HomeMy WebLinkAboutA021 - Discussion of additional questions for the 2025 Resident Satisfaction SurveyTo:Ames Mayor and City Council
From:Susan Gwiasda, Communications and Outreach Manager
Date:Feb. 25, 2025
Subject:Resident Satisfaction Survey for 2025
Item No. 23
MEMO
The City of Ames is again working with Iowa State University’s Institute for Design
Research and Outreach to produce, distribute, and analyze the 2025 Resident Satisfaction
Survey. This will be the 43rd year of the survey.
Each year, a small amount of space is reserved for current issue/policy questions to be
added. Most policy questions require some explanation before any question can be asked.
Due to the space necessary to set up the question, typically only a few additional
questions fit in the survey. The Council is welcome to suggest topics, but please note
there is no obligation to add to the survey.
For the 2024 survey, the Council made these changes:
Removed the questions regarding Fare-Free CyRide that were added in 2023 as a
special topic.
Removed the questions regarding sorting garbage and organized trash collection
that were added in 2023 as a special topic.
Retained questions regarding “Your Health” and “Sense of Community” from the
2024 survey.
Questions that have been suggested for inclusion on the 2025 Resident Satisfaction
Survey include asking residents if they have served or considered serving on a City
Board or Commission. Why or why not? Also, what are the barriers that make serving on
a City Board of Commission challenging?
ATTACHMENT(S):
Ames survey_2024.pdf
City Clerk's Office 515.239.5105 main
515.239.5142 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
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42nd Annual Resident Satisfaction SurveySpring 2024
Instructions: Please respond to each question with your own opinions and practices. This is usually done by circling a
number, checking a box, or filling in a blank.
An opportunity is also provided for you to add written comments.
A. Please rate the following Parks and Recreation features.
Very
Poor Poor Good
Very
Good
Don’t
Use
1. Quality of trails in the parks .........................o o o o o
2. Overall quality of parks .................................o o o o o
3. Overall quality of recreational facilities (e.g.
Homewood Golf Course, Gymnasium, etc.) .o o o o o
4. Variety of playground equipment in the parks o o o o o
5. Number of restrooms in the parks ...............o o o o o
6. Overall quality of shelters and picnic amenities o o o o o
7. Overall quality of recreational programming o o o o o
8. Variety of recreational programming offered o o o o o
9. Overall quality of wooded/natural areas o o o o o
Comments on Parks and Recreation ______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
B. Please rate the following Ames Public Library features.
Very
poor Poor Good
Very
Good
Don’t
Use
1. Meeting/study rooms ....................................................o o o o o
2. Internet/computer services ...........................................o o o o o
3. Building accessibility ......................................................o o o o o
4. Customer service ...........................................................o o o o o
5. Programs (Storytime, book discussions, lectures) .........o o o o o
6. Variety of materials available (books, movies,online
resources) ......................................................................o o o o o
7. Bookmobile service ........................................................o o o o o
8. Page One – the library newsletter .................................o o o o o
9. Asking questions of library staff by
phone or email ...............................................................o o o o o
10. Use of library online resources ......................................o o o o o
11. Wait time for requests/holds .........................................o o o o o
12. Availability of seating .....................................................o o o o o
13. Welcoming atmosphere .................................................o o o o o
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D. How DISSATISFIED or SATISFIED are you with the following Fire Department activities?
Very
Dissatisfied
Somewhat
Dissatisfied
Somewhat
Satisfied
Very
Satisfied
Don’t
Know
1. Emergency response time .............o o o o o
2. Emergency medical responses .......o o o o o
3. Extinguishing fires ..........................o o o o o
4. Fire prevention activities and community
outreach ......................................... o o o o o
Comments on Fire Department _________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
C. Do you use the Ames Public Library as often as you would like to use it?
1. Yes
2. No
Comments on Ames Public Library ______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
C1. If NO, for what reasons do you not use the library as often as you
would like? (Circle ALL that apply.)
1. Transportation is a problem
2. I get materials from other sources
3. I don’t have time
4. Other (please specify) ______________________________
Ames Police Department
E. Have you had an interaction with the Ames Police Department in the last 12 months related to an investigation,
traffic, accident, etc. ?
1. Yes
2. No
F. Have you had an interaction with the Ames Police Department at an outreach event?
1. Yes
2. No
F1. If YES, which event(s)? (Circle ALL that apply)
1. National Night Out
2. Shop with a Cop
3. Donuts in the Park
4. Coffee with Cops
5. Citizen Police Academy
6. Cop on Top
7. Carving with Cops
8. Training or Education Program
9. Other ___________________________________
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H. Please rate how DISSATISFIED or SATISFIED you are with the City’s response after issues are reported
regarding the following nuisance ordinances?
Enforcement of ...
Very
Dissatisfied
Somewhat
Dissatisfied
Somewhat
Satisfied
Very
Satisfied
Don’t
Know
1. Over-occupancy in rental property ...........o o o o o
2. Noise limits ...............................................o o o o o
3. Front yard parking on residential
property ....................................................o o o o o
4. Yard upkeep (overgrown vegetation) ........o o o o o
5. Dangerous structures (dilapidated,
unsecured, holes, collapsing) ....................o o o o o
6. Outdoor storage on property (old cars,
tires, furniture, garbage) ...........................o o o o o
I. Q: Have you ever reported a concern to the City of Ames about any of these issues?
1. Yes
2. No
Comments on Nuisance Ordinances _____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
G. Thinking about priorities for law enforcement, what three things should be emphasized?
(Please select 3 items.)
1. Animal Control and Sheltering
2. Business District Patrolling
3. Traffic Enforcement in High Accident Areas
4. Residential Patrolling
5. Safety Programming and Training (Active Shooter, SCAMS, Alcohol regulations, etc.)
6. Parking Regulations
7. Retail Alcohol Monitoring/Enforcement
8. Police Outreach
Comments on Ames Police Department __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
I1. If YES, were you satisfied with the results?
1. Yes
2. No
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M. In the last 12 months, have you...?
No Yes
1. Experienced a power outage in your home? .......................................................................o o
2. Experienced a power surge that affected your electronics? ...............................................o o
K. How OFTEN is the coordination between Traffic Signals effective? (Circle ONE response)
1. Rarely effective
2. Sometimes effective
3. Often effective
4. Almost always effective
5. Don’t know
Comments on Traffic Signals ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
J. Please rate the quality of the following Street Maintenance features.
Very
poor Poor Good
Very
Good
Don’t
Know
1. Maintenance of bike path system (on street lanes &
paths) .................................................................................o o o o o
2. Appearance of medians and parkways ..............................o o o o o
3. Condition of streets in your neighborhood ........................o o o o o
4. Ice control at intersections ................................................o o o o o
5. Snow plowing in your neighborhood .................................o o o o o
6. Snow plowing on major streets .........................................o o o o o
7. Street sweeping in business areas .....................................o o o o o
8. Street sweeping in your neighborhood .............................o o o o o
9. Surface condition of major streets .....................................o o o o o
L. Does Ames Electric Services provide electricity to your home?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know
If NO, skip to Question P.
N. How DISATISFIED or SATISFIED are you with the following aspects of Ames Electric Services?
Very
Dissatisfied
Somewhat
Dissatisfied
Somewhat
Satisfied
Very
Satisfied
Does Not
Apply
1. Being informed of progress
restoring services ......................o o o o o
2. Ease of reporting an outage ......o o o o o
3. Response of employees ............o o o o o
4. Time to restore service .............o o o o o
5. Electric rates .............................o o o o o
6. The quality of power .................o o o o o
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O. Ames Electric Services offers SunSmart Ames, a community solar farm project in Ames. Ames
Electric Services customers may purchase shares of the project at $240 per “Power Pack” and receive a
monthly credit on their bills for 20 years. (More information at www.CityOfAmes.org/Solar). Are you
participating?
1. Yes
2. No
Comments on Ames Electric Services ____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
O1. If NO, why not? (Circle all that apply)
1. Too expensive
2. Not interested in renewable energy
3. Short-term stay in Ames
4. Other (please specify) ___________________________________
P. In the last 12 months, how many times have you had any of the following Drinking Water Service problems?
Never 1–2 times 3–6 times
7 or more
times
Does not
apply
1. Disagreeable taste or odor..............................o o o o o
2. Hard water ......................................................o o o o o
3. Rust .................................................................o o o o o
4. Sediment or cloudy appearance .....................o o o o o
5. Soft water........................................................o o o o o
6. Too little pressure ...........................................o o o o o
7. Too much pressure ..........................................o o o o o
Comments on Drinking Water Service ____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Q. Please rate your SATISFACTION with the following aspects of Ames Water & Pollution Control Department
services?
Very
Dissatisfied
Somewhat
Dissatisfied
Somewhat
Satisfied
Very
Satisfied
Does Not
Apply
1. Water rates ...............................o o o o o
2. Water quality ............................o o o o o
3. Sewer rates ...............................o o o o o
R. In the last 12 months, have you experienced a sanitary sewer back-up into your basement/home?
1. Yes
2. No R1. If YES, did you report the problem to the City?
1. No
2. Yes R2. If YES, how satisfied were you with the response?
1. Very dissatisfied
2. Somewhat dissatisfied
3. Somewhat satisfied
4. Very satisfied
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S. In the last 12 months, has storm water flooded onto your property from a city street?
1. Yes
2. No
Comments on Water and Pollution Control Department Services ______________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
S1. If YES, did you report the problem?
1. No
2. Yes S2. If YES, how satisfied were you with the response?
1. Very dissatisfied
2. Somewhat dissatisfied
3. Somewhat satisfied
4. Very satisfied
CyRide is the community-wide transit system serving both Iowa State University (ISU) and Ames. It is funded
through the City of Ames (from property taxes), ISU Administration (from the general fund), and ISU students (from
student fees). Eliminating the fare to ride CyRide is one way to encourage Ames residents to use public transit.
T. On average, how many times per week do members of your household ride CyRide?
1. ________ times per week
2. No one in my household rides CyRide
Next, please provide your overall opinions about your use of City services
U. If you do not currently use CyRide, what would make you consider using these services? (Circle ALL that apply)
1. Service was provided to more areas of Ames
2. Service was offered on my route longer during the day (earlier or later times).
3. Service was more frequent on routes near me
4. The fare when boarding the bus was lower
5. The fare when boarding the bus was at no cost
6. Nothing
7. Other (specify) _____________________________________________
Comments on CyRide ___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
A. How DISSATISFIED or SATISFIED are you with the following aspects of City of Ames services?
VeryDissatisfied SomewhatDissatisfied SomewhatSatisfied VerySatisfied Don’t Know
1. Law Enforcement Services .......................o o o o o
2. Fire & Rescue Services .............................o o o o o
3. Electric Services .......................................o o o o o
4. Drinking Water System ............................o o o o o
5. Sanitary Sewer System .............................o o o o o
6. Public Nuisance Enforcement (e.g, noise,
over-occupancy, yard upkeep) .................o o o o o
7. Parks & Recreation Services .....................o o o o o
8. Library Services ........................................o o o o o
9. CyRide Bus service ...................................o o o o o
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Comments on City of Ames Services _____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
A. Programs and services listed in the following table are paid with local option sales taxes or property taxes.
In 2024–2025, the City of Ames will spend the following amounts on providing services. In your opinion,
should LESS, the SAME or MORE funding be allocated to these areas? (Mark ONE response for each program
or service.)
2024–2025 Approximate
Tax Funding
Should the City spend...?
Less Same More
1. Arts programs (Public Art & COTA) ..................$ 286,931 o o o
2. Fire protection ..................................................$ 6,640,581 o o o
3. Human service agency funding (ASSET) ..........$ 1,924,578 o o o
4. Law enforcement .............................................$ 11,667,108 o o o
5. Ames Animal Shelter & Animal Control ..........$ 615,007 o o o
6. Ames Public Library ..........................................$ 5,212,979 o o o
7. Land use planning (both current and long-term)$ 1,010,469 o o o
8. Parks and amenities .........................................$ 1,775,279 o o o
9. Recreational opportunities ..............................$ 1,089,587 o o o
10. CyRide (public transit) ......................................$ 2,173,044 o o o
11. Other (please specify__________________)---------------o o o
Comments __________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Program and services
B. The City Council has approved a five-year Capital Improvements Plan that defines more than $309
million in projects.
How UNIMPORTANT or IMPORTANT is it that the following projects are included in the Capital
Improvements Plan?
1. Improvements to existing parks .........o o o o
2. Improvements to existing recreational
facilities (e.g. aquatic center, auditorium,
etc.) ....................................................
o o o o
3. Off-street bike facilities (commuter)
improvements ...................................o o o o
4. Greenway trails (recreational)
improvements ...................................o o o o
5. Reconstructing existing streets ..........o o o o
6. Storm water drainage improvements o o o o
7. Traffic flow improvements .................o o o o
8. Energy-efficient upgrades to municipal
buildings.............................................o o o o
9. Sustainable solutions are incorporated to
the above projects..............................o o o o
10. Other (please specify __________)....o o o o
Very
Unimportant
Somewhat
Unimportant
Somewhat
Important
Very
Important
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Residential preferences of city communications
A. Which of the following sources of information do you use and how helpful are they?
Not
Helpful
Somewhat
Helpful
Very
Helpful
Don’t
Use
1. City of Ames Web page (www.CityOfAmes.org) ..........o o o o
2. Ames Television/Cable TV 12 .......................................o o o o
3. Ames Tribune newspaper ............................................o o o o
4. ISU Daily newspaper ....................................................o o o o
5. Des Moines Register newspaper ..................................o o o o
6. KASI/KCCQ radio ..........................................................o o o o
7. KHOI Community Radio ...............................................o o o o
8. CitySide - utility bill insert ............................................o o o o
9. Facebook - City of Ames ..............................................o o o o
10. Instagram - City of Ames .............................................o o o o
11. X/Twitter - City of Ames ..............................................o o o o
12. Threads - City of Ames ................................................o o o o
13. Nextdoor - City of Ames ..............................................o o o o
14. LinkedIn - City of Ames ................................................o o o o
B. How would you prefer to learn about construction projects, programs, and meetings in your area?
(Select top three.)
1. Hard copy letter
2. Door hanger
3. Website
4. Radio
5. Newspaper
6. Email
7. Social Media
8. Text
9. City of Ames app
C. Using the item number from Question B, which category should be the...
Item No.
Highest priority?________
Second highest priority?________
Third highest priority?________
D. The City property tax levy for the next year is $10.09 per $1,000 of taxable valuation. This means that the
City portion of the property tax on a $100,000 home in Ames is about $468 after rollback.
Given your spending preferences, what should be the adjustment in property taxes next year? (Circle
ONE response.)
1. Substantial decrease
2. Modest decrease
3. No change
4. Modest increase
5. Substantial increase
10. Other (specify) ____________________________________________________________
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C. Would you use a City of Ames app that supplied information about City news, construction, project,
programs, and meetings?
1. Yes
2. No
The next section asks for your overall comments and ratings.
A. Please rate the overall quality of services you receive from the City of Ames. (Check ONE)
Very Poor Poor Good Very Good
o o o o
B. On what other issue(s) do you think the City should focus its attention?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
C. What is the best thing about living in Ames?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Sustainability
A. Are you familiar with the City's Climate Action Plan accepted by City Council in June 2023?
1. Yes
2. No
B. Please select the three most important climate action steps for Ames:
1. Increase wind and solar generation as part of Electric Services renewable energy portfolio
2. Waste-to-energy improvements/reducing waste emissions
3. Net zero and net zero-ready (NZR) new construction
4. Retrofitting existing buildings
5. Retrofit municipal/City buildings
6. Electrify the municipal fleet (non CyRide)
7. Create a Mayor’s climate action plan leadership task force
8. Other __________________________________________
C. Which of the following do you think is the biggest reason to committed to environmental sustainability?
(Please choose one.)
1. To provide a sustainable environment for future generations
2. For a better quality of life
3. To stabilize or reduce the cost of food and utilities, etc.
4. Environmental sustainability isn't important to me
5. Other __________________________________________
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A. Overall, how would you rate your mental health? (Check ONE)?
Poor Fair Good Very Good Excellent
o o o o o
Your health
A. How many of your neighbors do you know?
1. None of them
2. A few of them
3. About half of them
4. Most of them
5. All of them
B. How strong is the sense of community in your neighborhood?
1. Not at all strong
2. Not so strong
3. Somewhat strong
4. Very strong
5. Extremely strong
C. In the past six months, have you felt you needed to access professional mental health services?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Prefer not to answer C1. If YES, have you been able to receive the help you needed?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Prefer not to answer
Sense of community
B. In the last six months, if you noticed your mental health declining did you talk to: (Choose all that apply)
Yes No
1. A trusted friend o o
2. Co-worker o o
3. Family Member o o
4. Primary care physician o o
5. Therapist o o
6. Psychiatric medication provider o o
7. Pastor/ clergy o o
8. ARCH (crisis tram)o o
9. Ames Police Department Mental Health Advocate o o
10. ISU Mental Health Advocate medication provider o o
11. Other Crisis response Service o o
12. Crisis phone line o o
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Strongly
Disagree
Somewhat
Disagree Uncertain
Somewhat
Agree
Strongly
Agree Don’t Know
1. Issues facing my community are important to me o o o o o o
2. I am knowledgeable about the issues facing my
community.............................................................o o o o o o
3. I am engaged in addressing the issues of my
community.............................................................o o o o o o
4. I currently support nonprofit organization(s)
with financial contributions ...................................o o o o o o
5. I currently serve on a Board of Directors for a
nonprofit organization serving the City of Ames...... o o o o o o
6. I currently volunteer for a nonprofit
organization serving the City of Ames....................o o o o o o
C. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following community involvement statements.
Strongly
Disagree
Somewhat
Disagree Uncertain
Somewhat
Agree
Strongly
Agree Don’t Know
I feel valued as an individual in the Ames
community.o o o o o o
I feel I belong in this town.o o o o o o
Ames has a strong commitment to
diversity, equity, and inclusion.o o o o o o
I am treated with respect in this town.o o o o o o
I feel Ames is a place where I could
perform up to my full potential.o o o o o o
I have found one or more organizations
in this community where I feel I belong.o o o o o o
D. Considering your experiences over the past 12 months, please indicate your level of agreement with
each of the following statements
E. What, if anything, could be done to enhance your sense of belonging as an Ames resident? ________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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A. How many years have you lived in Ames? ________ years
B. What is your age? __________ years
C. What is your gender?
1. Male 4. Prefer to self-describe __________________
2. Female 5. Prefer not to answer
3. Non-binary / third gender
D. What is your race?
1. White 5. Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
2. Black or African American 6. Other _____________
3. American Indian or Alaskan Native 7. Prefer not to answer
4. Asian
E. Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin?
1. No 2. Yes 3. Prefer not to answer
F. What is your highest level of formal education?
1. Less than high school diploma 4. Undergraduate degree
2. High school diploma or GED 5. Some graduate work
3. Some college 6. Graduate degree
G. Are you currently a full-time student at Iowa State University?
1. No 2. Yes
H. Your current employment status? (Circle ALL that apply.)
1. Employed full time 4. Full time homemaker
2. Employed part time 5. Not employed
3. Retired 6. Other ________________
I. Do you RENT or OWN your home?
1. Rent
2. Own
3. Other (specify ___________)
I1. For what reasons do you rent?
(Circle ALL that apply.)
1. Short-term stay in Ames
2. Little or no upkeep
3. More security
4. Lack of adequate income
5. Other (Specify) ______________
In this last section, please tell us about yourself so that we will know if we have reached a
representative sample of Ames residents.
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J. Income level is requested in order to understand how household needs differ based upon income.
Circle the number for the category that best estimates your 2023 total household income (before taxes).
1. Under $25,000 5. $100,000–124,999
2. $25,000–49,999 6. $125,000–$149,999
3. $50,000–74,999 7. $150,000–$199,999
4. $75,000–99,999 8. $200,000 or more
K. In which part of Ames do you live? (Circle ONE)
1. Northwest (North side of Lincoln Way and streets to the north; west side of Grand Avenue and
streets to the west).
2. Northeast (North side of Lincoln Way and streets to the north, east side of Grand Avenue and
streets to the east).
3. Southwest (South side of Lincoln Way
and streets to the south; west side of
University Boulevard and streets to the
west).
4. Southeast (South side of Lincoln Way
and streets to the south; east side of
University Boulevard and streets to the
east).
L. We would appreciate any additional
comments you would like to provide:
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for contributing your time and making a difference in your community!
Return your questionnaire in the enclosed, postage-paid envelope OR
deliver it to City Hall, 515 Clark Ave.
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