Minutes - Council Work Session - 07/19/2011

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Another open ended question was; what do you think the most serious issues are facing Ramsey. Thirteen percent responded street maintenance; The COR project was about the same. Other issues were high taxes, lack of business, budget problems, from city decisions to crime, all of which received low percentages. They also tested value of City services. When asked would you consider taxes paid to the city of Ramsey and the quality of services how do your rate the value - 59% excellent to good. 35% fair, 3% poor. Mr: Tombarge stated then the questions were switched to streets and roads. When asked about 5 separate components, most felt strongly that the width of the streets are good. The overall quality of roads rated fair. When asked about the quality of streets compared to neighboring cities, this rated positive. Also when asked about the City responsiveness to resident needs, most felt the City was responsive to needs. Safety features such as signage, lighting sidewalks were an overall good impression of streets and roads. When provided a description of current challenges and asked do you think there is a need for developing a long term policy and funding policy, 73% strongly responded yes. When asked if a dedicated property tax were to pass for this purpose, 42% were in support, 50% responded they were not in support. When asked about the assessment option, 19% support it, 77% do not. Mayor Ramsey's observations is they understand the needs and the problems and if he was to answer these questions, if he didn't know what he knows now, he would answer the same way. When asked about a property tax levy based on property value payable for a long term. 39% responded they support it, 57% were in opposition. The strongest support, 52% feels Ramsey offers an excellent quality of tax. Councilmember Backous asked about the numbers surveyed and does this allow them the confidence that these are true across the City. Mr. Tombarge responded generally yes, the reason why they choose a 300 number sample and the way they managed the sample, should give them a good amount of certainty among the demographics. When asked about the franchise fee: 49% support it, 47% oppose it. Mr. Tombarge stated the strongest level of support was the franchise fee over the other two options. When asked should the City install sidewalks when reconstructing the roads, 61% responded no 37% responded yes. 12% were strongly opposed. City Council Work Session / July 19, 2011 Page2of9