HomeMy WebLinkAbout22. 21-488
SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 21-488 ORDINANCE
FIRST READING
(CARRIED______ LOST_______ LAID OVER_______ WITHDRAWN_______)
PURPOSE: AMEND CHAPTER 9 EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PLANNING
AND RESPONSE
INITIATED BY: CITY ADMINISTRATION
A GENERAL ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH AMENDING CHAPTER 9
EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PLANNING AND RESPONSE
WHEREAS, it is necessary to adopt changes to Chapter 9 of the City’s Municipal
Code pertaining to Emergency and Disaster Planning and Response to update statutory
references and to simplify and update language within the code.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh do ordain as
follows:
SECTION 1. That Chapter 9 Emergency and Disaster Planning and Response is
hereby amended to read as shown on the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its
passage, and publication.
SECTION 3. Publication Notice. Please take notice that the City of Oshkosh enacted
ordinance #21-XXX on October 12th, 2021, AMEND CHAPTER 9 EMERGENCY AND
DISASTER PLANNING AND RESPONSE (A GENERAL ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
OSHKOSH AMENDING CHAPTER 9 EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PLANNING AND
RESPONSE). The ordinance updates statutory references and simplifies and updates the
language in the current ordinance.
The full text of the ordinance may be obtained at the Office of the City Clerk, 215 Church
Avenue and through the City’s website at www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us. Clerk’s phone:
920/236-5011.
TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the Common Council
FROM: Lynn A. Lorenson, City Attorney
DATE: September 23, 2021
RE: Amend Chapter 9 Emergency and Disaster Planning and Response
BACKGROUND
Council is being asked to approve an ordinance to correct the code references contained
in Chapter 9, the City’s emergency management and response ordinance. As staff
reviewed this ordinance there were also several minor language changes intended to
simplify or update language to current language or practices.
ANALYSIS
The proposed ordinance will update Chapter 9 pertaining to emergency disaster
planning and response to correct outdated statutory references, to update some
terminology and to make other minor changes in language or formatting. There are no
substantive changes proposed to the section. Both a redline and clean version of the
ordinance are attached.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no anticipated fiscal impact associated with the proposed ordinance change.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved:
Lynn A. Lorenson Mark A. Rohloff
City Attorney City Manager
City of Oshkosh Municipal Codes
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City of Oshkosh Chapter 9 – Page 1 Municipal Codes
CHAPTER 9
EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PLANNING AND RESPONSE
9-1 Purpose and Declaration of Policy
9-2 Declaration of Emergency and Emergency Powers
9-3 Duties of the Emergency Management Coordinator
9-4 Operational Organization
9-5 Emergency Procurements
9-6 Temporary Emergency Locations
9-7 Succession to Offices/Department Positions
9-8 Police Power of Police Chief/Police Officers
9-9 Police Power of Fire Chief/Rescue Squads
9-10 No Limitation on General Police Powers
9-11 Effective Date and Termination of Emergency Powers
9-12 Penalty for Violation of Emergency Proclamation, Rule of Order
9-13 Severability
City of Oshkosh Municipal Codes
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City of Oshkosh Chapter 9 – Page 2 Municipal Codes
SECTION 9-1 PURPOSE AND DECLARATION OF POLICY
This Ordinance is enacted to set out and clarify the authority of the City of Oshkosh and its officers and
employees with regard to emergency and disaster situations. It is intended to grant as broad a power as
permitted by statutory and constitutional authority.
SECTION 9-2 DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY AND EMERGENCY POWERS
Declaration of Emergency. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Common
Council for the City of Oshkosh may declare by resolution or ordinance an emergency existing within the
City of Oshkosh whenever conditions arise by reason of war, conflagration, flood, heavy snow storm,
blizzard, catastrophe, disaster, riot or civil commotion, acts of God, and including conditions, without
limitation because of enumeration, which impair transportation, food or fuel supplies, medical care, fire,
health, police protection or other vital facilities of the city.
If, the Common Council is unable to meet with promptness, the City Manager is hereby authorized to
declare a state of emergency by proclamation. The proclamation shall be subject to ratification, alteration,
modification or repeal by the Common Council as soon as that body can meet, but the subsequent action
taken by the Common Council shall not affect the prior validity of the proclamation. The period of the
emergency shall be limited by the ordinance or resolution to the time during which the emergency
conditions exist or are likely to exist.
Appointment of Emergency Management Coordinator. The Chief of the Oshkosh Fire Department or
his/her designee shall be the Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Oshkosh. The City
Manager shall appoint at least two (2) Deputy Coordinators who shall have the authority and power to
act in the absence of the Coordinator.
Authority to act. During a state of emergency, the Common Council by ordinance or resolution, or in their
absence the City Manager by proclamation, shall have the authority to legislate for whatever is necessary
and expedient for the health, safety, welfare and good order of the city. This shall include, without
limitation by enumeration, the authority to bar, restrict or remove all unnecessary traffic, both vehicular
and pedestrian, from all local highways.
Emergency Powers of the City Manager. In addition to those powers conferred upon the City Manager
in the previous sections, during a state of emergency, the City Manager, in consultation with the
Emergency Management Coordinator and other City staff, shall exercise all executive and general
administrative emergency powers, including but not limited to all of the following:
(1) The power to direct emergency response activities by City departments.
(2) The power to execute contracts for the emergency construction or repair of public
improvements, when the delay of advertising and public bidding might cause serious loss or injury to the
City, upon following the procedures of Section 9-5 regarding emergency procurements.
(3) The power to purchase or lease goods and services deemed necessary to the City's
emergency response or for the repair of City facilities, or both, upon following the procedures of Section
9-5 regarding emergency procurements.
(4) The power to lease real property, or structures, or both, that are deemed necessary for
the continued operation of City government.
(5) The power to promulgate rules and orders to implement and clarify the proclamation
exercising emergency power.
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City of Oshkosh Chapter 9 – Page 3 Municipal Codes
(6) The power to delegate any or all of these duties to appropriate City personnel.
Actions taken pursuant to the grant of authority contained in this ordinance shall be subject to ratification,
alteration, modification or repeal by the Common Council as soon as that body can meet, but the
subsequent action taken by the Common Council shall not affect the prior validity of the action taken.
SECTION 9-3 DUTIES OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR
The Emergency Management Coordinator shall be responsible for the performance and supervision of
performance of all duties in connection with coordinating and carrying out the City's role in furnishing
services in the event of declaration of a state of emergency. The powers and duties of the Emergency
Management Coordinator are pursuant to Chapter 323 Wisconsin Statutes. The Emergency
Management Coordinator shall be responsible to the City Manager.
(1) The Emergency Management Coordinator shall:
(A) Assist the City Manager in the exercise of emergency powers.
(B) Act in coordination with the State and other governmental agencies as may be necessary
to plan and implement a joint jurisdiction emergency planning and disaster services plan
and mutual aid arrangements.
(C) Request the City Manager / City Council when appropriate to declare a state of
emergency.
(D) Direct emergency management training programs and exercises.
(E) Act as a liaison with other municipal, state, regional and federal disaster services
agencies.
(F) Marshal, after the declaration of a state of emergency, all necessary personnel, equipment
and supplies from any department of the City to aid in carrying out the emergency
operations plan.
(G) Prepare under the direction of the City Manager and in consultation with the appropriate
City staff, all necessary emergency proclamations, rules, and orders and implement the
emergency operations plan.
(H) Coordinate the drafting of proposed intergovernmental agreements.
(I) Assume other emergency responsibilities as assigned by the City Manager or City
Council.
(J) Recommend for adoption by the City Council an emergency operations plan for the City
and recommend for adoption by the City Council mutual aid plans and agreements which
are deemed essential for the plan. The Emergency Management Coordinator shall make
continuing studies of the need for amendments and improvements in such plans.
SECTION 9-4 OPERATIONAL ORGANIZATION
The Emergency Operational Plan Development Team of the City shall consist of municipal officers and
employees who may be designated by the City Manager. This team shall work under the direction and
supervision of the Emergency Management Coordinator to assist the Coordinator in the performance of
those functions enumerated within this ordinance. Plans of organization shall substantially conform to
recommendations of the federal government and the State Office of Emergency Management.
City of Oshkosh Municipal Codes
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SECTION 9-5 EMERGENCY PROCUREMENTS
Notwithstanding any provision of this Code to the contrary, upon declaration of a state of emergency the
City Manager or the City Manager's designees may procure by purchase or lease, such goods and
services as are deemed necessary for the City's emergency response effort. This emergency
procurement of goods or services may be made in the open market without filing a requisition or estimate
and without advertisement or compliance with requirements for public bidding for immediate delivery or
furnishing. A full written account of emergency procurements made during this emergency, together with
a requisition for the required materials, supplies, equipment, or services, shall be submitted to the City
Manager within 30 days after their procurement, and shall be open to public inspection for such period
as required by applicable City ordinance and State Statutes. The City Manager shall, within three months
of the conclusion of the emergency, formally communicate these emergency expenditures in a full written
account to the City Council.
SECTION 9-6 TEMPORARY EMERGENCY LOCATIONS
Designation of emergency temporary locations. Whenever during a state of emergency it becomes
imprudent, inexpedient or impossible to conduct the affairs of local government at the regular or usual
place or places thereof, the Common Council may meet by remote means as may be permitted by Council
Rules or at any place within or without the territorial limits of the City of Oshkosh on the call of the City
Manager or Mayor or their successor(s), and shall proceed to establish and designate by ordinance,
resolution or other manner, alternate or substitute sites or places as the emergency temporary locations
of government where all, or any part, of the public business may be transacted and conducted during the
emergency situation. Such alternate or substitute site or places may be within or without the territorial
limits of the City of Oshkosh. If practicable, they shall be the sites or places designated as the emergency
temporary locations of government in the current emergency management plan.
Exercise of governmental authority. While the public business is being conducted at an emergency
temporary location, the Common Council and officers of the City of Oshkosh shall have, possess and
exercise, at such location, all of the executive, legislative, administrative and judicial powers and functions
conferred upon such body and officers under state law. Such powers and functions, except judicial, may
be exercised in the light of the exigencies of the emergency situation without regard to or compliance
with time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law and pertaining thereto. All acts of
such body and officers shall be as valid and binding as if performed within the territorial limits of the City
of Oshkosh.
Priority of legislation. This section shall control notwithstanding any statutory, charter or ordinance
provision to the contrary or in conflict herewith.
SECTION 9-7 SUCCESSION TO OFFICES/DEPARTMENT POSITIONS
Declaration of policy. Because of the possible unavailability or incapacity of local officials/Department
Heads during an emergency, it is determined and declared to be necessary to assure the continuity and
effective operation of the City of Oshkosh in the event of an emergency, by providing for additional
persons who can temporarily exercise the powers and discharge the duties of these positions.
"Emergency interim successor" means a person designated under this section, if the officer/Department
Head is unavailable, to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the position until a successor is
appointed or elected and qualified as provided by law or until the lawful incumbent is able to resume the
exercise of the powers and discharge the duties of the position.
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"Unavailable" means that during a state of emergency resulting from any cause, either a vacancy in office
exists and there is no deputy authorized to exercise all of the powers and discharge the duties of the
office, or that the lawful incumbent of the office and his or her duly authorized deputy are absent or unable
to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the position.
Emergency interim successors. Subject to such regulations as the City Manager may issue, local
officials and all Department Heads for the City of Oshkosh shall designate by title, if feasible, or by named
person, emergency interim successors and specify their order of succession. The Officer/Department
Head shall review and revise, as necessary, designations made pursuant to this section to ensure their
current status. The Officer/Department Head shall designate a sufficient number of persons so that there
will be not less than 2 nor more than 5 deputies or emergency interim successors or any combination
thereof at any time. If any Officer/Department Head of any political subdivision or his or her deputy
provided for pursuant to law is unavailable, the powers of the office shall be exercised and duties shall
be discharged by his or her designated emergency interim successors in the order specified. The
emergency interim successor shall exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office to which
designated until such time as a vacancy which may exist is filled in accordance with the constitution or
statutes or until the officer or his or her deputy or a preceding emergency interim successor again
becomes available to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the position.
Status and qualifications of designees. No person shall be designated or serve as an emergency interim
successor unless he or she is eligible under the constitution and statutes to hold the office to which
powers and duties he or she is designated to succeed, but no constitutional or statutory provision
prohibiting local or state officials from holding another office shall be applicable to an emergency interim
successor.
Formalities of taking office. Emergency interim successors shall take such oath as may be required for
them to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office to which they may succeed. No
person, as a prerequisite to the exercise of the powers or discharge of the duties of an office to which he
or she succeeds, shall be required to comply with any other provision of law relative to taking office.
SECTION 9-8 POLICE POWER OF POLICE CHIEF / POLICE OFFICERS
The Police Chief and his/her designees shall have authority to suppress any tumult or disorder and to
order all individuals, groups or companies to leave the neighborhood of any disturbance or emergency
scene, and to command from the inhabitants of the City all needful assistance; officers shall also have
authority to go upon and enter any property or premises and to do whatever may reasonably be
necessary to protect the health, safety, welfare and good order of the inhabitants of the City of Oshkosh.
This shall include, without limitation by enumeration, the authority to bar, restrict or remove all
unnecessary traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, from all local highways.
SECTION 9-9 POLICE POWER OF FIRE CHIEF / RESCUE SQUADS
The Fire Chief, Emergency Management Coordinator and their designees shall have authority to
suppress any tumult or disorder and to order all individuals or companies to leave the neighborhood of
any fire or emergency scene, and to command from the inhabitants of the city all needful assistance for
the suppression of fires and in the preservation of property exposed to fire; the officers above
enumerated shall also have authority to go upon and enter any property or premises and to do whatever
may reasonably be necessary in the performance of their duties while engaged in the work of
extinguishing any fire or performing any duties incidental thereto. Such officers shall also have authority
to go upon and enter any property or premises and do whatever may reasonably be necessary in the
performance of their duties while engaged in the work of aiding persons or minimizing the loss to property
at an emergency scene.
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City of Oshkosh Chapter 9 – Page 6 Municipal Codes
SECTION 9-10 NO LIMITATION ON GENERAL POLICE POWERS
Nothing within this Chapter shall be construed to limit in any way the general police powers and authority
of the City of Oshkosh, its Officers, and Officials.
SECTION 9-11 EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION OF EMERGENCY POWERS
Proclamations, rules, and orders issued pursuant to this ordinance shall be effective upon issuance and
shall remain in effect until withdrawn by the Council, City Manager or other issuing authority. However,
those proclamations, rules, and orders shall be withdrawn by the Council, City Manager, or other issuing
authority, and those persons acting pursuant to this Chapter shall cease to exercise emergency powers
at such time as the conditions giving rise to the emergency cease.
SECTION 9-12 PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION, RULE OR
ORDER
Any person, adult or juvenile, violating a proclamation of emergency, a subsequent proclamation
exercising emergency powers, a rule, or order, which proclamation, rule or order is issued pursuant to
the provisions of this ordinance, or any order or directive given by a peace officer or designated
emergency services personnel acting pursuant to this ordinance shall upon conviction thereof, be
punished by a forfeiture of not less than $275.00 nor more than $1000.00, together with the costs of
prosecution, and in default of payment thereof, by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not to
exceed sixty (60) days. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense. In addition to the
penalties herein provided, appropriate legal or equitable action may be commenced to enjoin any person
from violating any of the provisions of this section.
SECTION 9-13 SEVERABILITY
The provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable, and if any section, sentence, clause or
phrase of this Ordinance shall for any reason be held invalid or unconstitutional or if the application of
this Ordinance to any person or circumstances is held invalid or unconstitutional, such decisions shall
not affect the validity of the remaining sections, sentences, clauses, and phrases of this 0rdinance.
City of Oshkosh Municipal Codes
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City of Oshkosh Chapter 9 – Page 1 Municipal Codes
CHAPTER 9
EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PLANNING AND RESPONSE
9-1 Purpose and Declaration of Policy
9-2 Declaration of Emergency and Emergency Powers
9-3 Duties of the Emergency Management Coordinator
9-4 Operational Organization
9-5 Emergency Procurements
9-6 Temporary Emergency Locations
9-7 Succession to Offices/Department Positions
9-8 Police Power of Police Chief/Police Officers
9-9 Police Power of Fire Chief/Rescue Squads
9-10 No Limitation on General Police Powers
9-11 Effective Date and Termination of Emergency Powers
9-12 Penalty for Violation of Emergency Proclamation, Rule of Order
9-13 Severability
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City of Oshkosh Chapter 9 – Page 2 Municipal Codes
SECTION 9-1 PURPOSE AND DECLARATION OF POLICY
This Ordinance is enacted to set out and clarify the authority of the City of Oshkosh and its officers and
employees with regard to emergency and disaster situations. It is intended to grant as broad a power as
permitted by statutory and constitutional authority.
SECTION 9-2 DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY AND EMERGENCY POWERS
Declaration of Emergency. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Common
Council for the City of Oshkosh may declare by resolution or ordinance an emergency existing within the
City of Oshkosh whenever conditions arise by reason of war, conflagration, flood, heavy snow storm,
blizzard, catastrophe, disaster, riot or civil commotion, acts of God, and including conditions, without
limitation because of enumeration, which impair transportation, food or fuel supplies, medical care, fire,
health ,or police protection or other vital facilities of the city.
If, the Common Council is unable to meet with promptness, the City Manager is hereby authorized to
declare a state of emergency by proclamation. The proclamation shall be subject to ratification, alteration,
modification or repeal by the Common Council as soon as that body can meet, but the subsequent action
taken by the Common Council shall not affect the prior validity of the proclamation. The period of the
emergency shall be limited by the ordinance or resolution to the time during which the emergency
conditions exist or are likely to exist.
Appointment of Emergency Management Coordinator. The Chief of the Oshkosh Fire Department or
his/her designee shall be the Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Oshkosh. The City
Manager shall appoint at least two (2) Deputy Coordinators who shall have the authority and power to
act in the absence of the Coordinator.
Authority to act. During a state of emergency, the Common Council by ordinance or resolution, or in their
absence the City Manager by proclamation, shall have the authority to legislate for whatever is necessary
and expedient for the health, safety, welfare and good order of the city. This shall include, without
limitation by enumeration, the authority to bar, restrict or remove all unnecessary traffic, both vehicular
and pedestrian, from all local highways.
Emergency Powers of the City Manager. In addition to those powers conferred upon the City Manager
in the previous sections, during a state of emergency, the City Manager, in consultation with the
Emergency Management Coordinator and other City staff, shall exercise all executive and general
administrative emergency powers, including but not limited to all of the following:
(1) The power to direct emergency response activities by City departments.
(2) The power to execute contracts for the emergency construction or repair of public
improvements, when the delay of advertising and public bidding might cause serious loss or injury to the
City, upon following the procedures of Section 9-5 regarding emergency procurements.
(3) The power to purchase or lease goods and services deemed necessary to the City's
emergency response or for the repair of City facilities, or both, upon following the procedures of Section
9-5 regarding emergency procurements.
(4) The power to lease real property, or structures, or both, that are deemed necessary for
the continued operation of City government.
(5) The power to promulgate rules and orders to implement and clarify the proclamation
exercising emergency power.
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City of Oshkosh Chapter 9 – Page 3 Municipal Codes
(6) The power to delegate any or all of these duties to appropriate City personnel.
Actions taken pursuant to the grant of authority contained in this ordinance shall be subject to ratification,
alteration, modification or repeal by the Common Council as soon as that body can meet, but the
subsequent action taken by the Common Council shall not affect the prior validity of the action taken.
SECTION 9-3 DUTIES OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR
The Emergency Management Coordinator shall be responsible for the performance and supervision of
performance of all duties in connection with coordinating and carrying out the City's role in furnishing
services in the event of declaration of a state of emergency. The powers and duties of the Emergency
Management Coordinator are pursuant to Chapter 166 323 Wisconsin Statutes. The Emergency
Management Coordinator shall be responsible to the City Manager.
(1) The Emergency Management Coordinator shall:
(A) assistAssist the City Manager in the exercise of emergency powers.
(B) actAct in coordination with the State and other governmental agencies as may be
necessary to plan and implement a joint jurisdiction emergency planning and disaster
services plan and mutual aid arrangements.
(C) Request the City Manager / City Council when appropriate to declare a state of
emergency.
(D) Control and direct emergency training activities.Direct emergency management training
programs and exercises.
(E) Maintain Act as a liaison with other municipal, state, regional and federal disaster services
agencies.
(F) Marshal, after the declaration of a state of emergency, all necessary personnel, equipment
and supplies from any department of the City to aid in carrying out the emergency
operations plan.
(G) Prepare under the direction of the City Manager and in consultation with the appropriate
City staff, all necessary emergency proclamations, rules, and orders and implement the
emergency operations plan.
(H) Coordinate the drafting of proposed mutual aidintergovernmental agreements.
(I) Assume other emergency responsibilities as assigned by the City Manager or City
Council.
(J) Rrecommend for adoption by the City Council an emergency operations plan for the City
and recommend for adoption by the City Council mutual aid plans and agreements which
are deemed essential for the plan. The Emergency Management Coordinator shall make
continuing studies of the need for amendments and improvements in such plans.
SECTION 9-4 OPERATIONAL ORGANIZATION
The Emergency Operational Plan Development Team of the City shall consist of municipal officers and
employees who may be designated by the City Manager. This team shall work under the direction and
supervision of the Emergency Management Coordinator to assist the Coordinator in the performance of
those functions enumerated within this ordinance. Plans of organization shall substantially conform to
recommendations of the federal government and the State Office of Emergency Management.
SECTION 9-5 EMERGENCY PROCUREMENTS
Notwithstanding any provision of this Code to the contrary, upon declaration of a state of emergency the
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City of Oshkosh Chapter 9 – Page 4 Municipal Codes
City Manager or the City Manager's designees may procure by purchase or lease, such goods and
services as are deemed necessary for the City's emergency response effort. This emergency
procurement of goods or services may be made in the open market without filing a requisition or estimate
and without advertisement or compliance with requirements for public bidding for immediate delivery or
furnishing. A full written account of emergency procurements made during this emergency, together with
a requisition for the required materials, supplies, equipment, or services, shall be submitted to the City
Manager within 30 days after their procurement, and shall be open to public inspection for such period
as required by applicable City ordinance and State Statutes. The City Manager shall, within three months
of the conclusion of the emergency, formally communicate these emergency expenditures in a full written
account to the City Council.
SECTION 9-6 TEMPORARY EMERGENCY LOCATIONS
Designation of emergency temporary locations. Whenever during a state of emergency it becomes
imprudent, inexpedient or impossible to conduct the affairs of local government at the regular or usual
place or places thereof, the Common Council may meet by remote means as may be permitted by Council
Rules or at any place within or without the territorial limits of the City of Oshkosh on the call of the City
Manager or Mayor or his or hertheir successor(s), and shall proceed to establish and designate by
ordinance, resolution or other manner, alternate or substitute sites or places as the emergency temporary
locations of government where all, or any part, of the public business may be transacted and conducted
during the emergency situation. Such alternate or substitute site or places may be within or without the
territorial limits of the City of Oshkosh. If practicable, they shall be the sites or places designated as the
emergency temporary locations of government in the current emergency managementemergency
management plan.
Exercise of governmental authority. While the public business is being conducted at an emergency
temporary location, the Common Council and officers of the City of Oshkosh shall have, possess and
exercise, at such location, all of the executive, legislative, administrative and judicial powers and functions
conferred upon such body and officers under state law. Such powers and functions, except judicial, may
be exercised in the light of the exigencies of the emergency situation without regard to or compliance
with time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law and pertaining thereto. All acts of
such body and officers shall be as valid and binding as if performed within the territorial limits of the City
of Oshkosh.
Priority of legislation. This section shall control notwithstanding any statutory, charter or ordinance
provision to the contrary or in conflict herewith.
SECTION 9-7 SUCCESSION TO OFFICES/DEPARTMENT POSITIONS
Declaration of policy. Because of the possible unavailability or incapacity of local officials/Department
Heads during an emergency, it is determined and declared to be necessary to assure the continuity and
effective operation of the City of Oshkosh in the event of an emergency, by providing for additional
persons who can temporarily exercise the powers and discharge the duties of these positions.
"Emergency interim successor" means a person designated under this section, if the officer/Department
Head is unavailable, to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the position until a successor is
appointed or elected and qualified as provided by law or until the lawful incumbent is able to resume the
exercise of the powers and discharge the duties of the position.
"Unavailable" means that during a state of emergency resulting from any cause, either a vacancy in office
exists and there is no deputy authorized to exercise all of the powers and discharge the duties of the
office, or that the lawful incumbent of the office and his or her duly authorized deputy are absent or unable
City of Oshkosh Municipal Codes
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City of Oshkosh Chapter 9 – Page 5 Municipal Codes
to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the position.
Emergency interim successors. Subject to such regulations as the City Manager may issue, local
officials and all Department Heads for the City of Oshkosh shall designate by title, if feasible, or by named
person, emergency interim successors and specify their order of succession. The Officer/Department
Head shall review and revise, as necessary, designations made pursuant to this section to ensure their
current status. The Officer/Department Head shall designate a sufficient number of persons so that there
will be not less than 2 nor more than 5 deputies or emergency interim successors or any combination
thereof at any time. If any Officer/Department Head of any political subdivision or his or her deputy
provided for pursuant to law is unavailable, the powers of the office shall be exercised and duties shall
be discharged by his or her designated emergency interim successors in the order specified. The
emergency interim successor shall exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office to which
designated until such time as a vacancy which may exist is filled in accordance with the constitution or
statutes or until the officer or his or her deputy or a preceding emergency interim successor again
becomes available to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the position.
Status and qualifications of designees. No person shall be designated or serve as an emergency interim
successor unless he or she is eligible under the constitution and statutes to hold the office to which
powers and duties he or she is designated to succeed, but no constitutional or statutory provision
prohibiting local or state officials from holding another office shall be applicable to an emergency interim
successor.
Formalities of taking office. Emergency interim successors shall take such oath as may be required for
them to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office to which they may succeed. No
person, as a prerequisite to the exercise of the powers or discharge of the duties of an office to which he
or she succeeds, shall be required to comply with any other provision of law relative to taking office.
SECTION 9-8 POLICE POWER OF POLICE CHIEF / POLICE OFFICERS
The Police Chief and his/her designees shall have authority to suppress any tumult or disorder and to
order all individuals, groups or companies to leave the neighborhood of any disturbance or emergency
scene, and to command from the inhabitants of the City all needful assistance; officers shall also have
authority to go upon and enter any property or premises and to do whatever may reasonably be
necessary to protect the health, safety, welfare and good order of the inhabitants of the City of Oshkosh.
This shall include, without limitation by enumeration, the authority to bar, restrict or remove all
unnecessary traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, from all local highways.
SECTION 9-9 POLICE POWER OF FIRE CHIEF / RESCUE SQUADS
The Fire Chief, Emergency Management Coordinator and their designees shall have authority to
suppress any tumult or disorder and to order all individuals or companies to leave the neighborhood of
any fire or first aidemergency scene, and to command from the inhabitants of the city all needful
assistance for the suppression of fires and in the preservation of property exposed to fire; the officers
above enumerated shall also have authority to go upon and enter any property or premises and to do
whatever may reasonably be necessary in the performance of their duties while engaged in the work of
extinguishing any fire or performing any duties incidental thereto. Such officers shall also have authority
to go upon and enter any property or premises and do whatever may reasonably be necessary in the
performance of their duties while engaged in the work of aiding persons or minimizing the loss to property
at an emergency first aid scene.
SECTION 9-10 NO LIMITATION ON GENERAL POLICE POWERS
City of Oshkosh Municipal Codes
Revisions thru12/31/01
City of Oshkosh Chapter 9 – Page 6 Municipal Codes
Nothing within this Chapter shall be construed to limit in any way the general police powers and authority
of the City of Oshkosh, its Officers, and Officials.
SECTION 9-11 EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION OF EMERGENCY POWERS
Proclamations, rules, and orders issued pursuant to this ordinance shall be effective upon issuance and
shall remain in effect until withdrawn by the Council, City Manager or other issuing authority. However,
those proclamations, rules, and orders shall be withdrawn by the Council, City Manager, or other issuing
authority, and those persons acting pursuant to this Chapter shall cease to exercise emergency powers
at such time as the conditions giving rise to the emergency cease.
SECTION 9-12 PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION, RULE OR
ORDER
Any person, adult or juvenile, violating a proclamation of emergency, a subsequent proclamation
exercising emergency powers, a rule, or order, which proclamation, rule or order is issued pursuant to
the provisions of this ordinance, or any order or directive given by a peace officer or designated
emergency services personnel acting pursuant to this ordinance shall upon conviction thereof, be
punished by a forfeiture of not less than $275.00 nor more than $1000.00, together with the costs of
prosecution, and in default of payment thereof, by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not to
exceed sixty (60) days. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense. In addition to the
penalties herein provided, appropriate legal or equitable action may be commenced to enjoin any person
from violating any of the provisions of this section.
SECTION 9-13 SEVERABILITY
The provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable, and if any section, sentence, clause or
phrase of this Ordinance shall for any reason be held invalid or unconstitutional or if the application of
this Ordinance to any person or circumstances is held invalid or unconstitutional, such decisions shall
not affect the validity of the remaining sections, sentences, clauses, and phrases of this 0rdinance.