The Resident's Opinion Survey was published in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese and mailed to all residential households in Alhambra.

Click here to view a copy of the public
presentation presented to the City Council

The results are finally in… for the 2007 Resident’s Opinion Survey. And to all the approximately 4,000 respondents…thanks for taking the time to make your opinions count!

The 2007 survey, which contained 103 questions in comparison to a similar survey conducted in 2002 with just 51 questions, was designed to measure the progress the City has made over a five-year period on a variety of key indicators. As encouraging as the research was in 2002, the data is even more positive in 2007.

The most illustrative examples of the
City’s progress are reflected in two
summary questions:
 
(1) 83% of survey respondents (compared to 69% in 2002) agree with the City’s vision statement – up by 14 percentage points; and

(2) 90% of respondents (compared to 87% in 2002) are satisfied with City programs, services and facilities – up 3 percentage points.

Additional key findings are that over time satisfaction has increased with respect to: (1) frequency of visits to Main Street; (2) frequency of visits to Valley Boulevard; (3) effectiveness of traffic management programs; (4) effectiveness of public safety programs, and; (5) desire to invest in remodeling of homes.

After tabulating the surveys, the researchers, DePinto Morales Communications, Inc., provided the City with a list of strategic recommendations in key areas. Among them are:

Community Services – (1) increasing open/green space by adding smaller, pocket parks; (2) funding year-round entertainment events to extend the success of Summer Jubilee; (3) creation of a “dog park”; (4) optimize use of school facilities for live theater performances and use of school playing fields.

Utilities – (1) institute an online bill payment program; (2) continue to educate residents about water education and conservation; (3) continue to invest in infrastructure maintenance and improvements.

Dining, Shopping and Entertainment – (1) seek out specific types of retail and other businesses, specifically national/brand name stores (a majority of comments addressed the desire for a bookstore, electronics, clothing and grocery retailer). Hands down, Trader Joe’s was the most desired retailer by residents completing the survey.

Transportation – (1) traffic and parking are the two issues of greatest concern to residents; (2) modify/add new routes to ACT and Senior Ride shuttle services, revise days/hours of operation, and increase outreach to high probability users; (3) increase the number and visibility of parking signs.

Public Safety – (1) enhance awareness of the Police Department’s gang prevention activities and ways the community can be involved this process; (2) increase awareness of the City’s graffiti hotline; (3) encourage residents to report crimes; (4) increase funding and personnel to expand the City’s Neighborhood Watch program; (4) increase outreach to seniors about safety, how to deter crimes, handle certain situations, etc.

Communication and Public Information – (1) increase the effectiveness of communication with residents by developing new features in Around Alhambra, such as a page devoted to Valley Boulevard and another page or section in Chinese related to upcoming news and events; (2) increase awareness of the City’s website (www.cityofalhambra.org) so that it becomes more highly utilized by residents.

Business, Residential and Mixed-Use Development – implement a communications campaign to (1) promote the benefits of “smart development,” and; (2) to inform residents about design guidelines that make it easier to upgrade, remodel and increase the size of their homes (given a 15% increase in the number of residents planning to remodel their homes since the 2002 survey).

Trash and Recycling – (1) install more attractive trash and recycling receptacles within parks, shopping districts, schools and parking areas as both an aesthetic and environmental improvement for the City; (2) work with partner agencies to sponsor clean-up activities, innovative recycling programs, tree plantings, and new environmental initiatives such as solar energy and energy rebates.