Skip to main content
Loading…
This section is included in your selections.

The fair housing practices commission shall have the following powers and duties:

A. To receive, investigate and to hold appropriate hearings on complaints alleging unfair housing practices as defined by Chapter 10.48 BMC; complaint shall be in writing, signed by the person against whom an alleged violation has been committed, and filed with the commission within 30 days after the alleged discriminatory act. The commission shall promptly furnish a copy of the complaint to the person complained against;

B. To determine, after such investigation, inquiry, and hearings as it considers proper, that probable cause does or does not exist to believe that an unfair housing practice has occurred and to dismiss those charges for which no probable cause is found to exist, to endeavor to eliminate or remedy the violation by means of conciliation, persuasion, and agreement of the parties involved and/or to recommend criminal prosecution of the person complained against or the proper city officials or to recommend other appropriate avenues of relief. The commission shall complete its investigation, hearings, and conciliation procedures and make any such recommendation within 45 days from the date of the complaint;

C. At its pleasure, to adopt, amend, and rescind suitable rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter or Chapter 10.48 BMC pertaining to the time and place of its meetings and hearings, the form of unfair housing practices complaints to be submitted to it, and otherwise regulating its rules of procedure; such rules and regulations shall be filed with the city clerk for the examination of the public;

D. The commission, in the performance of its functions, may enlist the aid of all departments of the city and all such departments should fully cooperate with the commission;

E. The commission, in the performance of its functions, shall have the power to issue subpoenas or subpoenas duces tecum in the name of the city, which subpoenas shall be issued through the municipal court;

F. The fair housing practices commission may hear such matters, in addition to complaints alleging unfair housing practices, as may be assigned to it by ordinance or at the direction of the mayor. [Ord. 8573 § 12(E)(3) and (4), 1977].