FULL PACKET_2007-01-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: JANUARY 16, 2007 TITLE: AGREEMENT WITH COASTAL MEDIATION SERVICES FOR HEARING OFFICER SERVICES FOR NUISANCE ABATEMENT ~^ (/ - - CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDED ACTION CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: APPROVED ^ As Recommended ^ As Amended ^ Ordinance on 1~' Reading ^ Ordinance on 2n° Reading ^ Implementing Resolution ^ Set Public Hearing For CONTINUED TO FILE NUMBER Direct the City Attorney to prepare and authorize the City Manager and Clerk of the Council to execute an agreement with Coastal Mediation Services to provide hearing officer services in an amount not to exceed $30,000. DISCUSSION Since 1997, property owners who have been cited by Community Preservation for code violations have been offered mediation through hearing officer proceedings. As an alternative to court proceedings, hearings are conducted by the City pursuant to the Alternative Abatement Proceedings in accordance with Article VIII of Chapter 17 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code. Recently, the Public Works Agency has begun to offer this alternate for administrative citations issued by the agency. This contract would make available similar hearing officer services by the consultant for both Community Preservation citations and those issued by the Public Works Agency. For the past two years, the City has contracted for hearing officer services with Ms. Barbara A. Echan of Coastal Mediation Services. Her work for the City in this capacity has been exemplary. Her professionalism and knowledge give her the necessary insight to properly mediate these cases, with fairness to all parties. The City Attorney's Office recommends a two-year contract to alleviate the concern for bias rulings by the hearing officer in the City's favor in order to ensure annual renewal of contracted services. Therefore, the proposed agreement is for a two-year period. 25D-1