Laserfiche WebLink
Scientific Polling Services <br />November 4, 2025 <br />Page 2 <br />5 <br />4 <br />1 <br />1 <br />Proposals were solicited, opened on September 3, 2025, and evaluated. Five proposals <br />were determined to be responsive to the specifications and met the City’s requirements. <br />An evaluation committee reviewed and rated the proposals according to the criteria <br />listed in the RFP. <br />Staff recommends awarding an agreement to the highest-ranked firm, True North <br />Research, Inc. (Exhibit 1). True North Research, Inc. has significant experience with a <br />large number of California cities, a competitive price proposal for polling services, and <br />the ability to provide a full range of services after the initial poll; including public <br />communications, graphics, and writing a ballot measure. <br />In Phase 1 of the project, True North Research, Inc. will design and implement a survey <br />that produces valid and reliable measures of opinion from the voting population. Using a <br />stratified and clustered random sampling methodology, True North Research, Inc. will <br />recruit participation via email invitations, text invitations, and telephone calls. Survey <br />data will be collected by telephone or online participation in English, Spanish, or <br />Vietnamese. A sample size of 600 completed surveys will achieve a +/- 4% margin of <br />error at the 95% confidence level. The proposed agreement allows for a sample size of <br />up to 800 completed surveys to test two different finance mechanisms at a cost of <br />$38,250. The results of the baseline survey will be presented to City Council. If the <br />survey results are promising and the City Council chooses to move forward to Phase 2 <br />of the project, the agreement allows for the following optional services: <br />Consulting on measure preparation, strategy, and communications at a cost of <br />up to $80,000 ($10,000 per month for up to 8 months); <br />A tracking survey in summer 2026 at a cost of $31,500; and <br />Preparation and mailing of a single multilingual educational piece to all 64,115 <br />registered voter households at a cost of $48,500. <br />ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT <br />There is no environmental impact associated with this action. <br />FISCAL IMPACT <br />Funding of $38,250 for the baseline survey is available in the current FY 2025-26 <br />budget. If the City Council directs staff to move forward with Phase 2 activities with a <br />cost of up to $160,000, staff may request an additional appropriation with the Midyear <br />budget report. <br /> <br />Fiscal <br />Year <br />Account Unit <br />- Account # <br />Fund Description Accounting Unit, <br />Account Description <br />Amount <br />FY 25-26 01105015- <br />62300 <br />General Fund Non-Departmental $38,250