Discuss 2020 Citizen Survey    
 

PURPOSE
Review attached 2020 draft survey.  Provide feedback.  Authorize staff to execute this work.


BACKGROUND (resident survey):
As a result of the 2013 Council strategic planning process, the City initiated a regular, statistically significant, resident surveying process (one survey every two years).  Generally, survey results benefit the City in a wide range of applications (E.g., the budgeting process, policy discussions, capital improvement plan, strategic plan, and the comprehensive plan,).  The City has conducted a resident survey in 2014, 2016, and 2018 (see attached).

PROCESS
Please see attached timeline.  We are anticipating this survey to be completed by residents in August/September of 2020, and for results to be back to Council by September/October.


 

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DETAILED BACKGROUND INFO:

• National Research Center (NRC). This organization is based out of Colorado and is backed by the International City/County Managers Association (ICMA).
• The NRC conducts a standardized survey known as the National Citizen Survey (NCS).  This survey holds value in that it was created by cities, for cities.  
• By using/ implementing the NCS across the Country for several years, the NRC now has a vast inventory of comparable/ trend data for cities to utilize (nationally, regionally, and locally).
• The standardized NCS (Nation Citizen Survey) also has efficiencies.  This surveying alternative is much more cost effective than a custom survey (about half the price).  However, maintaining this efficiency means the NCS (and NRC) are fairly inflexible to major alterations to their base survey.  The NCS does allow for custom questions.
• Lastly, because the NCS is a standardized survey, NCS reporting capabilities are tried and true; and professional.  If the City decided to move away from the NCS, reporting capabilities would diminish.
• In Ramsey, the survey will be sent to 1,400 address and will be statistically significant (+/-5% margin for error). NRC expects 300- 450 responses (sample size).
•  Vendor takes care of mailings (multiple, including reminders). Raw results would be collected and refined by vendor (customizable). Relevant comparable data and reporting provided by vendor. This service includes return postage, envelopes, and printing costs.

NOTES/for consideration:
Question 15:  Add Zoom and WebEx?
Question 17:  Revise to reflect current strategic plan initiatives
Question 19: Road Maintenance Funding (remove or revise)
Add:  Question regarding Pandemic response/communication?

The amount of $17,000 was budgeted in 2020 for a resident survey.  Furthermore, the City participates in the State of Minnesota's "City/County Performance Measurement" (CPM) program.  Annually, the State provides about $3,500 to the City of Ramsey for performance measurement related costs (which include the Ramsey citizen survey).  In summary, the City has about $20,500 in funding budgeted for a resident survey in 2020.  Staff estimates the survey will fall at or below the budgeted amount.

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Provide feedback on the attached 2020 draft survey.  Authorize staff to proceed and begin working with NCS to conduct the survey.