Attach 5 - 220-6254-F City of Hercules Community Issues Survey (Phone).pdf

DECEMBER 22, 2021

CITY OF HERCULES COMMUNITY ISSUES AND BUDGET PRIORITY
SURVEY
220-6254
FINAL

A/B SPLITS
CONSULTANT WORKING DRAFT. NOT FOR PUBLICATION.

Hello, I'm ___________ from ________, a public opinion research company. I am definitely NOT trying to sell you anything. We are conducting an opinion survey about issues that interest people living in Hercules, and we are only interested in your opinions. May I speak to ______________? ( YOU MUST SPEAK TO THE VOTER LISTED. VERIFY THAT THE VOTER LIVES AT THE ADDRESS LISTED, OTHERWISE TERMINATE. IF NOT AVAILABLE, ASK WHEN IT WOULD BE CONVENIENT TO CALL AGAIN.) (IF RESPONDENT REPLIES IN SPANISH OR DESIRES TO SPEAK IN SPANISH,

FOLLOW THE ESTABLISHED PROCEDURE FOR HANDING OFF TO A BILI NGUAL INTERVIEWER.)

(ONLY ASKED ON TELELPHONE)
A. Before we begin, I need to know if I have reached you on a cell phone, and if so, are you in a place where you can talk safely without endangering yourself or others?

Yes, cell and can talk safely ------------------------------------------------------ 1 Yes, cell but cannot talk safely ---------------------------------- TERMINATE No, not on cell ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 (DON’T READ) DK/NA/REFUSED-------------------------- TERMINATE

(RESUME ASKING ALL RESPONDENTS)

1. (T) Next, would you say that things in the City of Hercules are generally headed in the right direction or do you feel that things are off on the wrong track?

Right direction ---------------------------------- 1
Wrong track ------------------------------------- 2
(DON’T KNOW/NA) ------------------------ 3

2. (T) In your personal opinion, do you think there is a great need, some need, a little need, or no real need for additional funds to provide the level of city services that residents of the City of Hercules need and want?

Great need --------------------------------------- 1
Some need --------------------------------------- 2
A little need ------------------------------------- 3
No real need ------------------------------------ 4
(DON’T KNOW/NA) ------------------------ 5

NOW I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT A POTENTIAL BALLOT MEASURE HERCULES IS CONSIDERING FOR A FUTURE ELECTION.

FM3 RESEARCH 220-6254-F PAGE 2

3. It may read as follows:

CITY OF HERCULES NO TAX INCREASE/FINANCIAL STABILITY MEASURE:

Shall an ordinance to maintain Hercules’ long-term financial stability and essential city services, such as neighborhood police patrols ; crime prevention; street and pothole repair ; and youth and senior programs, by renewing an existing, voter -approved 8 % utility users’ tax, generating approximately $3,600,000 annually until ended by voters, with no tax increas e, low-income exemptions, independent citizens’ oversight, annual audits, and funding that cannot be taken by Sacramento, be adopted?

Do you think you would vote “yes” or “no” on this measure? (IF YES/NO, ASK: “Is that definitely or just probably YES/NO?”) (IF UNDECIDED, DON’T KNOW, NO ANSWER, ASK: “Do you lean toward voting yes or no?”)

Definitely yes ----------------------------------- 1
Probably yes ------------------------------------ 2
Undecided, lean yes --------------------------- 3
Undecided, lean no ---------------------------- 4
Probably no ------------------------------------- 5
Definitely no ------------------------------------ 6
(DON’T READ) DK/NA -------------------- 7

NOW I AM GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT SOME GENERAL ISSUES FACING THE CITY OF HERCULES.

(SPLIT SAMPLE A ONLY)

4. (T) First, how would you rate the overall job being done by the current Hercules city government in providing services to the City’s residents? Would you say the City is doing an excellent job, a good job, an only fair job, or a poor job at providing services to City residents?

Excellent----------------------------------------- 1
Good --------------------------------------------- 2
Just fair ------------------------------------------ 3
Poor ---------------------------------------------- 4
(DON’T KNOW/NA) ------------------------ 5

(SPLIT SAMPLE B ONLY)

5. (T) Next, how would you rate the job being done by the current Hercules city government in managing the City’s budget and finances? Would you say the City is doing an excellent job, a good job, an only fair job, or a poor job in managing the City’s budget and finances?

6. Next, I'd like to read you a list of issues that some people say may be local problems. For each one I read, please tell me whether you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, somewhat serious problem, or not too serious a problem in the City of Hercules. (RANDOMIZE) FM3 RESEARCH 220-6254-F PAGE 3

EXT VERY SMWT NOT TOO

SER SER SER SER

PROB PROB PROB PROB (DK/NA)
[ ]a. The amount you pay in utilities --------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]b. (T) The amount people pay in local taxes -------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5

(SPLIT SAMPLE A ONLY)
[ ]c. Increase in property crimes like burglaries and
car thefts ----------------------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]d. The number of homeless residents in Hercules -------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]e. (T) Budget shortfalls in Hercules city
government -------------------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]f. (T) Too much cronyism and nepotism in City
government -------------------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]g. (T) A lack of transparency in city government --------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]h. The cost of living ------------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]i. (T) The condition of the local economy ----------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5

(SPLIT SAMPLE B ONLY)
[ ]j. (T) Crime in general --------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]k. (T) Potholes and deteriorating streets ------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]l. (T) Waste and inefficiency in city government -------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]m. (T) Corruption in City government ---------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]n. (T) Insufficient city services to maintain a
good quality of life ----------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]o. The cost of housing----------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]p. Traffic congestion on local freeways and
highways ----------------------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5

FM3 RESEARCH 220-6254-F PAGE 4

(RESUME ASKING ALL RESPONDENTS)

NOW I WOULD LIKE TO RETURN TO THE LOCAL BALLOT MEASURE WE DISCUSSED EARLIER.

7. First, I am going to read you a list of ways in which funds generated by a ballot measure could be spent.

After I read each one, please tell me how important that item is to you personally: extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not too important. (RANDOMIZE)

NOT

EXT VERY SMWT TOO

IMPT IMPT IMPT IMPT (DK/NA)
[ ]a. (T) Protecting and maintaining essential City
services ------------------------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]a. (T) Maintaining the number of police officers
patrolling neighborhood streets --------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]b. (T*) Maintaining 9-1-1 police response times --------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]c. Keeping public areas and parks healthy, safe
and clean ----------------------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]d. (T*) Retaining and attracting local businesses --------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]e. Responding to public nuisances ------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5

(ASK SPLIT SAMPLE A ONLY)
[ ]f. Maintaining crime prevention programs ---------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]g. Maintaining parks ------------------------------------------ 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]h. Maintaining park restrooms and sports fields ---------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]i. Repairing streets and roads -------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]j. Improving crosswalk safety for disabled
residents ------------------------------------------------------ 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]k. (T) Meeting local water quality health
standards ----------------------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]l. (T) Keeping the senior center open ---------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]m. (T) Maintaining youth programs ------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]n. (T*) Maintaining fiscal accountability ------------------ 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]o. (T) Preventing funds from being taken by
Sacramento -------------------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]p. Reducing traffic congestion by completing the
bus, train, and ferry service planned for the
Hercules Waterfront ---------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5

FM3 RESEARCH 220-6254-F PAGE 5

NOT

EXT VERY SMWT TOO

IMPT IMPT IMPT IMPT (DK/NA)
(ASK SPLIT SAMPLE B ONLY)
[ ]q. (T) Preventing cuts to police services ------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]r. Upgrading park facilities ---------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]s. Maintaining clean drinking water fountains at
parks ---------------------------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]t. Repairing broken and deteriorating sidewalks --------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]u. Improving safe routes to school -------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]v. Maintaining safe places for children to play ------------ 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]w. (T*) Maintaining senior programs ----------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]x. (T) Maintaining after-school programs ----------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]y. (T*) Maintaining the City’s long-term
financial stability ------------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]z. Keeping funds local ---------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]aa. Bringing back suspended annual festivals,
concerts and special events such as the
Cultural Festival, Fourth of July Parade, and
fireworks ----------------------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5

(RESUME ASKING ALL RESPONDENTS)

NOW I AM GOING TO READ YOU SOME STATEMENTS FROM SUPPORTERS AND OPPONENTS OF THIS CITY OF HERCULES SERVICES PROTECTION MEASURE.

8. First, I am going to read you some statements from people who support the measure we have been discussing. After hearing each statement, please tell me whether you find it very convincing, somewhat convincing, or not convincing as a reason to support this measure on a future ballot. If you do not believe the statement, you can tell me that instead. (RANDOMIZE)

VERY SMWT NOT DON'T

CONV CONV CONV BEL (DK/NA)
[ ]a. (T*) (NO TAX INCREASE) This measure
does not create a new tax nor increase utility
rates in any way. It simply renews the existing
utilities tax, which has been previously passed
twice by majorities of Hercules voters. ------------------ 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]b. (T*) (ACCOUNTABILITY) In recent years,
Hercules has continued to demonstrate its
commitment to transparency and public
oversight. The City has passed an anti-
nepotism measure and formed a permanent
citizen Finance Commission to ensure that the
public has regular oversight on the City’s
budget and spending decisions. --------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5

FM3 RESEARCH 220-6254-F PAGE 6

VERY SMWT NOT DON'T

CONV CONV CONV BEL (DK/NA)
(SPLIT SAMPLE A ONLY)
[ ]c. (T*) (KEEP POLICE DEPARTMENT)
With the help of local voters who passed this
measure in the past, Hercules was able to
maintain police services and not cut public
safety any further. However, if it is not
renewed, the City will be forced to seriously
consider major cuts to our police department,
which could impact crime prevention and 9-1-
1 response times. -------------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]d. (T*) (MOMENTUM - GENERAL) Many of
us remember when Hercules City government
was corrupted and nearly driven to bankruptcy
by previous administrations. Over the past
decade, new City administrations and Councils
avoided bankruptcy, reduced a nine-million-
dollar deficit, took steps to improve fiscal and
government transparency, and helped restore
confidence and trust. Voters approved this
measure twice before and should do so again
to continue this positive momentum. -------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]e. (ECONOMY) COVID has had a significant
impact in our economy. We have seen in the
past that we cannot count on the state or
federal government to take care of our needs.

Renewing this funding ensures we continue to
have local money for Hercules to help protect
small businesses that provide local jobs and to
foster our partnerships with local organizations
that provide essential services to our
community—all of which is needed to restart
our local economy. ----------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]f. (YOUTH) The City’s after-school and
summer programs give thousands of kids a
place to go in their free time. They are a
proven way of keeping youth out of trouble
and away from gangs and drugs. Renewing
this funding will maintain and improve after-
school programs for youth and help maintain
our parks clean and safe, to keep our
community and our kids safe. ----------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5

FM3 RESEARCH 220-6254-F PAGE 7

VERY SMWT NOT DON'T

CONV CONV CONV BEL (DK/NA)
(SPLIT SAMPLE B ONLY)
[ ]g. (MAINTAIN POLICE SERVICES)
Renewing this local funding will help keep
Hercules safe. It will provide money to
maintain neighborhood police patrols,
continue investments in crime prevention
programs, and maintain police 9-1-1 response
times at a time when other parts of the Bay
Area are struggling with rising crime. ------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]h. (BUDGET CUTS) If voters do not renew this
funding, the City will lose $3.6 million every
year, which is over 20% of the City’s budget.

This means the City will have no choice but to
slash basic city services just to balance its
budget and be forced to cut essential city
services that may include police and
neighborhood patrols, street maintenance,
parks, senior services, youth programs,
economic development and others. ---------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]i. (T) (QUALITY OF LIFE) Hercules is a
place where people desire to live and raise
families. However, if we are forced to
continue cutting basic city services, the
character of our community and its quality of
life will decline. Renewing this local funding
will help protect and maintain essential City
services that make our community a safe, well-
maintained place to live. ----------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]j. (INFRASTRUCTURE) While most of the
City’s infrastructure is well-maintained,
continued local funding is still needed to help
replace outdated, unsafe park equipment and
facilities, and repair deteriorating sidewalks. ----------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5

FM3 RESEARCH 220-6254-F PAGE 8

(RESUME ASKING ALL RESPONDENTS)

9. Now that you have heard more about it, I would like to ask you again about the CITY OF HERCULES NO TAX INCREASE/FINANCIAL STABILITY MEASURE which would maintain Hercules’ long- term financial stability and essential city services, such as neighborhood police patrols; crime prevention; street and pothole repair; and youth and senior programs, by renewing an existing, voter-approved eight percent utility users’ tax.

FM3 RESEARCH 220-6254-F PAGE 9

10. Next, I am going to read you some statements from people who oppose the measure we have been discussing. After hearing each statement, please tell me whether you find it very convincing, somewhat convincing, or not convincing as a reason to oppose this measure on a future ballot. If you do not believe the statement, you can tell me that instead. (RANDOMIZE)

VERY SMWT NOT DON'T

CONV CONV CONV BEL (DK/NA)
[ ]a. (COVID) Our region’s economy has not yet
bounced back from the challenges of COVID-

19. Many local businesses are struggling to
stay open, while many residents are having
trouble finding a job, and paying their rent or
mortgage. We cannot continue to afford
paying these high taxes. ----------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]b. (T) (NO SUNSET) We were promised that
this tax would be temporary to help the City
get through a fiscal emergency. Now they
want to make it permanent. We should vote
“no” on any “forever” tax because we just
can’t trust the City. ---------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]c. (T*) (GOVERNMENT DISTRUST) For
years, the City of Hercules has borrowed more
than it could pay back, spent more money than
it has taken in and has been sued in the past
because the City can’t pay its bills. In the past,
top City officials misappropriated funds and
wasted taxpayer dollars on expensive
consultants and personal home loans. The City
of Hercules cannot be trusted with additional
tax dollars. -------------------------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5 [ ]d. (TOO MANY TAXES) Californians are
being taxed more than enough, and the cost of
living is out of control. We simply cannot
afford any additional taxes. ------------------------------- 1 --------- 2 -------- 3 --------- 4 --------- 5

FM3 RESEARCH 220-6254-F PAGE 10

11. Sometimes over the course of a survey like this people change their minds. Let me ask you one more time about the CITY OF HERCULES NO TAX INCREASE/ FINANCIAL STABILITY MEASURE which would maintain Hercules’ long -term financial stability and essential city services, such as neighborhood police patrols; crime prevention; street and pothole repair; and youth and senior programs, by renewing an existing, voter-approved eight percent utility users’ tax.

NOW I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT POTENTIAL BALLOT MEASURES. THESE MEASURES WOULD NOT APPEAR ON THE SAME BALLOT AS THE

MEASURE WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING, BUT MAY BE ON A BALLOT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE.

(ROTATE Q12 PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX AND Q13 CITY CHARTER)

12. The FIRST/SECOND measure may read as follows:

CITY OF HERCULES ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROTECTION MEASURE.

Shall an ordinance to expand locally controlled funding for essential city services such as improving 911 response times, disaster preparedness/ safe routes to school; retaining/ attracting businesses; keeping public areas/ parks safe/ clean; by enacting a real property transfer tax (paid only by buyers and sellers of property at the time of sale ), until ended by voters and requiring annual audits, no funds for Sacramento, be adopted?

FM3 RESEARCH 220-6254-F PAGE 11

(ROTATE Q12 PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX AND Q13 CITY CHARTER)

13. The FIRST/SECOND measure may read as follows:

CITY OF HERCULES CITY CHARTER/LOCAL CONTROL MEASURE.

To enhance local control over funding essential city services, shall the City of Hercules Charter be adopted to establish Hercules as a Charter City with the ability to adopt a local real property transfer tax, subject to voter approval? The City Council’s powers otherwise remain unchanged and are limited by State general law, and any other powers as a charter city would have to be approved by voters.

HERE ARE MY LAST QUESTIONS, AND THEY ARE FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES ONLY.

14. What was the last level of school you completed?

Less than high school -------------------------- 1
High school graduate -------------------------- 2
Vocational or technical school --------------- 3
Some college, but no degree ------------------ 4
Associate degree ------------------------------- 5
Four-year college degree ---------------------- 6
Graduate school -------------------------------- 7
(DON’T READ) DK/NA -------------------- 8

15. With which racial or ethnic group do you identify yourself: Latino or Hispanic, White or Caucasian, Black or African American, Asian or Pacific Islander, or some other ethnic or racial background?

Latino/Hispanic -------------------------------- 1
White/Caucasian ------------------------------- 2
Black/African American ---------------------- 3
Asian/Pacific Islander ------------------------- 4
Other (SPECIFY_____________) ---------- 5
(DON'T READ) DK/NA/REFUSED ------ 6

FM3 RESEARCH 220-6254-F PAGE 12

16. (T) I don’t need to know the exact amount, but I’m going to read you some categories for household income. Would you please stop me when I have read the category indicating the total combined income for all the people in your household before taxes in 2021?

$25,000 and under ----------------------------- 1
$25,001 - $50,000 ------------------------------ 2
$50,001 - $75,000 ------------------------------ 3
$75,001 – $100,000 ---------------------------- 4
$100,000- $150,000 --------------------------- 5
$150,000 or more ------------------------------ 6
(DON'T KNOW/REFUSED) --------------- 7
(ONLINE ONLY)
X. What is your gender?
Male ---------------------------------------------- 1
Female ------------------------------------------- 2
Non-binary -------------------------------------- 3
Prefer not to answer --------------------------- 4

THANK AND TERMINATE

SEX (BY OBSERVATION): Male ---------------------------------------------- 1 Female ------------------------------------------- 2

LOI (BY OBSERVATION): English ------------------------------------------- 1 Spanish ------------------------------------------ 2

PARTY REGISTRATION: Democrat ---------------------------------------- 1 Republican -------------------------------------- 2
No Party Preference --------------------------- 3
Other --------------------------------------------- 4

FLAGS
P16 --------------------------------------- 1
G16 -------------------------------------- 2
P18 --------------------------------------- 3
G18 -------------------------------------- 4
P20 --------------------------------------- 5
G20 -------------------------------------- 6
BLANK --------------------------------- 7

VOTE BY MAIL
1 ------------------------------------------ 1
2 ------------------------------------------ 2
3+ ---------------------------------------- 3
BLANK --------------------------------- 4

PERMANENT ABSENTEE
Yes --------------------------------------- 1
No --------------------------------------- 2

DATA COLLECTION MODE
Online ---------------------------------- 1
Phone ----------------------------------- 2

LIKELY JUNE 2022
Yes -------------------------------------- 1
No --------------------------------------- 2

HOUSEHOLD PARTY TYPE
D1 --------------------------------------- 1
D2+ ------------------------------------- 2
R1 --------------------------------------- 3
R2+ ------------------------------------- 4
FM3 RESEARCH 220-6254 D3 PAGE 13

I1+ --------------------------------------- 5
Mixed------------------------------------ 6

AGE
18-24 ------------------------------------ 1
25-29 ------------------------------------ 2
30-34 ------------------------------------ 3
35-39 ------------------------------------ 4
40-44 ------------------------------------ 5
45-49 ------------------------------------ 6
50-54 ------------------------------------ 7
55-59 ------------------------------------ 8
60-64 ------------------------------------ 9
65-74 ---------------------------------- 10
75+ ------------------------------------- 11

SPLITS
A ----------------------------------------- 1
B ----------------------------------------- 2

Hercules City CouncilFebruary 22, 2022

Hercules City Council
February 22, 2022