HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 14242
City of Palo Alto (ID # 14242)
Policy and Services Committee Staff Report
Meeting Date: 4/12/2022 Report Type: Action Items
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Title: Receive Update on National Community Survey and Potential Feedback
on Survey Questions
From: City Manager
Lead Department: City Manager
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Policy and Services Committee receive an update on the National
Community Survey and recommend to Council any changes in survey questions.
Background
The City Council held a Study Session on May 17, 2021 to receive the results of the 2020/2021
National Community Survey by Polco/NRC (CMR 12270). Palo Alto has been surveying residents
for nearly two decades, since the first survey in 2003. The survey report shares the results with
some historical comparison for reference and context of changes over time.
Discussion
Staff is in the process of organizing a specific timeframe for the 2022 survey, but tentatively it is
set to go out in the fall and have results in time for the 2023 City Council annual retreat.
In preparation of the upcoming survey year, staff wanted to have the Policy and Services
Committee to review the survey questions from the previous survey. These questions were
vetted by the Policy and Services Committee in 2020 before the previous survey went out.
Attachment A contains the survey instrument from the 2020 survey. Palo Alto has many
customized survey questions that are unique to this community and Polco/NRC has been
tracking these responses over the history of surveys conducted for Palo Alto. Consistency in
survey questions is important to measure and review trends over time.
Resource Impact and Timeline
The survey is in the City Council budget and in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget, the City Council
approved moving the survey to an every other year cycle as a cost saving measure. Fiscal Year
2023 is a survey year and the survey would occur in fall 2022.
Attachments:
• Attachment A: Palo Alto Community Survey 2020/2021 Questions
2020 Community Survey
Page 1 of 5
Please complete this survey if you are the adult (age 18 or older) in the household who most recently had a birthday (the
year of birth does not matter). Your responses are anonymous and will be reported in group form only.
1. Please rate each of the following aspects of quality of life in Palo Alto. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Palo Alto as a place to live ................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Your neighborhood as a place to live .................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Palo Alto as a place to raise children..................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Palo Alto as a place to work ................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Palo Alto as a place to visit .................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Palo Alto as a place to retire ................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
The overall quality of life in Palo Alto .................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
2. Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Palo Alto as a whole. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Overall “built environment” of Palo Alto (including overall design,
buildings, parks and transportation systems) ..................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto ..................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto ................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto ........................... 1 2 3 4 5
Residents’ connection and engagement with their community ............... 1 2 3 4 5
3. Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following. Very Somewhat Somewhat Very Don’t likely likely unlikely unlikely know Recommend living in Palo Alto to someone who asks .............. 1 2 3 4 5
Remain in Palo Alto for the next five years .............................. 1 2 3 4 5
Recommend Palo Alto’s libraries to friends .............................. 1 2 3 4 5
4. Please rate the job you feel the Palo Alto community does at each of the following. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Making all residents feel welcome ........................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Attracting people from diverse backgrounds ......................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Valuing/respecting residents from diverse backgrounds ......................... 1 2 3 4 5
Taking care of vulnerable residents (elderly, disabled, homeless, etc.) ... 1 2 3 4 5
5. Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Palo Alto as a whole. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Palo Alto ......... 1 2 3 4 5
Variety of business and service establishments in Palo Alto.................... 1 2 3 4 5
Vibrancy of downtown/commercial area ............................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Employment opportunities ................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Shopping opportunities ........................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Cost of living in Palo Alto ..................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Overall image or reputation of Palo Alto ............................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Traffic flow on major streets ................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Ease of public parking.......................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Ease of travel by car in Palo Alto .......................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Ease of travel by public transportation in Palo Alto ................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Ease of travel by bicycle in Palo Alto ..................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Ease of walking in Palo Alto ................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Variety of housing options ................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Availability of affordable quality housing ............................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Overall quality of new development in Palo Alto .................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Availability of paths and walking trails .................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.) ... 1 2 3 4 5
Recreational opportunities ................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Availability of affordable quality mental health care ............................... 1 2 3 4 5
Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities ............................. 1 2 3 4 5
Page 2 of 5
6. Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Palo Alto as a whole.
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know Availability of affordable quality childcare/preschool .............................. 1 2 3 4 5
K-12 education .................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Adult educational opportunities ............................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Opportunities to participate in social events and activities...................... 1 2 3 4 5
Opportunities to participate in community matters ................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Openness and acceptance of the community toward people
of diverse backgrounds ..................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Opportunities to learn about City services through social media
websites such as Twitter and Facebook ............................................. 1 2 3 4 5
7. Please indicate whether or not you have done each of the following in the last 12 months.
No Yes Used Palo Alto recreation centers or their services ....................................................................... 1 2
Visited a neighborhood park or City park ..................................................................................... 1 2
Used Palo Alto public libraries or their services ............................................................................. 1 2
Participated in religious or spiritual activities in Palo Alto .............................................................. 1 2 Attended a City-sponsored event ................................................................................................. 1 2 Participated in a club .................................................................................................................. 1 2 Talked to or visited with your immediate neighbors ...................................................................... 1 2 Done a favor for a neighbor ........................................................................................................ 1 2 Used the City’s website to conduct business or pay bills ............................................................... 1 2 Used the Utilities website to conduct business or pay bills ............................................................ 1 2 Contacted the City of Palo Alto (in-person, phone, email or web) for help or information ............... 1 2 Contacted Palo Alto elected officials (in-person, phone, email or web) to express your opinion....... 1 2 Attended a local public meeting (of local elected officials like City Council or County Commissioners, advisory boards, town halls, HOA, neighborhood watch, etc.) ......................... 1 2 Watched (online or on television) a local public meeting ............................................................... 1 2
Volunteered your time to some group/activity in Palo Alto ............................................................ 1 2
Voted in your most recent local election ...................................................................................... 1 2
Used bus, rail, or other public transportation instead of driving ..................................................... 1 2
Carpooled with other adults or children instead of driving alone.................................................... 1 2
Walked or biked instead of driving............................................................................................... 1 2
Observed a code violation or other hazard in Palo Alto (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) ............ 1 2
Household member was a victim of a crime in Palo Alto ............................................................... 1 2
Reported a crime to the police in Palo Alto................................................................................... 1 2
Stocked 14 days’ worth of supplies in case of a major disaster where you have no
electricity, water, internet, or telephone service ....................................................................... 1 2
8. Please rate the following categories of Palo Alto government performance.
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know The value of services for the taxes paid to Palo Alto .............................. 1 2 3 4 5 The overall direction that Palo Alto is taking.......................................... 1 2 3 4 5
The job Palo Alto government does at welcoming resident involvement . 1 2 3 4 5
Overall confidence in Palo Alto government .......................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Generally acting in the best interest of the community .......................... 1 2 3 4 5
Being honest ....................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Being open and transparent to the public ............................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Informing residents about issues facing the community ......................... 1 2 3 4 5
Treating all residents fairly ................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Treating residents with respect ............................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
9. Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by each of the following?
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know The City of Palo Alto ............................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 The State Government ......................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 The Federal Government ..................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
2020 Community Survey
Page 3 of 5
10. Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Palo Alto.
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Traffic enforcement ................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Traffic signal timing ................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Street repair .............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Street cleaning .......................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Street tree maintenance ............................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Sidewalk maintenance ............................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Land use, planning, and zoning .................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) ............................... 1 2 3 4 5
Preservation of natural areas (open space, farmlands and greenbelts) ......... 1 2 3 4 5
Building and planning application processing services .................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Affordable high-speed internet access ........................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Electric utility ............................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Gas utility.................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Utility payment options .............................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Drinking water .......................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Sewer services .......................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Storm water management (storm drainage, dams, levees, etc.) ................. 1 2 3 4 5
Refuse collection (garbage, recycling, yard waste, and e-waste) .................. 1 2 3 4 5
Police services ........................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Crime prevention ....................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Animal control ........................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Ambulance or emergency medical services ................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Fire services .............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Fire prevention and education .................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Palo Alto open space ................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
City parks.................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Recreation programs or classes .................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Recreation centers or facilities .................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Public library services (e.g., hold requests, storytimes, teen events, bookclubs) ... 1 2 3 4 5
Library facilities (buildings, computer equipment, accessibility) .................... 1 2 3 4 5
Variety of library materials (books, e-books, streaming, databases, audiobooks) .. 1 2 3 4 5
Art programs and theater........................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
City-sponsored special events .................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
City website (cityofpaloalto.org) ................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Public information services (Police/public safety) ......................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Public information services (non-Police/public safety) .................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Overall customer service by Palo Alto employees (police, receptionists, planners, etc.) ...................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
11. Please rate the following as they relate to Palo Alto Utilities’ services: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know Reliability of utility services ...................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Affordability of utility services................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Community value received from the City owning and operating its own municipal utility services ................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Utilities online customer self-service features ............................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Providing opportunities for energy and water efficiency at home or business .. 1 2 3 4 5 Working hard to keep utilities prices competitive ....................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Value of all the services Palo Alto Utilities provides for the price you pay ...... 1 2 3 4 5 Ease of obtaining information or performing a transaction through the City’s website ....................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Value of Palo Alto Utilities’ customer communications ................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Ease of contacting Utilities department staff ............................................. 1 2 3 4 5 Speed of response after contacting Utilities department staff ..................... 1 2 3 4 5
Page 4 of 5
12. Please rate how important, if at all, you think it is for the Palo Alto community to focus on each of the following in the coming two years. Very Somewhat Not at all
Essential important important important Overall “built environment” of Palo Alto (including overall design,
buildings, parks and transportation systems) ......................................... 1 2 3 4
Overall economic health of Palo Alto ......................................................... 1 2 3 4
Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto ......................................................... 1 2 3 4
Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto .................................... 1 2 3 4
Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto ............................... 1 2 3 4
Overall opportunities for education, culture and the arts ........................... 1 2 3 4
Residents’ connection and engagement with their community ................... 1 2 3 4
Reducing community greenhouse gas emissions ....................................... 1 2 3 4
Increasing local solar generation capacity within city boundaries ............... 1 2 3 4
Increasing electric storage capacity within city boundaries......................... 1 2 3 4
Faster notification systems (online, mobile or email) for Utilities
billing issues, efficiency tips, outage information .................................... 1 2 3 4
Faster notification systems (online, mobile or email) for public safety issues .... 1 2 3 4
13. In a typical week, how likely are you to: Very Somewhat Somewhat Very Don’t likely likely unlikely unlikely know Participate in organized group activities (such as clubs, sports teams, volunteer your time, attend church/temple) .................. 1 2 3 4 5 Spend quality time with local friends, family, and/or neighbors .... 1 2 3 4 5
14. What mode of transportation do you use most for your typical daily needs for getting around town?
Driving Biking Train Taxi Carpooling
Walking Bus Free shuttle Uber/Lyft or similar rideshare service
15. If you did not have access to a car for your usual daily transportation around town, how convenient
(based on time and proximity) would you consider each of the following methods of getting around?
Very Somewhat Somewhat Very convenient convenient inconvenient inconvenient
Walking .................................................................................... 1 2 3 4
Biking ....................................................................................... 1 2 3 4
Bus ........................................................................................... 1 2 3 4
Train ......................................................................................... 1 2 3 4
Free shuttle ............................................................................... 1 2 3 4
Taxi .......................................................................................... 1 2 3 4
Uber/Lyft or similar rideshare service ......................................... 1 2 3 4
Carpooling ................................................................................ 1 2 3 4
16. If you plan to purchase a new car within the next two years, what is the likelihood of it being:
Very Somewhat Somewhat Very Don’t
likely likely unlikely unlikely know Gas ........................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Diesel ....................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Natural gas ............................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Hybrid ....................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Plug-in hybrid ............................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 Electric ...................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 Fuel cell .................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
17. As a resident of Palo Alto, what one change could the City make that would make you happier?
18. As a resident of Palo Alto, what one thing do you believe the City does well and would want to maintain?
2020 Community Survey
Page 5 of 5
Our last questions are about you and your household.
Again, all of your responses to this survey are completely anonymous and will be reported in group form only.
D1. What impact, if any, do you think the economy will have on your family income in the next 6
months? Do you think the impact will be:
Very positive Somewhat positive Neutral Somewhat negative Very negative
D2. What is your employment status?
Working full time for pay
Working part time for pay
Unemployed, looking for paid work
Unemployed, not looking for paid work
Fully retired
College student, unemployed
D3. Do you work inside the boundaries of Palo
Alto?
Yes, outside the home
Yes, from home
No
D4. How many years have you lived in Palo Alto?
Less than 2 years
2-5 years
6-10 years
11-20 years
More than 20 years
D5. Which best describes the building you live in?
One family house detached from any other
houses
Building with two or more homes (duplex,
townhome, apartment or condominium)
Mobile home
Other
D6. Do you rent or own your home?
Rent
Own
D7. About how much is your monthly housing
cost for the place you live (including rent,
mortgage payment, property tax, property
insurance and homeowners’ association
(HOA) fees)?
Less than $500 $5,500 to $5,999
$500 to $999 $6,000 to $6,499
$1,000 to $1,499 $6,500 to $6,999
$1,500 to $1,999 $7,000 to $7,499
$2,000 to $2,499 $7,500 to $7,999
$2,499 to $2,999 $8,000 to $8,499
$3,000 to $3,499 $8,500 to $8,999
$3,500 to $3,999 $9,000 to $9,499
$4,000 to $4,499 $9,500 to $9,999
$4,500 to $4,999 $10,000 or more
$5,000 to $5,499
D8. Do any children 17 or under live in your
household?
No Yes
D9. Are you or any other members of your
household aged 65 or older?
No Yes
D10. How much do you anticipate your
household’s total income before taxes will
be for the current year? (Please include in
your total income money from all sources
for all persons living in your household.)
Less than $25,000
$25,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to $149,000
$150,000 to $199,999
$200,000 to $249,999
$250,000 to $299,999
$300,000 to $349,999
$350,000 to $399,999
$400,000 to $449,999
$450,000 to $499,999
$500,000 or more
D11. Are you Spanish, Hispanic or Latino?
No, not Spanish, Hispanic or Latino
Yes, I consider myself to be Spanish, Hispanic
or Latino
D12. What is your race? (Mark one or more races
to indicate what race you consider yourself
to be.)
❑ American Indian or Alaskan Native
❑ Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander
❑ Black or African American
❑ White
❑ Other
D13. In which category is your age?
18-24 years 55-64 years
25-34 years 65-74 years
35-44 years 75 years or older
45-54 years
D14. What is your gender?
Female
Male
Identify in another way
Thank you! Please return the completed survey in the postage-paid envelope to:
National Research Center, Inc., PO Box 549, Belle Mead, NJ 08502