04/17/2007 - City Council Communications Committee
AGENDA
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
APRIL 17, 2007
4 P.M.
CONFERENCE ROOM 2AB
1. AGENDA ADOPTION
II. 2007 BUSINESS SURVEY
III. UPDATE ON STATUS OF BROADBAND
IV. OTHER BUSINESS
V. ADJOURNMENT
Agenda Information Memo
April 17, 2007 Communications Committee Meeting
II. 2007 BUSINESS SURVEY
ACTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED:
Provide direction on the topics and expectations for the 2007 City of Eagan Business
Survey to be conducted by Decision Resources. Representatives of the firm will be
present to talk about methodology and answer any questions.
FACTS:
? The last time Eagan conducted a formal survey of its business community was in
2001, with the completion of a business retention and expansion survey
completed by the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
> Decision Resources conducts business surveys for many other metro
communities, including neighboring Burnsville, generally in alternating years
with a resident survey. Decision Resources currently conducts Eagan's
residential survey.
> Councilmember Carlson has indicated an interest in questions to determine the
business need for, desire and willingness to pay for high speed Internet, questions
regarding congestion and affects on business, support for traffic measurements to
ease congestion, willingness to support increased property taxes if dedicated to
traffic and road improvements and possibly a question on business support for
dedicating dollars for a separate fund to handle things like the bridge overpass
over 35-E as part of the ring road.
? See a separate memo on the direction Tech Working Group members feel
questions should take on high speed Internet, with the helpful suggestions of
Councilmember Carlson. Before their regular meeting next Wednesday, they
seek clarification from the Communications Committee to make sure they deliver
question(s) within the policy parameters the Committee expects.
> Councilmember Tilley has indicated an interest in seeing the 2001 survey,
determining whether businesses feel they have room to grow in Eagan, and also
questions addressing congestion.
> Director Van Overbeke has been giving thought to the excellent and complex
question Councilmember Carlson posed on the feasibility of a separate fund for
the bridge overpass. He will join the meeting on Tuesday to report and to assist
the committee if it desires to frame a question to determine business support for
that approach.
? In addition to providing the prior 2001 Eagan business survey, and the Burnsville
survey, a quick-glance short list synthesizes the topics in the Burnsville survey
and additional topics the Committee may wish to consider as suggested by senior
staff.
Attachments:
• 2001 Eagan Business Survey documents on
2 • Quick-Glance look at Burnsville topics and suggested other topics
• Complete copy of Burnsville Surveyq
• Memo regarding Technology Working Group question/topic
suggestions
EAGAN BUSINESS SURVEY
Summary Report
June 2001
Sponsored by
city of ccigcm
.....Other. resources provided by
Eagan Economic Development Commission
:Northern Dakota County, Chamber of Commerce
Dakota County Economic Development Partnership
1 r Eagan educational institutions
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Extension
3 -
Eagan Business Survey Sponsorship
This program is sponsored locally by the
Even rapidly growing cities such as Eagan following organizations: the City of Eagan,
need to pay attention to their existing the Eagan Economic Development
businesses. The Business Survey is a key Commission, the Northern Dakota County
element in staying in touch with local Chamber of Commerce, the Dakota County
businesses and developing strong local Economic Development Partnership, and
economic development efforts. While the Eagan educational institutions.
attraction of new businesses and the
encouragement of new business start-ups are
important parts of an overall economic Eagan Business Survey History
development strategy, many communities The Eagan Business Survey started in the
now recognize the need to do a lot more to spring of 1999 at a meeting of the Economic
assist existing businesses survive and grow. Development Commission and the
University of Minnesota Business Retention
As a city, it is useful to think of Eagan as a and Expansion Strategies Program. After a
provider of input services to firms located series of subsequent meetings with the
here similar to other vendors that firms Mayor, the City Administrator and other
use. Just as businesses gain competitive officials, the decision was made to launch a
advantage by continuously aligning their program in Eagan. A Leadership Team was
operations to provide better service to their recruited and an application was submitted
better customers, cities must be looking for to the University of Minnesota Business
ways to provide a better environment for Retention and Expansion Strategies
their premium paying customers Program. The City of Eagan provided the
businesses. program fee. In the spring of 2000 an
orientation session was convened with the
The survey conducted by the Eagan Leadership Team members. The Leadership
Business Survey Task Force is a way to get Team held more meetings and did a great
to know the needs and aspirations of Eagan's deal of work to prepare the written survey
businesses. The survey results are used to instrument, select the firms to visit, and to
develop strategies that help businesses to plan the entire process.
expand in Eagan and remain in Eagan.
Task Force Recruiting and Training
Objectives The business survey leadership team
1. To demonstrate the community's interest recruited volunteers among Eagan
in the needs of the local business community members to perform firm visits.
community. Volunteers included business persons,
educators, local government officials,
2. To identify and, where possible, help economic development officials and citizens
solve problems that area businesses are at large. The volunteers received training
having, and especially, to reduce City- and practice visits were conducted to test the
imposed barriers to business success. survey and actual visits.
3. To aid in setting City and economic
development priorities for long-range Firm Visits
business retention and expansion. Fifty-two firms were visited from August to
November of 2001. Steve King and Mike
Ridley reviewed each completed survey.
1
4
population, income, and employment trends responses of a few large employers from
in Eagan, comparing it with other being lost if they differed from the responses
communities. The profile is included in the of the majority of smaller employers, as was
Eagan Business Survey Research Report, frequently the case.
which is available for review at Eagan City
Administration or from a Task Force Seventy-one percent of the surveyed firms
member. were locally (metro area) owned. The largest
numbers of firms are closely held
Briefly, Eagan is a prosperous middle class corporations (56 percent) and public
community. A higher proportion of corporations (21 percent). The firms
citizens' income is derived from salaries and reported a median number of 21 full-time
wages than both the metro area and the rest employees and a mean number of 311. The
of the state. Yet it is also one of the median number of part-time employees is
wealthier and faster growing cities in the seven with a mean of 60 for those who work
state. This indicates that there are probably 20-39 hours and 4 with a mean of 30 for
fewer very low-income and fewer very high- those who work less than 20 hours. Figure 1
income households than in other shows how employment compares with
communities in the metro area. three years ago. More full time employees
are reported, and much less part time
Eagan Business.Survey employment prevails.
Results
Following are the results of the survey of 52 Figure 1: Median number of workers per firm
firms by Eagan community leaders during 25
August through November of 2000. The 20
firm characteristics are summarized first,
followed by strategies and priority projects 15 ¦zooo
selected by the Task Force. Survey results 10 a 1997
related to those projects are included in this 5
summary. Additional survey results are in 0
the Research Report. Full time 20-39 hrs <20 hrs
¦ 2000 21 7 4
01997 18 17 11
Characteristics of Firms Visited Source: Eagan Business Survey, question 9.
The firms visited represent a sample of
about 3.3 percent of the businesses in Eagan
(1566 firms, as listed in Zip Code Business Table 1 provides the responses of firms
Patterns, 1997, published by U.S. Census when asked to identify their industry. When
Bureau). These firms employed 15,254 full weighted by job, the responses heavily
time persons and 2,366 part-time people. favored high technology, transportation, and
The survey sample covered 34.4 percent of financial firms. Other services and retail
the Eagan workforce. Of the 100 firms firms made up a large proportion of the
targeted, 52 completed the visits for an survey sample, although only a minor
overall 52 percent response rate. proportion of the total jobs represented in
the survey.
A few firms represent a very large
proportion of both the survey sample's and
Eagan's total employment. Survey results
were therefore tabulated both in terms of
firms visited and by job. This prevented the
t~5
Table 1: Visited Firms b, 7 Industry to it. The community must weigh its
Industry Percent Percent provision of business environments against
Firms Jobs the amount of revenue, amenities, or other
benefits those businesses provide to the
construction 10% 1 % residents of the community.
manufacturing 10% 2%
transportation 15% 28% The strategies and specific projects outlined
public utilities 0% 0% below are aimed at helping firms become
retail trade 13% 0% more profitable and thus able to survive and
wholesale trade 8% 4% grow in the community:
travel 0% 0% 1. Improving Labor Availability
finance, insurance, 4% 20%
real estate 2. Improving the Quality of the
education 0% 0% Business Environment the City
entertainment 0% 0% Provides.
high tech 8% 36% 3. Development of Commercial and
other services 13% 2% Housing Areas
Other 17% 8%
Source: Eagan Business Survey, Question 3.
Strategy One: Improving Labor
Availability
Labor availability is a chronic problem
Overview of Business Strategies for throughout Minnesota and the nation due to
Eagan continuing very low unemployment rates.
Profits are the key to the retention and Eagan is no exception to the problem.
expansion of firms. While the owners of a
firm might be attracted to an area because it Related Survey Results
is a nice place to live or to raise a family, a Firms were asked whether they had
firm can only survive if it makes a profit. difficulties getting workers in various labor
The owners may be loyal to the community categories. Table 2 summarizes the
due to emotional ties, but if there are responses.
impediments to profitability they will close
or move their business to another
community. Table 2: Percent of businesses that
reported having difficulties recruiting
In a market economy, making a profit is the labor. Listed by labor cate or .
responsibility of firm management and its Labor category % firms % jobs
employees, not community groups, or skilled labor 35% 50%
governments. However, the actions of these general labor 37% 23%
groups can sometimes help firms become production labor 25% 55%
more profitable, and those actions can thus high tech specialists 31% 53%
provide a competitive advantage to the clerical 21% 10%
communities that employ them. In this sales 15% 10%
sense it can be useful to view a city such as professional/ 23% 11%
Eagan as a vendor of input services to firms, management
just as those firms use other vendors for temporary/contract 12% 13%
supplies, space, and other inputs to their under age 18 13% 8%
business processes. The city provides a other 10% 8%
secure and convenient environment in which Source: Question 13 of the Eagan Business Survey
to do business for the price of the taxes paid
6
C-C
Quick Glance List
(of topics in other business surveys done by Decision Resources):
• Type of business & years in Eagan, # of employees, job title, and other basic
demographic info
• Location decisions
• Home-based business questions
• Plans to expand or renovate?
• Rate the business atmosphere in the City of Eagan
• Like most/least
Most serious issue facing business
• Housing for employees
• Labor pool questions
• Traffic congestion questions re: affects on business
• Area of greatest concern re: traffic
• Transit/transportation system questions
• City portion of property taxes questions & value of city services
• Responsiveness of city officials
• City Departments work most with
• Satisfaction levels
• Contact with City Council and satisfaction
• Redevelopment priorities
• Quality of local education preparing students (not sure what's in it for us in asking
these questions
• City newsletter and business newsletter received/useful
• Aware of city Web site and usefulness for business
• Preferred way to receive info from City of Eagan
• Utility services rated
• Crime/safety questions
• Snow removal on city streets
• Chamber member or not
Other topics Council may wish to consider:
• Topics suggested by City Council/Communications Committee
• From Community Development, Cedar Grove and Northeast Eagan-related
questions building on BV question #46 and have a follow up explanation if the
answer is fair or poor.
• From Communications, an evaluation of Eagan Business News and City Web site
usefulness to business, & additional info that would be helpful.
• Technology needs (see memo)
• Use of Eagan hotels & any unmet needs
• Other hospitality needs (high end business lunch/dinner location, for instance)
• Question from Parks & Recreation regarding use of Eagan Community Center or
other city facilities and were they satisfied with service
7
Other topics (continued)
• Evaluate "Breakfast with the Mayor" format(s)?
• From Community Development Availability of Business Services - Production
supplies, freight and package transportation, office supplies, business equipment,
technical support, etc.
• Potential reuse of questions from on-line Rosemount Air Cargo facility survey.
• Question from Police soliciting opinion on what would have the biggest impact
decreasing crime for business: police patrol and visibility near business, sharing
public safety info and trends with businesses in their area, or developing a
Business Watch program similar to Neighborhood Watch with periodic meetings.
• Questions from Fire Department regarding satisfaction on both emergency service
and awareness regarding fire prevention/education.
• Additional question regarding willingness to allow an employee from their
business to receive training and respond to a daytime fire in Eagan, if necessary.
DECISION RESOURCES, LTD. CITY OF BURNSVILLE
3128 Dean Court 2006 BUSINESS STUDY
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55416 FINAL VERSION
IF A NAME IS LISTED, ASK:
Hello, may I speak with ?
IF NO NAME IS LISTED, ASK:
May I speak with the owner or manager of this business?
Hello, I'm of Decision Resources, Ltd., a
statewide survey research firm located in Minneapolis. We've been
retained by the City of Burnsville and the Burnsville Chamber of
Commerce to speak with a random sample of Burnsville businesses
about issues facing the community. This survey is being taken
because both the City and the Chamber are interested in your
opinions and suggestions. I want to assure you that all
individual responses will be held strictly confidential; only
summaries of the entire sample will be reported. Your business
name will not be referred to anywhere in the results. Do you have
a few minutes now to help us with this survey?
1. What is your type of business RETAIL 31%
retail, service, manufacturing or CORPORATE OFFICES 10-.
something else? BUSINESS SERVICES 13%
MANUFACTURING 6%
DISTRIBUTOR 5%
BANKING/FINANCIAL 3%
HOTEL/HOSPITALITY 1%
RESTAURANT .............5%
COMMUNICATIONS 1%
ELECTRONIC/TECHNOLOGY..3%
MEDICAL RELATED 3%
REAL ESTATE 4%
CONSUMER SERVICES 23%
SOMETHING ELSE 2%
2. How long has your business been at LESS THAN ONE YEAR 5%
this current site? ONE TO TWO YEARS 8%
THREE TO FIVE YEARS ...21%
SIX TO TEN YEARS 33%
11 TO 15 YEARS 14%
SIXTEEN TO TWENTY YRS..8%
OVER TWENTY YEARS 11%
3. What was the primary reason you HOME-BASED BUSINESS ...11%
located your business in Burns- LOCATION 35%
ville? CUSTOMER BASE 11%
SPACE AVAILABILITY 10%
CLOSE TO HOME 11%
BOUGHT EXISTING 6%
CORPORATE DECISION.... 12%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED 4%
4. Which ONE of the following reasons TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.23%
would you say also played a key CLOSENESS TO YOUR
role in locating in Burnsville? WORKFORCE 26%
(ROTATE AND READ #1-#4) EDUCATION LEVEL OF
WORKFORCE 24%
CUSTOMER BASE 25%
NONE OF ABOVE 2%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED..... 0%
Let's talk about your business location for a moment....
Let's divide the City of Burnsville into four quadrants, with
Highway 35W running north and south and Burnsville Parkway running
east and west.
5. In which quadrant is your business NORTHWEST .............23%
located northwest, northeast, NORTHEAST .............26%
southwest or southeast? SOUTHWEST 24%
SOUTHEAST 25%
DON'T KNOW 2%
REFUSED 0%
6. Does your business own the build- OWN 33%
ing in which you are located, or TENANT 66%
are you a tenant? DON'T KNOW 0%
REFUSED 0%
7. Is your business home-based? YES 16%
NO 84%
DON'T KNOW 0%
REFUSED 0%
8. Does your business have plans to YES 22%
expand or renovate in the next one NO 74%
to three years? DON'T KNOW 4%
REFUSED 0%
IF "YES," ASK: (N=66)
9. Will that be an expansion, EXPANSION 50%
a renovation, or both? RENOVATION 33%
BOTH 17%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED 0%
10. Will the expansion or reno- YES 80%
vation be at this site? NO 17%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED 3%
IF "NO," ASK: (N=11)
11. Is there one major reason why the expansion or
renovation will not take place at your current
Burnsville site?
REFUSED, 9%; NO ROOM TO EXPAND, 18%; WANT A
DIFFERENT LOCATION, 18%; DON'T OWN THE BUILDING,
36%; SIGNAGE ISSUE, 18%.
12. As things stand now, how long in LESS THAN ONE YEAR 2%
the future do you expect this ONE TO TWO YEARS 2%
business to operate in Burnsville? THREE TO FIVE YEARS 3%
SIX TO TEN YEARS 3%
OVER TEN YEARS 82%
DON'T KNOW 7%
REFUSED 0%
13. How many full-time employees work NONE 1%
at this location? 1-4 60%
5-9 18%
10-14 7%
15-19 5%
20 OR MORE 8%
DON'T KNOW 0%
REFUSED 1%
14. How many part-time employees work NONE 32%
at this location? 1-4 42%
5-9 ...................12%
10-14 7%
15-19 3%
20 OR MORE .............4%
DON'T KNOW 0%
REFUSED 1%
15. Did the number of full-time em- INCREASE ..............14%
ployees working at this location DECREASE 5%
increase, decrease or remain about REMAIN ABOUT SAME 80%
the same during the past twenty- DON'T KNOW 1%
four months? REFUSED 0%
16. During the next twenty-four months INCREASE 22%
will the number of full-time em- DECREASE 2%
ployees working at this location REMAIN ABOUT SAME 72%
increase, decrease or remain about DON'T KNOW 3%
the same? REFUSED 1%
17. In what city do you live?
REFUSED, 1%; BURNSVILLE, 36%; APPLE VALLEY/ROSEMOUNT, 11%;
PRIOR LAKE/SAVAGE, 12%; EAGAN/INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, 8%;
LAKEVILLE/FARMINGTON, 11%; MINNEAPOLIS/SAINT PAUL, 5%;
BLOOMINGTON/RICHFIELD, 4%; OUTSIDE OF METRO AREA, 5%;
WESTERN HENNEPIN COUNTY SUBURBS, 4%; BELLE PLAINE/
JORDAN, 3%.
IF "NOT IN BURNSVILLE," ASK:
18. Could you tell me one or two reasons why you decided
not to move to Burnsville?
UNSURE, 4%; ALWAYS LIVED THERE, 5%; TAXES TOO HIGH,
3%; CLOSE TO FAMILY/FRIENDS, 4%; FOUND HOUSE, 24%;
LIKE RURAL AREA, 14%; ALREADY ESTABLISHED IN CITY,
14%; GOOD SCHOOLS, 4%; GOOD LOCATION, 7%; MORE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, 9%; "HOME," 10%; SCATTERED, 3%.
19. How would you rate the business EXCELLENT 20%
atmosphere in Burnsville ex- GOOD 67%
cellent, good, only fair or poor? ONLY FAIR 10%
POOR 2%
DON'T KNOW 0%
REFUSED 1%
20. What do you like MOST, if anything, about having your busi-
ness in Burnsville?
UNSURE, 7%; LOCATION, 27%; CLIENT BASE, 22%; CLOSE TO
HOME, 18%; HOME-BASED BUSINESS, 4%; GOOD COMMUNITY, 6%;
CLOSE TO EMPLOYEES, 2%; NEAR OTHER BUSINESSES/MALL, 10%;
1\
SCATTERED, 4%.
21. And, what do you like LEAST, if anything, about having your
business in Burnsville?
UNSURE, 61%; CITY RESTRICTIONS, 11%; TRAFFIC CONGESTION,
10%; LACK OF CUSTOMERS, 3%; HIGH TAXES, 3%; LONG COMMUTE
TO WORK, 2%; CRIME, 2%; SCATTERED, 8%.
For each of the following, tell me how serious of a problem the
availability of that type of housing is for the retention and
recruitment of employees in your business is it a very serious
problem, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious.
If you have no opinion, just say so.... (ROTATE LIST)
VRS SMS NTS NAA
22. Affordable housing, defined by the
Metropolitan Council as a single family
home costing less than $193,700? 0% 7% 35% 58%
23. Affordable rental units? 0% 5% 30% 65%
24. Luxury rental units? 0% 1% 32% 67%
25. Condominiums? 0% 2% 32% 66%
26. Townhouses? 0% 2% 32% 66%
27. Starter homes for young families? 1% 12% 30% 58%
28. "Move up" housing? 0% 4% 33% 63%
29. Higher cost housing? 0% 1% 32% 67%
30. Senior housing? 0% 2% 24% 74%
Moving on....
31. How would you rate the adequacy of EXCELLENT 9%
the labor pool for your business GOOD 74%
excellent, good, only fair, or ONLY FAIR 7%
poor? POOR 2%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED..... 8%
IF "ONLY FAIR" OR "POOR:" (N=26)
32. Why do you think the labor pool for your business is
not adequate?
UNSURE, 15%; LACK OF EMPLOYEES, 8%; LACK OF SKILLED
WORKERS, 46%; LACK OF ENGLISH-SPEAKING EMPLOYEES, 8%;
YOUNGER WORKERS HAVE POOR WORK ETHIC, 12%; LACK OF
EMPLOYEES WILLING TO ACCEPT LOWER PAY SCALE, 12%.
13
33. In particular, has your business YES ....................9%
encountered any issues related to NO 89%
the growing diversity of the labor DON'T KNOW/REFUSED 2%
pool, such as language/cultural
difficulties or supplementary
training needs?
34. Has your business been impacted by VERY SERIOUS 3%
traffic congestion during the past SOMEWHAT SERIOUS 11%
two years? (IF "YES," ASK:) How NOT TOO SERIOUS 38%
much of an impact on your business NOT AT ALL SERIOUS 47%
was it very serious, somewhat DON'T KNOW/REFUSED..... 0%
serious, not too serious, or not
at all serious?
IF "VERY SERIOUS" OR "SOMEWHAT SERIOUS," ASK: (N=44)
35. How was the business specifically impacted by traffic
congestion?
LONGER EMPLOYEE COMMUTE, 7%; DELAYED DELIVERIES, 21%;
LESS CUSTOMERS STOPPING IN, 46%; LATE/MISSED MEETINGS
WITH CLIENTS, 21%; LATE/MISSED APPOINTMENTS BY CUSTOM
ERS, 7%.
36. Which road or highway are you HIGHWAY 42 21%
MOST concerned about High- HIGHWAY 13 21%
way 42, Highway 13, Highway HIGHWAY 169 0%
169, Interstate 35E, Inter- INTERSTATE 35E 0%
state 35W, Cedar Avenue, Nic- INTERSTATE 35W 32%
ollet Avenue, or something CEDAR AVENUE 5%
else? NICOLLET AVENUE 5%
BURNSVILLE PARKWAY 2%
PORTLAND AVENUE 2%
COMBINATION (VOL)..... 14%
To improve traffic flow into and out of the City of Burnsville....
37. Which do you consider the best ap- LANE EXPANSIONS 60%
proach lane expansions on major BUS RAPID TRANSIT 13%
highways and streets OR bus rapid BOTH (VOL) 20%
transportation systems to destina- NEITHER (VOL) 4%
tions outside of the city? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED..... 3%
Moving on...
38. When you consider the property EXCELLENT 6%
taxes you pay and the quality of GOOD 58%
city services you receive, would ONLY FAIR 18%
you rate the general value of city POOR 2%
services as excellent, good, only DON'T KNOW 13%
fair or poor? REFUSED 4%
39. Would you favor or oppose an in- FAVOR 23%
crease in city property taxes to OPPOSE 58%
maintain city services at their DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.... 18%
current levels?
40. Which of the following approaches PROPERTY TAX 19%
do you most prefer property tax SALES TAX 16%
increase, sales tax increase, ex- EXPANDED USER FEES 9%
panded user fees, or transporta- TRANS UTILITIES FEES..12%
tion utilities fees? NONE (VOL) 26%
COMBINATION (VOL) 3%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.... 16%
41. In comparison with nearby areas, VERY HIGH 4%
do you feel that the property SOMEWHAT HIGH 25%
taxes in Burnsville are very high, ABOUT AVERAGE 49%
somewhat high, about average, SOMEWHAT LOW 0%
somewhat low or very low? VERY LOW 0%
DON'T KNOW 17%
REFUSED 5%
Let's now talk about City services....
42. How would you rate the City of EXCELLENT 14%
Burnsville's attitudes and respon- GOOD 68%
siveness toward local businesses ONLY FAIR 12%
excellent, good, only fair or POOR .................5%
poor? DON'T KNOW 1%
REFUSED 1%
43. During the past year, have you had YES 41%
contact on an official basis with NO 59%
anyone working for the City of DON'T KNOW 0%
Burnsville? REFUSED 0%
IF "YES," ASK: (N=123)
44. Which ONE of the following POLICE 33%
departments did you most FIRE 2%
recently have contact with? AMBULANCE (EMS) 1%
RECREATION 2%
PUBLIC WORKS (STREETS/
WATER/PARKS) 11%
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT... 4%
PLANNING 10%
INSPECTIONS/PERMITS. . .25%
NEIGHBORHOODS & VOL-
UNTEER SERVICES 0%
UTILITY BILLING/FIN-
ANCE 1%
CITY ADMINISTRATION
(MANAGER, CLERK, HR) 7%
BURNSVILLE-EAGAN COM-
MUNITY TELEVISION.... 0%
CITY RECEPTIONIST/
INFORMATION DESK 2%
COMMUNICATIONS 0%
INFORMATION TECH-
NOLOGY 1%
SOMETHING ELSE (VOL)...2%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED 0%
45. In general were you satisfied SATISFIED 83%
or dissatisfied with the way DISSATISFIED 17%
in which that contact was DON'T KNOW 0%
handled by the city? REFUSED 0%
46. When you consider the needs of the EXCELLENT 7%
community, how would you rate the GOOD 65%
City of Burnsville's responsive- ONLY FAIR 13%
ness to redevelopment priorities POOR 3%
excellent, good, only fair or DON'T KNOW 10%
poor? REFUSED 2%
47. All in all, do you think things RIGHT DIRECTION 88%
in Burnsville are headed in the WRONG TRACK 9%
right direction, or are things off DON'T KNOW 3%
Ito
on the wrong track? REFUSED ................0%
Let's talk about public schools in the area....
48. Is your business located in the BURNSVILLE 57%
Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School EAGAN-AV-ROSEMOUNT..... 9%
District, the Eagan-Apple Valley- LAKEVILLE 5%
Rosemount School District, or the DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.... 30%
Lakeville Public School District?
IF "BURNSVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT," ASK: (N=171)
49. How would you rate the qual- EXCELLENT 14%
ity of education provided by GOOD 52%
the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage ONLY FAIR 6%
Public Schools excellent, POOR 1%
good, only fair, or poor? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.... 29%
50. From what you have seen or EXCELLENT 3%
heard, how would you rate the ABOVE AVERAGE 9%
financial management of the AVERAGE 44%
Burnsville-Eagan-Savage BELOW AVERAGE 2%
School District excellent, POOR 2%
above average, average, below DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.... 39%
average, or poor?
51. Do you think the District STRONGLY YES 3%
does a good job involving YES 56%
community leaders and citi- NO 3%
zens in important decisions STRONGLY NO 0%
about the school district? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.... 39%
(WAIT FOR RESPONSE) Do you
feel strongly that way?
Four years ago, voters in this School District approved a
levy. The revenue from this levy was used to fund a Refer-
endum Accountability Plan, intended to finance educational
programs and improve classroom performance in local schools.
52. Do you think voters made the STRONGLY YES 6%
right decision in approving YES 49%
that levy in 2002? (WAIT FOR NO 2%
RESPONSE) Do you feel strong- STRONGLY NO 1%
ly that way? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.... 42%
/7
There will be a referendum on the ballot this November to
continue the current levy and approve an additional 6.5
million dollars to fund educational programs and improve
classroom performance.
53. Do you think the Burnsville- STRONGLY YES 7%
Eagan-Savage School District YES 35%
needs additional revenue to NO .....................9%
maintain the current quality STRONGLY NO 2%
of education in their class- DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.... 48%
rooms? (WAIT FOR RESPONSE) Do
you feel strongly that way?
Moving on....
A number of organizations publish newsletters and other informa-
tion for businesses. For each of the following, tell me if you
have received or accessed that publication at your place of
business.... (ROTATE LIST)
YES NO DKR
54. "The Burnsville Bulletin," the City
Newsletter? 59% 38% 3%
55. "Burnsville Business," the Chamber of
Commerce Newsletter? 34% 58% 8%
56. School District 191 columns in local
newspapers? 24% 67% 9%
57. Chamber of Commerce "Just the Facts,"
e-bulletins? 14% 78% 8%
58. e-Formant from School District 191? 7% 84% 9%
59. e-government website mailings? 8% 83% 9%
60. The City of Burnsville website? 21% 73% 6%
61. The Burnsville Chamber of Commerce
website? 18% 75% 7%
62. School District 191 website? 12% 80% 8%
63. How would you prefer to receive MAILINGS 65%
information from these organiza- NEWSLETTERS 10%
tions mailings, newsletters, WEBSITES ................7%
websites, or e-mail? E-MAIL 11%
OTHER (VOL) 0%
NOT INTERESTED (VOL)...5%
DON'T KNOW/REFUSED..... 2%
1~
64. What kind of high-speed Internet WIRELESS 10%
service does your business cur- CABLE MODEM 15%
rently have wireless, cable LEASED CIRCUIT 1%
modem, leased circuit, DSL, or DSL 56%
none at all? NONE 15%
d DON'T KNOW/REFUSED 3%
IF #1-#4, ASK: (N=247)
65. How satisfied are you with VERY SATISFIED 33%
the speed of your high-speed SOMEWHAT SATISFIED.... 58%
Internet very satisfied, SOMEWHAT DISSATISFIED..6%
somewhat satisfied, somewhat VERY DISSATISFIED 3%
dissatisfied, or very dis- DON'T KNOW/REFUSED 0%
satisfied?
66. How satisfied are you with VERY SATISFIED 19%
the cost of your high-speed SOMEWHAT SATISFIED.... 52%
Internet very satisfied, SOMEWHAT DISSATISFIED.10%
somewhat satisfied, somewhat VERY DISSATISFIED 3%
dissatisfied or very dissat- DON'T KNOW/REFUSED.... 16%
isfied?
IF RESPONSE #5 IN QUESTION #64, ASK: (N=46)
67. Which of the following is the NO NEED FOR IT 61%
main reason you do not have NOT AVAILABLE 9%
high-speed Internet service TOO EXPENSIVE 9%
no need for it, not avail- SOMETHING ELSE 20%
able at this location, too DON'T KNOW/REFUSED..... 2%
expensive, or something else?
I would like to read you a short list of utility services used by
your business in Burnsville. For each one, please tell me if you
would rate the quality of the service as excellent, good, only
fair, or poor. If you have no opinion, just say so.... (ROTATE
LIST)
EXCL GOOD FAIR POOR DK/R
68. Water and sewers? 7% 69% 18% 5% 1%
69. Telephone? 7% 78% 12% 2% 1%
70. Electric? 7% 81% 11% 0% 1%
71. Street lighting? 6% 72% 17% 4% 2%
Now, for each of those services, tell me if you view that utili-
ty's rate as very high, somewhat high, about average, somewhat
low, or very low. Again, if you have no opinion, just say so....
(ROTATE LIST)
I~
VHI SHI AVG SLO VLO DKR
72. Water and sewers? 2% 16% 54% 0% 0% 28%
73. Telephone? 3% 20% 52% 0% 0% 24%
74. Electric? 3% 18% 54% 0% 0% 25%
75. Street lighting? 1% 3% 59% 1% 0% 37%
Changing topics....
As I read the following statements, please answer "yes" or"no."
(READ LIST)
YES NO DKR
76. Customers and employees feel safe shop-
ping and doing business in Burnsville. 93% 3% 4%
77. During the past few years, the appearance
and maintenance of business properties
has improved. 87% 11% 2%
78. The City has maintained a good balance
between development and preservation of
natural resources. 87% 11% 2%
79. The quality and timeliness of the snow
plowing,of city streets is satisfactory? 91% 6% 3%
80. Major city streets excluding county,
state and federal highways are well
maintained in Burnsville? 96% 4% 1%
Changing topics....
81. During the past two years, has INCREASED 24%
crime increased, decreased, or re- DECREASED 4%
mained about the same in your area ABOUT THE SAME 66%
of the city? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED 5%
82. How serious of an impact has crime VERY SERIOUS 5%
had on your business during the SOMEWHAT SERIOUS 12%
past two years very serious, NOT TOO SERIOUS 27%
somewhat serious, not too serious, NOT AT ALL SERIOUS 55%
or not at all serious? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED 1%
I would like to read you a list of public safety issues. For each
one, tell me how serious you think it is in the area of your
business would you say it is very serious, somewhat serious,
not too serious, or not at all serious. If you have no opinion,
just say so.... (ROTATE LIST)
C)
VRS SMS NTS NAA DKR
83. Shoplifting? 3% 10% 8% 78% 0%
84. Vandalism? 3% 14% 10% 73% 0%
85. Burglary? 4% 13% 7% 76% 0%
86. Fraud and bad checks? 3% 16% 14% 66% 0%
87. Graffiti? 1% 5% 6% 87% 1%
88. Petty thievery? 1% 6% 13% 79% 1%
89. Identity theft? 2% 6% 5% 86% 1%
VRS SMS NTS NAA DKR
90. Potential for terrorism? 0% 1% 2% 95% 1%
91. Computer crime? 0% 1% 4% 94% 1%
92. Violent crime? 0% 2% 4% 93% 1%
93. Gangs and drugs? 0% 5% 8% 85% 1%
Moving on....
94. Is your business a current member YES 28%
of the Burnsville Chamber of NO/YES 8%
Commerce? (IF "NO," ASK:) Is your NO/NO 48%
business a former member of the DON'T KNOW 16%
Burnsville Chamber of Commerce? REFUSED 1%
IF "NO/YES" OR "NO/NO," ASK: (N=167)
95. Could you tell me one or two reasons why your business
is not a current member?
UNSURE, 7%; NO INTEREST, 14%; NO NEED, 19%; NO
BENEFIT, 24%; NO TIME, 8%; TOO EXPENSIVE, 6%; CORPO-
RATE DECISION, 10%; DON'T DO LOCAL BUSINESS, 4%; NOT
AWARE OF IT, 6%; SCATTERED, 2%.
96. During the past year, have you YES 5%
contacted the Burnsville Chamber NO 91%
of Commerce about an issue facing DON'T KNOW 3%
your business? REFUSED 0%
IF "YES," ASK: (N=16)
97. What was the nature of that contact?
UNSURE, 6%; SIGNAGE ISSUE, 13%; MEETING, 19%; INFOR
MATIONAL, 38%; WORK FORCE POOL, 6%; COMPLAINT, 13%;
WASTE DISPOSAL ISSUE, 6%.
aI
98. In general were you satisfied SATISFIED .............75%
or dissatisfied with the way DISSATISFIED 6%
in which that contact was DON'T KNOW 0%
handled by the Chamber? REFUSED 19%
99. How important is it to your busi- VERY IMPORTANT 14%
ness that Burnsville has a strong SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT.... 35%
arts and cultural presence very NOT TOO IMPORTANT 23%
important, somewhat important, not NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT..26%
too important, or not at all im- DON'T KNOW 0%
portant? REFUSED 1%
100. Now, for demographic purposes, could you tell me your posi-
tion or title in this Company?
OWNER, 38%; MANAGER, 53%; PRESIDENT, 4%; CEO/CFO, 2%;
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, 2%.
City of Eaaall Mello
To: COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
From: COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR GARRISON
Date: April 13, 2007
Subject: TECHNOLOGY WORKING GROUP BUSINESS SURVEY
FEEDBACK
While the Eagan Technology Working Group does not have its next regularly scheduled
meeting until this next Wednesday, I have had a chance to receive feedback from
members on the direction they believe our survey questions should take.
In general, there is complete agreement on the need to survey business opinion, as
Councilmember Carlson suggests, on the need for high speed Internet services and
willingness to pay for such questions.
? It is suggested that some foundational questions establish how dependent their
business is on Internet connectivity, what type of Internet service the business has
now, and whether that is adequate to their current or anticipated needs.
? The question of willingness to pay is important, but in the context of, "The City of
Eagan is currently talking with providers about making available higher speed
Internet services for businesses to keep Eagan competitive. If providers are not
willing to offer world-class services to residents and businesses, how receptive
are you to the City of Eagan partnering with a company who will provide higher
speed Internet? How receptive would you be to the City itself working with the
community to provide higher speed Internet?... " Members did not want to
convey or suggest that any decision has already been made for the City to provide
services until the outcome of discussions with incumbent providers in the area is
concluded.
? Then the question of price points could be added, but the survey should also
understand what they currently pay for these services, so comparison could be
made
? It is also suggested data be gathered on how often employers expect or would like
their employees to be able to continue their work online from home (which has
implications for home Internet speeds.)
The main agenda item for the Tech Working Group meeting will be about the business
survey, but members did ask for a few clarifications on parameters to make sure the
questions they suggest meet the City Council's expectations:
a3
• Is there any option for Internet Service or partnership that the Committee
is not comfortable surveying about?
• Does the Committee wish to gather data about whether Eagan business
people feel the state should play a more active role in ensuring Internet
competitiveness?
• Finally, is the Communications Committee comfortable with asking
questions of the business community about receptivity to additional
regulations or code language if those requirements helped update or
future-proof Eagan's technology competitiveness and infrastructure?
On behalf of the Tech Working Group, I will be happy to receive any additional direction
the Committee has on these matters and answer any questions the Communications
Committee has about the scope of suggested questions for the business survey.
Agenda Information Memo
April 17, 2007 Communications Committee Meeting
III. UPDATE ON STATUS OF BROADBAND
ACTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED:
No action at this time. If time allows, Director Garrison would like to give a brief verbal
overview of the latest status regarding the Council's broadband goals.
ATTACHMENTS:
• None