Title VI Complaint Process

The City of Merced, under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ensures “No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” Related federal statutes and state law further those protections to include sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and age.

Any person who believes they has been discriminated against based on race, color, or national origin by the City of Merced or a sub-recipient may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the agency’s Title VI Complaint Form. The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) processes complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident. OCR will only process complaints that are complete, which include the complainant’s contact information, details of the alleged discrimination, and the complainant’s signature.

Once the Title VI complaint is received, OCR will determine which federal administering agency has jurisdiction to investigate/process the complaint.

Title VI Complaints Processed Under the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Title VI complaints are filed with the Caltrans in which Caltrans is named as the Respondent, in which they will forward the complaint to the FHWA Division Office. The Complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter informing them that the complaint has been received and forwarded to the FHWA.

Per the FHWA Guidance Memorandum, Processing of Title VI Complaints, dated June 13, 2018, all Title VI complaints received by a sub-recipient are to be forwarded to Caltrans to be submitted to FHWA Division Office. Complaints should be sent within one business day of receipt via email to Title.VI@dot.ca.gov. If Headquarters Office of Civil Rights (HCR) determines a Title VI complaint against a sub-recipient can be investigated by Caltrans, HCR may delegate the task of investigating the complaint to Caltrans.

Caltrans OCR Investigation Process

If OCR is delegated the responsibility of performing an investigation, OCR has 90 days to investigate the complaint. If additional time is needed, OCR will call the Complainant and inform them.

If more information is needed to resolve the case, the OCR investigator may contact the Complainant. The Complainant has ten business days from the date of the letter to send the requested information to the investigator assigned to the case.

If the investigator is not contacted by the Complainant or does not receive the additional information within ten business days, OCR can administratively close the case. A case can be administratively closed also if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.

OCR will consult with HCR regarding the disposition of the complaint. Disposition of Title VI complaint will be undertaken by HCR, through either (1) informal resolution or (2) issuance of a Letter of Finding of compliance or noncompliance with Title VI. A copy of the Letter of Finding will be sent to all parties via the Division Office.

For information or guidance on how to file a complaint, or obtain more information regarding Title VI, please contact the Title VI Coordinator for the City of Merced at (209) 385-6837 or visit the Title VI webpage.

Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

The City of Merced is responsible for ensuring that all persons, including LEP persons are provided equal access to its available services and information. The City is committed to ensuring that all of its programs and services are accessible to its LEP customers in compliance with the Dymally-Alatorre Bilingual Services Act and Executive Order 13166. This includes, but is not limited to, providing resources, including bilingual staff, interpreters, and translated materials to ensure that information and services will be made available in the languages readily understood by all Caltrans customers.

The City of Merced offers translation services for the following languages:

Spanish
Hmong

On the occasion that the City encounters LEP persons speaking other than Spanish or Hmong, the City may use a consulted service for assistance, if available.

Filing a Title VI Complaint with the City of Merced

If you have a Title VI complaint, the following Title VI Complaint Form may be obtained and completed electronically via the following link:

Complain forms may be submitted via email to City of Merced

FierroS @cityofmerced.org

Complaint forms may also be filed with City of Merced in writing and sent to the following address:

City of Merced
Attn: Suzanne Fierro
678 W. 18th St.
Merced, CA 95340

Policy Statement

The City of Merced, under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes, ensures that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any programs or activities it administers. The City of Merced also requires its contractors and grantees to comply with this policy.

Questions, concerns, complaints, requests for reasonable accommodations, or other inquiries from the public with regard to the accessibility of City of Merced services or facilities shall be directed to:

Suzanne Fierro
678 W. 18th St
Merced, CA 95340
FierroS@cityofmerced.org
209-385-6837

Title VI Program

The City Manager, management, and all employees share the responsibility for carrying out the City of Merced’s commitment to Title VI compliance.

City of Merced Title VI Program

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