(A) There is hereby created a Fair Housing Committee, whose membership shall consist of five members, who shall be the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen.
(B) Every complaint of a violation of this chapter shall be referred to a Fair Housing Committee. The Fair Housing Committee shall forthwith notify the person against whom the complaint is made. The identity of the aggrieved person shall be made known to the person against whom the complaint is made at that time. If the Fair Housing Committee, after investigation, finds there is no merit to the complaint, the same shall be dismissed. If the Fair Housing Committee finds that there is merit in the complaint, in its opinion, then and in that event, the Fair Housing Committee will endeavor to eliminate the alleged discriminatory practice by conference and conciliation.
(C) If the Fair Housing Committee is unable to eliminate the alleged discriminatory practice by conference and conciliation, then and in that event, the Fair Housing Committee shall forward said complaint to the City Attorney for handling. The final determination of whether to prosecute in Municipal Court on said complaint shall be left to the City Attorney.
(D) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed in such manner as to limit administrative enforcement mechanisms and recourse against alleged discriminatory housing practices through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as specified under 42 U.S.C. § 3610, or through the Missouri Commission on Human Rights, as specified in applicable state statutes.
(Ord. 11-007, passed 5-3-2011)