A. All persons claiming to be aggrieved by a discriminatory or unfair practice within this city may, by themselves or by counsel make, sign and file with the commission a verified, written complaint which shall state the name and address of the person alleged to have committed the discriminatory or unfair practice of which complained, shall set forth the particulars thereof, and shall contain such other information as may be required by the commission. (Ord. 94-3647, 11-8-1994; amd. Ord. 15-4650, 12-15-2015)
B. Upon the filing of a complaint, the human rights coordinator shall serve notice on the complainant acknowledging the filing and advising the complainant of the time limits and choice of forums provided under the law. (Ord. 03-4105, 12-16-2003)
C. The commission, a commissioner, the city attorney or any other person aware of the existence of a discriminatory practice may in like manner make, sign and file such complaint. (Ord. 94-3647, 11-8-1994; amd. Ord. 97-3785, 5-20-1997)
D. Complaints and answers may be amended as follows:
1. The complainant shall have the power to amend any complaint at any time prior to the human rights coordinator's probable cause recommendation.
2. The human rights coordinator shall have the power to amend any complaint after a probable cause finding and prior to the decision to have a public hearing.
3. At the discretion of the administrative law judge, the complaint may be amended after the decision to have a public hearing.
4. The respondent shall have like power to amend such respondent's answer, at any time prior to hearing, and thereafter at the discretion of the administrative law judge.
5. Amendments to the complaint and answer alleging additional acts which constitute unfair or discriminatory practices related to or growing out of the subject matter of the original complaint will relate back to the date the original complaint or answer was filed. (Ord. 03-4105, 12-16-2003)
E. A claim under this title shall not be maintained unless a complaint is filed with the commission within three hundred (300) days after the alleged discriminatory or unfair practice occurred. (Ord. 08-4312, 8-11-2008)
F. A verified copy of a complaint filed with the state civil rights commission, or its successor, under the provisions of chapter 216, code of Iowa, as amended; or EEOC, or its successor; or HUD, or its successor, shall be sufficient complaint for the purpose of this title if it alleges either in the text thereof or in accompanying statements that the alleged discriminatory practice occurred within this city. (Ord. 15-4650, 12-15-2015)
G. A complaint or any part thereof may be withdrawn by the complainant at any time prior to notice of a public hearing and thereafter at the discretion of the commission. However, nothing herein shall preclude the human rights coordinator from continuing the investigation and initiating a complaint on the commission's behalf against the original respondent whenever it deems it in the public interest. (Ord. 03-4105, 12-16-2003; amd. Ord. 15-4650, 12-15-2015)