A. If a hearing is requested, a hearing will be scheduled as soon as reasonably possible, but not earlier than five (5) days nor more than thirty (30) days from the date the appeal was received, unless the appealing party agrees to another date.
B. Notice may be provided to the appellant in person, by United States mail to the address provided by the appellant, or personally on any agent or employee of the appellant's business if the appellant is a business entity. Notice will be served personally on the appellant if the hearing is scheduled five (5) days or less from the date of service.
C. At the hearing, the hearing body will allow the appellant, animal control, and the owner of the animal, if any, or their representatives to present and rebut testimony and other evidence and argument relevant to the decision under appeal. The mayor or chairperson of the hearing body may establish time limits and procedural standards for presentation of any appeal.
D. The hearing body will conduct the hearing in an orderly and timely manner and will rule on all issues that arise during the course of the hearing.
E. No party to the appeal will have any ex parte communications with any member of the hearing body about the subject matter of the appeal. Any ex parte communications must be disclosed to allow the other party an opportunity to rebut the contents of the ex parte communication.
F. The hearing body will issue an order affirming or overturning the decision appealed from within fifteen (15) days of the filing of the appeal or the date of the hearing if one was held. The order will be in writing and contain:
1. A summary of the evidence contained in the appeal record;
2. A reasoned statement, based on the evidence received, explaining and supporting the decision by the hearing body.
All parties to the appeal will be provided with a copy of the order.
G. The decision of the hearing body is final. (Ord. 3383 §2, 2010)