Sec. 17-55. Record-keeping; posting requirement; powers of commission or EOO.
   (a)   In connection with an investigation of a charge filed under this article, the commission or the EOO shall have access at any reasonable time to witnesses, premises, records, documents, individuals and other evidence or possible sources of evidence and may examine, record and copy such materials and take and record the testimony or statements of such persons as are reasonably necessary for the furtherance of the investigation.
   (b)   Every person subject to this article shall preserve any regularly kept business records for a period of six (6) months from the date of the making of the record; such records shall include but not be limited to application forms submitted by applicants, sales and rental records, credit and reference reports, and any other records pertaining to the status of an individual's enjoyment of the rights and privileges protected or granted under this article.
   (c)   Every person subject to this article, shall post in conspicuous places, notices setting forth the provisions of the nondiscrimination clause.
   (d)   It shall be unlawful for a member of the commission or an employee of the EOO to make public with respect to a particular person without his/her consent information obtained by them pursuant to their authority under this article, except as necessary to the conduct of a proceeding under this article.
   (e)   To accomplish the objectives and to carry out the duties prescribed in this article, the commission or the EOO, in addition to other powers conferred by this article, may:
   (1)   Conduct informal hearings in aid of any investigation or inquiry.
   (2)   Administer an oath or affirmation to any person.
   (3)   On its own initiative, conduct periodic tests to ascertain whether violations of this article are occurring within the city.
   (4)   Issue subpoenas, interrogatories or other discovery devices to any person, on its own initiative or upon application of any party to a proceedings, compelling the attendance and testimony of witnesses or requiring the production of documents, provided such evidence relates to a violation of this article and is relevant to the charge which is the subject matter of the investigation.
   (f)   Any person being investigated by the commission or the EOO under this article shall have the right to be represented by counsel.
   (g)   If a person fails to respond to a subpoena, interrogatories, to permit access, examination, photographing or copying or fails to make, keep or preserve records in accordance with this article, the commission or EOO may issue an order requiring compliance. Upon a failure to comply with the order of, or upon failure to obey a subpoena issued by the commission or EOO, the commission or EOO may apply to the city attorney's office for assistance. The city attorney is empowered to take all necessary action in the appropriate court, upon request of the commission or EOO, to secure the production of all records, documents or other evidence necessary to assist the commission or the EOO in carrying out the provisions of this article. The city attorney is also empowered to seek fines as described in section 17-56 for civil infractions arising under this article.
(Ord. No. 6947, § 1, 5-16-88; Ord. No. 9199, § 4, 2-1-99)