CCP 07-25-2006 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 4 - July 11, 2006 New Brighton Council Minutes The Acting City Manager, Jeanna Troha introduced the item. The City Council discussed this at a work-session in June. Staffwas directed to obtain infonnation A>m Decision Resources Ltd.. The survey would be a telephone survey contacting a ~dom sample of 400 residents. Questions asked would promote resident feedback related to city fInances, taxes, city services, redevelopment, and how residents communicate with the City. The cost of the survey would be $4,600. This survey would provide the City Council with infonnation to use in preparation of the 2007 budget. It was stated there is adequate funds available in the budget. Upon approval, the survey would begin within about one week, with results expected sometiIne in mid August.:"i Council Member Batunan stated her dissatisfaction with surveys in g~p.erar; additionally she felt that by questioning 400 residents, that was a srpj::)11:()ercentage of the population.ii"iHi;ii.; Council Member Dotfmg asked the other Council Members whytJ;1ey werei~....f'f;vor of the community survey. .....,...,i.......,.,. . .ix Council Member Hoffman replied she feels a sense of trust for the professionals,,, administering the questions. Council Member Burg agreed with Council MemberHoffman, stating that Decision Resources Ltd. is experienced in this type of survey. Also it was sta@that the City Council was able to create the questions, and ameriqifn~d%l'i Mayor Larson felt that 400 willing participants would be \1eI}',x~yable, both now and in the future. ............. ........ ...,x':'.::i Council Member Dotfmg read a few samplmi9.tie~tioB~' expIaWng~hY she felt some questions are vague, and perhaps res!g.ml1tsl1'll:l~i'1"lg~fullY Ut1d.~~.tand the ~~:=~~:=~~~'~asa tool to validate a couple ofpc::gpi~",.Qf1.the council....'X!'l9'~~t ontpeCouncil?" It was stated that the resi~~p; of Ne~~tighton haY~iin.dicated in the past that they are not willing to pay~mcrease in Property taxes'i, Council Member Burg,~~~rated th:'~()1l11cil's ability~write the questions, and change wording as neCes~. .."...,........','..."i"i'..':...,....':...:...'.'.'."':"":::..:'.:i...,., .. .,',. .ix:!, Council Mem~rBauma1l.~~~9;~~e\\TClsoppo~dt9"usiTIg dollar amounts in the questionin~*'~RI3e the eI1d~~ti1i would vroy. ." counc~~~Pi15erDoffin.g,reques'W<:i.i11c1uding a questionnaire with utility bills. The AcP:rlgCity Manager;..JeannaTrn):la offered clarification on a couple items, relatiij.~!:-te, dollar amounts:~~fisiorig~sources has found that using dollar amoun~j!3.most effective beci;iJJse people tend to think in dollar amounts-not in percentagcil.Secondly, if surVeys were to be included with utility bills, the results would not 00 available in timefor 2007 budget preparation. Council Member Dptfmg questioned the directive to follow upon receiving the survey results.i',.:' Mayor Larson felt thaffl.Jair' representation of the resident's opinions on City Services would be obtalned and that would be valuable in preparing the budget. Council Member Doffmg and Bauman both reminded the others that last year it was evident that the residents at the truth in taxation hearing were opposed to tax C. creases, and a survey will reveal the same results. ouncil Member Dotfmg stated she was troubled by the fact that at a Council Retreat earlier in the year, she offered up a couple of ideas to possibly reduce the City Budget. All year long, nothing has been looked at to reduce spending. Council Member Doffmg stated she feels she owes it to the residents to keep taxes down.