A. No hearing examiner shall conduct or participate in any hearing, decision or recommendation in which the hearing examiner has a direct or indirect substantial financial or familial interest, or concerning which the hearing examiner has had substantial prehearing contacts with proponents or opponents. A hearing examiner shall abide by the applicable provisions of state law, including, without limitation, the appearance of fairness doctrine and this code.

B. No person, including city officials, elective or appointive, shall attempt to influence a hearing examiner in any matter pending before him/her, except at a public hearing duly called for such purposes, or to interfere with a hearing examiner in the performance of his/her duties in any other way; provided, that this section shall not prohibit the city attorney from rendering legal services to the hearing examiner upon request, or prohibit other persons or officials from responding in writing to requests for information from the hearing examiner; and further provided, that city officials or employees may, in the performance of their official duties, provide information for the hearing examiner or process a city case before the hearing examiner, when such actions take place or are disclosed in the hearing examiner’s hearing or meeting.