A determination that a person has committed a civil violation, as defined in this chapter, may be appealed in the following manner:
A. A person who has received a citation for a civil violation, or his agent or representative, may file a written request for a hearing before a hearing officer within ten (10) business days after the date of issuance of the citation. The hearing officer shall hold a hearing within five (5) business days after receipt of the written request from the appellant. If the violation being appealed is the first violation received, then the public hearing officer may, after reviewing the circumstances for the citation and the written request, agree to waive the violation without a hearing.
B. The scope of the hearing shall be limited to the following issues:
1. Whether a civil violation did in fact occur; and
2. Whether the person who received the citation had any responsibility for the animal whose behavior gave rise to the issuance of the citation.
C. The hearing shall be informal and strict rules of evidence shall not apply. The owner may be represented by counsel, present testimony and evidence, and examine witnesses.
D. A decision shall be issued at the close of the hearing or within five (5) days thereafter. The hearing officer shall notify the owner in writing of the decision within five (5) days after the close of the hearing.
E. The decision of the hearing officer may be appealed to the mayor or her/his designee pursuant to such rules as may be established. The decision of the mayor shall be final. (Ord. 556, 6-14-2016; amd. Ord. 612, 10-27-2020)