TITLE
Resolution authorizing the City Clerk, Director of City Planning and the Director of Finance, on behalf of City Council, to enter into agreement/agreements and/or contract or contracts with the County of Allegheny, the School District of Pittsburgh and the School District Reapportionment Commission for School Districts of the First Class A for the purpose of a joint purchasing agreement with the ESRI Corporation and/or the Caliper Corporation for software and technical assistance related to redistricting. Cost not to exceed forty thousand dollars ($40,000).
BODY
Whereas, City Council is mandated by the state's Municipal Reapportionment Law to redefine the boundaries of its 9 Council Districts to conform with population changes and shifts pursuant to the 2010 Census; and,
Whereas, the state's Public School Code mandates that the city's school district, a School District of the First Class A, redefine the boundaries of its 9 Director districts to conform to population shifts and changes pursuant to the 2010 Census; and,
Whereas, cities like Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Los Angeles, California have opted to open the traditionally "backroom" process of redistricting to the public using technology and the Internet; and,
Whereas, City Council has a legitimate desire to ensure that these processes are as apolitical as possible; and,
Whereas, there is a clear public benefit in making this process as open and transparent as possible for the County's residents; and,
Whereas, City Council intends to make these tools available for the use of the respective Reapportionment Commission(s); and,
Whereas, a joint purchasing agreement will allow all four entities to work separately while minimizing the costs to each.
The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1: The City Clerk, Director of City Planning and the Director of Finance are hereby authorized to enter into agreement/agreements and/or contract or contra...
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