(a) Investigations shall be commenced by the Manager of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs or his or her designee or designees within thirty (30) days after a complaint has been received. Conciliation, under Section 665.08, shall be attempted beginning with the filing of the complaint and ending with the filing of a charge or a dismissal of the complaint. If conciliation has failed and the investigation has been completed, the Manager of Fair Housing shall determine that:
(1) There are reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of Section 665.03 has occurred, in which case the Manager of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs shall issue a charge stating the facts forming the basis for the finding of reasonable grounds to believe discrimination occurred or is about to occur under Section 665.03. The Manager of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs shall then forward the complaint to the Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs Board for a hearing, under Section 665.09; or
(2) There are no reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of Section 665.03 has occurred or was about to occur, in which case the Manager of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs shall prepare and issue a written notice of dismissal, within five (5) days of the finding of no reasonable grounds, by serving a copy of the notice of dismissal by certified mail on the parties. The notice of dismissal shall advise the complainant of his or her right of appeal under this section. Within fourteen (14) days of receipt of notice of dismissal, the complainant may request, in writing, reconsideration by the Fair Housing Board of the dismissal. By a majority vote, the Fair Housing Board may affirm or reverse the dismissal. If the Fair Housing Board reverses, it shall refer the complaint to the Manager of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs for conciliation and other actions consistent with this chapter.
(b) The Manager of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs shall complete the investigation within one hundred (100) days after receipt of the complaint, unless impracticable, in which case the Fair Housing Board shall inform, in writing, the complainant and the respondent of the reasons why the investigation cannot be completed within the time prescribed.
(c) The Manager of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs and his or her designee and staff may be assisted in the investigation by a fair housing agency or other appropriate organization or person under contract with the City.
(Ord. No. 1329-10. Passed 12-6-10, eff. 12-6-10)