HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-08-21 I09 Special Census AgreementAGENDA ITEM:
CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING COMMUNICATION
MEETING DATE: August 21, 2023
AGENDA ITEM:Resolution Authorizing and Executing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
with the United States Census Bureau to Conduct a Special Census within the
City of Waukee
FORMAT:Resolution
SYNOPSIS INCLUDING PRO & CON: The City has engaged the Census Bureau to conduct a full
special census to reflect new population not captured in the 2020 decennial census. For each new
resident recognized within the City limits, the City would realize $128.50 in new Road Use Tax
revenue from the State of Iowa. According to staff estimates, the return on investment would be less
than one year. Once the special census is complete, the Census Bureau will provide the City with its
new population count and block-level special census data.
FISCAL IMPACT INCLUDING COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS: After the MOA is approved by
City Council, the City would submit an upfront payment of $679,275 based on
the Census Bureau estimate. After the special census is complete, actual
expenses will be reconciled against the estimate. If expenses are insufficient,
the City will submit payment for the balance. If the estimate exceeded the
expenses, the Census Bureau will refund the excess amount. Apart from this
agreement, the City would be responsible for marketing/outreach costs and
office space rental expense.
COMMISSION/BOARD/COMMITTEE COMMENT: N/A
STAFF REVIEW AND COMMENT:
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the resolution to authorize the memorandum of agreement and
upfront payment
ATTACHMENTS: I. Waukee Iowa Model Agreement
PREPARED BY: Nick Osborne, Assistant City Administrator
REVIEWED BY: Steve Brick, City Attorney
PUBLIC NOTICE INFORMATION –
NAME OF PUBLICATION:
DATE OF PUBLICATION:
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THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
RESOLUTION 2023-
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND EXECUTING A MEMORANDUM OF
AGREEMENT (MOA) WITH THE UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU TO
CONDUCT A SPECIAL CENSUS WITHIN THE CITY OF WAUKEE
IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
WHEREAS, the City of Waukee, Iowa is a duly organized municipality within Dallas
County; AND,
WHEREAS, the City of Waukee has been one of the fastest growing communities in
Iowa and the City wishes to conduct a full special census to reflect new population since
2020; AND,
WHEREAS, the MOA requires the City submit an upfront payment of $679,275 based
on a Census Bureau cost estimate that will be reconciled against actual expenses and will
separately provide for outreach/marketing and office space; AND,
WHEREAS, the MOA dictates that the Census Bureau will begin the special census on
June 1, 2024.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Waukee City Council in
session this 21st day of August, 2023, that the memorandum of agreement with the United
States Census Bureau and upfront payment is hereby approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor is authorized to execute any and all
documents to effectuate the memorandum of agreement.
____________________________
Courtney Clarke, Mayor
Attest:
___________________________________
Rebecca D. Schuett, City Clerk
RESULTS OF VOTE: AYE NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Anna Bergman Pierce
R. Charles Bottenberg
Chris Crone
Larry R. Lyon
Ben Sinclair
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Memorandum of Agreement
Through Which
The City of Waukee, Iowa
Is Purchasing a Special Census
From the U.S. Census Bureau
Agreement No. 0071-FY23-REI-19176-000
1) Parties and Scope
This document establishes an agreement between the City of Waukee, Iowa (Governmental
Unit) and the Decennial Census Management Division, U.S. Census Bureau, through which the
Governmental Unit will pay the Census Bureau to take a special census under the authority of 13
United States Code (U.S.C.) § 196.
2) Authority
The Census Bureau may undertake this work pursuant to 13 U.S.C. § 196, which provides that
the “Secretary may conduct special censuses for the government of any State, or of any county,
city, or other political subdivision within a State, for the government of the District of Columbia,
and for the government of any possession or area (including political subdivisions thereof)
referred to in Section 191(a) of this title, on subjects covered by the censuses provided for in this
title, upon payment to the Secretary of the actual or estimated cost of each such special census.
The results of each such special census shall be designated ‘Official Census Statistics.’ These
statistics may be used in the manner provided by applicable law.”
3) Cost Estimate
The Governmental Unit is responsible for all costs of taking the special census including, but not
limited to, appropriately furnished office quarters, total compensation of all field enumeration
and supervisory personnel, compensation of Census Bureau headquarters and regional office
personnel for time allocated to the special census, overhead for headquarters and regional
offices, processing and tabulation of data, and all other costs attributable to taking the special
census. Based on the following factors the estimated cost for these services is $679,275:
• Governmental Unit-provided estimated population of 30,840,
• Governmental Unit -provided estimated housing unit count of 13,292, and
• Governmental Unit -provided characteristics of the area(s) in which the special census
will be conducted (including but not limited to geographic size, count of potential group
quarters and transitory locations, and potential recent annexations).
A payment of that amount shall be furnished to the Census Bureau before any work on the
special census is performed. The advance payment will be adjusted to actual costs and additional
billing or refunds will be made as appropriate.
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On a periodic basis, the parties will reconcile balances related to revenue and expenses for work
performed under the agreement.
a) The Census Bureau shall directly pay field representatives, field supervisors, and other
temporary personnel hired locally to conduct the actual enumeration, at rates of pay fixed
by the Census Bureau and based on the local area pay rates.
i) The Government Unit shall provide advance payment to the Census Bureau and/or
United States for all funds to be expended by the Census Bureau resulting from
payments to the Department of Labor under applicable federal workers’
compensation and unemployment benefits laws.
b) In addition to the salary expenses to be paid directly by the Census Bureau to all
temporary employees hired locally, the Governmental Unit agrees to provide advance
payment for all other expenses related to the taking of the special census, including but
not limited to:
i) administrative and technical work performed by headquarters and regional personnel;
ii) printing and preparation of enumeration questionnaires and related materials;
iii) map preparation;
iv) tabulation expenses;
v) the cost of the designated Census Bureau employee’s salary, allowances for
subsistence at the standard federal rate per day, traveling expenses, other reasonable
and necessary expenses, and overhead and other charges applicable to these costs;
and
vi) other incidental expenses incurred by the Census Bureau in completing the special
census.
In accordance with (3)(b) if actual cost exceeds the advance payment, the additional payment to
the Census Bureau is due in full, 30 days from the date of the invoice.
4) Terms and Conditions
Acknowledging the foregoing, the parties agree as follows:
a) The Census Bureau will receive reimbursement for all identifiable costs for the goods and
services it is providing under this agreement:
i) The Census Bureau employee(s) shall oversee all aspects of the enumeration
including the hiring, training, and separation of field representatives, field
supervisors, and other temporary personnel employed locally to take the special
census. The designated Census Bureau employee(s) shall exercise day-to-day
technical supervision of these employees. All such temporary personnel shall be
Federal Government employees and neither the Governmental Unit nor any
representative of the Governmental Unit shall supervise, exercise control over, or in
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any other way interfere with such employees in the performance of their
responsibilities.
ii) The Governmental Unit shall update maps of the proposed special census area in
accordance with instructions provided by the Census Bureau. The Governmental Unit
shall provide any certification of legal boundaries within the proposed special census
area as required by the Census Bureau. Once the Governmental Unit boundaries have
been certified by the Census Bureau, these boundaries will become the official
boundaries for the special census. Additionally, any annexations after the
Governmental Unit has certified its boundaries will not be included in the special
census. The special census will not be scheduled until these obligations have been
completed to the satisfaction of the Census Bureau.
iii) The Census Bureau shall provide to the Governmental Unit the official population
and housing unit count derived from the special census at the earliest practicable date
after completion of the enumeration and the processing required to produce the
statistical results, including but not limited to disclosure avoidance review (see
Section 6). This count, which shall be as of the special census reference date
(tentatively scheduled for June 1, 2024), will be provided in writing and signed by an
appropriate Census Bureau official.
iv) The Census Bureau will not guarantee delivery of the final count by any specified
date and shall not be held responsible for any loss or damages suffered by the
Governmental Unit due to the data not being available by a specific date.
b) The Governmental Unit accepts that responses to a special census, unlike a decennial
census, are voluntary and some respondents may choose to not answer some questions.
When this happens, the Census Bureau will make every effort to collect as much
information as possible. If the Census Bureau cannot obtain information directly from
respondents, the Census Bureau will follow statistical procedures to assign the missing
information based on information provided by people in the housing unit or from people
from neighboring housing units.
The Governmental Unit also accepts that, to complete the count of the group quarters
population, it may be necessary for the Census Bureau to obtain information for people
residing in certain institutions (such as correctional facilities with security issues) from
administrative records rather than from the respondents themselves. The Census Bureau
will provide detailed statistical results to the Governmental Unit subject to limitations
imposed by Title 13 United States Code to protect the confidentiality of respondents.
Further, the Governmental Units accepts that Domestic Violence Shelters are out of
scope for the special census and will not be included in any special census enumeration.
c) The Census Bureau can only use the special census counts in the intercensal population
estimates program if:
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i.) the entire area of a governmental unit is included in the special census, and
ii.) the legal boundaries of the governmental unit correspond to those used in the
Population Estimates program (boundaries legally in effect on January 1 of the
estimates year), and
iii.) the boundaries are reported to the Census Bureau for processing by March 1 of the
estimates year, and
iv.) final approved counts from the special census enumeration are ready by August 1 of
the estimates year.
If a Governmental Unit requests a partial special census, they do so with the
understanding that the results of this partial special census will not be included in any
subsequent Census Bureau population estimates.
d) A Governmental Unit can request a special census for the entire area encompassed by
that Governmental Unit, known as a full special census, or for only a portion of their
area, known as a partial special census. A partial special census is conducted using the
same methodologies and procedures as a full special census, but it is for a subset of areas
within the jurisdiction of the local Governmental Unit. The areas requested in a partial
special census must contain at least one full census tract that is completely within the
jurisdiction of the Governmental Unit and can contain additional contiguous tracts or
census blocks that are within the jurisdiction of the Governmental Unit.
In addition to impacting cost, the geography included in the special census may impact
which data products the Governmental Units receive based on disclosure avoidance
considerations. Regardless of the scope of the special census, the Governmental Unit will
receive a letter from the director of the U.S. Census Bureau and a block-level special
census data product that contains total population and total housing unit counts for the
Governmental Unit. An additional data product may include a demographic profile for
the entire governmental unit or whole tracts contained within the special census area.
However, some Governmental Units may not receive the demographic profile based on
the geography for which the special census is conducted. For those impacted
Governmental Units, the Census Bureau will define the allowable data products that the
Governmental Unit will receive prior to signing the MOA.
The Governmental Unit shall accept as final the official population count and other
statistical results when provided by the Census Bureau.
e) Upon request, the Governmental Unit shall supply – free of charge – satisfactory office
space, other equipment, and furnishings as determined necessary and proper by the
Census Bureau. This information will be included in an initial letter from the Regional
Director to the Governmental Unit. These quarters must meet all security and
confidentiality requirements as agreed to by the Census Bureau representative.
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f) In taking the special census, the Census Bureau is directly responsible for compensating
all field personnel determined necessary by the Census Bureau for taking the special
census. The Census Bureau shall hire sufficiently qualified applicants for field
representatives, field supervisors, and other positions as may be needed to complete the
special census. Employees shall be selected for employment and separated under
standards established by the Census Bureau, and shall take an oath or affirmation, as
required, to protect the confidentiality of the information they collect. The Census Bureau
shall be responsible for all administrative operations relating to the reconcilement and
payment of these employees.
Such field personnel shall be and remain employees of the Census Bureau, subject to all
applicable federal, state, and local laws, including but not limited to those pertaining to
the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act applicable to
these employees, and shall complete and file any and all reports required thereunder.
g) The Governmental Unit is responsible for promoting the special census through locally-
based targeted outreach efforts. This promotion may inform people about the special
census, encourage people to apply to recruiting efforts, and/or encourage people living in
the applicable area to respond.
h) All temporary staff hired to conduct the special census, including but not limited to field
representatives and field supervisors, are employees of the Federal Government.
Therefore, regarding the negligent or wrongful acts of any temporary employees arising
from their employment pursuant to this MOA, any claims and/or litigation arising from
said acts will be adjudicated pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. 2671 et
seq. (see section (3)(a)(ii) herein regarding reimbursement and indemnification
requirements).
5) Confidentiality
The data, including individual information collected by the enumerators on the special
census questionnaires, collected under this agreement are confidential under 13 U.S.C. § 9.
All such special census questionnaires and all other papers relating to the special census are
the property of the Census Bureau and under the law may only be made available to and
examined by sworn Census Bureau officials and employees. Unlawful disclosure subjects
Census Bureau employees to a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or
both.
Should the Governmental Unit require access to Title 13 data to assist in the planning, data
collection, data analysis, or production of final products, those staff members are required to
obtain Census Bureau Special Sworn Status pursuant to 13 U.S.C. § 23(c). Such staff
members must demonstrate that they have suitable background clearance, and they must take
Title 13 awareness training. Any access to Title 13 data at the Governmental Unit’s facility is
subject to prior approval by the Census Bureau’s Data Stewardship Executive Policy
Committee upon assurance that the facility security and information technology security
meet Census Bureau requirements.
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6) Disclosure Avoidance Review of Statistical Products
Title 13, Section 9 of the U.S.C. requires the Census Bureau to keep confidential the information
collected from the public under the authority of Title 13. Section 214 of Title 13, U.S.C., and
Sections 3551, 3559 and 3571 of Title 18, U.S.C., provide for the imposition of penalties of up to
five years in prison and/or up to $250,000.00 in fines for wrongful disclosure of confidential
Census information.
Disclosure avoidance is the process for protecting the confidentiality of data, as required under
Title 13 U.S.C. A disclosure of data occurs when someone can use published statistical
information to identify an individual who has provided confidential information. For data
tabulations, the Census Bureau uses disclosure avoidance procedures to modify or remove the
characteristics that put confidential information at risk for disclosure. Although a published table
may appear to show information about a specific individual, the Census Bureau has taken steps
to disguise or suppress the original data, while making sure the results are still useful. The
techniques used by the Census Bureau to protect confidentiality in tabulations vary, depending
on the type of data.
Noise injection is the Census Bureau’s preferred disclosure avoidance technique. By policy,
noise injection is to be applied to all data products that are reported at geographic areas with
small populations (GASP). For the purposes of this guidance, a GASP is a population that is
smaller than the smallest population of any congressional district.
In cases when it is not feasible to fully implement noise injection within the period of the
contract, a transition plan for implementing noise injection or other provable privacy methods
must be developed in coordination with the Census Bureau. Noise injection may be required for
microdata releases, depending on the characteristics of the microdata and the specific variables
that are to be released. Data that cannot be publicly released may still be analyzed within the
Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (FSRDCs) by individuals who have Special Sworn
Status (SSS); the results of such analyses must still go through a disclosure avoidance process
prior to being publicly released.
The parties understand that Title 13 confidentiality protection and disclosure avoidance
techniques apply to all work described in this agreement. The disclosure avoidance methods are
defined by the Census Bureau who has the responsibility of carrying out that work. Accordingly,
upon completion of the tabulation, the data produced must be reviewed by the Census Bureau to
ensure that no identifiable Title 13 data are or may be disclosed.
Should the Census Bureau’s Disclosure Review Board (DRB) determine that the requested
statistical product does or reasonably could result in such disclosure, then the data product will
be modified prior to approval for release to the party(ies) of this agreement. The DRB must
approve before a research product can be released to an individual who does not have SSS and a
need to know or moved to a computer not approved for controlled data according to the Census
Bureau’s existing policies and procedures.
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7) Contacts
Christopher M. Denno
Special Census Program Manager
Decennial Census Programs
U.S. Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road
Special Census Branch
Suitland, MD 20746
301-763-4092
christopher.m.denno@census.gov
Nick Osborne
Assistant City Administrator, City of Waukee
230 W. Hickman Road, Waukee, IA 50263
515-978-7902
nosborne@Waukee.org
The parties agree that if there is a change regarding the information in this section, the party
making the change will notify the other party in writing of such change.
8) Duration of Agreement, Amendments, and Modifications
This agreement will become effective when signed by all parties. The agreement will terminate
on June 1, 2025, but may be amended at any time by mutual consent of the parties. Any party
may terminate this agreement by providing 30 days’ written notice to the other party. This
agreement is subject to the availability of funds.
9) Resolution of Disagreements
Should a disagreement arise on the interpretation of the provisions of this agreement, or
amendments, and/or revisions thereto, that cannot be resolved at the operating level, the area(s)
of disagreement shall be stated in writing by each party and presented to the other party for
consideration. If agreement on interpretation is not reached within thirty days, the parties shall
forward the written presentation of the disagreement to respective higher officials for appropriate
resolution.
10) Termination Cost
If the City of Waukee, Iowa cancels the order, the Census Bureau is authorized to collect costs
incurred prior to cancellation of the order plus any termination costs, up to the total payment
amount provided for under this agreement.
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FOR THE GOVERNMENTAL UNIT FOR THE CENSUS BUREAU
BY: BY:
_______________________________ _______________________________
NAME: Deborah Stempowski
DATE: DATE:
TITLE: Associate Director for Decennial Census
City of Waukee, Iowa Bureau of the Census