(a) On his or her own written motion or on the verified complaint of any person, the city clerk shall investigate or cause the investigation of the activities of any person who is or who has allegedly engaged in lobbying and who may be in violation of any provision of this article.

(b) The city clerk shall determine if probable cause exists to take further action upon the complaint. If such a determination is made, the city clerk shall send notice to the affected party ("respondent"), containing the allegations and grounds for a suspension, revocation, and/or fine, and the right to request a hearing. Such notice must be sent no later than one year from the date on which the violation is alleged to have occurred. The respondent may submit a written request to the clerk for a hearing on the allegations no later than 10 business days from the date of the notice.

(c) If the respondent does not request a hearing within the timeframe stated in subsection (b) of this section, the clerk may issue one or more sanctions stated in section 2-961 as he or she deems appropriate. If the respondent requests a hearing within the timeframe, the clerk shall appoint a hearing officer who shall not be an officer, employee, or agent of the city, and shall not have any relationship with the complainant or respondent. The city clerk shall fix a date for the hearing, which shall be concluded no later than 60 days from the date the clerk initiated his or her motion or the verified complaint was filed.

(d) The respondent, clerk and other interested parties may attend the hearing. Pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to section 2-958, the respondent and the city clerk may present evidence to the hearing officer in the form of testimony, documents, rebuttal testimony, and opening and closing statements. There shall be no cross-examination. The hearing officer shall be entitled to examine any witness and request the submission of additional evidence and arguments.

(e) Upon completion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall take all evidence available as a result of the investigation, all evidence presented at the hearing, and shall give written notice of the findings and ruling to the respondent and city clerk, dismissing some or all of the matter or issuing sanctions as stated in section 2-961 as he or she deems appropriate. (Ord. No. 2021-08, § 1, 3-22-2021)