City of St. Joseph, Michigan



	**Next Regular City Commission Meeting, Monday, May 19, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.**

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2006 Citizen Survey Results

*Percentages are based on number of respondents to each individual question

Quality of life in St. Joseph

Rate overall quality of life in St. Joseph

Excellent 461

Good 631

Fair 56

Poor 7

95% Rate life in St. Joseph as good to excellent

Rate overall quality of neighborhood

Excellent 373

Good 630

Fair 129

Poor 11

88% Rate their neighborhood quality as good to excellent

Rate St. Joseph as a place to raise children

Excellent 503

Good 544

Fair 66

Poor 6

94% Rate St. Joseph as a good to excellent place to raise children

Rate St. Joseph as a place to retire

Excellent 387

Good 493

Fair 220

Poor 49

77% Rate St. Joseph as a good to excellent place to retire

Rate St. Joseph as a place for young adults to live

Excellent 185

Good 470

Fair 336

Poor 117

73% Rate St. Joseph as a fair to good place for young adults to live

How often do you visit Downtown?

Daily 208

Weekly 545

Monthly 172

Once In A While 179

Don't Know 14

67% visit downtown at least once a week

Characteristics of St. Joseph

Sense of Community

Excellent 218

Good 652

Fair 209

Poor 47

Don't Know 31

75% Rate the sense of community as good to excellent

Feeling Welcome

Excellent 209

Good 561

Fair 287

Poor 16

74% Rate St. Joseph as fair to good in welcoming others

Overall appearance

Excellent 364

Good 614

Fair 135

Poor 25

Don't Know 2

86% Rate St. Joseph's appearance as good to excellent

Cultural Opportunities

Excellent 312

Good 510

Fair 218

Poor 56

Don't Know 27

73% feel cultural opportunities are good to excellent

Employment Opportunities

Excellent 39

Good 194

Fair 479

Poor 272

Don't Know 124

68% feel employment opportunities are poor to good

Shopping Opportunities

Excellent 44

Good 325

Fair 503

Poor 246

Don't Know 15

73% rate shopping opportunities as fair to good
22% rate it poor

Access for individuals with disabilities

Excellent 101

Good 383

Fair 215

Poor 50

Don't Know 366

54% rate access for individuals with disabilities as fair to good
33% don't know

Access to affordable housing

Excellent 54

Good 345

Fair 378

Poor 183

Don't Know 168

64% rate affordable housing as fair to good

Ease of travel by bicycle

Excellent 142

Good 452

Fair 283

Poor 99

Don't Know 164

64% rate ease of bicycle travel as fair to good

Ease of travel walking

Excellent 377

Good 586

Fair 153

Poor 26

Don't Know 18

83% rate ease of walking as good to excellent

How safe do you feel?

In your neighborhood during the day

Very Safe 949

Reasonably Safe 210

Somewhat Safe 18

Somewhat Unsafe 3

Very Unsafe 0

Don't Know 3

98% feel reasonably or very safe

In your neighborhood after dark

Very Safe 368

Reasonably Safe 480

Somewhat Safe 209

Somewhat Unsafe 48

Very Unsafe 13

Don't Know 35

74% feel reasonably or very safe

Downtown during the day

Very Safe 974

Reasonably Safe 176

Somewhat Safe 28

Somewhat Unsafe 8

Very Unsafe 3

Don't Know 10

96% feel reasonably or very safe

Downtown after dark

Very Safe 392

Reasonably Safe 480

Somewhat Safe 187

Somewhat Unsafe 50

Very Unsafe 10

Don't Know 48

75% feel reasonably to very safe

In parks during the day

Very Safe 807

Reasonably Safe 277

Somewhat Safe 58

Somewhat Unsafe 12

Very Unsafe 2

Don't Know 26

92% feel reasonably to very safe

In parks after dark

Very Safe 183

Reasonably Safe 356

Somewhat Safe 316

Somewhat Unsafe 141

Very Unsafe 49

Don't Know 110

58% feel somewhat to reasonably safe

Crossing major streets in City

Very Safe 241

Reasonably Safe 476

Somewhat Safe 270

Somewhat Unsafe 128

Very Unsafe 48

Don't Know 8

64% feel somewhat to reasonably safe

Neighborhood Concerns

Traffic

No Problem 546

Minor Problem 356

Moderate Problem 167

Major Problem 67

Extreme Problem 22

78% rate minor or no problem

Crime

No Problem 668

Minor Problem 382

Moderate Problem 107

Major Problem 67

Extreme Problem 22

90% rate minor or no problem

Overgrown Grass

No Problem 630

Minor Problem 364

Moderate Problem 135

Major Problem 26

Extreme Problem 11

85% rate minor or no problem

Unkempt Lots

No Problem 631

Minor Problem 305

Moderate Problem 158

Major Problem 40

Extreme Problem 20

81% rate minor or no problem

Run down houses & buildings

No Problem 612

Minor Problem 338

Moderate Problem 129

Major Problem 53

Extreme Problem 23

82% rate minor or no problem

Parking vehicles on sidewalks

No Problem 731

Minor Problem 256

Moderate Problem 98

Major Problem 41

Extreme Problem 14

87% rate minor or no problem

Improperly parked vehicles

No Problem 695

Minor Problem 287

Moderate Problem 126

Major Problem 41

Extreme Problem 16

84% rate minor or no problem

How many bicycles in your household

None 448

One 181

Two 266

Three or More 232

60% own one or more bicycles

How household members use bicycle

Recreation or exercise 84%

Commuting to school 7%

Commuting to work 14%

Other 28%

Should the City of St. Joseph make improving/increasing bike paths a priority?

Yes 64%

No 36%

Off Street Paths 59%

On Street Paths 41%

Number of times household members have -

Used one of 16 parks 65% Frequently or often

Used the Howard Ice Arena 89% Rarely or never

Attended downtown special event 56% Frequently or often

Which Park do you use most often?

- Lions Park Beach
- Bluff
- Tiscornia
- Kiwanis
- Riverview
- Tiny Tots
- Milton Park
- Lookout
- West Basin
- Margaret B. Upton

Which Park do you use least often?

- City Boat Launch
- Tiny Tots Park
- Stubblefield Tennis Courts
- West Basin Marina
- Point Park
- Milton Park
- Lookout Park
- Riverview Park
- Kiwanis Park
- Whittlesey Park

Should the City charge an entry fee at Riverview to non-residents

Yes 51%

No 49%

Should Lookout Park remain open space?

Yes 95%

No 5%

Park condition rate Excellent

- Lookout Park
- Lake Bluff Park
- Margaret B. Upton Arboretum

Park condition rate Good

- Tiscornia Beach
- Riverview Park
- Lions Park Beach
- Kiwanis Park
- Old St. Joseph Neighborhood Park

Park condition rate Fair to Poor

- Dickinson Park
- Tiny Tots Park
- Milton Park
- West Basin Marina
- Point Park
- Whittlesey Park
- Boat Launch

City Services

I receive good value for the City taxes I pay

Strongly Agree 155

Agree 543

Neutral 286

Strongly Disagree 65

Disagree 88

Don't Know 49

696 agree or strongly agree
153 disagree or strongly disagree
286 are neutral
49 don't know

I am pleased with the overall direction the City government is taking

Strongly Agree 128

Agree 490

Neutral 288

Strongly Disagree 97

Disagree 123

Don't Know 41

618 agree or strongly agree
220 disagree or strongly disagree
288 are neutral
41 don't know

The City of St. Joseph government welcomes citizen involvement

Strongly Agree 135

Agree 483

Neutral 270

Strongly Disagree 77

Disagree 86

Don't Know 96

618 agree or strongly agree
163 disagree or strongly disagree
270 are neutral
96 don't know

The City fairly allocates resources to all areas of the community

Strongly Agree 90

Agree 483

Neutral 300

Strongly Disagree 80

Disagree 98

Don't Know 182

573 agree or strongly agree
178 disagree or strongly disagree
300 are neutral
182 don't know

The City addresses the needs of my neighborhood fairly

Strongly Agree 128

Agree 430

Neutral 294

Strongly Disagree 82

Disagree 87

Don't Know 131

558 agree or strongly agree
169 disagree or strongly disagree
294 are neutral
131 don't know

I trust the City Commission and staff to do what they say they are going to do

Strongly Agree 128

Agree 430

Neutral 294

Strongly Disagree 82

Disagree 87

Don't Know 131

558 agree or strongly agree
169 disagree or strongly disagree
294 are neutral
131 don't know

Rate the condition of the following

Streets

Excellent 127

Good 627

Fair 288

Poor 103

Don't Know 7

79% rate as fair to good

Parks grounds

Excellent 186

Good 741

Fair 132

Poor 13

Don't Know 48

83% rate as good to excellent

Bike and walking trails

Excellent 198

Good 592

Fair 149

Poor 39

Don't Know 149

70% rate as good to excellent

Center Islands/lawns

Excellent 349

Good 579

Fair 112

Poor 22

Don't Know 46

84% rate as good to excellent

Tree Lawns/Trees

Excellent 162

Good 630

Fair 242

Poor 76

Don't Know 28

77% rate as fair to good

Sidewalks

Excellent 151

Good 649

Fair 267

Poor 56

Don't Know 7

81% rate as fair to good

Athletic fields

Excellent 177

Good 518

Fair 86

Poor 16

Don't Know 326

62% rate as good to excellent
29% did not know

Rate City Services

Refuse collection

Excellent 555

Good 539

Fair 55

Poor 10

Don't Know 28

92% rate as good to excellent
6% rate as poor to fair
2% rate as don't know

Recycling Services

Excellent 433

Good 458

Fair 90

Poor 40

Don't Know 115

79% rate as good to excellent
11% rate as poor to fair
10% rate as don't know

Leaf Pick up

Excellent 416

Good 450

Fair 123

Poor 44

Don't Know 91

77% rate as good to excellent
15% rate as poor to fair
8% rate as don't know

Street Repairs/Maintenance

Excellent 173

Good 564

Fair 272

Poor 107

Don't Know 24

65% rate as good to excellent
33% rate as poor to fair
2% rate as don't know

Snow Removal-Streets

Excellent 324

Good 629

Fair 153

Poor 39

Don't Know 7

83% rate as good to excellent
17% rate as poor to fair

Snow Removal-Sidewalks

Excellent 205

Good 471

Fair 290

Poor 133

Don't Know 25

60% rate as good to excellent
38% rate as fair to good
2% rate as don't know

Street Sweeping

Excellent 228

Good 566

Fair 221

Poor 66

Don't Know 64

69% rate as good to excellent
25% rate as poor to fair
6% rate as don't know

Street Lighting

Excellent 241

Good 630

Fair 231

Poor 45

Don't Know 14

75% rate as good to excellent
24% rate as poor to fair
1% rate as don't know

Property Maintenance/Code Enforcement

Excellent 171

Good 530

Fair 221

Poor 101

Don't Know 102

62% rate as good to excellent
29%% rate as fair to good
9% rate as don't know

Rental Property Inspections

Excellent 101

Good 278

Fair 158

Poor 124

Don't Know 473

33% rate good to excellent
25% rate poor to fair
42% did not know

Building Inspections

Excellent 131

Good 124

Fair 49

Poor 19

Don't Know 193

49% rate as good to excellent
13% rate as poor to fair
38% did not know

Summer Recreation Program

Excellent 122

Good 335

Fair 118

Poor 32

Don't Know 498

41% rate as good to excellent
14% rate as poor to fair
45% did not know

Library Services

Excellent 367

Good 552

Fair 108

Poor 17

Don't Know 105

80% rate as good to excellent
11% rate as poor to fair
9% rate as don't know

Police Services

Excellent 469

Good 519

Fair 97

Poor 23

Don't Know 54

85% rate as good to excellent
10% rate as poor to fair
5% rate as don't know

Fire Services

Excellent 508

Good 460

Fair 54

Poor 7

Don't Know 139

83% rate as good to excellent
5% rate as poor to fair
12% rate as don't know

Senior Housing

Excellent 149

Good 334

Fair 128

Poor 38

Don't Know 500

42% rate as good to excellent
14% rate as poor to fair
44% did not know

Medic I

Excellent 250

Good 386

Fair 65

Poor 16

Don't Know 425

56% rate as good to excellent
7% rate as poor to fair
37% did not know

Cemeteries

Excellent 293

Good 488

Fair 82

Poor 18

Don't Know 265

68% rate as good to excellent
9% rate as poor to fair
23% did not know

Downtown Beautification

Excellent 336

Good 598

Fair 133

Poor 35

Don't Know 48

81% rate as good to excellent
15% rate as poor to fair

City's Website

Excellent 128

Good 353

Fair 104

Poor 23

Don't Know 492

44% rate as good to excellent
11% rate as poor to fair
45% did not know

Utility Billing

Excellent 203

Good 602

Fair 164

Poor 64

Don't Know 108

72% rate as good to excellent
20% rate as poor to fair

Water and Sewer service

Excellent 267

Good 639

Fair 133

Poor 33

Don't Know 72

79% rate as good to excellent
15% rate as poor to fair

Enforcement of traffic laws

Excellent 230

Good 560

Fair 188

Poor 66

Don't Know 81

70% rate as good to excellent
23% rate as poor to fair

Tap water quality

Excellent 350

Good 525

Fair 176

Poor 36

Don't Know 54

77% rate as good to excellent
19% rate as poor to fair

Customer Service

Contact with a City government employee within the last 12 months

Yes 79%

No 31%

Knowledge of subject

Excellent 451

Good 437

Fair 70

Poor 20

Don't Know 31

Not Applicable 65

83% rate good to excellent
7% rate poor to fair

Courteous

Excellent 528

Good 347

Fair 73

Poor 31

Don't Know 31

Not Applicable 70

81% rate good to excellent
10% rate poor to fair

Responsive

Excellent 491

Good 361

Fair 97

Poor 47

Don't Know 34

Not Applicable 34

79% rate good to excellent
13% rate poor to fair

Follow up

Excellent 338

Good 301

Fair 67

Poor 74

Don't Know 45

Not Applicable 225

61% rate good to excellent
13% rate poor to fair
21% Not applicable

Overall customer service

Excellent 433

Good 413

Fair 87

Poor 41

Don't Know 34

Not Applicable 57

79% rate good to excellent
12% rate poor to fair

Effectiveness of crime prevention and community policing programs

Very Effective 456

Somewhat Effective 538

Not Very Effective 47

Not At All Effective 11

94% rate somewhat to very effective

Communications

Major source of City information

MOST A Lot

City Connection 339 398

Mailmax 309 389

City Calendar 182 317

City Commission Meetings 145 343

Herald Palladium 118 260

Local Television 97 334

Local Radio 56 152

Precinct Meetings 43 131

City Web Site 33 104

Word of Mouth 28 100

Quantity of Information

ABOUT RIGHT NOT ENOUGH

Action by the City Commission 66% 33%

Special Events 79% 18%

Recreation/park activities 74% 24%

Neighborhood activities 70% 29%

Cultural Events 78% 20%

Proposed Development 65% 33%

Construction Projects 69% 29%

Development 63% 35%

Boards & Commissions 61% 36%

Volunteer Opportunities 66% 32%

Downtown Activities 78% 20%

Most valuable newsletter information

City Issue Updates 795

Projects 772

Community Events 762

Commission Actions 584

City Personnel Changes 355

None of It 70

Other 61

Looking Forward

Support restricting development heights along Lake Boulevard

True 1,031

False 98

91% Agree

Support allowing taller developments away from Lake Michigan

True 686

False 432

61% Agree

Support current parking lots being developed so long as no net loss of parking

True 636

False 474

57% Agree

Support aggressive marketing to attract tourism

True 791

False 315

71% Agree

Support Public Art Displays

True 934

False 181

83% Agree

Support increasing number of neighborhood parks

True 595

False 484

55% Agree

Support increased level of code enforcement including city hotel and motels

True 979

False 108

90% Agree

Essential City Services

On average 825 of the 1,090 respondents indicated that the City was spending about the "right amount" on each of the services listed.

76% thought the City was spending the "right amount"

Essential City Services

Support increase service through increased taxes

Street Repairs 24%

Street Maintenance 24%

90% Agree

Top Ten Priorities

Lower Taxes 312

Street Maintenance 287

Programs to Attract Families 229

Increase Downtown Parking 193

Improve Lake Bluff Park Landscaping 188

Increase recreational opportunities for all 183

Downtown beautification 180

Increase library services 149

Support for Welcome Center and tourism 145

Second Ten Priorities

Main Street improvements 143

Arboretum upgrades 135

Park improvements 127

Restrooms at Boat Launch 118

Increase police services 108

Sidewalk replacement 105

Increase street sweeping 94

Improve sidewalk snow removal 74

Improve Milton Park walkways 72

Increase fire services 67

Respondents

St. Joseph Residency

1-5 years 18%

6-10 years 14%

11-15 years 8%

16-25 years 16%

26-35 years 13%

36-45 years 9%

46-55 years 10%

56-65 years 5%

66 years plus 6%

Home

One family house detached 86%

Duplex or townhouse 3%

Apartment or condominium 9%

Other 3%

Rent or Own

Own 87%

Rent 13%

Computer Access

Home 833

Home Internet 199

School 317

School Internet 37

Work 448

Work Internet 111

Cable Television

Subscribers 690

Satisfied Subscribers 383

56% of subscribers are satisfied with service

Respondent's Age

18-24 3%

25-34 10%

35-44 13%

45-54 19%

55-64 21%

65-74 17%

75 and above 17%

Household Income

Annual Income

Less than $25,000 15%

$25,000-$49,999 26%

$50,000-$99,999 32%

$100,000-$149,999 18%

$150,000-$199,999 5%

$200,000 or more 4%

Family Members

Children under 12 years of age 16%

Teenagers 13-17 years of age 11%

Adults 65 years of age or older 35%

Precinct Location

Precinct 1 23%

Precinct 2 13%

Precinct 3 17%

Precinct 4 21%

Precinct 5 9%

Precinct 6 17%

Summary

Summary of Findings

RESIDENTS HAVE A STRONG DESIRE FOR INCREASING OUR PROPERTY MAINTENANCE PROGRAM AND TRYING TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF RENTALS IN TOWN.

RESIDENTS HAVE A STRONG DESIRE TO MAINTAIN A "SMALL TOWN CHARM" BY STRIKING A PROPER BALANCE BETWEEN THE NEEDS OF OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS.

RESIDENTS ARE ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO ANY DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL BLOCK WATERFRONT VIEWS OR TAKE AWAY FROM THE VISTA OF BLUFF PARK.

RESIDENTS WANT MAJOR STREET IMPROVEMENTS.

RESIDENTS STRONGLY DESIRE NEW PROGRAM TO ATTRACT YOUNG FAMILIES TO THE CITY.

THE NEED TO REDUCE TAXES REMAINS A LARGE CONCERN FOR MANY RESIDENTS.

RESIDENTS WANT THE CITY COMMISSION TO CONTINUE THE EFFORTS OF PUBLIC ART DISPLAYS, BEAUTIFICATION, OPERATING THE WELCOME CENTER AND TOURISM AS A FORM OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

RESIDENTS WANT "STRONG CONTROLS" PLACED ON ANY NEW FESTIVAL OR THE EXPANSION OF ANY EXISTING FESTIVALS.

RESIDENTS WANT AS MUCH "GREEN OPEN SPACE" AS POSSIBLE WITH THE PROPOSED BLUFFSIDE DEVELOPMENT.

RESIDENTS DO NOT WANT TO LOSE OR SEE ANY REDUCTION IN LIBRARY SERVICES.

OUT OF 20 CHOICES, RESIDENTS RANKED INCREASED POLICE SERVCE AS #15 AND INCREASED FIRE SERVICES AT #20.

RESIDENTS WANT MORE DOWNTOWN PARKING.

IMPROVING MILTON PARK RANKED #1 IN NEEDED PARK IMPROVEMENTS.

RESIDENTS WANTS THE APPEARANCE OF MAIN STREET TO IMPROVE.

OVERALL, 73% OF THE RESPONDENTS SUPPORT THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY OF ST. JOSEPH.

Thank you

Thank you to all of the residents who took the time to complete their survey.

Thanks for your opinions and feedback!

For more information, Contact the City.

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