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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, October 25, 2010 <br /> Page 9 <br /> not be combined; and questioned if the Communications Fund could be used for <br /> the Parks and Recreation survey; and whether the budget could accommodate that <br /> survey. <br /> City Manager Malinen noted that the Communication Fund was used for a num- <br /> ber of publications, such as the newsletter and other communication and outreach <br /> efforts; and that a similar $10,000 would be allotted in the 2011 budget. <br /> At the request of Councilmember Pust, City Manager Malinen confirmed that the <br /> funds could also be utilized to allow more air time for Roseville community <br /> events and/or public meetings for those residents unable to attend in person. <br /> Councilmember Johnson addressed ideas he'd heard in the community, including <br /> why only 1,500 households were targeted; and whether some demographics <br /> would be missed if a survey was sent out with utility bills in an effort to save <br /> postage. <br /> City Manager Malinen advised that staff was reliant on the recommendation of <br /> the survey company and their expertise in the size of the survey for households <br /> that would represent the community and be statistically valid. <br /> Mayor Klausing noted the need for valid sampling and responses to ensure they <br /> were random rather than representing a self selection of responses that may not <br /> represent the community at large. <br /> Councilmember Roe noted that surveys sent to utility bill customers or any other <br /> means and resulting responses would need to have a valid representation of Rose- <br /> ville statistically, and also verified against various criteria and population demo- <br /> graphics to ensure proper proportions of the representative sample, and requiring <br /> significant statistical analysis, which was a value added for someone other than <br /> staff performing the survey. Councilmember Roe noted the comparable impor- <br /> tance of the Parks and Recreation survey. Councilmember Roe noted his con- <br /> cerns with a survey being included in tax supported or Communication Fund <br /> budgets and the relationship to priority discussions held to -date and the need to <br /> consider the entire budget picture by City Council review of non -levy supported <br /> and levy- supported budgets. Councilmember Roe expressed his personal displea- <br /> sure that the survey was included in the 2010 budget, when he was under the im- <br /> pression that the City Council had not included it. Councilmember Roe opined <br /> that, if a survey was to be done, he didn't want it to be a "feel good" survey with <br /> innocuous questions, but to be meaningful, further opining that the City Council, <br /> as ultimate decision makers, therefore sign off on the questions prior to distribu- <br /> tion, ensuring that meaningful and significant points and issues were included, <br /> similar to the survey completed for recycling and refuse removal. <br />