Laserfiche WebLink
<br />they took. <br /> <br /> <br />III.The next order of business was unfinished business. <br /> <br /> <br />1.Continuation of Public Hearing on the Sale of Park Property <br />President Henry requested the Board to make comments. Dr. Kelly asked about any <br />additional information about migratory birds and cell towers. Director St. Clair explained <br />that he received additional information from Rum Village Nature Center Director Garry <br />Harrington prior to the meeting that addressed some of this. <br />Mr. Goodrich said that in principle he is opposed to the sale of park lands. He said he <br />would consider a lease of the property and would oppose the sale. Dr. Kelly said he <br />agreed and added that a lease should be able to be adjusted at some point. <br />Mr. Bodnar stated that if the land were to be leased, a new appraisal would have to be <br />done to establish the fair market rental value of the property and it would have to be <br />approved by the Mayor and the Common Council. <br />Mr. Mullins stated that he would be opposed to a sale also, but would be in favor of a <br />lease. <br />Dr. Kelly and Mr. Goodrich thanked Charles Hayes, Inc. for their due diligence. <br />President Henry stated that he would not be in favor of a sale of the land, either, but <br />would consider the lease of the land. <br /> <br />Mr. Charles Hayes of Charles Hayes, Inc., 814 Marrietta St. South Bend, IN, spoke in <br />favor of the sale of the land. He stated that normally cell towers are leased, but their <br />company has made a practice of purchasing the land. He is not opposed to leasing, but it <br />would have to be a long term lease. He felt the migratory bird problem would not be an <br />issue with the proposed 200 ft tower with no lights or guy wires. <br />Director St. Clair asked where in the process Mr. Hayes was with the Board of Zoning <br />Appeals. Mr. Hayes said that they received a favorable recommendation from Area Plan <br />Review and tabled the appeal at the past meeting until they had a favorable response from <br />the Board. The next meeting will be on this coming Thursday. <br /> <br />Mr. Al Heet, Vice President of the Rum Village Neighborhood Association, spoke in <br />opposition to the sale of the property. He read a letter from the association that explained <br />their opposition. They oppose it because they don’t think park property should be sold. <br />They don’t understand the need for a tower in this location and don’t feel it has been <br />sufficiently explained. He suggested contacting adjacent property owners to see if they <br />would be interested in selling their property, rather than using park property. <br /> <br />Mr. Bodnar explained that in order to lease the property, the appraisal will have to be <br />redone to reflect the fair market rental value of the property and the solicitation for bids as <br />a rental of the property will need to be advertised again. <br />Mr. Goodrich made a motion to consider the leasing of the property, but at no time <br />considering the selling of the property, and take the steps necessary within the statutes to <br />go forward. Dr. Kelly seconded the motion and it was passed. <br /> <br /> - - 2 - - <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />