CCMIN 10192021 - Laserfiche WebLink

MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 9. Business Anniversary Recognition Presentation Economic Development Director Lisa Adamos recognized the milestone anniversaries of 149 Pleasanton businesses for their contributions to the City's quality of life. ValleyCare is receiving a 60th- anniversary recognition while the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 75th anniversary. 10. Public Comment regarding items not listed on the agenda Evelyn Andrews spoke of the veterans attending Las Positas aiming to attend a four-year college as they adjust to civilian life and the upcoming 22-day challenge to raise funds for scholarships and mental health programs for veterans. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND OTHER MATTERS 11. Review results of the 2021 Pleasanton Community Survey Deputy City Manager Pamela Ott reported since the last survey in 2017 broad national trends can be reflected in these survey results. There are some changes in the intensity of the responses but the overall results continue to be very positive for the City. Curt Bellow, of FM3 Research, reported the survey was conducted from September 20 through October 6 through a variety of randomly-selected residents 18 years of age or older. 996 total interviews were conducted in either English, Spanish, or Chinese, either over the phone or online. Mr. Bellow reported some of the good areas holding steady from 2017 include the overall perception of City services, interactions with City staff, and although they remain high, concerns over the cost of housing have not worsened. As to areas of improvement, there were fewer concerns about excessive growth and traffic congestion, and higher satisfaction with open space preservation. While the overall quality of life metrics are good the intensity of those feelings has declined compared to 2017. Areas of concern from this survey are fewer positive views of infrastructure planning, lower satisfaction levels with the water supply and quality, school police resource officers, and greater concern about the local economy and taxes. Mr. Bellow reported 94% of respondents rated Pleasanton as either an excellent or good place to live, consistent with each of the last four prior surveys. He noted the percentage responding Pleasanton is an excellent place to live declined to 52% in 2021. He reported a recent Bay Area-wide study reflected 70% of the region's voters are concerned about the declining quality of life and theorized this general sentiment may be impacting the Pleasanton numbers. FM3 has also recently conducted similar surveys with the cities of Livermore and Dublin and Pleasanton scored much better in this area. Mr. Bellow reported the results of how Pleasanton rates as a place to raise a family with 89% responding excellent or good but reflecting a downward trend to responses of excellent at 55% compared to past surveys where the number was in the low 70s. He reported 96% of residents feel either very safe or somewhat safe living in Pleasanton but noted the very safe response of 63% is a steep decline from previous surveys where it was around 80%. He noted the safety category had a significant differential based upon race with 70% of white residents feeling very safe but only 63% of Latinos, 52% of Asians, and 55% of all residents of color. Mr. Bellow reported the results of a list of specific residential concerns. He noted as highlights 64% said the cost of housing is either an extremely serious or very serious problem while 56% rated the total cost of living as either extremely or very seriously concerning. He advised the traffic on freeways was the other concern exceeding half the respondents at 52%. He noted economic issues were not viewed as City Council Minutes Page 3 of 14 October 19,2021