Department of Community Development - Building Division
Reference: Appointment of an Appeals Hearing Officer
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Andrew Ulmer, Chief Building Official (CBO)
With Input From: Brighton Fire Rescue District
Date Prepared: August 5, 2025
PURPOSE
To appoint the appeals hearing officer for issues arising out of Article 15, Buildings and Construction of the Brighton Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND
As set forth in Section 15-2-40 of the Municipal Code, the appeals hearing officer shall preside over matters pertaining to contractor license revocation and building code interpretations. By way of example, if a contractor felt their license was revoked unfairly, they could appeal the revocation and share evidence at a hearing that was presided over and decided by the appeals hearing officer. A second type of appeal could occur if an applicant felt the building code official failed to follow the true intent of the code. Each appeal will be processed in accordance with the process as outlined in the aforementioned Municipal Code section.
It should be noted that since the city adopts the International Fire Code (IFC), the appeals hearing officer will oversee cases related to the IFC as well. As such, the Fire Marshal has been involved in selecting a viable candidate for the appeals hearing officer post.
An ideal candidate for an appeals hearing officer would have some level of technical expertise and familiarity with building and/or fire codes. Additionally, they would have some level of professional experience as it relates to the position whether in the construction industry or the building or fire inspection fields. Previous experience in a role or roles that required making impartial decisions, reviewing technical drawings or documents to codes and regulations would also be beneficial.
SUMMARY OF CANDIDATE’S QUALIFICATIONS
1) Firefighting experience from 1986 to present.
2) Bachelor’s in Fire Administration.
3) More than a half dozen certifications including ICC fire inspector and fire plans examiner which substantially overlap with the IBC.
4) More than a half dozen related professional memberships.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Based on his qualifications and desire to serve, staff recommends the appointment of Doug Saba as the city’s appeals hearing officer, effective immediately and through and until the adoption of the next code cycle.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
1) Approve the appointment as recommended by staff; or
2) Not approve the appointment as recommended by staff.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
Doug Saba CV