(a) There is hereby created the Fair Housing Board to consist of seven (7) members, three (3) of whom shall be at large and who shall be qualified electors of the City and who shall not be employed by the City of Lorain nor hold any elected public office at any time while a member of the Board.
(b) The Board members shall be appointed by the Mayor. The terms of office of each member of the Board shall be five (5) years. The Mayor shall fill all vacancies by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. The Mayor shall be an ex-officio member of the Board. After being duly constituted, a chairman and vice-chairman shall be chosen by a majority vote of the Board.
(c) The secretary of the Board shall be selected by the Board and may be an employee of the City. The secretary of the Board shall receive all complaints in writing and forward them to the Board and forthwith furnish the complainant in writing with information regarding their remedies under federal, state and local law.
(d) The seven (7) members shall be representative of various City organizations. As vacancies occur on the original Board, appointments shall be made in the same manner as original appointments.
(e) Four (4) members of the Board shall constitute a simple majority for the purpose of conducting business thereof. A vacancy in the Board shall not impair the right of the remaining members to exercise all the powers of the Board. Each member of the Board shall serve without compensation. Any member of the Board may be removed by the Mayor for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office after being given a written statement of the charges and an opportunity to be publicly heard in person or by counsel in his or her own defense.
(f) The Board shall have the following functions, powers and duties:
(1) To investigate all complaints of unlawful housing practices which are filed with it.
(2) To initiate complaints of unlawful housing practices on the basis of studies carried out by the Department of Community Development or by community organizations.
(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 Board.
(5) To render at least once every six (6) months to the Mayor and Council a full written report of all its activities and recommendations.
(6) To recommend to the Mayor, when it deems necessary, educational and other programs designed to promote the purpose stated in this chapter.
(7) To adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of its business.
(8) To do such other acts that are necessary and proper in order to perform those duties with which it is charged under the terms of this chapter.
(Ord. 52-24. Passed 4-1-24.)