04 - Laserfiche WebLink

BACKGROUND In 1995 and in 2001 the City hired a survey consultant to prepare and complete a survey of a sampling of the Community that helped the Council and the Staff determine the satisfaction of the Community with the services and facilities provided by the City. Also, the survey was used to determine the priority of future services and facilities that were of a high priority to the Community. It was planned to undertake a similar survey in 2007. The 2007 survey will serve to update the results of the previous surveys and, in addition, ask questions specific to financing the improvements planned for the Bernal Property. In November 2006 the voters confirmed the Specific Plan for the Bernal Property. In January 2007 the Council formed the Bernal Financing Committee (Committee) to develop a financing plan to fund the amenities identified in the Specific Plan. Council Members McGovern and Thorne are on the Committee along with the City Manager, Director of Finance and the Economic Development Fiscal Officer. The Committee has been working to develop a financing plan (Plan) to fund the amenities identified in the Specific Plan. Staff is planning to bring a report prepared by the Committee on this issue to the Council for its review in March 2007. It was determined by the Committee that the results of a Citizens Survey would be helpful to the Committee, Staff and the Council in formulating this issue when the Plan is presented to Council. Therefore, in addition to the traditional questions the City has asked and polled its citizens in the past, the City will also be asking the Community if it would be willing to support an additional tax or revenue measure for any or all of these facilities and how much. Any increase in taxes to fund said improvements would require voter approval. DISCUSSION In January 2007, Staff circulated a request for proposal to ten firms that specialize in the preparation and development of citizens surveys. Staff received seven responses to its request for proposal to conduct the Citizens Survey. After Staff review of the seven responses, four firms were selected for an interview by the Bernal Financing Committee. The four firms included Gene Bregman & Associates, JDFranze Research, Inc., Godbe Research and Fairbank Maslin, Maullin & Associates. The Bernal Financing Committee is recommending Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates be selected to prepare and conduct the Citizens Survey based upon its innovative approach to the assignment, its experience in assisting cities similar to Pleasanton, and the experience of the assigned project team. Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates' rate to complete the assignment is $46,300 and should take approximately three months to complete. Page 2 of 3