2015-017 - Adopting a Section 504 Grievance Procedure

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City of Paris Section 504 Grievance Procedure The City of Paris has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations (24 CFR 8.4(a) implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended (29 USC 794)). Section 504 states, in part that, "No otherwise qualified handicapped individual shall, solely by reason of his handicap, be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance..." Complaints should be addressed to: John Godwin, City Manager, 135 SE 1s' Street, Paris, Texas 75460, (903) 784 -9202, who has been designated to coordinate Section 504 compliance efforts. A complaint should be filed in writing or verbally, contain the name and address of the person filing it, and briefly describe the alleged violation of the regulations. A complaint should be filed within ten (10) working days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation. (Processing of allegations of discrimination occurring before this grievance procedure was in place will be considered on a case -by -case basis). An investigation, as may be appropriate, shall follow a filing of a complaint. The investigation will be conducted by the City Manager. Informal but thorough investigations will afford all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to a complaint. A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and description of resolution, if any, shall be issued by the City Manager, and a copy forwarded to the complainant no later than ten (10) working days after its filing. The Section 504 coordinator shall maintain the files and records of the City of Paris relating to the complaints files. The complainant can request a reconsideration of the case in instances where he or she is dissatisfied with the resolution. The request for reconsideration should be made within ten working days to the City of Paris. The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed hereunder shall not be impaired by the person's pursuit of other remedies such as the filing of a Section 504 complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Utilization of this grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies. EXHIBIT "A"