Agenda Item Wording:
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Appropriate up to $50,000 for the Public Opinion Survey - Authorize the City Manager to award a contract to Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates to conduct a statistically valid survey of Visalia City residents for up to $50,000 and to appropriate the same amount from the General Fund for this survey.
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Deadline for Action: 12/18/2023
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Jason Serpa, Public Works Manager, 713-4533, Leslie B. Caviglia, City Manager, 713-4332
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Visalia City Council enter into a contract with Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) for up to $50,000 to conduct a statistically valid survey as noted in the attached proposal, and to appropriate up to $50,000 from the General Fund.
Council previously indicated an interest in having a professional firm conduct a survey. While the Citizens Advisory Committee has done an admirable job for decades, the complexity of the issues facing a City the size of Visalia warrants a fresh approach to the questions being asked and a more strategic approach to conducting a survey that will be more representative of the entire community. Without sophisticated tools, data and resources, it is difficult to target and reach the appropriate households that will result in a survey that more closely reflects the demographics of the community.
FM3 has a proven track record with the City, assisting in the Measure N "Yes" vote estimates in 2015 and on other occasions in the past. FM3 has also been awarded a recent City contract for assisting in the potential cannabis sales tax measure for the 2024 general election. [JS1]
Background Discussion:
The Citizens Advisory Committee, and City staff, previously recommended to the Visalia City Council that the City...
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