(a) There is hereby established a fair housing commission to carry out the provisions of this ordinance.
(b) The commission shall be composed of 5 members who shall be residents of the City.
(c) The commission shall be appointed in the following manner:
(1) The members shall be appointed by the mayor, subject to the approval of the board of aldermen.
(2) The members shall be appointed for a term of three years, but of the first appointed members, two shall be appointed for a term of one year, two for a term of two years, and one for a term of three years. Annually thereafter, members shall be appointed for terms of three years to succeed those whose terms have expired. Vacancies for unexpired terms shall be filled as needed.
(3) One member shall be named by the mayor as chairman.
(d) The members of the commission shall serve without compensation.
(e) Meetings of the commission shall be held at the call of the chairman,
and at such other times as the commission may determine.
(f) Duties of the commission shall be as follows:
(1) The commission shall be responsible for promoting fair housing rights within the City.
(2) The commission shall have the authority to inform the citizens of the City of practices and patterns of conduct which may be discriminatory in housing.
(3) The commission shall have the authority to initiate or receive and investigate complaints that any person has violated any provisions of this ordinance, to seek conciliation of such complaints, hold hearings, make findings of fact, subpoena witnesses and records, administer oaths, issue orders and publish its findings of fact in orders and in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance. The concurring vote of at least three members of the commission shall be necessary for the passage of any order, decision, or ruling of the commission.
(4) The commission shall hold confidential any information that would tend to disclose the identity of a complainant and/or respondent until an order of discrimination has been found by the commission.
(g) Any member of the commission shall be removable for cause by the board of aldermen after a hearing.