RESOLUTION 5044: APPROVAL OF THE GLENDALE TRANSIT TITLE VI IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Staff Contact: Jack Friedline, Director, Public Works
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Purpose and Recommended Action
Recommendation
This is a request for City Council to waive reading beyond the title and adopt a resolution authorizing the Acting City Manager to adopt and implement a Title VI Implementation Plan for transit services, as required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).body
Background
As a sub-recipient of grant funds from the FTA, the City of Glendale is required to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which requires that “no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination.” These assurances pertain to the transit services that Glendale Transit directly operates, including the Glendale Urban Shuttle (GUS) circulator, Glendale Dial-A-Ride and paratransit service provided to disabled passengers in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Pursuant to FTA Circular 4702.1B, Title VI Guidelines for FTA Recipients, Glendale Transit must prepare and approve, at least every three years, a Title VI Program Update, which is completed in collaboration with the City of Phoenix and Valley Metro. As the designated recipient, the City of Phoenix is responsible for submitting the Region’s Title VI plan to the FTA. The City of Phoenix is also responsible for the oversight of all sub-recipients’ Title VI programs to ensure compliance with FTA guidelines. Glendale Transit is responsible for the oversight of Glendale’s Title VI program and will ensure full compliance with Title VI nondiscrimination program requirements.
Prior to these new FTA guidelines, sub-recipients were included in the designated recipient’s Title VI program, and were not required to adopt and implement their own program. In addition to implementing a Title VI program, this new guidance requires all recipients to submit their Title VI programs to their governing bodies for approval every three years.
Analysis
The Title VI Program Update includes several compliance areas. Major categories include complaint procedures, public participation, language assistance and non-elected committee membership. Under this plan, the city assures that every effort will be made to prevent discrimination in all areas of transit services.
Ensuring fair and equitable access to transit service is a key priority for Glendale Transit, as mobility is a quality-of-life issue for residents and visitors. This plan update provides guidelines to ensure service is planned, developed and implemented in a nondiscriminatory manner. Furthermore, the city will take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to services for persons with limited English proficiency, as outlined in the Language Assistance Plan portion of the Title VI Implementation Plan.
Community Benefit/Public Involvement
The Transportation Division is engaging the public in its planning and decision-making processes, as well as marketing and outreach activities. The public is invited to participate in the process through public events, meetings and surveys.
As part of the plan update requirements, there will be notices and information pertaining to the Title VI Implementation Plan posted on Transit’s webpage at www.glendaleaz.com/transit <http://www.glendaleaz.com/transit>.
Budget and Financial Impacts
There are no budget impacts with this action. However, failure to comply with the FTA’s Title VI guidelines could jeopardize the city’s qualification for future FTA funding.