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Memo <br /> <br />To: Community Development Director Sylvia Frolik <br /> <br />From: Community Development Assistant Chris Anderson <br /> <br />Date: 9/17102 <br /> <br />RE: <br /> <br />OvervieTM of Administrative Hearing procedures in Cities of Blaine & Coon <br />Rapids <br /> <br />After reviewing the information received from-both the City of Blaine and Coon Rapids <br />regarding administrative hearing procedures, I have compiled a list of what I considered to be <br />the salient points/steps: <br /> <br />Some disadvantages of Criminal Justice System are as follows: (a) The delay in the <br />system did not ensure prompt resolution of violations; (b) Citizens resented being <br />labeled as criminals for violations of administrative regulations; (c) the higher burden of <br />proof and potential of incarceration did not appear appropriate for most administrative <br />violations; (d) The criminal justice system did not always regard City ordinance violations <br />as important; (e) The criminal justice system required citizens to take time off from work <br />to appear in court. <br /> <br />· The administrative hearing system provides a sort of forum that is more informal and less <br /> threatening to alleged violators. <br /> <br />Hearings are typically held in the afternoons or evenings so that citizens do not need to <br />take time off from work. The issuer of the citation would.represent the City at an informal <br />hearing with both documentation and photos of the violation(s). The Hearing Officer <br />usually issues a decision at the close of the hearing (unless they feel that the accused is <br />emotionally distraught-or if they feel they need time to review and reflect on the issues). <br />If the issuer of the citation is not present, than the violation .is cancelled. If the accused is <br />not present, it is an admission of violation. <br /> <br />The Administrative Hearing process is governed by an ordinance. Resolutions can: be <br />used fo authorize the City to implement a schedule of offenses and administrative <br />penalties as well as any additions or revisions in the future. <br /> <br />-24- <br /> <br /> <br />