The Pacific Grove City Council approved a two-phased professional services agreement with Props and Measures (with TrueNorth Research as the recommended polling subcontractor) to complete a statistically reliable community poll and possible follow‑on outreach, not to exceed $141,530. Staff described the work as phase 1 (approximately $53,000 for initial polling and inputs) with a second phase of outreach, target polling and informational mailers that would bring the total to approximately $141,530 if the council elects to proceed.

Administrative Services Director Fred Marsh and consultant representatives described the proposed work as a scientific survey to sample registered voters and residents so the council can better understand priorities and support for potential revenue measures or capital projects. The consultant said the process would include working with city staff to craft questions about residents’ priorities and potential revenue approaches.

The proposal drew mixed public comment. Opponents questioned paying a private firm to survey residents and warned the consultant’s role could be to prepare a marketing campaign for tax measures; one online commenter said bluntly, “My tax tolerance is 0.” Other speakers and multiple councilmembers said a professionally conducted poll can capture the views of residents who do not appear at council meetings and provide guidance about which measures, if any, are likely to pass. Councilmembers emphasized the item is phased and that council can stop after the first polling phase if the results do not support moving forward.

Councilmembers debated scope and value. Questions included whether the poll could address local economic development questions (such as vacant storefronts), whether polling can test support for particular revenue mechanisms (general vs. special taxes), and whether TrueNorth’s methodology would yield statistically reliable results representative of Pacific Grove voters. Staff said the consultants routinely perform this work and offered a phased approach that returns to council after the initial survey.

The council voted to approve recommendation 2 — the professional services agreement with Props and Measures, with the phased scope and not-to-exceed amount — by voice vote; the motion passed unanimously.

What’s next: staff will begin phase 1 polling work and return to council with results; council will decide whether to proceed to additional outreach or measure-specific planning based on the survey findings.

Votes and actions: professional services agreement with Props and Measures (TrueNorth Research subcontract) approved (not to exceed $141,530) by unanimous voice vote.