Flossmoor Mayor Paul Braun was granted emergency powers at the April 6 village board meeting.
Flossmoor Mayor Paul Braun was granted emergency powers at the April 6 village board meeting.
The emergency powers allow Braun to make decisions without approval from the village board in the event of extreme circumstances due to COVID-19. The powers expire at the next board meeting, on April 20, when trustees will be asked to renew them.
Under the ordinance, approved unanimously at the remotely-conducted meeting, Braun has the authority to take all reasonable actions to respond to the emergency.
This may include approving village spending if the state of emergency extends past the current fiscal year and implementing alternative staffing, procedures and protocol for the village’s administrative offices in addition to its police department, fire department and public works department.
The ordinance also allows Braun to delay or suspend village programs and services, application deadlines or late payment provisions pertaining to village fees.
Furthermore, Braun has the authority to take any and all actions authorized by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act such as declaring a local disaster. This declaration would activate Flossmoor’s emergency operations plan while also creating an opportunity for financial aid and assistance, according to the act.
During the meeting, Braun said the powers are to ensure that village operations continue under “hopefully, unlikely events,” such as if a village board meeting is unable to be held. However, he said he isn’t looking to take any of the actions unless absolutely necessary.
“I never thought that in my tenure as mayor that something like this would happen,” Braun said. “But so it has, and we’re going to take the steps necessary to protect the village including all of our residents, staff and employees.”
“This is a protective matter as far as I’m concerned,” Braun added. “I don’t expect to be exercising any of these powers unless a need would come up for something like that.”
Village Attorney Kathleen Field Orr reminded the board that the emergency powers are only granted on a meeting to meeting basis, tasking the board with later reconvening on the decision.
“I hope I won’t have to invoke those powers. Let’s keep our fingers crossed, everybody,” Braun said.