9-5-17 Special Meeting MinutesSeptember 5, 2017
Mayor Glickstein called the Emergency Policy Group Meeting and Emergency Commission Meeting to order at 3:59 p.m.
The following persons were in attendance:
Mayor Glickstein
Commissioner Shelly Petrolia
Commissioner Mitchell Katz
Vice Mayor Jim Chard
Deputy Vice Mayor Johnson arrived at 4:30 p.m.
Others present were:
Neal de Jesus, Interim City Manager
Jeffrey Goldman, Police Chief
Caryn Gardner-Young, Assistant City Manager
Steve Hynes, Director of Emergency Management
Maggie Steenberg
Dani Moschella, Public Information Officer
Keith Tomey, Acting Fire Chief
Max Lohman, City Attorney
Shona Smith
Katerri Johnson, City Clerk
Mr. de Jesus explained that the Governor declared a state of emergency for the impending storm of Hurricane Irma. Due to that action, a local declaration is needed to be passed also.
He also explained that there is a time period required before staff can start documenting expenses as it relates to the storm for purposes of reimbursement.
He reiterated that the policy staff is asking the Commission to support is the local declaration and the support of staff's plans moving forward so day to day operational decisions can
be made. Such decisions would include when City services would be suspended and at some point to determine when a curfew will go into effect. He explained that the curfew is based
on the health, safety and welfare of the community. He pointed out several issues of the voluntary and mandatory evacuations off the barrier island and explained that Police and Fire
resources will be pulled off of the barrier island when they receive notification of a mandatory evacuation.
His briefing also included staff’s instruction to document all hours and record everything from normal operations to any extra hours, so as many tax payer
dollars as possible could be recovered through FEMA or other Federal reimbursement.
Sergeant Hynes then gave a full briefing on current standings.
He explained that the main shelter will be located at Atlantic High School and will be open at 0700 hours on Friday, September 8, 2017.
He explained that it is estimated that tropical storm force winds would occur around 8:00 p.m. on Friday night and that all operations will be set up for a Category 5 hurricane.
He explained that the City’s EOC will be operational by Thursday at 7:00.
He explained that the flash report was used to craft the proper message to the community and that the main city webpage at www.mydelraybeach.com had all the pertinent information residents
would need during the hurricane. He urged that Code Red be pushed to get residents to sign up to receive updates and notifications.
He also explained that FPL runs an active power outage page so residents should directed to the FPL page.
He reiterated that staff will work hard to make sure that we have consistent messaging across the board.
He handed out the EPG checklist in regards to Delray Beach's declaration for the local state of emergency.
Mr. de Jesus commented that he realized the importance to push information out through social media, but asked that the Commissioners copy and paste the information from the City’s Public
Information Officer (PIO) to push out to their constituents the same message throughout the community.
Further discussion ensued.
City Attorney Max Lohman read the title of Resolution number 69-17 Hurricane Irma into record declaring a state of emergency.
Commissioner Petrolia made a motion to approve resolution number 69-17. It was seconded by Vice Mayor Chard. The vote was taken and passed 5-0.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.