4.8. SR 03-17-1997'ity of
iver
ITEM 4.8.
MEMORANDUM
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor & City Council
Pat Klaers, City Administrator
March 17, 1997
Update on Park and Recreation Survey
The draft park and recreation survey which was prepared by Decision
Resources has been completed. The Park and Recreation Commission will be
reviewing this survey at their meeting on Wednesday, March 12. Street/Park
Superintendent Phil Hals and I will provide the City Council with a verbal
update on the survey and the results of the Park and Recreation Commission
meeting at the March 17 meeting. The Council will need to authorize the
survey.
\\elkriver\sysXshrdockcouncil\prsurvey.doc
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
6129296166 DECISION RESOURSES 018 P02/09 MAR 12 '97 11:19
DECISION RESOURCES, LTD.
3128 Dean Court
Minneapolis, Minnesota
55414
ELK RIVER CITY SURVEY
Parks and Recreation/
City Issues 1997 Study
PRELIMINARY VERSION
Hello, I'm of Decision Resources, Ltd., a nationwide
polling firm located in Minneapolis. We've been retained by the
City of Elk River to speak with a random sample of residents
about issues facing the city. The survey is being taken because
the City is interested in your opinions and suggestions. I want
to assure you that all individual responses will be held strictly
confidential; only summaries of the entire sample will be report-
ed. (DO NOT PAUSE)
Approximately how many years have
you lived in Elk River?
LESS TFJiN TWO YEARS ..... 1
TWO TO FIVE YEARS ....... 2
SIX TO TEN YEARS ........ 3
11 20 YEARS ........... 4
21 - 30 YEA.RS ........... 5
OVER THIRTY YEARS ....... 6
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 7
HOW would you rate the quality of
life in Elk River -- excellent,
good, only fair, or poor?
EXCELLENT ............... 1
GOOD .................... 2
ONLY FAIR ........ - ....... 3
POOR .................... 4
DON' T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 5
3. What do you like most about living in Elk River?
4. What do you like least about it?
Overall, would you rate the park
and recreational facilities in
Elk River as excellent, good,
fair, or poor?
EXCELLENT ............... 1
GOOD .................... 2
ONLY FAIR ............... 3
POOR .................... 4
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 5
I would like to read to you a short list of the parks located in
Elk river. For each one, please tell me if you or members of
this household have visited that park during the past year.
YES NO D.K.
6. Orono Park 1 2 3
7. Lions Park 1 2 3
,
6129296166 DECISION RESOURSES 018 P03/09 MAR 12 '97 11:19
9.
i0.
11.
13.
YES NO D.K.
Woodland Trails Park
Mandke Outdoor Ice Arena
Outdoor facilities located at
the schools, such as football,
baseball, soccer fields, and
tennis courts
Oak Knoll Park?
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
IF TME RESPONDENT REPORTS VISITING AT LEAST ONE PARK, ASK:
12.
Mow would you rage the upkeep EXCELLENT ............... 1
and maintenance of the park GOOD .................... 2
facilities in Elk River -- ONLY FAIR ............... 3
excellent, good, only fair, POOR .................... 4
or poor? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 5
Are there any facilities not currently in Elk River parks
that you or members of your family would use, if they were
· "ASK:) What are they?
there* (IF "YES,
12. Would you favor or oppose a trail
system linkin9 the neighborhoods
throughout the city. ~ (IF
/~"FAVOR" ASK:) Would you still
~favor it if it required a tax
/ increase to develop the system?
/
/ 13. ~he trail were ~o~~by YES .....................
/ y~..~operty, w~ you be NO ...................... 2
' _w.l~llin~Q~q~tthe ~ity of DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 3
Elk. riv~~ment to'that
paso: your lan~
Park systems usually contain t-h~ee major components: smaller
neighborhood parks, larger community playfields, and trails.
14. Which of these ~-~.~ components SMALLER NEIGH PARK...... 1
do you feel should be the top LARGER COMM PLAYFIELD...2
priority for development in Elk ~TRAILS .................. 3
River durin9 the next few years?/ OTHER (VOL) ............. 4
ALL EQUATTY (VOL) 5
A~: A~ ~&~ ~ / ' ' ~ .......
NONE OF TKE ABOVE ....... 6
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 7
FAVOR/STILL FAVOR ....... 1
FAVOR/OPPOSE ............ 2
FAVOR/DON'T KNOW ........ 3
OPPOSE .................. 4
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 5
15.
Mare any members of this house-
hold participated in any youth
recreational programs during the
past year?
YES .....................
NO ......................
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED
6129296166 DECISION RESOURSES 018 PO~x09 MAR 12 '99 11:19
16.
Have any members of this house-
hold participated in any adult
recreational programs during the
past year?
YES ..................... 1
NO ...................... 2
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 3
17.
Would you favor or oppose :he
development of a downtown
river walk for recreational
use? (IF "FAVOR", ASK:) Would
you still favor it if a tax
increase were required to fund
construction?
FAVOR/STILL FAVOR ....... i
FAVOR/OPPOSE ............ 2
FAVOR/DON'T KNOW ........ 3
OPPOSE .................. 4
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 5
The City may ask residents to vote on a bond referendum to devel-
op and expand Park System facilities. I would like to read you a
list of components which could be included in the proposal. For
each one, please tell me if you would strongly support a property
tax increase for it, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or
strongly oppose a property tax increase for it. If you have no
opinion, just say so .... (ROTATE L:ST)
STS SMS SMO STO DKR
18. A park for skate board racing
and acrobatics? 1 2 3 4 5
19. An OUTDOOR family fun swimming
pool, containing a gradual depth
entry, wave pool, slides, and
diving board? 1 2 3 4 5
20. Outdoor ice skating and hockey
rinks? 1 2 3 4 5
21. Swing sets, playground equipment,
and tennis courts for additional
neighborhood parks? 1 2 3 4 5
22. Paving of neighborhood trail links
across the community? 1 2 3 4 5
23. Lighting, dug outs, concession
stand, and parking lot for the
'/°~'~ C-a~Ball Field? i 2 3 4 5
24. An INDOOR family fun swimming
pool, containing a gradual depth
entry, wave pool, slides, and
diving board? 1 2 3 4 5
A mountain bike trail system for
Hillside Park? 1 2 3 4 5
,25.
26.
~ at
larger community ,parks?~-- 1 2 3 4 5
Fundin~ for the bond referendum components we have just discussed
would re~ire a property tax increase.
6129296166 DECISION RESOURSES 018 POSx09 MAR 12 '97 11:20
27.
Which of these three statements
best describes your feelings?
A. I would vote AGAINST almost
any tax increase for park and
recreational facilities develop-
ment.
B. I would vote FOR a tax in-
crease under some conditions, but
AGAINST it under other conditions.
C. I would vote FOR almost any
tax increase for park and recrea-
tional facilities development.
STATEMENT A ............. 1
STATEMENT B ............. 2
STATEMENT C ............. 3
NONE OF A.~OVE (VOL) ..... 4
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 5
IF "B" IS CHOSEN, ASK:
28.
Under what conditions would you vote for a tax increase
for park and recreational facilities development?
Suppose the City of Elk River proposed park and recreational
facilities development which you considered to be a reasonable
approach. The proposal would be placed on a referendum ballot
for approval by the voters. In order to fund construction,
residents would be asked to approve a property tax increase for a
~?~-~ year period.
29.
How much would you be willing to
see your property taxes increase
to fund this construction? Let's
say, would you be willing to see
your MONTHLY property taxes in-
crease by $ ? (CHOOSE RANDOM
STARTING POINT; MOVE UP OR DOWN
DEPENDING ON RESPONSE) How about
$
NOTHING ................. 1
$2.00 ................... 2
$4.OO ................... 3
$6.00 ................... 4
$8.00 ................... s
$1o.oo ..................
$12.00 .................. 7
DON'T KNOW ..............
per month? (REPEAT PROCESS) REFUSED ................. 9
Moving on ....
30.
Do you agree or disagree with the STRONGLY AGREE .......... 1
following statement: "A good AGREE .............. ~ .... 2
Elk River park and recreation DISAGREE ................ 3
system will increase the value of STRONGLY DISAGREE ....... 4
my property." (WAIT FOR RESPONSE) DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 5
and do you feel strongly that way?
Changing topics ....
I would like to read you a list of a few city services. For each
one, Please tell me whether you would rate the quality of the
service as excellent, good, only fair, or poor? Please keep in
mind that the City of Elk River is not responsible for county or
state parks, highways, and other facilities.
4
6129296166 DECISION RESOURSES 018 PO6x09 MAR 12 '97 11:20
32.
33
34
36
37
38
Maintenance and repair of city
streets?
Snow plowing?
Street lighting?
Sewers and water?
Drainage and flood control?
Animal control?
Police services?
Fire protection?
EXCL GOOD PAIR POOR DK/R
! 2 3 4 5
! 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
I 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
Let's talk about public safety issues for a moment ....
39.
Have you had direct contact with
the Elk River Police Department
during the past three years?
YES ..................... 1
NO ...................... 2
DON' T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 3
40.
Which of the following issues is
of greatest concern to you?
(READ LIST AND ROTATE) Violent
crime, such as robbery, assault,
and rape; property crime, such as
burglary, theft, and vandalism;
traffic safety, such as DWI,
speeding, bicycles, and pedes-
trians; or, juvenile issues, such
as curfew, underage drinking, and
smoking?
VIOLENT CRIME ........... 1
PROPERTY CRIME .......... 2
TRAFFIC SAFETY .......... 3
JUVENILE CONCERNS ....... 4
NONE OF ABOVE (VOL) ..... 5
SOMETHING ELSE (VOL) .... 6
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 7
41.
Do you favor or oppose the Elk FAVOR ................... 1
River Police department continuing OPPOSE .................. 2
to provide DARE -- Drug Abuse DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 3
Resistance Education -- training
in local schools?
As you may know, there has been some discussion about a new
Community Center ~
42.
If a Community Center were constructed, what facilities do
you feel is important to include?
I would like to read you a list of facilities that could be
included in a community center. For each one, please tell me if
you would strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or
strongly oppose its inclusion in a community center.
6129296156 DECISION RESOURSES 018 P07/09 MAR 12 '97 11:20
STR
FAV
SMW SMW STR D.K.
FAV OPP OPP REF.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
An indoor swimming pool?
A-n exercise and fitness room?
A gymnasium?
Large community room for
banquets, parties, meetings,
and other rental purposes?
Group meeting rooms?
A teen center?
A senior citizens center?
A community theatre?
An arts and crafts room for
instructional programs and
classes?
1 2 3 4 5
! 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
52.
Would you favor or oppose the
construction of a Community
Center in Elk River? (WAIT
FOR RESPONSE) And do you feel
strongly that way?
STRONGLY FAVOR .......... 1
FAVOR ................... 2
OPPOSE .................. 3
STRONGLY OPPOSE ......... 4
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 5
A bond referendum would be required to pay for its construction
and partial operating costs, User fees would also underwrite the
operation of the community center to some extent.
53.
How much would you be willing to
pay in additional property taxes
to support the construction and
partial operation of an Elk River
Community Center? (START WITH A
RANDOMLY SELECTED CHOICE FROM #1
TO #8) Let's say, would you be
willin9 to pay $... per month?
(MOVE TO NEXT CHOICE UP OR DOWN
DEPENDING ON ANSWER.) How about
$ per month?
NOTHING ................. 1
$2.00 ................... 2
$4.00 ................... 3
$6.0o ................... 4
$8.00 ................... s
$1o.oo .................. 6
$i2.oo .................. 7
DON'T KNOW .............. 8
REFUSED ................. 9
54.
Which do you feel should be a EXPANSION OF PARK/REC...1
higher priority -- (ROTATE) -- CONSTRUCT COMM CENTER...2
expansion of park and recreational BOTH EQUALLY (VOL) ...... 3
facilities OR construction of a NEITHER (VOL) ........... 4
Community Center? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 5
Now, let's talk about retail shopping in Elk River ....
55.
Excluding groceries, what do you consider to be your princi-
pal retail shopping location?
6
6129296166 DECISION RESOURSES 018 P08/09 MAR 12 '97 11:21
56.
What types of retail businesses or services, not currently
in Elk River, would you like to attracted to the community?
57.
What retail sales promotions, if any, would influence you to
shop more often in Elk River?
As you may know, there has been some discussion about merging the
Cities of Elk River and Otsego.
58.
Prior to this survey, were you
aware of the proposal to merge
the two cities?
AWARE ...................
UNAWARE ................. 2
DON' T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 3
59.
From what you have heard or seen, STRONGLY FAVOR .......... 1
do you favor or oppose the merging FAVOR ................... 2
of Elk River and Otsego? (WAIT OPPOSE .................. 3
FOR RESPONSE) Do you feel strongly STRONGLY OPPOSE ......... 4
that way? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ...... 5
Now, just a few more questions for demographic purposes ....
Could you tell me how many people in each of the following age
groups live in your household. Let's start oldest to
youngest ....
60. Seniors over 65?
61.
Adults between 18 and 64
years old?
62. School aged.children?
63. Pre-schoolers?
64.
Do you own or rent your present
residence?
OWN ..................... 1
RENT .................... 2
REFUSED ................. 3
IF "OWN, ,' ASK:
65.
Which of the following cate- UNDER $75,000 ........... 1
gories would contain the $75,000-$150,000 ........ 2
approximate value of your OVER $150,000 ........... 3
residential property -- under DON'T KNOW .............. 4
$75,000, $75,000-$150,000, or REFUSED ................. 5
over $150,0007
6129296166 DECISION RESOURSES 018 P09/89 MAR 12 '97 11:21
66.
What is your occupation and, if applicable, the occupation
of your spouse or partner?
M:
67.
What is your age, please?
18 - 24 ................. 1
25 - 34 ................. 2
35 44 ................. 3
45 - 54 ................. 4
55 - 64 ................. 5
65 AND OVER ............. 6
REFUSED ................. 7
68.
What is the last grade of formal
education you completed?
LESS TM_AN HIGH SCHOOL...1
~IGH SCHOOL GRADUATE .... 2
VO-TECH/TEC":{ COLL ...... 3
SOME COLLEGE ............ 4
COLLEGE GRADUATE ........ 5
POST-GRADUATE ........... 6
REPUSED ................. 7
69.
Gender of respondent.
(DO NOT ASK.)
MALE .................... i
FEMALE .................. 2
Thanks very much for your time. Good-bye.
70. Ward. (FROM LIST)
ONE ..................... 1
TWO ..................... 2
TMREE ................... 3
FOUR .................... 4
8