03-24-03 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 24, 2003 WHEREAS, the State of Indiana has mandated that there be a coordinated response to terrorism activities which cross jurisdictional boundaries or exceed the response capabilities of a local jurisdiction; and WHEREAS, under the direction of the St. Joseph County Emergency Management Agency, the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka, St. Joseph County and other organizations prepared a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan which addresses major emergencies that could impact communities including biological, chemical and nuclear terrorism incidents; and WHEREAS, it is necessary to formalize the creation of a joint Anti- Terrorism Steering Committee and a j oint Anti- Terrorism Preparedness and Response Committee for the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka and St. Joseph County so that coordinated procedures and responses may be officially addressed. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, as follows: Section I. The City of South Bend acknowledges that if a terrorism incident occurs anywhere in or near St. Joseph County that it would likely impact the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka, and St. Joseph County, especially if the incident involves biological, chemical or radioactive agents. Emergency response organizations from all three (3) entities would be involved in the response and residents of all three (3) entities would be impacted. A coordinated response effort is therefore deemed to be in the best interests of the community. Section II. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, in cooperation with the Mayor, hereby authorize the city's participation in a coordinated response effort to terrorism activities which may cross jurisdictional boundaries or which may exceed the response capabilities of a local jurisdiction. Section III. The Common Council and the Mayor hereby authorize the City of South Bend, Indiana, to enter into an agreement with the City of Mishawaka and St. Joseph County to work cooperatively in participating on a joint Anti- Terrorism Steering Committee which will oversee terrorism preparedness activities, coordination and guidance and review and approve, as appropriate such plans, policies and procedures which would coordinate terrorism preparation and activities. Section IV. The Common Council and the Mayor hereby authorize the City of South Bend, Indiana, to work cooperatively with the City of Mishawaka and St. Joseph County in participating on a joint Anti- Terrorism Preparedness and Response Committee which shall continually assess the ability of the communities to respond to a terrorism incident and assist the communities in developing policies, plans and procedures to improve response capabilities. This Preparedness Committee shall address non - medical terrorism preparedness and response issues which are common to South Bend, Mishawaka and St. Joseph County. The attached Interlocal Agreement is authorized pursuant to Indiana Code 36 -1 -7, and would formalize and authorize the City of South Bend, the City of Mishawaka and St. Joseph County to work cooperatively in participating on a Joint Anti - Terrorism Steering Committee and a Joint Anti- Terrorism Preparedness and Response Committee. Section V. The Preparedness Committee shall provide advice and recommendations to the ■