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Montezuma LAP for CDBG says very low LEP population; clerk named contact
Summary
A Language Access Plan prepared for the City of MontezumaCDBG application finds 33 residents (of 2,935) speak English less than "very well," below HUDsafe-harbor thresholds; the plan lists City Clerk Jennifer McCarthy as the LAP coordinator, outlines interpreter and translation options, training steps and a complaint procedure.
The City of Montezuma included a Language Access Plan (LAP) in its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) packet (CDBG 24p-x-096-2-6383) that assesses limited-English-proficiency (LEP) needs in target neighborhoods and identifies how the city will provide meaningful access to CDBG-funded services.
The four-factor analysis in the plan reports that, of 2,935 residents age 5 and older in the CDBG service area, 33 residents describe themselves as speaking English less than "very well," a level the plan says does not meet HUD "safe harbor" thresholds (5% or more than 1,000 individuals). The plan states that people of Spanish descent are the primary LEP speakers likely to use CDBG services and that, based on local surveys and staff review, there were no interpreter requests or requests for translated program documents in the prior two years.
The LAP lists available options the City may use if needed, including oral interpretation services, bilingual staff, telephone-interpreter lines, written translation of vital documents and use of "I speak" cards. It also proposes staff training on Title VI and LEP responsibilities and recommends identifying which documents are "vital" for translation. The plan names City Clerk Jennifer McCarthy as the LAP coordinator and provides office hours and phone and email contact information for complaints and coordination.
The packet sets a complaint procedure under Title VI/Executive Order 13166 with these timelines: complaints will be accepted no more than 180 days after the alleged incident; Montezuma has 90 days to investigate; the complainant has 10 business days to respond to requests for additional information; the City will issue either a closure letter or a letter of finding, and complainants may appeal within seven days of receiving the closure or finding.
Why it matters: The LAP documents how the city plans to make CDBG outreach and services accessible to LEP residents, clarifies operational responsibilities and lists specific procedural protections for complainants. The plan will be used in CDBG administration and retained in project files for at least three years after grant closeout, and the City commits to reviewing and updating the LAP every five years.
The plan and contact details appear in the packet supplied to the City; the document identifies Ian Perry as the preparer and Jennifer McCarthy as the local coordinator for implementation and complaints.
