2007 Community Survey

Decision Resources, Ltd.
3128 Dean Court
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414

January 2007

Hello, I'm __________ of Decision Resources, Ltd., a polling firm located in Minneapolis. We've been retained by the City of Woodbury to speak with a random sample of residents about issues facing the city. The survey is being taken because your city representatives and staff are interested in your opinions and suggestions. I want to assure you that all individual responses will be held strictly confidential; only summaries of the entire sample will be reported. (DO NOT PAUSE)

1. Approximately how many years have you lived in the City of Woodbury?

2. Thinking back to when you moved to Woodbury, what factors were most important to you in selecting the city?

LOCATION, 9%; CLOSE TO WORK, 22%; HOUSING, 17%; FAMILY AND FRIENDS, 11%; OPEN SPACE, 11%; NEIGHBORHOOD, 3%; SCHOOLS, 15%; SMALL TOWN FEEL, 4%; SAFE, 5%; SCATTERED, 4%.

3. Where did you live prior to moving to Woodbury?

ALWAYS WOODBURY, 1%; MINNEAPOLIS, 6%; SAINT PAUL, 23%; OUT OF MINNESOTA, 19%; RURAL MINNESOTA, 6%; REST OF RAMSEY COUNTY, 13%; REST OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, 8%; REST OF HENNEPIN COUNTY, 7%; DAKOTA COUNTY, 15%; REST OF METRO, 3%.

4. How would you rate the quality of life in Woodbury -- excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

5. What do you think is the most serious issue facing the City of Woodbury today?

UNSURE, 6%; NOTHING, 10%; TOO MUCH GROWTH, 36%; HIGH TAXES, 9%; QUALITY OF SCHOOLS, 7%; TRAFFIC, 17%; QUALITY OF WATER, 7%; LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, 3%; CRIME, 2%; LOSING BUSINESS, 2%; SCATTERED, 3%.

     IF AN ANSWER IS GIVEN, ASK: (N=340)

6. Why do you feel that way?

TOO MUCH RESIDENTIAL GROWTH, 27%; HIGH TAXES, 9%; TOO MUCH TRAFFIC, 17%; SCHOOLS NEED FUNDING, 2%; LOSING OPEN SPACE, 7%; TOO MUCH RETAIL, 3%; HARMFUL DRINKING WATER, 9%; GROWTH STRAINS CITY SERVICES, 2%; CROWDED SCHOOLS, 8%; TOO MANY STOPLIGHTS, 5%; HOUSING TOO EXPENSIVE, 2%; NEED MORE BUSINESSES, 3%; RISING CRIME, 2%; SCATTERED, 4%.

7. How would you rate the general sense of community among Woodbury residents -- excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

IF "ONLY FAIR" OR "POOR," ASK: (N=29)

8. What could the City do to improve the sense of community in Woodbury?

UNSURE, 14%; MORE NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS, 14%; MORE COMMUNITY EVENTS, 24%; IMPROVE CITY COMMUNICATIONS, 14%; COMMUNITY GATHERING AREA, 14%; ONE SCHOOL DISTRICT, 14%; SCATTERED, 7%.

9. How safe would you feel walking alone in your neighborhood after dark -- very safe, reasonably safe, somewhat unsafe, or very unsafe?

10. Do you think Woodbury currently has too much, too little, or about the right amount of retail shopping opportunities?

I would like to read you a list of a few city services. For each one, please tell me whether you would rate the quality of the service as excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

Roadways in the City of Woodbury consist of both city and county streets. City streets are those found in residential neighborhoods and also include major streets such as Tamarack Road, Woodlane Drive and Lake Road. County streets are the following major roadways: Valley Creek Road, Bailey Road, Radio Drive, Woodbury Drive, and Military Road.

Again, please tell me whether you would rate the quality of the following services as excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

IF "ONLY FAIR" OR "POOR" ON ANY OF ABOVE CITY SERVICES #11-33, ASK: (N=166)

34. Why do you feel that way?

NEED MORE STREET LIGHTS, 27%; POOR QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER, 8%; POOR STREET MAINTENANCE, 31%; POOR BUILDING INSPECTION, 2%; POOR CODE ENFORCEMENT, 5%; FLOODING, 16%; POOR SNOW PLOWING, 6%; SCATTERED, 5%.

35. Are there any services not currently offered by the City of Woodbury you would like to see offered? (IF "YES," ASK:) What are they?

UNSURE, 4%; NO, 87%; MORE SENIOR TRANSPORTATION, 2%; MORE PUBLIC TRANSIT, 1%; WIRELESS HIGH SPEED INTERNET, 1%; COMMUNITY CENTER, 1%; MORE RECREATION PROGRAMS, 1%; SCATTERED, 2%.

The City is reviewing the design standards used for major roads. This does not include local residential streets or freeways.

36. I would like to read you a list. Please tell me which one is the most important aspect for the design of major roadways in Woodbury? (READ LIST)

37. Which is the second most important aspect of design of major roadways? (RE-READ LIST OMITTING FIRST CHOICE)

38. Which one is the least important aspect for the design? (RE-READ LIST, OMITTING FIRST AND SECOND CHOICE)

Most county roads in Woodbury, such as Woodbury Drive and Valley Creek Road, are 50 to 55 m.p.h. This speed does not allow trees within 10 feet of the driving lane. A 45 m.p.h. or less speed limit would allow landscaping closer to the roadway.

39. Do you feel the County Road speed limits of 50 to 55 m.p.h. in Woodbury are too slow, too fast, or about the right speed?

40. Would you support or oppose a 45 m.p.h. speed limit on county roads? (WAIT FOR RESPONSE) Do you feel strongly that way?

Moving on....

41. How would you rate the quality of drinking water in the City of Woodbury -- excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

42. Over the last several years, do you believe your drinking water quality has improved, remained about the same, or gotten worse?

The City of Woodbury obtains its drinking water from wells without need for processing through a water treatment facility. This is one of the reasons we have one of the lowest water rates in the area.

43. Would you support or oppose a water rate increase to build and operate a water treatment facility if it improved drinking water quality?

As you may know, property tax revenues are divided among the City of Woodbury, Washington County, and your local public school district.

44. For each dollar of property taxes you pay, about what percentage do you think goes to city government -- ten percent or less, 11 to 20 percent, 21 to 30 percent, 31 to 40 percent 41 to 50 percent or over 50 percent?

The actual percentage of your property taxes going to the City of Woodbury is about twenty-seven percent.

45. Do you consider city property taxes in Woodbury to be very high, somewhat high, about average, somewhat low, or very low?

46. When you consider the property taxes you pay and the quality of city services you receive, would you rate the general value of city services as excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

IF A RATING IS GIVEN, ASK: (N=373)

47. Why do you feel that way?

GOOD CITY SERVICES, 30%; TAXES ARE TOO HIGH, 14%; GOOD VALUE, 9%; LOW TAXES, 2%; CITY IS WELL-MAINTAINED, 27%; COULD IMPROVE, 5%; POOR WATER QUALITY, 3%; GOOD PARKS, 8%; SCATTERED, 2%.

48. Would you support or oppose an increase in your property taxes to maintain city services at their current level?

For your information, the City of Woodbury's property tax rate for 2006 ranked 65th lowest out of 113 metropolitan area cities.

Changing topics.....

49. Other than voting, do you feel that if you wanted to, you could have a say about the way the City of Woodbury runs things?

50. How much do you feel you know about the work of the Mayor and City Council -- a great deal, a fair amount, or very little?

51. From what you know, do you approve or disapprove of the job performance of the Mayor and City Council? (WAIT FOR RESPONSE) And do you feel strongly that way?

     IF OPINION STATED IN QUESTION #51, ASK: (N=333)

52. Why do you feel that way?

GOOD JOB, 32%; NO PROBLEMS, 31%; LISTEN, 8%; DON'T LISTEN, 5%; TOO MUCH GROWTH, 3%; COULD IMPROVE, 4%; GOOD COMMUNICATION, 10%; GOOD JOB CONTROLLING GROWTH, 4%; TAXES ARE TOO HIGH, 2%; SCATTERED, 2%.

53. How much first-hand contact have you had with the Woodbury City Staff -- quite a lot, some, very little, or none at all?

54. From what you know, how would you rate the job performance of the Woodbury City Staff -- excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

     IF RATING IS GIVEN IN QUESTION #54, ASK: (N=301)

55. Why did you rate city staff as ___________?

GOOD JOB, 8%; NO PROBLEMS, 3%; DON'T LISTEN, 2%; COULD IMPROVE, 3%; GOOD COMMUNICATION, 3%; HELPFUL AND RESPONSIVE, 59%; FRIENDLY, 20%; SCATTERED, 2%.

Changing topics....

56. How would you rate your ability to get where you need to go in Woodbury in a reasonable amount of time -- excellent, satisfactory, marginal, or poor?

     IF "MARGINAL" OR "POOR," ASK: (N=53)

57. Why do you feel that way?

TOO MUCH TRAFFIC, 59%; TOO MANY STOPLIGHTS, 41%.

If you work outside of the home, please answer the next questions about your own job; if you do not work outside of the home, please answer the next questions in terms of the job of your spouse or partner, if applicable.

58. What is your average commute time to your job location?

59. In what city is your job located?

60. How do you normally commute to work -- drive alone, ride in a van or car pool, take the bus from near home, use a park and ride lot, walk or bike or something else?

     IF "DRIVE ALONE," ASK: (N=294)

61. If it were convenient, would you be willing to commute using public bus service?

62. Are there any changes or improvements which would make you more likely to use public bus service or a carpool? (IF "YES," ASK:) What would that be?

NO, 82%; MORE ROUTES, 4%; MORE LIGHT RAIL, 2%; MORE PICK-UP TIMES, 4%; CLOSER PICK-UP LOCATIONS, 3%; SCATTERED, 5%.

Moving on....

Let's talk about housing opportunities in Woodbury. For each of the following types of housing, please tell me if you feel the city has enough, too many, or too little....

71. How concerned are you about your home value increasing in the next couple of years -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned?

Changing topics....

72. Are you currently involved in any volunteer service? (IF "YES," ASK:) What kind?

NO, 62%; SCHOOLS, 6%; NURSING HOME/SENIORS, 2%; CHURCH, 18%; BOY/GIRL SCOUTS, 3%; YOUTH ATHLETICS, 4%; VARIOUS CAUSES, 5%.

On another topic....

73. During the past year, have you telephoned Woodbury City Hall?

     IF "YES," ASK: (N=116)

74. Thinking about your last telephone call to the City, would you rate the overall service you received as excellent, good, only fair, or poor....

     IF "ONLY FAIR" OR "POOR," ASK: (N=5)

75. Why do you feel that way?

NOTHING DONE, 20%; VOICE MAIL NOT RESPONDED TO, 60%; SLOW SERVICE, 20%.

Moving on....

The City of Woodbury is about to embark on an update of its 20 year Comprehensive Plan. This plan represents the City's long term plan for the future. The plan was last updated in 2000; it includes the 20 year goals and policies for the land use, transportation, parks and open space, water, storm water and sanitary sewer system.

I would like to read you a list of key issues the City could address as part of updating the 20 year Comprehensive Plan. For each one, please tell me on a one to ten scale, where "one" means "not at all important" and "ten" means "extremely important," how important it is that the issue should be addressed in the Comprehensive Plan.

85. I would like to re-read you the list. Please tell me which one is the most important issue the City of Woodbury should address in the update of the 20 year Comprehensive Plan?

Changing topics....

The City of Woodbury has a lawn sprinkling policy. The policy currently states that odd-numbered addresses may water only on odd-numbered days and even-numbered addresses may water only on even-numbered days. The policy also prohibits lawn sprinkling between the hours of noon and 5 pm. The policy attempts to reduce the amount of water the City uses and to minimize the chance of shortfalls during times of peak water use.

86. Prior to this survey, were you aware of the lawn-sprinkling policy?

87. Do you or members of this household have responsibility for a yard?

IF "YES," ASK: (N=302)

88. Do you have an irrigation system?

IF "YES," ASK: (N=106)

89. How often do you water your grass -- every other day, every fourth day, or only when it is needed?

Last year the city water usage was at a historic high. The City of Woodbury sent out an automatic telephone message to residents encouraging water conservation.

90. Do you recall receiving this message?

IF "YES," ASK: (N=91)

91. Did you cut back in your lawn watering during this period of time?

Moving on....

The City of Woodbury currently has an open trash hauling system, which allows residents to choose their trash and recycling service from a list of eight licensed haulers.

The other option is a contract trash hauling system. In this system, the City would negotiate a contract with one or more private companies to provide trash and recycling pick-up for all households in a particular area of the city.

92. Would you support or oppose the City changing to a contract trash hauling system? (WAIT FOR RESPONSE) Do you feel strongly that way?

93. Are you familiar with the term "sustainability?" (IF "YES," ASK:) What does the term mean to you?

UNSURE, 2%; NO, 54%; "KEEP THINGS MAINTAINED," 17%; KEEP NATURAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE, 6%; MAINTAIN HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, 10%; PROTECT ENVIRONMENT, 3%; CONSERVE ENERGY, 5%; CONTROL GROWTH, 1%; LIVE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES, 2%; SCATTERED, 1%.

The City has adopted a resolution to become a more sustainable community in the future. To accomplish this, the city must give increased emphasis to energy conservation and renewable energy sources; take steps to preserve natural resources, and encourage residential and commercial development practices that protect water quality, use healthy building materials, conserve energy, reduce air pollution, and minimize waste.

I would like to read you a list of issues relating to sustainability. For each of the following, please tell me if that is issue is very important to you, somewhat important, not too important or not at all important?

As you may know, several city parks contain natural areas where vegetation is allowed to grow wild.

100. Would you favor or oppose expanding the amount of existing park land area left as natural areas?

101. How would you rate the city in terms of the amount of trees -- excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

102. Should the City of Woodbury make the planting of trees a higher priority? (WAIT FOR RESPONSE) Do you feel strongly that way?

103. How would you rate the water quality in city lakes -- excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

104. Do you visit any lakes in the City of Woodbury?

IF "YES," ASK: (N=200)

105. Which lake do you visit most frequently?

UNSURE, 2%; CARVER, 34%; WILMES, 5%; POWERS, 12%; COLBY, 39%; MARKGRAFS, 2%; BATTLE CREEK, 4%; MUDD, 1%; TANNER, 2%.

On another topic....

106. How would you rate the safety of city park and recreational facilities -- excellent, good, only fair or poor?

107. Does location and placement of parks in the City of Woodbury seem well-planned?

108. Are you aware that you can register online for a Park and Recreation program?

     IF "YES," ASK: (N=250)

109. Have you registered for a program online during the past twelve months?

     IF "YES," ASK: (N=64)

110. How satisfied were you with the online registration process -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?

Now, I would like to read you a short list of programs. For each one, please tell me if you or members of your household would be very interested in it, somewhat interested, not too interested, or not at all interested. If you have no opinion, just say so....

Some City of Woodbury residents have expressed an interest in the past for an outdoor swimming pool and water park. The concept would include a water slide, fountains and zero-depth entry similar to a beach.

122. Would you support or oppose the construction of an outdoor water park? (WAIT FOR A RESPONSE) Do you feel strongly that way?

123. Should this facility be built and operated by the City of Woodbury, the City in cooperation with a non-profit provider, such as the YMCA, the City in cooperation with a for-profit provider, such as a private health club, or should there be no city involvement?

Other residents have mentioned a need for an activity center for adults over 50 years old. A facility could include activities, senior services and wellness programs.

124. Would you support or oppose the establishment of an activity center for adults over 50 years old? (WAIT FOR RESPONSE) Do you feel strongly that way?

125. Should this facility be built and operated by the City of Woodbury, the City in cooperation with a non-profit provider, the city in cooperation with a for-profit provider, or should there be no city involvement?

126. Does your household contain anyone over the age of 50?

IF "YES," ASK: (N=175)

127. How far would you or a member of your household be willing to travel to get to an activity center for people over 50 years old -- less than a mile, one to two miles, three to five miles or more than five miles?

128. How likely would you or a member of your household be to use an activity center for adults over 50 years old located in Woodbury -- very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely or not at all likely?

IF "NOT TOO LIKELY" OR "NOT AT ALL LIKELY," ASK: (N=73)

129. Could you tell me one or two reasons why you would not be likely to use an activity center?

POOR HEALTH, 12%; NO INTEREST, 33%: TOO BUSY, 34%; NO NEED, 16%; SCATTERED, 4%.

IF "VERY LIKELY" OR "SOMEWHAT LIKELY," ASK: (N=92)

130. Which of the following reasons would be your first reason for using the activity center? (READ LIST)

131. Which is your second reason for using the activity center? (RE-READ LIST, OMITTING FIRST CHOICE)

132. Would you or members of your household be willing to pay a fee to use the Activity Center's programs and facilities?

133. Where in your opinion would be the ideal location for an Activity Center for adults over 50 years old -- in a school, a church, a hospital, a commercial building, Central Park, the Bielenberg Sports Center or another city facility?

Some Woodbury residents have also expressed an interest in a Community Arts Center. The facility would include an auditorium for presentations, studio space, classrooms, and arts and crafts equipment.

134. Would you support or oppose the establishment of a Community Arts Center? (WAIT FOR RESPONSE) Do you feel strongly that way?

135. Should this facility be built and operated by the City of Woodbury, the City in cooperation with a non-profit provider, such as the Woodbury Arts Connection, or should there be no city involvement?

Moving on.....

136. Were you aware youth sports programs are not organized by the City of Woodbury but run by parent volunteer organizations?

137. Have any household members participated in youth sports programs during the past two years? (IF "YES," ASK:) How would you rate the quality of these programs -- excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

     IF "YES," ASK: (N=127)

138. How would you rate the value of these programs in terms of the fees -- excellent, good, only fair or poor?

Moving on....

The City publishes a newsletter, called "The Woodbury City Update." The newsletter is mailed to all residents ten times a year.

139. Do you receive this newsletter? (IF "YES," ASK:) How would you rate the format -- excellent, good, only fair or poor?

     IF "YES," ASK: (N=376)

140. How much of the "City Update" newsletter do you read -- all of it, most of it, some of it, or very little?

The City also publishes an annual "Storm Water Update" in the city newsletter.

141. Do you recall receiving this newsletter insert?

142. What is your primary source of information about the City's Park and Recreational programs and facilities?

NOTHING, 5%; PARKS AND RECREATION BROCHURE, 36%; CITY NEWSLETTER, 33%; WORD OF MOUTH, 2%; VISIT PARKS AND FACILITIES, 2%; INTERNET, 7%; MAILINGS, 6%; LOCAL NEWSPAPER, 9%; SCATTERED, 1%.

The City of Woodbury also publishes an environmental newsletter called "Green Times," which is mailed with the "City Update" three times a year.

143. Do you receive this newsletter? (IF "YES," ASK:) How would you evaluate its format and content -- would you say excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

The City annually publishes a "Drinking Water Quality Report" which is mailed to all water customers.

144. Do you recall receiving the "Water Quality Report?"

The City of Woodbury's Environmental Advisory Commission sponsors specific events, such as a Spring Landscape Workshop, an annual Earth Day cleanup and Buckthorn removal events.

145. Prior to this survey, were you aware of any of these sponsored events? (IF "YES," ASK:) Which ones?

146. Does your household receive cable television?

     IF "YES," ASK: (N=239)

147. How often do you watch Woodbury City Council Meetings or City Commission meetings, such as planning, parks or environmental education on the access channel -- frequently, occasionally, rarely or not at all?

"Woodbury Council Report" is a locally produced program providing a summary of all Woodbury City Council Meetings.

148. How often do you watch "Woodbury Council Report" on the access channel -- frequently, occasionally, rarely, or not at all?

149. Prior to the survey, were you aware you can watch Council meetings through webstreaming available on the Internet?

150. Do you have access to the Internet at home or work? (WAIT FOR RESPONSE) Have you accessed the city Web site from either location?

     IF "YES/YES," ASK: (N=180)

151. Did you find the information you were looking for?

IF "NO," ASK: (N=1)

152. What information could you not find?

SCHOOL INFORMATION, 100%.

153. Were you aware you can submit citizen service requests online through www.ci.woodbury.mn.us?

IF "YES," ASK: (N=74)

154. Have you ever submitted a citizen service request? (IF "YES," ASK:) Were you satisfied or dissatisfied with the service?

155. How would you rate the City's overall performance in communicating key local issues to residents in its publications, newspaper columns, and on cable television -- excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

Continuing....

156. In what public school district do you reside -- South Washington County Public Schools, North Saint Paul-Maplewood Public Schools, or Stillwater Area Public Schools?

157. How would you rate the quality of education provided by the Public School District in which you reside -- excellent, good, only fair or poor?

158. How would you rate the School District in listening and responding to the concerns of students, parents, and community members -- excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

Turning to county services....

I would like to read you a list of services provided by Washington County. For each one, please tell me whether you would rate the quality of the service as excellent, good, only fair, or poor? (ROTATE)

Now, just a few more questions for demographic purposes....

Could you please tell me how many people in each of the following age groups live in your household. Let's start with the oldest. Be sure to include yourself.

164. First, persons 65 or over?

165. Adults under 65?

166. School-aged or pre-school children?

IF CHILDREN ARE PRESENT, ASK:

167. Do your children attend public schools, charter schools, parochial or private schools, or are they home schooled?

168. What is your occupation and, if applicable, the occupation of your spouse or partner?

REFUSED, 3%; PROFESSIONAL-TECHNICAL, 37%; OWNER-MANAGER, 13%; CLERICAL-SALES, 15%; BLUE COLLAR, 16%, RETIRED, 15%; SCATTERED, 2%.

169. Is a full-time or part-time home-based business operated out of your residence?

170. Do you reside in an apartment, townhouse, or single-family home?

171. What is your age, please?

172. What is the last grade of school you completed?

And now, for one final question, keeping in mind that your answers are held strictly confidential....

173. Is your pre-tax yearly household income over or under $75,000? IF "OVER," ASK: Is it over $100,000? (IF "YES," ASK:) Is it over $150,000? IF "UNDER," ASK: Is it under $50,000?

174. Gender

175. REGION OF CITY (PRECINCT)