§ 9.08.100. Committee hearing.

A.

Upon completion of the investigation and informal endeavors at conciliation by the administrator, and if conciliation has not been effected, the administrator shall refer the complaint to the committee, together with the answer of the respondent, if any, and a full report of his or her investigation and activities in the matter.

B.

The committee shall promptly set a date for the hearing. This date shall be within thirty (30) days of the date on which the administrator referred the complaint. At least five days' prior written notice of the hearing shall be given to the person or persons alleged to have committed or to be about to commit the discriminatory housing practice. The hearing shall be conducted in a fair and impartial manner and shall be public. Proof of the matters alleged within the complaint may be presented by the administrator. The complaint and the person or persons alleged to have committed or to be about to commit the discriminatory housing practice may appear personally or by representative and with or without legal counsel and shall have the right to present proof and cross-examine witnesses in all matters relating to the complaint and subsequent related matters. In the event that a person or persons alleged to have committed or to be about to commit a discriminatory housing practice shall fail to appear at the committee hearing either personally or by representative, after notice as provided above, then such hearing shall be deemed waived by such person or persons.

C.

If, after such hearing, a majority of the committee shall determine on the basis of the evidence at the hearing that the complaint is well-founded, the committee shall forthwith by persuasion, education and entreaty diligently attempt to secure within a reasonable time, not to exceed thirty (30) days, voluntary discontinuance of any discriminatory housing practice.

(Prior code § 15-24)