BENTON, BETSY 4 -2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I��GII�I117_1 SCOPE OF SERVICES I. Background In order to provide effective and expeditious hearings to individuals cited for violation of the Santa Ana Municipal Code, the City would like to develop a list of Hearing Officers to conduct administrative hearings regarding alleged violations of the City's Municipal Code. In an effort to streamline the hearing process, the City proposes to establish a list of qualified hearing officers than can be assigned as needed on a rotating basis. Contractor shall conduct Administrative Hearings for the City of Santa Ana. Primarily the Contractor will hear administrative citation appeals, alternative nuisance abatement proceedings and vehicle abatement proceedings associated with action of the City's Planning and Building Agency. Contractor may be asked to provide administrative hearings for other City Agencies. The Hearing Officer will be charged with making a just determination as to whether a municipal code was violated, whether the property owner is still in violation, and will also make determinations as to whether the process for the abatement of a nuisance, including inoperative vehicles, will move forward. Hearings will be held in accordance with the City of Santa Ana Municipal Code sections 1- 21.8, 16 -119, 17 -105, 17 -108, and 17 -135. II. General Information It is the intent of the City to establish a list of qualified Hearing Officers. The actual number of hearing officers to be utilized will depend on the total number of qualified candidates established by the proposal process, and the number of hearings to be provided. A. When appropriate, the City will provide forms and information in its possession relevant to the conduct of a fair hearing, including but not limited to Notices of Violation, Administrative Citations, and Vehicle Abatement Notices. B. The Hearing Officer shall be responsible for the review of documents provided by the City prior to the hearing. C. All documents and other products used or developed during preparation for a hearing will become the property of the City. • Contractor shall preside over the City's administrative hearings. Contractor will be required to independently evaluate the facts of each case and make a determination as to the merits of that case based upon the information presented at the hearing and the Santa Ana Municipal Code. The Hearing Officer must be experienced and knowledgeable in administrative hearing procedures. The Hearing Officer shall be responsive and maintain excellent working relationships with property owners, residents, business representatives, and City staff. Contractor's service will include preparation of finding of facts, hearing dispositions, billing statements, and other documents as necessary. Job Requirements for Administrative Hearing Officers A. A hearing officer must be independent and impartial. In this regard, a hearing officer may not: 1. Be an employee of the City of Santa Ana or any public agency that is involved in testifying at a hearing; be a member of any board of commission of the City of Santa Ana;