2.16.040 The Mayor and disasters.
A. The Mayor is responsible for responding to the dangers presented by disasters to the Borough and its people.
B. A proclamation issued under this chapter shall be disseminated promptly by means calculated to bring its contents to the attention of the general public.
C. A condition of disaster emergency shall be declared by proclamation of the Mayor if they find that a disaster has occurred or that such an occurrence is imminent. If the Borough Assembly is not in session when a proclamation is issued, concurrently with the issuance of the proclamation, a special session of the Assembly will be requested to ratify the actions taken under this chapter. The emergency proclaimed in accordance with the provisions of this section shall terminate after seven days from the issuance of a proclamation, or upon issuance of a proclamation or resolution of the Assembly declaring that an emergency no longer exists, whichever occurs first, except that such emergency may be extended for such additional periods of time as deemed necessary by resolution of the Assembly. All proclamations issued under this subsection shall indicate the nature of the disaster, the area or areas threatened or affected, and the conditions which have brought it about or which make possible the termination of the disaster emergency. A copy of all proclamations issued under this subsection shall, if possible, be filed promptly with the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Borough Clerk.
D. A proclamation of a disaster emergency activates the disaster response and recovery aspects of the Borough, local and interjurisdictional disaster emergency plans and authorizes the furnishing of aid and assistance under these plans.
E. In addition to any other powers conferred upon the Mayor by law, they may, under this chapter:
1. Suspend the provisions of any regulatory ordinance prescribing procedures for the conduct of Borough business, or the orders or regulations of any Borough department, if compliance with the provisions of the statute, order or regulation would prevent, or substantially impede or delay, action necessary to cope with the disaster emergency;
2. Use all of the resources of the Borough government as reasonably necessary to cope with the disaster emergency;
3. Transfer personnel or alter the functions of Borough departments and offices or units of them for the purpose of performing or facilitating the performance of disaster emergency services;
4. Issue evacuation advisories and warnings and prescribe routes, modes of transportation and destinations in connection with any recommended evacuation and alternative traffic routes;
5. Make provisions for the availability and use of temporary emergency housing;
6. Establish perimeter of disaster area and coordinate with appropriate authorities to limit access if necessary.
F. The Mayor may obtain vital supplies, equipment and other properties found lacking and needed for the protection of the health, life and property of the people, and bind the Borough for the fair value thereof.
G. The Mayor may enter into response agreements with local, state, federal and private agencies and participate in the Alaska intrastate mutual aid system. (Ord. 2019-09 § 2, 2019; Ord. 2012-35 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2004-30 § 2, 2004; Ord. 80-5 § 2, 1980. 2004 Code § 2.28.041.)