14 - Extension of Mayor's Declaration of Disaster of 2-16-2021Item No. 14
Memorandum
TO: City Council
Grayson Path, City Manager
FROM: Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION EXTENDING MAYOR'S DECLARATION OF DISASTER
OF FEBRUARY 16, 2021
DATE: February 18, 2021
BACKGROUND: Over the weekend of February 12, 2021, the city experienced a significant cold
weather event accompanied by several inches of snow. Due to this weather event, ERCOT
declared rolling blackouts throughout the state including in the city, resulting in significant
temporary problems with the city's water supply and extended periods of power loss to the
residents and business in various parts of the city. Mayor Clifford, in response to this weather
event as well as the forecast of additional snow on Tuesday into Wednesday morning, and severe
cold and wind chills through the end of the week of February 15, signed a declaration of disaster
on February 16th. Such declarations are often necessary in order to obtain federal and other
disaster related aid. Pursuant to the Texas Government Code Chapter 418, the Mayor's declaration
of disaster is valid for seven (7) days unless renewed by the governing body.
STATUS OF ISSUE: The attached resolution extends the Mayor's declaration of disaster for
seven (7) days. In talking with Chief Tuttle, our emergency management coordinator, it is
probably not necessary to extend the declaration, but we needed to get this on the agenda just in
case. This may be a decision that is made shortly before the meeting. I will defer to Chief Tuttle
as to whether City Council should act to extend the declaration.
RECOMMENDATION: Pass and adopt the resolution extending the February 16" declaration of
disaster for seven (7) days if recommended by the emergency management coordinator.
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
TEXAS EXTENDING THE MAYOR'S DECLARATION OF DISASTER
SIGNED ON FEBRUARY 16, 2021 FOR AN ADDITIONAL SEVEN (7)
DAYS; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED
TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on February 12, 2021, Greg Abbott, Governor of the State of Texas,
declared a state of disaster in all 254 counties in Texas based on the existence of an
imminent threat of widespread and severe property damage, injury, and loss of life
due to prolonged freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and freezing rain statewide;
and
WHEREAS, on February 14, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., declared that
an emergency exists in the State of Texas and ordered federal assistance to
supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions
resulting from the severe winter storm which began on February 11, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the City of Paris, Texas, is currently in the midst of this statewide
winter weather emergency; and
WHEREAS, the City has received a significant amount of snow/ice, and
temperatures are expected to be below freezing for a prolonged period; and
WHEREAS, the City's electrical grid and other infrastructure has been strained
by the effects of the winter weather emergency and power outages have affected
much of the City including the City's water supply; and
WHEREAS, this winter weather emergency has and will continue to pose a
threat to the health and safety of local residents; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Paris, Texas, has determined that
extraordinary measures must be taken under the authority of Texas law and the City
Charter of the City of Paris, Texas, to protect the proper delivery of essential services
provided by the City; and
WHEREAS, in accordance therewith, the Mayor signed a declaration of
disaster on February 16, 2020;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PARIS, TEXAS:
1. That a local state of disaster is hereby extended for Paris, Texas, pursuant
to §418.108 of the Texas Government Code.
2. Pursuant to §418.108 of the Texas Government Code, the state of disaster
shall continue for a period of not more than seven (7) days from the date of this
resolution unless continued or renewed by the City Council of the City of Paris, Texas.
3. Pursuant to §418.108(c) of the Texas Government Code, this resolution
extending the declaration of a local state of disaster shall be given prompt and general
publicity and shall be filed promptly with the City Clerk.
4. Pursuant to §418.108 of the Texas Government Code authorizes the City
Manager or his designee(s) as applicable to approve and implement such actions as
necessary during the emergency to mitigate the current data incident.
S. That this resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 22ND DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2021.
Steven J. Clifford, M.D., Mayor
ATTEST:
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney
CITY OF PARIS
OECLARA I T R 2021-QQI FEB 16 121 Pm12'.
WHEREAS, on February 12, 2021, Greg Abbott, Governor of the State of Texas,
declared a state of disaster in all 254 counties in Texas based on the existence of an
imminent threat of widespread and severe property damage, injury, and loss of life
due to prolonged freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and freezing rain statewide;
and
WHEREAS, on February 14, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., declared that
an emergency exists in the State of Texas and ordered federal assistance to
supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions
resulting from. the severe winter storm which began on February 11, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the City of Paris, Texas, is currently in the midst of this statewide
winter weather emergency; and
WHEREAS, the City has received a significant amount of snow/ice, and
temperatures are expected. to be below freezing for a prolonged period; and
WHEREAS, the City's electrical grid and other infrastructure has been strained
by the effects of the winter weather emergency and power outages have affected
much of the City including the City's water supply; and
WHEREAS, this winter weather emergency has and will continue to pose a
threat to the health and safety of local residents; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Paris, Texas, has determined that
extraordinary measures must be taken under the authority of Texas law and the City
Charter of the City of Paris, Texas, to protect the proper delivery of essential services
provided by the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, TEXAS:
1. That a local state of disaster is hereby declared for Paris, Texas, pursuant to
§418.108 (a) of the Texas Government Code.
2. Pursuant to §418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code, the state of disaster
shall continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this
declaration unless continued or renewed by the City Council of the City of Paris,
Texas.
3. Pursuant to §418.108(c) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of
a local state of disaster shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed
promptly with the City Clerk.
4, Pursuant to §418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of
a local state of disaster activates the city emergency management plan.
S. Pursuant to §418.108 of the Texas Government Code authorizes the City
Manager or his designee(s) as applicable to approve and implement such actions as
necessary during the emergency to mitigate the current data incident.
6. That this proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its
issuance.
ORDERED the 15th day of February, 2021 and signed this the 16th day of
February, 2021.
Steven J. Clifford, M.D., Mayor