Sunday, April 12, 2015

The Missing Link

An engineer's report on the North Avenue demolition leaves out a significant chapter in the building's demise. It says after the devastating fire in Dec. 2011, the elements basically caused further deterioration to the point where an emergency had to be declared this year.

As can be seen in this report from January 2012, a contractor rather crudely bashed in the rear of the building, but demolition was not completed.It was then that the elements had their way with the partly-demolished structure.

This part of the timeline should be included in any investigation and/or assignment of liability.

For Bill Kruse:

2.8    Investigations; removals.


    (a)     The council may make investigations into the affairs of the city and the conduct of any city department, office, commission or agency and for this purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and require the production of evidence. In addition to any other remedy, any person who willfully fails or refuses to obey a lawful order issued in the exercise of these powers by the council shall be adjudged a disorderly person, punishable by a fine of not more than $200.00, or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days or both.
    (b)     Council may remove any officer or employee, other than the mayor or a councilman, for cause, upon notice and an opportunity to be heard.



--Bernice
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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 12, 2015 at 11:58 AM

    Bernice. Question #1. Bash in the rear of the building.:who, what, why? To remove one wall and not complete the demolition only served to weaken the structure.
    Question 2. The Dowd Law firm chosen to conduct the "investigation" of the demolition. Who chose them? How much money was appropriated to conduct the investigation?? To whom is the report submitted? What authority do they have to interview people?
    Do you know? Does anybody know? Bill Kruse

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BerniceApril 12, 2015 at 1:33 PM

      The City Council has the right to conduct investigations as per the special Charter, Article II, Sec. 2.8 Investigations; Removals. As always, action depends on being able to count to four. The last time it was invoked by one majority and this time it is another.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousApril 12, 2015 at 3:47 PM

    Thank you for your reply. I never doubted the right of the Council to conduct an investigation. The unanswered questions are what criteria was used to award the work to the Dowd Law firm. Was this choice voted on by the Council? And if so, was there a not to exceed price limit established , or does Dowd have unlimited spending prerogatives? Bill Kruse

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