548.08 INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS; MEDIATION; CONCILIATION.

   (a)    Investigations shall be commenced within thirty (30) days after a complaint has been received. Mediation, pursuant to Section 548.09, may be attempted during the period beginning with the filing of the complaint and ending with the filing of a charge or a dismissal of the complaint. If there is probable cause to substantiate the allegations, the Human Relations Commission shall endeavor in good faith to assist the parties in conciliating the case. If conciliation has failed and the investigation has been completed, the Discrimination Review Committee shall determine that:

      (1)    There are reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of Section 548.05 has occurred, in which case the Fair Housing Administrator shall issue a charge stating the facts forming the basis for the findings of reasonable grounds to believe discrimination occurred or is about to occur under Section 548.05. The Fair Housing Administrator shall then forward the complaint to the Human Relations Commission for a hearing, pursuant to Section 548.10; or

      (2)    There are no reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of Section 548.05 has occurred, in which case the Fair Housing Administrator shall prepare and issue a written notice of dismissal, within five (5) days of the findings of no reasonable grounds, by serving a copy of the notice of dismissal by certified mail on the parties. The notice of dismissal shall advise the complainant of his or her right to appeal under this section. Within fourteen (14) days of receipt of notice of dismissal, the complainant may request, in writing, reconsideration by the Discrimination Review Committee of the dismissal. By a majority vote, the Discrimination Review Committee may affirm or reverse the dismissal. If the Discrimination Review Committee reverses, it shall refer the complaint to the Fair Housing Administrator for conciliation and other actions consistent with this chapter.

   (b)    The Human Relations Commission shall complete the investigation within one hundred (100) days after receipt of the complaint, unless impracticable, in which case the Human Relations Commission shall inform, in writing, the complainant and the respondent of the reasons why the investigation cannot be completed within the time prescribed.

   (c)    The Human Relations Commission may be assisted in the investigation by a fair housing agency or other organization or person under contract with the City. Upon request of the Human Relations Commission, the Executive Director of the Human Relations Commission may assign employees of the Commission to assist the investigation.

(Ord. 03-176. Passed 6-16-03.)