Any person (citizen, applicant or employee) who believes he or she has been adversely affected by an act or decision by the city, and that such act or decision was based on disability status, shall have
the right to process a complaint or grievance in accordance with the following procedure:
(A) Step one. An aggrieved person must submit a written statement to the City Manager setting forth the nature of the discrimination alleged and facts upon which the allegation is based. The City Manager's office will prepare the written statement for individuals needing such assistance.
(B) Step two. The City Manager shall contact the complainant no later than 15 days after receiving the written statement to establish an informal meeting with the objective of resolving the matter informally. However, in no case shall the informal meeting be conducted sooner than five days, nor more than 45 days after receiving the written statement. The meeting shall be held at a location accessible to the complainant. There shall be prepared a written documentary of the discussion at the informal meeting, which shall be preserved in the records of the city.
(C) Step three. Within 15 days of the informal meeting, if no decision has been made by the City Manager or the decision of the City Manager does not satisfy the complainant, he or she may request a hearing with the City Commission by submitting a written request to the City Manager. The City Manager's office will prepare the written request for individuals needing assistance.
(D) Step four. In thus discussing the grievance, the complainant may designate any person of his or her choice to appear with him or her and participate in the discussion. The City Commission shall require the City Manager to participate in the discussion of the grievance when it is brought before the City Commission. The City Commission shall issue a written decision on the matter within 15 days, and the decision shall be the final procedure for the complainant at the local level. There shall be prepared a written documentary of the discussion at the hearing, which shall be preserved in the records of the city.
('83 Code, § 37.12) (Ord. 112-1984, passed 10-16-84)