25-48 Resolution on Behalf of the South Bend Common Council Consenting to the Renewal or Continuance of a Declaration of a Local Disaster Emergency

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WHEREAS, any order or proclamation declaring, continuing, or terminating a local disaster emergency shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly in the office of the Clerk of the political subdivision; and, WHEREAS, the effect of a declaration of"local disaster emergency": (1)activates the response and recovery aspects of all applicable local or interjurisdictional disaster emergency plans; and, (2)authorizes the furnishing of aid and assistance under the plans; and, WHEREAS,the regular meetings of the South Bend Common Council take place on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, therefore creating a period of fourteen (14)days between meetings; and, WHEREAS, it is the intent and desire of the Common Council to ensure that there is no gap in the principal executive officer's declaration of a"local disaster emergency;" and, WHEREAS,the South Bend Common Council recognizes that a federal government shutdown and sudden lapse of SNAP Benefits have resulted in financial hardship and uncertainty for many residents of the City of South Bend to meet their basic needs; and, WHEREAS,the Council acknowledges that the temporary loss of income and delay in federal assistance may impair residents' ability to pay for essential services, including water, sewer, and other utilities; and, WHEREAS, the Common Council finds that these circumstances constitute an emergency situation requiring immediate and temporary action to prevent undue hardship on affected residents. NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,INDIANA, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION I. The Common Council hereby consents to continue or renew the"local disaster emergency" until the next subsequent full Common Council meeting,whether regular meeting or special meeting due to the emergency that exists within the City of South Bend as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown and its impact on residents' financial stability and access to essential needs. SECTION II. This consent is revoked upon any order or proclamation terminating the "local disaster emergency" or upon the full restoration of federal nutrition assistance services to South Bend residents. SECTION III. The Common Council supports a 3-month suspension of utility shut-offs for affected residents to assist in meeting their basic needs and the use of appropriated civil city funds to assist food banks and other nonprofit agencies working to maintain food access during this emergency. SECTION IV.This resolution shall become effective upon the date of passage.