03/18/74 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH18, 1974 1 1 covering the years 1960 through 1971. It will be determined later whether the period prior to 1960 should be studied. Prior to 1972, the Board notified City agencies of vacated property but did not notify the Assessor. Any property which did get on the property assessment was done so because of personal inspection by the assessor's office. Mr. Roemer noted that his office is receiving excellent cooperation from Ideal Baldoni, Portage Township Assessor, and S. J. Vitale, Deputy Assessor. Vacated property which has been found in this survey is immediately put on the property tax rolls and back taxes can be collected for the last three years, Mr. Roemer also stated that, so far, his d investigation has been only on business properties. jt wi11 be etermined later whether to pursue the investigation on residential a eys vacated. Mr. Roemer said he wanted to commend the South Bend Tribune, and particularly Marchmont Kovas, for taking the initiative in bringing this matter to the attention of the Board so that it could be looked into. This is the kind of reporting that should be done, especially when it means that tax money will be collected that would not have been collected without such an investigation. NEWS VENDING STANDS Mr. Roemer spoke to the Board about their action last in week in ordering two news vending stands removed from the corner of Washington Street and Main Street and the corner of Main and Wayne Streets. Mr. Roemer noted that a previous Board had removed these stands and a court suit was filed by the owners of the stands. Following this action, City Attorney Charles Sweeney wrote the Attorney for the 'owners of the stands and agreed to allow the stands to be released and replaced on the streets. Mr. Roemer noted that the owners of the stands had filed a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union saying removal of the stands was a violation of their constitutional rights and infringed on freedom of speech. Mr. Roemer said he would like to avoid a court suit and he recommended that the Board rescind its earlier action and release the news stands. There was some discussion on the matter of waiving the permit requirement for placing anything on the city sidewalks and how this might affect the whole permit procedure. Upon motion made, seconded and carried, the Board ordered the news vending stands replaced at their former locations for a two week period, while the City Attorney's office makes a further study of the situation and reports to the Board. At that time the Board will make a determination as to the proper procedure for placing such news vending stands on the public sidewalks. There being no further business to come before the Board, upon motion made, seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.