(a) There is hereby established a Fair Housing Board which shall consist of three members who are qualified electors of the Village. Such members shall not hold public office at the municipal, county, state or federal level while a member of the Board. A duly appointed Board member who is running for public office shall be automatically disqualified from further membership on the Board. The day such Board member files petitions with the County Board of Elections shall be the date of such disqualification. No Board member shall be appointed who is employed in any real estate or lending institution.
(b) Board members shall be appointed by the Mayor. Of the members first appointed, one shall hold office for a term of one year, one for a term of two years and the other for a term of three years. Their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years. The Mayor shall fill all vacancies by appointment for any unexpired term. A Board member whose term has expired shall be eligible for re-appointment to the Board.
(c) The Executive Secretary of the Board shall be appointed by the Mayor and shall be an employee of the Village.
(d) The Mayor may recommend to Council the removal of a Board member for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. Council may remove a Board member from office by a two-thirds vote of Council. However, Council must first give to such member a copy of the charges against him or her and an opportunity to be publicly heard, in person or by Counsel, in his or her own defense. Any such removal shall be final.
(e) Two members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business thereof. A vacancy on the Board shall not impair the right of remaining members to exercise all powers of the Board.
(f) Each member of the Board shall serve without compensation, but shall be paid necessary and actual expenses incurred while performing the business of the Board.
(g) The Board shall:
(1) Investigate all complaints of unlawful housing practices which are filed with it;
(2) Initiate complaints of unlawful housing practices on the basis of auditing or testing carried out by its staff or volunteers authorized by the Board;
(3) Endeavor by conciliation to resolve such complaints;
(4) Hold hearings, subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance, administer oaths, take the testimony of persons under oath and, in connection therewith, require the production, for examination, of any books and papers that relate to any matter under investigation or in question before the Board;
(5) Render, at least once a year, to the Mayor and to Council, a full written report of all its activities and recommendations;
(6) Recommend to the Mayor, when it deems necessary, educational and other programs designed to promote the purposes stated in this chapter;
(7) Adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of its business; and
(8) Do such other acts that are necessary and proper in order to perform those duties with which it is charged under this section.
(Ord. 1034. Passed 9-19-83.)