(a) Investigations shall be commenced within 30 days after a complaint has been received. Conciliation, pursuant to § 557.08, 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 Discrimination Review Committee shall determine that:
(1) There are reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of § 557.03 has occurred, in which case the Fair Housing Administrator 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 § 557.03. The Fair Housing Administrator shall then forward the complaint to the Law Department for a hearing, pursuant to § 557.09; or
(2) There are no reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of § 557.03 has occurred, in which case the Fair Housing Administrator shall prepare and issue a written notice of dismissal, within five 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 to appeal under this section. Within 14 days of receipt of notice of dismissal, the complainant may request, in writing, reconsideration by the Discrimination Review Committee of the dismissal. By a majority vote, the Discrimination Review Committee may affirm or reverse the dismissal. If the Discrimination Review Committee reverses, it shall refer the complaint to the Fair Housing Administrator for conciliation and other actions consistent with this chapter.
(b) The Law Department shall complete the investigation within 100 days after receipt of the complaint, unless impracticable, in which case the Law Department shall inform, in writing, the complainant and the respondent of the reasons why the investigation cannot be completed within the time prescribed.
(c) The Law Department may be assisted in the investigation by a fair housing agency or other organization or person under contract with the city. Upon request of the Law Department, the Executive Director of the Law Department may assign employees of the Law Department to assist in the investigation.
(Ord. 212-01, passed 10-3-2001)