HomeMy WebLinkAboutSUPPTL INFO - Hearing Examiner DALE A. EQUITZ
HEARING OFFICER
45-675 DEEP CANYON ROAD
PALM DESERT, CA 92260
760-346-4731
July 8, 2008
Mr. Hart Ponder
73510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CZ 92260
Dear Hart:
Due to serious medical problems I am compelled to stop my services as Hearing Officer for the
cities of Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Rancho Miragte, and COD effective immediately.
I apprciate the long-term professional association with you, Hart, and all your staff. Thank you
once more for your cooperation the last fifteen years.
Sincerely,
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Bid Proposal
Hearing �xaminer
For Contested f�on-Moving Parking Citation
and Animal Contro Hearings
Prepared for. Ciry of Palm Desert
Prepared by: Rick Lebel, Interim Hearing Oificer
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July 25,2008
321 Durango,Palm Desert,CA 92260 T 760-773-3680 F 760-776-8061 Fvri f ��
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Executive Summary
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Provides for a sealed bid to perform services and function as the Hearing Examiner for Contested Non-Moving Parking
Citations and Animal Control Hearings in an independent and impartial manner by a responsible independent party for a
per hearing fee as proposed herewith. The appended Resume provides and states the qualifications of the bidder/
applicant Rick Lebel and identifies an overview of prior experience,affiliations,education and skilis which would serve to
turther qualiiy the candidate for this position.
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Bidder proposes to offer himself as a qualified hearing officer capable of review, interpretation and application of AB408
Guidelines as provided by the appropriate Administrative Manual,the California Vehicle Code and the Municipal Code of
the City of Palm Desert. Bidder further identifies that he has reviewed same guidelines and regulations, has discussed
the qualifications for the Hearing Examiners position with the Code Compliance Manager for the City of Palm Desert, has
been identified as an individual capable and selected to serve in an"Interim Capaciry"as the Hearing Officer for Palm
Desert and further believes that he can fulfill the requirements for the position in a competent and reliable manner.
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Bidder proposes to offer his services as an independent impartial Hearing Officer to provide for the hearing and
disposition of all contested cases involving violations of the California Vehicle Code,the Palm Desert parking citation
provisions of the Municipal Code and the Palm Desert Administrative Code or Regulations relating to the parking and
impoundment of vehicles within the area of jurisdiction of the"Parking Agency"to include Palm Desert, Indian Wells and
Rancho Mirage as deemed appropriate. Further,to conduct hearings and provide disposition of Animal Control
provisions and regulations of the noted agencies.
Services provided shall be as an independent contractor and consultant,furnishing such services in cooperation with the
City. Bidder acknowledges that the City shall not be responsibie for the withholding of any taxes or payroll type
deductions. Bidder shall maintain independent automotive liability insurance for Bodily Injury Liability of$100,000 each
person and$300,000 each occurrence with Property Damage Liability of$50,000 each occurrence,furnishing the City
with a copy of such certification as required. Bidder,as an independent agent,requests consideration for waiver of any
City Business License Fees or additional insurance requirements in performance of such limited services as proposed.
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Services provided may include the review of the citation and evidence establishing a Prima Facie Case for the hearing,
the conduct of the hearing to examine the respondent's case for consideration,the conduct of the Administrative Review
and Hearing pursuant to appropriate AB408 Guidelines,the preparation of documents, records,tape recordings or other
administrative needs for estabiishment of a decision on the matter(s)and any followup invoicing to the appropriate
agencies for such services as are required to fulfill the requirements of the administrative process.
Prc��ss�sec# Sche!�ufe of F��e� For S�rvi�P�
Charges for contested cases and scheduled hearings as noted will be inclusive of the provisions noted and further
determined by the nature and extent of required research,case hearings and disposition matters.
. For each Contested Non-Moving Parking Citation a fee of$25.00 per case with a minimum of$50 per scheduled
hearing day.
. For each Animal Control related hearing a fee of$35.00 for each hour or fraction thereof, not to exceed$70.00 per
case or citation related to any one individual.
Respectfully submitted,
Rick E. Lebel
Enclosures: Personal Resume and City of Palm Desert Bid Sheet
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321 DURANGO PALM DESERT, CA 92260
TEL 760 7733680 FAX 760-776-8061
Rick Lebel, bidder and candidate for Hearing Examiner For Contested Non-Moving Parking Citation and
Animal Control Hearings, is a retired Deputy Fire Chief with 28 years service with the City of Ontario. He
has currently served as a Pubiic Safety Commissioner for the City of Palm Desert for over 10 years. He
previously served as a hearing officer for the City of Upland Building Code Board of Appeals from 1986-
1994 and as a municipal Fire Marshal with the responsibility to both promulgate codes and regulations as
weil as to manage the enforcement of such regulations.
Mr. Lebel is knowledgeable as to the intent, process and procedure relative to Assembly Bill 408 provisions
as relates to the Administrative Adjudication Program providing for the hearing and disposition of contest��d
cases involving violations of the California Vehicle Code and those issues relative to contested non-moving
parking citations and animal control hearings applicable to the City of Palm Desert Municipal Code.
Mr. Lebel has been a homeowner in Palm Desert since 1985, has served on the Monterey Country Club
Homeowners Association Board of Directors for four years, including serving as Chair of the Architectural
Committee for three years and on the Emergency Preparedness Committee for over ten years.
OWNER, PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT, R.E. LEBEL &ASSOCIATES CONSULTIVE SERVICES
PALM DESERT,CA 1995-2007
Organizational analysis and development, community fire protection analysis and development of recom-
mendations. Assistance in professional position classification analysis and executive recruitment. Conduct
operational and personnel assessment, evaluation and training. Provide management,fiscal and opera-
tional program audit within organizations and prepare recommendations for executive review. Review
comprehensive radio communications systems and dispatch programs developing recommendations for
executive review.
CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, ONTARIO,CA-MARCH, 1976 TO DECEMBER, 1995(RETIRED)
Served 19 years as a Chief Officer within a 28 year fire department career. As second in command for over
16 years, performed general administration, planning and coordination for the Emergency Services Opera-
tions Branch, Paramedic Program, Department Regional Training Center, Facilities and Equipment Branch
the Fire Marshai's Office,the Communications Maintenance Branch, Emergency Preparedness and the
member agency Emergency Communications and Dispatch Services Division for the five municipal fire de-
partments serving western San Bernardino County.
Budget: $16-18 million dollars. Reporting Staff: 8 managers and 150 employees of which 106 were on al-
ternating twenty-four hour shift schedules. Developed restructuring of the Fire Department in 1993 to in-
corporate the City Code Compiiance Division as an element of the Fire Marshal's Office. Evaluated major
programs of the Fire Department and implemented process and program changes to enhance delivery and
improve services. Directed recruitment, promotional testing and employee evaluation programs. Designed
and implemented the all risk emergency and disaster response efforts of the Department.
Served as the Interim Fire Chief for over a one year period while coordinating the department's interrela-
tionship with other city departments and the City Manager's Office. Concurrent with service as the Interim
Fire Chief, served as the Executive Director of a $28 million dollar 800 MHz radio communications systern
project while reporting to a Board of Directors consisting of five City Managers and two Fire Chiefs to pro-
vide for a communications joint powers agency(WECA)for over two years, while developing a multiple
agency emergency communications and dispatch system serving the five cities public safety and local
government needs. Facilitated the executive recruitment of a full-time Executive Director for the JPA.
As the City's Fire Marshal from 1976-1979, provided daily management of technical, sworn and civilian
staff and resources to affect fire investigations, occupancy inspections, public education,fire protection
engineering and code development and enforcement activities. Prepared enabling Resolutions and City
Ordinances for legal review and City Council enactment, developed community standards and regulations
for fire protection, participated in city planning, engineering and building department review of all major
community development projects and provided assistance and fire department input for zoning and land
use programs.
Concurrent with Fire Department service from 1973-1982 within the City of Ontario, was elected to public
office as a Director for the Alta Loma Fire Protection District and successfully enabled the consolidation of
three communities fire protection programs into the Foothill Fire Protection District. Was elected to public
office as a Director for the Foothill Fire Protection District serving two terms of office.
C?;���ni;atior��a! Affiiiatior3s
Appointed by Council-City of Palm Desert Public Safety Commission, 1998-Present
Instructor, Chaffey Community College Fire Technology and Academy Programs, 1974-1981 and was an
Instructor/Facilitator, National Management Association Advanced Leadership Development Programs from
1987-1991 for Ontario, Upland and Montclair
Member of the Board of Directors, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, 1992-1995 and co-chair of the Mem-
bership Development and Governmental Relations Council for the Chamber from 1993-1995; Member of
the Board of Directors, Rotary Club of Ontario 1992-1995,the California Fire Chiefs Association Southern
Division Fire Marshals 1977-1979,the Board of Directors, San Bernardino County Emergency Medical Care
Commission 1992-1995 and the Citrus Belt Fire Chiefs Association 1974-present. Served as President,
Vice-President,Treasurer of several fire service related trade associations and organizations 1974-1995.
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Regents College, University of The State of New York , Bachelor of Science Program, School of Public Ad-
ministration, 1989-1991; California State University at Los Angeles, Bachelor of Science Program, Fire Ad-
ministration and Management, 1978-1984; Chaffey Community College, Alta Loma, CA 1969-1972 gradu-
ated with an Associate of Arts Degree in Fire Science. Completed over 218 units of study with a 3.86 GPA
-: � ,. , _ Senior Executive Fire Officer, National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, MD, 1988; Chief Fire
Officer, California State Fire Academy, Pacific Grove, CA, 1983; Limited Service Lifetime Teaching Creden-
tial, California State Department of Education, 1972
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Excellent oral and written communications skills; planning, observation and evaluation skills; adept at lead-
ing and facilitating small to moderate sized groups of students, employees, staff and professional or civic
groups; skilled in training and mentoring professional staff; have facilitated recruitment, promotional exams
and evaluation of professional, technical and clerical staff; accomplished leader in staff development and
establishment of fiscal accountability; skilled in organizational analysis and organizational development
including policy and procedural development; accomplished leader in community, civic, service and pro-
fessional organizations with marked demonstration of leadership skills and attributes.