156 Idaho Dept. of Commerce Grievance Procedure for ICDBG Recipients 1991-1992325
RESOLUTION NO. 156
IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE SECTION 504 GRIEVANCE
PROCEDURE FOR IDAHO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT RECIPIENTS 1991 -1992
Legal Basis
Enacted in 1973 and amended in 1978 and 1986, the Rehabilitation Act provides that no
otherwise qualified individual with handicaps in the United States ;... shall, solely on the
basis of his or her handicap; be excluded from participation in; be denied the benefits of,
or be subjected to discrimination under and program or activity receiving federal financial
assistance. .
In accordance with this Act, the City as a recipient of Idaho Community Development Block
Gran# (ICDBG) funds; certifies all citizens shall have the right to submit his or her
grievance(s) and receive a response in a timely, equitable and responsible manner.
Responsible Employee
A responsible employer of the ICDBG recipient has been designated to assist citizens with
the grievance procedures described here. This individual shah assist anyone wishing to
fife a complaint on the basis of disability when filed through the local jurisdiction, the Idaho
Human Rights Commission or directly to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD). The designated employee is the Zoning Administrator; Shari Stiles,
and can be contacted at telephone: 888-4433 /address 33 East Idaho Ave. Meridian,
Idaho 83642.
What is a Grievance?
A written grievance or complaint is format notification of a concern; allegation or protest
to the proper authority which indicates-the .belief that the individual or individuals have
been denied opportunities, or treated differently from the general population on the basis
of his or her disability. The laws apply to those programs, activities and facilities provided
for and accessible to all citizens in the community.
When filing a grievance, citizens must provide enough information to permit an
investigation. The complaint should be clear and concise and include:
1) Identification of the problem; which includes a description of the set of circumstances
leading to the grievance, and 2) Appropriate and sufficient documentation to substantiate
any claim or charges. Citizens will be encouraged to propose a resolution to the problem
as identified.
A formal complainfiwilt be considered.-filed at the time it is delivered to the appropriate
authority's office, or if mailed, on the date it is postmarked. Special accommodations will
be made, upon request and whenever possible, for persons with disabilities or language
barriers.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is available to all citizens.: Pursuant to 24-CFR 8.56(c)(2), the responsible:
civil rights employee shall hold. in confidence the identity of any person submitting a
complaint, unless the person submits written authorization waiving confidentiality and-
when it is found to be in the best interests of all parties in reaching a satisfactory
resolution.
Where To File
32~
Citizens shall be notified they have the option of filing complaints, either through the City,
the Idaho Human Rights Commission (if the complaint is related to employment
discrimination), or directly to HUD.
Loca/ Procedure
Grievances may first be filed with the appropriate elected official and the designated
employee when the grievance is related to the local grantee's programs, activities or
facilities. When a complaint is filed, the grantee shall notify the Idaho Department of
Commerce (IDG) the grievance have been filed by submitting a copy of the complaint to
the Department. City Council members or Boards of Commissioners shall also be notified.
of the grievance at this time. The grantee shall respond. within thirty (30) days where
practicable. A copy of the response must also be submitted to the Department.
Every effort shall be made by the City to compromise and negotiate a satisfactory
resolution with the grievant.
If the Grievant is unsatisfied with the response from the local jurisdiction, the individual(s)
may appeal to IDC to review the complaint. Additional information may be requested at
that time. Every effort will be made by the Department to provide a response within thirty
(30) days.
if valid and sufficient data has been provided to substantiate the original complaint, an
investigation will be conducted.. The extent of an investiga#ion shall depend on the scope
and depth of the issue involved.
If the citizen(s) determine the response from the Department is not satisfactory, he or she
may appeal to HUD's Office. of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in Seattle. All
complaints must be filed to HUD within 180 days of the act of discrimination, unless the
responsible HUD Compliance Officer waives this time limit for good cause.
These grievance procedures are not established with respect to complaints for housing
assistance.. Information concerning complaint procedures can be provided by contacting
IDC or the HUD Regional Office of Fair Housing and-Equal Opportunity, Compliance
Division, in Seattle.
Idaho Human Rights Commission
The federal Rehabilitation Act includes employers who have at least $2,500 in federal
contracts. As of Jufy 1, 1991, :the number of private employers who have at least 5
employees are covered by Idaho law. The law also covers all governmental entities and
state. contractors, regardless of the number of employees they have.
Employees or applicants for employment who believe they have been subjected to
discrimination should contact the Idaho Human Rights Commission at the address or
telephone number shown below. Collect calls may be made to the Commission and the
grievant need not give his or her name in order to receive information about their situation
and anti-discrimination laws. If it appears the individual is a victim of illegal discrimination,
a formal complaint maybe filed.
These are also the locations to which the Rehabilitation Act appeals identified above may
be submitted:
Idaho Department of Commerce
700 West State Street, 2nd Floor
Baise, ID 83720
(208) 334-2470
U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development
Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity
Compliance Division
1321 Second Avenue, Mail Stop 10E0
Idaho Human Rights. Commission
450 West State Street,lst Floor
Boise, ID 83720
(208) 334-2873, collect calls accepted
U.S. Dept, of Housing & Urban Dev.
Office of HUD Program Compliance
Room 5230
451 7th Street, S.W.
327
Seattle, WA 98101 Washing#on,, DC 20410
Calt collect: (206) 553-0226 (202) 708-2904
7TY (202) 708-0015 for hearing impaired
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN; IDAHO this 7th day of
June, 1994.
APPROVED:
Gr nt P. Kingsfor , M y
ATTE T:
i~~'~~.~ ~~ ~ .
WILLIAM G. BERG JR., CI C ERK
t