515.04 POWERS AND DUTIES.

   (a)    The Fair Housing Commission shall:

      (1)    Adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of this chapter, and the policies and practices of the Commission in connection therewith.

      (2)    Formulate policies to effectuate the purposes of this chapter and make recommendations to Council and other officers of the City to effectuate such policies.

      (3)    Review the administration and implementation of the City's community development and fair housing programs in accordance with local, State and federal laws, rules, regulations and programs to insure that program participation and coverage will not be denied persons on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, handicap, familial status or ancestry.

      (4)    Observe with scrutiny the City's New Horizons Fair Housing Assistance Program to ensure its program provisions and results affirmatively support the City's fair housing policy and goals, State and federal regulations, etc., governing fair housing programs and procedures.

      (5)    Process any fair housing complaint, whether initiated by the Commission or by the filing of a complaint charging discrimination on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, handicap, familial status or ancestry, within the City's corporate limits or within the City's legal jurisdiction.

      (6)    To make such investigations and to hold such hearings as may be provided for by this chapter and the provisions of the City's New Horizons Fair Housing Assistance Program, and applicable local, State and federal laws, rules and regulations.

      (7)    In conducting any investigation or holding any hearing, and acting through its chairman, Fair Housing Officer or hearing examiner, compel the attendance by the issuance of a subpoena of any person believed to have knowledge of the facts relevant to such investigation or hearing to appear before the person or persons conducting such investigation or holding such hearing; and compel the production of books, papers, records or other evidence relevant to such investigation or hearing by the issuance of a subpoena upon the request of the Fair Housing Officer or any member of the Commission, or upon the request of any respondent in such an investigation or hearing, and all such requests shall be in writing.

      (8)    Take the testimony of any person under oath, make findings of fact and orders, and do all other things necessary or incidental to the carrying out of the intent and purpose of this chapter and the New Horizons Fair Housing Assistance Program or law under which the investigation is being conducted or the hearing held.

      (9)    Investigate and study housing patterns and group relationships within the City, and the extent and effect of discrimination and segregation in housing, real estate, mortgage lending, insurance and related fields.

      (10)    Have the power to enter into written agreements and to issue orders, and to obtain Court enforcement of such written agreements and orders to eliminate or provide relief from discriminatory practices. The Commission in its representation may avail "injunctive relief" to protect and preserve the rights of the complainant pending a final hearing before the Commission to hear the complaint.

      (11)    Determine and/or identify any unlawful fair housing policies and/or practices which may exist in the area; the Commission may elect to utilize residents within the community to assist in the identification and determination of unlawful housing practices.

      (12)    Report not less than once per year to Council and the Mayor, its proceedings, decisions and recommendations.

   (b)    The Commission may:

      (1)    Meet and function at any place within the City.

      (2)    Initiate and undertake on its own motion investigations or practices prohibited under this chapter.

      (3)    Prepare educational programs, publications and documentation as in it judgment will effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

      (4)    Form task force committees with the express purpose of assisting the Commission in carrying out is responsibilities under this chapter, and State and federal programs. (Ord. 89-150. Passed 7-5-89.)