Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
CC:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Kevyn Gero, Management Intern
DATE:	4/29/2015
RE:	2015 Lawrence Community Survey Considerations

On February 17, 2015, the City Commission authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with ETC Institute, in the amount of $29,950, to conduct the 2015 Citizen Survey.  ETC presented the first draft of the 2015 Community Survey to the City Commission by ETC on April 21, 2015. The City Commission directed staff to receive comments on the survey and to coordinate with ETC to make revisions for a second draft.

In general, the draft survey instrument is very similar to the previous survey instrument used in the Lawrence Citizen Survey conducted by ETC in 2011. A few minor updates were made to reflect any changes and modifications in city services since 2008 and an additional section on the Lawrence Douglas County Health Department was added. A major highlight of the first draft survey included a new question not contained in the 2011 survey regarding the City’s capital improvement initiatives. Question 22 states, “If $100 were available for the City of Lawrence to fund capital improvement initiatives how would you allocate the revenues among the categories listed below?” Question 22 received the majority of the comments from Commissioners and public. It has been omitted from the second draft of the survey. Staff has reviewed the item and after consulting with ETC, suggests the following two (2) options for Question 22.

Option 1: Reword the question by asking survey respondents to prioritize the categories instead of asking them to allocate $100. Clarify the answer options by making all the categories more general.

22. Of the categories of projects listed below that could be incorporated in the City’s Capital Improvement plan over the next few years, please indicate which items the City should prioritize. (Please select your 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd priority choices.)  

A. Develop public safety facilities (i.e. police and fire)

B. Support for economic impact initiatives (Conference Center, tax incentives, etc.)

C. Support for arts and culture (Cultural Plan, community art, streetscapes, etc.)

D. Develop parks and recreation facilities (i.e. trails, athletics fields, pools, etc.)

E. Repair and restore deteriorating infrastructure (streets, city buildings, sidewalks, etc.)

F. Develop non-motorized transportation infrastructure (bicycle lanes, sidewalks, etc.)

__________          ___________            __________

1st Priority            2nd Priority                3rd Priority

Option 2: Amend the question to include the six (6) City Commission Goals.

22. Of the following City Commission Goals, please select the top three items City leaders should prioritize over the next two years. 

A. Public Safety

B. Mental Health

C. Affordable Housing

D. Infrastructure

E. Non-Motorized Transportation

F. Economic Development

__________          ___________            __________

1st Priority            2nd Priority                3rd Priority

Action Request

Direct staff on the 2015 City of Lawrence Community Survey.