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Home My WebLink About2002-06-10 City Council (3)-City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM: DATE: CITY MANAGER June 10, 2002 DEPARTMENT: City Manager’s Office CMR: 280:02 SUBJECT: PRESENTATION ON COMMUNITY SURVEY AND OPTIONS FOR CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION IN RESPONSE TO RESULTS OF SECOND COMMUNITY SURVEY ON LIBRARY AND OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES BOND MEASURE RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council receive the results of the second community survey from Evans McDonough, review the options presented in this staff report for Council consideration and provide staff with any additional options for consideration. On June 17, the City Council will discuss the options for addressing challenges raised by the results of the survey and p~ovi~ie staff with direction as to how to proceed. BACKGROUND OnMay 12, 2002, the City Council reviewed the scope of the second community survey for the potential community facilities bond measure with representatives of the polling firm Evans McDonough. The survey was conducted between May 21 and 31. On June 10, Ruth Bernstein of Evans McDonough will present the results of the survey, which are included in this Council-packet. DISCUSSION Given staff and the Council’s commitment to proceed based upon the results of the survey information, staff believes that there are a number of options which the Council may consider, based on the results of the second survey. Some of these options include: Option 1: Proceed with the full facilities measure ($96 million) for a bond measure in November 2002. CMR:280:02 -’-,Page 1 of 4 Option 2: Proceed with the reduced facilities measure ($78 million) for a bond measure in November 2002. Option 3: Proceed with a $6 million bond measure to renovate and expand the Children’s Library in November 2002. Option 4: Proceed with a $42.5 million bond measure to renovate and expand the Children’s Library and Mitchell Park Library/Community Center (the reduced option for the Mitchell Center) in November 2002. Option 5: Do not proceed with a bond measure for November 2002. A City contribution to the Art Center project is not recommended for Options 3, 4 or 5,. The pros and cons of the various options are discussed below (pros and cons of Options 1 and 2 were also included in CMR:219:0,.andare only repeated here if relevant to this dis.cussion): Option 1: Proceed with the full facilities measure ($96 million) for a bond measure in November 2002. Pros: Significant improvement to library, recreation and art services in both North and South Palo Alto Cons: Unlikely to secure two-thirds "super majority" approval in a November election due to voter concern about scope and dollar amount of all of the projects Option 2: Proceed with the reduced facilities measure ($78 million) for a bond measure in November 2002. P?’os : . ¯Significant improvement to library, recreation and art services in both North and South Palo Alto ¯Smaller dollar amount than full project (Option 1) may be more palatable to voters Cons: Unlikely to secure two-thirds "supermajority" in a November election due to voter concern about scope and dollar amount for all of the projects Option 3: Proceed with a $6 million bond measure to renovate and expand the Children’s Library_ in November 2002 Pros." CMR:280:02 Page 2 of 4 ¯Children’s Library has highest support of all projects polled ¯Size of bond measure likely to be acceptable to voters Cons." Not efficient from a debt financing standpoint due to Small size of issuance Does not improve the Mitchell ParkLibrary/Community Center, Main Library or Art Center. Option 4: Proceed with a $42.5 million bond measure to renovate and expand the Children’s Library_, Mitchell Park Library/Community Center (the reduced option for the- Mitchell Center) in November 2002 Pros." ¯Children’s Library has highest support of all projects polled ¯Mitchell Park Library is most heavily used facility ¯Mitchell Park project included City/PAUSD cooperative project for Everyone’.s Homework and Enrichment Center, which is basis for State bond. financing application ¯Size of bond measure may be more palatable to voters ¯Expansion of children’s facilities at Mitchell resonates with voters in second survey Cons." No improvements made to Main Library or Art Center at this time Option 5: Do not proceed with a bond measure for November 2002 Pros." Avoids potential defeat in November Cons.’. No improvement to library, art or community services in Palo Alto at this time RESOURCE IMPACT The resource impact of each of the options is summarized below: Bond Measure $ per $100,000 AV Option 1 $96 million $51 Option 2 $78 million $42 Option 3 $6 million $3 CMR:280:02 Page 3 of 4 Option 4 $42.5 million.$21 Option 5 n/a n/a PREPARED BY: ~ison~,~ssifft~ nt~_ ~ty Manager CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: ~ Fra~d~Benest, City Manager CMR:280:02 Page 4 of 4 0 0 (,,t -- Ill- ~ 0 O~ ~ 0 0 0 I I I I I I I I sse-IlaJOlN _~ H00~$/~$-~ 0 puoq ~ u.1965 > -- ~’~ 0m 0 0 I e o o~ 0 I 0 tE 0 ¯ ~0~ 0 m >, ~ ~ 0 0 ~ 0 Z 0 E C3~ nm 0 ~ 0 Z oZ O0 ~_0 0 0 L"dO City of Palo Alto, CA n=609, +4.0 May 23-28, 2002 " EMC 02-2625 SEX (RECORD FROM OBSERVATION) Male Female 48% 52 Hello, my name is __, may I speak with (NAME ON LIST). Hello, my name is __, and I’m conducting a survey for EMC Research to find out how people in the Palo Alto area. feel about some of the different issues facing them. We are not trying to sell anything, and are collecting this information on a scientific and completely confidential basis. 1.Are you registered to vote at this address? ¯ Yes..>CONTINUE 100 No..>TERMINATE o What would you say are the chances that you will vote in the November 2002 general election for Governor, Congress and other local offices and measures -- are you almost certain to vote, will you probably vote, are the chances 50/50, or do you think that you will not vote? Almost Certain ->CONTINUE 91 Probably .>CONTINUE 6 50/50 Chance .>CONTINUE 3 Will not vote/(Don’t Know) >TERMINATE Do you think things in Palo Alto are generally going in the right direction, or do you feel that things are off on the wrong track? Right Direction 63 Wrong Track 21 (Don’t Know)16 ¯What do you think is the most important problem facing Palo Alto today? (1 RESPONSE) Cost of living/housing is too expensive 19 Traffic 10 Education/Underpaid teachers 9 Housing (general)9 City council is not effective 9 The economy/financial stability 8 Infrastructure 5 Increasing population/Overcrowded 4 Rapid/Overdevelopment 3 The libraries 2 Homelessness 2 EMC #02:2625 City of Palo Alto Social tensions (i.e. race, class) Unemployment/job shortages High/too many taxes Other No opinion Don’t know/refused 1 1 1 7 3 7 Now I’m going to read you the text of a measure that may be on the ballot in November. 5. It reads: Shall the City of Palo Alto adopt a Community Facilities Improvement Plan to improve the quality of life in all areas of Palo Alto and provide needed services for children and the entire community by: ¯Renovating the Main Library; ¯Expanding the Children’s Library; ¯Rebuilding the Mitchell Park Library and Community Center; and ¯Renovating the Art Center; by issuing $96 million dollars of bonds? If the election for this measure were held today, would you vote yes to approve or no to disapprove the measure? (IF UNDECIDED...) Well which way do you lean-- toward voting yes to approve or voting no to disapprove the measure? Yes, approve 55 (Lean Yes, approve)6 No, disapprove 29 (Lean no, disapprove)2 (Und/Dk).8 (IF Q5=3-5 ASK Q6, ELSE SKIP TO Q7) o Why are you not supporting the measure? (3 RESPONSES) Too expensive/Project is too big Improvements not needed/Libraries are f’me as is Need more info/how much will taxes be Other things are more important/waste of money Do not want to pay more taxes/money Do not support bond measures Do not trust how money will be spent Do not support the Art Center There are less expensive alternatives Should only include libraries 25 15 15 13 9 6 4 3 3 3 EMC #02:2625 City of Palo Alto Want to know where money is coming from Have fewer branches/consolidate Money/funds are already available It’s for the buildings only Should be separeated as individual projects Other Don’t know/Refused 3 3 2 1 1 . 12 2 (RESUME ASKING EVERYONE) If the Community Facilities Plan cost homeowners $51 per $100,000 of assessed value annually would you vote yes to approve or no to disapprove the measure? (IF UNDECIDED) Well which way do you lean--toward voting yes to approve or voting no to disapprove the measure? Yes, approve 52 (Lean Yes, approve)4 ~56 No, disapprove 31 (Lean no, disapprove)3 ")34 (Und/Dk)10 There are several different elements of the plan. I’m going to describe each element to you. After hearing each one, please tell me if you would vote yes to approve or no to disapprove the measure? (IF UNDECIDED) Well which way do you lean--toward voting yes to approve or voting no to disapprove the measure? SCALE Q8-Q12: 1. Yes, approve 2. (Lean Yes, approve) 3. No, disapprove 4. (Lean no, disapprove)5. Undecided/Don’t Know (ROTATE Q8-12) 1Yes 2Lean Yes 3No 4Lean No 5Und/DK Renovating the Main Library which would cost 40 million dollars; 56 3 32 2 7 Rebuilding the Mitchell Park Library which would cost 32 million dollars; 52 4 37 2 6 10. 11. 12. Expanding the Children’s Library which would cost 6 million dollars; 70 2 23 1 4 Rebuilding the Mitchell Park Community Center which would cost 9 million.dollars; 55 4 30 2 9 Renovating the Art Center which would cost 9 million dollars; 46 3 40 2 9 (END ROTATE) EMC #02:2625 City of Palo Alto 13.Opponents of this measure say that renovating and expanding the libraries is very important for Palo Alto. The libraries are old, small, crowded, inefficient, and have totally inadequate space for collections. However, they do not think it is necessary to include money for the Art Center in the measure. They feel that the libra_des, which are more widely-used by people in and around Palo Alto than the Art Center, are the priority and the measure should fund library improvements only. Supporters of this measure say that for practical and economic reasons it makes sense to renovate the Art Center while the Main Library is being rebuilt. The Art Center has serous facilities needs and its Foundation has already committed to raising half of the money needed from private sources. The Art Center is a tiny portion of the entire Community Facilities Plan and it should be included. Having heard this, are you much more likely to vote yes, somewhat more likely to vote yes, somewhat more likely to vote no or much more likely to vote no on the Palo Alto Community Facilities Plan. Much more likely yes 30 Somewhat more likely yes 29 Somewhat more likely no 15 Much more likely no 17 (Don’t Know)9 Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with each of the- following statements: SCALE Q14-Q25: 1. Strongly Agree 2. Somewhat Agree 3. Somewhat Disagree 4. Strongly DisagreeS. No Opinion/DK (RANDOMIZE Q14-Q25) 14. 17. 18. 1Strongly 2Somewhat 3Somewhat 4Strongly 5No Opinion/ At~ree Agree Disagree Disagree Don’t Know I would support the measure if it did not include funding for the Art Center; 16 22 28 27 7 I can’t support the measure because it is too expensive; 24 19 22 31 4 Library facilities in Palo Alto should be as good or better than those of the surrounding communities; 49 27 15 6 3 The measure tries to do too much - the projects should be scaled back; 29 28 19 17 7 Palo Alto libraries need to be better than what we have now but they do not need to be the best in the area; 24 40 18 12 6 EMC #02:2625 CiO) of Palo Alto 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. ¸25. 1Strongly ’ 2Somewhat 3Somewhat ~ 4Strongly 5No Opinion/ Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Don’t Know Library facilities in Palo Alto are unable to meet current demand and need to be renovated; 35 27 14 11 13 I trust the City of Palo Alto to make good decisions with regard to how it spends my tax dollars; 18 39 21 20 2 I am opposed to raising taxes to pay for improvements to community facilities; 15 13 27 42 3 The measure should focus on improving community services for children in Palo Alto; 37 32 17 8 6 I like the library buildings in Palo Alto just the way they are and do not want to see major changes made to the way they look; 19 19 30 23 9 I generally oppose increases to property taxes regardless of what they are used for; 17 16 24 -40 3 I am less supportive of the renovation of the Main Library if it means replacing an historic structure with a new building; 23 19 24 25 9 (END ROTATE) Now I’m going to read you some specific descriptions of the Community Improvement Plan. For each description please tell me if it would make you much more likely, somewhat more likely, somewhat less likely, or much less likely to vote for the measure. SCALE Q26.Q37: 1. Much more likely 2. Somewhat more likely 3. Somewhat less likely 4. Much less likely 5. (Don’t know) 6. (No difference) (ROTATE Q26-Q37) 1Much 2Somewhat 3Somewhat 4Much 5Don’t 6No more more less less Know Differenc,~ The measure will ..... 26. 27. Upgrade electrical wiring at the libraries to allow for additional computers with Intemet access and more multimedia services to meet a growing demand for electronic information; 46 29 10 ~ ~ 10 3 2 Increase shelving capacity at the Main Library so that older items do not have to be removed when new items are acquired; 42 33 12 7 3 3 EMC #02:2625 City of Palo Alto 1Much 2Somewhat 3Somewhat 4Much 5Don’t 6No more more less less Know Difference 28.Expand meeting room space at the Main Library so that meetings and group activities do not have to take place in the same area as quiet reading and studying; 32 30 19 12 4 3 29.Install improved, energy efficient, heating, ventilation and air conditioning at all the libraries to provide a comfortable environment and to preserve the collection of books and materials; 48 30 9 9 1 3 30.Upgrade the roof, plumbing, and electrical capacity of the Children’s Library to.prevent the frequent leaks and plumbing problems that have caused damage to books and to the interior of the building. These systems have not been improved Since the building was constructed over 60 years ago; 59 27 3 6 3 2 31.Create more space in the Children’s Library for the 46,000 items that are currently housed in a space originally designed in 1940 to hold about 6600 books; 49 32 7 7 3 2 32.Replace aging and inefficient lighting systems in the Children’s Library so that staff does not have to provide flashlights to library patrons who can’t see where they are going when they look for materials; 55 23 7 9 4 2 33.Repair and renovate the building systems and structure of the Mitchell Park Library by replacing ceiling fans that do not adequately cool the building on hot days and preventing ground water from entering the builing and destroying the book collection. Mitchell Park is the most heavily used library in Palo Alto and has not had any renovations since 1956; 56 27 6 7 3 1 34.Provide more storage areas at Mitchell Park so that supplies and equipment does not need to be stored in sheds on the patio; 39 31 11 11 4 4 35.Repair, renovate and make safety improvements to the 30 year old Mitchell Park Community Center to bring the building up to current safety and seismic codes; 47 32 11 7 2 1 36.Build more classrooms at the Art Center so that it will not have to turn away students and can do more to supplement art education in Palo Alto schools; 33 30 16 14 4 3 37.Renovate the heating and air conditioning system at the Art Center so that the building does not have to close when the weather gets too hot or too cold; 34 28 16 13 6 3 (END ROTATE) EMC #02:2625 City of Palo Alto 38.Shall the City of Palo Alto adopt a Community Facilities Improvement Plan to improve the quality of life in all areas of Palo Alto and provide needed services for children and the entire community by: ¯Renovating the Main Library; ¯Expanding the Children’s Library; ¯Rebuilding the Mitchell Park Library and Community Center; and ¯Renovating the Art Center; by issuing $96 million dollars of bonds? If the election for this measure were held today, would you vote yes to approve or no to disapprove the measure? (IF UNDECIDED...) Well which way do you lean-- toward voting yes to approve or voting no to disapprove the measure? Yes, approve 55 (Lean Yes, approve)4 No, disapp~’ove 34 (Lean no, disapprove)2 (Und/Dk)5 39.Some people in Palo Alto have suggested an alternative measure, let’s call it The Community Facilities Alternate Improvement Plan. That measure would reduce the size. and scope of the Main Library, Mitchell Park Library, and Art Center, reduce the total bond amount required to complete the projects, and reduce the tax rate per property owner. It reads as follows... Shall the City of Palo Alto adopt a Community Facilities Alternate Improvement Plan to improve the quality of life in all areas of Palo Alto and provide needed services for children and the entire community by: ¯Renovating the Main Library; ¯Expanding the Children’s Library; ¯Rebuilding the Mitchell Park Library and Community Center; and ¯Renovating the Art Center; by issuing $78 million dollars of bonds? EMC #02:2625 City of Palo Alto If the election for this measure were held today, would you vote yes to approve or no to disapprove the measure? (IF UNDECIDED...) Well which way do you lean-- toward voting yes to approve or voting no to disapprove the measure? 40. Yes, approve 41 (Lean Yes, approve)5 No, disapprove 41 (Lean no, disapprove)2 (Und/Dk)11 If the Community Facilities Alternate Improvement Plan cost homeowners $42 per $100,000 of assessed value annually would you vote yes to approve or no to disapprove the measure? (IF UNDECIDED) Well which way do you lean--toward voting yes to approve or voting no to disapprove the measure? Yes, approve 47 (Lean Yes, approve)4 No, disapprove ,39 (Lean no, disapprove)1 (Und/Dk)9 There are a couple different elements of the Alternate plan. I’m going to describe each element to you. After hearing each one, please tell me if you would vote yes to approve or no to disapprove the measure? (IF UNDECIDED) Well which way do you lean--toward voting yes to approve or voting no to disapprove the measure? SCALE Q41-Q42: 1. Yes, approve 2. (Lean Yes, approve). 3. No, disapprove 4. (Lean no, disapprove) 5. (Und/Dk) (ROTATE Q41-Q42) 1Yes 2Lean Yes ’3No 4Lean No 5Und/DK 41.Renovating the Main Library to increase the book collection by 23% as opposed to 36% in the full implementation option; making reductions in space for teens and for local history display; and eliminating a technology laboratory, cafe, and youth homework center. This project would cost 31 million dollars; 38 4 48 2 8. 42.Rebuilding the Mitchell Park Library to increase the book collection and work space by 135% as opposed to 155% in the full implementation option and reducing space for teens, exhibits and public meeting rooms. This project would cost 27 million dollars; 43 3 44 2 8 (END ROTATE) EMC #02:2625 City of PaloAlto ’43.Given what you’ve heard, shall the City of Palo Alto adopt a Community Facilities Alternate Improvement Plan to improve the quality of life in all areas of Palo Alto and provide needed services for children and the entire community by: ¯Renovating the Main Library; ¯Expanding the Children’s Library; ¯Rebuilding the Mitchell Park Library and Community Center; and ¯Renovating the Art Center; by issuing $78 million dollars of bonds? If the election for this measure were held today, would you vote yes to approve or no to disapprove the measure? (IF UNDECIDED...) Well which way do you lean-- toward voting yes to approve or voting no to disapprove the measure? Yes, approve (Lean Yes, approve) No, disapprove (Lean no, disapprove) (Und/Dk) 42 3 ’~45. 47 1 -)48 7 44.Given the choice, would you prefer that the city place the Community Facilities Improvement Plan on the ballot or place the Community Facilities Alternate Improvement Plan on the ballot? Again, the Alternate Plan would involve the same projects as the original Community Facilities Plan but would reduce the size and scope of the Main Library, Mitchell Park Library, and Art Center. Community Facilities Improvement Plan Community Facilities Alternate Improvement Plan (Neither) (Both) (Don’t Know) 38 39 11 3 9 When was the the past 3 years, more than 3 years or have you never been. SCALE (Q45-Q49):, 1. Past week 2. Past month 4. Past 3 years 5. More than 3 years 6. Never 7. (Don’t know). (RANDOMIZE Q45-Q49) last time you went to the following: Was it in the past week, the past month, the past year, 3. Past year Past Past Past Past More than Never Don’t week month year 3 years 3 years Know 45: the Palo Alto Main Library; 17 25 31 9 EMC #02:2625 . City of Palo Alto- Past Past Past Past week month year 3 years 46.the Mitchell Park Community Center; 9 12 27 14 13 47. the Palo Alto Art Center; 6 11 32 14 11 48. the Mitchell Park Library; 17 17 23 10 9 49. the Palo Alto Children’s Library; 6 7 15 12 24 (END ROTATE) More than Never Don’t 3 years Know 24 25 23 35 50.Which one of the following is your primary source of information about what is happening in the City of Palo Alto? CityPages quarterly newsletter local newspapers community television City of Palo Alto website City council meetings Friends and neighbors Other (None) (Don’t know) 2 85 2 1 3 4 2 0 1 Now, I’d like to ask you some questions for statistical purposes only. 51.Do you rent or own your apartment or home? Rent Own/buying (Don’t know) 52.What is the last grade you completed in school? Some grade school Some high school Graduated High School Technical/Vocational Some College Graduated College Graduate/Professional (Don’t Know/Refused) 53.How many children under the age of 18 live in your household? None One Two Three Four or more (DK/Ref.) 23 75 2 2 3 2 14 35 43 1 72 12 12 3 0 1 EMC #02:2625 City of Palo Alto- 54. 55. 56. 57, ~ In terms of your job status, are you employed, unemployed but looking for a homemaker or a student? Employed 53 Unemployed 4 Retired 32 Student 2 Homemaker 6 Other 2 (Don’t Know)1 work, retired, What is your age? (READ CODES IF NECESSARY) 18-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65+ (Refused) 3 2 4 6 10 11 9 10 8 33 4 Do you consider yourself to be African-American, white, Hispanic, Asian, multi-racial or something else: Afr-Amer/Black White Hispanic/Latin-Am Asian Bi/multi racial (Other__) (Refused) bi-racial, 2 79 1 6 3 3 6 Please stop me when I read the category that includes your annual household income before taxes: less than $25,000, at least 25,000 but less than 35,000, at least 35,000 but less than 50,000, at least 50,000 but less than 75,000, at least 75,000 but less than 100,000, at least 100,000 but less than 200,000 or more than 200,000? <$25,000 5 $25,000-34,999 5 $35,000-49,999 8 $50,000-74,999 13 $75,000-99,999 11 $100,000-$200,000 24 $200,000+12 (Don’t Know)4 (Refused)18 EMC #02:2625 City of Palo Alto- THANK YOU CODE FROM LIST 58.School District 59.Zip Code 94301 29 94303 27 94304 2 94306 41 60.County Code 43 100 61.City Code 62.Precinct 63.SD 11 100 64.AD 21 100 65. 66. CD 14 100 Party Democrat 57 Republican 27 Other 16 67.Voter ID 68.Supervisorial District 69.City Council District EMC #02:2625 City of Palo Alto- 70. 71. 72. Voted. 00 Did not vote Primary General Both Voted 98 Did not vote Primary General Both Voted 96 Did not vote Primary General Both 12 2 17 69 29 4 12 55 31 2 12 55 73.Voted 94 Did not vote Primary General Both 40 1 16 43 74.VBM 00 Did not vote Primary General Both 91 1 3 5 75. 76. VBM 98 Did not vote Primary General Both VBM 96 Did not vote Primary General Both 85 4 6 5 79 10 4 6 EMC #02:2625 City of Palo Alto- 77.VBM 94 Did not vote Primary General " Both 89 2 67. 3 78.Permanent Absentee 79.Registration date ***end ***