A. Participation. The hearing officer must be present at all times to preside over the hearing. All hearings are open to the public. The respondent, or another City representative, is required to participate in the hearing. The appellant is required to participate in the hearing.
B. Evidence, Witnesses, and Discovery. All parties have the right to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses. The formal rules of evidence and discovery do not apply. The rules of privilege are effective to the same extent that they are now or hereafter may be recognized in civil actions. Irrelevant and unduly repetitious evidence may be excluded. Oral evidence may be taken only on oath or affirmation. The appellant and respondent may represent themselves or be represented by anyone of their choice.
C. Cross-Examination. No party shall have the right to cross-examine any other party or witness except for good cause shown to the satisfaction of the hearing officer. Each party may cross-examine witnesses.
D. Interpretation and Recordation. The appellant may bring an interpreter to the hearing at his or her sole expense. The City may, at its discretion, record the hearing by stenographer, court reporter, audio recording, or video recording.
E. Subpoenas. In any hearing conducted by the hearing officer, he or she has the power to compel the attendance of witnesses for the production of evidence by subpoenas issued under the authority of the City Council and attested by the City Clerk. Subpoenas may also be issued at the request of the parties prior to the commencement of such hearing. No subpoena may be issued for any reason without the concurrence of the City Attorney that there is good cause for such subpoena to be issued, and such subpoena is approved by the City Council. It is the duty of the Chief of Police to cause all such subpoenas to be served, and the refusal of a person to attend or to testify in answer to such a subpoena subjects the person to prosecution in the same manner set forth by law for failure to appear before the City Council in response to a subpoena issued by the City Council.
F. Proof. The standard of proof applicable to the hearing and to be used by the hearing officer in deciding the issue on appeal is proof by a preponderance of the evidence. The respondent bears the burden of proof at the hearing. The hearing officer determines relevancy, weight, and credibility of testimony and evidence.
G. Continuances. The hearing officer, before or during a hearing, may grant a request for a continuance, in his or her discretion, for good cause; however, in no event may the hearing be continued for more than 30 calendar days without stipulation by all parties.
H. Failure of Appellant to Appear. If the appellant fails to appear at the hearing, the hearing officer may cancel the hearing and send a notice thereof to the appellant to the address stated on the appeal form. A cancellation of a hearing due to non- appearance of the appellant waives the right to appeal and is failure to exhaust all administrative remedies, provided that proper notice of the hearing as required by this Chapter has been provided. In such instances, the action is final and binding.
(Ord. MC-1521, 9-18-19)