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Christina Horrisberger - Assistant City Manager
Timothy McLarney Ph.D. - True North Research
COMMUNITY SURVEY
–
2025
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oIn 2020 City Council decided to conduct
statistically reliable community surveys to hear
from a cross section of the community in a reliable
and consistent manner
oApproximately every 2 years – 2020; 2022; 2025
oGeneral topics (e.g. quality of life; satisfaction with City services)
oTimely Topics (e.g. land use; housing; parks; finances) o2025 Survey gears up for City’s Strategic Planning process o Strategic Plan Workshop: March 14, 2025; MLK Center; 9am -3pm
SURVEY BACKGROUND
COMMUNITY OPINION SURVEY
CONDUCTED FOR THE
CITY OF SAN MATEO
PRESENTED BY
TIMOTHY MCLARNEY PH.D.
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o How did we select residents to survey?
o Stratified random sample of adult residents
o Balanced, representative sample that aligns with Census estimates o How did we recruit participation?
o Personalized email, text, and telephone calls
o PINs to restrict access and ensure one complete per respondent o How were respondents able to share their opinions?
o Secure, PIN -protected website that scales to the device o Telephone (land line or mobile)
o English & Spanish
o What was the sample size?
o 750 completed interviews
o Overall margin of error of ± 3.6% @ 95% level of confidence
METHODOLOGY OF STUDY
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RATING CITY OF SAN MATEO
22.0 24.6
21.7 13.6
13.8 9.4
61.7 51.5
45.7 48.4
44.2 25.5
13.3 18.7
15.4 24.9
16.1 19.9
2 3
3 3
1 6
15.5 8.7
2 1
1 5
22.8 21.0
12.8 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
The overall quality of life in the City of San Mateo
San Mateo as a place to shop and dine
San Mateo as a place to raise a family
San Mateo as a place to recreate
San Mateo as a place to work
San Mateo as a place to retire
% Respondents
Excellent Good Fair Poor Very poor Not sure/Prefer not to answer 6 6 of 15
LIKE MOST ABOUT SAN MATEO
18.6 15.8
12.1 10.7
8.3 7.4
6.6 6.6
5.4 5.2
5.2 3.6
3.5 2.9
2.8 2.6
2.5 2.5
2.4 2.4
2.3 2.2
2.1 2.1
1.6 1.5
2.2 5.4
4.7 0 5 10 15 20
Parks, recreation facilities, opportunities
Shopping, dining opportunities
Downtown area
Not sure / Cannot think of anything specific
City walkability
Diversity of businesses, cultures, activities
Low crime, public safety
Open, green space, mountains
Central Park
Access to public transportation
Proximity to surrounding cities, areas
Small town atmosphere
Public libraries
Local, small businesses
Good schools
Sense of community
Historical places
Neighborhoods, communities
Friendly people, neighbors
B street closure, pedestrian walkway
Access to bay, ocean
Clean, well-maintained
Community events
Small businesses
Weather, clean air
Bike lanes
Good City planning, development
Single family homes
Less crowded, traffic than other cities
% Respondents
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CHANGES TO IMPROVE CITY
14.7 9.8
8.1 7.6
7.3 7.0
6.9 6.7
5.7 4.8
4.4 3.5
3.4 3.4
3.3 2.4
2.4 2.4
1.9 1.9
1.7 1.7
3.8 5.4
1.7 0 5 10 15
Provide more affordable housing
Limit growth, preserve open space
Not sure / Cannot think of anything specific
Provide more bike lanes
Improve public transit
Reduce traffic congestion
Improve, maintain roads
Improve parking
Provide more shopping, dining opportunities
Reduce cost of living
Improve, add parks, rec facilities
Beautify, clean up City
No changes needed / Everything is fine
Provide addt'l youth, family activities, events for different ages Improve schools, education
Enforce traffic laws
Address rent control
Improve public safety, more police presence
Improve walkability
Provide, improve sidewalks
Improve planning, zoning
Support police department
Improve downtown area
Reduce taxes, fees
Address homeless issues
% Respondents
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OVERALL SATISFACTION
BY STUDY YEAR
49.4 53.9
10.6 9.5
19.224.520.9
50.1 12.412.4
4.6 5.35.2
8.411.5
0 10
20 30
40 50
60 70
80 90
100
2025 2022 2020
Study Year
% Respondents
Prefer not to
answer
N ot sure
Very
dissatisfied
Somew hat
dissatisfied
Somew hat
satisfied
Very
satisfied
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SATISFACTION WITH CITY SERVICES
67.5 47.1
43.3 36.3
40.0 32.8
35.8 25.7
29.8 23.8
24.5 24.6
16.9 19.0
19.1 22.2
15.6 9.6
12.7 11.0
28.8 46.3
49.1 50.4
44.3 49.5
46.0 52.2
46.2 51.9
50.1 47.2
50.2 45.4
43.7 39.4
42.9 41.1
37.4 27.8
23.2 26.2
31.3 32.7
31.7 15.2
18.1 17.2
29.5 24.3
19.2 17.6
18.8 18.4
2 4.3
6.0 9.7
12.1 12.7
12.8 15.6
20.2 23.5 12.1
12.7 6.5
5.4 5.0
13.0 15.3
9.0 7.8
5.6 5.6
1 2
1 3.6
3.6 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Prov ide library serv ices
Provide fire protection, prevention and emergency medical services Maintain public buildings and facilities like City Hall, libraries, parking garages Provide special events like community festivals and holiday celebrations Provide parks, sports fields and recreation facilities Provide police and crime prevention services
Prov ide a v ariety of recreation programs for all ages Protect the environment
Provide paths and trails for walking, jogging and running Prepare the city for emergencies and natural disasters
Maintain storm drains, sewers and creeks
Clean up litter, trash that people dump along streets, sidewalks, in public areas Promote economic development to attract new businesses, good-paying jobs Enforce codes to address issues like abandoned vehicles, non-permitted construction Maintain local streets and roads
Provide bicycle lanes and paths
Address homelessness
Manage traffic congestion
Manage land use and development
Facilitate the creation of affordable housing
% Respondents Who Provided Opinion
Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied Very dissatisfied 10 10 of 15
STRATEGIC PLAN PRIORITIES
60.0 43.3
41.5 51.3
38.8 30.3
38.1 46.9
39.1 50.6
30.4 29.7
33.1 44.5
44.5 31.4
42.7 50.4
42.0 31.9
38.1 25.4
44.4 43.1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Upgrade, maintain public infrastructure, streets, stormwater systems, parks, pools, fire stations, libraries, community centers, other public facilities Improve the City’s preparedness for emergencies and natural disasters Stabilize and balance the City’s long-term financial condition Improve City’s transportation system to reduce traffic, encourage walking, biking, transit use
Improve City’s economic vitality through business-friendly policies, revitalizing outdated commercial areas, attracting diverse mix of employers, jobs Ensure City has a sufficient number of employees to provide responsive, high quality city services to residents
Encourage health, wellness for residents of all ages through rec, activities, providing access to healthy foods, community services, green spaces Move toward a sustainable environment by protecting resources, reducing waste, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions
Improve public safety including police and fire protection services Facilitate development of more affordable housing for middle, low-income families Improv e appearance of the City by remov ing trash and graffiti, improv ing landscaping, beautification projects
Strengthen the City’s engagement, transparent communications with the community % Respondents
High priority Medium priority
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SATISFACTION WITH COMMUNICATION
BY STUDY YEAR
44.1 48.7
16.8 12.5
22.2 18.3 21.3
48.1 11.8† 14.3
7.9 5.04.8†
11.6 10.2
0 10
20 30
40 50
60 70
80 90
100
2025 2022 2020
Study Year
% Respondents
Prefer not to
answer
N ot sure
Very dissatisfied
Somew hat
dissatisfied
Somew hat
satisfied
Very satisfied
† Statistically significant change (p < 0.05) between the 2022 and 2025 studies 12 12 of 15
INFORMATION TOPICS DESIRED
19.3 15.4
14.0 9.6
7.3 5.7
5.0 5.0
5.0 4.3
3.9 3.7
3.5 2.7
2.4 2.2
2.0 1.8
4.4 3.8
0 5 10 15 20
Commercial, residential development, plans
City planning, vision
Road, infrastructure maintenance
Affordable housing
Community events
City, public safety
Traffic issues, updates
Not sure / Cannot think of anything specific
Speeding, traffic enforcement issues
Bike lanes infrastructure, plans
City budgeting, finances
Recreational facility renovations, improvements
Disaster preparedness, prevention
Public transportation
Economic forecasts, indicators
Volunteer opportunities, community engagement info
Senior assistance
Noise control
Recreational programs
Parking issues, enforcement
% Respondents Who Desire More Info
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EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNICATION
METHODS
45.7 33.8
20.3 30.7
8.4 6.0
7.1 42.3
44.1 51.2
37.2 40.6
31.8 25.8
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Email
Postcards, letters and newsletters mailed to your home
City’s Website
Social media like Facebook, X and Nextdoor
Townhall meetings
Advertisements in local papers
Television programs
% Respondents
Very effective Somewhat effective
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Residents continue to be satisfied with San Mateo and the City’s performance o Overall quality of life
o Overall performance in providing municipal services
o Customer service provided by staff
o Statistically significant improvements in 7 performance areas, just 2 declines Specific Strengths
o Library services
o Fire & EMS
o Maintain public buildings
o Special community events
o Parks, sports fields, and recreation facilities
o Police and crime prevention
o Recreation programs
Priority/Opportunities Areas
o Facilitating more affordable housing
o Managing land use and development
o Managing traffic congestion
o Addressing homelessness
o Promoting economic development
o Maintaining public infrastructure
o Emergency preparedness
o Stabilizing and balancing City’s long -term fiscal condition
KEY CONCLUSIONS
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QUESTIONS???
THANK YOU!