(a) The parties shall confer with the presiding officer, either in person or by telephone, for a conference at least 10 days before the hearing to consider:

1. (1) Formulation and simplification of the issues;
2. (2) Stipulations, admissions of fact, and admissions of the contents and authenticity of documents;
3. (3) Advance rulings from the presiding officer on the admissibility of evidence;
4. (4) Identification of witnesses, including the scope of their testimony, and of hearing exhibits;
5. (5) Possibility of settlement; and
6. (6) Such other matters as the presiding officer deems necessary to expedite the disposition of the proceeding.