PREDETERMINATION SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

 

CP# 05-11-60861

HUD# 07-11-0606-8

 

PARTIES TO THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT:

 

 

 

RESPONDENTS

 

 

DOUGLAS DEVELOPMENT, LLC

220 South Riverside Drive

Ames, IA 50010

 

COLBY BRYANT

220 South Riverside Drive

Ames, IA 50010

 

 

 

COMPLAINANT

 

STEPHANIE PLAHN

209 17TH Street

Ames, IA 50010

 

 

AND

 

IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION

400 East 14th Street

Des Moines, Iowa 50319

 

 

Description of the Parties: 

The Complainant alleged Respondents discriminated against her when they refused to show their rental property to her after they learned she had minor children resulting in a refusal to rent based on familial status.  Respondents deny Complainant’s allegations. Respondents own or manage the subject property located at 825 Carroll Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010. 

 

A complaint having been filed by Complainant against Respondents with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (hereafter referred to as the Commission) under Iowa Code Chapter 216 and there having been a preliminary inquiry, the parties do hereby agree and settle the above-captioned matter in the following extent and manner:

 

1.            Respondents agree there shall be no discrimination, harassment, or retaliation of any kind against Complainant or any other person for filing a charge under Iowa Code Chapter 216; or because of giving testimony or assistance, or participating in any manner in any investigation, proceeding or hearing under Iowa Code Chapter 216; or because of lawful opposition to any practice forbidden under Iowa Code Chapter 216.

 

2.            Respondents acknowledge Federal and State Fair Housing Laws make it unlawful to refuse to sell, rent, lease, assign, sublease, refuse to negotiate, or to otherwise make unavailable, or deny any real property or housing accommodation or part, portion, or interest therein, to any person because of the race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, or familial status of such person.  42 U.S.C. 3604(a); Iowa Code § 216.8(1)(a).

 

3.            The parties acknowledge this Agreement is a voluntary and full settlement of the disputed complaint.  The parties affirm they have read and fully understand the terms set forth herein.  No party has been coerced, intimidated, threatened or in any way forced to become a party to this Agreement.

 

4.            The parties agree the terms of this Agreement shall be subject to public disclosure unless Complainant and Respondents agree otherwise, and the Commission determines that disclosure is not necessary to further the purposes of Iowa Code Chapter 216 relating to unfair or discriminatory practices in housing or real estate.

 

5.            Complainant hereby waives, releases, and covenants not to sue Respondents with respect to any matters which were, or might have been alleged as charges filed with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban Development, or any other anti-discrimination agency, and with regard to any and all other matters, subject to performance by Respondents of the promises and representations contained herein. Complainant agrees any complaint filed with any other anti-discrimination agency, including the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban Development, which involves the issues in this complaint, shall be closed as Satisfactorily Adjusted.

 

6.            The parties enter into this Predetermination Settlement Agreement in a good faith effort to amicably resolve existing disputes.  The execution of this Agreement is not an admission of any wrongdoing or violation of law.  Nor is the execution of this Agreement an admission by Complainant that any claims asserted in her complaint are not fully meritorious.

 

7.            The parties agree the execution of this Predetermination Settlement Agreement may be accomplished by separate counterpart executions of this Agreement.  The parties agree the original executed signature pages will be attached to the body of this Agreement to constitute one document.

 

8.            Respondents agree the Commission may review compliance with this Settlement Agreement.  And as part of such review, Respondents agree the Commission may examine witnesses, collect documents, or require written reports, all of which will be conducted in a reasonable manner by the Commission.  

 

9.            Respondents agree Respondent Colby Bryant will receive training on the requirements of State and Federal Fair Housing Laws within 90 days of his receipt of a Closing Letter from the Commission.  The training will address all aspects of fair housing law, and will include a fair housing for families with children component.  The training shall be conducted by a qualified person, approved by the Commission or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Respondents also agree to send documentation to the Commission verifying the fair housing training has been completed to the attention of Don Grove, Supervisor of Investigations, within ten (10) days of completing the training.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

___________________________________________________        _____________

Douglas Development, LLC RESPONDENT                            Date

 

 

 

___________________________________________________        _____________

Colby Bryant, RESPONDENT                                               Date

 

 

 

___________________________________________________        ______________

Stephanie Plahn, COMPLAINANT                                        Date

 

 

 

___________________________________________________        _____________

Beth Townsend, DIRECTOR                                               Date

IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION