A. Priority Of Operations: The following priority of operations shall guide emergency response operations and decision. The City Administrator, acting as the Emergency Management Director, shall have broad authority to determine how City activities and functions are to be conducted within the frame work of these priorities.
1. Public Safety And Security: These services shall be continued, maintained, and repaired during all emergencies to protect public health, safety and welfare:
a. Utilities:
(1) Water system and water distribution.
(2) Sewer collection and treatment.
b. Streets and Parks:
(1) Snow and ice removal.
(2) Streets.
(3) Stormwater facilities.
(4) City vehicles and equipment.
(5) City buildings and facilities.
(6) Coordination with City Engineer and utility companies.
c. Engineering:
(1) Utility locates.
(2) Coordination with Utility and Streets Departments.
d. Administration:
(1) Development and dissemination of public information.
(2) Information Technology system maintenance and support.
2. Essential Services: These services may be disrupted temporarily, typically no longer than five (5) days, and must be reestablished as soon as practical:
a. City Council meetings.
b. Payroll and workers compensation.
c. Procurement and contracting.
d. Accounts payable and receivable.
e. Building and facility cleaning and disinfection.
f. Emergency permits, licensing, and inspection.
3. Necessary Services: These services can be temporarily suspended for longer periods (more than five (5) days), but typically not longer than six (6) weeks:
a. Building Safety:
(1) Fire code inspections.
b. Planning:
(1) Development application processing.
(2) Administrative permits.
(3) Code enforcement.
c. Engineering:
(1) Project inspection and observation.
(2) Preparation of plans and specifications.
(3) Administrative review and approvals.
d. Administration:
(1) Finance functions.
(2) Licensing.
4. Non-Essential Services: These services may be suspended until emergency conditions have been abated:
a. Parks and Recreation programs.
b. Reservations for City facilities.
c. All other services.
5. Specific Event Response: The City response to emergency events will vary based upon the nature of the emergency. The City Administrator is authorized to develop and implement response plans for continued City operations for emergency events in addition to the provisions of this Section based upon the circumstances of the specific emergency.
B. Delegation of Authority; Responsible Authority:
1. The line of succession for City leadership shall be the City Administrator, the Finance Director, and the City Clerk.
2. The City Administrator, acting as the Emergency Management Director, may after informing the City Council, close City buildings and facilities to access by the public and/or employees, suspend non-essential operations, adjust work assignments and schedules, work locations, and establish priorities for City operations in accordance with this Section. Within a reasonable period, typically no more than five (5) days of emergency operations, the City Council may meet to review emergency response operations and provide direction to the City Administrator as to continued emergency operations.
3. Department Heads:
a. Department Heads are deemed to be essential personnel and are expected to perform their duties to the best of their ability in the event of an emergency.
b. The City Administrator must designate at least one (1) other City staff person in each Department to act in the event of the absence or incapacitation of the Department Head. Names of the designated personnel must be conveyed to all Department personnel.
c. If all identified employees in the line of succession are incapacitated or absent, the City Administrator may designate acting leadership for the Department.
4. Paid Time Off And Compensatory Time:
a. The City Administrator may modify personnel rules and policies to allow for reasonable use of accrued paid time off (PTO), compensatory time, or unpaid time off.
b. The City Administrator and/or Department Heads may suspend use of PTO and compensatory time as necessary to maintain City operations.
c. The City Administrator or Department Heads shall directly notify affected employees as to changes in policies regarding PTO, compensatory time, and cancellation of specific leaves of absence.
5. The City Administrator may suspend normal processes and approval procedures for payroll and accounts payable. The City Administrator must designate at least one (1) other employee to review and approve payroll and accounts payable in addition to themselves.
C. Facility Closure And Suspension of Services:
1. Unless directed by the City Administrator or Department Heads, all employees are expected to report for their regularly scheduled work hours and assignments.
2. Employees who deliver services defined as public safety or essential services by this Section are expected to report for work as directed regardless of facility closure.
3. In the event that facilities are closed to the public and employees are directed not to report to work:
a. Every effort will be made for employees to work remotely subject to specific work functions and activities.
b. Full time employees not able to work remotely, but not required to report will be paid their normal compensation for the day(s) they are not allowed to report to work. (Ord. 2020-10, 6-8-2020)