08-10-11 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 10, 2011 recreation programs would be the first candidate with the other two following. Morris then reviewed the results of the questions related to support for tax increases for selected services. 44% favored a tax increase for selected services and 48% opposed. 9% was unsure. The support was for a median increase in property taxes of 2 %. Morris indicated that statistically this was a tie. When asked if there was support for a tax increase to maintain services, 30% favored an increase while 56% opposed. Morris indicated that this was a common response across the metro area and Ramsey County. When asked if residents supported service cuts, 18% favored cuts, while 65% opposed. This is a three -to -one opposition to service cuts, even if property taxes would decrease. Residents were asked to rate the level of City property taxes, and 43% felt taxes were on the high side, 38% average, 2% low, and 18% unsure. Morris indicated that he would classify this as a benign rating indicating that a high rating of 50% would be hostile and 70% would be very hostile. Morris stated that they have not seen low ratings in the neighborhood of 20% to 30% for the past 15 years. Residents then rated the value of City services and 80% rated those services at excellent to good. Morris indicated that this is among the highest rating in the metro area. Morris then noted that residents were asked to comment on support for partnerships versus maintaining the City's identity. He noted that while 39% supported partnerships, 24% supported maintaining the City's identity. 33% wanted to do both. Morris felt that the results showed that while some partnerships are good, some would not be viewed as good, especially if there was an impact to community identity. When asked about public safety concerns, 46% indicated that there were unsafe areas in the City while 52% stated that there were not. Morris indicated that in applying demographic profiles to these answers, public safety was a concern for people over 55 years of age, and women less than 35 years of age. In identifying unsafe areas, Morris noted that some rose to the top with Montreal Courts being mentioned by 1 in 5 responders. Trails and parks were also mentioned as was the Rice Street area. Morris felt that Montreal Courts was a definite red flag. Respondents were also asked to list specific public safety concerns. 34% indicated no concerns, 22% listed residential crime, 15% youth crime and vandalism, and 11% drugs. Morris indicated that the 11% concern about drugs was a little high with 5% being the suburban norm. People were then asked about crime over the past five years, with 60% indicated that crime has remained about 4