Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 09/07/1999 - RESOLUTION 99-109 EMPHASIZING THE COOPERATIVE/PART AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 19 DATE: September 7, 1999 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF' John F. Fischbach SUBJECT: Resolution 99-109 Emphasizing the Cooperative/Partnering Relationship Between the City and the U.S. Census Bureau in Achieving an Accurate and Complete Count of Persons Residing in the City in Census 2000. RECOMMENDATION: i � Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. i i I - I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: a The United States census, taken each decade, is of immense importance. The census dictates legislative representation and defines and determines many of the needs of local communities. s The Census Bureau cannot conduct the census alone. It needs to mobilize strong partners to help i in accomplishing the goal of a complete census. State and local governments, non-governmental organizations,businesses and the media are all called upon to help spread the word about the census I and to encourage the active participation of everyone. In our community, the City of Fort Collins is called upon to establish a local Complete Count Committee, which will be appointed by the City Manager. This committee is to help promote the 2000 Census, especially to "hard to enumerate" populations, such as students, minorities, lower- income families, non-English speaking people, and so on. Given its task, the committee will be comprised of representatives from major employers in educational groups, religious institutions, members of the media and various groups and organizations that have knowledge of or linkages to "hard to enumerate" populations. a The Complete Count Committee will be established in September/October and our target is to schedule the committee's first meeting in October. The committee will then have the task of ; publicizing and educating the community about the census and encouraging all members of our community to participate in the census. I It is vitally important that an accurate and complete count for the 2000 Census is achieved as it often dictates the level of resources the City receives from federal and state agencies. The extent of the p Resolution is to express the Cin's willingness and commitment to participate in Census 2000. � 1 I I � �1 � RESOLUTION 99-109 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS EMPHASIZING THE COOPERATIVE/PARTNERING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU IN ACHIEVING AN ACCURATE AND COMPLETE COUNT OF PERSONS RESIDING IN THE CITY IN CENSUS 2000 WHEREAS, the U.S. Census is vital to the City of Fort Collins in that it determines the apportionment of seats in the United States House of Representatives and the Colorado legislature, and is the basis for the allocation of billions of dollars of Federal and State funds for transportation, social and other programs; and WHEREAS,the U.S.Census is also used to help determine where to locate schools,day care centers,senior citizen centers,hospitals,and other facilities and is used to make decisions concerning business growth and jobs; and WHEREAS,the U.S.Census information is confidential and Federal law prohibits any public or private agency from gaining access to confidential Census data; and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Collins is committed to a full and accurate Census count and places special emphasis on enumerating members of population groups traditionally undercounted; • and %VHEREAS, the City of Fort Collins is committed to a cooperative/partnering relationship with the U.S. Census Bureau in preparing for Census 2000 through address list updates,census map corrections. and jurisdictional boundary updates. NOR'. THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the City Council hereby proclaims Census 2000 as a top priority for all City departments and appointed officials, and encourages the community at large to emphasize and establish a cooperative/partnering relationship with the U.S.Census Bureau in achieving an accurate and complete count of persons residing in the City in Census 2000. Section 2. That the City of Fort Collins, in furtherance of the aforementioned goal of achieving a complete and accurate count.shall form a Census 2000 Complete Count Committee,to be appointed by the City Manager, which will be composed of key stakeholders within the City, including. without limitation. elected officials, planners,major employers in the City. community based organizations,business groups,educational groups,religious institutions,and members of the media, to publicize and educate members of the Fort Collins community about Census 2000 and undertake such additional measures as it may deem appropriate to encourage widespread • participation in the Census. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this 7th day of September, A.D. 1999. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk