1353.05 FAIR HOUSING BOARD.
(a) There is hereby created the Fair Housing Board to consist of five 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 Wayne County Board of Elections shall be the date of the disqualification.
(Ord. 1991-34. Passed 6-3-91.)
(b) The Board members shall be appointed by the Mayor and approved by Council. Board members shall be appointed for terms of three years. In accordance with §4.06 of the Charter, no member shall serve for more than twelve consecutive years. Any vacancies shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(Ord. 2011-02. Passed 2-7-11.)
(c) Each ward of the City shall be represented on the Board. At least two members shall be persons of a race other than the predominant race in the community.
(d) The Board shall elect one of its members as chairperson, one as vice-chairperson and one as secretary. The chairperson 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, and represent and act for the Board in matters relating to fair housing. In the absence of the chairperson, the vice-chairperson shall act as chairperson.
The secretary shall keep minutes of the Board and administer over the files thereof. The secretary shall also prepare and deliver notices, correspondence and other communications authorized by the Board.
(e) The Mayor may recommend to Council the removal of any member of the Board for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. Council may remove a member of the Board from office by an affirmative vote of at least three-fourths of Council only after having first given to such member a written copy of the charges against him/her and an opportunity to be publicly heard in person or by counsel in his/her own defense; and any such removal shall be final.
(f) Three 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 powers of the Board.
(g) Each member of the Board shall serve without salary but shall be paid necessary and actual expenses in performing the business of the Board.
(h) 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 auditing and testing or other 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.
(i) The Mayor shall designate a member of his or her administration who shall be responsible for the administration of this chapter and shall be the staff liaison to the Board.
(j) Nothing shall prohibit the Board from consulting and meeting with real estate agents, representatives of lending institutions or other community groups in matters regarding educational or other programs to further the purposes of this chapter.
(k) If the Board is unable to obtain a quorum with respect to a particular complaint, the complainant shall be advised in writing of his or her right to file the complaint with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission or with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), or to file an action in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(Ord. 1991-34. Passed 6-3-91.)