(a) There is hereby created the Linndale Officer of Fair Housing to be filled by a qualified elector of the Village to be known as the Village Fair Housing Official and who shall not hold any public office at the municipal, county, state, or federal level at any time while holding such office. Any duly appointed Fair Housing Official who is running for any other public office shall be automatically disqualified from continuing to hold such office. The day the official files petitions with the County Board of Elections shall be the date of the disqualification. No official shall be appointed who is employed in any real estate or lending institution.
(b) The Fair Housing Official shall be appointed by the Mayor for an initial three year term. The Mayor shall fill a vacancy by appointment for the unexpired term. Any official whose term has expired shall be eligible for re-appointment by the Mayor.
(e) The Mayor may recommend the removal of the Fair Housing Official for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office to the Village Council. The Village Council may remove the Official from office by the vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Council only after having first given to such Official a copy of the charges against him and an opportunity to be publicly heard in person or by counsel in his own defense; and any such removal shall be final.
(d) The Fair Housing Official shall serve without salary, but shall be paid necessary and actual expenses expended in performing the business of his office.
(e) The Official is charged with the following duties to implement the stated policy of this chapter:
(1) To investigate all complaints of unlawful housing practices which are filed with him.
(2) To initiate complaints of unlawful housing practices on the basis of auditing or testing carried out by the Official or volunteers authorized by him.
(3) To endeavor by conciliation, to resolve such complaints.
(4) To hold hearings, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, administer oaths, take the testimony of any person under oath, and in connection therewith, to require the production for examination of any books or papers relating to any matter under investigation or in question before the Official.
(5) To render at least once a year to the Mayor and to the Village Council a full written report of all his activities and recommendations.
(6) To recommend to the Mayor, when he deems necessary, educational and other programs designed to promote the purposes stated in the chapter.
(7) To adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of his business.
(8) To do such other acts that are necessary and proper in order to perform those duties with which he is charged under the terms of this chapter.
(Ord. 89-13. Passed 2-6-90.)