MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL


			Wichita, Kansas, January 06, 2005
			Tuesday, 9:29 A.M.

	The City Council met in regular session with Mayor Mayans in the Chair.  Council Members Brewer, Fearey, Martz, Schlapp; present.  (Council Members Gray and Lambke absent).

	George Kolb, City Manager; Gary Rebenstorf, Director of Law; Karen Sublett, City Clerk; present.

Mayor Mayans	Mayor Mayans announced that the purpose of the special meeting is for the City Council to discuss and authorize the implementation of and funding for an emergency response and debris removal plan to address the damage caused by the January 4 & 5, 2005 ice storm that has severely impacted the community.  Mayor Mayans thanked the City Manager and City Staff for their great work and long hours to take care of the debris and continuing to keep the streets open.  Mayor Mayans also thanked the County, Emergency Preparedness, Westar, and all of the hotels and facilities in the City that have opened their doors for shelter.  Stated that we need the community to come together and that more churches and non-profit organizations need to open their doors for those who have not had their electricity service restored.

RESOLUTION	A RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF WICHITA AUTHORIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AND FUNDING FOR AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND DEBRIS REMOVAL PLAN TO ADDRESS THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE JANUARY 4-5, 2005 ICE STORM.

	WHEREAS, the ice storm of January 4-5, 2005 caused significant damage throughout the City of Wichita, primarily from falling trees and tree branches, collapsing from the added weight of the ice; therefore it is necessary to undertake emergency measures and implement a debris removal plan to assist the most severely affected citizens and neighborhoods, and

	WHEREAS, there are several City departments taking extraordinary measures to assist storm victims, clean-up damaged areas, open roads, and restore public services to those affected by the ice storm and such emergency measures require contracting for debris removal, purchase of tools and equipment, and payment of overtime to City staff, and

	WHEREAS, it is necessary that a project account be established to isolate costs associated with such emergency response and debris removal efforts, and

	WHEREAS, a majority of the emergency response costs can be absorbed within the respective departments' budgets, reflected in the project and offset by a transfer from the department's budget; however, there are costs, including temporary help, contracted debris removal from local vendors, and equipment rental/purchases that cannot be absorbed, and

	WHEREAS, it is anticipated that much of the City's expenses for matters such as overtime and non-personnel expenses will be reimbursed, making it necessary to isolate costs in a project, to enable the City to report costs eligible for reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and

	NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF WICHITA THAT;
	1.	The Governing Body of the City of Wichita hereby authorizes the implementation of the emergency response and debris removal plan caused by the January 4-5, 2005 ice storm.
	
	2.	The Governing Body of the City of Wichita hereby approves the establishment of such project and project budget.

	3.	The Governing Body of the City of Wichita hereby authorizes the City Manager to use the "public exigency" provisions of the City's purchasing ordinance and designated emergency management functions to expedite the acquisition of contractual services, equipment and supplies as necessary to address the damage caused by the ice storm emergency.	

	4.	The Governing Body hereby authorizes the use of general funds for expenses that cannot be absorbed in departmental budgets and the necessary budget adjustments.

Motion--	Mayans moved that the Resolution be adopted and the necessary signatures be authorized.
     --carried	Motion carried 5 to 0, (Gray and Lambke absent).	


Motion--carried	Mayans moved that the special meeting be adjourned.  Motion carried 5 to 0, (Gray and Lambke absent).


Adjournment	The City Council meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.



	Karen Sublett
	City Clerk

CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
JOURNAL 182	                  January 06, 2005		PAGE 406