Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that a big issue for the survey is whether it is truly <br />the same cost to do a survey of every household and to do a statistically relevant survey. <br />He explained that even if every household is contacted, you will only be speaking with one <br />person while often households have two or more eligible voters. ' <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda stated that the Board needs to ensure that a firm is hired to read and <br />interpret the results of the survey, opposed to just laying out the answers for everyone to interpret <br />differently. <br /> <br />Board Member Bentz questioned if the survey will only be done by phone. He explained that <br />could become an issue, as people do not always answer unknown calls. He stated that a survey <br />by mail could also be an option. He stated that at the joint meeting they should have proposed <br />questions for the survey and also have information in regard to the Andover referendum. He also <br />inquired what kinds of questions would be on the survey and how much the referendum would <br />cost each taxpayer. <br /> <br />Environmental Coordinator Anderson responded that part of the survey would ask how much, if <br />any, each household is willing to pay for to protect open spaces. He stated that at the last work <br />session with the Council he distributed the survey used in Plymouth last year. He explained that <br />he did not get that survey until the day of the meeting so he was unable to get it to the Council <br />prior to, and did not know if they had a chance to review it. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda stated that they should follow up with Cordelia Pierson of the Trust for <br />Public Land to find out if Embrace Open Space would fund the entire survey. He questioned <br />what the next step would be with Embrace Open Space. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda stated that the intent of the EPB is to move forward with the survey. He <br />stated that they want the authorization to write the letter to Embrace Open Space to obtain <br />funding. He questioned if they could just attend a regular Council session to get the <br />authorization to draft the letter. <br /> <br />Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that authorization could be obtained at a joint <br />meeting. He stated that a regular session meeting would be needed if the funding were to come <br />from the city. <br /> <br />Board Member Max stated that a big issue at the last Council work session was the number of <br />parks already in existence in Ramsey. He explained that the EPB should be ready to describe the <br />difference between parks and open space. He stated that the EPB needs the support of the <br />Council for the open space referendum. <br /> <br />Board Member Bentz stated that during the Ramsey3 process, it was brought up that there are a <br />lot of parks in Ramsey and instead of building more, they should focus on improving the existing <br />parks. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda suggested that to begin the joint meeting, they should go around the table <br />and have everyone state their definition of open space. He stated that the EPB could then state <br />how they are defining open space and explain the referendum. He explained that all the things <br />that would be listed by the Council will be elements of open space. He stated that after <br /> <br />Environmental Policy Board / November 5, 2007 <br />Page 3 of7 <br />