(a) If the chief refuses to issue or renew a permit, or revokes a permit, the chief shall send to the applicant or permit holder by certified mail, return receipt requested, written notice of the action and a statement of the right to an appeal.
(b) The applicant or permit holder may appeal a denial, nonrenewal, or revocation of an alarm permit or the assessment of a service fee to the city manager by filing with the city manager a written request for a hearing, setting forth the reasons for the appeal, within 10 days after receipt of the notice of the chief's action or the bill assessing a service fee. The filing of a request for an appeal hearing with the city manager stays an action of the chief or the assessment of a service fee until the city manager or a designated representative makes a final decision. If a request for an appeal hearing is not made within the 10-day period, the action of the chief or the assessment of the service fee is final.
(c) The city manager or a designated representative shall serve as hearing officer at an appeal and consider evidence by any interested person. The formal rules of evidence do not apply at an appeal hearing. The hearing officer shall make a decision on the basis of a preponderance of the evidence presented at the hearing. The hearing officer must render a decision within 60 days after the request for an appeal hearing is filed.
(d) The hearing officer shall affirm, reverse, or modify the action of the chief or the assessment of the service fee; except, that a hearing officer may not reduce or increase the amount designated in Section 15C-12(a), (b), or (c), whichever is applicable, for a service fee that is assessed for a false alarm notification determined by the hearing officer to have occurred. The decision of the hearing officer is final as to administrative remedies with the city. (Ord. Nos. 17586; 21026; 22038; 22571; 26200; 26919)