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�3 <br />D R , A . . <br />55 ) <br />sp m 3 <br />f- F 6 YgR>bi� l nal tC <br />9di." Y' Y'R.8 , 4P 3 fr' Yy MCH X <br />October 27, 2003 <br />Subject <br />Fair Housing Settlement Agreement <br />Recommendation <br />(1) Approve Settlement Agreement between Christine Walters, et al, Peninsula Habitat for <br />Humanity and City of Redwood City and (2) Authorize Solicitation of Bids <br />Background <br />On July 12, 2001, Christine Walters and members of her household filed a fair housing complaint <br />with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, alleging, among other things, <br />discrimination in housing and violations of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended by <br />the Fair Housing Act of 1988, as well as violations of Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act <br />and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 by both Habitat and the City. <br />In August of 2002, the Council authorized approval of a Voluntary Compliance Agreement <br />between the City, HUD and Peninsula Habitat for Humanity to resolve this matter. The City <br />developed a compliance strategy and hired a drafts person to work with the client to develop <br />plans and specifications for a scope of work to bring the dwelling unit into compliance. <br />When the plans were approximately 95% completed, Ms. Walters informed the City that she <br />would not sign a Settlement Agreement unless we installed an elaborate Lift System throughout <br />the dwelling. HUD was notified and requested to review the City's efforts for compliance. After <br />review of our efforts, HUD issued a Determination of No Reasonable Cause which dismissed the <br />initial findings of discrimination. <br />Following this action, the City and Peninsula Habitat met with the Complainant's Attorney and <br />agreed on an initial Letter of Intent followed by a specific Settlement Agreement to resolve this <br />matter. Upon Council approval of the Settlement Agreement and authorization for soliciting bids, <br />the City and Habitat will cause the improvements to be made. <br />Alternatives <br />Council could refuse to execute the agreement, however, such a decision would clearly result in a <br />lawsuit in civil court. <br />Fiscal Impact <br />The CDBG Program will realize expenditures of approximately $10,000 for relocation, <br />approximately $7,000 for an Elevator Reserve fund, and an estimated $7,500 for Construction <br />