Resolution 11-079(A) Authorizing the City of Homer to “Opt-Out” of the Automated, System Wide Tsunami Warning Activation Program

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA

City Manager

RESOLUTION 11-079(A)

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF HOMER TO “OPT-OUT” OF THE AUTOMATED, SYSTEM WIDE TSUNAMI WARNING ACTIVATION PROGRAM AND REPLACE IT WITH THE MANUAL SYSTEM OPERATED THROUGH THE CITY OF HOMER POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WHEREAS, The City of Homer presently participates in an automated tsunami warning program that is activated system wide by federal and state agencies from remote locations in the Lower 48 and Palmer; and

WHEREAS, The current program software does not have the ability to “regionalize” or “time” tsunami siren warnings and this results in the potential for false alarms; and

WHEREAS, False alarms can result in threats to public safety and the unnecessary expenditure of money and resources; and

WHEREAS, A number of coastal communities in Alaska do not participate in the program and activate their tsunami warning sirens locally and only if there is a direct threat to the community; and

WHEREAS, The City Administration recommends that Homer “opt-out “ of the automated system and return to activating the warning system locally for the reasons presented in Memorandum 11-106; a copy of which is attached and incorporated herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Homer City Council hereby authorizes the City of Homer to ‘opt-out” of the automated, system wide tsunami warning activation program and replace it with the manual system operated through the City of Homer Police Department.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 25th day of July, 2011.

CITY OF HOMER

_____________________________
JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR

ATTEST:

______________________________
JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: $1,600 for radios