Emergency Management Former Mayor Earling failed to protect us!

I follow City government very closely and I am very confused as to what took place on March 22, 2020.  Did Council pass an Emergency Ordinance or did Council pass a public emergency ordinance necessary for the protection of the public health, public safety, public property or the public peace?  Do both require a public hearing with 60 days? I didn’t hear any discussion of the need for a majority plus one vote, so I suspect this is an Emergency Ordinance.

ECC 6.60 says that the emergency management organization of the city of Edmonds is created and shall consist of the following:

A. The mayor, who shall be the administrative head and have direct responsibility for the organization, administration and operation of the emergency management organization for the city of Edmonds and direct responsibility for the disaster operations of departments in the city;

B. The disaster coordinator, who shall be appointed by and be subject to the supervision of the mayor and who shall be responsible for the administration and operation of the emergency management organization, including the issuance of recommendations to the mayor on the amendment and implementation of the emergency operations plan;

C. The emergency operations board, which oversees and provides policy recommendation to the city council during disaster and recovery periods and provides direction for the development and maintenance of the emergency operations plan. The emergency operations board shall oversee the activities of and provide direction to the emergency management committee during major emergencies and disasters. The emergency operations board provides policy direction for disaster preparedness and mitigation. The mayor shall serve as chair of the emergency operations board and the disaster coordinator shall serve as vice-chair. The remaining membership of the emergency operations board shall be as designated in the emergency operations plan;

D. The emergency management committee, which provides staff support, direction and expertise in development of the emergency operations plan and all supporting documents. The disaster coordinator shall serve as chair of the committee. The emergency operations plan may also designate the ESCA director as a co-chair of the committee. Other membership in the committee shall be as designated in the emergency operations plan. [Ord. 3196 § 3, 1998].

When one clicks on the link to the ESCA on the City's website - it takes you to a Texas webpage.  Does the ESCA exist?  The April 18, 2017 City Council Meeting Minutes indicate that the City was transitioning from the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency (ESCA) to Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management (DEM). See more details in the P.S. Section at the bottom of this email.

Please inform the public who fills the following positions as of Friday March 20, 2020:

1.  Disaster Coordinator

2.  Emergency Operations Board

3.  Emergency Management Committee

Thank you.

There was much discussion that this hadn’t been looked at in 22 years.  In 2017, Mayor Earling signed (undated) the City of Edmonds Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) which was approved on April 18, 2017.  The CEMP describes the basic strategies, assumptions, objectives and operational protocols which will guide the City’s emergency management efforts through preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. To facilitate effective operations, the City’s CEMP utilizes an Emergency Support Function (ESF) approach. Each ESF identifies the City Department primarily responsible for organizing response actions related to that ESF, as well as support departments and agencies. The CEMP is a 265 page document.  Page 8 of the document indicates that Al Compaan discussed removal of references to ESCA in October, 2016.

I didn’t hear any discussion of the CEMP yesterday.  I also don’t see the CEMP discussed in the Agenda Packet for the March 24, 2020 City Council Meeting.  I don't see any discussion of the ESF in the Agenda Packet for the March 24, 2020 City Council Meeting either.  Were all members of the City Council aware of the CEMP and the ESF prior to your vote yesterday?

The CEMP clearly states that City of Edmonds Ordinance 2224 and Municipal Code 6.60 are part of the authorities and references used in the completion of the 2017 version of the City’s CEMP. It appears this topic was looked at in detail in 2017.

The CEMP clearly states that the Mayor or his/her successor may proclaim special emergency orders under Edmonds Municipal Code 6.60.

Please clear this up so we know what is going on.  Is this an Emergency Ordinance?  How does new Ordinance No. 4177 interact with the CEMP?  Does the CEMP now need to be updated?  Does new Ordinance No. 4177 need to be corrected to refer to the DEM rather than the ESCA?  There may be additional questions and items that need to be cleared up.

Thank you for your efforts to deal with this very difficult situation.  I hope you find my questions and the information I provide helpful. 

Excerpt from City Council Meeting Minutes April 18, 2017:

Police Chief Al Compaan commented the City’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) is important to the City operationally and it is a legally required document. The current version was adopted by Council resolution December 15, 2015 as the City was transitioning from the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency (ESCA) to Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management (DEM). The City is required by state and federal law to maintain a current CEMP as well as a Debris Management Plan. The updated version in the packet replaces all references to ESCA with DEM as well as other minor edits made in coordination with DEM. Regulations require the City review and update the plan every two years as well as do a complete update every five years. Staff worked closely with DEM on the update who complimented the City on an excellent plan that they considered a model. He offered to answer any Council questions and recommended adopting the plans by resolution on next week’s Consent Agenda.

Councilmember Nelson referred to the Emergency Support Function (ESF) responsibility matrix which lists the City Council but does not identify any tasks. Chief Compaan responded that was an oversight that will be corrected.

Councilmember Buckshnis commented she found the plan fascinating. She asked if there would be an training for the public. Chief Compaan answered this document is primarily for City operations. DEM, Fire District 1 and he have discussed providing emergency response/management training for the public such as personal household responsibilities, having a communication plan in place, having basic supplies, etc.

Councilmember Buckshnis, asked if the plan will be on the City’s website once it is adopted. Chief Compaan answered yes. Councilmember Buckshnis referred to the Animal Disaster Protection Plan which refers to livestock, poultry, horses and captive wildlife, commenting Edmonds did not have livestock, horses or captive wildlife. Chief Compaan advised there could be livestock. Council President Mesaros pointed out there are horses near the old Woodway High School. Councilmember Buckshnis observed the format was consistent with other cities. Chief Compaan agreed. He recognize Executive Assistant Caroline Thompson for her assistance with the plan.

It was the consensus of the Council to forward the resolution to the Consent Agenda for approval next week.