A. Written Complaint: Any person aggrieved by a discriminatory housing practice prohibited by this chapter may file with the board a written complaint, subscribed under oath, setting forth the name and address of the person alleged to have violated the provisions of this chapter, and shall further set forth the particulars of the violation, and shall further set forth any additional information required by the board.
B. Time Limit For Filing: A complaint under subsection A of this section must be filed within one hundred eighty (180) days after the alleged discriminatory housing practice occurred, or the same is forever barred.
C. Investigation: The board shall investigate each properly filed complaint, and shall attempt an adjustment of the complaint by informal methods of conference, conciliation and persuasion.
D. Dismissal: If the board determines that a complaint is not well founded, it shall dismiss the complaint and notify the complainant of the dismissal.
E. Hearing: If informal methods do not result in compliance with this chapter, the board shall cause to be issued and served in the name of the city a written notice, together with a copy of the complaint, requiring the person named in the complaint, hereinafter referred to as respondent, to answer the complaint at a hearing before the board at a time and place to be specified in the notice.
F. Notice: A copy of the written notice shall be mailed to the complainant at his or her most current business or residence address.
G. Conduct Of Hearing: After the issuance of notice, the board shall conduct a hearing. The complainant and respondent may be present, and may be represented by counsel. The testimony at the hearing shall be under oath, and shall be transcribed at the request of either party, or at the direction of the board. The costs of such transcription shall be borne by the person requesting the same. The board shall determine all other rules and regulations for conducting the hearing.
H. No Findings Of Discrimination; Dismissal: If the board, upon hearing, finds that the respondent has not engaged in any discriminatory practice, it shall state its findings, and shall dismiss the complaint.
I. Findings Of Discrimination: If the board, upon hearing, finds that the respondent has engaged in any discriminatory practice, it shall certify its findings to the city attorney, who shall thereupon instigate the necessary proceedings in the municipal court. (2001 Code § 91.04)