Census Complete Count Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Complete Count Committee meeting held on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at City Hall pursuant to notice duly given.

1. Meeting called to order at 1:00 p.m. by Mayor Nerenhausen.

2. Roll Call: Mayor Nerenhausen, Rose Stellmacher, Bill Draeger, Kathy Hayes, Marlene Zahn and Pastor Craig Alwin
Also present: Dan Theno

3. Moved by Zahn second by Draeger to approve of the agenda as presented.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 6 ayes

4. No Correspondence or Public Input.

5. Information by Dan Theno, U.S. Census Bureau
Dan Theno introduced himself…he is a former Mayor, who has since retired; Theno stated he is a Partnership Specialist and he oversees 11 counties; The Complete Count Committee Guide was distributed to each of the members;
a. Importance of the Census
Theno reported that the census data is used to determine such things as how many people on your county board, number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives, allocation of money for state and federal aid, etc.; The census was first conducted in 1790 and has been done every 10 years since then; When people do not respond to the census it will effect the allocations of funds the city may receive;
b. Problems with getting accurate population counts
Theno stated that 1/3 of the population does not respond to the questionnaire…some people are afraid to answer, worried about confidentiality; Theno informed the committee that the information attained through the census is completely confidential; The forms are now only 10 questions long and only take a few minutes to complete; Questionnaires will go out the end of February, beginning of March and are required to be returned by April 1, 2010; After April 1st, the Census Bureau hires people to knock on doors of those who did not return the form;
c. The need for a local Complete Count Committee
Theno stated the purpose for this committee is to educate people on the importance of the census and promote the census; Materials will be provided…i.e. pamphlets, banners, pencils, key chains, etc.; Theno stated this is Oconto’s committee not the census Committee…he is the facilitator and is here to help out…committee will meet 4 – 5 times per year; Theno suggested getting different organizations involved to promote the census…churches, schools, business groups;
d. Open discussion of things that can be done locally
Stellmacher questioned Theno as to when he projected starting this? Theno stated he would like to have another meeting within the next month to finalize a plan; He would like to see a poster in every business after the first of the year, have volunteers visit apartment buildings, lower income areas and minorities to inform of the importance of participating in the census; Zahn questioned if the forms are sent with postage due? Theno stated they are postage free, the only questions asked are the number of people in each household, their date of birth and nationality; Hayes questioned if forms can be done electronically? Theno stated not this year…maybe the next census; Alwin stated the committee should try to push the positive side of the census…only 10 questions, information is confidential; Possible promotion of the census included the following ideas: Draeger suggested having info in with the tax statements (may not be possible with new tax bill format); Information could be included on utility bills for city residents;
Distribute census materials at Copperfest, Harvest Fest, Town of Little River Pancake Breakfast, 5K Run, Air Show, County Fair, place banners on city/town halls, recruit mobile home residents to promote within their parks, have schools conduct a poster contest; Mayor will try to get representation from the school on this committee, possibly Sarah Croney; Stellmacher invited Theno to speak before the county board…beneficial to have them involved; Hayes stated Chamber of Commerce would have info on what clubs they may be able to coordinate with;
6. Next meeting: Monday, May 18, 2009 @ 1:00 p.m.
7. Moved by Hayes second by Alwin to adjourn. M/C
Meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m.

Minutes submitted by:
Carol Stewart
Deputy Clerk Treasurer