Opinion ID: 2451189
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The City Clerk Had The Authority To Reject Griswold's Appeal.

Text: Griswold also argues that the city clerk lacks the authority to summarily and arbitrarily determine standing issues. The City argues that the Homer City Code authorized Johnson to reject Griswold's appeal, and that the delegation of that authority was lawful. Homer City Code 21.68.040(c) expressly provides that [t]he City Clerk shall reject any notice of appeal that does not comply with sections 21.68.030-21.68.040 and notify the appellant of the reasons for rejection. City law thus authorized, indeed mandated, that the clerk reject Griswold's appeal. The delegation of the authority to reject appeals for lack of standing was also lawful. We have stated that a city's right... to delegate powers to govern the affairs of the municipality will not be strictly construed, for `[w]ithout the power to delegate duty and discretion the affairs of the [c]ity could not be carried on.' [66] Homer City Code 21.68.040(c) does not vest arbitrary power or authority in the city clerk; it provides specific criteria, namely the requirements of HCC 21.68.030-.040, for the clerk to apply to appeals of land use determinations. We therefore agree that the Homer City Code authorized the clerk to reject Griswold's appeal and that the delegation of such authority was lawful.