179531 ORDINANCE NO. 17,953
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3 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH THE
4 URBAN LEAGUE OF ARKANSAS TO PROVIDE
6 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF THE JANUARY
6 21, 1999 TORNADO; TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING;
7 TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER
s PURPOSES.
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10 WHEREAS, on January 21, 1999, the City of Little Rock suffered serious damage to life
11 and property as a result of a tornado that slammed through parts of the City, particularly the
12 downtown area, and
13 WHEREAS, in the aftermath of the tornado it has become apparent that there is a need
14 for technical assistance to be made available to residents to assist them with insurance claims
16 and claims for federal disaster relief, and
16 WHEREAS, there is insufficient time to issue Requests for Proposals or Requests for
17 Qualifications to select a firm to deal with these problems, and
18 WHEREAS, the Urban League of Arkansas, which is already quite familiar with the
19 uniqueness of the area in downtown Little Rock that was most severely damaged, is available
20 and ready to provide this technical assistance, and
21 WHEREAS, it is believed that the costs of these services can be reimbursed from
22 disaster relief funds made available to the City through the Federal Emergency Management
23 Agency (FEMA),
24 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
25 THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS:
26 Section 1. The City Manager is authorized to enter into a contract with the Urban
27 League of Arkansas to provide technical assistance to the victims of the January 21, 1999,
28 tornado. This assistance is to include, but is not limited to, assistance with forms and claims
29 to insurance companies and to various government agencies. The amount of this contract is not
30 to exceed twenty one thousand and seven hundred dollars ($21,700.00). Reimbursement for
31 the funds to complete this contract will be sought from FEMA or other governmental agencies.
32 Section 2. Because there has already been delay in the processing of claims because
33 of the lack of such assistance, and because further delay would only compound the damages and
34 injuries the affected property owners have suffered, the Board finds that it is impractical and
38 unfeasible to competitively bid, or to select a firm, to provide these services.
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Section 3. Severability. In the event any title, subtitle, section, subsection,
subdivision, paragraph, subparagraph, item, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this ordinance
is declared to adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration or adjudication shall
not affect the remaining portions of this ordinance which shall remain in full force and effect as
if the portion so declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional was not originally a part of this 95
ordinance.
Section 4. Repealer. All ordinances, resolutions, or regulations, or any parts of
such documents, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby
repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.
Section 5. Emergency. The damage caused by the January 21, 1999, tornado to the
City and its citizens was tremendous and tragic, but the continued damage that can occur
because citizens cannot effectively and efficiently process claims is equally as appalling. The
need to provide technical assistance to these citizens is urgent and necessary to protect the
public health, safety and welfare. An emerggency is, therefore, declared to exist and this
ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the date of its passge.
PASSED: March 9, 1999
ATTEST: APPROVED:
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20 Robbie Hancock, City Clerk
21 APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
22 �(
23 v`V/
24 Thomas M. Carpenter, CiW Attorney
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