(1) An administrative appeal hearing shall be scheduled and conducted within 60 calendar days of the date a timely and complete request is received by the city. A citee who files a request for an administrative hearing to contest a citation (hereinafter, “appellant”) shall be notified in writing by first class mail of the date, time, and location of the hearing at least 10 calendar days prior to the date of the hearing. The failure of an appellant to receive a properly addressed notice shall not invalidate the citation or any hearing or city action or proceeding conducted pursuant to this chapter.

(2) At the place and time set forth in the written notice of administrative hearing, the hearing officer shall hear and consider the testimony of the issuing officer, the appellant(s), and/or their witnesses, as well as any documentary evidence presented by these persons concerning the violation(s) alleged in the citation.

(3) Administrative hearings are informal, and formal rules of evidence and discovery do not apply. The city bears the burden of proof to establish a violation and responsibility therefor by a preponderance of evidence. The issuance of an administrative citation shall constitute prima facie evidence of the violation and the contents of the enforcement officer’s file in the case (including the citation) shall be received into evidence. The enforcement officer who issued the citation is not required to attend or participate at the hearing. The appellant(s), and officer, if present, shall have an opportunity to present evidence and witnesses and to cross-examine witnesses. An appellant may bring an interpreter to the hearing at the appellant’s sole expense. The hearing officer may question any person who presents evidence or who testifies at any hearing.

(4) An appellant may appear at the hearing in person or by written declaration executed under penalty of perjury. Said declaration and any documents in support thereof shall be tendered to and received by the office of the city clerk at least three city business days prior to the hearing. If the appellant fails to attend the scheduled hearing, or to otherwise submit a written declaration in a timely manner, the hearing officer shall cancel the hearing and send a notice thereof to the appellant(s) by first class mail to the address(es) stated on the appeal form. A cancellation of a hearing due to nonappearance of the appellant shall constitute the appellant’s waiver of the right to appeal. In such instances, the citation (and corresponding fine and other applicable fees) shall be deemed final.

(5) Hearings may be continued once at the request of an appellant or the officer who issued the citation. Any request by an appellant to continue a hearing must be submitted to the city clerk in writing no later than two business days before the date scheduled for the hearing. The hearing officer may continue a hearing for good cause or on his/her own motion; however, in no event may the hearing be continued for more than 30 calendar days without stipulation by all parties. (Ord. 660 § 1, 2016).