(a) Any aggrieved person may allege that a violation of § 557.03 has occurred by filing with the Law Department, within one year of the alleged violation, a sworn, written complaint setting forth his or her grievance. The complaint shall state the name and address of the aggrieved party (hereinafter the “complainant”), the name and address of the person(s) alleged to have committed a violation of § 557.03 (hereinafter the “respondent”), a description and address of the property involved in the discriminatory incident and the particular facts thereof and such other information as may be required by the Board. A complaint may be amended at any time prior to the hearing conducted pursuant to § 557.09, and thereafter only with permission of the Law Department. Upon the filing of a complaint, the Law Department shall acknowledge the receipt of the complaint and serve notice thereof to the complainant, which notice shall also contain information as to the time limits, notice of procedural rights and obligations and choice of forum provided in this chapter.
(b) Within ten days after a complaint has been received by the Law Department, it shall serve or cause to be served, in person or by certified mail, a copy of the complaint on the respondent alleged to have committed a violation of § 557.03. Along with the service of the complaint, the Law Department shall advise the respondent, in writing, of his or her procedural rights and obligations under this chapter. The respondent may file a written verified answer to the complaint with the Law Department within ten days after receipt of notice of said complaint, and thereafter only with permission of the Law Department.
(c) The Mayor, with the advice of the Director of the Law Department, may appoint a Fair Housing Administrator within the Law Department. The Administrator shall have such duties and responsibilities as may be provided by the Law Department, including, but not limited to, receipt and processing of complaints on behalf of the Law Department.
(Ord. 212-01, passed 10-3-2001)