CC_Minutes_2016_0822 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, August 22, 2016 Page 29 Mayor Roe agreed that the suggested language would be less adversarial. Mr. Freihammer advised that staff used Department of Justice language, but agreed to review the legalities of changing the language as requested. In that same "grievance procedure" section of Attachment A, Councilmember McGehee noted response for a citizen complaint was thirty days; but she suggest- ed a one-week response acknowledging the compliant at a minimum. Coun- cilmember McGehee also requested a quarterly report from staff on the number of requests received. Councilmember McGehee noted the need to take into account facilities with walkers, scooters or wheel chairs and major hurdles to accessibility due to sidewalk slope as an example. Mayor Roe agreed with revised language for a response from staff acknowledging complaints within a week, with staff having thirty days to then respond to the spe- cific request. In the "policy" section of the attachment, and at the request of Mayor Roe, Mr. Freihammer noted the reference to the city's "five year" capital improvement plan (CIP), and agreed to strike that and refer to it as the city's CIP. Given her experience in dealing with Minnesota Department of Health required language in her career, Councilmember Laliberte asked staff to make sure this grievance "procedure" could be changed and remain compliant with ADA laws. From his recollection, Mr. Freihammer noted at least one other city that had used a different term. Councilmember Etten expressed appreciation that this important plan was being implemented. At the request of Councilmember McGehee, City Manager Trudgeon confirmed the appeal process to the City Council if a complainant felt no equitable resolution had been reached between them and staff (Grievance Procedure Section of Plan, page 2). At the request of Mayor Roe, Mr. Freihammer clarified that other ADA issues are currently under review by staff, and will be addressed separately from this plan. Without objection, at the suggestion of Councilmember Willmus, Mayor Roe di- rected staff to make revised language changes after confirming their compliance, and bring the plan back at a future meeting under the Consent Agenda.