A. In the absence of an order of city council providing otherwise, the appellant and parties of record who are challenging the decision of the hearing examiner shall cause written argument to be delivered to council and other parties, by no later than the end of the business day of the second Tuesday before the appeal is scheduled to be heard. Written argument shall be limited to 10 pages typed, double-spaced with specific reference being made to the record where appropriate.

B. In the absence of an order of city council providing otherwise, the parties supporting the decision of the hearing examiner or who are otherwise offering argument in opposition to appellant shall cause written responses to be delivered to council by no later than noon of the Wednesday before the day the appeal is scheduled to be heard. Written argument by respondents and responding parties shall be limited to 10 pages typed, double-spaced with specific reference being made to the record where appropriate.

C. Council has discretion to dismiss any appeal upon failure of the appellant to timely submit written argument on time. Council shall disregard any argument based on the facts or evidence that is outside the record. Council may also disregard any argument that does not appropriately reference the portions of the record upon which argument is being made, or that fails to clearly specify the provision of law being argued.

D. Oral argument will be heard at the discretion of council. Unless council decides otherwise, oral argument is limited to the petitioning party and respondent and argument shall not exceed 15 minutes for each. Appellant shall argue first and may reserve five minutes for rebuttal.

E. Council may issue its determination after oral argument is heard or may take the matter under advisement. If council modifies the decision or remands the matter to the hearing examiner, such determination will be reduced to writing by the office of the city attorney as soon as reasonably practicable and upon approval by council, a notice and the written decision shall be mailed to parties of record who participated in the review proceeding.

F. The decision of the city council shall be final for the purposes of judicial appeal as provided by the laws of the state of Washington. [Ord. 2002-10-069 § 4].