A. Form of Appeal. Any person having any record title or legal interest in the premises may appeal from any notice and order of the department head under this title by filing at the office of the department head within thirty (30) days from the date of service of such notice and order, a written appeal containing:
1. A brief statement setting forth the legal interest of each of the appellants in the premises involved in the notice and order;
2. A brief statement in ordinary and concise language of the specific order or action protested, together with any material facts claimed to support the contentions of the appellant;
3. A brief statement in ordinary and concise language of the relief sought, and the reasons why it is claimed the protested order or action should be reversed, modified, or otherwise set aside;
4. The signatures of all parties named as appellants and their official mailing addresses, with statements from each appellant that each agrees to accept service of the written notice of the time and place of the appeal hearing and the decision of the hearing examiner at such address;
5. The verification (by declaration under penalty of perjury) of at least one appellant as to the truth of the matters stated in the appeal.
B. Processing of Appeal. Upon receipt of any appeal filed and the appeal fee pursuant to this section, the department head shall transmit said appeal to the secretary of the hearing examiner who shall calendar it for hearing as follows:
1. If the appeal is received by the department head not later than fifteen (15) days prior to the next regular appeal hearing, it shall be calendared for hearing at said meeting.
2. If the appeal is received by the department head on a date less than fifteen (15) days prior to the next appeal hearing, it shall be calendared for the next subsequent appeal hearing.
C. Noticing Appeal for Hearing. Written notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the date of the hearing to each appellant by the secretary of the hearing examiner either by causing a copy of such notice to be delivered to the appellant personally or by mailing a copy thereof, postage prepaid, addressed to the appellant at his or her address shown on the appeal.
D. Appeal Fee. The department may collect and require an appeal fee to be paid at the time the written appeal notice is filed. The appeal fee shall be set by resolution of the city council. The fee shall be calculated to recover the total city costs incurred in the appeal including, but not limited to, staff time to process and handle the appeal, hearing examiner compensation, preparation and service of notices and staff appearance in the appeal hearing. No appeal shall proceed without payment of the fee at the time the appeal is filed provided that the department head may waive or defer the appeal fee upon written request for good cause shown. Good cause may include severe economic hardship, significant attempts to comply with the notice and order, and other factors indicating good faith attempts to comply.
E. Effect of Failure to Appeal. Failure of any person to file a timely appeal in accordance with the provisions of this section shall constitute an irrevocable waiver of the right to an administrative hearing and a final adjudication of the notice and order, or any portion thereof.
F. Only those matters or issues specifically raised by the appellant in the appeal notice shall be considered in the hearing of the appeal.
G. Staying of Order Under Appeal. Enforcement of any notice and order of the department head issued under this title shall be stayed during the pendency of an appeal therefrom which is properly and timely filed. (Prior code § 61.05.507)