the event of a disaster affecting the vicinity of the city, the Mayor, Council and City Administrator shall be immediately notified by any one of the persons and by any means available to gather at the City Hall. In the event that safety or convenience dictate, an alternative meeting place may be designated. Those gathered shall proceed as follows:
(1) If the Mayor is present, he or she will conduct the meeting; if not, by majority vote of those persons present, regardless of number, they shall elect a Chairperson and Secretary to preside and keep minutes, respectively.
(2) They shall review and record the specific facts relating to the attack or disaster and injuries to persons or damage to property, or the imminent threat thereof.
(3) They may, based on such facts, declare a state of emergency.
(4) By majority vote of those persons present, regardless of number, shall fill all positions on the Council, (including the office of Mayor) of those persons upon whom notice could not be served or who are unable to be present.
(5) The interim successors shall serve until such time as the duly elected official is again available and returns to his or her position, or the state of emergency has passed and a successor is designated and qualifies as required by law, whichever shall occur first.
(C) Duties of the Interim Emergency Council. The Interim Emergency Council shall exercise the powers and duties of their offices, and appoint other key government officials to serve during the emergency.
(Prior Code, § 2.10)