12 - Laserfiche WebLink

BACKGROUND The results of the 2010 Census which will be conducted on April 1, 2010, will be used to make vital decisions on behalf of all residents, including reapportionment and redistricting, and the distribution of more than $300 billion in federal funds. The City of Pleasanton has completed several tasks in preparation for the Census and is planning additional efforts in the months leading up to April 1, 2010. These efforts are aimed at achieving the most accurate and complete count of all residents. DISCUSSION To date, City of Pleasanton staff has participated in the following Census activities: The Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA). Participation in LUCA allowed the City to view Census Bureau lists of residential addresses and to update and amend these lists to ensure that all new addresses created since the 2000 Census are included in the Census Bureau's data base. As a result of this effort, City staff made over 2,600 address changes and added over 1,500 new addresses. The City of Pleasanton received partial reimbursement for this work from the California Department of Finance. 2010 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (2010 PSAP). Following Census Bureau criteria, 2010 PSAP allows participants to review, update and recommend new census tracts and block groups, specifically where residential growth has resulted in tracts or block-groups that exceed the optimal size in terms of population or housing units. Participation by the City ensures that future division of census tracts can be consistent with local Traffic Analysis Zones and other local geographic divisions. Staff made recommendations for the division of three census tracts within the City that had increased in population or housing units since the 2000 Census. The Census Bureau also intends to open a Pleasanton field office which will include offices and training space for 2010 Census fieldworkers and supervisors. Complete Count Efforts: The Census Bureau recognizes that counting all residents requires the assistance of partners -individuals, groups and organizations -that can help build awareness about the census and why it is important, and encourage participation by all individuals. One way of doing this is through Complete Count Committees that are established by state or local governments. In February 2008, Planning Division staff attended a Complete Count Committee meeting organized by Alameda County. In the coming months, staff from Planning and Parks/ Community Services, and the Public Information Officer intend to meet and to identify individuals, groups and organizations to contact, and methods and venues for disseminating information about the 2010 Census and the importance of participation. Special emphasis will be placed on encouraging the participation of hard to count populations such as non-English speakers. In this effort, staff will use a variety of facts sheets, brochures and other resources available from the Census Bureau and from our local Partnership Specialist. Page 2 of 3