Title
Approval to Conduct a Citizen Survey Concerning Public Safety and Affordable Housing Needs
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to direct staff to enter in a professional services contract with Elway Research to conduct a scientifically valid survey to test public support for affordable housing and public safety needs.
Report
Issue:
Whether to conduct a citizen survey to test public support for public safety and affordable housing needs.
Staff Contact:
Steve Hall, City Manager, 360.753.8244
Keith Stahley, Director, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8227
Ronnie Roberts, Police Chief, 360.753.8147
Presenter(s):
Steve Hall, City Manager
Background and Analysis:
Over the course of the last two years and more - citizens, stakeholders and others have expressed the need for City services and assistance in the areas of affordable housing and public safety/court/law enforcement efforts.
Public Safety:
The Olympia Police Department (OPD) has been working to build stronger, trusting relationships with all segments of the Olympia community. In addition, the Department and the City have been responding to concerns and articulated public safety priority needs of citizens expressed through neighborhoods, downtown users, merchants, minority populations and others.
OPD has been able to build strong liaison relationships with a number of groups ranging from the Hispanic Roundtable to the YWCA to the PBIA and many more. The Department has also been innovative in the use of limited resources in meeting community requests. Finally, the Department has also undertaken significant training and policy development to lead in the era of 21st Century policing principles.
Much has been done within existing resources. However, lack of further resources is holding the City back from meeting community needs and expectations. Consequently, the City has crafted a unique set of public sa...
Click here for full text