HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-06/02/2008 (2)• •
COUNCIL BUS TOUR
June 2, 2008
3:45 p.m.
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Cole, Getty, Hart, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie
Schmitt.
Dave Zellhoefer, Assistant City Attorney, reviewed Chapter 657A, Petition by city for title to
abandoned property, of the Iowa Code. This section of the Iowa Code allows cities to petition
the courts for abandoned property. Mr. Zellhoefer reviewed the criteria that must be followed
and also explained the city's process to acquire abandoned property, including the bidding
process for demolition of the property.
Mr. Zellhoefer distributed a copy of the Supreme Court of Iowa's decision regarding the city
obtaining title of property under Chapter 657A, with the Supreme Court siding with the City of
Waterloo.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt noted that the city has acquired 55 houses since fall 2005 when
Chapter 657A was adopted by state legislators. These properties have either been demolished or
are in process to be demolished.
Councilperson Hart commented that he thinks when people say the city hasn't done anything that
we need to explain the process. Councilperson Hart thanked Chris Western, Louis Starks, Dave
Zellhoefer, Reggie Schmitt and Mayor Hurley for the work they have done to clean up these
abandoned property.
At 3:55 p.m. council members and city staff boarded a bus for a tour starting in the 900 — 1000
block of Lafayette Street and ending with a walk through at the former Chamberlain
Manufacturing building. The bus returned to City Hall at approximately 5:20 p.m.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk