(A) At the hearing required by § 155.23, the report of the City Manager shall be read and shall constitute prima-facie evidence of blight on the premises and need for the city to acquire such premises in order to eliminate the blight and prevent recurrence of blight thereon. Thereafter, the owner, person in charge, occupant of the premises or any person having an interest thereon may proceed to show cause why the premises should not be declared blighted or the city should not acquire such premises for the purposes of eliminating blight or prevent its recurrence. At the hearing, the owner, person in charge of the premises or occupant may cause to be presented to Council any records of the city pertaining to issues relevant to the hearing and may examine city employees in regard thereto; provided that the production of such records or the presence of such employees is requested by the owner, person in charge or occupant of the premises in writing at least 24 hours prior to the hearing.
(B) If the owner, person in charge or occupant of the premises does not appear and presents testimony for the purposes of showing cause why the premises should not be declared blighted or the city should not acquire the premises for the purposes of eliminating the blight and preventing recurrence of blight, the City Manager, or his duly appointed representative, shall proceed to present evidence to Council of the existence of blight on the premises and need to acquire the premises for elimination of the blight and the prevention of recurrence of the blight thereon. Members of the public residing in the neighborhood or who may otherwise have knowledge of the condition of such premises may address Council at the hearing in regard to the proposed action of the city.
(C) Council may adjourn the hearing from time to time, and grant continuances to the City Manager or his representative or the owner, person in charge or occupant of the premises, in order for them to present further argument or evidence in regard to the existence of blight on the premises or the need for the city to acquire such premises in order to eliminate blight or prevent the recurrence of blight thereon.
(Ord. 31-1988, passed 11-2-88)