Title VI: Non-Discrimination

City of Kirkland Policy Statement:

The City of Kirkland 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 of its federally funded programs and activities.

The City of Kirkland further assures every effort will be made to ensure non-discrimination in all of its programs and activities, whether those programs and activities are federally funded or not.

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

Any person who believes his/her Title VI protection has been violated, may file a complaint with the City of Kirkland. For questions regarding Kirkland’s Title VI Program, or to file a complaint with the City of Kirkland, please contact the Title VI Coordinator at 425-587-3831 or TitleVICoordinator@kirklandwa.gov.

About Title VI

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states:
"No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

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.)

Who can file a Title VI complaint against the City of Kirkland

  • 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 as amended, and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.L. 100.259) under any of the City’s federally funded programs and activities.
  • Someone may file on behalf of such a person. 

This information is available in alternate formats upon request. Please contact the City’s Title VI Coordinator by email at TitleVICoordinator@kirklandwa.gov or by phone at 425-587-3831.  Persons with hearing impairments may access the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service at 711.

 

How to file a Title VI complaint against the City of Kirkland

The complaint must be filed within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination. Fill out a complaint form completely and submit the form to the City’s Title VI Coordinator.  Complaint forms are available online at the City's web site on Complaint Investigation Request page and may be completed and sent by regular mail or email to one of the addresses 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.

The complaint must be dated and signed by the complainant(s) or his/her/their representative.

 

Where to send the complaint?

Kirkland City Hall
Attn: Title VI Coordinator
123 Fifth Avenue
Kirkland, WA 98033
Phone: 425-587-3831
Fax: 425-587-3109
TitleVICoordinator@kirklandwa.gov
TTY Relay: 711

What happens when a person files a complaint

When a complaint is received, the Title VI Coordinator will provide written acknowledgment to the complainant within ten days, inform the complainant of action taken or proposed action to process the complaint, and advise the complainant of other avenues of redress available such as the Washington State Department of Transportation (“WSDOT”) and the United States Department of Transportation (“USDOT”). 

The Title VI Coordinator will advise WSDOT within ten 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 Title VI Coordinator.
  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 Title VI Coordinator has taken or proposed to resolve the issues raised in the complaint.

If a complaint is deemed incomplete, additional information will be requested and the complainant will be provided 60 calendar days to submit the required information.  Failure to do so may be considered good cause for a determination of no investigative merit.

 

What is the investigation process?

If the complaint has investigative merit, the Title VI Coordinator will assign an investigator.  Within 60 calendar days, an investigation of the complaint will be conducted based on the information obtained, and the Title VI Coordinator will make a recommendation to the City Manager.  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 City Manager will notify the complainant in writing of the final decision reached, including the proposed disposition of the matter. If the decision is not to investigate, the notification shall specifically state the reason for the decision. The Title VI Coordinator will also provide WSDOT with a copy of the decision and summary of findings.

 

What if I don't agree with the City Manager'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 alternate formats upon request.

 

Annual accomplishment reports

Annually, the City of Kirkland 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.

 

Title VI notification

Title VI:  It is the City of Kirkland’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 with the City of Kirkland.  For questions regarding Kirkland’s Title VI Program, or to file a complaint with the City of Kirkland, please contact the Title VI Coordinator at 425-587-3831 or TitleVICoordinator@kirklandwa.gov.

Alternate Formats: Persons with disabilities may request materials in alternative formats —please contact the Title VI Coordinator at 425-587-3831 or TitleVICoordinator@kirklandwa.gov. Persons with hearing impairments may access the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service at 711.

 

Fill out the Title VI complaint form

Fill out the demographic survey 

Print the demographic survey(PDF, 450KB)