Sec. 362.213. - Recovery of costs and expenses.

The Mayor is authorized to recover the costs and expenses of the City in meeting a water pollution emergency from the person or persons who caused the pollution or were responsible for the conditions leading or contributing to the pollution. For this purpose, the Mayor, through the Office of General Counsel, may institute or join in necessary judicial actions or administrative proceedings and he or his delegate is authorized to negotiate with the responsible person or persons to obtain a just and equitable settlement in the public interest. The Mayor is also authorized to request assistance from State and federal agencies in meeting the emergency and in recovering the costs and expenses thereof, whether by financial assistance, by provision of nonfinancial assistance or by the use of enforcement powers available to the State or the United States. Unless otherwise provided by judicial order, administrative decision or contractual arrangement, funds recovered under this Section shall first be used to reimburse the appropriations from which emergency funds were expended under Section 362.208 and then shall be subject to appropriation by the Council. (Ord. 85-277-165, § 1)