(A) The Mayor or President of the Planning Commission shall be the presiding officer at all hearings. In his or her absence, or with the consent, the deliberating body may designate one of its members, or any other officer, employee, or person to act as presiding officer at a hearing. A presiding officer, if not a member, shall have no vote on the question in determination of the matter.
(B) The presiding officer shall have authority to:
(1) Regulate the course and decorum of the hearing;
(2) Dispose of procedural requests or similar matters;
(3) Rule on offers of proof and relevancy of evidence and testimony;
(4) Impose reasonable limitations on the number of witnesses heard and set reasonable time limits for oral presentations, cross-examinations of witnesses, and rebuttal testimony; and
(5) Take such other action authorized by the deliberating body appropriate for conduct commensurate with the nature of the hearing.
(Res. 6, passed 9-8-1975)