§ 14-31. Additional emergency powers.

Upon a manmade or natural disaster, actual enemy attack upon the United States, or any other emergency which may affect the lives and property of the citizens of the city, the Mayor separately, or jointly with the chairperson of the Board of County Commissioners, or in their absences their legally appointed successors, may determine that an emergency or disaster exists and thereafter shall have and may exercise for such period as such emergency or disaster exists or continues, the power to:

(1)

Enforce all rules, laws and regulations relating to emergency management, and to assume direct operational control over all emergency management resources;

(2)

Seize or take for temporary use, any private property for the protection of the public;

(3)

Sell, lend, give or distribute all or any such property or supplies among the inhabitants of the county and to maintain a strict accounting of property or supplies distributed and for funds received for such property or supplies; and

(4)

Perform and exercise such other functions and duties, and take such emergency actions, as may be necessary to promote and secure the safety, protection and well-being of the inhabitants of the city.

(Code 1979, § 4-9-4; Code 1998, § 18-40)