Council reviews 158‑page emergency operations 'DOPE' plan as storm damage is assessed

City staff presented a draft emergency operations procedures document — referred to in the presentation as the "DOPE" plan — and outlined current storm-response actions, including sandbag distribution and damage assessment at the library. The facility specialist said the 158‑page plan replaces a 1991 document and sets an emergency organizational structure, assigns tasks and provides guidance for large-scale response and recovery. "This plan is 158 pages," the facility specialist said, adding it is posted on the city's website in draft form and is planned to be returned for council adoption on Dec. 5.

Council members and staff described immediate storm-related needs while the plan is reviewed. Officials reported multiple downed trees, localized power outages and flooding in the library after more than a foot of snow and subsequent rain saturated the roof. "We had over 12 inches of snow on the roof, and with all the rains, it saturated and backed up and flooded the entire library," a council member said, describing ongoing recovery work. Staff also said sand and sandbags are staged in front of the steam engine at the community building (under a blue tarp) for residents to use and that the city is coordinating with the county and the National Weather Service for updated forecasts and potential evacuations.

The presentation flagged operational items that staff plan to address while the DOPE plan moves through review: a siren/alert policy will be highlighted in the plan and the city will discuss testing activation timings with the fire department. The facility specialist said the plan aligns with the state's emergency management framework (SEMS) and that the city will coordinate zone alerts with the county. The council did not take a final vote on the DOPE plan at this meeting; staff said the item will return for a potential adoption vote on Dec. 5.