Community Survey
Results 2005
The City distributes a Community Survey
each year with our spring City Focus. Every other year, like in 2005, we take
a comprehensive survey asking for general input on City services, programs
and activities. During the alternate years, we gather more
in-depth data and focus in on specific issues and activities. The
2005
Community Survey was distributed in late April 2005.
| These surveys are designed
to: |
|
| 1) gauge
citizen satisfaction with City services; |
| 2) provide an
opportunity to comment on future City programs and priorities; |
| 3) offer a
vehicle to reinforce the relationship between the City organization
and citizens; |
| 4) allow us
to compare responses to data collected previously; and |
| 5) provide
information useful in developing budget priorities. |
In addition, as the City and community
continue to deal with budget challenges, the survey helps us monitor
reaction to changes in specific services. Nearly 450 individuals returned
the general survey that focused on City services and programs. This is down
from past surveys, however, the sample rate is high enough to apply to the
entire community population within a margin of error of +/- 5%.
The analysis compares the data
with previous surveys distributed since 1997, where applicable. As a result,
we are able to examine the trends that have developed over the years.
Here we offer highlights from the survey results and executive summary.
We are pleased to note that respondents continue to be very
satisfied with City services and programs. However, there are some decreases
in service level satisfaction over the last several years with street
conditions in neighborhoods and throughout the City and other community
services, such as library and police services. We believe there is a direct
link between these changes in community perception/satisfaction and
budget/service cutbacks. These changes first emerged in 2002 and are
reflected again this year, establishing a downward trend. On a positive
note, this survey shows a significant increase in satisfaction with
code/zoning regulations enforcement since 2002. Raters also have less safety
concerns with the Lighthouse Avenue business district compared with previous
years. Click
here to review a comprehensive summary.
Here’s what we learned ...
- City Appearance
–
Of those who responded, 99% rated the City’s park maintenance as
average or better. Beach maintenance (97%) and medians,
greenbelts and street trees (92%) all received very high ratings.
However, the average or better rating for City street conditions
has dropped 24 points since 1998. Overall City cleanliness
continues to receive high marks from 95% of raters.
- City Government
–
Satisfaction with the City’s efforts to-date regarding preservation
of open space/parks and historic resources increased slightly
to 93% average or better ratings. This year we also asked about the
City’s efforts to keep pollutants out of the Bay and 88% of
raters gave high marks. As noted earlier, code/zoning regulation
enforcement has rebounded from 78% in 2002 to 85% average or better
ratings this year, a seven-point increase, taking us back to previous
levels.
Communications: In
addition, 88% of respondents said the City does an average or better job
of keeping them informed about services, events and issues.
Ratings for the City Focus newsletter, the City’s Web site
and City TV programs remain high.
–
City services as well as non-City services were again rated in this
survey. Following are some of those and the average or better marks
recorded: harbor/marina services (97%); garbage
collection/recycling (94%); bus service (84%) and
availability of parking in business districts (69%).
Traditionally ranked City services, including fire (98% =
average or better), library (91%, police (92%) and
overall City services
(94%) continued to receive high marks from those with an opinion.
Although, cutbacks appear to have affected satisfaction with library
services, which has declined some five points when compared with the
previous survey. Vehicle traffic enforcement has rebounded to 83%
average or better ratings, although it is still down from the 90%
satisfaction in the late 1990s.
Programs for various age
groups – Of the age groups that were rated, programs for
seniors, adults and children received ratings of at least 91%
average or better. Programs for youth (84% = average or better)
and teens (76%) received lower ratings than the other age groups;
however, the ratings for teen programs remained five points
higher than the numbers posted in 2000.
Your Neighborhood
– Community members rated four areas regarding their own neighborhood: safety,
street cleanliness and conditions and police patrols.
Respondents gave safety a 88% average or better rating. Street
cleanliness remains constant at 87% average or better. Street
conditions dropped about three points to 76%.
Traffic in
Neighborhoods – Raters indicated their concern regarding
traffic congestion, parking, speeding vehicles and
walkways (crosswalks, sidewalks). Speeding vehicles continues
to be viewed as a serious concern by more than 40% of respondents.
Parking is somewhat of a concern to serious concern for some 58% of
respondents.
Your Business
District – A new survey section was included this year regarding
business districts in relation to safety (91% average or
better), street cleanliness (91%) and street conditions
(81%) and police patrols (88%). It is noteworthy that business
districts receive more favorable ratings when compared to
neighborhood marks.
- Safety Issues
– Since
1997, we have asked respondents to tell us about areas in the City where
they do not feel safe at night. In general, safety concerns about
various parts of the City continue to remain constant and low, when
compared with past surveys. Safety concerns about Downtown
Monterey have stabilized at a low 15%. Some areas of the City which
continue to be sources of concern include the Coastal/Rec Trail: El
Estero to Seaside; City beaches; Fremont Street business
district; City parks; and Coastal/Rec Trail to Wharf to
Aquarium.
Thanks for your input! Continue to send in
your ideas and suggestions. Look for our Community Survey in the annual report this fall
or send in info anytime. Contact us today.
Return
to Top Survey prepared by:
Lighthouse Research, 222 Cypress Ave. #B, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
831.649.8336 |
