No examiner shall conduct or participate in any hearing, decision or recommendation in which the examiner has a direct or indirect substantial financial or familiar interest, or concerning which the examiner has had substantial prehearing contacts with proponents or opponents wherein the issues were discussed; nor, on appeal from or review of an examiner decision, shall any member of the legislative body who has such an interest or has had such contacts participate in the consideration thereof. This is not intended to prohibit necessary or proper inquiries on matters such as scheduling, but any such contacts are to be entered into the official record of the hearing. Whenever possible, such inquiries and the responses to such inquiries shall be in writing.

The office of the examiner shall be separate from and not a part of the community development department. (Ord. 3339 § 2 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 2957 § 30, 2012; Ord. 1208 § 7, 1981)