A.    All hearings shall be electronic tape recorded.

    B.    Hearings need not be conducted according to the California Code of Evidence.

    C.    Hearsay evidence may be used for the purpose of supplementing or explaining any direct evidence, but shall not be sufficient in itself to support a finding unless it would be admissible over objection in civil actions in courts of competent jurisdiction in this state.

    D.    Any relevant evidence shall be admitted if it is the type of evidence on which reasonable persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct of serious affairs, regardless of the existence of any common law or statutory rule which might make improper the admission of such evidence over objection in civil actions in courts of competent jurisdiction in this state.

    E.    Irrelevant and unduly repetitious evidence shall be excluded.

    F.    The decision shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact, a determination of the issues presented, and the requirements to be complied with. A copy of the decision shall be served on the parties by certified return receipt mail. Service of the decision shall be deemed complete at the time deposited in the mail. (Ord. 2002-83 § 1 (part))