Agenda - Council Work Session - 11/20/2007

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City of Ramsey Residential Survey Research Proposal November 2007 . 3. Issues facing the City: What are residential preferences about the ways to address current issues? In particular, what are their perceptions about development and redevelopment? What are their priorities for development and redevelopment? What types of housing opportunities would they like to see available? What are the most desirable characteristics the City should possess in the future? How connected are residents to the City? How effective are current modes of communication with residents? 4. Demographic Changes and Issue Concerns: What are the demographic characteristics of residents moving into the community? How do "newer" residents compare demographically and issue-wise from residents who have lived in Ramsey for longer periods oftime? Do the trends in the demographic backgrounds of "new-comers" suggest future policy directions? Are there demographic changes which residents would like to see the City encourage? DESIGN OF THE RESEARCH: Decision Resources, Ltd., proposes to conduct a telephone survey of 400 randomly selected households in the City of Ramsey. A sample of 400 residents would provide results projectable to the entire city adult population within ::l: 5.0 percent in 95 out of 100 cases. The sample is also of sufficient size to permit the city to be divided into a maximum of four categories for more detailed analysis, such as age, mobility, home ownership, location of residence, presence of children, and other demographic characteristics. - To insure the integrity of the sample, DRL places the most exacting sampling standards in the industry on our procedures. Before an alternate household is substituted for a designated target, at least ten tries are made to contact the initial households during a five-day period. The telephone calls take place during various times on weekday evenings and during the weekend. Our interviewers are also instructed to seek convenient appointments with interviewees, cutting our non-contact rate to less than five percent on average. An unbiased selection process is also used to identify the adult member of the household to be interviewed. To validate the completed sample, the latest United States Census updated population characteristics are utilized as a standard of comparison. The questionnaire would be administered by DRL trained and supervised personnel. The computer analysis will be obtained from our in-house C-MENTOR andSPSS statistical analysis systems, insuring both access to the most current analysis programs and confidentiality of the data set. The City of Ramsey will be presented with bound copies of the fmal report highlighting all the major findings of the study. DRL will also speak to any major differences from and similarities with the past studies of the community, when applicable, in addition to other maturing communities. A volume of all computer-generated cross tabulations and other multivariate statistical techniques will also be included. 'r~; '.