Upon continuance of the hearing by the council, the council shall appoint a hearing officer experienced in municipal law. The parties shall present the evidence to such hearing officer in the form of testimony, rebuttal testimony, and opening and closing statements. There shall be no cross examination in such hearings. The hearing officer may consolidate some or all of the protests or objections for hearing whenever any question of law or fact common to all or some property owners or electors will arise in the action. The hearing officer shall be entitled to examine any witness and request the submission of additional evidence and legal arguments. The rules of evidence shall be construed liberally, and informality in any such proceeding or in the manner of taking testimony shall not invalidate any proceeding or any determination or recommendation resulting therefrom. When necessary to ascertain facts affecting substantial rights of the parties to a proceeding, the hearing officer may receive and consider evidence not ordinarily admissible under the rules of evidence if the evidence possesses probative value commonly accepted by reasonable and prudent persons in the conduct of their important personal affairs. (Code 1979, § 34-172; Ord. No. 2010-17, § 5, 5-17-2010)