Staff Information

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HEARING EXAMINER
Sue Tanner
The Hearing Examiner serves as the City's principal administrative law judge: an independent official charged with the responsibility of reviewing decisions made by a variety of City agencies. The Hearing Examiner regulates the conduct of hearings and prepares decisions and recommendations based upon the hearing record and applicable law. As the head of the department, the Hearing Examiner is also responsible for appointment and supervision of staff, updating hearing rules and procedures, and overseeing any outside contracts for services. (The Hearing Examiner's functions, authority, appointment, and jurisdictions are described in the Citizen Guide, the Annual Report, and SMC 3.02.110)

DEPUTY HEARING EXAMINER
Anne Watanabe
The Deputy Hearing Examiner is appointed by the Hearing Examiner and is deputized to conduct hearings and to exercise the Hearing Examiner's decision-making authority. The Municipal Code requires that the Deputy Hearing Examiner be an attorney with training and experience in administrative hearings. See the Citizen Guide, the Annual Report, and SMC 3.02.110 for Hearing Examiner functions, authority, appointment, and jurisdictions.

PARALEGAL
Alvia Williams
The Paralegal assists at hearings to ensure that the proceedings are properly recorded and exhibits are identified and secured. The Paralegal also assists the Hearing Examiner and the Deputy Hearing Examiner with cases both before and after the hearing. The Paralegal has primary responsibility for providing information to the public and to hearing participants, and for verifying the accuracy and completeness of case records for transmittal to court on appeal.

STAFF ANALYST
Patricia Cole
The Staff Analyst has responsibility for office administration, including research and analysis on a variety of operational and administrative issues; project management; budget development and oversight; human resource management, including recruiting, training, and career development; initiating and maintaining vendor relationships; accounting; and technology management.

ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST
Alicia Holiwell
The Administrative Specialist serves as the initial contact in the Hearing Examiner’s office. Ms. Holiwell joined the Hearing Examiner’s office in 2005, and works assist the public, City staff and parties to cases, with information regarding hearing procedures, rules, and similar matters. The Administrative Specialist also provides a full range of general administrative support functions for the office, including the processing of incoming appeals, DPD and SDOT citation defaults and collections, and is the primary contact for ordering copies of proceedings.