[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Gloversville 8-11-1981 as Chapter 5 of the Ordinances for 1981. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Fair Housing Ordinance of the City of Gloversville."
It is hereby ordained and directed that the City of Gloversville by this chapter adopts and establishes an Office of Fair Housing and establishes a fair housing policy. The purpose, policy, duties and procedures to be followed by the City of Gloversville under this Fair Housing Ordinance are set forth below.
A. 
In accord with Title VIII of the United States Code and the Human Rights Law of the State of New York (as amended), it is the policy of the City of Gloversville to provide fair housing.
B. 
The purposes of this chapter are those in accord with Title VIII of the United States Code and § 296 of the Human Rights Law of the State of New York,[1] as such section applies to fair housing.
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 296 of the Executive Law.
All such definitions of the Human Rights Law of the State of New York (as amended)[1] as pertain to fair housing are hereby restated by the city as the provisions of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Executive Law § 290 et seq.
All such unlawful discriminatory practices contained in the Human Rights Law of the State of New York, as amended, §§ 296 and 296-a, as pertaining to fair housing are hereby restated by the City of Gloversville as provisions of this chapter. All such procedure as delineated within §§ 296 and 296-a as pertaining to fair housing is hereby replaced by the provisions set forth in § 143-7 of this chapter.
There is hereby established a Fair Housing Office which is designated to administer this chapter. The head of such Office shall be the Building Inspector, whose further title hereunder shall be the "Fair Housing Officer of the City of Gloversville."
The Fair Housing Office, by and through the Fair Housing Officer, shall have the following functions, powers and duties.
A. 
To establish and maintain a principal office within the city as may be necessary.
B. 
Upon request, to obtain and utilize the services of all governmental departments and agencies.
C. 
To formulate policies to effectuate the purposes of this chapter and to make recommendations to agencies and officers of the City of Gloversville in aid of such policies and purposes.
D. 
To receive and investigate complaints alleging violations of this chapter.
E. 
To develop human rights plans and policies for the city and to assist in their execution; to make investigations appropriate to effectuate this chapter; to inform persons of the rights assured and remedies provided under this chapter; and to promote good will and to minimize or eliminate discrimination.
F. 
To furnish any person with such technical assistance that the Office deems appropriate to further compliance with the purposes or provisions of this chapter.
G. 
Such other powers and duties described hereinafter and as may be designated by the Mayor or otherwise authorized by the Common Council.
A. 
Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice may, by himself or by his attorney, make, sign and file with the Office a verified complaint which shall state the name and address of the person or persons alleged to have committed the unlawful discriminatory practice complained of and which shall set forth the particulars thereof and contain such other information as may be requested by the Office.
B. 
After the filing of the complaint, the Office shall make a prompt investigation in connection therewith.
C. 
If, in the judgment of the Office, the circumstances so warrant, it may, at any time after the filing of the complaint, endeavor to eliminate such discriminatory practice by conference, conciliation and persuasion.
D. 
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed so as to limit or prohibit investigation by any other governmental unit of competent jurisdiction, nor shall anything contained herein limit any aggrieved party from pursuing any remedy available therefrom. In the event of such a situation, the Office is hereby empowered to place any and all of its material obtained through the investigation at the disposal of such other governmental unit.