(a) At the hearing required by Section 197.04, the report of the Director of Building, Development and Planning shall be read and shall constitute prima-facie evidence of blight on the premises and need for the Village to acquire the premises in order to eliminate the blight and prevent its recurrence. Thereafter, the owner, person in charge, occupant of the premises or any person having an interest therein may proceed to show cause why the premises should not be declared blighted or the Village should not acquire the premises for the purpose of eliminating blight or preventing 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 Village pertaining to issues relevant to the hearing and may examine Village 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 twenty-four hours prior to the hearing.
(b) If the owner, person in charge or occupant of the premises does appear and presents testimony for the purpose of showing cause why the premises should not be declared blighted or the Village should not acquire the premises for the purposes of eliminating the blight and preventing recurrence of blight, the Director of Building, Development and Planning or his duly appointed representative shall proceed to present evidence to Council of the existence of blight on the premises and the need to acquire the premises for elimination of the blight and the prevention of its recurrence. 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 Village.
(c) Council may adjourn the hearing, from time to time, and grant continuances to the Director of Building, Development and Planning 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 Village to acquire the premises in order to eliminate blight or prevent its recurrence.
(Ord. 38-2014. Passed 9-4-14.)