Chapter 7.24
IMPLEMENTATION

Sections:

7.24.010    Creation of a human relations commission.

7.24.020    General duties of a human relations commission.

7.24.030    Enforcement duties of a human relations commission.

7.24.040    Creation of a fair housing review board.

7.24.050    Duties of a fair housing review board.

7.24.010 Creation of a human relations commission.

There is hereby created a human relations commission, consisting of five members who shall be residents of the village, and who shall each serve for a term of two years. Each member shall be appointed by the village president with the advice and consent of the trustees. The chairman shall be elected annually by a majority of the commission. (Ord. 94-23 § 1, 1994)

7.24.020 General duties of a human relations commission.

The commission shall have and exercise the power:

A. To act to eliminate discriminatory housing practices;

B. To act to assure to persons living or desiring to live in the village, or in any particular dwelling, the opportunity to purchase, lease, or rent a dwelling without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, familial status, national origin, creed, marital status, unfavorable military discharge, sexual orientation, age or ancestry;

C. To engage in such recruitment, research and public communication and to create such advisory councils as may be authorized to effectuate the purposes of this title;

D. To coordinate its activities with federal and state agencies in conformity with this title;

E. To gather and provide for the exchange of information relative to the provisions of this title among real estate brokers and salespersons, lenders, developers, employers, municipal officials, and community groups within and outside the village. (Ord. 94-23 § 1, 1994)

7.24.030 Enforcement duties of a human relations commission.

The administrative responsibilities for this title shall be in the human relations commission. The commission shall have and exercise, in addition to the general duties cited in RMC 7.24.020, with respect to all dwellings and persons subject to this title, the power:

A. To issue, receive, initiate, and investigate complaints charging discrimination in housing. Any complaint initiated by the commission shall be in writing and signed by the chair of the commission and shall state such detail as to substantially apprise any properly concerned party as to the time, place, and facts surrounding the charged violation of this title;

B. To seek conciliation with respect to any such complaint, and, if conciliation fails, to refer such complaint to the fair housing review board (see RMC 7.24.040) where the process will proceed as set forth in RMC 7.24.050;

C. To render from time to time, but not less often than every twelve months, a written report to the village board of its activities and recommendations with respect to fair housing practices, which written report shall be made public after submission to the village board; and

D. To adopt, after approval of the president and trustees, such rules and regulations as may be necessary or desirable to carry out the purpose of this title. (Ord. 94-23 § 1, 1994)

7.24.040 Creation of a fair housing review board.

There is hereby created a fair housing review board, whose members shall consist of the president and village board for the village of Riverdale. (Ord. 94-23 § 1, 1994)

7.24.050 Duties of a fair housing review board.

The adjudicative responsibilities for this title shall be with the fair housing review board. The fair housing review board shall have and execute with respect to all dwellings and persons subject to this title the power:

A. To hold hearings on and make findings of fact and conclusions of law with respect to any such complaint;

B. To administer oaths, take sworn testimony, and to subpoena witnesses and pertinent documents;

C. To seek temporary relief (judicial enforcement) and to enforce its orders in conformity with this title;

D. To publish its findings of fact and issue orders in accordance with the provisions of this title;

E. To render from time to time, but not less often than every twelve months, a written report of its activities and recommendations with respect to fair housing practices, which written report shall be made public after submission by the village board; and

F. To adopt, promulgate, amend and rescind, after approval by the village board, such rules and regulations as may be necessary and desirable to carry out the purpose of this title. (Ord. 94-23 § 1, 1994)