Hammond board approves updated Title VI nondiscrimination plan to preserve grant eligibility

The Hammond City Public Works and Safety Board voted to approve an updated Title VI nondiscrimination plan during its Oct. 23 meeting, a staff member said, a move city officials said is intended to preserve eligibility for state and federal roadway funding.

City staff told the board that the City of Hammond adopted a Title VI nondiscrimination policy in 2016 and that recent rule changes by the state Department of Transportation (NDOT) have tightened eligibility requirements for the Community Crossings Matching Grant. A staff member said the city’s consultant recommended updating the Title VI plan now so the city will qualify for the current round of Community Crossings and to reduce the risk of losing other roadway-improvement funds if a federal audit finds the plan missing or out of date.

Board members discussed the recommendation briefly and approved the plan. A board member recommended approval, and another board member signaled concurrence. No oppositions or abstentions were recorded on the audio record.

City staff said the updated plan has been reviewed by in-house counsel and recommended adoption to meet NDOT’s updated requirements and to ensure the city can document compliance in the event of a federal review. The staff member noted that without a current plan the city could jeopardize funding for roadway projects from state or federal sources.

The board did not direct any additional changes to the plan at the meeting. Staff indicated the update is intended primarily to maintain grant eligibility; any future audits or further state guidance could prompt additional revisions.