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CC Work Session 2. 4. <br />Meeting Date: 04/08/2014 <br />Title: <br />Select Resident Survey Method <br />Information <br />Purpose /Background: <br />Purpose: <br />Select preferred method to perform a regular resident survey, if any. <br />Background (resident survey): <br />During the 2013 Strategic Planning process, discussion ensued related to initiating a resident surveying process. <br />Generally speaking, survey results would benefit the City in a wide range of applications. However, relating to the <br />Strategic Plan specifically, a resident survey allows the City to clearly analyze organizational performance <br />measurements; including, the City's Strategic Plan balanced scorecard. <br />Background (case): <br />This case was originally brought before the Council on October 08, 2013 and again on March 11, 2014. The result <br />of these discussions was direction from Council for Staff to provide further analytic information related to the cost <br />of survey alternatives. In previous discussions, Council has had mixed perspectives on whether or not a resident <br />survey should be conducted; and if so, which method should be utilized. At the March 11 meeting, Staff <br />recommended selection of aThird Party Mail survey. Consensus did not exist among the Council regarding Staffs <br />recommendation; which, was largely due to the high upfront or 'hard' costs a Third Party Mail survey would require. <br />Funding /Budget <br />As a result of the City's Strategic Planning process, $7,500 was budgeted in 2014 for a resident survey. <br />Furthermore, the City participates in the State of Minnesota's "City /County Performance Measurement" (CPM) <br />program. Annually, the State allocates about $3,350 to the City of Ramsey for performance measurement related <br />costs. In summary, the City has about $10,850 in funding budgeted for a resident survey in 2014. If additional <br />funding is required, survey questions specifically related to individual departments or enterprise funds can be <br />allocated accordingly. <br />Alternatives /Methods <br />A wide range of surveying methods exist. Included in the attachments are "alternatives" comparison charts; which <br />outline common survey methods germane to the City of Ramsey. These charts are broken down into three sections, <br />see below. NOTE: Ranking the value of different methods and developing cost estimations is a subjective exercise; <br />different opinions and perspectives will exist. The purpose of this information is to provide a base for Council <br />discussion. <br />(1) Summary Table. <br />Overview of Staff analysis. This includes unique positives and negatives for each alternative. <br />(2) Qualitative Summary. <br />This includes an overview of each alternative; and, Staff rankings based on a number of qualitative factors. <br />(3) Quantitative Summary. <br />This includes a financial analysis based on Staff cost estimations. A major update to this analysis is the <br />inclusion of 'soft costs' forecasts. <br />Benefits of Surveying <br />