Chapter 9.68
MAYOR’S EMERGENCY POWERS

Sections:

9.68.010    Proclamation of Civil Emergency

9.68.020    Action Which May be Taken

9.68.030    Delivery to News Media

9.68.040    Violation - Penalty

9.68.010 Proclamation of Civil Emergency.

Whenever riot, unlawful assembly or insurrection or the imminent threat thereof, or manmade or natural disaster occurs in the City and results in, or threatens to result in the death or injury of persons or the destruction of property to such extent as to require, in the judgment of the Mayor, extraordinary measures to protect the public peace, safety and welfare, the Mayor shall forthwith proclaim in writing the existence of a civil emergency.

9.68.020 Action Which May Be Taken.

Upon the proclamation of a civil emergency by the Mayor, and during the existence of such civil emergency, the Mayor or designee may make and proclaim any or all of the following orders.

A.    An order imposing a general curfew applicable to the City as a whole, or to such geographical area or areas of the City and during such hours as he/she deems necessary, and from time to time to modify the hours such curfew will be in effect and the area or areas to which it will apply;

B.    An order requiring any or all business establishments to close and remain closed until further order;

C.    An order requiring the closure of any or all bars, taverns, liquor stores and other business establishments where alcoholic beverages are sold or otherwise dispensed; provided, that with respect to those business establishments which are not primarily devoted to the sale of alcoholic beverages and in which such alcoholic beverages may be removed or made secure from possible seizure by the public, the portions thereof utilized for the sale of items other than alcoholic beverages may, in the discretion of the Mayor, be allowed to remain open;

D.    An order requiring the discontinuance of the sale, distribution or giving away of alcoholic beverages in any or all part of the City;

E.    An order requiring the discontinuance of the sale, distribution or giving away of firearms and/or ammunition for firearms in any or all parts of the City;

F.    An order requiring the discontinuance of the sale, distribution or giving away of gasoline or other liquor flammable or combustible products in any container other than a gasoline tank properly affixed to a motor vehicle;

G.    An order requiring that sale of gasoline be limited to emergency vehicles for preservation of human life or protection of property;

H.    An order requiring the closure of any or all business establishments where firearms and/or ammunition for firearms are sold or otherwise dispensed; provided, that with respect to those business establishments which are not primarily devoted to the sale of firearms and/or ammunition and in which such firearms and/or ammunition may be removed or made secure from possible seizure by the public, the portions thereof utilized for sale of items other than firearms and ammunition may, in the discretion of the Mayor, be allowed to remain open;

I.    An order closing to the public any or all public places, including streets, alleys, public ways, schools, parks, beaches, amusement areas and public buildings;

J.    An order prohibiting the carrying or possession of firearms or any instrument which is capable of producing bodily harm and which is carried or possessed with the intent to use the same to cause such harm; provided, that any such order shall not apply to peace officers or military personnel engaged in the performance of their official duties;

K.    Such other orders as are imminently necessary for the protection of life and property; provided, however, that any such orders shall, at the earliest practicable time, be represented to the City Council for ratification and confirmation, and if not so ratified and confirmed shall be void.

9.68.030 Delivery to News Media.

The Mayor or designee shall cause any proclamation issued by him/her pursuant to the authority of this chapter to be delivered to all news media within the City and shall utilize such other available means, including public address systems, as shall be necessary, in his/her judgment, to give notice of such proclamations to the public.

9.68.040 Violation - Penalty.

It is unlawful for anyone to fail or refuse to obey any such order proclaimed by the Mayor. Anyone convicted of a violation of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 432, 1993: Ord. 15, 1961)

(Chapter 9.68 renumbered from 9.40, Ord. 448, Sec. 2, 1994)