Complaints relative to noncompliance with the Office of Revenue Sharing regulations (31 C.F.R. 51.55(d)(2)) implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, shall be addressed as follows:
(a) Complaints shall be addressed to the Personnel Director, City of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, who shall be the "Section 504 Coordinator", or such other person who may be subsequently designated to coordinate compliance with the above described regulations.
(b) A complaint shall be filed in writing or verbally, and contain the name and address of the person filing it, and briefly describe the alleged violation of the regulations.
(c) A complaint shall be filed within five 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.
(d) An investigation, as may be appropriate, shall follow a filing of a complaint. The investigation shall be conducted by the Personnel Director. These rules contemplate informal but thorough investigations, affording all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to a complaint. Under 31 C.F.R. 51.55 (d)(2), the City need not process complaints from applicants for employment or from applicants for admission to postsecondary educational institutions.
(e) A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and description of resolution, if any, shall be issued by the Personnel Director and a copy forwarded to the complainant no later than ten working days after its filing.
(f) The Personnel Director shall maintain the files and records of the City relating to the complaints filed.
(g) The complainant may 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 five working days to the City Attorney.
(h) 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 Office of Revenue Sharing, U. S. Department of Treasury. Utilization of this grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.
(i) These rules shall be construed to protect the substantive rights of interested persons, to meet appropriate due process standards and to assure that the City complies with Section 504 and the Office of Revenue Sharing regulations.
(Ord. 20-85. Passed 3-11-85.)