At the time of the hearing, the administrative law judge shall hear all evidence with respect to the annexation and shall consider all studies, surveys, maps, data, reports, and other material prepared by any state or local governmental subdivision or planning or zoning commission. At the hearing, the governor’s appointee who mediated the meetings under section 40-51.2-07.1 shall provide information to the administrative law judge on the proposed annexation and any proposed resolutions or recommendations made by a majority of the representatives of the interested parties. Any resident of or person owning property or having any interest in the area proposed to be annexed and any elector of the annexing city, or a representative of any such person, may appear at the hearing and present evidence upon any matter to be determined by the administrative law judge. All proceedings at the hearing must be recorded but need not be transcribed unless proceedings for judicial review are initiated as provided in section 40-51.2-15.