§ 9-2. Definitions.

When used herein the following terms shall mean:

Civil emergency means, without limitation, any condition of unrest, riot, civil disobedience, affray, unlawful assembly, hostile, military or paramilitary action, war, terrorism or sabotage.

Critical infrastructure means all public or private assets, systems, and functions vital to the security, governance, public health and safety, economy, or morale of the city.

Curfew means the period during which no person other than expressly authorized officials of the city, county, state or federal government may be present in or upon public streets, sidewalks, parks or other public places or on private property without the consent of the owner or tenant thereof or at any other place where such person has no right or authority to be during such a period.

Dangerous product means any material or product which could reasonably be expected to be used as a tool of arson or terrorism, explosive or weapon, including but not limited to: gasoline and other liquid flammable and combustible products; dynamite and other explosives; firearms and ammunition; and knives and other dangerous weapons.

Disaster, whether natural or manmade, means, without limitation, the occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from flood, fire, cyclone, tornado, earthquake, severe high or low temperatures, water contamination or pollution, land contamination or pollution, air pollution, blizzard, landslide, mudslide, hurricane, volcanic activity, building or structural collapse, high water table, pandemic disease, epidemic, riot, blight, drought, infestation, wind, storm, wave action, hazardous substance spills or releases, chemical spills or releases, petroleum spills or releases, air contamination, biological matter spills or releases, radiation releases or exposures, infestation, explosions, sabotage, mass transportation accidents or public health emergencies, computer failure or other electronic or technological failures that threaten the public health, safety and welfare, hostile military or paramilitary action or terrorist attack, or any other public calamity requiring emergency action or a utility or energy emergency.

Emergency means the imminent threat or occurrence of a disaster, civil emergency or utility or energy emergency affecting the city and its residents and inhabitants where the mayor determines that the exercise or discharge of emergency or disaster powers is necessary to save lives, protect property, to protect the public health and safety, or to lessen or to avert the threat of a catastrophe or calamity within the city.

Homeland security activity means any activity related to the prevention or discovery of, response to, or recovery from a terrorist attack, natural or man-made disaster, hostile military or paramilitary action, or extraordinary law enforcement emergency.

Mayor means the mayor of the city or the mayor pro tem in his or her absence or incapacity or the next council member in succession who may be available in the absence or incapacity of the mayor pro tem.

Public place means any public road, street, alley or other right-of-way within the city or immediately adjacent thereto, any property owned or leased by the city or under its control or any store, building or place at which people are assembled or to which people commonly resort for purposes of business, amusement or education.

Utility emergency means, without limitation, conditions which endanger or threaten to endanger the safety, potability, availability, transmission, distribution, treatment, or storage of water, natural gas, gas fuel, electricity, communication, solid waste or sewage.

The term "energy emergency" and other terms not specifically defined herein shall be defined in accordance with the definitions set forth in Chapter 418 "Emergency Management" or Chapter 421 "Homeland Security" of the Government Code or any successor statute. All other terms not defined herein or in Chapter 418 or 421 shall be construed in their common and usual meaning unless the contrary is clearly indicated and in accordance with section 1-2 of this Code.

(Ord. No. 2004-101, § 2, 4-6-04)

Cross reference

Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.