100-2000 LTC
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
http:\\ci,miami-beach,fJ,us
L.T.C. No.100-2000
LETTER TO COMMISSION
May 9, 2000
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TO:
Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
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FROM:
Lawrence A. Levy ~
City Manager
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SUBJECT: CENSUS 2000 UPDATE: ENUMERATION
The City achieved the goals set forth during the mail-in campaign of Census 2000 as described in
the Status Report on Census 2000 Activities Letter To Commission, dated March 15,2000. The next
phase of the Census, the enumeration, extends through June, Census officials have asked the City
to prepare residents for Census workers that will go door to door to count people in those residences
that did not return a Census form.
The attached schedule outlines activities that will prepare residents for the enumeration campaign
of Census 2000, by fostering a positive presence within the community, The focus events are on
May 13,2000, a county wide census awareness day organized by the Complete Count Committee.
The City will host two events, In North Beach, Neighborhoods First volunteers will meet at
Biscayne Elementary at 9:00 am to begin canvassing the neighborhood in support of the Census. On
Lincoln Road at the intersection of Euclid A venue, volunteers will meet at 10:00 am to do the same
for South Beach. There will be complimentary tee shirts for children and teens volunteering in
Census activities this day.
The attached booklet is the City's "Guide to Encouraging Census Participation in Your Residential
Community" developed by the Community Development Division, This is an organizational tool
for condo or homeowner's associations in order to increase response rates within designated areas
of the City.
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CENSUS 2000
ENUMERATION CAMPAIGN AWARENESS
The City of Miami Beach, May 2000
CITY HALL Strate!.w
May 2 Large Posters for all Departments and Satellite facilities
May 4 Flyers: Privacy for employee information
May 8 Flyers: Five Reasons to Support the Census 2000
May 9 Census Buttons: For employees who greet the public
CIVIC & FAITH ORGANIZATIONS
May 9 Send letter wi enclosures to 150 organizations
. City Guide to the Census for Civic Organizations
.:. Area low response results
. Official Census Leaflets
.:. Sample Text for Community Newsletters
. Offer posters that groups can pick up at City Hall,
CONDO CORRIDORS (West Ave & Collins Ave up from 23rd)
May 3 Compile list of condo associations
May 5 Create City Guide to the Census for Condos
May 8 Locate high-density problem areas
. Create short list of high-density condos
May 9
May 9
May 11
Receive Postal Supplies for mailing
Send letter wi enclosures to 150 organizations
. City Guide to the Census
. Official Census Leaflets
. Poster and leaflets,
Contact condo associations for phone follow up,
RESIDENTIAL AREAS
Target Areas: Flamingo Park FP North Beach NB
April 29
May 5, 6 7
May 10
May 12
May 13
May 17
May 25
FP MBCDC sends Official Census Information in
400 affordable housing letters,
FP "SINKO" de Mayo -Water Festival event on South Beach,
FP Contact three rental management to allocate space in their rental offices
or buildings for flyers (Chrisken, Regatta, Streamline)
FP/NB Contact NBDC & MBCDC to put up posters in their locations,
North Beach: Neighborhoods First and JASS kids canvas,
Kick off 9:00 am Biscayne Elementary, 800 77th Street, Miami Beach
South Beach: Explorers/Mentoring kids canvas Flamingo Park.
Kick-off 10:00 am Lincoln Road at Euclid Avenue
NB UNlOAD Event at the Hispanic Community Center, 7251 Collins Avenue
FP Community Action Agency Rally, 833 6th Street
MISCELLANEOUS SUPPORT ACTIVITIES
April 26 Community Development Week Main Event
Decorate with Census posters and with flyers
Ongoing Media Publicity (In addition to Nannette)
Crawl for City Cable & PSAs on City Cable
Web page Promo
CENSUS 2000 *' MIAMI BEACH
CENSUS 2000 * MIAMI BEACH
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Encouraging
Census Participation
within your
Residential Community
a guide prepared by:
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Community Development Division
INTRODUCING CENSUS 2000 ENUMERATION
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The Founders of the United States of America promised the people fair
representation in Congress by guaranteeing a population count every ten
years. The Census is a pledge to the people that is written in Article I,
Section II of the United States Constitution.
Enumeration is the door to door counting that follows the mail-in portion of the
Census. The population count and demographic characteristics tabulated
during the Census 2000 enumeration campaign will affect our City for the next
decade. Federal, State, County and City government services are all
determined in some measure by Census statistics.
The City of Miami Beach urges residential communities to support the
three Citywide g08l51or the Censu52000 enumeration campaign.
* Increase A warenelS
* Encourage Participation
* Anticipate Concerns
Disaster relief, emergency fire, medical and law enforcement assistance,
education standards, youth and elderly programs, health and housing
benefits, business redevelopment, and public and private transportation
systems are just a few of the many areas that will be impacted by how
Census 2000 defines our Miami Beach community.
The City of Miami Beach wants its residents to get their fair share. It is
widely believed that our population was vastly under counted in 1990. This
effects not only the quantity but the quality of service to our residents. To
increase our level of service, we need an accurate' population count, growth
rate and demographic picture of Miami Beach.
The response rate from the Census 2000 mail-in campaign was extremely low
throughout the city. This low response rate may be an indication that
residents are not gMng the Census the importance it merits.
The City urges residents to support Census 2000,
CENSUS 2000 * MIAMI BEACH
INCREASE AWARENESS
In order to reach the goal of full participation, increasing the community's
awareness of the current Census is essential. Residents who did not mail in
their forms before April 27, 2000 should expect a visit by a Census employee
called an enumemtor. The objective of the Awareness campaign is to foster a
positive image of the Census prior to these visits, Your help in facilitating
awareness will ensure that both residents and Census employees have a
pleasant, gratifying experience,
Even though there are other possible methods to respond to the Census, a
visit from an enumerator will be the most common way Miami Beach
residents respond to this part of the Census. Increasing the visibility c:I
Census 2000 will lessen any discomfort or surprise and can help to
accommodate special situations ahead of time.
Tools to Increase Awareness
This packet provides:
* Smithsonian Edition Census posters for your
lobby, bulletin boards or common areas
* Suggested text for community newsletters
* A City Contact & Internet address for additional
information
* Sample announcements for meetings and social
events
* Proposed insert for mailings
* Official informational leaflets to hand out at
meetings and social events
* ,Short video presentations are available upon request
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CENSUS 2000 *" MIAMI BEACH
Smithsonian Edition Census Posters
For the first time in history, the Bureau of the Census negotiated with the
Smithsonian Institute for the right to use the images of key American artists
on its select poster series. These are an attractive addition to lobby or
common areas that will increase the presence of the census in your
community with very little effort. Additional posters are available.
Suggested Text for Community Newsletters
The following is an example of a short news item to include in newsletters and
notices that are distributed within your community.
Census 2000 Continues
During May and June, Census workers will visit those
residents that missed the April deadline for mailing in
their US Census forms. During this time, be on the
look out for Census workers. They carry three forms fA
official identification but will usually be dressed in
casual street clothes,
Sample Announcements for Meetings and Social Events
Association President:
"I want to remind everyone that the deadline for you to
mail in your Census form has passed. For the next
few months, Census workers will be going door to door
to count those that missed this deadline.
The City contacted our association and asked us to
mention this because our neighborhood had a very low
mail-in response rate. I have more Census information
for those who are interested."
Contact Information & Internet Address
Your City Contact is:
Stacy Kilroy
The City of Miami Beach
CommunitylEconomic Development Office
1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone: 305-673-7000, extension 6192,
Email: stacykilroy@ci.miami.beach.fJ.us
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CENSUS 2000 * MIAMI BEACH
The toll free Census Helpline phone number is:
1-800-471-9492
The Census web site is:
http:/www.census.gov/
The City's web site is:
http://cl.mlaml..beach.fl.us
Three Census offices have jurisdiction for Miami Beach. If you have
questions, these offices can be very helpful.
Miami
NationsBank Building
3rd Floor, Suite 300
Miami, 33142-5581
30~33-1857
Miami-Dade NE
1040 71 st Street. Suite 100
Miami Beach, FL 33141
305-864-0358
Miami Springs
Eastern Financial Credit Union Building
700 S. Royal Poinciana. Suite 600
Miami Springs, 33166-6668
305-885-7572
VISIT THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH ON THE WORLD WIDE WEBI
ci. miami-beach. fl. us
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CENSUS 2000 * MIAMI BEACH
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SAMPLE MAILING INSERT
The insert can be copied three
times onto an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet
of paper in landscape
orientation (horizontal).
CENSUS 2000
Don't leave Our Future Blank
Miami Beach residents
need their fair share of:
Landscape Orientation
Disaster Relief
Emergency Services
Law Enforcement
Elderly Programs
Health and
Housing Benefits
Business
Redevelopment
Public Transportation
A Census Worker may visit
your home soon. Before you
let them in, ask to see their
three official identifications.
*******
The United States Constitution
promises 8 Census evety ten
years to preserve the American
principle of fair representation.
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CENSUS 2000 . MIAMI BEACH
Official Informational Leaflets
The leaflets accompanying this packet may be duplicated and dispersed at
public meetings and social events.
Short Video Presentations
Upon request your City Census contact can temporarily provide a Census
information video.
ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION
By providing residents with both answers to questions and additional
opportunities that promote participation. your community can join together to
make an active difference in Miami Beach's Census response rate. Because
it has been determined that residential communities in your general area have
had a very low response rate in the mail in campaign, several suggestions are
offered,
Tools to Encourage PartiCipation
This packet contains brief summaries on suggested activities to assist with
the enumeration within your community.
* Identifying Census Liaisons that organize
activities in your community.
* Organizing a Basic Census Awareness
Meeting to provide information
* Meeting Your Enumerators
* Finding Volunteers to assist your Census
Liaison with special needs
* Planning a Group Enumeration Session
* Creating 8 Phone Tree or other methods to
remind residents of activities
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CENSUS 2000 . MIAMI BEACH
ldentifyina Census Uaisons
To actively participate in Census 2000, your community should designate a
point of contact to distribute information and organize meetings. If the
community has an existing homeowner's association, it might be easier to
select a willing volunteer from the board. The important criteria to consider
are organizational skills, dedication to the Census project and a willingness to
work with the Census enumerators and your City Census contact.
Oraanizina a Basic Census Awareness Meetina
Once a Census Liaison has been selected. it may be helpful to hold a general
Census awareness meeting that coincides with either a homeowner's meeting
or any existing social event. At this time, general Census information can be
given to residents and special concerns can be discussed. Upon request,
your City Census contact can also provide a short video to view at this
meeting.
Because the enumeration happens during May and June 2000, it is best to
hold this meeting as soon as possible.
Meetina the Enumerator
One of the best ways to promote confidence in the Census is to have
residents in larger communities meet their enumerators. Your Census Liaison
should consult your City Census contact to arrange this meeting immediately
in order to accommodate the busy work schedule of your enumerators.
Remember many enumerators work two or three jobs so this option may not
be possible before the enumerator visits your community for its official
enumeration,
Findina VOlunteers
The best time to seek volunteers is at your Census Awareness meeting.
Volunteers can assist the Census liaison in hanging posters and distributing
Census leaflets within the community. Volunteers can also be called upon to
assist residents with special needs in responding to a visit by the Census
enumerator.
Because Census answers are confidential. residents who request volunteer
assistance from within your community must realize incorporating a another
person into an enumeration visit may allow for disclosure of their personal
information. This is a voluntary situation.
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CENSUS 2000 .. MIAMI BEACH
Plannina a GrouD Enumeration Session
It may also be possible to arrange a voluntary group enumeration session for
groups of twenty or more. To utilize this option, your Census Liaison should
call your City Cehsus contact as soon as possible in order to integrate the
session into the enumerator's existing work schedule.
Your City Census contact will discuss your residents' special needs and
asses whether a group session is the best choice for the situation.
Additionally, it is important to remember that attending a group session does
imply that a resident did not mail-in their Census fonn by the deadline. Those
attending a voluntary group session choose to implicitly reveal this
confidential fact.
Creatina a Phone Tree
Creating a phone tree is an excellent method to keep residents informed of
meetings and scheduled enumeration sessions. The idea is that every person
calls and reminds five other people about events.
Another option is to post flyers and put information in newsletters.
ANTICIPATE THE CONCERNS OF YOUR COMMUNITY
Census 2000 is the largest peacetime effort in United States history.
Therefore, it is understandable that many residents may have questions about
the Census process and the relevance of the Census to their lives.
This packet contains official Census leaflets that address many of these
issues. Please provide these leaflets to residents by allocating space within
your common areas or by posting them on bulletin boards. Additional
information can be obtained through your City Census contact. However, the
volume of information on the Census is as big as the event itself.
Consequently, several key topic categories that may be of interest to your
specific community are summarized in this packet.
* Why the Census Is Important
* How to Participate in the Census
* Privacy & Safety
* Residence Definitions
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CENSUS 2000 . MIAMI BEACH
WHY THE CENSUS IS IMPORTANT
Helo Your Community Thrive.
Does your neighborhood have a lot of traffic congestion, elderly people living
alone or overcrowded schools? Census numbers can help your community
workout public improvement strategies. Non-profit organizations use census
numbers to estimate the number of potential volunteers in communities.
Get Helo in Times of Need.
Many 911 emergency systems are based on maps developed for the last
census. Census information helps health providers predict the spread of disease
through communities with children or elderly people, When floods, tornadoes or
earthquakes hit, the census tells rescuers how many people will need their help.
VV17en Hunicane Andrew hit South Florida in 1992, census information aided the
rescue effort by providing estimates of the number of people in each block.
Make Government Work for You.
The Census tells our leaders who we are and what we need. The numbers are
used to determine the distribution of hundreds of billions of dollars in federal and
state funds for hospitals, highways, stadiums, school lunch programs and more.
Senior citizens in one New England community successful argued for a new
community center using Census numbers as support.
Reduce Risk for American Business,
Because census numbers help industry reduce financial risk and locate potential
markets, businesses are able to produce the products you want. "All the Basic
Facts You Need to Know to Start a New Business," a publication of the
Massachusetts Department of Commerce, shows small businesses how to use-
census numbers to determine the marketability of new products.
Help Yourself and Your Familv.
Individual records are held confidential for 72 years, but you can request a
certificate from past censuses that can be used as proof to establish your age,
residence or relationship, information that could help you qualify for a pension,
establish citizenship or obtain an inheritance. In 2072, your great-grandchildren
may want to use census information to research family history. Right now, your
children may be using census information to do their homework. Because we've
had a census every 10 years since 1790, we know how far America has come.
The law protects your privacy. Individual answers are edited and summed
before they are released to the public,
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CENSUS 2000 . MIAMI BEACH
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CENSUS
The Enumerator Visits Resident Homes
If the resident did not respond by the mail-in deadline. an enumerator will still
be sent to visit that address. Residents that sent in their form after the
deadline should tell this to their enumerator,
For five out of every six residents. the enumerator will ask just a few questions
that should take no more than fifteen minutes. However, some residents will
be asked longer. more detailed questions. This is a particularly important
element of the Census as it helps to determine social and emergency
services for your area. While these services may not be used by all
residents, it is vital to remember those residents currently in need and those
who may need help in the Mure.
Your Residential Community Schedules a Grouo Session
This option is a unique idea developed by the City in partnership with the
Miami East office of the Census. Please refer to the Tools for Encouragina
Participation Section for suggestions on how to schedule a session,
In order for this option to work, groups of at twenty or more residents are
preferred and a designated Community Liaison is also needed. However,
depending on the circumstances, such as special needs of residents or the
availability of the enumerator. many types of arrangements can be
accommodated.
Te/eohonina in Answel'S to 1-800-471-9424
The Census provides this telephone number for those seeking Census
information. It can also be used to phone in your Census answers. Success
with this option may vary as this phone service was not originally created for
the enumeration. For example. residents may need to have their original
Census form when they call. The choice to pursue this option is not
necessarily recommended but is available.
PRIVACY
Census answers are private. This is guaranteed by law. No other
organization has access to your Census answers. Not the IRS. Not INS. No
one. Even the fact that you may not have filled out a Census form is
considered confidential.
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CENSUS 2000 ;Iff MIAMI BEACH
SAFETY
* Census enumerators carry three forms cI
official identification.
* Census enumerators never ask for social
security or bank account numbers.
It is the goal of the Census to assign enumerators to the communities in
which they live. Counting one's own neighbors is far easier than counting
strangers in an unfamiliar section of town.
However, this circumstance is not always possible and in general the
enumerator will be a stranger. The Census has taken several measures to
ensure your safety and satisfaction. Potential enumerators must pass a
background check and a general skills test before they are rigorously trained
in Census procedures and resident concerns.
Census enumerators carry three forms of identification at all times. Always
ask to see all three forms identification. Census enumerators may not
necessarily wear Census clothes.
RESIDENCE DEFINITIONS
While no formula for determining residency is perfect, it is only fair that all US
communities use the same criteria nationwide. The following definitions are
provided by the Census:
The Canceot af Usual Residence
Planners of the first U.S. decennial census in 1790 established the concept of
"usual residence" as the main principle in determining where people were to be
counted. This concept has been fol/owed in all subsequent censuses and is the
guiding principle for Census 2000.
Us'ual residence has been defined as the place where the person lives and
sleeps most of the time. This place is not necessarily the same as the person's
voting residence or legal residence. Noncitizens who are living in the United
States are included, regardless of their immigration status.
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CENSUS 2000 *' MIAMI BEACH
People with Multiole Residences
Commuter workers living away part of the week while working
Counted at the residence where they stay most of the week,
Snowbirds (people who live in one state but spend the winter in another state,)
Counted at the residence where they live most of the year,
Children in joint custody
Counted at the residence where they live most of the time, If time is equally divided, they are
counted where they are staying on Census Day.
People who own more than one residence
Counted at the residence where they live most of the time.
Peoole Awav on Vacation or Business Trips
People temporarily away on vacation or a business trip on Census Day
Counted at their usual residence, that is, the place where they live and sleep most of the time,
Foreign Citizens
Citizens of foreign countries who have established a household or are part of an
established U.S. household while working or studying, including family with them,
Counted at the household.
Citizens of foreign countries who are living in the U.S. at embassies, ministries,
legations, or consulates
Counted at the embassy, etc.
Citizens of foreign countries temporarily traveling or visiting in the U.S.
Not included in the census.
People Without Housing
People without a usual residence
Counted where they are staying on Census Day, April 1, 2000.
Students
Boarding school students
Counted at their parental home rather than at the boarding school.
College students living away from home while attending college
Counted where they are living at college.
College students living at their parental home while attending college
Counted at their parental home,
Live-ins
Live-in nannies
Counted where they live most of the week.
Foster children
Counted where they are living.
RQomers or boarders
Counted where they are living,
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