More than 250 citizens responded to this year’s survey, sent out in the City Focus. Three issues were addressed in ten questions: 

• City Web Site
• Storm Water Management
• Traffic Management

City Web Site
More survey raters have access to the Internet now, and more than twice as many as in 1999 have visited the City’s Web site. The Monterey Public Library, recreation activities, parks and public works sections remain the most visited. Raters said they visited the Web site most frequently in search of the following topics: contact information, special events, public meetings, employment and City updates. Many raters indicated that they would pay for services online, including recreation classes, licenses and permits.

Access
Dramatic increases in individual access to the Internet were noted since this question was last asked in 1999 – only 11% of respondents do not have access compared to 28% four years ago. The most significant increase (see chart) is in home access, followed by work access, with no change in school access. Of those who have access, more than half have visited the City’s Web site – more than twice the percentage in 1999.

Sections/Web Pages of City Web Site Visited
For those who have visited the Web site, the top three sections of interest include the Monterey Public Library, recreation activities and parks. There were decreases in the number of visits to recreation and parks, as well as volunteer opportunities and stormwater management sections. However, since the City has been expanding the Web site, community members now have more choices on the Web. As a result, other areas on the Web, such as the Public Works pages, were visited more often than in past surveys and respondents noted that they now look to the Web site for a wider variety of material and information.
See chart on next page.

Information Sought on the Web site
In 1999, community members were asked the type of information they look for or want to find on the City’s Web site. In the "other" category in 1999, a number of suggestions were made by respondents that were included and rated in this year’s survey: codes and zoning laws, employment opportunities, historic places to visit, links to other sites, "new to area" information and visitor services. As a result we are able to compare some of the data.

The most frequent types of information sought are: contact information (whom to call), special events, public meetings/agendas, employment/jobs and City news and updates (What’s New). A desire for contact information has substantially increased.

• Volunteer section of Web site is not very helpful.
• Include where traffic delays are expected due to roadwork.
• Add to Harbor Web page info on visiting Navy ships.
• Use visual maps when informing citizens of street closures for repairs. Thank you.
• Street closures.
• Thank you for giving us the City’s Web site. We will now visit it.
• Online or in City Focus, I would appreciate a regular listing of neighborhood improvement projects.
• I appreciate knowing of volunteer opportunities.
• Road/street construction info and dates.
• City Web site is very handy. I use it regularly.
• I tried to find out who represents us on City Council. Couldn’t find it.

Readers were also asked if they would like to pay for certain City services online. More than half of those with Internet access (53%) said they would. Of these respondents, they listed recreation/Sports Center classes or passes most frequently. More than half of these respondents also said that they would purchase licenses and/or permits online.

• Residential parking permits.
• Library Internet prints.
• Traffic tickets.
• I don’t like giving my credit card number on the Internet.