Consent 1.H.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 12/16/2019
- TITLE
- Approval of MET Transit's Updated Title VI Program
- PRESENTED BY:
- Kevin Ploehn
- Department:
- Transit
Presentation:
No
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
As a recipient of Federal funding, MET Transit is required to have a Title VI Program in place that has been reviewed and approved by the Federal Transit Administration. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states "No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal assistance based on race, color, or national origin." In addition to the requirement to submit an updated Title VI Program every three years, this program must also be approved by the recipient's governing board or City Council. The City Council approved the last update on January 28, 2019, and was approved by the FTA. However, Title VI Programs are subject to additional scrutiny during the Federal Transit Administration Triennial Review of grantees. During the August 2019 Triennial Review of MET Transit, a different compliance officer required changes to the existing MET Transit Title VI Program that will again require City Council approval. Changes to the Program include an updated Limited English Proficiency plan (including making additional documents available in Spanish), an expanded Public Participation Plan, updates on how MET encourages minority participation, language stating MET has no sub-recipients, and expanded language regarding equity analysis.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
City Council may:
- Approve the updated Title VI Program; or
- Disapprove the updated Title VI Program and jeopardize receiving any further FTA grant funding.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
As a recipient of Federal transit funding, MET must have an FTA approved Title VI Program in place. Failure to submit an updated Program may jeopardize or delay the award of the annual $1.85 million FTA operating grant as well as any annual capital grants, which are around $400,000.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the updated Title VI Program.