City Council Meeting Date: April 1, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Mike Morehouse, Building Official
Title
Consider Resolution Approving Hearing Officers.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is being asked to approve a Resolution approving a list of hearing officers.
Summary Report:
Per city code, the City Council is asked to periodically approve a list of attorneys to serve in the role of a hearing officer. Hearing officers are utilized when a person requests a hearing related to nuisance violations brought forward by the City’s building department. These nuisance violations can include any number of things, such as exterior accumulations of materials, the need to clean or paint exterior surfaces, or securing unoccupied or removing structures deemed dangerous.
Individuals serving as hearing officers will be asked to determine whether a nuisance violation occurred or not and will be able to dismiss citations or levy fines as deemed necessary.
The role of the hearing officer and the process for a hearing is detailed in city code Sec. 46-20 (attachment 2).
Staff explored interest of qualified individuals based on referrals from other local attorney’s, the City Attorney, experience in related work, and staff experience with attorney’s, The following individuals have agreed to serve as Hearing Officers should their services be needed:
Britt Ackerman, Ackerman Law
Rachel E. Estrella, Dakota Law, P.L.L.C
Alternative Options:
The City Council can choose not to approve the agreement, but staff do not recommend this.
Financial Impacts:
Hearing officers will be paid at the rate they provided, which range from $100-150 per hour.
Tentative Timelines: