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14 <br /> (g) Members of the hearing panel may exclude and not factor into their decision any evidence, <br /> testimony, or statements deemed incompetent, irrelevant, immaterial or unduly repetitious and <br /> therefore fail to reasonable address the issues before the hearing panel. <br /> (h) Within seven (7) days of the hearing the hearing panel shall issue a decision and cause <br /> that decision to forward to the person making the appeal and all other interested parties. <br /> (i) Appeal under Section 4-42 of this Chapter (Vicious Animals and Dangerous Dogs) shall be <br /> to a three member hearing panel consisting of one member of the Animal Services Advisory <br /> Board, who shall serve as Chair, and two members drawn from the remainder of the pool. At <br /> least one member of the panel shall be from either the Town or County where the incident <br /> occurred. <br /> The Animal Services Advisory Board may make additional rules Board of County <br /> Commissioners shall adopt a policy, which may be amended from time to time, governing the <br /> appointment of appeals panel members and any additional processes necessary to carry out <br /> appeals in fair and equitable manner. The Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough <br /> may appoint one person from their respective jurisdictions to serve in the pool of prospective <br /> hearing board members. (Does not apply in the Town of Carrboro) <br /> In addition to the changes made above, a separate document was created entitled <br /> "Animal Services Appeal Board Policies and Procedures" (see attached) to include changes <br /> made by the BOCC. <br /> The Resolution of Adoption proposes an effective date of March 1, 2016 for the <br /> proposed UAO. This timeframe allows for implementation of the public awareness plan in all of <br /> the jurisdictions in which it would apply. A revised timetable for the public awareness plan is <br /> attached. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin referred to the section about the appeals panel, and asked for <br /> clarification regarding what happens after the hearing. He asked if the person allegedly in <br /> violation of the chapter can appeal to the District Court if need be. <br /> Annette Moore said a dangerous dog complaint could be appealed to the District Court. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if there are other appeals heard by this panel would, that <br /> would not have this provision. <br /> Annette Moore said a nuisance issue or a kennel issue would not have the provision to <br /> appeal to District Court. <br /> John Roberts said if citizens wanted more relief, an injunction could be filed with the <br /> court. <br /> Commissioner Price referred to the appeals panel and expressed concern regarding <br /> the consistency of decisions. She asked if the member of the Animal Services Advisory Board <br /> (ASAB) serving on the appeals panel would remain the same for an extended period of time. <br /> Annette Moore said all members of the appeals panel will receive the same training, <br /> and there is more than one person from the ASAB that can sit on the panel. <br /> Bob Marotto said on the current potentially dangerous dog appeal board, there is an <br /> annual appointment to this board from members from the ASAB with primaries and alternates <br /> chosen. He said there is consistency across the board, and he is sure this would be the same <br /> for this new panel. <br /> Commissioner Price referred to the issue of the sole discretion of the director and <br /> asked if it is possible that an investigating officer, or an attorney, can sign off on decisions. <br /> She said she is concerned with one person being solely responsible for this. <br /> Annette Moore said that is why the appeals process exists. She said the director is <br /> highly trained, and the animal control officers are under his/her direction. She said the director <br />