(A) Any person who claims to have been injured under this subchapter may file a written or oral complaint with the city. Complaints shall be in writing or, if oral, shall be reduced to writing, shall be verified, shall contain such information and be in such form as the city requires, and shall specify the section of this subchapter alleged to be violated.
(B) The city shall take steps to investigate the complaint and give notice in writing to the complainant and to the respondent of the investigation and the actions, if any, which will be taken. The city may defer its investigation to state or federal authorities when the same or similar complaint has been filed with state or federal authorities.
(C) A complaint under division (A) above shall be filed within 180 days after the alleged violation of this subchapter. Complaints may be amended reasonably and fairly at any time. A respondent may file an answer to the complaint within 20 days after receipt of the complaint and, with leave of the city or its designee, reasonably amend the answer. All complaints and answers shall be verified.
(D) Housing complaints which tend to be supported by the evidence, after investigation by the city, may be referred to a hearing panel consisting of five persons representing various interests in the housing field. The panel for each case shall be selected by the City Manager from a standing committee of 11 members, including, if possible, representatives of all city organizations related to housing. The committee shall have been selected jointly by the Fair Housing Advisory Board and the Housing Committee of the Saginaw Human Relations Commission.
(E) After the hearing, the panel shall refer its findings and recommendations to the City Manager for action.
(F) No person shall provide false or substantially misleading information to any authorized person investigating a complaint regarding a violation of this subchapter, or sign a complaint for violation of this subchapter based upon false or substantially misleading information.
(Prior Code, § 93.06) (Ord. D-1454, passed 5-21-1984, effective 5-31-1984)