Advisory Body - Administrative Review Board Member

Administrative Review Board (ARB) Volunteer Position

Annual recruitment is open through Sunday, March 29, 2026. Interviews will be scheduled following the close of recruitment. On June 16, 2026, City Council will make final appointments during their Regular Meeting and terms will begin July 1, 2026. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be retained on file for one year and considered if unscheduled vacancies occur.

There is currently one position available, with an incumbent eligible for reappointment. Board members must apply for each term served.

The Administrative Review Board (ARB) is established to provide the following functions:

• Conduct and decide, as the final decision maker for the City, administrative appeal hearings relating to administrative citations issued for certain contested San Luis Obispo Municipal Code (SLOMC) enforcement matters that require a more detailed administrative record. The ARB will not hear appeals of citations issued for violations of SLOMC Title 15 (Buildings and Construction), which appeals are heard by the Construction Board of Appeals, or appeals of most zoning or subdivision appeals, which are heard by the Planning Commission.
• Issue written decisions, based on findings of fact supported by evidence introduced at a hearing, in a format sufficient to enable an appellant to challenge the decision by petition for writ to the Superior Court.

Meetings are held at least once annually to elect officers and consider policy changes recommended to the City Council. Other meetings are held as‑needed; appeal hearings will be noticed and held in accordance with SLOMC section 1.24.110. Meetings are held in the Council Hearing Room, City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo or at a location otherwise noticed.

• Familiarity with Chapter 1.24 of the SLOMC (Administrative Code Enforcement Procedures) and other relevant SLOMC provisions and City regulations and guidelines.
• Availability to conduct administrative citation appeal hearings as scheduled by the City (per SLOMC 1.24; appeals must be heard within 60 days of receipt).
• Experience evaluating testimony and other evidence.
• Experience preparing written decisions based on findings of fact supported by evidence presented at a hearing.

Knowledge of: Fact‑finding and decision‑making processes, procedures for conducting impartial hearings in accordance with rules and regulations, and information gathering techniques.

Ability to:

• Explain process, procedure, and rules of hearing to participants.
• Conduct hearings fairly and impartially to obtain information and evidence relevant to disposition, in accordance with the applicable hearing rules, SLOMC and constitutional due process.
• Question witnesses.
• Review applicable provisions of the SLOMC and apply relevant provisions to facts presented.
• Work independently.
• Deal with people responsibly and respectfully.
• Observe, receive, and gather information.
• Review and evaluate witness credibility, exhibits and other evidence presented at hearing to determine relevance to a charged violation, discover facts, analyze legal questions, determine the value, importance or quality of evidence or witness testimony, and reach conclusions supported by applicable code provisions and evidence.
• Rule on issues presented at hearings.
• Compile, categorize, calculate, or verify information or data.
• Maintain confidentiality on matters subject to attorney‑client privilege.
• Follow hearing procedures and rules.

Post‑secondary degree, certificate or credential, or equivalent professional experience in a field requiring knowledge of the conduct of formal administrative hearings. Public or business administration, personnel, construction management, public safety, public education, law or pre‑law, constitutional rights are strongly preferred but not required.

Extensive experience as follows:

• Conducted or extensively participated in or represented a party in administrative or other hearings involving student, employee, or licensee discipline; public benefits; rate setting; rule making; code enforcement or similar matters requiring fact‑finding followed…