HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - April 21, 2021 C-19�
CITY OF LODI AGENDA ITEM
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COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
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AGENDA TITLE: Adopt Resolution Requesting the California Department of Motor Vehicles Provide All
Printed and Test Materials in the Urdu Language
MEETING DATE: April 21, 2021
PREPARED BY: City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt resolution requesting the California Department of Motor
Vehicles provide all printed and test materials in the Urdu language
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: This item is on at the request of Council Member Khan. The
California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) currently provides
information in over 30 languages and dialects; and the City of Lodi
has a large percentage of Urdu -speaking residents from the county of Pakistan who must endure long
wait times to schedule appointments and receive translation services.
Although figures are out of date, according by to the most recent Census Bureau 2015 American
Community Survey, 1,006 Lodi residents speak Urdu.
https://data. census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Lodi,%20CA%20Languag_e&tid=ACSDT5Y2015. B16001 &hidePreview=false
Neighborhood Scout, that uses multiple government agency sources that states as of 2019, 4.3%
(approximately 2,600 people) of the population in Lodi speak Urdu
https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ca/lodildeM❑graphics. State law mandates translation services for languages
that exceed 5 percent of the population. Although Lodi's residents do not meet this cap, council member
Khan reports that the translation services take so long to schedule that it can take up to six months for
DMV to provide services to Urdu speakers.
In order to promote equity and understanding and to facilitate greater compliance with both State and local
DMV rules and regulations, the Lodi City Council supports the California DMV providing an Urdu language
option for all residents of the State so that members of the Pakistani community can receive services they
need and deserve.
The Lodi City Council requests the California Department of Motor Vehicles provide all printed and test
materials in the Urdu language.
FISCAL IMPACT:
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
DSS/Ist
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
API
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-107
A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL REQUESTING THE
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES PROVIDE ALL PRINTED
AND TEST MATERIALS IN THE URDU LANGUAGE
WHEREAS, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) currently provides
information in over 30 languages and dialects; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lodi has a large percentage of Urdu -speaking residents from
the country of Pakistan who must endure long wait times to schedule appointments and
receive translation services; and
WHEREAS, although figures are out of date, according by to the most recent Census
Bureau 2015 American Community Survey, 1,006 Lodi residents speak Urdu; and
WHEREAS, Neighborhood Scout, that uses multiple government agency sources, states
as of 2019, 4.3% (approximately 2,600 people) of the population in Lodi speak Urdu. State law
mandates translation services for languages that exceed 5 percent of the population. Although
Lodi's residents do not meet this cap, Council Member Kahn reports that the translation services
take so long to schedule, that it can take up to six months for DMV to provide services to Urdu
speakers; and
WHEREAS, in order to promote equity and understanding and to facilitate greater
compliance with both State and local DMV rules and regulations, the Lodi City Council supports
the California DMV providing an Urdu language option for all residents of the State so that
members of the Pakistani community can receive services they need and deserve.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council does hereby request
the California Department of Motor Vehicles provide all printed and test materials in the Urdu
language.
Dated: April 21, 2021
I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2021-107 was passed and adopted by the City Council
of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held April 21, 2021 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Chandler, Hothi, Khan, Kuehne, and
Mayor Nakanishi
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
VJN R SMIR
City Clerk
2021-107