As hearing examiner for the City of Tacoma, Jeff Capell oversees the processing of administrative appeals and conducts public hearings for a wide variety of cases. Typical hearings include land use appeals, tax and licensing disputes, derelict or substandard building appeals, utility billing disputes, land use enforcement appeals, and ethics complaints. He also conducts public hearings and makes recommendations to the City Council on matters involving the formation and assessment of Local Improvement Districts, sidewalk repair assessments, and rezones. Additionally, he acts as the designee of the police chief in hearing civil forfeiture appeals arising out of the seizure of cash or property used in connection with illegal drug activity.
The Hearing Examiner strives to provide parties a full and fair opportunity to present their arguments in the case before issuing a written decision or recommendation based upon the evidence and governing law.
Capell joined the City in 2009 as a Deputy City Attorney, and worked in that capacity until being appointed to the office of Hearing Examiner in 2017. Prior to coming to Tacoma, Mr. Capell was a Senior Assistant City Attorney with the City of Bellingham, Washington, and has also been in-house counsel with Albertson's, Inc., Kia Motors, Corp., and SK Corp.
Education
- J.D., Seattle University School of Law, cum laude
- M.A., Brigham Young University with honors
- B.A., Brigham Young University
Professional Memberships/Affiliations
- Washington State Bar Association
- Idaho State Bar Association