A. Any person aggrieved by the action of the city clerk in refusing to issue or renew any license under Section 5.53.080 or of the chief of police in suspending or revoking any license under Section 5.53.100 shall have the right to appeal such action to the Vancouver city council. Such appeal shall be made by filing a notice of appeal with the city attorney’s office within five working days after receiving notice of the action from which appeal is being taken.

B. The city council, upon receipt of a timely notice of appeal, shall set a date for a de novo hearing of such appeal. The council shall hear testimony, take evidence, and may hear oral argument and receive written briefs. The filing of such appeal shall stay the action of the chief, pending the decision on the appeal. The council shall render a decision within ten days of the conclusion of its hearing.

C. The decision of an appeal from a decision of the chief shall be based upon a preponderance of the evidence and the burden of proof shall be on the chief.

D. The decision on the appeal shall be final unless it is appealed to the superior court within fourteen calendar days of the date the decision is entered, by the filing of an appropriate action and serving of all necessary parties. Such appeal to court shall not stay the suspension or revocation and it shall remain in effect pending decision in superior court. (Ord. M-3068 §12, 1993)