HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-174-1119 - Census Campaign
1515 NW 167 Street, Building 5 Suite 200 Miami Gardens, Florida 33169 City of Miami Gardens Agenda Cover Memo Council Meeting Date: September 21, 2009 Item Type: Resolution Ordinance
Other X Fiscal Impact: Yes No Ordinance Reading: 1st Reading 2nd Reading X Public Hearing: Yes No Yes No X Funding Source: General Fund Advertising Requirement: Yes No X Contract/P.O.
Required: Yes No RFP/RFQ/Bid #: n/a X Sponsor Name Mayor Shirley M. Gibson & Councilwoman Barbara Watson Department: City Council Short Title: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING A COMPLETE COUNT CENSUS CAMPAIGN; DESIGNATING THE PROGRESSIVE YOUNG ADULTS COMMITTEE TO COORDINATE THE CITY’S VOLUNTEER EFFORTS; AND AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO ENGAGE A PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT IN THE PROVISION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE CITY’S COMPLETE COUNT CAMPAIGN FOR THE 2010 US CENSUS; PROVIDING FOR
THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Staff Summary: Background The City’s first opportunity to be counted as an incorporated city for the US Census occurs next
year, April 1, 2010. A complete count is vital because federal and state funding formulas are based on population and socioeconomic characteristics obtained through the US Census. The
Census Bureau implements standard and extensive mechanisms to insure that everyone is counted. In preparation for the 2010 Census, the City participated in several Census Bureau processes:
• Service Location Identification – These are locations where needy persons are provided with services such as emergency/transitional shelter, food and other services. These locations
were vetted and sent to the Census Bureau in February 2009. Revised Item J-7: Census Campaign
1515 NW 167 Street, Building 5 Suite 200 Miami Gardens, Florida 33169 • Targeted Non‐sheltered Outdoor Locations – These are outdoor locations where people experiencing homelessness
reside. Locations were identified by the Police Department and the Miami Dade Homeless Trust. Forms were completed in September 2009. • New Construction Program – This program allows
the City to provide the addresses of new housing units completed after March 2009. To assist the Census Bureau in updating their records, forms were completed in September 2009. Current
Situation The Census Bureau provides suggested and optional recommendations for local communities that desire to take a proactive approach to reaching their citizens, with an emphasis
on efforts to encourage hardto‐reach groups to fill out the census form completely and correctly. As encouraged by the 2010 Census Partnership, the City has already partnered with the
Census Bureau by providing space for the Bureau to train employees. City staff submitted a Partnership Form to the Census which puts the City in a position to receive and distribute
Census materials at city sponsored events. Another strategy strongly encouraged by the Census Bureau is to sponsor a Complete Count Public Relations Campaign. This would be a proactive
outreach effort to insure a complete count, especially targeting hard‐to‐count residents of the community. To do this most effectively, the City would be well served to engage the services
of a professional public relations agency experienced in these efforts. A proposed campaign that includes the following key elements has been developed: o A comprehensive marketing approach
to spur individuals and communities to participate in the Census o Creation of an electronic and print communications campaign that speaks to, and reaches all market segments in the
City of Miami Gardens (inclusive of translated materials in Spanish and Creole) o Activate responses and participation from local businesses, including those that are independently owned
o Garner participation and partnerships with local public and vocational education programs o Invite, encourage and activate local faith‐based organizations to participate The described
campaign will be coordinated in conjunction with city events and related publicity including, but not limited to the Martin Luther King Celebration and Jazz in the Gardens. Additionally,
staff has determined that such an undertaking will also require extensive volunteer support for much of the logistical tasks involved. To that end, staff has been communicating with
the already established Progressive Young Adult Committee which has indicated its desire to actively assist the City in its complete count efforts. Rather than establishing another City
committee, volunteer efforts for the Census will be coordinated through the Progressive Young Adult Committee with direction from City staff. As the designated committee, the Progressive
Young Adults will be eligible to apply for a grant
1515 NW 167 Street, Building 5 Suite 200 Miami Gardens, Florida 33169 available thru the U.S. Census Bureau. Regrettably, the maximum grant amount available per committee is $2,999.
Finally, it is recognized that the City’s other volunteer committees will be asked to participate for specific events and efforts. Analysis The proposed six‐month program schedule is
summarized as follows: • Strategic Planning – October 2009: Work with City Managers’ Office and City Council to develop strategic alliances and partners. • PR Message Development ‐November
2009 through February 2010: Create comprehensive advertising campaign. • Media Relations – February 2010: Recruit and involve Mayor and Council and Managers in programs including Black
History Month. • Evaluation and Measurement Period – March 2010: Evaluate progress on key message points, successes and opportunities. • Final Report – Program summary and measurement
results. The proposed project budget is summarized as follows: Direct Fees: Radio (99 JAMZ ‐103.5); 103.5); Voice Shoots (Mayor and Council); Direct Mail; Newspaper (South Florida Times
& Community News; Miscellaneous (Wire Services, etc.) $50,150 Fee for professional consulting services $9,850 Total $60,000 City staff is still vetting the most effective means to reach
residents. Hence, the cost for direct radio, newspaper, and miscellaneous media ($50,150) is a not to exceed number. Every effort will be made to keep these costs as low as possible
in light of our current economic condition. Proposed Action: The Mayor recommends that Council adopt a resolution authorizing a complete count Census campaign, designating the Progressive
Young Adults Committee to coordinate the City’s volunteer efforts; and authorizing the City Manager to engage a public relations consulting firm in the provision of professional services
related to the City’s Complete Count Campaign for the 2010 US Census. Attachment: None