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12.37 Political subdivision's powers to fast provide emergency aid.

(a) During an emergency or disaster, each political subdivision, notwithstanding any statutory or charter provision to the contrary, and through its governing body acting within or without the corporate limits of the political subdivision, may:

(1) enter into contracts and incur obligations necessary to combat the disaster by protecting the health and safety of persons and property and by providing emergency assistance to the victims of the disaster; and

(2) exercise the powers vested by this subdivision in the light of the exigencies of the disaster without compliance with time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law pertaining to:

(i) the performance of public work;

(ii) entering into contracts;

(iii) incurring of obligations;

(iv) employment of temporary workers;

(v) rental of equipment;

(vi) purchase of supplies and materials;

(vii) limitations upon tax levies; and

(viii) the appropriation and expenditure of public funds, for example, but not limited to, publication of ordinances and resolutions, publication of calls for bids, provisions of civil service laws and rules, provisions relating to low bids, and requirements for budgets.

(b) The failure or malfunction of public infrastructure or systems critical to the delivery of municipal services due to year 2000 problems with computers and electronically controlled devices shall constitute an emergency for the purposes of this section.

HIST: 1951 c 694 s 307; 1957 c 171 s 1; 1996 c 344 s 26; 1999 c 250 art 2 s 2

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes