Council to declare ‘state of emergency’ tonight in special meeting

Resolution will extend current emergency proclamation|

For those who still weren’t convinced Sonoma’s in a state of emergency due to the week’s onslaught of fires throughout the Valley, the Sonoma City Council is about to end the discussion once and for all.

Tonight at a special City Council meeting, city officials are expected to pass a resolution declaring an official state of emergency throughout the city.

Or, rather, they’re extending one that’s set to expire. On Wednesday, Oct. 11 as the wildfires entered into their third day of conflagration, City Manager Cathy Capriola herself issued a proclamation of emergency, which is the City Manager’s prerogative under her dual role as Director of Emergency Services. According to city code, that declaration only lasts for seven days, unless it is ratified by the City Council. According to a city staff report, Capriola is urging the Council to extend the emergency proclamation for several more days – with the possibility of ending the emergency designation at the Council’s Oct. 23 meeting, if conditions continue to improve.

A proclamation of a state of emergency allows the City to issue or suspend orders pertaining to the protection of life or property, such as establishing curfews or evacuation areas. It also allows the City to do the following:

? Exercise full power to provide mutual aid to any affected area in accordance with local ordinances, resolutions, emergency plans or agreements;

? Request state agencies and other jurisdictions to provide mutual aid;

? Require the emergency services of any local official or employee;

? Requisition necessary personnel and materials from any local department or agency;

? Obtain vital supplies and equipment and, if required, immediately commandeer the same for public use;

? Impose penalties for violation of lawful orders;

? Conduct emergency operations without incurring legal liability for performance, or failure of performance.

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