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For more information about Eugene Counts, see http://eugene-or.gov/EugeneCounts or contact Terrie Monroe at <br />terrie.e.monroe@ci.eugene.or.us or 541-682-5412. <br /> <br />Community Survey Reveals Views on Services, Economy, Safety and Downtown <br />The annual Eugene Community Survey was conducted by Advanced Marketing Research during November and <br />December. A total of 400 respondents were surveyed about their perceptions of the community and City of Eugene <br />services. Below is a discussion of some of this year’s findings. <br /> <br />More than four out of five respondents (82%) report being very or somewhat satisfied with the overall level of City <br />services. When respondents were asked to rate the quality of individual City services, the library topped the list <br />with 87% deeming it “above average,” followed closely by the bikeway system (86%). City parks were most <br />frequently mentioned (91%) when respondents were asked which services they or their families had used in the <br />last year, followed by the library (79%), airport (71%) and the Hult Center (66%). <br /> <br />It is important to note when looking at the quality ratings that respondents have varying levels of exposure to the <br />different services, so these are perceptions offered by users and non-users alike. Taking the ratings for each <br />service in the context of reported levels of usage helps make the information more meaningful. <br /> <br />Echoing national trends, perceptions about economic opportunity in Eugene have deteriorated dramatically over <br />the last two years, with more than half (51%) of respondents saying they felt their economic opportunity had <br />worsened, up by a third over 2008 (38%) and more than double those who felt their economic opportunity was <br />worse in the 2007 survey (23%). <br /> <br />Support for the City taking an active role in assisting businesses to increase economic opportunity has increased <br />over that same two-year period, though the intensity of support varies depending on which specific strategy is <br />being discussed. Nearly nine out of 10 respondents (89%) advocate the City providing problem-solving help with <br />siting, permit and development issues and 84% want the City to take an active role in helping local businesses <br />create and retain jobs. Respondents also supported helping outside companies locate in Eugene (75%) and <br />providing tax incentives to businesses creating new jobs (66%). While fewer respondents supported the idea of <br />providing help with road, sewer and utility costs (59%) and providing financial support to businesses in targeted <br />areas such as downtown (58%), both strategies have seen considerable increases in support since 2007. <br /> <br />The level of comfort people feel about walking alone after dark varies depending on location. People report a <br />greater sense of safety walking in their neighborhoods over the past two years, with 96% of respondents reporting <br />that they feel very or somewhat safe walking alone in their neighborhoods after dark compared to 89% in 2008, <br />and 83% in 2007. The trend headed the opposite direction when respondents were asked about business areas. <br />Almost a third fewer (65%) said they feel very or somewhat safe walking alone in business areas after dark, <br />consistent with 65% in 2008, and down significantly from 76% in 2007. <br /> <br />Downtown is a growing concern for many. Only a quarter (25%) of respondents said they were very or somewhat <br />satisfied with downtown as it is today, compared to 33% in 2008. <br /> <br />To view the 2009 Eugene Community Survey results, go to http://www.eugene-or.gov/CityHall. For more <br />information, contact Terrie Monroe at terrie.e.monroe@ci.eugene.or.us or 541-682-5412. <br /> <br />Splash Dances Provide Fun for Middle School Students <br />Recreation’s aquatics program will hold another of its popular Splash Dances from <br />7:45 - 9:45 p.m. on January 22, at Echo Hollow Pool. Approximately 200 middle <br /> <br />school students typically attend the dances that feature live music witha D.J. and <br />swimming with only the underwater lights on in the pool. There are also dance <br />competitions to provide a fun-packed evening for youth in a chaperoned and safe <br />environment. For more information, call Rich Fay at 541-682-5525. <br /> <br /> <br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 <br />January 21, 2010 <br />