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<br />random sampling of the citizens. He asked who would cover this cost and whether it is included <br />in the budget. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that if the City Council authorized this, the City would pay for it. He stated <br />that the City has used a company called Decision Resources for this type of service, with success <br />in the past. <br /> <br />Assistant City Administrator Nelson stated that it has not been included in the budget, but <br />Environmental Coordinator Anderson has suggested that funds from the Environmental Services <br />Budget be used. <br /> <br />Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that he also learned earlier tonight that a public <br />survey can be funded by a private source. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that the City already has around 42 parks in the City and wonders <br />how many more the City needs. He stated that he agrees with Councilmember Dehen's <br />comments on finding out priorities from residents on things such as, subsidized housing, open <br />space, or a community center. He stated that he would like to know the order in which residents <br />prioritize these issues because there is a limited amount of discretionary funds. He stated that he <br />also feels the wording of the surveyor ballot is very important. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen asked why the City could not include a survey with the Ramsey Resident <br />asking residents to give input on their priorities, rather than spending a lot of money on another <br />direct mailing or hiring a service to complete the survey. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that using the Ramsey Resident may appear to be a less costly option, but <br />he feels there would be significant staff time needed to put together the survey questions and <br />compile the answers. He stated that he feels it would be much more costly to do the survey in <br />house. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated that her preference is not to have staff work on this, but to hire <br />a professional firm who does this type of thing, because there is a science as well as an art to <br />conducting surveys. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that he feels the City Council needs to discuss this issue more and noted <br />that he has gotten negative feedback from residents who live in the rural areas of the City <br />because this gives the impression of land being taken away. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stctted that he agrees a professional should conduct the survey, but does <br />not agree that it should just be a random sampling. He stated that if the cost to survey the entire <br />City is the same as a random sampling, he prefers that each household be contacted. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated that if the cost is the same, she would agree that each <br />household be contacted. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / September 25,2007 <br />Page 4 of 5 <br />