‘No’ answer to Wasilla survey question

Frontiersman

WASILLA — An on-again, off-again survey that’s been a source of contention for city council is off — again.

After months of deliberation, Wasilla City Council has axed a survey that would have followed up on one done in 2005. Councilman Steve Menard said 66 percent of the council (4-2) opposed the survey in a final vote this week — an outcome he can live with.

“I personally don’t think it was time to spend almost $20,000 on a survey,” Menard said. “We haven’t had the survey in three years and the city hasn’t fallen apart.”

In February, a $13,231 community survey narrowly was passed by the council with Mayor Dianne M. Keller breaking a tied 3-3 tie vote. Originally, the questionnaire was supposed to serve as follow-up to a survey conducted in 2005. Since that vote, problems have plagued the process. Some council members were unhappy with the document, citing a lack of available funds and getting a survey that was not compatible with the prior document.

“What happened is that it was a totally different survey when it came back to us,” Menard said, adding it would have been difficult for it to be a follow-up to one conducted earlier if it didn’t ask the same questions.

With that in mind, the council decided to slightly revamp the survey by asking the survey company, Dittman Research Corp., to add a few questions and comment lines. But after tweaking the document, the company increased its price tag by $4,675 — a hike some council members deemed excessive.

Council member Dianne Woodruff has opposed the survey since it was proposed. In the beginning, she believed $13,000 was too much to spend during a time of financial uncertainty. When Dittman increased the price tag, she suggested trying to get the survey for an additional $1,500 instead of $4,675. The research company denied that request.

Despite a failed effort to meet in the middle, Woodruff said she’s happy with the overall outcome.

“I am pleased that we are not doing it right now for the outrageous price of $18,000 and some odd dollars,” Woodruff said.

Deputy Mayor Kristofer Larson and Councilman Marty Metiva voted in favor of the survey. Both said they believe the benefits, which include community input on local issues, outweigh the costs.

Larson said the questionnaire was proposed as a tool that would help city administration determine how Wasilla is running and what may need to be changed. But when council members decided to tweak the document, he believes they went too far.

“I said at the meeting that I thought this was council meddling and micro-management,” Larson said.

The deputy mayor said surveys are never perfect, but the document still would have served its purpose and given useful information for the city.

“Mark my word, a survey will come in front of the next administration and it will slide through,” he said.

Although four of six council members voted against the survey, Menard and Woodruff both said a survey or other methods of gathering community response are beneficial when cost-effective and the city can afford them.

Contact Chris Gillow at chris.gillow@frontiersman.com or 352-2284.