CITY OF SAN MATEO
4 6
1 7
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 10 Section Name: {{section.name}} Account Number: 10-1311 File ID: {{item.tracking_number}} TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: City Manager's Office
MEETING DATE: January 16, 2024
SUBJECT:
Ballot Measure and Community Surveys – Appropriation and Agreement RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution to approve a supplemental budget appropriation of $42,800 of unassigned fund balance from the General Fund and $14,300 of unassigned fund balance from the Advanced Planning Fund to increase the City Manager’s Office 2023-24 operating budget, approve an agreement with True North Research for professional services for ballot measure and community surveys in the amount of $57,100, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented.
BACKGROUND:
In the City’s ongoing interest to engage the public and be responsive to the community’s interests, the City periodically contracts with an independent, professional research firm to conduct statistically significant surveys. In 2024, the City plans to issue two separate surveys, and staff recommends contracting with True North Research for this work.
Survey 1.
The City seeks to study potential ballot measures the City is considering for November 2024. City Council directed staff to commence the process to consider a ballot measure asking voters if they approve portions of the City’s proposed Strive San Mateo 2040 General Plan that conflict with the height and density limits outlined in Measure Y. Measure Y was passed by the voters in 2020. The City is also considering placing two Charter amendment measures on the ballot. Hiring an independent firm to issue a survey to likely voters within the City of San Mateo to understand their preferences in the November 2024 election on these measures will inform the City of voter opinion in advance of any ballot measure.
Survey 2.
The City conducts bi-annual community surveys of residents on their sentiment regarding a variety of topics including City services, policy issues, and communications. The next survey is due sometime in 2024 and will be used as a benchmark for comparison with the results of prior surveys issued in 2022 and 2020.
Staff recommends contracting with True North Research because of the firm’s unique experience and qualifications. The City previously issued two competitive RFPs to solicit proposals from independent research firms. The City ultimately chose to work with True North Research based on its years of experience conducting surveys for California municipalities, proposed methodology, cost, and high success rate in predicting ballot measure outcomes. The firm also has unique familiarity with the City's needs and prior research, having conducted five prior surveys for San Mateo, including general community and past ballot measure surveys.
During the last RFP for the 2022 community survey, True North Research was determined to be qualified to conduct similar services for the 2024 survey cycle.
CITY OF SAN MATEO
4 6
1 7
BUDGET IMPACT:
To fund the ballot measure and community surveys, the proposed resolution approves a supplemental budget appropriation to increase the City Manager’s Office 2023-24 operating budget by $57,100, with $42,800 from the General Fund’s unassigned fund balance and $14,300 from the Advanced Planning Fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This agreement is not a project subject to CEQA, because it can be seen with certainty that it will not cause a physical change in the environment. (Public Resources Code Section 21065.) NOTICE PROVIDED:
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS:
Att 1 – Proposed Resolution
Att 2 – Proposed Agreement with True North Research
STAFF CONTACT:
Tara Peterson, Interim Deputy Director of Special Projects - Community Development Department [email protected]
(650) 522-7235