547.33 DUTIES OF HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION.

   The Human Relations Commission shall have the responsibility to administer the provisions of this chapter and to adjudicate complaints alleging violations of any section. The Human Relations Commission shall have and may exercise the following powers to implement the purposes of this chapter:

   (a)   Establish procedures and guidelines for the implementation of the programs established pursuant to Section 547.29 et seq.

   (b)   Determine which minority business enterprise and female business enterprises will be eligible for certification pursuant to Section 547.32.

   (c)   Consider department requests for adjustment of goals in particular instances, provided that the Commission reports to Council and the Board of Control each time it acts upon such requests and submits to Council and the Board of Control on a semiannual basis, recommendations for changes of goals under Section 547.31 on a department basis if appropriate and accompanied by necessary supporting data.

   (d)   Determine that portion of the dollar amount of a joint venture which may be attributed toward a department’s percentage goals.

   (e)   Review minority and female contracting problems and make further recommendations that increase minority and female business participation with the City.

   (f)   To hold adjudicative hearings, make findings of fact, issue orders, enforce such orders and seek judicial and/or administrative relief with respect to any such complaints in accordance with the provisions of this chapter;

   (g)   To subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, administer oaths, take sworn testimony and, in connection therewith, to require the production for examination of any documents relating to any matter under investigation or in question before the Human Relations Commission, and enforce such powers by proper petition to any court of competent jurisdiction;

   (h)   To adopt such rules and regulations as the Human Relations Commission may deem necessary or desirable for the conduct of its business and to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

   (i)   To do such other acts as are necessary and proper to perform those duties with which the Human Relations Commission is charged under this chapter, including the provision of referral services for the community;

   (j)   To collect, analyze and study the results of investigations made under this chapter and report to the Mayor and City Council on the working of this chapter for the purposes of advising on and recommending amendments to this chapter;

   (k)   To conduct a continuing program of education and community organization throughout the City;

   (l)   To initiate an investigation without the filing of an official complaint, provided the Human Relations Commission elects to proceed based upon reasonable cause to believe that violations of this chapter are occurring or have occurred. The Human Relations Commission shall have the same powers following this initiated investigation as it has with an investigation based on the filing of a complaint;

   (m)   To enter into cooperative agreements with other governmental agencies to effectuate the purposes of this chapter;

   (n)   To refer persons allegedly aggrieved by unlawful discriminatory housing practices to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission or other governmental or private agencies, as appropriate. (Ord. 03-182. Passed 6-16-03.)