The purpose and intent of this chapter are to establish and make available a citizens committee to review those complaints pertaining to the Americans with Disabilities Act as implemented and administered by the city of Richland. The Americans with Disabilities Act citizens review committee will provide a hearing, listen to and formulate a decision based upon information provided in the hearing. The decision shall be made in writing with a copy of the decision provided to the complainant and a copy provided to the city's Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator. This decision, upon a written appeal by the complainant, will be forwarded to the Richland city council. The city council will be responsible to issue a final written decision on appeal.
(Ord. 49-93; Ord. 40-18 § 1)
There is created within the city of Richland an Americans with Disabilities Act citizens review committee. The committee will be composed of five members appointed by the city council pursuant to RMC § 2.04.110. Members shall serve staggered three-year terms and until their successors are appointed and confirmed.
Persons with disabilities or persons working with persons with disabilities will be encouraged to join the committee to provide a balanced perspective to decision-making concerning these issues. Elected officials, the disabled community, business or nonprofit sectors, education and the health/medical profession shall be considered for membership on this committee.
(Ord. 49-93; Ord. 59-94; Ord. 40-98; Ord. 40-18 § 1)
The committee shall meet only at such time as an appeal is filed from a decision made by the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator.
(Ord. 49-93; Ord. 40-98; Ord. 40-18 § 1)
The committee shall perform the following duties:
A. 
The committee shall serve as a hearing board for complaints regarding implementation and administration of the Americans with Disabilities Act for the city of Richland. All such hearings shall be open to the public following publication of a notice for such hearing in the legal newspaper for the city of Richland. Notice shall be given to the complainant at least five business days prior to the hearing.
B. 
The committee shall hear only those complaints which pertain specifically to policies, equipment, property and responsibilities of the city of Richland and only those complaints that have been first addressed by and responded to by the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator. No appeal for a hearing will proceed until the coordinator issues a written determination to a written and filed complaint.
C. 
The committee shall maintain a written log of activities in which it is involved and shall report, upon invitation, to the city council in written format of its involvement on behalf of the city.
D. 
All hearings shall be recorded and a written transcript shall be maintained by the city's Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator.
E. 
A written decision shall be issued within 30 calendar days from the date the committee holds a hearing on a complaint.
F. 
The complainant may appeal the committee's decision. Any such appeal must be submitted to the city clerk's office within 30 calendar days of the date of mailing of the committee's decision to the complainant. If a timely appeal is filed, it will be placed on the next available regular or special city council agenda for council consideration. The committee will provide the city council with all records relevant to the matter on appeal. The city council's decision on the appeal shall be final and not subject to further appeal.
(Ord. 49-93; Ord. 40-98; Ord. 40-18 § 1)
If any one or more sections, subsections or sentences of this chapter are held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter and the same shall remain in full force and effect.
(Ord. 49-93; Ord. 40-18 § 1)