A. Evidence not submitted to the clerk five (5) business days prior to the hearing may not be considered by the council unless good cause is shown. Good cause may include, but is not limited to, evidence that was not available to the party presenting the evidence at the time it was due to the clerk. Any objection to new evidence by any party shall be made at the time of the hearing before the council.

B. The following order shall be followed for the hearing, unless for good cause shown the council permits a change:

C. If the appellant or representative is not present when called, the council shall consider any written presentation, evidence, and documents presented to it pursuant to and thereafter proceed according to the remaining applicable provisions of this chapter.

D. All persons presenting evidence shall do so under oath, administered by the city clerk.

E. The hearing shall be conducted informally with respect to the introduction of evidence. Irrelevant evidence may be excluded by the presiding officer. Each interested party shall have a total of no more than thirty (30) minutes to present their case. Each party shall be responsible for dividing their thirty (30) minutes between oral presentation, argument, testimony (including witness testimony), and rebuttal. The council may expand or limit the length of the hearing depending on its complexity, or take other action to expedite the proceedings. Cross-examination will not be permitted during presentation of the case. If a witness testifies during presentation of either the appellant’s or any other parties’ case, unless excused by the council, with the concurrence of the appellant and all other parties, the witness must remain available in council chambers to be called to testify during rebuttal by the appellant and the administration or other interested party. City council questions and parties’ responses shall not be included in the time limitation. [Ord. 14-27 § 4.]