(A) The Council.
(1) Shall have the power to make, amend and rescind regulations, not inconsistent with regulations promulgated by the governor, necessary for civil preparedness, which regulations shall have the full effect of this chapter when a copy is filed in the office of the Clerk. Existing ordinances and regulations, or ordinances and regulations issued under authority of A.R.S. Title 26, Chapter 2, in conflict therewith, are suspended during the time and to the extent that they are in conflict;
(2) May appropriate and expend funds, make contracts, obtain and distribute equipment, materials and supplies for civil preparedness purposes;
(3) In the absence of specific authority in state emergency plans and procedures, the Council shall take emergency measures as deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of A.R.S. Title 26, Chapter 2; and
(4) In a state of war emergency the Council may waive procedures and formalities required by law pertaining to the performance of public work, entering into contracts, incurring obligations, employing permanent and temporary workers, utilizing volunteer workers, renting equipment, purchasing and distributing supplies, materials and facilities and appropriating and expending public funds when the Council determines and declares that strict compliance with these procedures and formalities may prevent, hinder or delay mitigation of the effects of the state of war emergency. The town shall be exempt during the emergency from budget limitations prescribed by Article 9, Section 20 of the State Constitution.
(B) The Mayor.
(1) In addition to the powers granted by other provisions of the law or town ordinance, the Mayor may, by proclamation, declare an emergency or a local emergency to exist. The proclamation may be rescinded by a majority of the Council after 24 hours.
(2) During an emergency or local emergency, the Mayor shall govern by proclamation and shall have the authority to impose all necessary regulations to preserve the peace and order of the town, including but not limited to:
(a) Imposition of curfews in all or in a portion of the town;
(b) Ordering the closing of any business;
(c) Closing to public access any public building, street or other public place; and
(d) Calling upon regular or auxiliary law enforcement agencies and organizations within or without the town for assistance.
(C) The Director.
(1) The Director is responsible in non-emergency periods to act on behalf of the Mayor and Council to develop a readiness plan for the town’s civil preparedness and for coordinated operations in disaster situations.
(2) During emergencies, the Director shall act as the principal advisor or aide to the Mayor on emergency operations. His or her major responsibility is to assure coordination among emergency forces and with higher and adjacent governments, by assuring that the emergency operation center functions effectively. He or she shall assist the Mayor in the execution of operations, plans and procedures required by the emergency.
(3) The Director shall prepare a comprehensive disaster basic plan, which shall be adopted and maintained by resolution of the Council upon the recommendations of the Director. In the preparation of this plan as it pertains to town organization, it is the intent that the services, equipment, facilities and personnel of all existing departments and agencies be used to the fullest extent.
(4) The disaster plan shall be considered supplementary to this chapter and have the effect of law whenever emergencies, as defined in this chapter, have been proclaimed.
(1991 Code, § 3-5-4)