547.14 POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

   The Commission shall have the power and it shall be its duty:

   (a)   To process any complaint, whether initiated by the Human Relations Commission or by the filing of a complaint with it, of discrimination against any person because of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, age, marital status or handicap in violation of any ordinance of the City or any laws of the State or of the United States, in accordance with the provisions of such ordinance or law.

      (Ord. 16-445. Passed 12-21-16.)

   (b)   To make such investigations and to hold such hearings as may be provided for by the ordinance or law under which the complaint provided for in subsection (a) hereof is made.

      (1)   In conducting any investigation or holding any hearing the Human Relations Commission, acting through its chairperson, Executive Director or hearing examiner, may compel the attendance of any person believed to have knowledge of the facts relevant to such investigation or hearing to appear before the person or persons conducting such investigation or holding such hearing, and may compel the production of books, papers, records or other evidence relevant to such investigation or hearing by the issuance of a subpoena upon the request of the Executive Director of the Commission or any member thereof, or upon the request of any respondent in such an investigation or hearing, either personally or through his attorney, and upon showing that there is probably cause to the person having such knowledge or having custody or control of such books, papers, records or other evidence directing him to appear or produce them for examination before the person or persons conducting the investigation or hearing.

      (2)   The person or persons making such investigation or holding such hearings may administer oaths, take the testimony of any person under oath, make findings of fact and orders and do all other things necessary or incidental to the carrying out of the intent and purpose of the ordinance or law under which the investigation is being conducted or the hearing held.

   (c)   To require or permit any person to keep any records which the Commission deems necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.

   (d)   Investigate and study housing patterns and group relationships within the City and the extent of discrimination and segregation in employment, apprenticeship programs, on-the-job training programs, housing and related fields such as real estate, mortgage lending and insurance, etc., and the effect of such discrimination in the areas mentioned above.

      The Human Relations Commission from time to time, makes recommendations to the Mayor and Council for the betterment of housing patterns and intergroup relations with the City.

   (e)   To formulate and carry out a comprehensive educational program designed to prevent and eliminate discrimination in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 547.

   (f)   Discover all practices and policies written, calculated to create conflicts and tensions and recommends ways and means for their elimination.

   (g)   To report and recommend means of eliminating an unfair or unjust discrimination against any person or group, which would be deemed detrimental to the best interest of the community.

   (h)   To initiate and conduct voluntary surveys, assemble pertinent data, conduct public hearings and expedite the work of the Commission by making investigations and surveys.

   (i)   To advise the Executive Director and the professional staff, assisting such staff in planning, designing and implementing the programs to carry out the policies established by the Mayor. (Ord. 86-142. Passed 5-28-86.)

   (j)   To recommend to the Mayor and Council, legislation to promote and insure equal rights and opportunities for all persons regardless of their race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, marital status, age, or handicap. (Ord. 16-445. Passed 12-21-16.)

   (k)   To adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this chapter.

   (l)   To secure the appointment of qualified persons, when in the judgment of the Commission such appointment is necessary, to act as hearing examiners to conduct public hearings held upon complaints filed with the Commission or initiated by the Commission at such fees and upon such other terms and conditions as shall be agreed upon by the hearing examiner and the Commission and approved by the Board of Control. The hearing examiner shall be an attorney at law admitted to practice in the State. The hearing examiner shall conduct the hearing and rule upon all questions of law and admissibility. At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing examiner shall submit a report to the Commission, which report shall contain his findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendations.

   (m)   To designate from its membership persons to serve on committees which shall have the authority to act on the Commission's behalf and in Commission's name to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. A majority of the members appointed to a committee shall constitute a quorum. (Ord. 86-142. Passed 5-28-86.)