Title VI and Nondiscrimination Policy and Plan

POLICY STATEMENT

The City of Oldsmar (the City) values diversity and welcomes input from all interested parties, regardless of cultural identity, background or income level. The City does not tolerate discrimination in any of its programs, services or activities. Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related laws and regulations, the City will not exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to discrimination anyone on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, income or family status.

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

The City has established a discrimination complaint procedure and will take prompt and reasonable action to investigate and eliminate discrimination when found. Any person who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, income or family status in any of the City’s programs, services or activities may file a complaint with the City Title VI/Nondiscrimination Coordinator:

Michelle Kutch
Title VI Coordinator
Mailing Address: 100 State Street West, Oldsmar, Florida 34677
Physical Address: 100 State Street West, Oldsmar, Florida 34677
Email: MKutch@myoldsmar.com
Phone: (813) 749-1110
Fax: (813) 749-1166
Hearing Impaired: Florida Relay 7-1-1

If possible, the complaint should be submitted in writing and contain the identity of the complainant; the basis for the allegations (i.e., race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, income or family status); and a description of the alleged discrimination with the date of occurrence. If the complaint cannot be submitted in writing, the complainant should contact the Title VI/Nondiscrimination Coordinator for assistance.

The Title VI/Nondiscrimination Coordinator will respond to the complaint within thirty (30) days and will take reasonable steps to resolve the matter. Should the City be unable to satisfactorily resolve the complaint, the Title VI/Nondiscrimination Coordinator will forward the complaint, along with a record of its disposition, to the appropriate State of Florida agency for further processing.

The City’s Title VI/Nondiscrimination Coordinator has easy access to the City Manager and is not required to obtain management or other approval to discuss discrimination issues with the City Manager. However, should the complainant be unable or unwilling to complain to the City, or if the complainant is dissatisfied with the City’s handling of a complaint, the written complaint may be submitted directly to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). DOJ will ensure that the matter is assigned to the correct Federal or State authority for processing.

U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Federal Coordination and Compliance Section, NWB
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530
Title VI Hotline: 1-888-TITLE-06
(1-888-848-5306) (Voice / TTY)
http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/cor/coord/titlevi.php

ADA/504 STATEMENT

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and related federal and state laws and regulations forbid discrimination against those who have disabilities. Furthermore, these laws require federal aid recipients and other government entities to take affirmative steps to reasonably accommodate the disabled and ensure that their needs are equitably represented in City programs, services and activities.

The City will make every effort to ensure that its facilities, programs, services, and activities are accessible to those with disabilities.

The City encourages the public to report any facility, program, service or activity that is inaccessible to the disabled. Furthermore, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to disabled individuals who wish to participate in public involvement events or who require special assistance to access facilities, programs, services or activities. Because providing reasonable accommodation may require outside assistance, organization or resources, the City requests that requests be made at least five (5) calendar days prior to the need for accommodation.

Questions, concerns, comments or requests for accommodation should be made to the City’s ADA Officer:

Michelle Kutch
Title VI Coordinator
Mailing Address: 100 State Street West, Oldsmar, Florida 34677
Physical Address: 100 State Street West, Oldsmar, Florida 34677
Email: MKutch@myoldsmar.com
Phone: (813) 749-1110
Fax: (813) 749-1166
Hearing Impaired: Florida Relay 7-1-1

LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (LEP) GUIDANCE

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 13166, and various directives from federal agencies require federal aid recipients to take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access to programs, services and activities by those who do not speak English proficiently. To determine the extent to which LEP services are required and in which languages, the law requires the analysis of four factors:

• The number or proportion of LEP persons eligible to be served or likely to be encountered by the City’s programs, services or activities.
• The frequency with which LEP individuals come in contact with these programs, services or activities.
• The nature and importance of the program, service, or activity to people’s lives; and
• The resources available to the City and the likely costs of the LEP services.

Using census data, the City has determined that LEP individuals speaking English less than well represent approximately 4% of the community. The City realizes that such statistical data can be outdated or inaccurate. Given this information, the City reasons that a relatively small portion of its service population are LEP speakers.

The City understands that its community profile is changing and the four factor analysis may reveal the need for more LEP services in the future. As such, it will biannually examine its LEP plan to ensure that it remains reflective of the community’s needs.

Persons requiring special language services should contact the City’s Title VI/Nondiscrimination Coordinator:

Michelle Kutch
Title VI Coordinator
Mailing Address: 100 State Street West, Oldsmar, Florida 34677
Physical Address: 100 State Street West, Oldsmar, Florida 34677
Email: MKutch@myoldsmar.com
Phone: (813) 749-1110
Fax: (813) 749-1166
Hearing Impaired: Florida Relay 7-1-1

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

In order to plan for efficient, effective, safe, equitable and reliable government services, the City must have the input of its public. The City spends extensive staff and financial resources in furtherance of this goal and strongly encourages the participation of the entire community. Any person may attend any City meeting and speak during the Public Forum portion of the agenda concerning a matter of City business of concern to the person. City meetings are generally held the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m., at the City Council Chambers located at 101 State Street West, Oldsmar, Florida 34677. Persons should check the City’s website, www.myoldsmar.com for any changes to meeting dates, times and location. Meeting locations are accessible to the disabled.

Persons wishing to request special presentations by the City; volunteer in any of its activities or offer suggestions for improvement of City public involvement may contact:

Michelle Kutch
Title VI Coordinator
Mailing Address: 100 State Street West, Oldsmar, Florida 34677
Physical Address: 100 State Street West, Oldsmar, Florida 34677
Email: MKutch@myoldsmar.com
Phone: (813) 749-1110
Fax: (813) 749-1166
Hearing Impaired: Florida Relay 7-1-1

DATA COLLECTION

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulations require federal-aid recipients to collect racial, ethnic and other similar demographic data on beneficiaries of or those affected by transportation programs, services and activities. The City accomplishes this through the use of census data and other methods. From time to time, the City may find it necessary to request voluntary identification of certain racial, ethnic or other data from those who participate in its public involvement events. This information assists the City with improving its targeted outreach and measures of effectiveness.

ASSURANCES

Every three years the City must certify to FHWA and the Florida Department of Transportation that its programs, services and activities are being conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. These certifications are termed ‘assurances’ and document the City’s commitment to nondiscrimination and equitable service to its community. The public may view the assurances on the City’s website or by visiting the City’s main office.