4.0. SR 06-16-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Service Ratings: Eighty-five percent rated police services as "eXcellent'' or "good,"while ~ighty-two percent felt the same way about "fire protection." Seventy-two percent awarded the Elk River City Library high ratings. Sixty-seven percent posted "excellent" or "good" ratings on animal control, sixty- six percent did so for drainage and flood control, and sixty-four percent felt similarly about snow plowing. Sixty percent gave "excellent" or "good" ratings for sewers and water; fifty eight percent did so for street lighting; and, forty-eight percent felt the maintenance and repair of city streets was "excellent" or "good." Since the 1989 study, ratings of city services had changed in both directions. Favorable ratings on the maintenance and repair of city streets dropped nineteen percent; high ratings on snow plowing dropped five percent; and, positive evaluations of the Library declined by an insignificant two percent. Favorable evaluations of street lighting increased three percent, while police services rose three percent and fire protection, by one percent. The change in opinions about street maintenance were in line with most communities across the State of Minnesota. Public Safety: Fifty-four percent reported direct contact with the Elk River Police Department during the past three years. Thirty-five percent reported their greatest public safety concern was "juvenile issues, such as curfews, underage drinking, and smoking." Twenty-one percent felt it was "property crime," while twenty percent saw it as "violent crime." Seventeen percent thought "traffic safety" was key. A solid ninety-one percent favored the Elk River Police Department continuing to provide DARE training in the local schools. Sixty-four percent favored in concept the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Highway 169 near School Street. But, support dropped to forty-eight percent if a tax increase were required to fund its construction. Elk River Community Center: When asked to suggest facilities for inclusion in a community center, twenty-seven percent mentioned a swimming pool. Only four percent mentioned this amenity in the 1989 study. A teen center was posted by eighteen percent, up seven percent since the 1989 study. A fitness center was key to eleven percent. Smaller numbers would include meeting rooms, a senior Page 5