AgdaPkt 2003-12-08 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

i December b. 2003 Subject Results of 2003 Neighborhood Survey Recommendation This report is for informational purposes only. There is no staff recommendation. Background The City has committed itself to conduct a neighborhood survey every two years in an effort to expand direct citizen feedback on City service and quality of life indicators in as objective a manner as possible. The 2003 survey results are the third such biennial report. Each survey has also provided the opportunity for one department to gather more detailed feedback, with the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department being the focus in 2003. Godbe Research and Analysis ( Godbe) was hired to conduct the 2003 study and worked with the Council Subcommittee (Council members Ira and Pierce) and staff to develop the survey instrument. Except in the case of the highlighted department, many of these questions are intentionally left the same so that results can be compared over time. Two additional questions were added this year in order to get a read on respondent's sense of community and how that sense of community is derived in relation to our core purpose, "Building a Great Community Together'. Godbe then conducted a 17- minute survey with 602 randomly selected Redwood City residents as well as a focus group to elicit more specific information on how to improve the services, program and facilities of the PRCS department. Godbe Research and Analysis staff will make a presentation to Council at the December 8th Council meeting regarding the results of the survey. The Executive Summary of the Godbe report is included for your review as Exhibit A. Copies of the entire report are available at the City Clerk's office, Redwood City libraries and on the City's website. In the initial review of the data, we found that there were no statistically significant changes in the citywide results. As a result, Godbe was asked to break down the results by Neighborhood areas to provide further insight. Now that the survey is complete, our goal is to make the results of this survey widely available to the community and staff. This information will be used to enhance budget discussions, improve service delivery, improve communications, and help frame community dialogue on service needs and the expectations of respondents of local government. Each department will analyze the data and set goals for how they will improve service delivery and get measurable results on the next survey. These goals are included in the development of the City's annual financial plan. Lastly, we will use the results of the survey in benchmarking ourselves with other cities in San Mateo County and California.