08/01/67 Board of Public Works Special Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

�b 1v�t�ti2 r,k 278 1 August 1, 1967 A special meeting of the Board of Public Works and Safety was called to order at T�z15 A. M. in Room 7 of City Hall with members James A. Bickel, and Lloyd Taylor and special counsel Robert M Parker attending. Mr. James A. Bickel stated' -.the purpose of these hearings -' is to gather facts as to the causes and circumstances of events leading up to and culminating in the disturbances in South Bend on July 25, 26, and 27'and to make a finding as to the facts, causes and circumstances surrounding each occurrence. The following rules regarding these meetings have been set up: 1. Hearings shall at all times be open to the public and news media. The policies followed by St. Joseph County courts as to barring cameras in the hearing room will be in effect. 2. All witnesses called before the Board shall testify under oath. 3. All testimony heard before the Board shall be taken down and transcribed by a court reporter designated by and under the direction of the Board. 4. Witnesses willlappear before the Board in such order as the Board shall determine. Subpoena power of the Board may be exercised to secure the attendance of witnesses whose testimony is deemed essential to accomplish the purpose of these hearings. 5. The method of procedure in hearing witnesses called before the Board will be by interrogation by the Board members or its Counsel. No prepared statements will be received by or heard by the Board. 6. The Board shall conduct the hearings in an informal manner and without recourse to the tecknical common law rules of evidence required in pro- ceedings in judicial courts and shall receive documents manner of proof and introduction of evidence if substantial, -reliable and of probative value. The Board shall as a matter of policy exclude irrelevant, immaterial or unduly repetitious evidence. 7. Hearings shall be held at such time and place as the Board may determine and may adjourned from day to day until such time as the Board determines it has received relovant facts sufficient to make its findings. S. The Board may adopt from time to time such other rules of procedure as it may deem necessary or expedient for the orderly conduct of and to accomplish the purpose of these hearings. Mr. Lloyd Taylor made a motion that the rules and regulation be accepted as set up and Mr. James Bickel seconded same. Mr. James Bickel stated that he was able to procure the basement meeting room 6 the Public Library and hearings Will be held beginning- Tuesday, August lst at 1:30 P. M. and continuaing on From Tuesday through Thursday of each week between the hours of 9:00 A. M. until 12:00 noon and from 1:30 P. M. until 4:30 P. M. as long As these hearings shall take and as witnesses are available. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 A. M to reconvene at 1:30 P. M. at the public library meeting room. CHAIMIAN i