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transportation options; the same as in the 2012 survey. While the difference between the two survey years for public transportation options is statistically significant, JD Franz Research does not consider the difference of import. With the sole exception of entertainment options, city amenities rate quite highly as well, with local schools and community events achieving particularly high scores. Almost all of the general services considered in the survey are perceived as being very important, with public safety leading the way. While the performance ratings for both permit processing and business recruitment are low relative to their importance in the business community, a significant increase in ratings of the ease of the permitting process this indicates the City's continual efforts to streamline the permitting process are having a positive impact. JD Franz Research and EVC members attribute the sentiment about business recruitment to an interest by small businesses in retaining small businesses in the community as was articulated in the focus groups. One concern that emerged from the 2012 survey and was also a topic of discussion during both years'focus groups is the perception that the City has rules and regulations that can make it challenging either to develop a new business or to accomplish things as established business. In 2015, the majority of businesses responding to the survey found the permitting process in particular very or somewhat easy; moreover, this proportion increased by twelve percentage points — from 51 percent to 63 percent — over the past three years. While this increase is not statistically significant, the increase itself is worthy of note as it is reinforced by the strongly positive ratings achieved by the permitting staff. From JD Franz Research: If the process is found challenging, due in part to the fact that the City has exceptionally high standards, it would appear the City is making progress in doing what it can to ease the path. Approximately one-third of the respondents had contacted City staff other than in the permitting process in the year preceding the survey. Ratings of 4 characteristics — courteous, helpful, fair and responsive to needs — are all between high to very high. When asked specifically about the cellular and broadband service and the extent to which obtaining such service is a problem, the mean numeric ratings are between "not a problem" and "a minor problem." However, the proportions of respondents who say they encounter major problems are not considered trivial thus indicating cellular and broadband connectivity are of extreme importance to local businesses. Relative to what role the City might play in developing cellular and Internet service, areas in which respondents believe the City should focus its efforts are obtaining better or more consistent service throughout the city, providing high-speed internet service and taking a leadership role. A secondary issue that arose during the survey process is a lack of parking, particularly downtown. The survey did not inquire about parking or downtown; rather, in response to an open-ended question that asked what more the respondent would like to tell the City about doing business in Pleasanton, 9 respondents (2.6 percent of the survey sample) Page 4 of 5