AGENDA #18d

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            Joyce A. Smith, Town Clerk

 

SUBJECT:       Appointment of Hearing Officers for SafeLight Chapel Hill Red-light Violation Enforcement Program

 

DATE:             September 22, 2003

 

 

Tonight, the Council may make appointment(s) for SafeLight Chapel Hill Hearing Officers as part of the SafeLight Chapel Hill program for automated enforcement of red-light violations.

 

The SafeLight Chapel Hill program includes a citation appeal procedure, with appeals to be considered by Council-appointed Hearing Officers who would be paid $25.00 per hearing.

 

We placed advertisements for the Hearing Officer positions in local newspapers and posted the notice on the Town’s web site.  We received three applications and the applicants have a variety of experience that we believe is well suited for the position of SafeLight Chapel Hill Hearing Officer.

 

Although there is no limit on the number of Hearing Officers that the Council may appoint, we recommend appointment of three officers as a starting point.  We believe that three Hearing Officers could conduct hearings on a rotation basis and in a timely manner.  Hearing Officers would receive training regarding the hearing process, applicable law, and the functional aspects of automated enforcement.  Hearings would be conducted at Town Hall during both daytime and evening hours to accommodate the needs of appellants.

 

Ballots for SafeLight Chapel Hill Hearing Officer are attached.

 

Copies of the applications are also attached.