Agenda Date: 10/01/2019
Subject:
Title
Resolution 52-2019: Supporting the grant application with DOLA for the 2020 Census
Body
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Prepared by: |
Wendy Heffner, City Clerk |
PURPOSE:
Does city council support a grant application for the 2020 Census engagement?
PRESENTATIONS:
Staff Presenter(s): Ryan Thompson, Mediation Program Coordinator
SUMMARY:
The City of Littleton will participate in the nationwide Census that is occurring in 2020. To get the most complete and accurate count of hard to contact residents in Littleton, a team of staff members have created a plan for the 2020 census.
Staff proposes to make a grant application to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), for which their process requires a supporting resolution by city council.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
None. The city did not participate with the nationwide census group in 2010.
ANALYSIS:
Staff Analysis
About the Grant - The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) has created a grant program for communities to access funds for the 2020 Census. DOLA has approved $6 million in grant funds for distribution. The amount of funding provided by the grant does not have a cap and is not intended to cover labor costs for the communities that are approved for the grant. Communities who receive the grant are not required to match funds provided by the grant. The City of Littleton is requesting grant monies in the amount of $17,859.95 for funds to cover the costs included in the 2020 Census Engagement Proposal.
Importance of the Census - There are 16 federal assistance programs that receive funds based on the Census derived statistics. Over $8 billion is distributed annually in Colorado, this breaks down to about $1,481 per person.
These programs include and are not limited to school lunch programs, highway planning and construction, childcare, and housing assistance programs. By getting a complete count, Littleton avails itself to the most resources:
• To ensure the most accurate and complete count possible
• To provide those who have in the past been difficult to count in the Census an opportunity to complete the Census
• If the population is over 50,000 (as of 2015 the estimation is 47,588) the city becomes eligible for additional federal funding and programs that are not currently available
Council Goal, Objective, and/or Guiding Principle
Littleton will remain ENGAGED and civic-minded in all matters affecting the direction and priorities of city government and the community. Meaningful interactions must involve committed elected officials, informed residents, and other partner organizations and agencies interested in Littleton as it is today and will be tomorrow.
By supporting the grant application for the 2020 census, Council is providing staff with the best opportunity for the needed resources to ensure that the 2020 Census is complete, accurate, and works to identify all communities in Littleton, including the hard-to-contact communities.
Fiscal Impacts
See attached spreadsheet.
Alternatives
1. Deny support for grant funds and use only the budgeted amount for 2020 Census.
2. Support the grant application, proving the best opportunity for success.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of Resolution 52-2019.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Resolution 52-2019 endorsing an application by the city for funding from DOLA to assist with the 2020 Census.