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<br /> FROM PRRTNERS MPLS. 04.20.199~3 139:08 NO. 14 P, 2 <br /> . MEMORANDUM <br /> TO: City Council, <br /> FROM: Tom Mahowal~u-' <br /> SUBJECT: Arden Hills Community Survey <br /> - <br /> DATE: April 19, 1990 <br /> At its meeting last evening, the City Hall Committee heard a <br /> presentation from Diane Traxler of Decision Resources Ltd. <br /> regarding community surveys as a policy information tool. <br /> Decision Resources has done extensive survey work over the <br /> last seven years for municipalities, school districts, <br /> non-profits, religious and business organizations on a wide <br /> variety of topics. Municipal surveys have been conducted on <br /> specific issues (eg. park needs) , proposed referendums, and <br /> global "quality of life" assessments. <br /> Over the last year, the Council and at least three <br /> . committees (Parks, Public Works, city Hall) have expressed <br /> an interest in conducting a comprehensive community survey. <br /> After last night's presentation and discussion, I am <br /> convinced that for several reasons, now would be an <br /> appropriate time to proceed with this survey activity. <br /> First, as we proceed into a new decade, it is important that <br /> the Council have reliable data to assist us in charting a <br /> course for future policy and budgetary decisions. Community <br /> needs and perceptions may have changed dramatically since <br /> our last survey conducted in the mid-1980s. Further, the <br /> City Hall Committee is very interested in determining public <br /> interest and support for a new city hall/community center <br /> facility--as well as desired components of such a facility-- <br /> prior to making its recommendations and report to the <br /> Council. <br /> The Committee unanimously adopted a motion last evening <br /> which urges the Council to initiate community survey efforts <br /> as soon as possible. The timing of the survey is important <br /> to the Committee if it is to incorporate external citizen <br /> input into its deliberations. The Committee has established <br /> a late summer target date for completion of phase one of its <br /> deliberations. Given that the community survey, if <br /> initiated, will take approximately three months to design <br /> and administer, Council approval must be received by early <br /> . May if the project is to be completed by late July. <br /> The design of the survey instrument will likely be an <br /> important (and time consuming) activity. Given that only a <br /> limi ted number of issues can be examined in the survey, <br />