A. The licensee shall have the right to request a hearing to contest the existence of any violation of this chapter or the imposition of any penalty under this chapter. A written request for a hearing must be filed by the licensee with the city recorder and with the city attorney within fifteen (15) days of the date of the mailing of the city notice of violation to the licensee. The request for a hearing shall include the licensee's name, address, telephone number, and a statement of the licensee's basis for disputing the existence of a violation or the imposition of a penalty. A timely request for a hearing shall stay the imposition of any penalty until the hearing is decided. The city finding of a violation shall be considered final if the licensee fails to request a hearing within the time period set forth above.
B. The city council shall notify the licensee in writing of the date and time for the hearing. Hearings before the city council shall be conducted informally. Formal rules of evidence and court procedure shall not apply. The hearings are administrative in nature, and hearsay is admissible, but the evidence must have some probative weight and reliability to be considered. The licensee shall be given an opportunity to be heard at the hearing, shall have the right to be represented by counsel, and may call witnesses. The city council shall consider all of the evidence and shall take any action they deem appropriate as it relates to the licensee. The city council decision shall be made orally at the end of the hearing or in writing within ten (10) business days following the hearing. (1984 Code § 5.76.060)