The parties may but are not required to agree to mediation between the director and
any responsible party either before or after any hearing held pursuant to this subdivision,
which mediation shall be presided over by an impartial mediator.
(b)
The purpose of the mediation shall be to provide an opportunity for the director and
a responsible party to reach mutual agreement upon steps to achieve compliance with
this article and/or other applicable laws. The hearing may be postponed until completion
of the mediation if both parties agree to the postponement. If the director and the
responsible party reach agreement on a compliance plan at the mediation, that agreement
shall be placed in writing and shall be signed by the director, the responsible party
and the mediator. Any such compliance plan or other agreement prepared in the course
of, or pursuant to, the mediation shall be admissible in court and is subject to disclosure
pursuant to Evidence Code § 1123. If the terms of the compliance plan and/or agreement
are violated, in addition to any other remedy that the city may have, the director
shall serve a notice of administrative violation as provided for in this subdivision.
