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8. STAFF REPORTS A. Neighborhood Services Survey (304) Assistant to the City Manager Moore gave an overview of the project. Jennifer Franz, JD Franz, commented on the 522 interviews completed with a random sample of residents. The margin of error for a sample of this size with a 95% competence level is plus or minus 4.3%. She indicated the cooperation rate was considered good to very good. A summary of the results included neighborhoods are generally viewed as being in good condition; streets' condition, sidewalks, lighting, etc. are generally viewed as very positive or strongly positive reactions. The streets issue is somewhat ambiguous with an open ended question and showed that the streets were a priority for City attention. This is viewed as an example of things being somewhat internally contradictory. Nuisance abatement appeared to be a neighborhood issue because there did appear to be a somewhat strong negative response. Looking at the City as a whole it is generally, favorably regarded. It received very good marks for cleanliness and for specific nuisances there was nothing emerging as being anything more than close to a minor problem. Delivery of City services is the one area that would require further examination. In the assessments of delivery of services, the City was toward fair and approaching good. Individual pockets of those services, however, showed a general pattem of satisfaction. The public facilities inquired about were widely used and generally positively received. The Police was viewed as doing, generally a commendable job. Staff and Council Members seemed to be responsive, helpful and courteous. A higher level than usual of problem resolution was evident. The main issue identified by the respondents is not a City issue; it is the public schools. The results indicate the City cannot cut spending without reducing service levels and those who do believe this do not necessarily want to see tax reduction. Ms. Franz indicated that surveys are designed to ask "what" questions and not "why" questions, and suggested some qualitative research strategy, the most popular being focused or small group discussion. She indicated that the City's survey results would be compared with like cities involved in the other cities participating in the ICMA performance measurement study and be benchmarked. Council remarks included the need for more basic information prior to development of focus groups and balance the quantitative and obtain qualitative as well; integrate the information into the budget process; asked about timing of data to be provided comparing to like cities; asked about process and timing of future surveys in order to measure performance for accountability purposes. Working toward continually improving ourselves. No Council direction was given at this time. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES BOOK NO. 57 JUNE 14, 1999 MINUTES Page No. 351 PAGE 4