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Home My WebLink About9C - Residential Survey Report CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: October 4, 1999 " ~ :~ank Boyles, City ManagetiY CONSIDER APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL OUTLINING PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO ISSUES RAISED BY THE COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL SURVEY. AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: History In May and June of this year, 400 residents responded to a telephone survey of about 107 questions. The survey identified a number of areas where the City Council and City staff can refine and improve upon the services provided to the City and its residents. Current Circumstances The survey results suggest five or six key areas where the City can improve. Because improvement requires the cooperation of all affected parties, I have worked with my staff to develop and agree upon the following improvements. We are seeking City Council endorsement of our planned efforts in concept. We would return for specific Council approval as appropriate. The Issues (1) Information about City Issues: While the survey clearly showed that compared to other communities, Prior Lake residents inform themselves well about local affairs, there is room to improve information distribution. The City's Wavelength was considered a moderately effective tool. The Prior Lake American, however, was clearly the major information source. We propose to incorporate the Wavelength newsletter into the Prior Lake American as perhaps the last two pages of the first section. Other communities such as Lakeville and Burnsville have done this with great success. Our intent is to provide a sufficient number of newsletter publications during the year but to do so at a cost which is within our budgeted allocation. (2) Inclusion in Prior Lake Government: A significant number of people believe that they do not have an effective say in their City government's decisions. The staff proposes that five neighborhood or town meetings be scheduled during 2000, one for each voting precinct in the City. Council and staff members would attend the meetings. A brief series of staff reports would be given discussing issues of importance to the people in that precinct. However, the majority of the time would be scheduled for an open mike which 162~lQ;oml~~~~~g:\1<Rr4~9tiOOcMinnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER would provide residents an opportunity to ask questions or express concerns. If the town meetings are to be cable televised, then they should be conducted in the Fire Station. If not, the meetings could be conducted within the precincts. (3) Development I Building Process: A significant number of respondents believe that the City can improve its development and building inspection processes. Over the past few years, we have taken actions to do just that through the Development Review Committee and through simplification of the permit issuance process. On-going attention is needed. We propose to establish one or more feedback groups to solicit input on where we might further improve the process. Second, we intend to establish customer comment cards to give to residents who receive information or services. Comment card responses will further help direct our improvement efforts. Finally, for homeowners doing deck improvements, we would like to sponsor a deck seminar so that homeowners know the issues and resources available to them to simplify and expedite the construction process. (4) Animal Control: The City has not changed its animal control services since we were primarily a rural community. Our services have been reactive only. We propose to establish a modest animal patrol from a marked vehicle to improve City presence. Periodic inspection of the structures where animals are housed are intended to assure cleanliness. These proposed program improvements will increase costs over and above the funds budgeted. (5) Staff Member Skills and Attitude: Some limited skill building in effective listening and in communication is expected. Moreover, I want to implement and encourage staff use of a three part philosophy to direct their work day actions: Is it right? Is it the best I can do? Is it "can don? (6) Regulations: The new zoning ordinance will take some time to "break inn. We need to promptly identify for Council action instances where our regulations are inconsistent, confusing or needlessly regulatory. This is an on-going effort we have already begun. Examples of additional regulation reductions include: · elimination of shed permits. · elimination of hold harmless agreements · elimination of surveys for decks · living with City mistakes ISSUES: The proposals set forth above will require on-going effort by the staff. Improvements made in each area will improve the stature of Prior Lake government with our residents. 1:\COUNCIL\AGNRPTS\99\1004_9C.DOC ALTERNATIVES: RECOMMENDED MOTION: We are seeking Council approval of these proposals in concept. The staff will further analyze each proposal. If additional funds are required for implementation, the City Council will have the opportunity to review the proposal in advance. If the changes can be implemented within the budgetary limits of the proposed 2000 budget, the staff will implement subject to our purchasing policies and provide the Council with periodic status reports. This is our preferred course. (1) Approve the proposed actions outlined in this memo as recommended. (2) Approve the proposed actions outlined in this memo with amendments. As desired by the City Council. 1:\COUNCIL\AGNRPTS\99\ 1 004_9C.DOC WHAT DOES THE MVTA COST OUR RESIDENTS? - $380,000 IN 1999 _ 11 % OF OUR TOTAL TAX REVENUE WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? II 94 % OF OUR CITIZENS DON'T EVEN USE MVTA II ONLY 2 % USE MVT A ON A REGULAR BASIS *DATA FROM CITY WIDE SURVEY * WHY THIS COST WITH NO BENEFITS? II STATE LEGISLATURE INCLUDED PRIOR LAKE IN THE METRO TRANSIT TAXING DISTRICT II STATE LEGISLATION MANDATES A TAX FOR TRANSIT SERVICES + WHETHER YOU USE IT OR NOT + WHETHER YOU NEED IT OR NOT WHAT OPTIONS DID THE CITY ORIGINALLY HAVE? II USE THE SERVICES OF MCTO (WAS PREVIOUSLY THE MTC) II OPT OUT OF MCTO + DEVELOP OUR OWN SERVICE + DEVELOP REGIONAL SERVICE WITH OTHER CITIES CURRENT STATUS II PRIOR LAKE A MEMBER OF MVTA II MVTA IS A JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT OF 6 CITIES (APPLE VALLEY, EAGAN, BURNSVILLE, PRIOR LAKE, ROSEMONT, SAVAGE) IS IT FAIR TO OUR CITIZENS THAT II 11 % OF THEIR TAX DOLLARS ARE USED TO SUBSIDIZE A SERVICE THAT 98 % OF THEM DON'T GENERALLY USE II THAT LAKEVILLE IS EXCLUDED FROM THE TRANSIT TAXING DISTRICT (AND THE TAX) OUR OPTIONS 1) LOBBY LEGISLATORS TO REMOVEP~ORLAKEFROM THE TRANSIT TAXING DIST~CT (ELIMINATE TAX) 2) REMAIN A MEMBER OF MVT A (WITH TAX) 3) P~OR LAKE DEVELOP INDEPENDENT TRANSIT SERVICE (WITH TAX) OPTION 1 II EXCLUSION FROM TAXING DISTRICT WOULD REDUCE CITY PROPERTY TAXES II BUT VERY DIFFICULT TO ACCOMPLISH + THOSE DELEGATED WITH TAXING AUTHORITY RARELY GIVE IT UP + CITIES TRA T BENEFIT FROM OUR TAX CONTRIBUTION ARE NOT LIKELY TO SUPPORT OUR WITRDRA W AL FROM TAXING DISTRICT OPTION 2 II THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE II COST OF MEMBERSHIP IN MVT A WILL LIKELY' CONTINUE TO INCREASE, WITH LIMITED BENEFITS TO PRIOR LAKE OPTION 3 II AN INDEPENDENT PRIOR LAKE TRANSIT SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO COMPLY WITH SOME STATE STANDARDS II CUSTOMIZED TO MEET OUR RESIDENT'S NEEDS II STATE STATUTE WOULD MANDA TE THAT WE SPEND THE SAME AMOUNT /