Before a hearing, the judge may order the parties to appear for a conference to:

(a) Simplify or clarify the issues;

(b) Obtain stipulations, admissions, agreements on documents, understandings on matters already of record, or similar agreements that will avoid unnecessary proof;

(c) Limit the number of expert or other witnesses to avoid excessively cumulative evidence;

(d) Facilitate agreements disposing of all or any of the issues in dispute; or

(e) Resolve such other matters as may simplify and shorten the hearing.