Council hears proposed code change to let city attorney appoint independent hearing officers for transit safety committee disputes

The city attorney’s office and transit staff presented an ordinance to the City Council work session that would amend city code to authorize the city attorney to appoint hearing officers to resolve disputes when required or permitted by law — specifically to implement a dispute-resolution process for the Transit Safety Committee under federal public transit safety rules.

Rebecca Greenberg, senior attorney with the City Attorney’s Office, said the proposed code change would amend section 1.2.409 to add language authorizing the city attorney to appoint hearing officers “for any other reason required or permitted by law.” Greenberg said the change is necessary to implement a dispute-resolution process the Transit Safety Committee adopted under the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) required by federal regulations.

The PTASP requires a joint labor‑management safety committee and mandates that the committee have bylaws and a dispute resolution procedure. Greenberg said the committee’s adopted bylaws provide for appointment of independent hearing officers to resolve disputes; the ordinance would empower the city attorney to make those appointments. Kevin Bruce, operations manager and chief safety officer for the transit division, and Lynn Rauhl, transit division manager, joined Greenberg for the presentation.

Several council members pressed for more context. Councilman Bailey asked why the city had not adopted code language earlier and urged clearer packet materials explaining the history and rationale. Councilman Bailey and Councilman Rainey said they wanted better documentation of how the Transit Safety Committee arrived at independent hearing officers as the dispute resolution method. Transit Manager Julie (last name given in packet) explained that prior practice had authorized the transit manager to break ties; a 2024 federal update removed that authority and committee members ultimately preferred independent hearing officers after considering alternatives (city director, state transit agency, PPACG). City staff said they would provide more written history in future materials.

Council members also asked whether the code change would broadly expand the city attorney’s appointment authority in other contexts; Rebecca Greenberg said the wording was intentionally broader to cover future federal or other legal requirements but that staff could provide additional clarifying history and reasoning in the formal hearing packet. Council members requested a later work session or briefing on the city’s use and limits of hearing officers and how the council’s legislative role is preserved.

No formal council vote occurred at the work session. Staff said the ordinance will return at the July 8 hearing; council members asked for clearer explanatory materials and for staff to document prior practices and the alternatives considered by the Transit Safety Committee.