<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3GjIKy_0vk18r3i00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3GjIKy_0vk18r3i00" width="1100" height="825" ></figure>The Unsafe Hearing Board of the City of Rushville convened on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. to discuss the fire that occurred on Rushville’s Main Street on Sept. 10. Present at the meeting were Mayor Pavey, Gary Cameron, Maria Bridges, Brad Berkemeier, Phil King, and City attorney Julie Newhouse.The buildings affected by the fire were 242, 246, 248, and 250 N. Main Street and 109 E. 3rd St.“Today is just a meeting, just an update to let you know what is going on, said Pavey to the board. “But, we do need to hold a public hearing regarding the financial responsibility attached to it (cleanup).” Pavey emphasized that the cost of the cleanup effort will be substantial, and he expressed concern about imposing this financial burden on the general public, stating the owners should be held responsible. “Some people are still asking a lot of questions, but some of the answers we don’t know yet,” Pavey said. “We’ll have to figure those questions out as time goes by. Our big thing right now is to make sure reimbursement happens in those areas (248 and 250 N. Main Street). What was the break out of the two buildings? Was it the same, or was the fact that one was attached to another building a more delicate, costly demolition?” During the presentation, Samantha Copley, the director of code enforcement, showcased visual evidence, including photographs and videos, to illustrate the structural condition of the buildings, specifically emphasizing the state of the brickwork. According to a press release issued by the City of Rushville, two separate structural engineers assessed the structural integrity of the buildings. The first assessment occurred on Sept. 11, with the second engineer confirming the findings on the morning of Sept. 12. Both engineers concluded that the buildings were unsafe and threatened public safety, leading Copley to decide on the demolition quickly. While engineering reports are pending, Pavey expressed confidence in the decisions’ soundness.The transfer of ownership of the corner restaurant owned by Bill Emerson to the City of Rushville and the transfer of ownership of 242 N. Main Street owned by Brad Morgan to the City of Rushville was approved for $10,000 for each property. William Cook, the owner of the Finishing Touch building at 250 N. Main Street, was also offered $10,000 to transfer his building to the City of Rushville. However, Cook has not agreed to the transfer. He is awaiting the official structural engineering reports and advice from his attorney before proceeding further. Cook has expressed his displeasure with the process and how quickly his building was demolished.The public hearing to initiate the reimbursement process will be held on Oct. 22 at 5 p.m.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

A public hearing will be held to assess reimbursement cost owed by building owners for fire cleanup

The Unsafe Hearing Board of the City of Rushville convened on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. to discuss the fire that occurred on Rushville’s Main Street on Sept. 10. Present at the meeting were Mayor Pavey, Gary Cameron, Maria Bridges, Brad Berkemeier, Phil King, and City attorney Julie Newhouse.