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They asked them how important those services were to them which resulted in ratings of 3.9, 3.89 and <br /> this is particularly important. <br /> They then were asked to rate three categories of reliable internet service, high speed and reliable cell <br /> phone service, and ratings came in between "not a problem", "a minor problem" and "a major problem." <br /> When working with consultants, they were not sure this rang true and did more data tabulation. She <br /> pointed to the chart and said in the aggregate, there are some large percentages of respondents <br /> indicating it is a major problem. Such as under "reliable internet service" 17% of respondents said <br /> getting reliable internet service is a problem, and another 27% said it was a minor problem. Similar are <br /> results for high speed internet service and slightly lower numbers for reliable cell phone service. <br /> This prompted staff to ask that given there are some issues with reliability, they asked to what extent <br /> people believed the City should play a role in developing that. By and large, the category results were <br /> almost equal in that the City should definitely play a role and probably play a role. The specific <br /> responses were that they wanted the City to provide better, more consistent service throughout the <br /> City, some wanted the City to provide a high speed internet service, and a large percentage wanted the <br /> City to take a leadership role. This is the position they are currently working on and toward; that the <br /> City's job is to create the right environment for businesses to be successful. As they look to engage <br /> service providers, they will encourage them to continue to make investment in the community. <br /> Ms. Ott said the Council is ware that staff has taken a proactive step in the recycled network that is <br /> being deployed throughout Hacienda and they took the opportunity to run conduit in all streets when <br /> they put in the purple pipes in which allows them to pull fiber through it. <br /> In summary, they ended the survey by asking respondents what else they would like to tell the City, and <br /> she pointed to the two green arrows at the top and bottom. It was an intentional redundant question, <br /> and results were that everything is fine, they are happy and there was a 13% response rate. At the <br /> bottom, there was 56% said none or nothing so there are many people who, despite some concerns, <br /> felt that by and large there was nothing more the City could do. <br /> She pointed to a red arrow which indicated the concept that the City needs more parking, especially <br /> downtown. Staff knows a number of downtown merchants were contacted so it might have resulted in <br /> heightened conversations, but the Council has given direction to staff to address this. <br /> Vice-Mayor Brown referred to Figure 4; Entertainment Options. Item 2.8 does not sound awful, and the <br /> Council often talks about more entertainment and having a livelier downtown. Ms. Ott said staff does <br /> test for any specificity and there are no open-ended questions other than the comment option at the <br /> end. <br /> Vice-Mayor Brown said the business survey for Figure 16 where there was the reliable internet <br /> question, when she is downtown and in a regular business area, her cell service is great. However, <br /> when going home it is not as good which has to do with where she lives and the number of cell towers <br /> in residential areas. Many workers also live in town and she asked if this could be part of the <br /> inconsistencies in the Figures 16 and 17. Ms. Ott said it could be. She said they have 40-50 businesses <br /> in Pleasanton that have over 100 employees and the remainder is less than 100 employees. There is a <br /> strong likelihood that when they survey the business owners, there is a strong likelihood that those <br /> people might be speaking as an employee and as a resident. Ms. Ott noted that having service is a <br /> necessity and regardless of the number of employees, businesses need access to fast, reliable <br /> internet. Staff also worked a lot with Comcast specifically about Valley Business Park where people <br /> were relocating out of it who needed broadband service. <br /> Councilmember Pentin said being a business owner in that park and uploading a lot of video, <br /> Comcast's ability to put fiber on the street has modernized the park. He believes it has kept the <br /> City Council Minutes Page 5 of 9 October 20,2015 <br />