(a) There is hereby created the Fair Housing Board to consist of three members who shall be qualified electors of the City. Board members shall not hold any elected public office at the municipal, county, state or federal level at any time while a member of the Board and shall not be employed by the City, but may be employed by the county, state, or federal government. Any duly appointed Board member who is a candidate for any public office shall be automatically disqualified from further membership on the Board. The day the Board member files petitions with the Portage County Board of Elections shall be the date of the disqualification.
(b) The Board members shall be appointed by Council. Of the members first appointed, one shall hold office for a term of one year; one for a term of two years; and the other for a term of three years; and their successors shall he appointed for terms of three years. All vacancies shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(c) The Board shall elect one of its members as Chairman, one as Vice-Chairman, and one as Secretary. The Chairman shall preside over all meetings, sign the minutes of all actions taken by the Board, call such meetings as the Board finds necessary to transact the business and affairs of the Board in matters relating to fair housing. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman shall act as Chairman.
The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of the Board and the administration of the files of the Board. The Secretary shall also be responsible for preparation and delivery of notices and correspondence and other communication authorized by the Board. The Secretary shall be responsible for the performance of such other duties as may be required by the Board.
(d) Council may remove a member of the Board from office by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of Council only after having first given to such member a written copy of the charges against him and an opportunity to be publicly heard in person or by counsel in his/her own defense; and any such removal shall be final.
(e) Two members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business thereof. A vacancy on the Board shall not impair the right of the other members to exercise all the power of the Board.
(f) Each member of the Board shall serve without salary.
(g) The Board 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 it.
(2) To inform all persons bringing complaints to the Board of their right to seek criminal or civil relief through the Courts.
(3) To initiate or corroborate complaints of unlawful housing practices on the basis of studies authorized by the Board.
(4) To endeavor by conciliation to resolve such complaints.
(5) 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.
(6) To render at least once a year to the Mayor and to Council a full written report of all its activities and recommendations.
(7) To recommend to the Mayor when it deems necessary, educational and other programs designed to promote the purpose stated in this chapter.
(8) To adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of its business, and for the administration and enforcement of this chapter.
(9) 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.
(h) Nothing shall prohibit the Board from consulting and meeting with real estate agents or representatives of lending institutions in matters regarding educational or other programs, to further the purpose of this chapter.
(Ord. 1984-49. Passed 5-21-84.)