1,200 random residents to receive citizen surveys
Over 1,000 random Cape Coral households will receive citizen surveys this year, giving residents the chance to critique the direction of the city.
City Council approved spending $9,900 for the survey on Monday.
City Spokeswoman Connie Barron said the previous citizen surveys had a 40 percent return rate locally, with similar surveys having a 25 percent return rate nationally.
Council decided to forgo spending $650 for an Internet option allowing residents to participate via the web.
Councilmember Derrick Donnell said offering the Internet option would allow “younger” people to get involved in future of Cape Coral.
“One thing we can do is get the younger generation involved … I think we can do nothing but help ourselves if we put it out there and get them involved,” Donnell said.
The survey gives residents the chance to respond to a number of topics, including community quality ad design, public safety, recreation, wellness and other related areas.
In 2009, 63 percent of residents who responded found the quality of life in Cape Coral to be “excellent” or “good,” according to survey results.
Air quality, opportunities to participate in religious or spiritual events and opportunities to volunteer were rated as some of the most valued aspects of living in Cape Coral.
The characteristics receiving the least positive ratings were employment opportunities, availability of paths and walking trails and ease of bus travel in Cape Coral, according to the same results.
Cape residents were identified as being “somewhat” civically involved.
Councilmember Kevin McGrail said he hopes all 1,200 households will get involved by filling out the survey.
“I’d ask anyone who gets one of these surveys to treat themselves like a Neilsen family … I’d be very interested in seeing what kind of responses we get,” McGrail said.