Item No. 2
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – STUDY SESSION
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
DATE: FEBRUARY 7, 2024
SUBJECT: FEEDBACK AND DIRECTION ON A COMMUNITY SURVEY
RECOMMENDATION
Review and consider a new Community Survey or Customer Satisfaction Survey.
BACKGROUND
The last community survey conducted by the Town was in 2013. Attached to this report is the Report prepared for the City Council in June 2013. While the focus of the survey was on the feasibility of renewing the parcel tax, the survey also addressed quality of life and service delivery questions.
In late 2023, the Chair of ADAPT reached out and asked if the Town would be interested in partnering on a community needs or satisfaction survey. I advised ADAPT that the Town conducted such in the past but not recently and that there were no current plans to do so.
A refresh of a quality of life/satisfaction survey would benefit the Town now that the Town Center is complete and service delivery focus has shifted to essential capital infrastructure and general services. If the Town were to move forward, I would recommend that the Council engage a professional survey consultant to assist (such as Godbe Research or EMC Research or others). It is likely that a full-scale customer satisfaction or services survey would exceed my budgetary authority and a formal Request for Proposal would need to be released. Approval of a vendor would need City Council authorization as a budget amendment for the current fiscal year or be included in the budget for the next fiscal year (2024/25). Even with the advances made in AI, I would estimate the cost to the Town of around $50k+ for a broad sweep survey.
ADAPT and emergency preparedness should/could certainly be a component of the survey. The Council could also consider including questions derived from interviewing the Town’s various committees.
If the Council is desirous of moving forward, I need direction from the Council on the following:
Community Survey
FEBRUARY 7, 2024
- Do you wish to conduct a community service survey?
- If so, do you wish to begin in the current fiscal year or plan it for the coming fiscal year? - Do you wish to engage the services of a survey professional? (recommended) - Do you wish for that professional to engage with members of Town Committees (perhaps a subcommittee from each) to include topics of interest in the survey? - Do you wish to form a subcommittee of the Council to work with staff on the project? The project would be staff led, but a subcommittee of the Council could assist with a review of the final questions and format of the survey prior to its release.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal Area F – Be Forward-Thinking, Well-Managed, and Well-Planned
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders –to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item has not been before a Town Committee or Commission
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2013 Survey Report