Document Laramie_doc_6a33546815

City of Laramie Survey, 2012 WYSAC Technical Report No. SRC-1204 April, 2012 Revised May, 2012 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 2 City of Laramie Survey, 2012 By W. Trent Holder, Assistant Research Scientist Bistra Anatchkova, Ph.D., Manager, Survey Research Center With the assistance of Tyler Hopkins, Assistant Research Scientist Brian Harnisch, Assistant Research Scientist Shinze Kato, Assistant Research Scientist Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center University of Wyoming 1000 E. University Ave, Dept. 3925 Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-2189 • [EMAIL REDACTED] http://wysac.uwyo.edu Citation for this document: WYSAC (2012) City of Laramie Survey, 2012 by Holder, W. T and Anatchkova, B. (WYSAC Technical Report No. SRC-1204). Laramie, WY: Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center, University of Wyoming. Short reference: WYSAC (2012), City of Laramie Survey. © Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center, 2012. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 3 Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary 6 2. Introduction 8 2.1. 8 2.2. Organization of this Report 8 3. Methods 9 3.1. Survey Design and Administration 9 3.1.1. Questionnaire Development 9 3.1.2. Questionnaire Revisions 9 3.1.3. Sample Design 9 3.1.4. Survey 9 3.2. Response Rates and Margins of Error 10 3.3. Data Compilation and Analysis 10 4. Demographics 10 5. Discussion of Survey Results 13 5.1. Quality of City Services 13 5.1.1. Summary of results for Quality of City Services 20 5.2. Interaction with City 22 5.3. Perceptions of City Problems and Personal Safety 26 5.4. Citizen Opinions of City Government and City Service Fees 28 5.5. Information Sources used by City of Laramie Residents for City Government Activities 29 5.6. Current Issues facing City Government – Bus System 31 5.7. City of Laramie Residents’ Priorities for City Funds Allocation 33 6. Breakdowns by Select Background Variables 34 6.1. Cross-tabulations by Housing Status 34 6.2. Cross-tabulations by Residence Location 35 6.3. Cross-tabulations by Employment Status 36 6.4. Cross-tabulations by Length of Residence 38 6.5. Cross-tabulations by Age 39 6.6. Cross tabulations of Question 6 Items by Select Background Variable 40 Appendix A. Frequency Distributions 43 Appendix B. Volunteered Comments and Responses to the Open-Ended Question 92 Appendix B.1. Additional Volunteered 92 Appendix B.2. Responses to Question 17 94 Appendix C. Survey Instrument 112 Appendix D. Laramie Areas Map 116 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 4 List of Tables Table 6.1.1. Cross-tabulations by Housing status. 34 Table 6.2.1. Cross-tabulations by Residence location. 35 Table 6.3.1. Cross-tabulations by Full-time employed vs. not full-time employed. 36 Table 6.3.2. Cross-tabulations by Students vs. non-student. 36 Table 6.3.3. Cross-tabulations by Retired vs. non-retired. 37 Table 6.4.1. Cross-tabulations by Length of Laramie residence. 38 Table 6.5.1. Cross-tabulations by Age. 39 Table 6.6.1. Cross-tabulations question 6 by Housing Status. 40 Table 6.6.2. Cross-tabulations question 6 by Age. 41 Table 6.6.3. Cross-tabulations question 6 by Full-Time Employed, Student, and Retired. 42 List of Figures Figure 4.1. Distribution of respondents by area. 11 Figure 4.2. Age of Respondents by Mode 12 Figure 4.3. Housing Status of Respondents by Mode 12 Figure 4.4. Employment Status of Respondents by Mode 12 Figure 5.1.1. Fire fighting. 13 Figure 5.1.2. Fire prevention. 13 Figure 5.1.3. Ambulance service. 14 Figure 5.1.4. Disaster preparedness. 14 Figure 5.1.5. Enforcement of traffic laws. 14 Figure 5.1.6. Crime prevention. 14 Figure 5.1.7. Garbage collection. 15 Figure 5.1.8. Landfill (dump) services. 15 Figure 5.1.9. Street maintenance and repair. 15 Figure 5.1.10. Street cleaning. 15 Figure 5.1.11. Snow removal (major streets only). 16 Figure 5.1.12. Storm water drainage. 16 Figure 5.1.13. Sewer services. 16 Figure 5.1.14. Water quality. 16 Figure 5.1.15. Reliability of water flow. 17 Figure 5.1.16. Park appearance and maintenance. 17 Figure 5.1.17. Recreation programs. 17 Figure 5.1.18. Land use, planning and zoning. 17 Figure 5.1.19. Code enforcement (weeds, junk, etc.). 18 Figure 5.1.20. Animal control. 18 Figure 5.1.21. Building permit 18 Figure 5.1.22. Disabled access (city facilities, parks, etc.). 19 Figure 5.1.23. Disabled access (public streets, sidewalks, etc.). 19 Figure 5.1.24. Curbside Recycling. 19 Figure 5.1.25. Mosquito Control 19 Figure 5.1.1.1. City services rated by responses as excellent or good. 20 Figure 5.1.1.2. City services ranked by responses as not so good or poor. 21 Figure 5.2.1. City departments of most recent interaction 22 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 5 Figure 5.2.2. Positive ratings of city departments. 23 Figure 5.2.3. Positive ratings of the Police Department. 23 Figure 5.2.4. Positive Ratings of the Fire Department. 24 Figure 5.2.5. Positive Ratings of Public Works. 24 Figure 5.2.6. Positive Ratings of Community Development. 24 Figure 5.2.7. Positive Ratings of Parks and Recreation. 25 Figure 5.2.8. Positive Ratings of Administration. 25 Figure 5.3.1. Issues/topics perceived as major problems by Laramie citizens. 26 Figure 5.3.2. Times when and locations where Laramie citizens feel very safe or somewhat safe. 27 Figure 5.4.1. Citizen Opinions of City Government and City Service Fees. 28 Figure 5.5.1. Citizens’ sources of information on City of Laramie government activities. 29 Figure 5.5.2. Citizens’ sources of information on City of Laramie government activities by mode. 30 Figure 5.5.3. Citizens’ Gem City Bus use. 31 Figure 5.5.4. Opinions on the Priority of Establishing a Bus System. 31 Figure 5.5.5. Citizens’ Preferences for Funding a Bus 31 Figure 5.5.6. Citizens’ estimated bus ridership by quarter. 32 Figure 5.7.1. Citizen priorities for City funds allocation (high priority). 33 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 6 City of Laramie Survey, 2012 1. Executive Summary In fall 2011 the City of Laramie enlisted the Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center (WYSAC) to conduct the third iteration of the City of Laramie Survey. This mail survey was first conducted in 2006, and again in 2008. The Survey Research Center (SRC) of WYSAC fielded the current iteration during February and March of 2012. The purpose of this community survey is to assess levels of citizen satisfaction with services provided by the City, as well as to gather citizen perceptions, preferences, and attitudes about various issues relevant to the City of Laramie. Due to the iterative nature of this survey, it is possible to follow changes between all three survey administrations of the survey for a number of items. A total of 633 completed questionnaires (400 mail, 233 online) were received in 2012 yielding a margin of error of about plus or minus 3.85 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Key findings of note are below.  Of 25 City of Laramie services rated for quality by Laramie citizens, 12 received overall ratings of good or excellent by at least half of all respondents. Very similar to the results from 2008, the clear leaders are fire fighting, ambulance services and park appearance/maintenance each receiving ratings of excellent or good by 87%, 80% and 79% of all respondents respectively.  The two City-provided services that were rated as not so good or poor by Laramie citizens are street maintenance and repair (65%) and code enforcement (weeds, junk, etc.) both of which were also rated lowest in 2008 as well as 2006.  Ratings of good or excellent for personnel of the City departments with which citizens most recently had some interaction, based on four performance criteria, were as shown below. Results from 2008 are shown in parenthesis. Great caution should be used when evaluating changes, since these ratings are based on very small subsamples of all respondents and differences in many cases are well within the margin of error. All in all City departments are receiving very positive ratings from City of Laramie citizens. As can be seen the Fire department remains the clear winner on all counts. Parks and Recreation has improved notably on all four criteria and holds the second place across the board. Knowledge Responsiveness Courtesy Overall impression Fire 100% (92%) Fire 88% (92%) Fire 100% (92%) Fire 94% (92%) Parks & Rec. 77% (63%) Parks & Rec. 77 % (69%) Parks & Rec. 79% (70%) Parks & Rec. 74 % (67%) Police 71% (77%) Police 70% (74%) Police 71 % (79%) Community Dev. 71% (47%) Administration 71% (69%) Administration 67% (70%) Community Dev. 71% (65%) Police 66% (73%) Community Dev. 64% (41%) Public Works 60 % (62%) Administration 69% (78%) Administration 64% (68%) Public Works 57% (69%) Community Dev. 57% (38%) Public Works 67% (73%) Public Works 57 % (62%)  The three items (of the 13 offered) that top the list of items perceived as major problems by Laramie citizens are driving under the influence underage alcohol offenses (38%) and bicyclists following traffic laws (31%) In a change from 2008 and 2006, four items are now perceived as a major problem by much fewer respondents: loud vehicles, illegal drug use, nuisances and speeding and traffic violations. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 7  As in 2006 and 2008, large majorities of Laramie citizens feel safe in their neighborhoods, in City parks, and downtown during the daytime; and in their own neighborhoods after dark. Most also feel safe downtown, in City parks, and Laramie greenbelts after dark.  There was less agreement in 2012 than in 2008 with the statement “the fee I pay for City water is reasonably priced for the service I receive” (37% vs. 43%) and a more pronounced decline in agreement with the statement “The fee I pay for the City for garbage collection and disposal is reasonably priced for the services I receive” (48% vs. 65. In all three years only less than half of Laramie citizens admit to have a good understanding of how their taxes are spent on City services, operations and capital projects.  As in 2008 and 2006 also now, the three most-used sources for information about City government activities are newspaper articles/advertisements, talking with friends and neighbors, and radio. The use of the City of Laramie website as a source of information about City government activities has increased significantly, from 10% and 15% in 2006 and 2008 to 28% in 2012.  As far as developing the Laramie bus system goes, a topic that was presented in a different way in this year’s survey, current use, as reported, is quite low --92% report to have never used the Gem City Bus. On the other hand when asked what priority they would put on establishing a bus system, 72% of all respondents appear to feel that it is a high or moderate priority and only 14% believe that it is not a priority at all. Yet over half of all respondents indicated that they don’t anticipate using public transportation in Laramie at all, regardless of price. The funding source for maintaining a bus system preferred by most (45%) is tickets/fees.  When asked to identify priorities for fund allocation, assuming funds were available Laramie citizens identified the following as their top five high-priority items for fund allocation: maintaining infrastructure, preservation of water resources, street maintenance, ambulance service, fire protection, and police protection, ranging from 63% to 46% of respondents giving them high priority. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 8 2. Introduction 2.1. Background In fall 2011 the City of Laramie enlisted the Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center (WYSAC) to conduct the third iteration of the City of Laramie Survey. This mail survey was first conducted in 2006, and again in 2008. WYSAC fielded the current iteration during February and March of 2012. The purpose of this community survey is to assess levels of citizen satisfaction with services provided by the City, as well as to gather citizen perceptions, preferences, and attitudes about various issues relevant to the City of Laramie. Due to the iterative nature of this survey, it is possible to follow changes between all three survey administrations for a number of items. 2.2. Organization of this Report Section 1 (Executive Summary) contains an executive summary of the 2012 City of Laramie Survey. This summary addresses the purpose and general scope of the project, and presents results of particular interest. Section 2 (Introduction) contains pertinent background information for the project along with a summary of the report organization. Section 3 (Methods) addresses questionnaire development, the survey sampling frame, the data collection process, response rates, and data analysis. Section 4 (Demographics) contains demographic information for survey respondents. Section 5 (Discussion of Survey Results) contains a comprehensive discussion of the survey results complete with graphic presentation of the findings. Section 6 (Breakdowns by Select Background Variables) provides breakdowns by relevant background variables. Several background variables are cross-tabulated with other relevant variables from the survey; those that merit attention and yield statistically significant differences are included. The report concludes with four appendices: Appendix A (Frequency Distributions) contains the comprehensive results from the 2012 City of Laramie Survey. Questions are presented in the order and with the phrasing used on the survey, and accompanying tables display raw frequency counts and valid percentage distributions for each survey item. When applicable the 2006 and 2008 survey valid percentage distributions are also included. Appendix B (Responses to Open-Ended Questions and Volunteered Comments) presents the responses provided by survey respondents to all open-ended survey questions, those questions that invite other responses, and all volunteered comments from the 2012 survey. Appendix C (Survey Instrument) contains the actual questionnaire used for the 2012 survey. Appendix D (Laramie Areas Map) contains the map of Laramie areas used for survey item 11. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 9 3. Methods 3.1. Survey Design and Administration 3.1.1. Questionnaire Development The questionnaire used in the latest iteration of the City of Laramie Survey is based on the questionnaires developed and used in 2006 and 2008. The ability to track change over time was of the essence, so only critical changes or additions were made. The biggest change is the addition of a set of questions pertaining to the establishment of a public bus system in Laramie. By design, the survey is intended to gauge levels of satisfaction with City of Laramie services, as well as to gather opinions about other issues of importance to the citizens of Laramie, like perceptions of safety, considerations of issues that might be major problems, preferences for the allocation of resources. After the questionnaire got final approval by City of Laramie officials in early 2012, the survey instrument was formatted into an Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) scannable document using Teleform software and also programmed for online survey administration. 3.1.2. Questionnaire Revisions Below is a list of revisions and additions to the 2012 questionnaire. Deletions are not listed. Question 1: Two items added (curbside recycling and mosquito control). Revised wording of storm drainage to storm water drainage. Question 4: Three items added (Driving Under the Influence, underage alcohol offenses, and bicyclists following traffic laws). Question 5: Two items added (In Laramie greenbelts during the day and In Laramie greenbelts after dark). Questions 7 - 8c: Old questions removed and replaced with new battery of items regarding introduction of a bus system. Question 12: Question wording reworked. Six items added (energy efficiency of City owned properties, fire protection, ambulance services, code enforcement, encouraging business development, and fostering a sense of community and special events). 3.1.3. Sample Design The sampling frame for the survey included all households within the City of Laramie based on the following zip codes: 82070, 82072, and 82073. A probability sample of 1,800 mailable addresses from these zip codes was purchased from the Marketing Systems Group (Genesys), one of the leading national vendors specializing in the generation of scientific samples. There was no random selection of respondents within households; any adult household member who agreed to participate could complete the survey. 3.1.4. Survey Administration WYSAC began the survey mailing sequence on January 27, 2012, when a notice letter authored by the City Manager was mailed to every household in the sample. This letter contained a link and login code allowing respondents to complete the survey online. About a week later the paper questionnaire accompanied by a cover letter authored by WYSAC was sent to all who had not responded with completed surveys online. The cover letter was inviting potential respondents to either complete the paper survey and mail it back in the postage paid envelope that was included in the mailing, or respond online. Approximately two weeks later, a reminder postcard was sent to all households in the sample who had not yet responded with completed surveys. Finally, about two weeks later a replacement questionnaire, accompanied by a reminder letter authored by WYSAC, was sent to those households from which a completed survey had not yet been received. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 10 As paper surveys were returned to WYSAC, they were scanned using WYSAC’s high volume scanners, eliminating errors that may occur from manual data entry and minimizing overall data recording errors. At the same time, responses to open-ended questions were carefully hand-entered and subjected to minimal editing for spelling and grammar. 3.2. Response Rates and Margins of Error As mentioned above, the initial sample consisted of 1,800 addresses for households bearing City of Laramie zip codes. Of these, 135 were "returned to sender" and 5 were deemed ineligible leaving a total sample of 1,660 valid addresses. Survey data collection closed on March 26, 2012, by which date 633 completed questionnaires were obtained, for a final response rate of 38%. Of all completed surveys 233 (37%) were received online and 400 (63%) in the mail. Random samples of 633 yield margins of error of about plus or minus 3.85 percentage points with 95% confidence. At these levels and within this margin of error, it is appropriate to state that the results presented in this report accurately reflect the opinions and preferences of all Laramie households and thus can be generalized to the population of Laramie residents. 3.3. Data Compilation and Analysis Once all paper questionnaires were scanned, a data set was compiled which was cleaned and properly labeled. Surveys completed online were compiled into a single data set, which in turn was cleaned and properly labeled. The two data sets were then merged into a single data set. Variables were recoded as necessary and appropriate, and frequencies were run on all variables. Missing values such as Don’t know and No answer are excluded from the percentage calculations to yield valid responses. On Mark all that apply items, percentage totals may exceed 100%. The differences observed by survey year were tested for statistical significance using collapsed response choice categories strongly agree and agree were collapsed into agree). The overall Pearson chi-square test was run as appropriate. In all cases in which statistically significant differences were established (at the level of p < 0.01), there is a notation in the respective tables in Appendix A, indicated with In addition, for the 2012 data, items of relevance were broken down by key background variables and the findings, if statistically significant (at the p < 0.01 level), are presented and discussed in Section 6 of this report. The overall Pearson chi-square test was used for this analysis. Again collapsed response choice categories were used for this analysis. 4. Demographics Presented in this section is an overview of the results for the demographic items included in the 2012 survey. Demographic questions asked of Laramie residents provide checks of the representativeness of the sample obtained in the City of Laramie citizen survey. Adding the online version of the questionnaire as a mode of responding to the survey improved some of the demographics which were biased in previous year. We have now more younger people and more students in the sample than we had in previous years.  In 2012, 90% of those responding to the survey stated that they live within the city limits of Laramie, compared to 88% in 2008 and 98% in 2006. This is a result of some Laramie zip codes also applying to addresses in Albany County, outside of city limits. The inclusion of those who live outside of the City limits is of value, as these individuals make use of and have opinions about City of Laramie services. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 11  In 2012, 66% of those responding to the survey were homeowners, a substantial decline from 89% in 2008 and 88% in 2006. Renters represented 32% of the sample in 2012 and 9% and 11% of the survey sample in 2008 and 2006 respectively.  Employment status was asked as a Mark all that apply item, hence some overlap between categories a person may be both a student and employed part-time; many other combinations possible). Most (56%) of respondents were full time employed, similar to 57% in 2008 and 59% in 2006. Retirees account for 21% of 2012 respondents (32% in 2008) and part-time employed for 12% (10% in 2008). The number of student respondents went up markedly in 2012 to 18%, compared to 3% (2008) and 4% (2006) in previous iterations.  Respondents were asked to indicate, using areas delineated by City officials during questionnaire development in 2006, in which general area of Laramie they live (see Appendix D, Laramie Areas Map). As expected, the distribution of survey respondents by area generally corresponds to population densities for the various areas, with South (31%) and North the areas of greatest housing density, delivering the highest percentages of respondents. The Downtown/West side area had the lowest percentage, at around but still saw an increase from 2008 (Figure 4.1). Figure 4.1. Distribution of respondents by area.  Around 21% of Laramie citizens who responded to the survey were 25 to 34 years old (up from 5% in 2008), and another 21% were 55 to 64 years old (down from 29% in 2008).  Less than half of respondents (43%) stated that they have been City residents for more than 20 years, a substantial decrease from 65% of respondents in 2008 and 60% in 2006. About 15% stated that they have lived in Laramie for 11 to 20 years. Respondents who have lived in Laramie for 10 or fewer years represent 43% of our sample (21% in 2008). 11% 17% 15% 15% 43% ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 12  Comparable percentages of respondents from every survey iteration had a bachelor’s degree or higher (59% in 2012, 60% in 2008, 62% in 2006). In 2012, 30% hold a graduate or professional degree, the highest percentage for this demographic. Only 2% have not graduated from high school. As indicated, for this year’s iteration of the survey an online version of the questionnaire was introduced for those who preferred to respond online. Presented below are comparisons of the demographics of respondents by mode of data collection. Overall the demographic characteristics of respondents are fairly similar across the two modes. Home ownership and rental status are nearly identical for both paper and online respondents (Figure 4.3). One of the largest differences, shown in Figure 4.2, is for age of respondent, with the online mode (28% online vs 16% paper) having considerably more respondents in the 25 to 34 years age category while the paper mode has more who are 75 years old or older (11% paper vs 3% online). More retirees completed the survey using the paper questionnaire (26%) than online The reverse is true for students (16% paper vs 22% online) and full-time employed (54% paper vs 60% online) (Figure 4.4). Figure 4.2. Age of Respondents by Mode Figure 4.3. Housing Status of Respondents by Mode Figure 4.4. Employment Status of Respondents by Mode 12% 16% 9% 17% 22% 12% 11% 12% 28% 11% 17% 20% 9% 3% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 18 – 24 years 25 – 34 years 35 – 44 years 45 – 54 years 55 – 64 years 65 – 74 years 75 years or older Paper Online 31% 68% 1% 33% 64% 3% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Rent Own Other Paper Online 54% 16% 26% 60% 22% 13% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Full-Time Employed Student Retired Paper Online ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 13 5. Discussion of Survey Results This section is divided into several subsections based on the separate items presented in the survey questionnaire. 5.1. Quality of City Services The first series of survey items asks residents to rate the quality of a number of services provided by the City of Laramie using a five-point scale, with answer choices of Excellent, Good, About average, Not so good, and Poor. There were 25 separate services listed, two of which were added in 2012 (curbside recycling and mosquito control). Figures 5.1.1 through 5.1.25 below display the results for this survey series. These figures generalize the survey results, in that the response choices of Excellent and Good are collapsed into Positive and the choices Not so good and Poor are collapsed into Negative. The figures presented are a conservative representations of citizen ratings, in that Neutral/Average, in reference to City services, essentially indicates perceptions of adequate levels of service neither good nor not so good). Laramie citizens' ratings for the quality of both fire fighting and fire prevention has remained consistently high across all three survey iterations. Specifically, fire fighting is rated positively by 87% of residents, making it the most highly rated of all city services. Fire prevention is positively rated by nearly three-quarters of Laramie residents. Negligible percentages of residents rate these services negatively (Figures 5.1.1 and 5.1.2). Figure 5.1.1. Fire fighting. Figure 5.1.2. Fire prevention. 87% 12% 1% 86% 13% 1% 87% 12% 1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1a 73% 24% 3% 73% 24% 3% 72% 25% 3% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1b ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 14 In 2012 Ambulance service as provided by the City of Laramie was rated positively by 80% of respondents, while 3% rated it negatively, which marks a slight worsening of the citizens’ perception of that service (Figure 5.1.3). Still Ambulance service is the second-highest rated City service, behind fire fighting. Ratings for disaster preparedness have steadily increased over the years, with half of respondents rating it positively in 2012. The percentage of citizens who rated disaster preparedness negatively decreased 5 percentage points from 18% in 2008 to 13% in 2012 (Figure 5.1.4). Figure 5.1.3. Ambulance service. Figure 5.1.4. Disaster preparedness. The results from 2012 indicate a continuing increase in Laramie citizens’ positive ratings for enforcement of traffic laws (45% in 2012, 37% in 2008, 32% in 2006). Both the average and negative ratings experienced a four percentage point decrease from 2008 to 2012 (Figure 5.1.5). Crime prevention by the City received a positive rating from 49% of Laramie citizens, up from 40% in 2008 and 36% in 2006. Only around 12% of Laramie citizens negatively rate the quality of crime prevention, the same as in 2008 and down from 18% in 2006(Figure 5.1.6). Figure 5.1.5. Enforcement of traffic laws. Figure 5.1.6. Crime prevention. 85% 13% 2% 84% 15% 1% 80% 17% 3% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1c 36% 44% 20% 43% 39% 18% 50% 37% 13% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1d 32% 37% 31% 37% 37% 26% 45% 33% 22% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1e 36% 45% 18% 40% 49% 12% 49% 39% 12% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1f ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 15 Garbage collection and landfill services have seen continuing decreases in positive ratings and increases in negative ratings by Laramie citizens across all three survey iterations. The largest decrease seen was an 18 percentage point drop from 2006 to 2012 in positive ratings of landfill services (Figures 5.1.7 and 5.1.8). Figure 5.1.7. Garbage collection. Figure 5.1.8. Landfill (dump) services. In 2012 a majority (65%) of Laramie citizens negatively rated street maintenance and repair, an increase of 5 percentage points from 2008, and 10 percentage points from 2006. This item has continually been the lowest rated service by Laramie citizens (Figure 5.1.9). The percentage of respondents who gave negative ratings of street cleaning increased from 23% in 2008 to 35% in 2012; likewise the positive ratings decreased from 32% in 2008 to 27% in 2012 (Figure 5.1.10). Figure 5.1.9. Street maintenance and repair. Figure 5.1.10. Street cleaning. 73% 18% 8% 71% 20% 9% 63% 22% 14% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1g 70% 23% 7% 65% 26% 9% 52% 33% 16% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1h 14% 30% 55% 12% 28% 60% 10% 24% 65% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1i 28% 45% 28% 32% 45% 23% 27% 38% 35% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1j ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 16 In 2012, positive ratings for snow removal on major Laramie streets1 matched the 2006 level, after a seven percentage point drop from 2006 (39%) to 2008 while 31% percent of citizens give this service an average rating. (Figure 5.1.11). Negative ratings for storm water drainage decreased from 2008 to 2012 but continue to be high (41% in 2012, 45% in 2008). Only a quarter (26%) of citizens rated storm water drainage positively. (Figure 5.1.12). Figure 5.1.11. Snow removal (major streets only). Figure 5.1.12. Storm water drainage. 2 In 2012 around 41% of Laramie citizens rated City sewer services positively (up from 36% in 2008). In 2012, a negative rating was given by 17%, down from 19% in 2008 and matching the 2006 level (Figure 5.1.13). Ratings for Laramie water quality are generally high (69% in 2012, 72% in 2008, 71% in 2006) and have been fairly consistent across the years (Figure 5.1.14). Figure 5.1.13. Sewer services. Figure 5.1.14. Water quality. 1 This survey item explicitly asked citizens to rate snow removal on major streets, excluding residential streets. 2 Question wording was modified in 2012. The 2008 question item read “Storm drainage.” 39% 35% 26% 33% 37% 31% 39% 31% 30% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1k 25% 40% 35% 20% 36% 45% 26% 34% 41% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1l 39% 45% 17% 36% 45% 19% 41% 42% 17% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1m 71% 21% 8% 72% 22% 6% 69% 22% 10% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1n ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 17 Ratings of the reliability of water flow remain nearly unchanged from 2006 to 2008 to 2012. A clear majority (73%) in 2012 rated this service positively, while around 20% rated it as average (Figure 5.1.15). Ratings of appearance and maintenance of Laramie parks remains very positive though positive ratings for this service have trended downward and average ratings have trended upward across all years (Figure 5.1.16). Figure 5.1.15. Reliability of water flow. Figure 5.1.16. Park appearance and maintenance. Ratings in 2012 for the quality of City recreation programs decreased compared to previous years. While this service is rated positively by a majority (68%) of Laramie citizens, positive ratings decreased by five percentage points from 2008. Only 8% rated this service negatively, up from 5% in 2008 (Figure 5.1.17). Positive ratings for land use, planning and zoning are up substantially in 2012 (29%) as compared to 2008 (18%) and 2006 though still quite low. Though negative ratings for that service continue to be somewhat high, there was a large 13 percentage-point decrease in negative ratings in 2012 (32%) from 2008 (45%) (Figure 5.1.18). Figure 5.1.17. Recreation programs. Figure 5.1.18. Land use, planning and zoning. 72% 20% 9% 71% 21% 8% 73% 20% 7% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1o 84% 14% 2% 83% 15% 2% 79% 18% 3% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1p 72% 23% 5% 73% 22% 5% 68% 25% 8% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1q 16% 35% 49% 18% 38% 45% 29% 39% 32% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1r ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 18 Positive ratings for code enforcement increased substantially from 2008 (12%) to 2012 (Figure 5.1.19). The quality of animal control is positively rated by 43% of Laramie citizens (an increase of 2 percentage points from 2008, about equal to the 2006 numbers); 40% of city residents rated this service as average. The quality of animal control is rated negatively by 17% of citizens (Figure 5.1.20). Figure 5.1.19. Code enforcement (weeds, junk, etc.). Figure 5.1.20. Animal control. The number of Laramie residents who rated building permit services positively increased by 13 percentage points from 2008 to 2012 (from 20% 33%). The negative ratings for that service have substantially decreased from 2008 (40%) to 2012 (Figure 5.1.21). Figure 5.1.21. Building permit services. 11% 32% 57% 12% 32% 56% 20% 33% 47% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1s 44% 39% 17% 41% 40% 19% 43% 40% 17% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1t 23% 38% 39% 20% 41% 40% 33% 39% 28% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1u ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 19 Laramie residents were asked to rate the quality of two items related to access for the disabled. In both cases a polarization of opinions is observed in 2012 compared to previous years. The first of these items, the quality of disabled access to city facilities, parks, etc., shows an increase in positive ratings, hitting its highest mark at 58%, from 50% in 2008 and 53% in 2006. At the same time, the negative ratings for this access increased three percentage points to 12% in 2008 and 2006). The second item, regarding disabled access to public streets, sidewalks, etc., was rated positively by 48% in 2012, an increase from 44% in both previous iterations of the survey. Again, the negative ratings also increased to 19% in 2012 from 16% in 2008 (Figures 5.1.22 and 5.1.23). Figure 5.1.22. Disabled access (city facilities, parks, etc.). Figure 5.1.23. Disabled access (public streets, sidewalks, etc.). Two new city services were introduced to the questionnaire in 2012: curbside recycling and mosquito control. For curbside recycling, the same percentage of residents (21%) gave average and negative ratings, while the majority of respondents (59%) rated it positively (Figure 5.1.22). Less than half of all respondents positively rated the quality of mosquito control, with equal percentages (27%) rating it as average or negative (Figure 5.1.25). Figure 5.1.24. Curbside Recycling. Figure 5.1.25. Mosquito Control 53% 39% 9% 50% 42% 9% 58% 31% 12% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1x 44% 39% 17% 44% 40% 16% 48% 33% 19% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1y 59% 21% 21% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2012 Q1v 46% 27% 27% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2012 Q1w ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 20 5.1.1. Summary of results for Quality of City Services The following two figures display the 2012 results for all 25 City of Laramie services that were rated by Laramie citizens. The first figure (5.1.1.1) presents the percentages of residents who rated each item as excellent or good Positive), arranged in descending order starting with the service with the highest positive ratings down to the service with the lowest positive rating. The second figure (5.1.1.2) presents the percentages of residents who rated the items as not so good or poor Negative), starting with the item with the most negative ratings. As can be seen in Figure 5.1.1.1 below, the five highest rated City services in 2012 are: fire fighting ambulance service park appearance/maintenance reliability of water flow (73%) and fire prevention Of the 25 items, 11 received a majority of excellent or good ratings from Laramie citizens. The same three services were the highest rated in 2008: fire fighting ambulance service park appearance/maintenance (83%) (See detailed results presented in Appendix Figure 5.1.1.1. City services rated by responses as excellent or good. 87% 80% 79% 73% 72% 69% 68% 63% 59% 58% 52% 50% 49% 48% 46% 45% 43% 41% 39% 33% 29% 27% 26% 20% 10% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Fire fighting Ambulance service Park appearance/maintenance Reliability of water flow Fire prevention Water quality Recreation programs Garbage collection Curbside recycling Access for disabled persons to city facilities, parks, etc Landfill (dump) services Disaster preparedness Crime prevention Access for disabled persons on public streets, … Mosquito control Enforcement of traffic laws Animal control Sewer services Snow removal on major streets (not including … Building permit services Land use, planning, zoning Street cleaning Storm water drainage Code enforcement (weeds, substandard buildings, … Street maintenance and repair ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 21 Figure 5.1.1.2 below presents the percentage of respondents who gave negative ratings to each item, rating the service as not so good or poor Negative). Services are arranged in descending order by the service receiving a not so good or poor rating by the highest percentage of respondents. The five services with the highest percentage of respondents rating them as not so good or poor are: street maintenance and repair code enforcement storm water drainage street cleaning and land use, planning, and zoning Of all 25 services, eight received a not so good or poor rating from at least 25% of respondents, while six services received such ratings from under 10% of the citizens. Four of the top five most negatively rated services in 2012 were also in the top five in 2008: street maintenance and repair code enforcement storm water drainage land use, planning, zoning (See detailed results presented in Appendix Figure 5.1.1.2. City services ranked by responses as not so good or poor. 65% 47% 41% 35% 32% 30% 28% 27% 22% 21% 19% 17% 17% 16% 14% 13% 12% 12% 10% 8% 7% 3% 3% 3% 1% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Street maintenance and repair Code enforcement (weeds, substandard buildings, … Storm water drainage Street cleaning Land use, planning, zoning Snow removal on major streets (not including … Building permit services Mosquito control Enforcement of traffic laws Curbside recycling Access for disabled persons on public streets, … Sewer services Animal control Landfill (dump) services Garbage collection Disaster preparedness Crime prevention Access for disabled persons to city facilities, parks, etc Water quality Recreation programs Reliability of water flow Ambulance service Park appearance/maintenance Fire prevention Fire fighting ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 22 5.2. Interaction with City Employees A short series of survey items asked residents to evaluate personnel, using performance–based criteria, from the City of Laramie department with which they have had their most recent interaction within the past 12 months. Around 59% of all survey residents had some City department interaction within this time period. Residents were asked with which City department they most recently interacted within the past 12 months. As seen in Figure 5.2.1 below, the department with which most citizens had their most recent interaction within the past 12 months was the Police followed by Parks & Recreation (23%) and Public Works Far fewer citizens had any interaction with Administration, Fire, and Community Development. This distribution is very similar to that from 2008. (refer to Appendix A for full results.) Figure 5.2.1. City departments of most recent interaction Based on their most recent interaction, residents evaluated department personnel regarding their knowledge, responsiveness, and courtesy, and provided an overall impression. The scale used for this series is identical to that used for the questions in the preceding section: Excellent, Good, About average, Not so good, and Poor. Again, Excellent and Good are collapsed into Positive. (Refer to Appendix A for the full frequency distributions for each department.) 4% 5% 13% 21% 23% 34% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Community Development Fire Administration Public Works Parks & Recreation Police ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 23 The four graphs that follow display the ratings that City department personnel received on the four performance- based criteria (knowledge, responsiveness, courtesy, and overall impression). Percentages show Laramie residents who gave a rating of excellent or good. Results are calculated through a cross-tabulation of each performance criterion by each city department named. Laramie citizens rated personnel from the Fire Department highest for all four categories, and Public Works lowest for three categories (Figure 5.2.2). Figure 5.2.2. Positive ratings of city departments. The ratings of each department received in 2012 on each performance-based criteria were compared to the results from 2008. Percentages shown represent Laramie residents who gave a rating of excellent or good. For some departments (fire department, community development, administration) the number of residents who reported an interaction in the past 12 us quite low as indicated in the graphs, hence when evaluating the changes observed caution should be exercised, since in many cases the fall within the respective margin of error. The police department had fairly high marks across the board, though each category experienced a decrease somewhat from 2008 to 2012 (Figure 5.2.3). Figure 5.2.3. Positive ratings of the Police Department. 71% 100% 57% 64% 77% 71% 0% 50% 100% Police Fire Public Works Community Development Parks & Recreation Administration 70% 88% 60% 57% 77% 67% 0% 50% 100% 71% 100% 67% 71% 80% 69% 0% 50% 100% 66% 94% 57% 71% 74% 64% 0% 50% 100% 77% 74% 79% 73% 71% 70% 71% 66% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Knowledge Responsiveness Courtesy Overall Impression 2008 (n=122) 2012 (n=119) Police ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 24 The fire department had the highest ratings of any department, receiving excellent or good ratings from 100% of Laramie citizens on knowledge and courtesy. Positive ratings for three of the four categories increased in 2012. (Figure 5.2.4). Figure 5.2.4. Positive Ratings of the Fire Department. Public Works received fewer excellent and good ratings from Laramie citizens in all four categories in 2012. Of all departments, this is the lowest rated in three of the four categories (knowledge, courtesy, and overall impression) (Figure 5.2.5). Figure 5.2.5. Positive Ratings of Public Works. In 2012, the City of Laramie Community Development department saw an increase in excellent and good ratings for all four categories. The percentage of Laramie residents rating the department’s knowledge positively increased by 23 percentage points and the overall impression category increased by 24 percentage points (Figure 5.2.6). Figure 5.2.6. Positive Ratings of Community Development. 92% 92% 92% 92% 100% 88% 100% 94% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Knowledge Responsiveness Courtesy Overall Impression 2008 (n=26) 2012 (n=17) Fire 69% 62% 73% 62% 57% 60% 67% 57% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Knowledge Responsiveness Courtesy Overall Impression 2008 (n=81) 2012 (n=74) Public Works 41% 38% 65% 47% 64% 57% 71% 71% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Knowledge Responsiveness Courtesy Overall Impression 2008 (n=17) 2012 (n=14) Community Development ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 25 Compared to 2008, in 2012 the Parks and Recreation department of the City of Laramie received excellent or good ratings from more Laramie citizens for each of the assessed categories. For each category this department received favorable ratings from at least 74% of respondents for each category (Figure 5.2.7). Figure 5.2.7. Positive Ratings of Parks and Recreation. Similar percentages of Laramie citizens rated the City of Laramie administration as excellent or good in both years. A majority of respondents rated the administration positively for each category (Figure 5.2.8). Figure 5.2.8. Positive Ratings of Administration. 63% 69% 70% 67% 77% 77% 79% 74% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Knowledge Responsiveness Courtesy Overall Impression 2008 (n=84) 2012 (n=78) Parks and Recreation 69% 69% 78% 68% 71% 67% 69% 64% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Knowledge Responsiveness Courtesy Overall Impression 2008 (n=37) 2012 (n=45) Administration ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 26 5.3. Perceptions of City Problems and Personal Safety City problems Residents were presented with a list of items and asked whether or not each item is or is not a problem for the City of Laramie. Specifically, citizens evaluated whether each presented item, as it relates to the City of Laramie, is Not a problem, a Minor problem, a Moderate problem, or a Major problem. Below, in descending order, is presented the list of issues and topics that Laramie citizens feel are major problems for the City of Laramie for all survey years (2012, 2008, 2006) (Figure 5.3.1). The full percentage distributions of responses for all items are contained in Appendix A (Frequency Distributions; question Three items were introduced in the 2012 survey (driving under the influence, underage alcohol offenses, and bicyclists following traffic laws) and these items top the list of issues perceived as major problems by respondents. When comparing the 2006 to the 2012 results all other items have seen improvement. Only two items from 2008 to 2012 have not seen improvement; litter and debris increased by one percentage point (from 12% in 2008 to 13% in 2012) and crime remained at the same level in 2012 and 2008). The three largest item improvements between the last two iterations of the survey were for illegal drug use (15 percentage point drop), speeding and traffic violations (12 point drop), and nuisances (10 point drop). Figure 5.3.1. Issues/topics perceived as major problems by Laramie citizens. 41% 38% 31% 22% 21% 19% 18% 13% 8% 8% 7% 7% 4% 29% 36% 29% 30% 12% 11% 13% 13% 9% 4% 35% 38% 29% 36% 14% 12% 18% 12% 7% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Driving under the influence Underage alcohol offenses Bicyclists following traffic laws Loud vehicles Illegal drug use Nuisances Speeding and traffic violations Litter and debris Unsupervised youth Vandalism Occupancy violations Public disturbances Crime 2012 2008 2006 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 27 Personal safety Residents were asked to indicate their perceptions of personal safety within the City of Laramie for certain locations and times of day. Citizens were asked to indicate whether they personally feel Very safe, Somewhat safe, Somewhat unsafe, or Not safe at all for various locations and times. Figure 5.3.2 displays the results from 2006, 2008, and 2012 for locations and times in which Laramie citizens feel Very safe or Somewhat safe. The full percentage distributions of responses for each of these items are contained in Appendix A (Frequency Distributions; question As seen below, practically speaking, all residents feel safe in their neighborhoods, Laramie parks, and downtown during the daytime and 96% of residents feel safe in Laramie greenbelts during the day. For all locations fewer residents indicated feeling very safe or somewhat safe during the night, the largest decreases being 34 percentage points fewer for Laramie greenbelts (96% in the day to 62% after dark) and Laramie parks (99% in the day to 75% after dark). Since 2006, those who indicate feeling very safe or somewhat safe in Laramie parks after dark have increased by 10 percentage points and those who feel the same way in the downtown area after dark have increased by four percentage points. Figure 5.3.2. Times when and locations where Laramie citizens feel very safe or somewhat safe. * Laramie greenbelt items added in 2012. 99% 93% 99% 85% 99% 75% 96% 62% 100% 94% 99% 82% 99% 71% 99% 91% 99% 81% 99% 65% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% In your neighborhood during the day In your neighborhood after dark In the downtown area during the day In the downtown area after dark In Laramie parks during the day In Laramie parks after dark In Laramie greenbelts during the day* In Laramie greenbelts after dark* 2012 2008 2006 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 28 5.4. Citizen Opinions of City Government and City Service Fees Respondents were presented with five survey items that directly relate to City of Laramie government and service fees. For this series of survey items, Laramie citizens were asked to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement with a series of statements about City government. As with other questions using scaled response choices, these statements provided respondents with a five-point scale; in this case the response choices were Strongly agree, Somewhat agree, Neither agree nor disagree, Somewhat disagree, and Strongly disagree. For the purposes of this discussion, shown in the graph below are the percentages of Laramie citizens who Strongly agree or Somewhat agree with each statement. (Figure 5.4.1). Around half of Laramie citizens agree with these statements: “The City of Laramie government welcomes citizen involvement and encourages citizen participation.” “The fee I pay the City for sewage collection and treatment is reasonably priced for the service I receive.” “The fee I pay the City for garbage collection and disposal is reasonably priced for the service I receive.” Since 2006 there has been a drop in the percentage of Laramie citizens who agree with each of these statements, indicating somewhat higher levels of dissatisfaction. The most substantial decrease is observed in the agreement with the statement “The fee I pay the City for garbage collection and disposal is reasonably priced for the service I receive”, which has decreased by17 percentage points since 2006. Figure 5.4.1. Citizen Opinions of City Government and City Service Fees. 49% 40% 37% 48% 48% 46% 39% 45% 50% 58% 50% 44% 43% 53% 65% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 6a. "The City of Laramie government welcomes citizen involvement and encourages citizen participation." 6b. "I have a good understanding of how my taxes are spent on City services, operations and capital projects." 6c. "The fee I pay for City water is reasonably priced for the service I receive." 6d. "The fee I pay the City for sewage collection and treatment is reasonably priced for the service I receive." 6e. "The fee I pay the City for garbage collection and disposal is reasonably priced for the service I receive." 2012 2008 2006 Laramie citizens who strongly agree or somewhat agree ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 29 5.5. Information Sources used by City of Laramie Residents for City Government Activities The survey asked residents to identify how they gather information about City government activities. The figure below (Figure 5.5.1) presents the results for sources used for all survey years. Residents were allowed to select more than one choice. As can be seen, the top three information sources remain identical across the three survey years: newspaper articles/advertisements (69% in 2012, 85% in 2008; 88% in 2006), talking with friends and neighbors (62% in 2012, 66% in 2008; 65% in 2006), and radio (46% in 2012, 45% in 2008; 46% in 2006). While newspaper articles/advertisements as an information source is still the most common, it decreased substantially between 2008 (85%) and 2012 From 2008 to 2012 the percentage of citizens indicating internet or email newsletters more than tripled, and those indicating the City of Laramie website doubled. A new item was added in 2012, recreation center program guide, which was indicated as a source of information by 28% of Laramie residents. Figure 5.5.1. Citizens’ sources of information on City of Laramie government activities. 69% 62% 46% 34% 28% 28% 26% 26% 24% 19% 5% 85% 66% 45% 34% 14% 23% 26% 7% 15% 1% 88% 65% 46% 26% 10% 30% 35% 8% 9% 1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Newspaper articles/advertisements Talking with friends and neighbors Radio Newspaper legal notices Recreation Center Program Guide City of Laramie website Television TV Channel 11 Internet or email newsletters Public meetings None of the above 2012 2008 2006 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 30 Of particular interest to the City was to identify whether the observed increase from 2008 to 20012 in the use of the City website as a source of information about City government activities remains true when we control for the mode of response to the survey. To test for this potential bias responses were split according to the survey mode (paper or online) they were obtained from (Figure 5.5.2). As can be seen those who responded online are less likely to indicate using all but one information source (talking with friends and neighbors) compared to respondents who completed the paper version and more likely to none of the listed sources. Interestingly, the City of Laramie website was indicated as an information source by more paper (30%) than online responders If we were to consider only those who responded with paper surveys, there is an increase in the use of the City website from 14% in 2008, when paper was the only mode of survey administration), (Figure 5.5.1) to 30% in 2012 (Figure 5.5.2). Figure 5.5.2. Citizens’ sources of information on City of Laramie government activities by mode. 72% 61% 51% 41% 37% 33% 30% 29% 28% 26% 3% 62% 63% 36% 21% 9% 14% 25% 27% 16% 6% 8% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Newspaper articles/advertisements Talking with friends and neighbors Radio Newspaper legal notices Television TV Channel 11 City of Laramie website Recreation Center Program Guide Internet or email newsletters Public meetings None of the above Paper Online ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 31 5.6. Current Issues facing City Government – Bus System The survey asked residents to answer a battery of questions regarding bussing in Laramie. The distribution of responses to the first question “In the past 30 days, how many times did you use the Gem City Bus” is displayed in Figure 5.5.3. The large majority (92%) of Laramie citizens indicated having never used the Gem City Bus, while 3% said they had used it but not in the past 30 days, and about 4% responded that they had used it in the past 30 days. Figure 5.5.3. Citizens’ Gem City Bus use. Figure 5.5.4. Opinions on the Priority of Establishing a Bus System. When asked how much of a priority establishing a public bus transportation system is in Laramie, 72% of respondents felt it is a high priority or moderate priority, while 28% said a low priority or not a priority at all. (Figure 5.5.4) Almost half of all respondents prefer that a new bus system is funded through fees and tickets and 31% support a combination of fees and tickets with a mill levy. Twelve percent of respondents indicated that they are not in favor of a bus system in Laramie. (Figure 5.5.5) Figure 5.5.5. Citizens’ Preferences for Funding a Bus System. 92% 3% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% I have never used the Gem City Bus I have used the Gem City Bus, but not in the past 30 days 1 time 2 or 3 times 4 or 5 times 6 or more times 28% 44% 14% 14% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority at all 45% 31% 12% 7% 5% 0% 25% 50% Bus ride fees/tickets Fees and mill levy Not in favor None of the above Mill levy ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 32 Laramie citizens’ provided estimates of how often they would use a public bus system rather than their personal vehicles. The results are fairly consistent across the quarters of the year, with minor estimated ridership increases from September through February. Generally, over half of residents said they would never use a public bus system instead of their own vehicles. (Figure 5.5.6) Figure 5.5.6. Citizens’ estimated bus ridership by quarter. 5% 9% 15% 16% 55% 0% 25% 50% 75% June - August 7% 12% 16% 13% 51% 0% 25% 50% 75% September-November 11% 13% 13% 11% 51% 0% 25% 50% 75% December-February 8% 14% 14% 12% 52% 0% 25% 50% 75% March-May ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 33 5.7. City of Laramie Residents’ Priorities for City Funds Allocation The last section of the citizen survey questionnaire dealt with priorities for funds allocation. In Figure 5.7.1 below, items are arranged in descending order based on the percentage of residents in 2012 who consider the item to be a high priority for allocation of funds. The item identified by most citizens as a high priority for City funding is maintaining infrastructure (qualified as the sewer and water distribution system, storm drains); this is identified as a high priority by 63% of Laramie citizens. Preserving water resources (qualified as Casper Aquifer, Monolith Ranch, Water Rights) ranks as the second highest priority followed closely by street maintenance (52%) and ambulance service Half of the 18 items listed were identified as a high priority by only a quarter or fewer of Laramie residents. Items introduced or modified in the 2012 survey are: energy efficiency of City owned properties police protection fire protection ambulance service code enforcement encouraging business development and fostering a sense of community and special events Figure 5.7.1. Citizen priorities for City funds allocation (high priority). * *Changes introduced to this battery of questions in the 2012 survey were significant enough to dictate not making comparisons between 2008 and 2012. 16% 17% 17% 19% 19% 23% 24% 24% 25% 32% 35% 37% 43% 46% 50% 52% 55% 63% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Enhancing recreation facilities, programs offered, parks and open spaces Code enforcement (weeds and junk) Beautification downtown, public areas) Energy efficiency of City owned properties Expanding the city’s bike path and greenbelt systems Traffic calming (pedestrian safety) Paving streets that are currently unpaved Fostering a sense of community and special events Growth and development planning Protecting Laramie’s environment (management of greenways, open space, and waterways) Improving/upgrading sidewalks, curbs, gutter Encouraging business development Police protection Fire protection Ambulance service Street and alley maintenance Preservation of water resources (Casper Aquifer, Monolith Ranch, Water Rights) Maintaining infrastructure (sewer and water distribution system, storm drains) ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 34 6. Breakdowns by Select Background Variables Several variables of interest were cross-tabulated with selected background variables - housing status, residence location, employment status, length of residence in Laramie, and age – to identify statistically significant differences. Those that were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.01) and that were deemed relevant for the purposes of informing the City in their strategic planning are presented below. It should be kept in mind that many of the background variables used in the following comparisons are co-related. Thus, for example, when we are comparing those who rent versus those who own their residence, we are also comparing two groups where the proportion of students is much higher in one than in the other. The proportion of students among renters is much higher (48%) than their proportion in the entire sample Likewise, when we compare retirees to everyone else, we are also comparing older versus younger adults, and so on. As a result, some of the following observations may be repetitive. Also important to note is that simple association between pairs of variables do not establish or necessarily imply causation. 6.1. Cross-tabulations by Housing Status A series of cross-tabulations was performed to test the significance of differences in responses by the housing status of respondents. All cross-tabulations that displayed statistically significant differences at the level of p < 0.01 and also have relevance are summarized in Table 6.1.1. As can be seen, homeowners are significantly less likely than renters to rate sewer services (38% vs. 52%), code enforcement (15% vs. 31%), and building permit services (27% vs. 49%) as excellent or good. Fewer renters (11%) than homeowners (22%) consider nuisances to be a major problem in Laramie. A larger percentage of homeowners than renters get information about the city government from Channel 11 (31% vs. 17%), newspaper articles/advertisements (77% vs. 52%) and newspaper legal notices (39% vs. 23%). Maintaining infrastructure is considered a high priority for funding by 70% of homeowners and 45% of renters. Fewer homeowners (19%) felt fostering a sense of community and special events should be a high funding priority than did renters (30%) (Table 6.1.1). Table 6.1.1. Cross-tabulations by Housing status. Housing Status Rent Own Q1. How would you rate the QUALITY of each of the following services provided by the City of Laramie? (excellent or good) Sewer services 52% 38% Code enforcement 31% 15% Building permit services 49% 27% Q4. How do you feel about the following issues as they relate to the City of Laramie? (major problem) Nuisances 11% 22% Q9. Where do you get information about the activities of city government? Channel 11 17% 31% Newspaper articles/advertisements 52% 77% Newspaper legal notices 23% 39% Q12. What priority should be placed on each of the following items with regard to funds allocation? (high priority) Maintaining infrastructure (sewer and water distribution system, storm drains) 45% 70% Fostering a sense of community and special events 30% 19% ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 35 6.2. Cross-tabulations by Residence Location Cross-tabulations were also performed by location of residence. Those that displayed statistically significant differences at the level of p < 0.01 and that have relevance are summarized in Table 6.2.1 below. The demographic section of this report contains the map with the geographic breakdown of respondents according to the five sections of the city: west, north, east, south, downtown/west, and UW campus area. West Laramie residents were the least likely to strongly agree or somewhat agree (24%) with the statement “I have a good understanding of how my taxes are spent on City services, operations, and capital projects”, followed by the UW campus area (31%) and downtown/west area (34%) residents. Half of north Laramie residents agree with that statement. Fewer west Laramie residents (24%) strongly or somewhat agree with the statement “the fee I pay the City for garbage collection and disposal is reasonably priced for the service I receive", with more than double the percentage of residents from the next lowest area agreeing with that statement(south: 50%). Regarding items for high priority funding, two differ significantly by area. Not surprisingly, significantly more residents in west Laramie (41%) consider paving of streets that are currently unpaved a high priority, followed by residents of the UW campus area Only 8% of west Laramie residents agree that expanding the city’s bike path and greenbelt system should be a high priority for funding, while residents of the UW campus area were most likely to rate this as a high priority Table 6.2.1. Cross-tabulations by Residence location. Residence Location West North East South Downtown / West UW Campus Area Q6. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (strongly or somewhat agree) "I have a good understanding of how my taxes are spent on City services, operations and capital projects." 24% 50% 47% 40% 34% 31% "The fee I pay the City for garbage collection and disposal is reasonably priced for the service I receive." 24% 53% 63% 50% 52% 52% Q12. What priority should be placed on each of the following items with regard to funds allocation? (high priority) Expanding the city`s bike path and greenbelt system 8% 16% 20% 25% 17% 32% Paving streets that are currently unpaved 41% 23% 15% 19% 25% 32% ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 36 6.3. Cross-tabulations by Employment Status Cross-tabulations were also performed by some employment status variables: full-time employed, retired, and student. The results of these cross-tabulations that displayed statistically significant differences at the level of p < 0.01 and that have relevance are summarized in the tables below. The full-time employed are less likely (43%) than those who are not employed full-time to rate disaster preparedness (43% vs. 61%) and recreation programs (63% vs. 76%) as excellent or good. Also, fewer full-time employed citizens (42%) agree that the City of Laramie government welcomes citizen involvement and encourages citizen participation than do those who are not employed full-time (59%) (Table 6.3.1). Table 6.3.1. Cross-tabulations by Full-time employed vs. not full-time employed. Employment Status Full-time Other Q1. How would you rate the QUALITY of each of the following services provided by the City of Laramie? (excellent or good) Disaster preparedness 43% 61% Recreation programs 63% 76% Q6. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (strongly or somewhat agree) “The City of Laramie welcomes citizen involvement and encourages citizen participation.” 42% 59% A larger percentage of students (60%) than non-students (41%) rate enforcement of traffic laws as excellent or good. Fewer students consider illegal drug use (10%) and unsupervised youth a major problem, than non-students (23% and 10%, respectively). Students are considerably less likely than non-students to use Channel 11 (16% vs. 28%), newspaper articles/advertisements (50% vs. 73%), or newspaper legal notices (19% vs. 37%) for information about city government activities, and are more likely to use none of the listed information sources (10% vs. (Table 6.3.2). Table 6.3.2. Cross-tabulations by Students vs. non-student. Employment Status Student Other Q1. How would you rate the QUALITY of each of the following services provided by the City of Laramie? (excellent or good) Enforcement of traffic laws 60% 41% Q4. How do you feel about the following issues as they relate to the City of Laramie? (major problem) Illegal drug use 10% 23% Unsupervised youth 1% 10% Q9. Where do you get information about the activities of city government? Channel 11 16% 28% Newspaper articles/advertisements 50% 73% Newspaper legal notices 19% 37% None of the listed sources 10% 4% ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 37 Retired citizens are significantly more likely than others to feel that illegal drug use (41% vs. 16%) and underage alcohol offenses (55% vs. 34%) are major problems in Laramie. A greater percentage of retired citizens than non-retired citizens use Channel 11 (43% vs. 21%), newspaper articles/advertisements (85% vs. 64%), and newspaper legal notices (49% vs. 30%) as an information source for city government activities (Table 6.3.3). Table 6.3.3. Cross-tabulations by Retired vs. non-retired. Employment Status Retired Other Q4. How do you feel about the following issues as they relate to the City of Laramie? (major problem) Illegal drug use 41% 16% Underage alcohol offenses 55% 34% Q9. Where do you get information about the activities of city government? Channel 11 43% 21% Newspaper articles/advertisements 85% 64% Newspaper legal notices 49% 30% ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 38 6.4. Cross-tabulations by Length of Residence Length of residence in Laramie is another background variable that was cross-tabulated with relevant survey items. As this is a variable of scale, only those significant results (at the level of p < 0.01) that exhibit a discernible general trend—either an increase or decrease in the percentages for particular items as citizens’ length of residence increases—are presented. Generally, as length of residence increases, the excellent and good ratings decrease on code enforcement and building permit services. As length of residence increases, there is a general corresponding increase in the percentages of those who consider illegal drug use and underage alcohol offenses to be major problems. As length of residence increases, the use of newspaper articles/advertisements and newspaper legal notices for information of city government increases. The use of newspaper articles/advertisements for information is popular with every length of residency category, with practically 50% or more of residents in each category using this source. As length of residence increases so does the opinion that maintaining infrastructure should be a high priority for funding. The reverse is true for enhancing recreation facilities, programs offered, parks and open spaces; as length of residence increases viewing those as high priority for funding is less likely (Table 6.4.1). Table 6.4.1. Cross-tabulations by Length of Laramie residence. Length of residence in Laramie (years) < 2 2−5 6−10 11−20 > 20 Q1. How would you rate the QUALITY of each of the following services provided by the City of Laramie? (excellent or good) Code enforcement 40% 30% 9% 21% 15% Building permit services 71% 51% 28% 27% 26% Q4. How do you feel about the following issues as they relate to the City of Laramie? (major problem) Illegal drug use 13% 7% 15% 15% 32% Underage alcohol offenses 21% 35% 31% 44% 44% Q9. Where do you get information about the activities of city government? Newspaper articles/advertisements 49% 51% 68% 76% 78% Newspaper legal notices 21% 17% 33% 48% 39% Q12. What priority should be placed on each of the following items with regard to funds allocation? (high priority) Maintaining infrastructure 43% 42% 62% 71% 73% Enhancing recreation facilities, programs offered, parks and open spaces 24% 25% 18% 15% 11% ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 39 6.5. Cross-tabulations by Age Finally, differences in responses to relevant survey items across age groups were tested for statistical significance (p < 0.01). Those that exhibit some discernible trend and that have relevance are summarized in Table 6.5.1 below. For potential issues facing Laramie, as age increases illegal drug use is seen by higher percentages of respondents as a major problem. Also, as age increases respondents are more likely to strongly agree or somewhat agree with the statement “I have a good understanding of how my taxes are spent on City services, operations and capital projects". In terms of the sources of information used by Laramie residents to obtain information on City government activities, there is a general increase in the number of residents who use TV Channel 11, newspaper articles/advertisements, and newspaper legal notices as age increases. Large percentages of respondents aged 55 to 64 65 to 74 (88%) and 75 or older (84%) use newspaper articles/advertisements. The opposite is true for the use of the City of Laramie website: as age increases, prevalence of use generally declines. Respondents 25 through 44 years old are the most likely to use the City website (Table 6.5.1). Table 6.5.1. Cross-tabulations by Age. Age (years) 18 − 24 25 − 34 35 − 44 45 − 54 55 − 64 65 − 74 75 or older Q4. How do you feel about the following issues as they relate to the City of Laramie? (major problem) Illegal drug use 14% 10% 10% 20% 26% 26% 57% Q6. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (strongly or somewhat agree) "I have a good understanding of how my taxes are spent on City services, operations and capital projects." 23% 32% 43% 43% 50% 40% 51% Q9. Where do you get information about the activities of city government? Channel 11 17% 18% 31% 22% 27% 40% 39% City website 23% 40% 42% 23% 23% 25% 20% Newspaper articles/advertisements 45% 52% 66% 72% 80% 88% 84% Newspaper legal notices 21% 22% 35% 33% 44% 45% 45% ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 40 6.6. Cross tabulations of Question 6 Items by Select Background Variable A more detailed analysis was performed on the distribution of responses to the five statements about City government included in Question 6 of the survey. Of particular interest to the City was to identify the demographics of those who are neutral on the issues. Respondents were asked to state their level of agreement or disagreement with five statements regarding the City government and services. To examine specifics about respondents who agreed, were neutral, or disagreed with each statement, for each statement responses were broken down by demographic variables of interest (housing status, age, full-time employed, student, and retired). The employment status variables are not mutually exclusive. For example, a respondent could be in both the student and retired groups. Each row is equal to 100% of valid respondents (excluding those who did not answer the question) for the given response choice (or collapsed response choices). Table 6.6.1. Cross-tabulations question 6 by Housing Status. Housing Status Rent Own Q6a. “The City of Laramie government welcomes citizen involvement and encourages citizen participation.” Strongly agree or somewhat agree 33% 67% Neither agree nor disagree 36% 64% Strongly disagree or somewhat disagree 18% 82% Q6b. “I have a good understanding of how my taxes are spent on City services, operations and capital projects.” Strongly agree or somewhat agree 25% 75% Neither agree nor disagree 27% 73% Strongly disagree or somewhat disagree 36% 64% Q6c. “The fee I pay for City water is reasonably priced for the service I receive.” Strongly agree or somewhat agree 25% 75% Neither agree nor disagree 36% 64% Strongly disagree or somewhat disagree 17% 83% Q6d. “The fee I pay for City sewage collection and treatment is reasonably priced for the service I receive.” Strongly agree or somewhat agree 25% 75% Neither agree nor disagree 28% 72% Strongly disagree or somewhat disagree 17% 83% Q6e. “The fee I pay for City garbage collection and disposal is reasonably priced for the service I receive.” Strongly agree or somewhat agree 25% 75% Neither agree nor disagree 28% 72% Strongly disagree or somewhat disagree 19% 81% ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 41 Table 6.6.2. Cross-tabulations question 6 by Age. Age (years) 18 − 24 25 − 34 35 − 44 45 − 54 55 − 64 65 − 74 75 or older Q6a. “The City of Laramie government welcomes citizen involvement and encourages citizen participation.” Strongly agree or somewhat agree 12% 20% 10% 15% 21% 12% 10% Neither agree nor disagree 16% 22% 11% 16% 16% 10% 8% Strongly disagree or somewhat disagree 5% 15% 10% 24% 31% 11% 4% Q6b. “I have a good understanding of how my taxes are spent on City services, operations and capital projects.” Strongly agree or somewhat agree 7% 16% 11% 18% 29% 10% 9% Neither agree nor disagree 15% 22% 11% 11% 16% 17% 10% Strongly disagree or somewhat disagree 15% 25% 9% 19% 21% 8% 4% Q6c. “The fee I pay for City water is reasonably priced for the service I receive.” Strongly agree or somewhat agree 9% 23% 13% 16% 20% 12% 7% Neither agree nor disagree 7% 21% 12% 15% 24% 9% 12% Strongly disagree or somewhat disagree 6% 16% 9% 22% 26% 13% 8% Q6d. “The fee I pay for City sewage collection and treatment is reasonably priced for the service I receive.” Strongly agree or somewhat agree 8% 23% 10% 18% 21% 12% 8% Neither agree nor disagree 9% 19% 8% 15% 25% 10% 14% Strongly disagree or somewhat disagree 6% 12% 15% 23% 26% 13% 6% Q6e. “The fee I pay for City garbage collection and disposal is reasonably priced for the service I receive.” Strongly agree or somewhat agree 8% 23% 10% 14% 23% 11% 11% Neither agree nor disagree 4% 18% 12% 17% 30% 11% 8% Strongly disagree or somewhat disagree 10% 14% 13% 26% 20% 12% 6% ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 42 Table 6.6.3. Cross-tabulations question 6 by Full-Time Employed, Student, and Retired. Employment Status Full-Time Student Retired Q6a. “The City of Laramie government welcomes citizen involvement and encourages citizen participation.” Strongly agree or somewhat agree 49% 20% 26% Neither agree nor disagree 63% 21% 17% Strongly disagree or somewhat disagree 69% 8% 21% Q6b. “I have a good understanding of how my taxes are spent on City services, operations and capital projects.” Strongly agree or somewhat agree 62% 12% 23% Neither agree nor disagree 52% 16% 27% Strongly disagree or somewhat disagree 61% 20% 15% Q6c. “The fee I pay for City water is reasonably priced for the service I receive.” Strongly agree or somewhat agree 61% 15% 21% Neither agree nor disagree 54% 15% 26% Strongly disagree or somewhat disagree 63% 9% 24% Q6d. “The fee I pay for City sewage collection and treatment is reasonably priced for the service I receive.” Strongly agree or somewhat agree 64% 14% 20% Neither agree nor disagree 50% 15% 31% Strongly disagree or somewhat disagree 64% 8% 24% Q6e. “The fee I pay for City garbage collection and disposal is reasonably priced for the service I receive.” Strongly agree or somewhat agree 61% 14% 23% Neither agree nor disagree 60% 8% 25% Strongly disagree or somewhat disagree 62% 13% 21% ---PAGE BREAK--- Appendix A. Frequency Distributions The following tables contain the raw frequency counts and percentage distributions of responses to all questions on the City of Laramie Survey, 2012. Bolded text denotes the exact question text from the questionnaire; non-bold italicized text represents questionnaire instructions and notes. Percentage distributions are presented side by side from both the 2008 and the 2006 survey iterations for all comparable items. Raw frequency counts are presented only for 2012. Although in many cases the number of residents who were not able to give a substantive answer, but rather marked the Don’t know/Not sure response choice, is quite large, these responses are excluded from the Valid Percent calculations. These respondents are, however, present for reference purposes in the raw frequency counts. All items were tested for statistical significance of the differences in responses given over time, using collapsed categories strongly agree and somewhat agree into agree), where appropriate. In cases where responses differ at a statistically significant level (p < 0.01) there is a graphic notation following the question text. 1. How would you rate the QUALITY of each of the following services provided by the City of Laramie? 1a. Fire fighting. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 87% 12% 1% 86% 13% 1% 87% 12% 1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1a Excellent 154 38.4% 43.4% 42.8% Good 196 48.9% 42.9% 44.5% About average 46 11.5% 12.8% 11.7% Not so good 2 0.5% 0.8% 0.9% Poor 3 0.7% 0.2% 0.1% Total Valid 401 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 230 (No answer) 2 Total Missing 232 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 44 1b. Fire prevention. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 73% 24% 3% 73% 24% 3% 72% 25% 3% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1b Excellent 101 26.9% 26.6% 25.9% Good 171 45.5% 46.7% 46.8% About average 94 25.0% 23.9% 24.0% Not so good 6 1.6% 2.3% 2.4% Poor 4 1.1% 0.5% 0.9% Total Valid 376 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 255 (No answer) 2 Total Missing 257 Total 633 1c. Ambulance service. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 85% 13% 2% 84% 15% 1% 80% 17% 3% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1c Excellent 160 39.0% 37.8% 41.4% Good 167 40.7% 46.6% 44.0% About average 69 16.8% 14.5% 12.6% Not so good 10 2.4% 0.6% 1.3% Poor 4 1.0% 0.5% 0.6% Total Valid 410 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 217 (No answer) 6 Total Missing 223 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 45 1d. Disaster preparedness.  2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 36% 44% 20% 43% 39% 18% 50% 37% 13% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1d Excellent 47 13.7% 10.3% 7.7% Good 126 36.7% 32.6% 28.4% About average 127 37.0% 39.2% 44.0% Not so good 31 9.0% 12.9% 12.9% Poor 12 3.5% 5.0% 7.1% Total Valid 343 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 284 (No answer) 6 Total Missing 290 Total 633 1e. Enforcement of traffic laws. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 32% 37% 31% 37% 37% 26% 45% 33% 22% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1e Excellent 76 13.2% 9.1% 5.5% Good 181 31.4% 28.0% 26.6% About average 191 33.1% 37.1% 36.6% Not so good 78 13.5% 16.0% 15.5% Poor 51 8.8% 9.8% 15.9% Total Valid 577 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 52 (No answer) 4 Total Missing 56 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 46 1f. Crime prevention. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 36% 45% 18% 40% 49% 12% 49% 39% 12% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1f Excellent 52 10.4% 6.2% 5.3% Good 193 38.8% 33.4% 31.0% About average 193 38.8% 48.6% 45.3% Not so good 43 8.6% 8.0% 13.5% Poor 17 3.4% 3.7% 4.9% Total Valid 498 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 129 (No answer) 6 Total Missing 135 Total 633 1g. Garbage collection. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 73% 18% 8% 71% 20% 9% 63% 22% 14% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1g Excellent 149 25.3% 28.4% 33.6% Good 224 38.0% 42.3% 39.7% About average 132 22.4% 20.3% 18.4% Not so good 51 8.6% 6.5% 5.1% Poor 34 5.8% 2.5% 3.3% Total Valid 590 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 40 (No answer) 3 Total Missing 43 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 47 1h. Landfill (dump) services. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 70% 23% 7% 65% 26% 9% 52% 33% 16% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1h Excellent 70 13.9% 18.8% 21.0% Good 189 37.6% 45.9% 48.7% About average 164 32.6% 25.9% 23.2% Not so good 46 9.1% 5.7% 4.8% Poor 34 6.8% 3.6% 2.2% Total Valid 503 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 118 (No answer) 12 Total Missing 130 Total 633 1i. Street maintenance and repair. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 14% 30% 55% 12% 28% 60% 10% 24% 65% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1i Excellent 11 1.8% 1.9% 2.4% Good 53 8.6% 9.7% 11.9% About average 150 24.3% 28.4% 30.4% Not so good 196 31.7% 32.0% 31.0% Poor 208 33.7% 28.0% 24.4% Total Valid 618 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 9 (No answer) 6 Total Missing 15 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 48 1j. Street cleaning. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 28% 45% 28% 32% 45% 23% 27% 38% 35% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1j Excellent 27 4.5% 6.2% 4.8% Good 137 22.8% 26.0% 22.7% About average 229 38.0% 45.2% 44.5% Not so good 123 20.4% 14.7% 16.0% Poor 86 14.3% 7.9% 11.9% Total Valid 602 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 22 (No answer) 9 Total Missing 31 Total 633 1k. Snow removal on major streets (not including residential streets). 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 39% 35% 26% 33% 37% 31% 39% 31% 30% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1k Excellent 47 7.6% 6.4% 6.6% Good 195 31.4% 26.5% 32.7% About average 194 31.2% 36.5% 35.2% Not so good 99 15.9% 18.2% 15.0% Poor 87 14.0% 12.4% 10.5% Total Valid 622 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 10 (No answer) 1 Total Missing 11 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 49 1l. Storm water drainage.* 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 25% 40% 35% 20% 36% 45% 26% 34% 41% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1l Excellent 25 4.6% 2.7% 2.9% Good 115 20.9% 16.8% 21.7% About average 186 33.9% 35.7% 40.0% Not so good 144 26.2% 28.8% 22.7% Poor 79 14.4% 16.0% 12.7% Total Valid 549 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 82 (No answer) 2 Total Missing 84 Total 633 * Item reworded from storm drainage in 2008 to storm water drainage for 2012. 1m. Sewer services. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 39% 45% 17% 36% 45% 19% 41% 42% 17% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1m Excellent 47 9.3% 6.0% 5.8% Good 160 31.7% 29.6% 32.7% About average 210 41.7% 45.1% 45.1% Not so good 55 10.9% 13.6% 11.3% Poor 32 6.3% 5.7% 5.2% Total Valid 504 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 125 (No answer) 4 Total Missing 129 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 50 1n. Water quality. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 71% 21% 8% 72% 22% 6% 69% 22% 10% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1n Excellent 160 26.4% 28.8% 26.4% Good 255 42.1% 43.4% 44.6% About average 132 21.8% 22.3% 21.2% Not so good 39 6.4% 4.2% 5.0% Poor 19 3.1% 1.3% 2.8% Total Valid 605 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 23 (No answer) 5 Total Missing 28 Total 633 1o. Reliability of water flow. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 72% 20% 9% 71% 21% 8% 73% 20% 7% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1o Excellent 173 29.4% 26.3% 24.0% Good 258 43.9% 44.8% 47.5% About average 115 19.6% 20.5% 19.8% Not so good 28 4.8% 6.2% 6.1% Poor 14 2.4% 2.2% 2.6% Total Valid 588 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 36 (No answer) 9 Total Missing 45 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 51 1p. Park appearance/maintenance. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 84% 14% 2% 83% 15% 2% 79% 18% 3% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1p Excellent 193 31.4% 35.8% 37.4% Good 291 47.4% 47.0% 46.8% About average 111 18.1% 15.0% 14.0% Not so good 15 2.4% 1.8% 1.4% Poor 4 0.7% 0.4% 0.5% Total Valid 614 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 18 (No answer) 1 Total Missing 19 Total 633 1q. Recreation programs. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 72% 23% 5% 73% 22% 5% 68% 25% 8% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1q Excellent 131 24.3% 26.0% 25.9% Good 235 43.6% 46.7% 46.5% About average 132 24.5% 22.4% 22.6% Not so good 32 5.9% 3.7% 3.4% Poor 9 1.7% 1.1% 1.6% Total Valid 539 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 88 (No answer) 6 Total Missing 94 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 52 1r. Land use, planning, zoning. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 16% 35% 49% 18% 38% 45% 29% 39% 32% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1r Excellent 25 5.3% 1.8% 1.4% Good 112 23.5% 16.2% 14.9% About average 185 38.9% 37.5% 35.0% Not so good 88 18.5% 25.5% 26.6% Poor 66 13.9% 19.0% 22.1% Total Valid 476 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 148 (No answer) 9 Total Missing 157 Total 633 1s. Code enforcement (weeds, substandard buildings, junk, etc.). 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 11% 32% 57% 12% 32% 56% 20% 33% 47% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1s Excellent 22 4.1% 1.9% 1.6% Good 84 15.6% 10.0% 9.0% About average 177 33.0% 31.8% 32.1% Not so good 151 28.1% 28.9% 27.7% Poor 103 19.2% 27.4% 29.7% Total Valid 537 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 91 (No answer) 5 Total Missing 96 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 53 1t. Animal control. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 44% 39% 17% 41% 40% 19% 43% 40% 17% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1t Excellent 55 10.3% 9.2% 8.0% Good 176 33.0% 32.1% 36.0% About average 212 39.8% 39.7% 38.8% Not so good 53 9.9% 10.3% 9.7% Poor 37 6.9% 8.7% 7.5% Total Valid 533 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 89 (No answer) 11 Total Missing 100 Total 633 1u. Building permit services. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 23% 38% 39% 20% 41% 40% 33% 39% 28% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1u Excellent 28 9.6% 4.0% 3.3% Good 67 22.9% 15.7% 19.3% About average 115 39.2% 40.7% 38.1% Not so good 48 16.4% 20.7% 20.4% Poor 35 11.9% 18.9% 18.8% Total Valid 293 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 330 (No answer) 10 Total Missing 340 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 54 1v. Curbside recycling. (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 59% 21% 21% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2012 Q1v Excellent 126 24.3% Good 179 34.5% About average 108 20.8% Not so good 60 11.6% Poor 46 8.9% Total Valid 519 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 110 (No answer) 4 Total Missing 114 Total 633 1w. Mosquito control. (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 46% 27% 27% 0% 25% 50% Positive Average Negative 2012 Q1w Excellent 66 11.4% Good 198 34.3% About average 157 27.2% Not so good 85 14.7% Poor 72 12.5% Total Valid 578 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 48 (No answer) 7 Total Missing 55 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 55 1x. Access for disabled persons to city facilities, parks, etc. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 53% 39% 9% 50% 42% 9% 58% 31% 12% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1x Excellent 59 14.2% 9.8% 10.2% Good 180 43.3% 39.8% 42.6% About average 129 31.0% 41.7% 38.7% Not so good 32 7.7% 5.2% 5.7% Poor 16 3.8% 3.5% 2.8% Total Valid 416 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 214 (No answer) 3 Total Missing 217 Total 633 1y. Access for disabled persons on public streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, etc. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 44% 39% 17% 44% 40% 16% 48% 33% 19% 0% 25% 50% 75% Positive Average Negative 2006 2008 2012 Q1y Excellent 50 11.3% 7.7% 8.9% Good 164 36.9% 36.7% 35.4% About average 146 32.9% 39.6% 39.0% Not so good 51 11.5% 10.0% 11.3% Poor 33 7.4% 6.0% 5.4% Total Valid 444 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 188 (No answer) 1 Total Missing 189 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 56 2. If you have interacted with a City of Laramie department in the past 12 months, please identify the department of your MOST RECENT interaction: 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 55% 46% 59% 41% 0% 25% 50% 75% Interaction in the last 12 months No interaction in the last 12 months 2008 2012 Q2 Interaction in last 12 months 347 59.0% 54.5% No interaction in last 12 months  (Skip to question 3) 241 41.0% 45.5% Total Valid 588 100.0% 100.% (No answer) 45 Total Missing 45 Total 633 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent Police 119 34.3% 33.2% Public Works 74 21.3% 22.1% Parks & Recreation 78 22.5% 22.9% Fire 17 4.9% 7.1% Community Development 14 4.0% 4.6% Administration 45 13.0% 10.1% Total Valid 347 100.0% 100.0% No interaction 241 (No answer) 45 Total Missing 286 Total 633 33% 23% 22% 10% 7% 5% 34% 23% 21% 13% 5% 4% 0% 25% 50% Police Parks & Recreation Public Works Administration Fire Community Development 2008 2012 Q2 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 57 2a. For that most recent interaction with a City department, please rate the personnel that you interacted with on the following: 2a1 – 2a4. Police: Knowledge, Responsiveness, Courtesy, Overall Impression Police Department Knowledge Responsiveness Courtesy Overall Impression 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent Excellent 28.9% 39.8% 31.6% 44.2% 38.7% 51.2% 29.4% 43.0% Good 42.1% 37.3% 38.5% 30.0% 32.8% 28.1% 36.1% 29.8% About average 17.5% 11.0% 16.2% 10.0% 15.1% 9.1% 18.5% 11.6% Not so good 7.0% 5.9% 8.5% 5.8% 5.9% 4.1% 5.9% 7.4% Poor 4.4% 5.9% 5.1% 10.0% 7.6% 7.4% 10.1% 8.3% Total Valid (Count) (114) 100.0% (118) 100.0% (117) 100.0% (120) 100.0% (119) 100.0% (121) 100.0% (119) 100.0% (121) 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 5 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 (No answer) 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 System Missing 514 694 514 694 514 694 514 694 Total Missing 519 698 516 696 514 695 514 695 Total 633 816 633 816 633 816 633 816 2a1 – 2a4. Fire: Knowledge, Responsiveness, Courtesy, Overall Impression Fire Department Knowledge Responsiveness Courtesy Overall Impression 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent Excellent 52.9% 61.5% 64.7% 76.9% 76.5% 80.8% 58.8% 73.1% Good 47.1% 30.8% 23.5% 15.4% 23.5% 11.5% 35.3% 19.2% About average 7.7% 5.9% 7.7% 3.8% 5.9% 3.8% Not so good 5.9% 3.8% Poor 3.8% Total Valid (Count) (17) 100.0% (26) 100.0% (17) 100.0% (26) 100.0% (17) 100.0% (26) 100.0% (17) 100.0% (26) 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (No answer) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 System Missing 616 790 616 790 616 790 616 790 Total Missing 616 790 616 790 616 790 616 790 Total 633 816 633 816 633 816 633 816 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 58 2a1 – 2a4. Public Works: Knowledge, Responsiveness, Courtesy, Overall Impression Public Works Knowledge Responsiveness Courtesy Overall Impression 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent Excellent 18.1% 21.8% 23.3% 25.3% 27.4% 28.8% 20.3% 24.1% Good 38.9% 47.4% 37.0% 36.7% 39.7% 43.8% 36.5% 38.0% About average 29.2% 15.4% 23.3% 20.3% 17.8% 16.3% 21.6% 20.3% Not so good 8.3% 14.1% 11.0% 10.1% 12.3% 8.8% 17.6% 11.4% Poor 5.6% 1.3% 5.5% 7.6% 2.7% 2.5% 4.1% 6.3% Total Valid (Count) (72) 100.0% (78) 100.0% (73) 100.0% (79) 100.0% (73) 100.0% (80) 100.0% (74) 100.0% (79) 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 2 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 (No answer) 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 System Missing 559 735 559 735 559 735 559 735 Total Missing 561 738 560 737 560 736 559 737 Total 633 816 633 816 633 816 633 816 2a1 – 2a4. Community Development: Knowledge, Responsiveness, Courtesy, Overall Impression Community Development Knowledge Responsiveness Courtesy Overall Impression 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent Excellent 28.6% 29.4% 35.7% 12.5% 42.9% 29.4% 35.7% 11.8% Good 35.7% 11.8% 21.4% 25.0% 28.6% 35.3% 35.7% 35.3% About average 35.7% 29.4% 28.6% 6.3% 21.4% 11.8% 14.3% 17.6% Not so good 11.8% 7.1% 37.5% 7.1% 11.8% 7.1% 17.6% Poor 17.6% 7.1% 18.8% 11.8% 7.1% 17.6% Total Valid (Count) (14) 100.0% (17) 100.0% (14) 100.0% (16) 100.0% (14) 100.0% (17) 100.0% (14) 100.0% (17) 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 (No answer) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 System Missing 619 799 619 799 619 799 619 799 Total Missing 619 799 619 800 619 799 619 799 Total 633 816 633 816 633 816 633 816 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 59 2a1 – 2a4. Parks & Recreation: Knowledge, Responsiveness, Courtesy, Overall Impression Parks & Recreation Knowledge Responsiveness Courtesy Overall Impression 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent Excellent 34.6% 28.6% 38.5% 33.7% 44.9% 41.7% 39.7% 34.5% Good 42.3% 34.5% 38.5% 34.9% 34.6% 28.6% 34.6% 32.1% About average 16.7% 26.2% 17.9% 15.7% 19.2% 17.9% 17.9% 16.7% Not so good 5.1% 9.5% 2.6% 8.4% 1.3% 6.0% 5.1% 9.5% Poor 1.3% 1.2% 2.6% 7.2% 6.0% 2.6% 7.1% Total Valid (Count) (78) 100.0% (84) 100.0% (78) 100.0% (83) 100.0% (78) 100.0% (84) 100.0% (78) 100.0% (84) 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (No answer) 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 System Missing 555 732 555 731 555 732 555 732 Total Missing 555 732 555 732 555 732 555 732 Total 633 816 633 816 633 816 633 816 2a1 – 2a4. Administration: Knowledge, Responsiveness, Courtesy, Overall Impression Administration Knowledge Responsiveness Courtesy Overall Impression 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent Excellent 28.9% 25.7% 33.3% 27.8% 37.8% 33.3% 31.1% 21.6% Good 42.2% 42.9% 33.3% 41.7% 31.1% 44.4% 33.3% 45.9% About average 22.2% 8.6% 15.6% 13.9% 11.1% 5.6% 15.6% 8.1% Not so good 2.2% 14.3% 8.9% 2.8% 13.3% 11.1% 13.3% 10.8% Poor 4.4% 8.6% 8.9% 13.9% 6.7% 5.6% 6.7% 13.5% Total Valid (Count) (45) 100.0% (35) 100.0% (45) 100.0% (36) 100.0% (45) 100.0% (36) 100.0% (45) 100.0% (37) 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 (No answer) 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 System Missing 588 777 588 778 588 778 588 779 Total Missing 588 779 588 779 588 779 588 779 Total 633 816 633 816 633 816 633 816 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 60 3. Do you own or rent your Laramie residence? 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 11% 88% 1% 9% 89% 2% 32% 66% 2% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Rent Own Other 2006 2008 2012 Q3 Rent 174 31.8% 9.1% 11.3% Own 363 66.2% 88.5% 87.7% Other 11 2.0% 2.4% 1.0% Total Valid 548 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% (No answer) 85 Total Missing 85 Total 633 4. How do you feel about the following issues as they relate to the City of Laramie? 4a. Crime. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 6% 39% 49% 7% 6% 41% 49% 4% 15% 48% 33% 4% 0% 25% 50% 75% Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem 2006 2008 2012 Q4a Not a problem 85 14.5% 6.4% 5.5% Minor problem 284 48.4% 40.7% 38.7% Moderate problem 195 33.2% 48.7% 49.2% Major problem 23 3.9% 4.1% 6.5% Total Valid 587 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 44 (No answer) 2 Total Missing 46 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 61 4b. Illegal drug use. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 3% 17% 42% 38% 2% 18% 44% 36% 11% 31% 37% 21% 0% 25% 50% Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem 2006 2008 2012 Q4b Not a problem 59 11.2% 2.2% 3.3% Minor problem 164 31.1% 17.8% 17.0% Moderate problem 195 36.9% 44.4% 42.1% Major problem 110 20.8% 35.6% 37.6% Total Valid 528 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 101 (No answer) 4 Total Missing 105 Total 633 4c. Driving under the influence. (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 5% 14% 40% 41% 0% 25% 50% Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem 2012 Q4c Not a problem 28 4.9% Minor problem 82 14.4% Moderate problem 229 40.2% Major problem 231 40.5% Total Valid 570 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 59 (No answer) 4 Total Missing 63 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 62 4d. Underage alcohol offenses. (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 6% 16% 40% 38% 0% 25% 50% Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem 2012 Q4d Not a problem 34 6.2% Minor problem 87 15.8% Moderate problem 217 39.5% Major problem 211 38.4% Total Valid 549 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 73 (No answer) 11 Total Missing 84 Total 633 4e. Bicyclists following traffic laws. (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 17% 27% 25% 31% 0% 25% 50% Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem 2012 Q4e Not a problem 104 17.2% Minor problem 164 27.1% Moderate problem 149 24.6% Major problem 188 31.1% Total Valid 605 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 23 (No answer) 5 Total Missing 28 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 63 4f. Loud vehicles. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 6% 24% 35% 35% 7% 27% 38% 29% 13% 35% 31% 22% 0% 25% 50% Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem 2006 2008 2012 Q4f Not a problem 80 13.1% 7.0% 5.5% Minor problem 211 34.6% 26.6% 24.4% Moderate problem 186 30.5% 37.6% 34.9% Major problem 133 21.8% 28.8% 35.2% Total Valid 610 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 19 (No answer) 4 Total Missing 23 Total 633 4g. Nuisances (rundown buildings, weeds, junk vehicles). 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 7% 28% 36% 29% 6% 30% 36% 29% 14% 34% 33% 19% 0% 25% 50% Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem 2006 2008 2012 Q4g Not a problem 84 13.9% 5.9% 6.9% Minor problem 207 34.3% 29.6% 28.2% Moderate problem 200 33.2% 36.1% 36.2% Major problem 112 18.6% 28.5% 28.7% Total Valid 603 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 27 (No answer) 3 Total Missing 30 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 64 4h. Speeding and traffic violations. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 6% 22% 36% 36% 7% 25% 39% 30% 13% 35% 34% 18% 0% 25% 50% Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem 2006 2008 2012 Q4h Not a problem 79 13.2% 6.7% 5.5% Minor problem 209 34.9% 25.1% 22.4% Moderate problem 205 34.2% 38.6% 36.0% Major problem 106 17.7% 29.5% 36.0% Total Valid 599 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 34 (No answer) 0 Total Missing 34 Total 633 4i. Unsupervised youth. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 15% 41% 32% 12% 15% 41% 33% 11% 27% 42% 22% 8% 0% 25% 50% Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem 2006 2008 2012 Q4i Not a problem 140 27.3% 14.5% 14.7% Minor problem 216 42.2% 40.8% 41.2% Moderate problem 114 22.3% 33.4% 32.1% Major problem 42 8.2% 11.3% 12.0% Total Valid 512 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 117 (No answer) 4 Total Missing 121 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 65 4j. Litter and debris. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 8% 41% 37% 14% 11% 45% 32% 12% 14% 43% 30% 13% 0% 25% 50% Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem 2006 2008 2012 Q4j Not a problem 86 14.1% 11.1% 8.2% Minor problem 262 43.0% 45.4% 41.3% Moderate problem 185 30.4% 32.0% 36.6% Major problem 76 12.5% 11.6% 13.9% Total Valid 609 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 20 (No answer) 4 Total Missing 24 Total 633 4k. Public disturbances (loud music, parties, etc.). 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 15% 43% 31% 12% 18% 47% 27% 9% 26% 44% 24% 7% 0% 25% 50% Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem 2006 2008 2012 Q4k Not a problem 145 25.5% 17.6% 14.6% Minor problem 250 44.0% 46.8% 42.8% Moderate problem 135 23.8% 26.5% 30.8% Major problem 38 6.7% 9.1% 11.8% Total Valid 568 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 65 (No answer) 0 Total Missing 65 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 66 4l. Vandalism (graffiti, broken windows, etc.). 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 8% 41% 39% 13% 21% 43% 28% 8% 0% 25% 50% Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem 2008 2012 Q4l Not a problem 122 21.3% 7.8% Minor problem 248 43.3% 40.6% Moderate problem 159 27.7% 38.8% Major problem 44 7.7% 12.7% Total Valid 573 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 57 (No answer) 3 Total Missing 60 Total 633 4m. Occupancy violations too many people living in a single home or apartment). 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 22% 36% 25% 18% 29% 39% 19% 13% 39% 34% 20% 7% 0% 25% 50% Not a problem Minor problem Moderate problem Major problem 2006 2008 2012 Q4m Not a problem 169 39.4% 29.4% 21.8% Minor problem 146 34.0% 38.9% 35.9% Moderate problem 85 19.8% 18.7% 24.7% Major problem 29 6.8% 13.1% 17.6% Total Valid 429 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 203 (No answer) 1 Total Missing 204 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 67 5. How safe do you feel… 5a. In your neighborhood during the day. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 87% 12% 1% 0% 86% 13% 1% 0% 83% 16% 1% 0% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Very safe Somewhat safe Somewhat unsafe Not safe at all 2006 2008 2012 Q5a Very safe 517 83.0% 86.1% 87.3% Somewhat safe 102 16.4% 13.4% 11.6% Somewhat unsafe 3 0.5% 0.5% 0.9% Not safe at all 1 0.2% 0.0% 0.3% Total Valid 623 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 9 (No answer) 1 Total Missing 10 Total 633 5b. In your neighborhood after dark. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 56% 36% 7% 1% 59% 36% 5% 1% 58% 36% 6% 1% 0% 25% 50% 75% Very safe Somewhat safe Somewhat unsafe Not safe at all 2006 2008 2012 Q5b Very safe 359 57.9% 58.7% 55.6% Somewhat safe 220 35.5% 35.7% 35.6% Somewhat unsafe 34 5.5% 5.1% 7.4% Not safe at all 7 1.1% 0.5% 1.4% Total Valid 620 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 11 (No answer) 2 Total Missing 13 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 68 5c. In the downtown area during the day. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 86% 13% 1% 0% 85% 14% 1% 0% 83% 16% 1% 0% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Very safe Somewhat safe Somewhat unsafe Not safe at all 2006 2008 2012 Q5c Very safe 510 82.8% 84.8% 86.3% Somewhat safe 100 16.2% 13.8% 12.5% Somewhat unsafe 6 1.0% 1.4% 1.0% Not safe at all 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.2% Total Valid 616 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 15 (No answer) 2 Total Missing 17 Total 633 5d. In the downtown area after dark. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 31% 49% 16% 3% 33% 49% 15% 3% 43% 42% 13% 3% 0% 25% 50% 75% Very safe Somewhat safe Somewhat unsafe Not safe at all 2006 2008 2012 Q5d Very safe 247 42.8% 33.0% 31.4% Somewhat safe 241 41.8% 49.3% 49.3% Somewhat unsafe 74 12.8% 15.0% 16.0% Not safe at all 15 2.6% 2.7% 3.2% Total Valid 577 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 52 (No answer) 4 Total Missing 56 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 69 5e. In Laramie parks during the day. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 84% 14% 1% 0% 84% 15% 1% 0% 86% 14% 0% 0% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Very safe Somewhat safe Somewhat unsafe Not safe at all 2006 2008 2012 Q5e Very safe 527 85.8% 84.1% 84.2% Somewhat safe 83 13.5% 15.3% 14.4% Somewhat unsafe 2 0.3% 0.5% 1.1% Not safe at all 2 0.3% 0.1% 0.3% Total Valid 614 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 17 (No answer) 2 Total Missing 19 Total 633 5f. In Laramie parks after dark. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 22% 43% 26% 9% 23% 48% 21% 8% 31% 44% 20% 5% 0% 25% 50% 75% Very safe Somewhat safe Somewhat unsafe Not safe at all 2006 2008 2012 Q5f Very safe 157 30.6% 23.3% 21.9% Somewhat safe 227 44.2% 47.7% 43.2% Somewhat unsafe 102 19.9% 21.1% 26.0% Not safe at all 27 5.3% 7.9% 8.9% Total Valid 513 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 117 (No answer) 3 Total Missing 120 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 70 5g. In Laramie greenbelts during the day. (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 72% 25% 3% 0% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Very safe Somewhat safe Somewhat unsafe Not safe at all 2012 Q5g Very safe 352 71.5% Somewhat safe 122 24.8% Somewhat unsafe 16 3.3% Not safe at all 2 0.4% Total Valid 492 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 134 (No answer) 7 Total Missing 141 Total 633 5h. In Laramie greenbelts after dark. (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 25% 37% 24% 14% 0% 25% 50% Very safe Somewhat safe Somewhat unsafe Not safe at all 2012 Q5h Very safe 103 25.4% Somewhat safe 150 36.9% Somewhat unsafe 98 24.1% Not safe at all 55 13.5% Total Valid 406 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 224 (No answer) 3 Total Missing 227 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 71 6. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? 6a. "The City of Laramie government welcomes citizen involvement and encourages citizen participation." 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 50% 18% 33% 46% 19% 34% 49% 23% 29% 0% 25% 50% 75% Agree Neutral Disagree 2006 2008 2012 Q6a Strongly agree 66 12.8% 11.8% 14.1% Somewhat agree 187 36.2% 34.6% 35.7% Neither agree nor disagree 117 22.6% 19.4% 17.8% Somewhat disagree 83 16.1% 21.9% 19.7% Strongly disagree 64 12.4% 12.3% 12.8% Total Valid 517 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Not applicable 22 Don't know / Not sure 90 (No answer) 4 Total Missing 116 Total 633 6b. "I have a good understanding of how my taxes are spent on City services, operations and capital projects." 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 44% 17% 39% 39% 14% 48% 40% 20% 40% 0% 25% 50% 75% Agree Neutral Disagree 2006 2008 2012 Q6b Strongly agree 51 9.6% 5.9% 8.3% Somewhat agree 163 30.5% 32.6% 36.1% Neither agree nor disagree 106 19.9% 13.7% 16.9% Somewhat disagree 132 24.7% 25.4% 23.6% Strongly disagree 82 15.4% 22.4% 15.1% Total Valid 534 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Not applicable 28 Don't know / Not sure 68 (No answer) 3 Total Missing 99 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 72 6c. "The fee I pay for City water is reasonably priced for the service I receive." 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 43% 13% 44% 45% 17% 38% 37% 14% 49% 0% 25% 50% 75% Agree Neutral Disagree 2006 2008 2012 Q6c Strongly agree 55 11.3% 14.1% 14.5% Somewhat agree 124 25.5% 30.6% 28.9% Neither agree nor disagree 68 14.0% 17.0% 12.5% Somewhat disagree 102 20.9% 22.8% 22.9% Strongly disagree 138 28.3% 15.5% 21.1% Total Valid 487 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Not applicable 100 Don't know / Not sure 45 (No answer) 1 Total Missing 146 Total 633 6d. "The fee I pay the City for sewage collection and treatment is reasonably priced for the service I receive." 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 53% 18% 30% 50% 21% 30% 48% 17% 35% 0% 25% 50% 75% Agree Neutral Disagree 2006 2008 2012 Q6d Strongly agree 72 15.4% 14.1% 18.4% Somewhat agree 154 33.0% 35.7% 34.1% Neither agree nor disagree 80 17.1% 20.7% 17.5% Somewhat disagree 76 16.3% 17.9% 17.2% Strongly disagree 85 18.2% 11.6% 12.7% Total Valid 467 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Not applicable 114 Don't know / Not sure 50 (No answer) 2 Total Missing 166 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 73 6e. "The fee I pay the City for garbage collection and disposal is reasonably priced for the service I receive." 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 65% 12% 22% 58% 16% 26% 48% 16% 36% 0% 25% 50% 75% Agree Neutral Disagree 2006 2008 2012 Q6e Strongly agree 77 16.0% 20.4% 27.3% Somewhat agree 155 32.3% 37.9% 38.0% Neither agree nor disagree 77 16.0% 15.5% 12.2% Somewhat disagree 81 16.9% 16.2% 12.0% Strongly disagree 90 18.8% 10.1% 10.4% Total Valid 480 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Not applicable 115 Don't know / Not sure 37 (No answer) 1 Total Missing 153 Total 633 7. Currently operating in Laramie is the Gem City Bus, which is a pilot program with support and funding from multiple entities. This bus route operates seven days a week and serves Grand Avenue. In the past 30 days, how many times did you use the Gem City Bus? (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 92% 3% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% I have never used the Gem City Bus I have used the Gem City Bus, but not in the past 30 days 1 time 2 or 3 times 4 or 5 times 6 or more times Q7 I have never used the Gem City Bus 574 91.7% I have used the Gem City Bus, but not in the past 30 days 21 3.4% 1 time 7 1.1% 2 or 3 times 8 1.3% 4 or 5 times 7 1.1% 6 or more times 9 1.4% Total Valid 626 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 7 (No answer) 0 Total Missing 7 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 74 8a. The Albany County Transportation Authority is contemplating establishing a permanent and reliable public bus system that would be more comprehensive (expand beyond Grand Avenue route). In your opinion, how much of a priority is establishing such a public bus transportation system in Laramie? (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 28% 44% 14% 14% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority at all Q8a High priority 161 28.0% Moderate priority 256 44.4% Low priority 81 14.1% Not a priority at all 78 13.5% Total Valid 576 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 54 (No answer) 3 Total Missing 57 Total 633 8b. For a comprehensive and reliable public bus transportation system to be established in Laramie, there will have to be adequate funding in place. Which ONE of the following options are you most in favor of for funding a public transportation system in Laramie? (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 45% 31% 12% 7% 5% 0% 25% 50% Bus ride fees/tickets Fees and mill levy Not in favor None of the above Mill levy Q8b Bus ride fees/tickets 280 44.8% Mill levy increase in property or other taxing) 33 5.3% A combination of fees and mill levy 192 30.7% None of the above 45 7.2% Not applicable. Not in favor of public bus transportation in Laramie 75 12.0% Total Valid 625 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 0 (No answer) 8 Total Missing 8 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 75 8c. If a comprehensive and reliable public bus transportation system were in place and fees charged for using it are not an issue, on average how many days per week would you use a public bus system rather than your personal vehicles (such as a car or bicycle)… (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 8c1. During June through August? 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 5% 9% 15% 16% 55% 0% 25% 50% 75% 5 - 7 days 3 - 4 days 1 - 2 days Less than 1 day Never Q8c1 5 - 7 days 25 5.3% 3 - 4 days 40 8.5% 1 - 2 days 71 15.1% Less than 1 day 73 15.6% Never 260 55.4% Total Valid 469 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 158 (No answer) 6 Total Missing 164 Total 633 8c2. During September through November? 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 7% 12% 16% 13% 51% 0% 25% 50% 75% 5 - 7 days 3 - 4 days 1 - 2 days Less than 1 day Never Q8c2 5 - 7 days 34 7.2% 3 - 4 days 58 12.4% 1 - 2 days 77 16.4% Less than 1 day 59 12.6% Never 241 51.4% Total Valid 469 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 158 (No answer) 6 Total Missing 164 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 76 8c3. During December through February? 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 11% 13% 13% 11% 51% 0% 25% 50% 75% 5 - 7 days 3 - 4 days 1 - 2 days Less than 1 day Never Q8c3 5 - 7 days 53 11.3% 3 - 4 days 63 13.4% 1 - 2 days 61 13.0% Less than 1 day 53 11.3% Never 239 51.0% Total Valid 469 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 158 (No answer) 6 Total Missing 164 Total 633 8c4. During March through May? 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 8% 14% 14% 12% 52% 0% 25% 50% 75% 5 - 7 days 3 - 4 days 1 - 2 days Less than 1 day Never Q8c4 5 - 7 days 35 7.6% 3 - 4 days 66 14.3% 1 - 2 days 66 14.3% Less than 1 day 54 11.7% Never 241 52.2% Total Valid 462 100.0% Don't know / Not sure 165 (No answer) 6 Total Missing 171 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 77 9. Where do you get information about the activities of city government? (Mark all that apply.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent Radio 289 45.8% 44.6% 45.7% Television 166 26.3% 22.8% 30.0% Newspaper articles/advertisements 432 68.5% 85.4% 87.5% Newspaper legal notices 214 33.9% 33.5% 25.6% City of Laramie website 177 28.1% 13.5% 10.0% Internet or email newsletters 149 23.6% 6.6% 8.2% Talking with friends and neighbors 390 61.8% 65.6% 65.1% Public meetings 118 18.7% 15.0% 9.1% TV Channel 11 163 25.8% 26.4% 35.1% Recreation Center Program Guide 179 28.4% N/A N/A None of the above 30 4.8% 1.4% 1.1% Total Valid 631 (No answer) 2 Total Missing 2 Total 633 (Recreation Center Program Guide added as response choice in 2012 survey.) 5% 19% 24% 26% 26% 28% 28% 34% 46% 62% 69% 1% 15% 7% 26% 23% 14% 34% 45% 66% 85% 1% 9% 8% 35% 30% 10% 26% 46% 65% 88% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% None of the above Public meetings Internet or email newsletters TV Channel 11 Television City of Laramie website Recreation Center Program Guide Newspaper legal notices Radio Talking with friends and neighbors Newspaper articles/advertisements 2006 2008 2012 Q9 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 78 10. Do you live within the city limits of Laramie? 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent Yes 543 89.6% 88.0% 98.4% No  (Skip to question 12.) 63 10.4% 12.0% 1.6% Total Valid 606 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% (No answer) 27 Total Missing 27 Total 633 11. In which area of the City of Laramie do you live? 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent West 80 14.2% 16.1% 11.5% North 149 26.5% 26.4% 28.8% East 52 9.3% 12.6% 12.4% South 175 31.1% 35.4% 34.0% Downtown/West Side 39 6.9% 3.9% 5.9% UW campus area 67 11.9% 5.6% 7.4% Total Valid 562 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% (No answer) 71 System Missing 0 Total Missing 71 Total 633 98% 2% 88% 12% 90% 10% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Live within city limits Live outside city limits 2006 2008 2012 Q10 12% 29% 12% 34% 6% 7% 16% 26% 13% 35% 4% 6% 14% 27% 9% 31% 7% 12% 0% 25% 50% West North East South Downtown/ West side UW campus area 2006 2008 2012 Q11 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 79 12. If the City of Laramie had funds available, how would you prioritize each of the following? 12a. Street and alley maintenance.*  2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 52% 43% 4% 1% 60% 36% 4% 0% 52% 40% 7% 1% 0% 25% 50% 75% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2006 2008 2012 Q12a High priority 313 51.7% 59.8% 51.7% Moderate priority 244 40.3% 36.2% 43.3% Low priority 41 6.8% 3.6% 4.3% Not a priority 7 1.2% 0.4% 0.7% Total Valid 605 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 22 (No answer) 6 Total Missing 28 Total 633 * Item reworded from street maintenance in 2008 to street and alley maintenance for 2012. 12b. Maintaining infrastructure (sewer and water distribution system, storm drains). 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 74% 22% 3% 0% 63% 32% 4% 1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2008 2012 Q12b High priority 378 62.9% 74.3% Moderate priority 194 32.3% 22.3% Low priority 25 4.2% 3.0% Not a priority 4 0.7% 0.4% Total Valid 601 100.0% 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 26 (No answer) 6 Total Missing 32 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 80 12c. Preservation of water resources (Casper Aquifer, Monolith Ranch, Water Rights). 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 73% 22% 4% 1% 62% 28% 7% 3% 55% 34% 9% 2% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2006 2008 2012 Q12c High priority 332 55.1% 61.5% 72.7% Moderate priority 207 34.3% 28.3% 21.5% Low priority 53 8.8% 7.0% 4.4% Not a priority 11 1.8% 3.1% 1.4% Total Valid 603 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 20 (No answer) 10 Total Missing 30 Total 633 12d. Energy efficiency of City owned properties (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 19% 46% 27% 8% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2012 Q12d High priority 111 19.0% Moderate priority 270 46.2% Low priority 158 27.1% Not a priority 45 7.7% Total Valid 584 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 39 (No answer) 10 Total Missing 49 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 81 12e. Expanding the city’s bike path and greenbelt systems. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 21% 34% 29% 17% 14% 26% 35% 25% 19% 30% 33% 18% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2006 2008 2012 Q12e High priority 115 19.3% 13.8% 20.6% Moderate priority 178 29.9% 26.4% 33.6% Low priority 197 33.1% 34.7% 29.3% Not a priority 105 17.6% 25.1% 16.5% Total Valid 595 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 26 (No answer) 12 Total Missing 38 Total 633 12f. Enhancing recreation facilities, programs offered, parks and open spaces. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 10% 35% 37% 19% 16% 40% 32% 12% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2008 2012 Q12f High priority 96 16.1% 9.5% Moderate priority 237 39.8% 34.8% Low priority 189 31.8% 37.2% Not a priority 73 12.3% 18.6% Total Valid 595 100.0% 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 30 (No answer) 8 Total Missing 38 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 82 12g. Growth and development planning. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 41% 40% 14% 5% 32% 42% 20% 6% 25% 42% 25% 7% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2006 2008 2012 Q12g High priority 148 25.4% 31.9% 40.8% Moderate priority 246 42.2% 41.7% 40.2% Low priority 148 25.4% 20.0% 14.2% Not a priority 41 7.0% 6.4% 4.8% Total Valid 583 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 39 (No answer) 11 Total Missing 50 Total 633 12h. Protecting Laramie’s environment (management of greenways, open space, and waterways). 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 42% 38% 15% 5% 31% 40% 22% 7% 32% 42% 20% 7% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2006 2008 2012 Q12h High priority 193 32.2% 31.2% 42.4% Moderate priority 250 41.7% 40.1% 37.7% Low priority 118 19.7% 22.0% 15.3% Not a priority 39 6.5% 6.7% 4.6% Total Valid 600 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 21 (No answer) 12 Total Missing 33 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 83 12i. Beautification downtown, public areas). 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 21% 40% 26% 13% 14% 34% 35% 17% 17% 41% 29% 13% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2006 2008 2012 Q12i High priority 102 16.8% 14.1% 20.6% Moderate priority 247 40.7% 34.3% 39.9% Low priority 177 29.2% 34.8% 26.4% Not a priority 81 13.3% 16.8% 13.1% Total Valid 607 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 15 (No answer) 11 Total Missing 26 Total 633 12j. Improving/upgrading sidewalks, curbs, gutter. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 28% 45% 23% 5% 28% 45% 23% 5% 35% 44% 17% 3% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2006 2008 2012 Q12j High priority 216 35.4% 27.6% 27.5% Moderate priority 270 44.3% 44.8% 45.1% Low priority 106 17.4% 23.1% 22.8% Not a priority 18 3.0% 4.5% 4.5% Total Valid 610 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 11 (No answer) 12 Total Missing 23 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 84 12k. Traffic calming (pedestrian safety). 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 24% 40% 27% 9% 20% 34% 35% 11% 23% 34% 33% 10% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2006 2008 2012 Q12k High priority 138 23.4% 20.0% 24.3% Moderate priority 199 33.7% 34.3% 40.4% Low priority 194 32.8% 34.6% 26.6% Not a priority 60 10.2% 11.1% 8.7% Total Valid 591 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 31 (No answer) 11 Total Missing 42 Total 633 12l. Paving streets that are currently unpaved. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 26% 36% 26% 13% 21% 35% 31% 13% 24% 30% 33% 13% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2006 2008 2012 Q12l High priority 144 24.1% 21.3% 26.3% Moderate priority 181 30.3% 34.6% 35.6% Low priority 196 32.8% 31.3% 25.5% Not a priority 77 12.9% 12.8% 12.6% Total Valid 598 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 25 (No answer) 10 Total Missing 35 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 85 12m. Police protection. 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 45% 39% 13% 3% 43% 36% 14% 6% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2008 2012 Q12m High priority 261 43.4% 44.8% Moderate priority 219 36.4% 39.2% Low priority 83 13.8% 13.1% Not a priority 38 6.3% 2.8% Total Valid 601 100.0% 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 26 (No answer) 6 Total Missing 32 Total 633 12n. Fire protection. (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 46% 38% 13% 3% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2012 Q12n High priority 279 46.2% Moderate priority 227 37.6% Low priority 80 13.2% Not a priority 18 3.0% Total Valid 604 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 24 (No answer) 5 Total Missing 29 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 86 12o. Ambulance service (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 50% 35% 12% 3% 0% 25% 50% 75% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2012 Q12o High priority 302 50.2% Moderate priority 213 35.4% Low priority 69 11.5% Not a priority 18 3.0% Total Valid 602 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 25 (No answer) 6 Total Missing 31 Total 633 12p. Code enforcement (weeds and junk) (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 17% 35% 35% 13% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2012 Q12p High priority 101 16.7% Moderate priority 213 35.3% Low priority 209 34.7% Not a priority 80 13.3% Total Valid 603 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 23 (No answer) 7 Total Missing 30 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 87 12q. Encouraging business development (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 37% 41% 16% 6% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2012 Q12r High priority 225 37.4% Moderate priority 244 40.6% Low priority 96 16.0% Not a priority 36 6.0% Total Valid 601 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 25 (No answer) 7 Total Missing 32 Total 633 12r. Fostering a sense of community and special events (Item introduced in 2012 survey.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 24% 37% 29% 10% 0% 25% 50% High priority Moderate priority Low priority Not a priority 2012 Q12r High priority 143 24.1% Moderate priority 220 37.0% Low priority 169 28.5% Not a priority 62 10.4% Total Valid 594 100.0% No opinion / Not sure 30 (No answer) 9 Total Missing 39 Total 633 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 88 13. What is your employment status? (Mark all that apply.) 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent Full-time employed 355 56.3% 57.4% 59.3% Part-time employed 75 11.9% 10.1% 9.3% Student 114 18.1% 2.6% 4.0% Retired 134 21.3% 32.4% 31.4% Not employed at this time 18 2.9% 2.8% 2.1% Total Valid 630 (No answer) 3 Total Missing 3 Total 633 59% 9% 4% 31% 2% 57% 10% 3% 32% 3% 56% 12% 18% 21% 3% 0% 25% 50% 75% Full-time employed Part-time employed Student Retired Not employed at this time 2006 2008 2012 Q13 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 89 14. How long have you lived in Laramie? 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent Less than 2 years 70 11.1% 2.9% 3.1% 2 – 5 years 104 16.5% 7.4% 10.3% 6 – 10 years 95 15.1% 10.4% 9.0% 11 – 20 years 93 14.7% 14.4% 17.2% More than 20 years 269 42.6% 64.9% 60.4% Total Valid 631 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% (No answer) 2 Total Missing 2 Total 633 3% 10% 9% 17% 60% 3% 7% 10% 14% 65% 11% 17% 15% 15% 43% 0% 25% 50% 75% Less than 2 years 2 – 5 years 6 – 10 years 11 – 20 years More than 20 years 2006 2008 2012 Q14 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 90 15. In what category is your age? 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 18 – 24 years 77 12.3% 1.5% 2.5% 25 – 34 years 130 20.8% 5.1% 8.4% 35 – 44 years 62 9.9% 12.6% 14.0% 45 – 54 years 104 16.6% 23.0% 23.1% 55 – 64 years 134 21.4% 28.9% 24.2% 65 – 74 years 67 10.7% 16.8% 14.9% 75 years or older 51 8.2% 12.1% 13.0% Total Valid 625 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% (No answer) 8 Total Missing 8 Total 633 3% 8% 14% 23% 24% 15% 13% 2% 5% 13% 23% 29% 17% 12% 12% 21% 10% 17% 21% 11% 8% 0% 25% 50% 18 – 24 years 25 – 34 years 35 – 44 years 45 – 54 years 55 – 64 years 65 – 74 years 75 years or older 2006 2008 2012 Q15 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 91 16. What is the highest degree or level of education you have attained? 2012 Frequency 2012 Valid Percent 2008 Valid Percent 2006 Valid Percent 12th Grade or less, no diploma 14 2.2% 1.9% 2.5% High school diploma or equivalent 58 9.3% 12.0% 11.9% Some college, no degree 115 18.4% 17.9% 18.3% Associate's degree or vocational/technical degree 69 11.0% 8.0% 5.1% Bachelor's degree 179 28.6% 25.6% 25.4% Graduate degree or professional degree 190 30.4% 34.6% 36.9% Total Valid 625 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% (No answer) 8 Total Missing 8 Total 633 3% 12% 18% 5% 25% 37% 2% 12% 18% 8% 26% 35% 2% 9% 18% 11% 29% 30% 0% 25% 50% 12th Grade or less, no diploma High school diploma or equivalent Some college, no degree Associate's degree or vocational/technical degree Bachelor's degree Graduate degree or professional degree 2006 2008 2012 Q16 17. Are there any major improvements, projects, issues, or initiatives that you would like to see the City of Laramie focus on?  See Appendix B.2 for complete text listings. ---PAGE BREAK--- Appendix B. Volunteered Comments and Responses to the Open-Ended Question Appendix B.1. Additional Volunteered Comments. Volunteered comments hand-written by respondents in the margins of paper completions are listed by question. Only very minimal editing for typographical errors, grammar, and content has been applied. Question 1. How would you rate the QUALITY of each of the following services provided by the City of Laramie? Question 1e. Enforcement of traffic laws.  Bicycles – poor. Question 1h. Landfill (dump) services.  Charging for this is stupid, I pay taxes.  You have to pay now. Question 1j. Street cleaning.  Very little is done. Question 1k. Snow removal on major streets.  Include residential streets! Question 1l. Street maintenance and repair.  Terrible. Question 1t. Animal Control.  Too high kill rate. Question 1v. Curbside recycling.  Can’t do it myself.  Other people keep filling mine. Question 1w. Mosquito control.  Overdone. Q3. Do you rent or own your Laramie residence?  This is a horrible town for renters! Expensive & rundown! Question 4. How do you feel about the following issues as they relate to the City of Laramie? Question 4e. Loud vehicles.  Tone down tech boys. Question 4g. Speeding and traffic violations.  Where are the cops when you see speeders? ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 93 Question 6. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Question 6c. “The fee pay for City water is reasonably priced for the service I receive.”  Water bill has too many add-ons. Question 7. Currently operating in Laramie is the Gem City Bus, which is a pilot program with support and funding from multiple entities. This bus route operates seven days a week and serves Grand Avenue. In the past 30 days, how many times did you use the Gem City Bus?  I drive Gem City bus.  It is wonderful—wish it went on Reynolds. Question 8a. The Albany County Transportation Authority is contemplating establishing a permanent and reliable public bus system that would be more comprehensive (expand beyond Grand Avenue route). In your opinion, how much of a priority is establishing such a public bus transportation system in Laramie?  Depends on the route system.  We had PATS. Question 8b. For a comprehensive and reliable public bus transportation system to be established in Laramie, there will have to be adequate funding in place. Which ONE of the following options are you most in favor of for funding a public transportation system in Laramie?  If people ride they pay for it, not everyone else.  Pay only if you use the service. Question 11. In which area of the City of Laramie do you live?  I live outside the city. Question 12. If the City of Laramie had funds available, how would you prioritize each of the following? Question 12a. Street and alley maintenance.  I use my alley.  Sidewalk. Question 12k. Traffic calming.  Bikers! Question 12i. Beautification.  Not necessary. Question 12p. Code enforcement (weeds and junk).  Use the police. Question 12r. Fostering a sense of community and special events.  Non-profit role. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 94 Appendix B.2. Responses to Question 17 Comments to the open-ended question at the conclusion of the survey are listed here. Only very minimal editing for typographical errors, grammar, and content has been applied. Question 17. Are there any major improvements, projects, issues, or initiatives that you would like to see the City of Laramie focus on?  1) Beautification of entry ways and the downtown, especially Third Street. 2) Smart business growth by private entrepreneurs (who pay property taxes). Business development should not be led by the University of Wyoming. 3) Greater support for our cultural assets that draw tourist dollars into our community, especially would like the City of Laramie to offer greater support to the Laramie Plains Museum. Thanks!  1. Fix potholes, especially the crater on Fremont St around the corner from the Post Office.  1. Homeowner pride (even if a rental property) - too many run-down homes with no apparent care for yards, sidewalks, roofs, paint, etc. 2. Sort recycling (i.e. tie paper products together before pick-up so not blowing all around town) 3. Any programs or children especially infants, toddlers and preschoolers who are not yet in the school system  1. Protect the environment 2. Maintain, improve, expand infrastructure.  1. Reduce size of city government; reduce number of employees at the top. 2. Get rid of new zoning and development code. 3. Become pro-business; the city is now anti-business.  1. Snow removal is awful, a complete JOKE! 2. The crews working on 15th Street/reconstruction may as well be monkeys. 3. The light for Harney/15th Street was installed by idiots, change it.  1. The reintroduction of a better allocation of books in the county/city public library. 2. A centralized public (i.e. city) food allocation bureau for feeding underfed children in this town. Thank you.  1. Water pressure is an issue? 2. Some people have too much junk in their years. 3. Street repairs are very much needed. 4. City Council has a hell of a time with getting good business in town (because they want to tax them to death).  45th Street extended to Grand Avenue.  80% of the roads are in bad shape. There needs to be new roads not badly repaired roads. Fresh pavement!  A city park in Imperial Heights and a city archery range.  A need for snow removal in residential areas. Be more efficient in warning people on taking care of weeds & junk! If they do not take care of weeds & junk there should be a fine. City should be consistent on this matter.  A park near Grand View Heights Schools located near East Laramie  A small town like Laramie should have a volunteer fire department. We waste too much money on union fire fighters and “plush” buildings like the West Laramie Fire Station.  Activities for teens. Also, if a teen gets into trouble with the law, instead of outrageous fines (usually paid by parents), a work program for them to off fines themselves.  Add glass to curbside recycling.  Add glass to the curbside recycling program.  ALL Grand Ave.; Clark St. bridge; junk vehicles.  Animal control, too many unleashed dogs wandering about. Also, barking dogs. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 95  Appearance has a tremendous impact on people's perception and behavior. If a place looks bad, people will care less about it. The city should focus on beautifying the city, and enforcing code for weeds, junk, extra vehicles, etc. on properties. Incentives should be provided to businesses to improve their properties. The city should also undertake a major project to take care of our trees. They are very valuable, but seem to get no care at all.  Aquifer protection and greenbelt expansion.  Aquifer protection, neighborhood preservation, zoning.  Assist, in any way possible, with supporting funding / mill levy required to support public library to bring it into the 21st century. It’s a “negative” for recruitment to Laramie until facilities/staffing have been improved.  Attempting to allow walking/biking on land not being developed (Real estate owned, but unused) or purchasing some of this land for recreational uses.  Beautification of into town. More retail stores for clothing like a men’s store (not western).  Beautification of to Laramie! Only Grande Ave. is presentable. Curtis Exit is horrible! I would love more lake paths and would love to see bus transportation expanded.  Beautification should be number one, also growth should be a top priority, this town needs a Target and a Lowes. Also something needs to be done about the pot holes & sidewalks.  Being older (+80) and a non-driver—need affordable rides. Hate to have to spend $4 to see Dr. going and $2 back). Don’t want to have to pay to volunteer.  Being responsible to the citizens! Tell the truth! Upgrade the Police Department to be a 1st class department, not the slugs they are now.  Better "customer service" for businesses looking to expand, grow or develop at their current locations specifically from planning office. Look at real impact of development to find ways to get things done instead of emphasizing ways to deny potential growth.  Better appropriation of funds from taxpayers.  Better awareness and funding for public transportation, business growth, better drinking water.  Better lighting in La Bonte Park. Especially the path near the old ice skate building. Make streets lower than the sidewalk, ice flood.  Better mosquito control before hatching—I feel every 3-4 days of spraying/fogging is not enough. Every other day in parts of the city that is near water or on the edge. Along 45th street is so bad!!  Better snow removal & de-icing.  Better upkeep on filling potholes and road damage.  Bicycle routes. The streets are pretty wide; there should not be a problem to create bicycle routes. Sometimes I feel like drivers do not seem to know how to behave when a bicycle is on the road. They completely lack the understanding for people on bicycles. "Cars maniacs". Also, traffic rules enforcement. Such as turning into proper lane, yellow light driving, and especially indicators. I have seen few times even police officers don’t use indicators. This should be definitely improved upon.  Bring back the curbside recycling. Also, please tell the Laramie police that they should not be running the prosecutor's office.  Bring in more businesses specifically in the technology field. Infrastructure should be a priority!  Bringing in more business.  Bus route with scheduled stops. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 96  Business development.  Casper Aquifer land acquisition—Important for our water but also as a marketing tool to bring in tourists to bike & hike on public land. More snow playing & less street sweeping.  City Bus that covers more areas—Reynolds St. especially. Entertainment, more things to do in Laramie is keep the kids here often graduate more jobs more businesses. University of Wyoming students are not the only people that live in Laramie; more things to do in our parks.  City entrances—please continue to beautify; more downtown events; city codes that make businesses more attractive and require landscaping; open space acquisition; and most importantly, bike trails and paths in town.  City of Laramie infrastructure.  City streets, curbs, and gutters.  Clark St. viaduct & resurface Grand from 20th to 3rd St.  Clark Street bridge needs improved. Most streets need a lot of work.  Clark Street Overpass.  Clean up 287, very junky and littered coming into Laramie!  Cleanup and beautify the approaches to Laramie - from the south and west in particular. Also, building on the Laramie Ridge is counterproductive.  Code enforcement of junk; water cost; cleanup/beautify to Laramie; get information out more on the on-going projects, issues of city.  Complete overhaul of the police department.  Completing construction projects that are started within a more reasonable timeframe. Our street and yard/sprinkler system have been torn up since mid-June 2011.  Consider 9th Street as a corridor for bus line expansion. We really need to protect the Casper Aquifer - I realize there are a lot of landowners who don't want their rights restricted, but our right to have non-polluted water (and not have to pay millions to treat what used to be clean!) should trump development.  Continue keeping water sources safe. Quit just overlaying streets in tree area and making major ditches by the curbs! Continue sewer upgrades. Enforce bike rules.  Covered in the questions!  Create more pedestrian paths. Comprehensive paths throughout the city and around the city. Off-street paths for safety. More trails and open space. A trail that connects Laramie to the east all the way to Pole Mountain. Aquifer protection. We must protect our water supply for the sake of the entire community and for future generations. Ridgeline and view shed protection. Regulated development protects view sheds, open space, and space for future parks and trails.  Curbside recycling.  Cut all wages by 10%, reduce city manager staff by 15%, focus on basic services and stop creating larger fiefdoms (e.g. curbside recycling).  Decent new businesses; we lose businesses, i.e. Ashley Furniture, then we only seem to get “alcohol” establishments. Alcoholism is a major problem in Wyoming. We don’t need more alcohol!  Decide and build the Clark St. bridge!  Do not appreciate continual hikes in our city utilities, have seen a 33% increase in water prices in last two years without an increase in employment, makes it difficult to have more come out of pocket, when no more is going in! ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 97  Dog park and animal shelter improvements.  Dog park.  Drop forced recycling. Focus on infrastructure. Make it easier for businesses to start in Laramie and quit worrying about environmental impact.  During the summer the downtown (2nd St. especially) is cleaned on Mondays, but in the winter it is not plowed. Businesses are to pile snow on sidewalk; it gets to be a mess for customers to get out of their cars. Snow removal should be done every Monday.  Either re-building Clark Street Bridge, don’t know how much of the bridge the city has to do with, get going on Harvey St bridge if applicable.  Eliminate the planning board. They are nuts. Be accountable to citizens instead of trying to intimidate.  Enacting ordinances that are not enforced.  Encourage business development through less bureaucracy and more of an effort of how you can help businesses succeed. The City of Laramie is not business friendly.  Encouraging downtown business/development.  Encouraging/allowing businesses not related to UW, state and energy.  Enforce code that requires homeowners to remove snow from their sidewalks in a timely fashion. The fees collected from such fines would certainly improve the city’s operating budget and improve the safety for our residents.  Enforce laws that cover the amount of students that live in single family dwellings. Amount of cars, etc. that one home in an R-1 area can have parked on the street.  -Enforce parking around campus -Figure out something with the Clark St bridge. I hate seeing the rebar, it makes me feel unsafe. -Continue the great focus downtown. I really enjoy spending time there and I find myself using local businesses more frequently. Especially during the summer Farmer's Market. Thank you!  Enforce parking around campus -Figure out something with the Clark St bridge. I hate seeing the rebar, it makes me feel unsafe. -Continue the great focus downtown. I really enjoy spending time there and I find myself using local businesses more frequently. Especially during the summer Farmer's Market. Thank you!  Enforcement of traffic laws for bicyclists; most flagrantly disobey the laws. Also, and of most importance, maintaining the city's infrastructure. We let the water infrastructure go so long that it reached critical proportions. Street maintenance should be another high priority.  Enforcing the nuisance code that was supposedly enacted several years ago!  Enforcing traffic laws by lowering speed limits in residential areas. Pedestrian safety issues. And enforcing garbage and junk codes around apartment houses. Limiting the number of units into which a house can be converted. And eliminate non-residential parking on residential streets within a 5 block radius of campus.  Entice clean, high-tech industry to provide high-paying jobs. Diversify training for police.  Establish a pay-per-load system for garbage pickup to encourage more recycling and fairly charge for those who produce the most garbage. An ordinance to eliminate plastic bags at stores to help reduce wind-blown trash and encourage use of cloth shopping bags. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 98  Expansion of the bike path/greenbelt system  Finish/develop park in Imperial Heights.  Fix all the pot holes, or repave Grand Ave. from Wal-Mart to 3rd St.  Fix the main streets of pot hold damage!! Nobody cares about “beautification” we care about transportation.  Fix the pot holes that seem to plague Grand Ave.  Fix the streets (i.e. Harney, 3rd in particular).  Fix the streets and sidewalks first, this town is downright shameful. Snow removal is also a priority, we have snow tow away zones everywhere, yet this is never enforced.  Fix the streets, re-open the homeless shelter.  Fixing city streets and sidewalks – lots of potholes and damaged sidewalks.  Fixing intersections where there is a large dip which is rough on automobiles and plowing Garfield, 4th St., and Ivinson better since those are used a good amount on a daily basis by the citizens  Focus more on major street repairs, water & sewer line repairs or replacement; encourage more businesses to come to Laramie like more variety of eating establishments—Olive Garden, Red Lobster, steak house would be nice!  Focus on waterlines and sewer system.  Fox pot holes, plow snow before even more drives on it.  Gem City bus line.  Get as many things back into the hands of private business that the city officials may now have their hands in. Example, recycling.  Get better control of traffic violators (speeding, loud cars), noise control (loud parties, loud cars, etc.), and better control of UW and WyoTech students who seem to be the worst offenders of any laws.  Get rid of [name removed]’s junk yard across from Pilot Truck Stop on Curtis, what an eye sore when we try to bring new business to Laramie; and right on the river.  Get some major shopping stores besides Wal-Mart, so we don't have to shop out of town!  Get UW personnel off the City Board. Why is UW sending this survey out instead of the city? Why did the city of Laramie sell out to UW?  Get water rates lower, they are too high. Dump fees are excessive.  Get water rates lower, they are too high. Dump fees are excessive.  Getting new bridge built ASAP.  Grand Ave. from 3rd to 22nd is horrible! Always has been. More police enforcement of traffic, young drivers are very dangerous, speeding and texting. The streets here are terrible, it seems streets only by UW are worked on; that’s not right. Need more restaurants throughout town, not just on Grand.  Grand Ave; 18 St. through 3rd St.  Greenbelt Expansion and paving streets in West Laramie are high priorities for us. Encouraging business/restaurant development should be a high priority also. In general the city of Laramie is a great place to live and is managed well.  Greenbelt expansion.  Harney viaduct, west side business on west side.  Have the city council be more open to outside businesses and restaurants coming to town instead of serving their own self-interest in the “Downtown” area. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 99  Have the City Council make decisions rather than postponing or tabling decisions over a long period of time.  I am unfamiliar with what is on the table. However, parking and traffic enforcement needs to be a LOT better.  I believe that the Code Enforcement PROCEDURE is weak; there are eyesores all around town - a few I have been trying to mitigate for quite a while with little success because of involved, convoluted, easily- sidestepped procedures. Also, people should not be initiating complaints; personnel - police, trash collectors, city employees in trucks, etc. - should call in or report nuisances, violations. I do not want to be taxed in any way for a bus system; I pay for the privilege of using a car through gasoline taxes and my tags - and I walk and bike all over. If people want a bus instead of a car, or cannot have a car for whatever reason, it is reasonable to ask them to pay a fare since they are not paying for anything now. It would be a double tax if you create a mil levy of any amount - and I have three properties upon which it would be imposed. No, No, No.  I believe that the Code Enforcement PROCEDURE is weak; there are eyesores all around town - a few I have been trying to mitigate for quite a while with little success because of involved, convoluted, easily- sidestepped procedures. Also, people should not be initiating complaints; personnel - police, trash collectors, city employees in trucks, etc. - should call in or report nuisances, violations. I do not want to be taxed in any way for a bus system; I pay for the privilege of using a car through gasoline taxes and my tags - and I walk and bike all over. If people want a bus instead of a car, or cannot have a car for whatever reason, it is reasonable to ask them to pay a fare since they are not paying for anything now. It would be a double tax if you create a mil levy of any amount - and I have three properties upon which it would be imposed. No, No, No.  I believe the city should focus on the parks and recs sports programs, while I am very happy that the city has them, many are poorly managed and the fee to game ratio is getting too high. Additionally street repair and maintenance always seems to be lagging, while the council keeps raising water rates at a deplorable rate. Finally the city should reconsider the ban on concealed carry within the city, there is no reason to punish and put law abiding citizens at risk. Criminals don't follow the law, thus his law punishes the lawful more than the lawless.  I believe we need to keep Laramie cleaner and more beautiful. Enforce businesses and homeowners to follow rules regarding trash. Require businesses such as Wal-Mart to meet some standards of aesthetics like they do in other communities. If money is to be spent planting trees, enforce the upkeep and watering. Planting trees and then not regularly watering is a waste of money.  I feel like the sidewalk and streets should be a focus in the City of Laramie.  I feel like you have done a great job improving Laramie in the past few years (snow removal, curbside recycling). I think that changing the curbs to make sidewalks more wheelchair accessible would be a priority.  I feel that preventative maintenance on infrastructure, such as pipes, would be most economical in the long run. Though it is not a visible use of funds, I feel that stopping events like main brakes before they happen would save the city money and lead to more money in the future for visible promotional projects like beautification.  I really can't say because I live out in the county and only come to town for groceries. And then I take the interstate around the areas you are concerned with.  I recently spoke to some firefighters during a routine inspection and asked about station 3. I was very confused when I found out that the Ambulance service is not "districted" as in an ambulance will drive by a fire station that has firefighters and an ambulance to show up to an emergency call. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 100  I think that the pavement of Grand Ave from 15th street to 3rd is shameful. It should be repaved like the eastern side with material that does not expand and crack as much with the harsh weather. Also, I don't think that it was efficient last summer to "fix" the bridge to west Laramie at Clark St. when it is just going to be torn down, could the funds that went to paving Harney (which was just fine in the first place) not have just built the new bridge? I think quality is more important than just randomly throwing money around to make certain parts of town seem nicer. I am tired of having to get my car fixed because of pot holes and gutters that expand a foot further than they should.  I think the city is doing a pretty good job!  I truly feel the money we are charged are overpriced!! Our water is disgusting—streets are full of potholes, street lighting is horrendous! When you drive into Laramie it’s mortifying! My kids have moved away because of lack of improvements and no growth.  I would like a more comprehensive recycling and compost program.  I would like the light at 9th and Grand to last longer for those walking to and from UW.  I would like them to quit focusing on stupidity and start using some common sense. For example, the major focusing on a three quarter mile and tearing up neighborhoods instead.  I would like to see a dog park at LaPrele park, including Huck Fin Pond or a water area for dogs to swim and mingle.  I would like to see Laramie become more bicycle-friendly through development of paths, bike lanes, and education events. The town is so flat that it’s a perfect place for bicycles.  I would like to see MAJOR infrastructure improvements including drainage, storm sewers, water lines, sidewalks, and continued street resurfacing. I would like the recycling to include glass, batteries and CFLs. I would like the planning on the Harney St. viaduct to be completed and a route chosen, so those of us who might be affected can actually make some decisions regarding our property. I would like there to be an emphasis on increasing economic diversity. If the city is going to enforce the weed ordinances within the city limits, I would like to see them go after the UP and their property on the west side. I hope the new bus system works out. I would like to see more beautification projects because I really like much of what has been done so far.  I would like to see more bike paths around so bikes could be safely used as transportation.  I would like to see more chain-restaurants brought into Laramie, such as Italian food, a steakhouse, etc. I definitely think it's important to improve the look of Laramie from every entrance into town.  I would like to see more focus on the following: 1. Code enforcement with respect to weed control and junk. This is mostly a problem within the tree area where some homes appear to have been completely neglected. 2. Citing motorists for excessively loud vehicles. It really is a nuisance especially on Grand Avenue and 3rd Street.  I would like to see more patrols on streets—speed control observation for the pedestrians. Dogs on leashes, more productive things for kids to do, parents being liable for kids getting in trouble.  I would like to see one side of the streets used as bike paths rather than competing with traffic. The side for bikes could be tarmac rather than cement.  I would like to see somewhere for dogs to be able to run off leash now that you passed regressive dog leash laws. Second, I would like to see the city lobby for acquiring the land over the aquifer that has been proposed for a state park, i.e. warren livestock land. Third, Laramie is an ugly city and I would like to see businesses and private residences be required to clean up their trashy act. Thank you. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 101  I would like to see street maintenance, as well as a focus on walk-in fishing areas on the Laramie river, improving accessibility, garbage clean-up by the river, etc. Thanks!  I would like to see the City of Laramie focus on the reduction of services. City Tax money should only be spent on the essential services. No tax money should be spent on ANY non-profit organizations in Laramie! The goal of City of Laramie Government should be to reduce total expenditures each year by 5% from the prior year and adhere to this plan for the next 5 years. The city should sell any and all land that it owns so that land could provide some tax base for the city. The City should not buy any property- the "Old Pigeon House" should be the last real estate error the City of Laramie makes.  I would like to see the City of Laramie focus on up keep on the roads...repair the never ending problem of pot holes and drainage it is horrible in this town!! Also when you do repair a street make sure it is done right...since they have done our area it has been horrible!!! We were better off the way it was then what it is now...and as far as I am concerned the West side of town and downtown 1st and 2nd street is nasty looking...the west side needs sidewalks and roads!  I would like to see the city pave the street on North 5th street next to LaBonte Park!!! We need that done before we need public bus system!!!  I would like to see the focus on road repair and bike paths. It is unsafe to bike around Laramie and it should be fixed. There are tons of benefits to biking and the city should support those efforts. The roads are horrible as well as there are a lot of pot holes. Those issues mean the most to me.  I would like to see the roads get brought up to a higher standard. The Clark Street bridge also looks like it is about to fall down. I also think that city-wide snow removal is necessary.  I would really like to see Laramie focus on its residential roads. The streets of Laramie are very bumpy and many could use repaving, as well as work on curbs and gutters. I think that focus needs to extend to the winter also. I don't understand why the city doesn't plow the majority of its streets. I live beside a grade school and I'll see a plow truck go by spreading gravel, but no plow on the front? That doesn't make sense to me. If you're going to pay to have the truck out spreading gravel, pay to have it plowing.  I'd like to see more trash clean-up done around major shopping centers, like Wal-Mart, Kmart: it's truly discouraging coming southeast into Laramie and see all that trash and white plastic bags blowing along the fence lines. I'd also like to see more effort made to stop folks INCLUDING THE CITY POLICE from using their cell phones while driving.  I'd like to see the city getting more involved in the renters' market. There are great deals of rentals in our community that are not fit to live in. There are landlords that go too far. I feel like a property owners in Laramie are exploiting Wyoming's youth. There needs to be standards to protect our young men and women. I'm thankful I have a nice home and landlord, but I hear the horror stories around town. You shouldn't be able to rent out a dwelling that has no way to heat itself or running water. I would go as far to say that I would like to see property owners obtain a certificate of occupancy from the city before they could rent out a dwelling. Switching gears, I want to discuss an issue that happened to me last year. The water line a block from house burst and the city had to repair it. At about 7pm a public worker knocked on my door to tell me that his crew had worked 12 hours and was going home for the night. I still had no running water. I work in IT, if a server goes down, I don't get to throw up my hands and say, "I've been here 12 hours, and I’m going home." Why should public works get that right? It is very poor customer service. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 102  If the state comes up with the money, buy the Warren livestock land east of town. Don't make it a bloody park. Other than dog walkers and runners, people won't use it. Don't waste money. Just call it an aquifer protection zone and use the money for sewer and storm drain maintenance.  If you knew how much I have survey evaluation and such I would not get these things. I do not want to identify my number.  Improve recycling and trash service, bring in downtown business, after school programs for kids.  Improved maintenance of major streets-potholes and pavement breaking up in many places. Lengthen the time of yellow lights at intersections. The short time interval from yellow to red is so short that it creates an unsafe situation where drivers are lamming on their brakes to avoid being caught in the intersection on the red.  Improved maintenance of major streets-potholes and pavement breaking up in many places. Lengthen the time of yellow lights at intersections. The short time interval from yellow to red is so short that it creates an unsafe situation where drivers are lamming on their brakes to avoid being caught in the intersection on the red.  Improved snow removal on major residential streets as well as on main commercial city streets.  Improved street lighting at night. I have been lost at in Laramie, a distressing experience.  Improvement of the water and sewer and improvement of the roads and cleaning up the entrance to the city along 3rd street. It looks pretty bad.  In so far as the city has any say in the matter, I'd like to see the proposed land purchase east of Laramie brought to fruition for the purpose of land conservation and recreation development. As well, the city needs to seriously address the issue of again water infrastructure.  Indoor recreation for winter time.  Indoor tennis facility. Greenway from Laramie into the Happy Jack area. Better bike paths- maybe even an east west bike only street  Infrastructure of water, sewer, roads, and bridges should be at the top of the list.  Infrastructure, not services.  Infrastructure. No more crap like piggy-backing the rec center on an infrastructure vote to get it passed after it failed twice on its own!  Infrastructure; upgrade utilities delivery. Patch or re-pave the streets. Spend some funds developing a bike path/greenway/park down Spring Creek. Get Hospice some land that is closer to the hospital on which to build. Help West Laramie get the street all paved. I like the idea of buses for people that have jobs with regular hours; I do shift work so probably would not be able to take advantage of a bus system.  Installing a drive-up deposit box for city utilities for the handicapped and residents on weather days. Now you have to get out of your car and fight No Parking spaces and snow and ice in the curb and street.  Issue the damn liquor licenses already. The whole process had the made the city council look foolish and hostile toward businesses. If the population of the Laramie can support two more liquor licenses according to the state, they should be issued So much time has been wasted because the council has to continually ask the city attorney what the heck is going on during those meetings. Please ask the vice-mayor to educate himself on how to run the meeting for other times the mayor is not there. Poo Karl gets confused pretty easily by the protocol and only drags things out instead of keeping everyone in order. Now whichever two lucky businesses get a license will be forced to try and succeed without the benefit of the much of the ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 103 college community in town. I'm sure it will be easier for them to put make ends meet when a fourth of the Gem City is gone for the summer.  It's great that the City is focused on aquifer protection. I work closely with a lot of City departments on community projects and am generally very pleased. As a single person I somewhat resent my water and trash bill continuing to go up when I don’t use much water at all and only need to push my trash bin out about once a month.  Keeping an eye on the kids and watching gang development closely 307s and 313 [illegible].  Keeping sewer line flowing, also storm sewers.  Landfill rates for residential trips (non-commercial) are inappropriate. The access fee penalizes the resident from making convenience trips to the landfill. Instead, the resident now finds ways to bag all trash/garbage so the city will pick it up and take it to the landfill. City residents ought to be able to access the landfill with typical residential trash for a fee of no more than two to three dollars.  Landfill use is extremely expensive which inhibits folks from wanting to clean up our town!  Laramie citizens need to make an improvement in whom they vote for as a commissioner…those fellows are HORRID!  Leash law enforced and picking up after dogs. Watch Optimist more closely in summer.  Let a bigger variety of businesses start up. When Laramie becomes isolated in the event of highway shutdown, many resources are cut off. Let larger restaurant chains such as Fuddruckers, 5 guys, etc. move in. Quit being such a yuppie town and let equal opportunity expand.  Let people in West Laramie have some say.  Let the city have different restaurants come into town. We need like a Golden Corral (buffet) and a Target store and any other different restaurants and stores.  Library funding/support—with the economy as it is, more people are relying on the services provided. Take more control of the ACTA instead of letting the university ramrod their decisions through.  Lighting in parks until 10 pm because they are so dark no one can have activities there in the evenings.  Maintain City streets and have homeowners cut back on trees and bushes that obstruct vision on cross streets.  Maintain what the city has first, and then build new, roads and sewer especially.  Make Laramie more attractive to businesses such as Target, Chic-fil-a, etc.  Making sure there are well maintained sidewalks all throughout the city limits.  Making the Rec. Center affordable to the community.  Man-made street bump (Harney), stop sign running, curb, gutter, sidewalk problem, tailgating traffic.  Many city employees do not seem to have been trained in their duties and responsibilities. There is an elitist attitude held by many city employees and a tendency for employees to interpret regulations, policies, and procedures in a way that conforms to their personal value systems.  Monitor traffic more closely on Grand Ave.  More consumer option…, for men, more “green” option. I would like to see more energy efficient and “green” choices. Also, police protection should focus more on bigger crimes like domestic violence rather than petty crimes.  More crosswalks on Ivinson and 9th around the University Bus Service to West Laramie.  More emphasis on manufacturing; family wage jobs. Get rid of cars/trailers parked on streets for extended periods of time. Protect businesses, not the aquifer. Too much emphasis paid on the aquifer. Do not sell it to the State of Wyoming. Government officials are in favor of the sale; I am not. Just one more piece of ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 104 land handed to the government. Street repair is ridiculous. Quality of work is poor. I cringe at tax payer dollars continually being spent on sub quality work.  More kid friendly establishments, besides bowling.  More outlets for the teenagers to have fun and possibly find enjoyment without drinking or the use of drugs.  More programs for youth through rec. perhaps. Limitations in gymnastics, dance etc. “Unless of course you have the money.” I’m a struggling single mother of two; I wish my children had some opportunities as others. Work and go to school.  More stop signs & crosswalks in the residential areas. Traffic lights at the Safeway entrance!  More trees, bushes, flowers planted; junk cleanup, like junk cars; boom-boxes ticketed.  More water line replacement.  Mostly the sewer systems those are a special concern and have been for some time.  My neighbor has a bad weed problem and nothing is being done about it as he is very negligent in his maintenance of his property.  Need feedback on recycling. We have almost no information about whether we are putting the correct material in recycling and whether it is done properly. I get upset when the city waters its lawns on a rainy day. I would like watering to start later in the evening, so that we can walk and exercise without hindrance. I think it should start after 10 PM. I have seen picnics sprayed and people hurrying to remove their materials. I would like to see special bicycle lanes cleared of snow to encourage people to use bicycles all year around.  Neglect of properties by absentee landlords who rent to students.  Network of bike paths. Fenced in dog parks/areas on east side of tracks, preferably north & south.  New library.  No comment at this time.  Not at the moment.  Not my chair not my problem.  Nothing huge but in the alley next to Coal Creek downtown there is a major pothole that fills with water and gets to be about a foot deep.  Nothing special. I have been happy here for 60 years!  On Ivinson St. across 8th St. the shoulder of the street is not paved. It creates a problem. The uncapped shoulder accumulates water, stagnant, stinking in summer. It is very bad sanity.  Our historic downtown appears dirty. Streets need cleaned, trash cans are scarce are often full. Small business support to generate tax revenue. Police need to focus on more serious crimes rather than just being traffic cops. I've had two major thefts in y business with very little attention giving them.  Our water rates are extremely high compared to other cities in Wyoming & the region.  Parking is a huge issue in my neighborhood. I would like to see the street between my home and the anthropology building become city parking. I am unable to park at my house because of this.  Parking lots downtown are in need of re-paving and new lines painted. More bike paths.  Parking, parking, parking. I would like to see less focus on the downtown and more on the rest of the city.  Pave streets in West Laramie. Even paving without curb and gutter would be a vast improvement.  PAVE THE ROADS ADJACENT TO LINFORD ELEMENTARY!!! It is an absolute crime that these streets are in such dangerous shape. Crosswalks for children are a joke, sidewalks disappear after every rain, parking for busses requires kids to walk through major mud puddles. FIX THEM! TOP PRIORITY! ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 105  Pavement for West Laramie, especially by the park and school. Mud is a huge problem for the school kids. The junkyard on North 4th is terrible.  Paving the major streets and residential streets of West Laramie as is and has been done in the rest of Laramie.  Paving West Laramie. Listen to the public, really listening, stop nit-picking.  Paving Wyoming Ave. It’s a shame for the children going to school. They breathe in all that dust and lord knows what else.  Paying for studies to improve the city and not using the information.  Pedestrian crosswalk across 3rd, near Safeway.  Police appear to comb streets after a certain time at night. Not everyone is driving home from a bar; sometimes night schedules for work create a situation where one is driving home at night. Law enforcement shouldn't be too quick to assume everyone is diving under the influence, it feels that way sometimes driving home from a night shift at work.  Police making more routine sweeps through different neighborhoods. Being seen more often in other areas.  Police should be a protection for the residents, not just issue traffic tickets.  Pot holes and road work on grand. Better snow removal around schools and civic center (near Garfield street).  Pot holes!  Potholes and street maintenance.  Potholes in roads, very bad around my residence.  Projects to keep youth out of trouble and focused on right, wrong, education, and equality.  Proper street maintenance. Currently, Laramie is unable to keep up with the wear and tear on city streets, particularly potholes on main and residential streets.  Protect Laramie’s water, air quality, and open spaces!  Protecting Laramie’s environment is very important in my opinion; outdoor enthusiasts love to come here! We should keep up that good reputation as an outdoor community.  Protection of aquifer, extension of greenbelt, continuation of the fine appearance and use of our parks, traffic control - get rid of cell phone and text use by drivers.  Protection of aquifers.  Provide me with money to fix my sidewalk. I live right by Undine Park, and my sidewalk is a wreck (was that way prior to me moving in). I can hardly shovel it because it is so uneven. I know there is the sidewalk pavement joint concrete program, but it could be 10 years before the City will fix it. I believe it is a high priority area, provide me with the money; I'll get it fixed, problem solved. I don't want somebody falling and getting hurt and trying to sue me. There are others in my neighborhood that has sidewalks in similar shape (5th and Park area).  Providing specific information on the front end of projects and policies rather than on the back end. Expanding the green belt around town.  Public bus transportation system beyond grand covering places like dollar tree & staples and residential areas north including campus habitat and south.  Public transportation system that is effective and not wasteful.  Put portapotties in the parks. Whoever removed them should be exiled. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 106  Put some fish in the lake of City Park and open to citizen for fishing.  Put stop signs in West Laramie please! And more parking downtown. Please fix & pave roads! I just paid $900 to fix my car due to rough dirt roads & pot holes!  Quality of the streets and providing productive activities for college students to cut down on drug/alcohol use.  Real bike lanes, partnership with the University of Wyoming to expand/improve SafeRide and other DUI mitigation strategies, decriminalize marijuana, public bike sharing program.  Redoing the downtown infrastructure, also helping us on a flood prevention concrete wall preserving our living facility!  Reopen Lewis Street; deal with potholes on Grand more efficiently.  Repair all roads. After sewer repair, fix road surface immediately instead of waiting six months. Enforce vehicle and pollution regulation on tech school students.  Repair streets at 3rd, 15th, Curtis, Grand, and Snowy Range. Dance and gymnastics at the Recreation Center. Funding to the Public Library.  Repair the roads.  Repairing water and sewer infrastructure; Roller Skating Rink.  Repaving and fixing the manhole covers on Grand Ave. It becomes a hazard when people swerve to miss the manhole covers. It messes up our alignment and is damaging to tires.  Repaving of street between Alsop and Hancock on 21st Street. It’s like a roller coaster! They redid it at least twice several years ago and it’s still not right.  Restricting light pollution; no development on mesa north of town; better connection of bike paths around city; protection of Casper Aquifer from development.  Road maintenance (both road/alley and snow removal), increased business opportunities i.e. more businesses encouraged to be in town. If bars are the main thing students have in terms of businesses to go to for entertainment, then drinking will be the main ting students do. Some parks need to be cleaned.  Roads are not too good and street light is often insufficient in the dark time.  Roads: Fix the pot holes; please all roads like Harney Street= VERY NICE! Stop lights: Need optimizing.  Services for elderly. I'd like my parents to move here and happy to see the bus service, but there are few services for elderly who need care/services. Too many laws to enforce.  Severely reduce scope of landfill “improvements”. Create blue light district in downtown. Buses are a poor second choice to a trolley system.  Sewer and water distribution system and then streets! Also, UW and Tech student crime and noise.  Sewer and water/water protection issues. Too many city officers, (please down size and same with ARC and Laramie Rec Center). We need to save money in these areas during the lean years.  Sidewalks and neighborhood lighting. Running red lights.  Sidewalks, and street paving.  Sidewalks-often trip over uneven sidewalks. Might allocate street cleaning toward something else. Knowing which week recycling occurs.  Slow down the development, truly protect the water, and follow some kind of unified development code--the ever changing individual decisions and preferences given by the city manager's office staff are absolutely ridiculous. The same decisions and information are never given or followed more than once--the inconsistency is a huge problem. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 107  Snow removal and public transportation.  Snow removal and road upkeep.  Snow removal is a serious safety issue here. I understand that most snow fall is melted within a few days, but there is always a snow storm or two each year that leaves snow on the roads for weeks. In these cases only the major roads are cleared, but all ide roads and some higher traffic roads are left alone to the point that the snow is compacted into an ice sheet. During these periods my car will slide into oncoming traffic when attempting to stop at a stop sign (starting speed is 5 mph!). This is very dangerous. I am from MN. Their policy is to have snow emergencies. During a snow emergency opposite sides of all roads are designated for snow removal where each citizen is responsible for moving/not parking their car on that side of the road that day (he day after the snow storm). The other side of the road will then be designated for snow removal the next day. In order for this to work the city will have to get the word out with fliers (and other media sources) and unfortunately towing non-compliant vehicles. After a few snow emergencies you will see a drastic decrease in towing incidences. As I stated earlier, only snow storms where we get six inches or more and sustained sub-melting weather for days afterwards will a snow emergency need to be implemented. Normally I would just walk to work on these days (since I feel driving is dangerous), but very few people remove snow from their sidewalks. Most sidewalks are ice sheets as well. Thank you for listening to this suggestion and I would greatly appreciate any attention you can give to this serious problem.  Snow removal on all streets, improvement of bicycle accessibility/bike lanes and routes, discontinue spraying for mosquitoes (we do not have many mosquitoes here compared to truly humid communities in the US), continued curbside recycling.  Snow removal on small streets and residential area.  Snow removal side streets, downtown parking areas make sidewalks full of bicycles and skateboards. Enforce noise ordinances downtown, especially cars and trucks, drag racing down 3rd St.  Speed reduction in residential areas (i.e. better enforcement of existing laws). Speed up replacement of old water line which are just patched two or three times in the same block with residential flooding each time.  Spend more time focused on attracting business to locate here rather than whose dog is on a leash.  Spend more time focused on attracting business to locate here rather than whose dog is on a leash.  Spread some mulch from LaBonte at the Greenbelt dog park. Don't build the viaduct straight through the Westside neighborhood, build it around.  Stick to the basics—infrastructure, serve and protect, spend money that benefits the majority of resident, not the minority. Make development pay its way!  Stop procrastinating on the liquor license issue and issue licenses to businesses that will most benefit local community; CrowBar and Grill plans to source as many ingredients as possible from local farmers, ranchers, and other businesses (Big Hollow Food Co-op). This is better than many other applicants whose businesses will not support the local community in this way.  Stop putting houses in what is left of our open spaces, putting a further burden on our infrastructure.  Stop repairing water and sewer system, also repair streets, curb, and gutter.  Stop signs for all remaining uncontrolled city intersections.  Stop spending so much damn money that we do not have.  Stop the loud noise from cars/pickups and stop the speeding on the highway in West Laramie [illegible] highway early in the morning and weekends. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 108  Stoplight/crosswalk at corner of Bradley and 3rd Street. Development of trails/open space east of town or aquifer protection area.  Storm drain improvement projects—maybe involve ACSD students to support the initiative. You do a terrific job with parks & recreation.  Street conditions—maintenance.  Street improvements.  Street maintenance & code enforcement.  Street maintenance and sidewalk condition improvement.  Street maintenance, crime, private property rules enforced, sewer and water lines.  Street maintenance, water sewage rates, snow removal, code enforcement of homes on 1st St, and building code enforcement of rental property.  Street maintenance.  Street pavements.  Street paving.  Street repair and paving streets that are currently unpaved.  Street repair and upkeep seems to be falling behind the mark. Building the Harney Street viaduct and rebuilding a Clark St. viaduct should be important.  Street repairs, storm water drainage, underage drinking.  Street repairs.  Streets & waterlines.  Streets are embarrassing when I bring friends to town. Water and sewer rates are outrageous; I have a friend in Vegas that pays almost ½ of our bill. I would like to stay in Laramie the rest of my life but I don’t think I can afford it.  Streets are terrible. Parking around town is terrible. Water tastes terrible. Too many police officers compared to amount of crime. Parking tickets when there’s no parking? Come on! Way highly priced for a parking ticket.  Streets, alleys, curbs and sidewalks.  Streets, sidewalks, and storm drains including the curb and gutters are horrible. We want to be able to skate on our pond (LaBonte) or have another ice rink put in (possibly outdoor). The current ice rink’s prices are outrageous.  Take care of the mess at the dump - blowing garbage.  Take care of the streets. They are in poor condition.  Tennis courts at the Rec Center.  Thank you for tackling the long-ignored water infrastructure and thanks for developing the bus line—projects like this will greatly benefit Laramie long term.  Thanks for curbside recycling!  The city council is a joke including [name removed], they promote no growth or expansion of the city.  The City of Laramie needs to focus on the Snowy Range Road Bridge it is in bad disrepair and seems like it ought to be tore down and rebuilt it is scary to drive across especially in winter too steep. Concrete crumbles off the rebar daily as well and it is really dirty. Secondly, Laramie ought to focus on road repair in town - for example Ivinson street has had yearly, major potholes and ruts it is hard to drive/bike on and is ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 109 Lastly, a priority for Laramie ought to be code notice - there are many, many homes on the Westside (near Bud's Bar and so on) that are not up to code and have severe weed violations some even have stagnant water that breeds mosquitos. Thank you for all the City of Laramie does, however. I realize our tax base is small and you can only do so much.  The city service cost/charges are much too high.  The hospital craziness. I drive the Wheatland after my last experience. Poor experience across the board.  The ineptness of police detectives, the fact that those who commit perjury are not charged with a crime, and the lack of charges against those who slander others to the police.  The large dips in the road are terrible for smaller cars, and destroyed my front bumper. Also, snow is allowed to build up and turn to ice on the roads and sidewalks which make it very dangerous for everyone. The sidewalks are also in a horrible state ad need to be repaved.  The majority of vehicles on S. Colorado Avenue seem to be loud pick-ups with no regard for the speed limit.  The potholes in Grand, 15th, 9th, and Sheridan. Also, sidewalks on Grand are uprooted from trees, they are not safe to walk or ride on any time of day.  The protection of all current drinking waters supplies is imperative, without good water there is no town. Controlling development, zoning, etc. is a part of this.  The purchase of the Casper aquifer recharge area is an historic opportunity. There are many reasons that are commonly cited, all of which are compelling, but perhaps the most important is that the space will become revered just like Central Park in New York, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, The Mall in Washington D.C. and other wonderful public spaces in cities. It will be one more feature that makes Laramie special. It will attract exceptional entrepreneurs, educators, artists, athletes, doctors, etc. who will help Laramie thrive. Imagine showing prospective employees this grand park and watching their eyes bug out. We only have one shot at this. Let's do it!  The residential areas of Laramie are disgusting. Landlords do VERY little to keep their properties in decent shape, renters do even less. Housing is falling apart. EVERY road in Laramie is a problem, and needs resurfaced. When resurfacing is done, it does not last more than 1 year.  The roads are terrible; they need a lot of work. There are potholes and frost heaves everywhere. Intersections need a lot of attention too. Mainly painting corner curbs yellow and ticketing people that park to close to the corner. These cars prevent a drier from having a clear line of sight to safely pull into an adjacent street.  The roads could be better. When filling a pot hole I don't like how it turns into a speed bump/extruding lump instead of a flat road.  The streets are the main problem.  The tap water tastes very chemical—like and sometimes makes my girlfriend and I sick. Otherwise an amazing town.  The water and trash bill is way too high, a city of Golden, CO resident pays $65.oo every quarter for all three (recycling included). Our streets are not maintained properly. Pot holes are not filled timely. Water mains break quite often too and then we have crappy patches after.  There is too much road construction going on at the same time in the summers.  To be strongly pro-business.  Top heavy administration not worth their salaries—concentrate on infrastructure.  Traffic lights—some are too long of a wait and some barely get one car across before it turns red. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 110  Traffic/speeding enforcement, permit parking enforcement  Unauthorized storage of vehicles on 45th street using the University of Wyoming property south of crow to drive and let dogs run. I would like to see that turned into a park.  Upgrade water distribution system.  Upgrading the infrastructure  Using the buses is a problem getting to work at 0645 or home at 11:30 (depending on my shift). Expanding the bike paths and green belt would be delightful. There are lots of walkers & bikers in this town and I think they would be heavily used. The recycling program is great. There is about a 2 week period or more when mosquitoes are a real problem.  Water protection; update sewer lines; street maintenance; attracting businesses for growth and better employment opportunities; maintaining an excellent library.  Water, environment, traffic control (WyoTech area), street maintenance, codes example: signs posted on traffic poles, power poles, and never removed!  We have been putting the “over pass” situation off HOW MANY YEARS? How much has the project cost gone up over that time due to rising costs of everything!!! I think we are all tired of city council dragging their feet all the time. Like “Nike” says—just do it!!!  We need to encourage new businesses to come to Laramie so we can stop losing our youth.  When someone goes into the city for anything to do with property get them all on the same page with one answer; not a different answer for each person. Who is the boss?  Why are we the only city in Wyoming that does not plow the side streets? Park by old Wal-Mart. To protect aquifer! To walk in!  Widen Grand Ave. (cut down trees). Lower fees at rec. center. Clean out gutter more often and sewer drains wouldn’t get clogged.  Widen Grand Avenue; extend 30th south to Sheridan and/or SP.CR.DR.  Windbreak at rec. center.  Work on dog parks. Protect aquifer; get some open space right of way access to forest land. Expand bike paths and trails.  Yes! Due to the high number of students in this town, many of which use bicycles or their feet to get around town, I'd focus on making this town safer for pedestrians and bicyclists! There is one project that I believe needs urgent attention: Many student shop at Safeway, as it is the only store that one can walk or bike to easily. Unfortunately, there is no crosswalk anywhere close to 3rd and E Bradley, which results in a lot of jaywalkers! I'd suggest to put up a traffic light at 3rd and Bradley in order to make this town a friendlier place for cyclists and pedestrians.  Yes! Laramie really needs to clean up, residents, businesses everywhere, our town looks dumpy!!! I have lived here many, many years and things seem to go downhill. Clean-up!!!  Yes, improving Grand Avenue, making it safer to drive on the corner of Grand & 3rd, also Grand & 15th. A suggestion, (make Grand Ave a one-way street, and Garfield St. a one-way street).  Yes, in the tree area owners don’t take care of trees and insurance companies won’t cover if damage is done to a neighbor’s property.  Yes, SAVING MONEY instead of hemorrhaging it! Just let Laramie be Laramie and quit trying to turn it into Fort Collins. A major improvement would be to ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 111 hire only LOCAL companies to do local work. Another major improvement would be to quit spending $X for consultation when the projects themselves are only worth Simply put - quit trying to find things to spend money on, or things to change all the time - the people of Laramie will let you know when we want things changed. It's not the City's duty to create problems and then find solutions for them, nor is it the City's job to create solutions for problems which don't exist - yet I feel strongly this is what the City does (routinely). Quit telling people what they can do with their own property, and quit making laws that are applied unevenly across the county. (Junk ordinance for instance). I would love to see the City of Laramie get rid of the City Manager and make the move to an ELECTED mayor.  Yes. Instead of cops concentrating on making money on the school zone on Snowy Ridge road, how about they patrol Grand Avenue and downtown for speeders, erratic drivers, and drivers running red lights. I live within the school zone (which is nowhere near the school), and often times see individuals pulled over. I never have, myself, but 85% of the time there is a cop sitting there waiting to pull someone over. I never see kids crossing the streets in that stretch, rarely see a bus, and I wonder why we’re wasting money on having cops sitting there morning and afternoon--especially when there are so many other issues such as those mentioned above. Also, I don't feel comfortable with a cop just sitting outside of my house at random times during the day; sing my vehicle as hiding spot. Outside of the driving issue, I have heard that the university does not pay city utilities. If this is true, it is absolutely ridiculous. The school should be paying their fair share of water usage, garbage collection, and sewage usage. Lastly, I would like to see the Parks and Recs Fitness Center get a rock climbing wall. There are a few folks that would like to rock climb during the winter, but Ft. Collins appears to be the best location for those of us who would like utilize a rock wall. I know the university has a wall, but there are limited options for non- students/facility members of Laramie for use. Thank you for your time. What kind of follow-up will I see to address my concerns?  Zoning, Casper aquifer. ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 112 Appendix C. Survey Instrument ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 113 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 114 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 115 ---PAGE BREAK--- WYSAC, University of Wyoming City of Laramie Survey, 2012 116 Appendix D. Laramie Areas Map Areas for this map were defined by City officials, and the map was created by the Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center. The same map was used in the 2008 City of Laramie survey.