Wasilla to survey residents

WASILLA — A community survey and its $13,231 price tag was deemed too expensive by half of the Wasilla City Council, which split 3-3 on approving the survey. Mayor Dianne M. Keller broke the tie Monday by approving the effort, which will serve as follow-up to a survey conducted in 2005.

Then, the city mailed 3,205 surveys to residents and businesses in Wasilla, the city reports. When completed, the surveys were sent directly to Dittman Research Corp., the company hired to prepare and analyze the surveys. Overall, 576 surveys were returned, a response rate of 18 percent.

Council discussed a follow-up survey at its Jan. 28 board meeting and still had mixed opinions about conducting another survey before Monday’s vote. Those against the survey, including Dianne Woodruff, Steve Menard and Doug Holler, cited a lack of available funds as one reason for opposition. They also questioned how useful the information from the survey would be.

Council members Marty Metiva, Stephanie Massie and Kristofer Larson voted for the survey.

When the first survey was conducted in 2005, Woodruff said the timing fell too close an election, possibly providing an unfair advantage for an incumbent. While candidates would have to pay for surveys to help develop campaign strategies, in theory, an incumbent could get the survey for free.

“The perception is there that a mayor could skew the survey in a way that could put the incumbent in a good light,” she said.

With Wasilla already near the last notch on its fiscal belt, Woodruff said she believes the city should hold off on extra expenses until the next fiscal year when new money might be available. In addition to the perception of impropriety and financial impact, Woodruff would like to see a survey that is impartial and provides useful feedback, characteristics she believes the 2005 survey lacked.

“I didn’t find any particular revelations in the survey at all,” she said. “I just want to make sure it’s not another feel-good survey.”

Deputy Mayor Larson said he supports conducting the survey and doesn’t believe it would lend a helping hand to any future candidates.

“I think that it’s useful,” Larson said. “If it looks like we can afford it, I think we should do it.”

Larson said the survey will help provide feedback the city needs from its residents.

“I think it’s helpful to know, essentially, what the community thinks,” he said.

Metiva is also in favor of the survey.

“It’s an opportunity to get the community involved and ask their opinion about what we are doing,” Metiva said.

Metiva said he understands the concerns of other council members, but believes $13,231 isn’t a considerable amount when one considers the benefit of knowing what the community wants. After the last survey, he has been approached by community members thanking him and the city for addressing issues they pointed to in the survey.

In addition to providing a link to the community, Metiva said another reason for supporting a survey is because the council has already told the community it would happen.

After dealing with financial issues like paying out for an eminent domain case and lack of library funding, Metiva said business is getting back to normal for the city.

“I think it’s time to get back on track and start running the city,” he said. “And I think this is a good start.”

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