Complaint Process - Civil Rights

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Title VI complaint process

Any person who believes that he/she/they has been subjected to discrimination based on race, color or national origin in programs, services, or activities where under any of the City’s federally funded programs and activities may file a complaint with the City of Monroe. Someone may file on behalf of such a person. The following procedures will be followed:

  1. The complaint must be filed within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination. 
  2. The complaint must contain a narrative description of the allegation(s) in sufficient detail to enable the City’s 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 form must include all of the complainant’s contact information (name, address, telephone number) as well as contact information for all witnesses or individuals with relevant knowledge. 
  3. The complaint form must be signed by the complainant(s) or his/her/their representative and filed by mail, in-person, or email. Upon receipt, the complaint form will be reviewed by the City’s ADA Coordinator to ensure that it is complete. A notice acknowledging receipt will be provided within 10 working days. 
  4. If the complainant phones a City of Monroe staff member with the allegations, the staff member will transcribe the allegations of the complaint as provided during the phone call, and then send the written complaint to the complainant for correction and signature.
  5. Complainants can also file an online or download the form from WSDOT's website at WSDOT Title VI Complaint Form (PDF)
  6. Upon the City of Monroe receiving a complaint, they must record the receipt of the complaint and its disposition/results of investigation in their Title VI complaints log. The record must be included in Monroe's annual Title VI Accomplishments and Goals Report.
  7. The City of Monroe must email the complaint to TitleVI@wsdot.wa.gov promptly or within five (5) business days.
  8. Only FHWA has the authority to accept, dismiss, or assess the merit of a case. Accepting a complaint is largely based on if there has been a disparate impact and treatment, or retaliation against protected population based on race, color, and national origin (including Limited English Proficiency).

ADA complaint process

Any individual, group of individuals or entity that believes they have been subjected to discrimination or faced unaccommodated barriers to access as defined by the ADA may file a written complaint with the City’s, ADA Coordinator. 

A formal complaint must be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged occurrence. The City will not officially act or respond to complaints made verbally. 

Upon receiving the written complaint, the City’s ADA Coordinator, in consultation with other city offices, will determine its jurisdiction, acceptability, need for additional information and the investigative merit of the complaint.