§ 18-25. State of emergency; special powers.

In the event of a manmade or natural disaster, mass electrical failure, rioting, actual enemy attack upon the United States or any other emergency which may affect the lives and property, the mayor may declare that a state of emergency exists by written proclamation setting out the circumstances of the emergency and thereafter the mayor, or in his or her absence the mayor pro tem or city manager, shall have and may exercise for any period as this state of emergency exists, or continues, the following emergency powers:

(1)

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

(2)

To seize, take for temporary use, or condemn any property for the protection of the public;

(3)

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

(4)

To declare a limited or general curfew as may be needed to restore public order;

(5)

To order the closing of any business;

(6)

To close to public access any public building, street or other public place;

(7)

To prohibit or regulate the possession, sale or use of explosives, gasoline or other flammable liquids, or dangerous weapons of any kind, excluding firearms or components of firearms; and

(8)

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

(Ord. No. 06-11-60, § 1(ch. 15, art. 2, § 5), 11-21-2006; Ord. No. 08-03-05, § 1(ch. 15, art. 2, § 5), 3-17-2008; Ord. No. 08-06-08, § 1(ch. 15, art. 2, § 5), 6-2-2008; Ord. No. 08-08-19, § 1(ch. 15, art. 3, § 5), 8-18-2008; Ord. No. 16-05-276 , §§ 1—5, 5-16-2016)

State law reference

Rules, etc., authorized, O.C.G.A. § 38-3-28; powers of local governing bodies during state of emergency or disaster, O.C.G.A. § 38-3-54.