§ 86-108. Adjudication bureau established; functions, powers and duties.

There is hereby created and established, under the supervision of the director, an adjudication bureau which shall have jurisdiction over civil notices of violations of regulations provided herein. The director, with the concurrence of the city-parish attorney, shall contract for the services of a chief hearing officer and other such hearing officers who shall preside at hearings for the adjudication of violations herein. Each hearing officer shall be a resident of the parish and shall be a duly licensed attorney in good standing who has been admitted to the practice of law in Louisiana for a period of at least five years immediately preceding his selection. Hearing officers shall serve at the pleasure of the director and shall not be considered employees of the city-parish consolidated government.

The adjudication bureau shall have the following functions, powers and duties:

(1)

To accept admissions to, and to hear and determine contests of, violations herein.

(2)

To require the attendance of persons to give testimony at hearings, and to require the production of data and information, to the extent permitted by law.

(3)

To adjudicate violations for which a notice of civil violation has been issued herein.

(4)

To compile and maintain accurate records relating to notice of civil violations, violations and/or dispositions of violations and notice of civil violations.

(5)

Upon request, to prepare or provide transcripts or audio records of hearings conducted by the adjudication bureau and to furnish such transcripts or audio records to the requesting person at a reasonable cost.

(6)

To answer within a reasonable period of time relevant and reasonable inquiries made by a person charged with a violation, or his attorney, concerning the violation. The adjudication bureau shall also furnish within a reasonable period of time to the person charged, on a request, and upon complying with the regulations of the adjudication bureau, a copy of the original notice of civil violation.

(7)

The functions and duties identified herein may be performed by representatives of the department, as directed by the adjudication bureau's hearing officers.

(Ord. No. O-149-2012, § 2, 7-17-12)