The Hearing Examiner, at his/her discretion, or at the request of a party, may conduct a prehearing conference. The purpose of the prehearing conference shall be: (A) to determine the feasibility of settlement of the matter; (B) to obtain agreement as to issues of fact or law and facts to be presented at hearing and the simplification of limitation thereof; (C) to determine the possibility of obtaining admissions of facts and authenticity of documents, which will avoid unnecessary proof at hearing; (D) to determine the admissibility of exhibits; (E) to obtain stipulation as to all or part of the facts in the case; (F) to determine the number of expert and lay witnesses to be called by the parties and their names, when possible; (G) to determine the approximate time necessary for the presentation of the evidence of the respective parties; (H) to establish a hearing schedule; and (9) to obtain all other information which may aid in the prompt disposition of the cases.

The Examiner, following the prehearing conference, shall issue a prehearing order, which shall, unless properly amended, control the further course of proceedings in the matter. [Ord. 585 § 6, 2014.]