2009 Community Survey

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

February 2009

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?

HOUSING, 20%; NEIGHBORHOOD, 4%; CLOSE TO WORK, 30%; CLOSE TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS, 12%; SMALL TOWN FEEL, 6%; SCHOOLS, 11%; SHOPPING, 2%; RURAL/OPEN SPACES, 7%; LIKED THE CITY, 5%; SAFE, 2%; SCATTERED, 2%.

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

MINNEAPOLIS, 7%; SAINT PAUL, 23%; WASHINGTON COUNTY, 14%; DAKOTA COUNTY, 10%; RAMSEY COUNTY, 16%; HENNEPIN COUNTY, 5%; RURAL MINNESOTA, 3%; OUTSIDE OF MINNESOTA, 19%; ALWAYS LIVED IN WOODBURY, 2%; REST OF THE 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, 8%; NOTHING, 7%; TOO MUCH GROWTH, 23%; HIGH TAXES, 12%; LACK OF SCHOOL FUNDING, 4%; QUALITY OF WATER, 2%; TRAFFIC CONGESTION, 16%; STREET MAINTENANCE, 4%; POOR ECONOMY, 6%; LACK OF PUBLIC TRANSIT, 2%; POOR CITY DECISIONS, 4%; SCHOOL BOUNDARIES ISSUE, 4%; HOME FORECLOSURES, 3%; RISING CRIME, 3%; SCATTERED, 3%.

6. 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=25)

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

UNSURE, 24%; LESS ELITISM, 32%; MORE COMMUNITY EVENTS, 20%; COMMUNITY CENTER, 12%; MORE TRAILS, 8%; SCATTERED, 4%.

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 #8-30, ASK: (N=211)

31. Why do you feel that way?

POOR STREET MAINTENANCE, 53%; FLOODING, 10%; BETTER MAINTENANCE, 13%; NEED MORE STREET LIGHTS, 11%; POOR SNOW PLOWING, 5%; HIGH COST, 2%; BETTER CODE ENFORCE MENT, 5%; SCATTERED, 2%.

32. 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, 5%; NO, 86%; MORE FOR DISABLED, 1%; LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT, 2%; WI-FI, 1%; COMMUNITY CENTER, 1%; TAKE MORE RECYCLING, 1%; MORE SENIOR PROGRAMS, 1%; SCATTERED, 1%.

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

33. For each dollar of property taxes you pay, about what percentage do you think goes to city government -- 10 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-eight percent.

34. In comparison to neighboring communities, do you consider city property taxes in Woodbury to be very high, somewhat high, about average, somewhat low, or very low?

35. 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=385)

36. Why do you feel that way?

UNSURE, 2%; GOOD VALUE, 18%; HIGH TAXES, 6%; WELL- MAINTAINED CITY, 20%; GOOD CITY SERVICES, 26%; POOR MAINTENANCE, 2%; NO PROBLEMS, 13%; STREET MAINTENANCE, 8%; COULD IMPROVE, 6%.

37. 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 2008 ranked 62nd lowest out of 117 metropolitan area cities.

Moving on.....

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

I would like to read you a short list of policing priorities for the Woodbury Police Department. Besides responding to emergency calls and criminal investigations....

39. First, tell me which, if any, of the policing priorities do you consider to be the top priority? (ROTATE AND READ LIST)

40. Now, which do you consider the second priority? (RE-READ LIST OMITTING FIRST CHOICE)

41. Now I would like to read you a short list of driving behaviors. Please tell me which one, if any, you consider to be the most serious traffic concern in the City of Woodbury.

42. How would you rate the amount of visible police patrolling IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD -- too much, about right, or not enough?

43. How would you rate the speed of traffic on major streets in Woodbury -- too fast, acceptable, or too slow?

Thinking about the street where you live....

44. How would you rate the speed of traffic on your street -- too fast, acceptable, or too slow?

45. 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=48)

46. Why do you feel that way?

LONG STREET LIGHTS, 65%; TRAFFIC CONGESTION, 31%; POTHOLES, 4%.

Moving on....

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

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

As you may know, the Minnesota Department of Health found low levels of chemicals from 3M in wells serving the city's water system. However, the levels of the chemicals are well below the maximum acceptable value established by the Minnesota Department of Health and Woodbury's drinking water meets all state and federal requirements for water quality standards.

49. Do you feel you have been provided enough information about this issue?

50. Do you feel enough has been done to resolve this issue?

Changing topics.....

51. 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?

52. 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?

53. 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 #53, ASK: (N=341)

54. Why do you feel that way?

GOOD JOB, 55%; GOOD COMMUNICATION, 13%; POOR JOB, 3%; POOR COMMUNICATION, 4%; POOR SPENDING, 4%; WATER ISSUE, 2%; STREET MAINTENANCE, 8%; NO PROBLEMS, 10%; SCATTERED, 2%.

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

56. 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 #56, ASK: (N=303)

57. Why did you rate city staff as ___________?

GOOD JOB, 14%; GOOD COMMUNICATION, 2%; HELPFUL, 50%; FRIENDLY, 29%; POOR JOB, 5%; COULD IMPROVE, 1%.

The City's current business hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Several cities have changed to a system where they have extended hours Monday through Thursday and are closed on Fridays. If the City of Woodbury were to make this change it would provide for increased public service hours Monday through Thursday. Overall, the City could save money through reduced energy costs, but it would close some city buildings on Fridays.

58. Would you favor or oppose the City of Woodbury making this change in their hours of operation? (WAIT FOR RESPONSE) Do you feel strongly that way?

Changing topics....

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.

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

60. In what city is your job located?

61. 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=268)

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

63. 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?

UNSURE, 2%; NO, 69%; MORE ROUTES, 14%; DIRECT ROUTES, 3%; EXPRESS BUSES, 7%; LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT, 3%; SCATTERED, 3%.

For each of the following services that could be offered in Woodbury, please tell me if you or members of your household would be very likely to use it, somewhat likely, not too likely or not at all likely to use it?

The City and Washington County have completed the construction of a two lane roundabout at the intersection of Radio Drive and Bailey Road.

67. Have you used this roundabout? (IF "YES," ASK:) How often do you use it -- daily, weekly, or less often?

IF USED, ASK: (N=322)

68. Do you think the roundabout is easy or difficult to navigate?

In comparison to traditional traffic lights and stop signs....

69. Has this roundabout improved the flow of traffic?

70. Has this roundabout improved the safety?

71. Do you support or oppose the city continuing the construction of two lane roundabouts as an alternative to traditional intersection controls in the future?

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....

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

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 p.m. 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.

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

84. Do you think you have conserved more water in the past two years as compared to previous years?

IF "YES," ASK: (N=135)

85. How have you conserved water?

SHORTER SHOWERS, 9%; WATER THE LAWN LESS, 56%; DON'T WASH CARS, 8%; LESS CLOTHES WASHING, 3%; OVERALL MORE CONSERVATION, 23%; ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES, 2%.

Moving on....

The city is considering changes to its current system of trash and recycling collection. I would like to read you a list of issues about trash and recycling collection.

86. Please tell me which of the following is the most important issue to you about your trash and recycling collection. (ROTATE AND READ LIST)

87. Which is the second most important issue? (RE-READ LIST, OMITTING FIRST CHOICE)

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

UNSURE, 5%; NO, 31%; PRESERVE RESOURCES, 9%; MAINTAIN RESOURCES, 18%; BETTER UPKEEP OF THE ENVIRONMENT, 5%; LONG LASTING, 4%; GOING GREEN, 10%; REPLENISHING RESOURCES, 2%; CONSERVE RESOURCES, 7%; RENEW RESOURCES, 3%; KEEP THINGS STABLE, 2%; REUSE RESOURCES, 3%; SCATTERED, 3%.

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?

The City is considering an ordinance change to allow for the construction of alternative energy structures, such as wind turbines and solar panels. For each of the following zoning areas, please tell me if you strongly favor, favor, oppose or strongly oppose the City allowing these types of alternative energy structures being constructed there?

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

On another topic....

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

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.

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

112. 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?

The City is also considering an expansion to the Bielenberg Sports Center. The expansion would likely include an additional sheet of ice, an expanded indoor fieldhouse to replace the current dome structure, and other support spaces.

113. Would you support or oppose the expansion of the Bielenberg Sports Center? (WAIT FOR RESPONSE) Do you feel strongly that way?

The Woodbury Public Safety building does not have an indoor parking facility for its squad cars. This presents problems because the vehicles, which carry extensive computer equipment and medical supplies, are left exposed to harsh weather conditions. In addition, the Public Safety building is in need of a new roof, a heating and air conditioning system upgrade, an emergency operations center for disaster management, and other facility improvements.

To address these problems, the City could issue up to $8 million of non-referendum bonds in 2010. Owners of $300,000 homes would see a monthly property tax increase of $2.00 per month, or $24.00 per year.

114. Would you support or oppose the City issuing the bonds to fund these facility improvements? (WAIT FOR RESPONSE) Do you feel strongly this way?

Moving on.....

115. What is your principal source of information about Woodbury City government and its activities? (READ LIST, #1-#7)

116. How would you most prefer to receive information about Woodbury City Government and its activities -- (ROTATE) e-mail, information on the city's website, city publications and newsletters, mailings to your home, local weekly newspaper coverage, or cable tele- vision programming?

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

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

IF "YES," ASK: (N=380)

118. 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.

119. Do you recall receiving this newsletter insert?

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

NOTHING, 6%; PARK AND RECREATION BROCHURE, 55%; MAILINGS, 7%; CITY NEWSLETTER, 18%; LOCAL NEWSPAPER, 2%; WEBSITE, 9%; SCATTERED, 3%.

The City of Woodbury publishes a Park and Recreation brochure three times a year.

121. Do you receive this brochure? (IF "YES," ASK:) How would you rate its format and content -- excellent, good, only fair or poor?

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

122. 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?

123. Does your household receive cable television?

IF "YES," ASK: (N=251)

124. 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?

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

126. 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:

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

IF "NO," ASK: (N=3)

128. What information could you not find?

SPECIFIC EMPLOYEE PHONE NUMBER, 67%; PERMIT APPLICATION, 33%.

129. Have you or a household member used the City website to register for City recreation programs?

IF "YES," ASK: (N=100)

130. Did you find the registration process clear and easy to use?

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

132. Were you aware of the InTouch e-mail system which allows residents to sign-up to receive e-mails from the city on topics of interest?

For each of the following potential website services, please tell me if you would be very interested, somewhat interest ed, not too interested or not at all interested in that service.

137. 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....

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

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

140. 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.

145. First, persons 65 or over?

146. Adults under 65?

147. School-aged or pre-school children?

IF CHILDREN ARE PRESENT, ASK: (N=173)

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

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

REFUSED, 3%; PROFESSIONAL-TECHNICAL, 40%; OWNER-MANAGER, 10%; CLERICAL-SALES, 19%; BLUE COLLAR, 10%; NOT CURRENTLY WORKING, 2%; RETIRED, 16%.

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

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

152. What is your age, please?

153. 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....

154. 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?

155. Gender

156. REGION OF CITY (PRECINCT)