CC SR 20260505 E - ADA Grievance Procedure
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 05/05/2026
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consider the designation of the City’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator
and the ADA Grievance Procedure and Form
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 2026 - ___, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING,
APPROVING, AND ADOPTING THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
(ADA) GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE AND ADA GRIEVANCE FORM AND
CONFIRMING THE DESIGNATION OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK
MANAGER AS THE ADA COORDINATOR
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact to receive and file the designation of the
City’s ADA Coordinator and to adopt the City’s ADA Grievance Procedures.
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Vanessa Godinez, Human Resources and Risk Manager VG
REVIEWED BY: Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager CJ
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Draft Resolution No. 2026-__ - Adopt ADA Grievance Procedures (page A-1)
B. ADA Grievance Form (page B-1)
BACKGROUND:
The ADA of 1990, specifically Title II, requires public entities to ensure that individuals
with disabilities have equal access to public programs, services, and activities. As part of
these requirements, public agencies must adopt and publish an ADA Grievance
Procedure to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging
discrimination on the basis of disability.
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The City currently designates the Public Works Director as the City’s ADA Coordinator.
While Public Works plays a significant role in ensuring accessibility within public facilities
and infrastructure, ADA compliance also involves programmatic accessibility, policy
implementation, and coordination across multiple departments.
To better align ADA oversight with administrative coordination, accessibility
improvements, risk management, and employee training, the City Manager wishes to
designate the Human Resources and Risk Manager as the City’s ADA Coordinator.
Moreover, the City Council is being asked to adopt the City’s ADA Grievance Procedures
as discussed in the next section.
DISCUSSION:
ADA Grievance Procedures
The proposed ADA Grievance Procedure (Attachment A) establishes a formal process
for individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination on the basis of a
disability in the City’s programs, services, activities, or facilities. The procedure provides
an accessible and structured process to ensure that complaints are addressed promptly
and fairly.
Under the proposed ADA Grievance Procedures:
• Individuals, or their authorized representatives, may file a grievance if they believe
they have been denied access to City programs, services, or activities due to a
disability, or if they believe the City has otherwise violated ADA requirements.
• Prior to filing a formal grievance, individuals are encouraged to seek informal
resolution through the City’s ADA Coordinator.
• Formal grievances should be submitted in writing and include information
describing the alleged issue.
• Upon receipt of a grievance, the ADA Coordinator will investigate the complaint
within thirty (30) business days.
• Following the investigation, the ADA Coordinator will provide a response within
thirty (30) business days of completion of the investigation.
• If the complainant is dissatisfied with the response, they may submit an appeal to
the City Manager within fifteen (15) business days.
In accordance with ADA requirements, alternate methods for filing grievances, such as
personal interviews, will be available upon request for individuals who require assistance.
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ADA Grievance Form and Website Information
To facilitate the grievance process, the City will provide an ADA Grievance Form
(Attachment B) that individuals may use when submitting a complaint. While use of the
form is not required, it provides a convenient method for submitting the necessary
information.
The following ADA grievance information will be made available on the City’s website to
ensure accessibility and transparency:
• ADA Grievance Procedure
• ADA Grievance Form
• ADA Coordinator contact information
• Instructions for submitting a grievance
Designated ADA Coordinator
The ADA requires public agencies to designate at least one employee to coordinate ADA
compliance efforts and investigate complaints.
The Public Works Director currently serves as the City’s ADA Coordinator. However, the
City Manager wishes to transition that role by designating the Human Resources and Risk
Manager as the City’s ADA Coordinator. This role will include:
• Receiving and investigating ADA grievances
• Coordinating with applicable City Departments to provide responses to
accessibility concerns
• Ensuring compliance with ADA program and service requirements
• Maintaining records of grievances and resolutions in accordance with the City’s
records retention schedule
Public Works will continue to play an important role in addressing physical accessibility
improvements and facility-related ADA compliance matters.
CONCLUSION:
The City Council is being asked to adopt the City’s ADA Grievance Procedures
(Attachment A) by adopting the attached resolution (Attachment A) and to receive and file
the City Manager’s designation of the Human Resources and Risk Manager as the City’s
ADA Coordinator.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to Staff’s recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
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1. Decline designate the ADA Coordinator as the Human Resources and Risk
Manager and provide staff with further direction including considering retaining the
Public Works Director as the ADA Coordinator.
2. Do not adopt the ADA Grievance Procedure and Form
3. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2026-__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA,
ACCEPTING, APPROVING, AND ADOPTING THE
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE AND ADA GRIEVANCE
FORM AND CONFIRMING THE DESIGNATION OF
THE HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGER
AS THE ADA COORDINATOR
WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the ADA Amendments
Act of 2008 require public entities to ensure that individuals with disabilities are not excluded from
participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discriminati on in public programs,
services, or activities; and
WHEREAS, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public entities to adopt and
publish a grievance procedure providing for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints
alleging discrimination on the basis of disability; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes desires to adopt ADA
Grievance Procedures and ADA Grievance Form to establish a clear and accessible process for
individuals to submit complaints regarding ADA compliance; and
WHEREAS, the ADA further requires that public entities designate at least one employee to
coordinate compliance with ADA requirements and investigate complaints; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager finds that designating the Human Resources and Risk
Manager as the City’s ADA Coordinator will improve administrative coordination, oversight of ADA
compliance, and management of grievance procedures across City departments; and
WHEREAS, the designation of the Human Resources and Risk Manager as the City’s ADA
Coordinator shall supersede any other prior designations of the ADA Coordinator; and
WHEREAS, the adopted ADA Grievance Procedure, ADA Grievance Form, ADA Coordinator
designation, ADA Coordinator contact information, and related instructions will be made available on
the City’s website to ensure accessibility and transparency for members of the public.
NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The City Council hereby adopts the ADA Grievance Procedure and ADA
Grievance Form attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2: The Human Resources and Risk Manager is hereby designated as the City’s ADA
Coordinator and shall be responsible for coordinating the City’s compliance with ADA requirements
and administering the ADA grievance process.
Section 3: The designation of the Human Resources and Risk Manager as the ADA
Coordinator replaces the prior designation of the Public Works Director in that role.
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Section 4: The City Manager, or designee, is authorized to make non-substantive
administrative revisions to the ADA Grievance Procedures and ADA Grievance Form as necessary
to ensure continued compliance with applicable laws and administrative practices.
Section 5: The ADA Grievance Procedure, ADA Grievance Form, and ADA Coordinator
contact information shall be made available on the City’s website and through other accessible
means as required by law.
Section 6: This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 5th day of May 2026.
Paul Seo, Mayor
ATTEST:
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
I, THERESA TAKAOKA, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that the above
Resolution No. 2026- ___ was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said City Council at a
regular meeting thereof held on May 5, 2026.
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
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Grievance Procedure Under
the Americans with Disabilities Act
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities are
able to take part in and benefit from the variety of public programs, services, and activities
offered by the City. The City continues to modify its facilities, programs, policies, or
practices, as necessary, to ensure such access is provided.
ADA GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
(ADA), and ADA Amendments Act of 2008, the City does not discriminate against qualified
individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that public entities adopt and publish
a grievance procedure to assure the prompt and equitable resolution of grievances. The
purpose of this ADA grievance procedure is to resolve as promptly as possible any problems,
grievances, or conflicts related to the City's ADA compliance without the need for the
grievant to resort to other remedies available under the law.
1. Who may file a grievance?
You or your authorized representative may file an ADA grievance if you believe that:
• The City is not in compliance with the physical access requirements of the ADA, related
to its public facilities, land, or rights-of-way; and/or
• You or a specific class of individuals have been denied access to participate in
City programs, services, or activities on the basis of disability; and/or
• You or a specific class of individuals have been otherwise subjected to discrimination
on the basis of disability by the City; and/or
• The City has otherwise violated the ADA.
2. When should a grievance be filed?
Before filing a grievance, you may seek informal resolution by contacting the City’s ADA
Coordinator, who is the City’s Human Resources and Risk Manager. If your informal concern
is not resolved in a timely fashion, you may file a formal grievance under this procedure. You
are encouraged to file your grievance as soon as possible, but within sixty (60) business days
during the City’s business hours on Monday-Thursday (from 7:30am-5:30pm) and Friday (from
7:30am-4:30pm).
3. What should the grievance include?
The grievance should be in writing and contain information about the grievance, submission
date, name, address, telephone or cell phone number of grievant, location, date and
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City of Rancho Palos Verdes
ADA Grievance Procedure
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description of the problem. A grievance form is available at the City’s Human Resources
Division for your convenience, but is not required to be used.
Grievances should be submitted directly to the ADA Coordinator.
4. What if I need assistance filling out my grievance?
An alternate means of filing grievances, such as personal interviews, will be made available
for people with disabilities upon request.
5. What happens after I file my grievance?
After receiving your grievance, the ADA Coordinator will investigate within thirty (30)
business days. The investigation may include you and any other person(s) the investigator
believes to have relevant knowledge concerning your grievance. The investigator will also
consider any written evidence submitted.
After completing the investigation, the investigator will review the factual information
gathered. The ADA Coordinator will then issue a written response, and where appropriate,
in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio tape. The
response will explain the position of the City and offer options for substantive resolution of
the complaint.
6. When will I receive a response?
The ADA Coordinator will provide a response within thirty (30) business days of completion
of the investigation.
7. Should I be concerned that a city officer or employee might retaliate against me if I
complain?
The City does not retaliate against you for filing a grievance and does not permit retaliation
by its officers or employees. Please notify the ADA Coordinator of any retaliation.
8. What can I do if I am not satisfied with the initial investigation?
If you are not satisfied with the response, you may submit an appeal within fifteen (15)
business days of date of the response to the City Manager, stating the reasons for the
appeal. An alternate means of filing an appeal, such as personal interviews or audio
recording of the appeal, will be made available for people with disabilities upon request.
Within thirty (30) business days after receipt of the appeal, the City Manager, or his/her
designee, will meet with the grievant to discuss a resolution. Within thirty (30) business days
after the meeting, the City Manager, or his/her designee, will respond with a final written
resolution.
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City of Rancho Palos Verdes
ADA Grievance Procedure
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You may file your appeal at the following address:
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Human Resources Division, ADA Coordinator
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
If you are not satisfied with the results of the appeal, you may file a complaint with the
appropriate agency or department of the State or Federal government. Contact the U.S.
Department of Justice or the California Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for
information about how to file a complaint with these agencies.
Using this grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to pursuing any of your other remedies.
However, in the interest of a prompt resolution of the grievance, the City encourages you to
use this procedure in addition to any other available alternatives you may choose.
9. How long are grievances kept?
All grievances received by the ADA Coordinator, appeals to the City Manager, and
correspondence from these two entities will be kept by the City in accordance with its
adopted Records Retention Schedule.
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ADA Grievance Form Page 1 of 2
Americans with Disabilities Act Grievance Form
INSTRUCTIONS
Please fill out this form completely. A printed or typed response is recommended. Sign and
return to the City’s ADA Coordinator on page 2 by email, mail, or in-person. If you need an
accommodation to complete or submit this form, please contact the ADA Coordinator as
indicated on this form. This form is optional and provided for your convenience.
Your Name:
Address:
City, State and Zip Code:
Telephone: Home/Cell: Business:
Person you are filing this for: (if other than you):
Address:
City, State, and Zip Code:
Telephone: Home/Cell: Business:
Date of grievance: ___________________________________________________________________
Location or address of grievance on City property (if applicable):
Describe the events leading to your filing of this grievance, providing names of the City
employees or City Department involved where possible:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Have efforts been made to resolve this complaint? Yes No
If yes, what efforts have been taken and what is the status of the grievance?
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ADA Grievance Form Page 2 of 2
What do you request the City do to resolve this grievance?
Additional comments or information:
Signature: Date:
Return to:
Human Resources Division, ADA Coordinator
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Email: adarequests@rpvca.gov
Phone: (310) 544-5331
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