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Engineering > Capital Projects > Title VI (Non-Discrimination)

TITLE VI (NON-DISCRIMINATION)

It is the City of Poulsbo’s policy to ensure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by prohibiting discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin or sex in the provision of benefits and services under any programs and activities. Any person who believes his/her Title VI protection has been violated, may file a complaint (link to the Title VI – Complaint form) with the City of Poulsbo.  For questions regarding Poulsbo’s Title VI Program, or to file a complaint with the City of Poulsbo, please contact the Title VI Coordinator at 360-779-3901.

Alternate Formats: Persons with disabilities may request materials in alternative formats — please contact the Title VI Coordinator at 360-779-3901.  Persons with hearing impairments may access the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service at 711.

City of Poulsbo Policy Statement:
The City of Poulsbo assures that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.L. 100.259) be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity.  The City further assures every effort will be made to ensure non-discrimination in all of its programs and activities, whether those programs and activities, whether those programs and activities are federally funded or not.

The Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, broadened the scope of Title VI coverage by expanding the definition of terms “programs or activities” to include all programs or activities of Federal Aid recipients, sub-recipients, and contractors/consultants, whether such programs and activities arc federally assisted or not (Public Law 100259 [8.557] March 22, 1988.)

In the event the City of Poulsbo distributes federal aid funds to a sub-recipient, the City of Poulsbo will include Title VI language in all written agreements and will monitor for compliance.

The City’s Human Resources Manager and Engineering Director are responsible for initiating and monitoring Title VI activities, preparing reports and other responsibilities as required by 23 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 200 and 49 Code of Federal Regulation 21.

Any person who believes his/her Title VI protection has been violated, may file a complaint (link to Title VI – Complaint form) with the City of Poulsbo.  For questions regarding Poulsbo’s Title VI Program, or to file a complaint with the City of Poulsbo, please contact the Title VI Coordinator at 360-779-3901.

Discrimination Complaints – How to File a Complaint of Discrimination

Who can file a Title VI complaint?
Any person who believes that he or she, individually, as a member of any specific class, or in connection with any disadvantaged business enterprise, has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, as amended, may file a complaint with the City.  A complaint may also be filed by a representative on behalf of such a person.  All complaints will be referred to the City’s Title VI Coordinator for review and action.

How do I file a complaint?
In order to have the complaint consideration under this procedure, the complainant must file the complaint no later than 180 days after the date of the alleged act of discrimination or where there has been a continuing course of conduct, the date on which that conduct was discontinued.  In either case, the City or his/her designee may extend the time for filing or waive the time limit in the interest of justice, specifying I writing the reason for so doing.

Complaints shall be in writing and shall be signed by the complainant and/or the complainant’s representative.  Fill out a complaint form completely and submit the form to the City’s Title VI Coordinator.  Complaint forms are available by clicking this link and online at the City’s web site and may be completed and sent by regular mail or delivered to the address below.

The complaint must contain a narrative description of the allegation(s) in sufficient detail to enable the Title VI Coordinator to understand what occurred, when it occurred, and the basis of the alleged discrimination complaint (e.g. race, color, national origin, etc.). The complaint must include all contact information for the complainant including name, address and telephone number; as well as all contact information for all witnesses or individuals with relevant knowledge.

Return the complaint form to:
Poulsbo City Hall
Attn:  Title VI Coordinator
200 NE Moe St
Poulsbo, WA  98370

Phone: (360) 394-9705
Fax:  (360) 779-5112
TTY Relay: 711

In the case where a complainant is unable or incapable of providing a written statement, a verbal complaint of discrimination may be made to the Title VI Coordinator.  Under these circumstances, the complainant will be interviewed, and the Title VI Coordinator will assist the complainant in reducing the verbal complaint to writing and submit the written version of the complaint to the complainant for signature.

What happens when I file a complaint?

Within ten (10) days, the Title VI Coordinator will acknowledge receipt of the allegation, inform the complainant of action taken or proposed action to process the allegation, and advise the complainant of other avenues of redress available, such as WSDOT and USDOT.

The Title VI Coordinator will advise WSDOT within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of the complaint.  Generally, the following information will be included in every notification to WSDOT:

  1. Name, address, and phone number of the complainant.
  2. Name(s) and address(es) of alleged discriminating official(s).
  3. Basis of complaint (e.g. race, color, national origin, etc.).
  4. Date of alleged discriminatory act(s).
  5. Date of complaint received by the City.
  6. A statement of the complaint.
  7. Other agencies (state, local or Federal) where the complaint has been filed.
  8. An explanation of actions the City has taken or proposed to resolve the issues raised in the complaint.

What is the investigation process?
Within 60 calendar days, the Title VI Coordinator will conduct an investigation of the allegation and based on the information obtained, will make a recommendation for action in a report of findings to the Mayor.  The complaint should be resolved by informal means wherever possible.  Such informal attempts and the results will be summarized in the report of findings.

Within 90 calendars days from the receipt of the complete complaint, the Mayor will notify the complainant in writing of the final decision reached, including the proposed disposition of the matter.  The notification will advise the complainant of his/her appeal rights with WSDOT, or USDOT, if they are dissatisfied with the final decision rendered by the City.  The Title VI Coordinator will also provide WSDOT with a copy of this decision and summary of findings upon completion of the investigation.

What if I don’t agree with the Mayor’s letter of resolution?

The notification of the final decision will advise the complainant of his/her appeal rights with WSDOT and USDOT if he/she is dissatisfied with the decision by the City.

Administrative Jurisdiction Contacts:

Washington State Department of Transportation
Office of Equal Opportunity, Title VI Program
PO Box 47314
Olympia, WA 98466
(360) 705-7098
  Federal Highway Administration
Washington Division Office
711 Capitol Way South, Suite 501
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 534-9325

This information and the complaint form are available in alternative formats upon request.

Annual Accomplishment Reports

Annually, the City of Poulsbo prepares a report of Title VI accomplishments for the preceding year and goals for the following year.

The report lists major accomplishments made regarding Title VI activities and includes instances where Title VI issues were identified and discrimination was prevented; Highlights the activities and efforts that the Title VI Coordinator and program area personnel have undertaken in monitoring Title VI; Describes the scope and conclusions of any special reviews (internal or external) conducted by the Title VI Coordinator; Lists any major problem(s) identified and corrective action taken; and includes a summary and status report on any Title VI complaints filed with the recipient.

Annual Reports: