Resident asks council to reopen Hartman Mansion nuisance assessment; city manager, law director describe limited options

RIVERSIDE, Ohio — During public comment on Oct. 6, Alan Fletcher, whose property received one of several nuisance abatement assessments tied to the Hartman Mansion, asked the Riverside City Council to review what he described as a legal error in a certified assessment sent to the Montgomery County Auditor and to either have council review the record or authorize the city manager to continue discussions.

Fletcher said his assessment was $54,100 and that he had worked with city staff, zoning and the city lawyer to resolve compliance issues before the assessment was certified. He told council he believes there is a legal error and said he has documentation to support a review.

City staff response: The city manager confirmed conversations with Fletcher and said staff had helped resolve many compliance items. The law director told the council that, under the process described, only counsel has the authority to modify a certified assessment and only for legal error. He said the city could review the documentation and determine whether a legal error exists and what action is permissible under the law.

Nut graf: The resident requested either council review of the assessment or authorization for the city manager to continue discussions with the interested property owner; the law director indicated the legal standard for modifying a certified assessment is narrow and restricted to legal error.

What’s next: Fletcher offered to provide documentation to support his claim; the law director and city manager indicated they would review material presented and advise the council on any permissible remedies under Ohio law.