4.645 Human Rights – Enforcement.
(1) Initiation. Unless a different procedure is established by administrative order of the city manager pursuant to section 2.019 of this code, an individual claiming to be aggrieved by a practice prohibited by sections 4.613 to 4.640, may:
(a) Within the time limits prescribed in section 4.650, file a request for mediation with designated staff, on forms available from the staff. The individual may, at the same time, or at any subsequent time within the limits prescribed in section 4.650, file a complaint pursuant to subparagraph (b) of this subsection. Filing a request for mediation, however, shall not constitute a timely filing for purposes of complying with the time limitations on filing a complaint prescribed in section 4.650 of this code.
(b) File a complaint with the state of Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI), or such other enforcement agency as the city manager shall contract with for administration and enforcement of sections 4.613 to 4.640 of this code, on forms available from the commission.
(2) Mediation.
(a) Within ten working days of receipt of a request for mediation, the staff shall determine whether the request is consistent with the standards for mediation established in commission rules and shall notify the parties whether mediation is to occur. If the mediation request is accepted, the notice shall inform the parties of the identity of the mediator and shall establish a time for mediation to occur, which is not later than 60 days from the date the request was filed. Participation in mediation is voluntary, and either party may reject the offer to mediate. Mediation shall be an informal process conducted in accordance with rules and standards established by the commission. If the request does not meet the commission’s mediation standards, the request shall be denied.
(b) Mediation sessions are not open to the public, but any resolution of the dispute reached through mediation shall not be final until filed with the commission.
(c) In the event either party rejects mediation, fails to appear at the time mediation is scheduled, or the mediation does not result in a settlement, the mediation request will be dismissed.
(3) Complaints filed with enforcement agency.
(a) Pursuant to its contract with the city, BOLI, or such other enforcement agency with whom the city contracts, is authorized to enforce the provisions of sections 4.613 to 4.640 of this code in accordance with its adopted procedures and applicable state law.
(b) Complaints filed by persons claiming to be aggrieved by a practice prohibited by sections 4.613 to 4.640 of this code shall be processed and enforced by the enforcement agency in the same manner, and with the same enforcement powers as afforded to the enforcement agency under state law for violation of comparable state statutes.
(c) If a complaint is found to be justified, the complainant shall be entitled to the same remedies as afforded a complainant under comparable state statutes.
(d) Orders issued by an enforcement agency pursuant to this section shall be viewed as one issued by a hearings officer employed by the city within the meaning of ORS 46.045(3) and shall be fully enforceable by the city.
(4) Private Right of Action. Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory act under the provisions of sections 4.620 to 4.640 of this code shall have a cause of action in any court of competent jurisdiction for damages and such other remedies as may be appropriate. Such persons shall be subject to the procedural limitations that apply to similar grievances under state law, as provided in ORS 659A.870 to 659A.885. The court may grant such relief as it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, such relief as is provided in ORS 659A.885.