(a) Investigations shall be commenced within thirty (30) days after a complaint has been
received. Conciliation, pursuant to Section 136.08, 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 Section 136.03 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 Section 136.03.
The Fair Housing Administrator shall then forward the complaint to the Fair Housing Board for a hearing, pursuant to Section 136.09; or
(2) There are no reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of Section 136.03 has occurred, in which case the Fair Housing Administrator shall prepare and issue a written notice of dismissal, within five (5) 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 fourteen (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 Fair Housing Board shall complete the investigation within one hundred (100) days after receipt of the complaint, unless impracticable, in which case the Fair Housing Board shall inform, in writing, the complainant and the respondent of the reasons why the investigation cannot be completed within the time prescribed.
(c) The Fair Housing Board 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 Fair Housing Board, the Executive Director of the Fair Housing Board may assign employees of the Fair Housing Board to assist in the investigation.
(Ord. 52-24. Passed 4-1-24.)