Agenda Item Wording:
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Presentation of the proposed 2022 Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Annual Public Opinion Survey
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Deadline for Action: None
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Frank Ruiz, CAC Chair, frankruizlaw@gmail.com, (909) 215-8306
Jason Serpa, Public Works Manager, Jason.serpa@visalia.city, (559) 713-4533
Department Recommendation:
The Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) recommends that the City Council review and approve this year’s proposed public opinion survey for a scheduled release in March, with discussion and input on new questions to be included.
Background Discussion:
Each year, since the 1970’s, the City of Visalia has conducted a public opinion survey to gauge the sentiments and opinions of citizens regarding various City services, programs, and projects. The survey has been conducted in various formats through the years, including online and in person. The CAC is proposing to conduct a public opinion survey to determine the public’s satisfaction with City services and is bringing forward the draft version for Council approval. Due to the pandemic last year, the survey was only conducted online. This year, the CAC Committee is willing to conduct in person surveys once again at various locations throughout the City.
The majority of the survey remains unchanged from year to year to better measure trends and changes in public opinion. This is consistent with survey methodology. However, each year the CAC typically changes or inserts one or two questions related to issues of particular current interest or concern. City Council is also able to recommend changes to these proposed questions or make suggestions for a new question to be added.
Apart from the proposed questions this year, the CAC has also approved and added a new demographic question. The question is as follows:
“Do you identify yourself as a person with a disability or a caretaker of a disabled individual?”
1 - Yes 2 - No
Proposed New Questions: The Citizens Advisory Committee is proposing new questions that cover several topics. There are four new questions, and at Council discretion, the questions may be unincluded or amended. Council may also suggest a new question to be added. The proposed questions are as follows:
1. It is expected that by 2035, almost all vehicle sales in California will be zero emission vehicles. Should the City take steps to begin installing EV charging stations?
1 - Yes 2 - No 3 - Not interested
2. Which would you most likely do to reduce air pollution?
a. Purchase a clean air vehicle
b. Use public transit
c. Ride a bicycle for work/school
d. None of the above
3. How do you feel about the City of Visalia’s overall effort to Go Green?
1 - Very Poor 2 - Poor 3 - Average 4 - Good 5 - Excellent
4. How do you feel about the accessibility for disabled persons in the City of Visalia?
1 - Very Poor 2 - Poor 3 - Average 4 - Good 5 - Excellent
It must be mentioned that any result can be cross tabulated with any demographic within the survey and staff is willing to calculate these types of results at City Council’s request. The CAC believes that these questions, when cross tabulated with other demographics, may prove useful.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Prior Council Action:
Council has annually reviewed and approved the final version of the Public Opinion Survey to be conducted by the Citizen’s Advisory Committee.
Other:
The CAC reviewed recommended revisions to the survey, as developed by their subcommittee and approved the proposed recommendations at their December 2, 2021 meeting.
Alternatives:
Council may direct the CAC to develop new questions or modify the survey.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to approve the Citizen’s Advisory Committee’s 2022 Public Opinion Survey, which will be released online beginning in March 2022.
Alternative Motion: I move to approve the Citizen’s Advisory Committee’s 2022 Public Opinion Survey with Council’s modifications.
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Environmental Assessment Status:
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CEQA Review:
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Attachments:
2022 Public Opinion Survey Draft
2022 Proposed New Questions