Community Needs Survey 09-14-1999 cl
TECHNICAL REPORT #99 -14
Submitted to:
The City of Hutchinson
and
The Community Needs Task Force
September 14, 1999
s
Report Prepared by:
Pamela J. Schomaker, Ph.D.
HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY NEEDS SURVEY - 1999:
RESULTS AND TECHNICAL REPORT
i
Minnesota Ceara foe Survey Research
Uoivershy of Minnesota
2331 University Avenue S.E., Suite 141
Minneapolis, 141imtesota 55414 -3067
(612) 627 -4282
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary .... ............................... 1
Goals.............. ..............................
Study Design and Management ............................ 5
Questionnaire Design ... ............................... 5
Sampling Design ...... ............................... 6
Data Collection Procedures ............................... 6
Management of the Data . ............................... 8
Completion Status ..... ............................... 8
Reading the Questionnaire and Results ........................ 9
Questionnaire and Results ............................... 10
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Other - Specify Responses ..................... A -1
Appendix B: Responses to Open -Ended Questions .............. B-1
Appendix C: Numeric and Administrative Variables ............. C -1
Appendix D: Cover Letters, Postcard Text, and Phone Script ....... D -1
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0►Y Dcally 0 1 I
The Hutchinson Community Needs Survey - 1999 was a mail survey funded by the City
of Hutchinson, Minnesota. The project was conducted by the Minnesota Center for
Survey Research at the University of Minnesota. The main goal of the survey was to
provide an opportunity for residents to communicate with city officials and the
Community Needs Task Force about what they feel are important needs for Hutchinson.
In addition, information was sought regarding how needs should be prioritized and to
learn about residents' preferences for funding options. Findings for the survey are
summarized below.
Based on the survey results, it is evident that residents hold varying opinions regarding
the needs of Hutchinson citizens. In general, residents are most supportive of using city
funding for existing programs or services and are concerned about cost of living issues
(e.g., taxes, affordable housing). In addition, although there is some support for funding
city programs or services with tax money, there is also opposition to this type of funding.
Analysis of the survey responses points to the following other conclusions:
■ The sources of local news residents rank most highly are the Hutchinson Leader,
IMUZ radio, and friends and family (i.e., word -of- mouth).
■ In terms of understanding of issues facing the City of Hutchinson, over one -half of
the residents (56 %) rate their understanding as fair, poor, or very poor.
Similarly, 57 percent rate the quality of information the city provides as fair,
poor, or very poor. A majority of residents (88 %) feel a regular column in the
Hutchinson Leader written by city officials would be very or somewhat valuable.
■ Residents most often agree that social needs are a priority. Approximately three -
quarters agree that affordable housing (81%), a senior center (75%), and a
domestic abuse victim shelter (73 %) are needs of the community. The importance
of social needs is further supported by responses to the open-ended question (Q6)
pertaining to important needs of Hutchinson. The three needs mentioned most
often are affordable housing, a teen center, and educational improvement.
■ Other needs that over one -half of the residents strongly or somewhat agree are
needs of Hutchinson are as follows: improvement of existing parks (72 %), a teen
center (65 %), downtown business development (64 %), industrial park
development (63 %), additional paved bike/walking trails (58 %), additional retail
development (58 %), and college student housing (57 %).
■ Residents' concern about youth is shown in answers to Q5b, Q6, and comments
written at the end of the survey. In general, survey results show that residents
feel that youth programs, a teen center, and educational improvements are
important needs.
NEMESOTA CBN= FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE 1
1: 111 ON: 1 10 0 „1,31 1JY• , -IUNo, @ -. /�1 ..
■ There is not a general consensus among Hutchinson residents regarding use of a
one million dollar state grant for a community civic center (Q7). Forty -one
percent prefer building a city-owned and operated center, 30 percent feel the grant
should be offered to a private developer, 14 percent would like to see the center
considered at a future date, and 15 percent would prefer to let the money go back
to the state.
■ Over three- quarters of the residents (80 %) feel it is very or somewhat important to
have some public use of a conference/cDnvention center that is city owned but is
privately financed, managed, and operated.
■ A majority of the residents feel the following items should be included in a
community civic center: meeting rooms (73 %), a senior center (73 %), banquet
rooms (70 %), trade show space (65 %), and a teen center (64 %).
■ Residents expressed concern about use of tax money to fund the community center
as well as concern about high taxes (see Appendix B for results for Q6 and
respondent comments). Use of Capital Improvement Fund Dollars is the funding
source residents ranked most highly. The next most preferred funding mechanism
is reallocation of existing dollars, followed by a temporary local sales tax, and a
property tax backed bonding bill.
■ Hutchinson residents are divided in opinion regarding use of a tax increase to fund
community needs. Just over one -half of the residents (51 %) would consider a tax
increase of some kind to fund a community need they felt was worthwhile, while
49 percent would not consider this type of funding. Of those residents who
answered the follow -up question (n = 263), 81 percent prefer a temporary local
1 h percent local sales tax, and 15 percent would prefer property taxes.
■ Of the residents who would consider a tax increase to fund a community need, the
servicesiprograms they most often indicated should be funded are a community
civic center, a senior center, a teen carter, a conferencelconvention center, and
educational improvement.
■ in terms of reallocation of existing dollars to make money available to fund a city
need, it appears that residents are hesitant about making recommendations, since
the responses most often written were don't know, do not cut services, and no
opinion. In addition, it should be noted that of the 564 survey respondents, only
48% wrote in a response to Q12. A number of respondents also stated they would
prefer to have more information before making a recommendation about services
to cut. The needs mentioned most often as programs or services that could be
reduced or eliminated are parks or recreation programs and city workers.
■ A majority of residents strongly or somewhat support city money being used to
financially assist the following needs: existing recreation facilities (86 %), youth
recreation programs (83 %), youth social programs (83 %), existing parks (83
promoting Hutchinson (79 %), senior citizen social programs (78%). family
PAGE 2 NUNN +SOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RIM R CE1
EMME 1SON COMMUNITY NEEDS SURVEY - 1999
programs (78 %), attracting new industries (76 %), senior recreation programs
(76 %), and attracting new retail businesses (72 %).
■ Regarding priorities for needs funded by tax dollars (Q14), the order in which
needs are ranked is as follows: existing developments and programs with new
needs, new industrial developments, new social programs/needs, new recreational
programs/needs, new retail developments, and new residential developments.
■ Over two-thirds of the residents (68 %) would prefer to vote on a city project or
issue in the November general election, as opposed to a special election. Over
one -half (56 %) also prefer to vote using a mail ballot.
■ A majority of residents (81 %) strongly agree that if multiple projects are included
on a referendum vote, the public should vote on each project individually. The
same percent also strongly agree that the public should be asked to vote when the
city wants to fund major new facilities.
■ One -half of the residents would prefer a local vote for project funding take place
before seeking state approval, while 30% would prefer to vote after receiving state
approval.
Additional analyses of the survey data were conducted to determine if differences in
survey answers among various subgroups of respondents are statistically significant.
Some of the results of these analyses are summarized below.
■ In terms of comparisons between residents who live within the Hutchinson city
limits and residents who live outside Hutchinson 42 percent of the people who
live in town indicated they prefer the one million dollar grant be used to build a
city owned community civic center, and 29 percent prefer a privately operated
conference/convention center. In contrast, for residents who live outside the city
limits, nearly one -third (32 %) prefer a city owned community center, and another
32 percent prefer a privately operated center.
With regard to the most important needs of Hutchinson (Q6), residents who live in
town ranked the following as the top three needs: affordable housing, a teen
center, and educational improvement. Residents who live outside of town ranked
these three needs as most important: more restaurants, educational improvement,
and affordable housing.
Fifty -two percent of the residents who live in town would consider a tax increase
to fund a city need they felt was worthwhile. In comparison, 42 percent of
residents living out of town would consider a tax increase for this purpose.
Both groups expressed similar opinions regarding preferences for financing options
(Q10). Both groups most prefer use of Capital Improvement Fund Dollars,
followed by reallocation of existing dollars, a temporary local sales tax, and a
property tax backed bonding bill. For Q14, importance of funding city projects,
the top three priorities identified by residents who live in town are as follows:
I..'��:1�I r.`! IJ�I. �YJ: IIN "WgLs'y.`: 000092H'
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existing developments and new projects, new industrial developments, and new
recreational programs/needs. Residents living outside the city limits ranked these
from most to least important as follows: existing developments and new projects,
new industrial developments, and new residential developments.
■ Hutchinson residents who have children living in their household indicated these
are the most important needs of Hutchinson: educational improvement, a teen
center, and affordable housing. The top three funding priorities (Q14) for families
with children are existing developments and programs with new needs, new
recreation programs, and new social programs.
■ Residents who are 65 or older feel the following are the most important needs of
Hutchinson: a senior center, affordable housing, and addressing traffic problems.
Residents over 65 chose these three needs as the top funding priorities: existing
developments and programs with new nerds, new industrial developments, and
new residential developments.
With regard to use of the one million dollar grant the following family /age
subgroups most often indicated they prefer a city owned community civic center
families with children, residents age 18 to 40 with no children at home, and
residents who are 65 or older. Those who are 41 to 65 with no children at home
most often selected option two for Q7 (a privately operated conference /convention
center) as their choice for use of the one million dollar grant.
■ Over one -half of the survey respondents are female (57%).
■ The average age is 50 years.
■ Have children under age 18 living in their household: 38 percent.
■ Have lived in the Hutchinson area for over 15 years: 61 percent.
■ Live within the Hutchinson city limits: 84 percent.
■ Own their home: 88 percent.
PAGE 4 NW4NES0TA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESE R Ct3
HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY NEEDS SURVEY - 1999
GOALS
As part of the process for identifying what needs the general public feels exist in
Hutchinson, the Hutchinson City Council authorized the formation of a broad -based
citizen task force. The Hutchinson Community Needs Survey was initiated by the task
force as a means of gathering information to assist them in identifying needs, priorities,
and funding mechanisms. The main goal of the survey was to provide an opportunity for
residents to communicate with city officials and the task force about what they feel are
important needs for Hutchinson. In addition, information was sought regarding how
needs should be prioritized and to learn about residents' preferences for funding options.
STUDY DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT
The Hutchinson Community Needs Survey - 1999 was conducted as a mail survey by the
Minnesota Center for Survey Research (MCSR) at the University of Minnesota. The
project was funded by the City of Hutchinson, Minnesota. The highest standards of
quality survey research were employed in conducting this project.
The administrative coordination of the project was provided by MCSR Director, Rossana
Armson. Survey Manager, Pam Schomaker, was responsible for assisting with survey
revisions, data collection, coding and editing, and writing the methodology report.
Project Manager, Lew Homer, provided supervision for the third mailing. MCSR Data
Manager, Anne Hoffman, was responsible for souring data accuracy and conversion of
the raw ASCII data into an SPSS system file format for analysis. She also converted
descriptive data into graphic form.
QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN
The initial draft of the Hutchinson Community Needs Survey was designed by members
of the Hutchinson Community Needs Task Force (Steve Cook, Norm Hoefer, Jo
Kockelman, Andrea Moore, John Paulsen, Roger Petersen, Michael Ribich, Judy
Simmons, Roger Steams). Members of the Hutchinson City Council also provided input
regarding questionnaire content. MCSR staff reviewed the survey draft and made
suggestions for revisions.
After the questionnaire was revised, members of the Task Force conducted a pretest of
the instrument by asking other residents of Hutchinson to complete the survey. In
addition, Task Force members spoke in- person with residents who completed the pretest
to ask about any problems encountered when completing the survey and to determine if
pretest respondents had suggestions for survey revisions. Following the pretest, minor
revisions were made to the questionnaire. Word processing, final formatting, and
printing of the surveys was coordinated by Steve Cook, Chairman of the Community
Needs Task Force.
IvENNESOTA C3W= FOR SURVEY RESEAR PAGE 5
wt iY:n:_r]��ir
The survey included questions regarding the following issues: communication about City
of Hutchinson issues, what needs are important for Hutchinson residents, what to do with
a one million dollar grant given to the city by the state, options for funding community
needs, support or opposition for using city money to fund specific programs or services,
preferences for how to make decisions about funding of programs or services, and
background information.
mm iw A Wes t _7 ►
Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of households in the Hutchinson area. To
select the sample, two databases were provided to MCSR: (1) voter registration records
(8,882 records), and (2) a listing from the Hutchinson Utility Company (6,311 records).
To begin the sampling process, the two lists were merged and addresses from outside the
Hutchinson area were deleted (57 records). After sorting the list of 15,139 households
alphabetically by first name, a random sample of 1,009 households were drawn. Next,
duplicate names and addresses and businesses were deleted from the list, resulting in a
list of 904 households. Finally, 104 households were randomly deleted from the list, for
a final sample of 800 households.
DATA COLLECTION
The procedures used by MCSR for this mail survey were based on Mail and Telephone
Survayg, by Don A. Dillman. Mailing and data collection were conducted from July 19
to August 26, 1999.
The first mailing was sent to all 800 households on July 19, 1999 and included the
following: (1) a cover letter printed on City of Hutchinson letterhead inviting
participation in the survey (the later was signed by Steve Cook and John Mlinar, Vice
President of the Hutchinson City Council), (2) a survey instrument and (3) a self -
addressed, stamped return envelope. To encourage return, a label was affixed to the
outside envelope (below the return address) which read 'COMMUNITY NEEDS
SURVEY ENCLOSED.'
The second mailing consisted of a reminder postcard from MCSR Director Rossana
Armson, which was sent to all nonresponding households on July 26. The postcard
thanked individuals if they had already filled out the questionnaire, and asked them to
take time to complete the survey if they had not already done so.
On August 5, a third mailing was sent to all individuals who had not yet returned their
survey. This mailing was identical procedurally to the first mailing and included a copy
of the questionnaire, a reminder cover letter, and a self - addressed, stamped return
envelope. The cover letter for the third mailing was signed by Steve Cook and Marlin
Torgerson, Mayor of Hutchinson. A label which read 'IMPORTANT!!' was placed on
the outside envelopes for the third mailing.
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Telephone follow -up with nonrespondents was conducted on August 16. Members of the
task force called all nonrespondents with listed telephone numbers, requesting that
residents complete and return their survey. A copy of the phone script, as well as copies
of the cover letters and postcard text, are shown in Appendix D.
The first two mailings were completed under the supervision of the MCSR Survey
Manager, and the third mailing was supervised by MCSR Project Manager Lew Horner.
Quality checks were made prior to sealing the envelopes to ensure that the survey packets
were complete and that the address labels and survey identification numbers matched.
Returned surveys were counted to track sample status and response rate. Peak survey
returns occurred within a few days after each mailing and illustrate the importance of
multiple mailings to ensure a high response rate (see Figure 1).
FIGURE 1
HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY NEEDS SURVEY - 1999
NUMBER OF COMPLETED SURVEYS RECEIVED BY DATE
70
M
50
c
40
a� 30
E
z
20
10
0
DATE SURVEY RETURNED
NUN? ESOTA C ENMR FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE 7
N M W h O 0 ON M'It N7 Woo � N M W ti m O O M RT LD 0
RVl ZWLI 7a_4 &t i ni i � n. .
Editing and coding included the completion of four major tasks. First, all surveys were
checlmd for response clarity to eliminate dual responses when single - answer responses
were sought. Second, the coder /editor recorded responses to 'other- specify' questions.
Third, responses to open-ended questions were reviewed, response categories created, and
value labels assigned. Finally, all responses to Q12, responses to Q6 and Qlla coded as
other, and comments at the end of the survey were transcribed.
Editing and coding were done by two coder /editors who attended a training session to
farn iliarize them with the survey instrument. Unclear or ambiguous responses were
directed to the Survey Manager for resolution. In addition, the Survey Manager
conducted quality control and reviewed coded/edited surveys throughout this phase.
After editing, coding, and transcription were completed, the questio were key
entered onto a data tape by a commercial data entry firm and a computer data file was
prepared. Once a complete file of the questionnaire was constructed, it was examined
sy stematicall y to remove data entry errors. Data cleaning involved the use of a computer
program to evaluate each case for variables with out -of -range values. In addition, the file
was examined manually to identify cases with paradoxical of inappropriate responses.
COMP=ON STATUS
Questio were completed and returned by 564 households, resulting in a response
rate of 74%. Three people refused to participate in the survey, 193 surveys were not
returned, and the re mainin g 40 were elimi nated from the sample for the reasons shown in
Table 1 on the following page.
PAGE 8 AUNNESOTA C ?Mt FOR SORVEY RESEARCH
TABLE 1
FINAL STATUS OF THE H[TTCHINSON COMMUNITY NEEDS SURVEY - 1999
saute Numbs Percen
Surveys returned 564 71%
Refusals 3 0%
Surveys not returned 193 24%
Nondeliverable mail 36 4%
No longer a Hutchinson resident 4 1 %
TOTAL SENT: 800 100%
RESPONSE RATE =
WiM, M WMI L �
= 74%
Total sent - eliminated
READING THE QUESTIONNAIRE AND RESULTS
The Questionnaire and Results section of this report contains the response frequencies and
percentages for each question in the survey. The actual responses of all 564 Hutchinson
residents who returned a completed survey are shown for each question. Percentage
distributions also are presented; 'valid' perce were computed after eliminatin
those who refused to answer, did not ]mow, or were not required to answer a particular
question.
The question numbers were used as variable labels in the computer data files. This
information is provided as documentation for those who wish to use a computer file and
the SPSS software package to conduct more detailed data analyses.
MMIESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE 9
CUMMuNRY NEEDS
SURVEY
1111
THE MY OF HUTCHINSON
It
THE COHHUNIY NEEDS TASK FORCE
IN COODEMON W"Tw
UMVERSOY OF MNNWA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
PAGE 10 NUNNESMA C3M4 ER FOR SURVEY RESEAR
COhOWU RrY NEEDS SURVEY - 1999
Please circle the number or letter that corresponds to the answer closest to your opinion, or write in the
information requested. All individual responses will be kept confidential.
7 DEW a• As Z 10 LIX! . M s r .. ;
Q1. Please rank from 1 -3 your top 1hM sources of local news, starting with #IL for your main source.
(SEE APPENDI K C, PAGES C-2 TO C-4)
a._ Hutchinson Leader b._ KDUZ Radio
C. KARP Radio d._ ffiR Radio
e._ HCVN Channel 10 Television f._ Quarterly City Newsletter
g._ Friends & Family h._ Other (Specify: SEE APPENDIX A. PAGES)
A -2 TO A -3)
Q2. How would you rate Your own understanding of issues facing the City of Hutchinson?
(Cede one.)
EM
f..&.)
1.
Very Good
45
(8)
1.
Very Good
202
(36)
2.
Good
237
(42)
3.
Fair
61
(11)
4.
Poor
17
(3)
5.
Very Poor
2
BLANK
Q3. In general, how would you rate the quality of the information the City of Hutchinso provides to
the general public? (Circle one.)
31
(6)
1.
Very Good
211
(38)
2.
Good
222
(40)
3.
Fair
80
(14)
4.
Poor
17
(3)
5.
Very Poor
3
BLANK
Q4. As a way to share information aWnt city issues and future plans of the city, how valuable would a
regular column In the Hutchinson Leader be that was written by city officials? (Circle one.)
252
(45)
1.
Very Valuable
244
(43)
2.
Somewhat Valuable
32
(6)
3.
Not Very Valuable
12
(2)
4.
Not Valuable At All
23
(4)
5.
No Opinion
1
BLANK
21UNNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE 11
Various community organizations and individuals have come before the task force and discussed
what they felt was needed in the community. The city has also discussed other needs in the
recent past.
Q5a. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree that the following are recreational needs of
the community. (Circle one answer for each item.)
RECREATIONAL Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly No
NEEDS Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Opinion
1 2 3 4 5 BLANK
Q5a1 Multiple Use 102 179 117 112 46 8
Basketball Fieldhouse ... (18) ..... (32) ..... (21) ..... (20) ..... (8)
(basketball, volleyball, running/walking Uw-k, etc.)
49 156 132 142 73 12
Q5a2 Softball Complex ...... (9) ...... (28) ..... (24) ..... (26) ..... (13)
(existing Roberta Park could be turned over to youth baseball.)
Q5a3
Additional Paved
156
168
77
131
26
6
Bike/ Walking Trails ....
(28)
..... (30)
..... (14) .....
(24)
..... (5)
Q5a4
Additional Bike
91
136
99
190
39
9
Lanes on Roads .......
(16)
..... (24)
..... (18) .....
(34)
..... (7)
Q5a5
Indoor Community
107
138
109
164
39
7
Pool/Aquatic Center ....
(19)
..... (25)
..... (20) .....
(29)
..... (7)
Q5a6
Development
37
145
171
155
46
10
Of New Parrs ........
('7) ......
(26)
..... (31) .....
(28)
..... (8)
Q5a7
Improvement Of
111
288
83
39
34
9
Existing Parks ........
(20)
..... (52)
..... (15) .....
()
..... (6)
109
146
84
116
102
7
Q5a8
Dredging the Crow River .
(20)
..... (26)
..... (15) .....
(21)
..... (18)
Q5a9 Other Recreational 45 61 36 43 0 379
Programs or Services ... (24) ..... (33) ..... (20) ..... (23) ..... (-)
(Specify: SEE APPENDIX A. PAGES A -3 TO A -5 1
MEOW
/ Y:11 QMIOM,K ISIN IY J1' /'
Q5b. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree that the following are apSW needs of
the community. (Circle one answer for each item.)
SOCIAL Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly No
NEEDS: Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Opinion
1 2 3 4 5 BLANK
QSc. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree that the Mowing are business needs
of the community. (Circle one answer for each item.)
BUS07M Strongly Somewhat
188
230
56
48
40
2
Q5b1
Senior Center ........
(34) .....
(41)
..... (10)
..... (8)
..... (7)
1
2
48
183
142
124
61
6
Q5b2
Art Education Center ...
(9) ......
(33)
..... (25)
..... (22)
..... (11)
Conference/ Convention Center ...
(16) ....
(32)
53
176
132
129
67
7
Q5b3
Performing Arta Center ..
(10) .....
(32)
..... (24)
..... (23)
..... (12)
Downtown Business Development ..
Q5b4
Domestic Abuse
152
254
66
40
45
7
109
Victim Shelter ........
(27) .....
(46)
..... (12)
..... ()
..... (8)
Industrial Park Development .....
(20) ....
(43)
270
184
50
30
29
1
Q5b5
Affordable Housing ....
(48) .....
(33)
..... (9)
..... (5)
..... (5)
Additional Retail Development ....
(22) ....
(36)
101
176
97
106
73
11
Q5b6
YMCA ............
(18) .....
(32)
..... (18)
..... (19)
..... (13)
Other Business Development .....
(37) ....
(33)
78
236
99
58
83
10
Q5b7
College Student Housing .
(14) .....
(43)
..... (18)
..... (10)
..... 15)
169
195
87
78
31
4
QSb8
Teen Center .........
(30) .....
(35)
..... (16)
..... (14)
..... (6)
25
32
21
30
0
456
Q5b9
Other social programs ...
(23) .....
(30)
..... (19)
..... (28)
..... ( -)
& services (Specify: SEE
APPENDIX
A PAGES
A-6 TO
A -7
)
QSc. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree that the Mowing are business needs
of the community. (Circle one answer for each item.)
NEMMSOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE 13
BUS07M Strongly Somewhat
Somewhat Strongly
No
NEEDS
Agree
Agree
Disagree
Disagree
Opinion
1
2
3
4
5
BLANK
88
177
93
164
36
6
Q50
Conference/ Convention Center ...
(16) ....
(32)
.... (17)
.... (29) .....
(6)
120
243
94
69
34
4
Q5c2
Downtown Business Development ..
(21) ....
(43)
.... (17)
.... (12) .....
(6)
109
240
96
55
60
4
Q5c3
Industrial Park Development .....
(20) ....
(43)
.... (17)
.... (10) ....
(11)
126
202
104
76
51
5
Q5c4
Additional Retail Development ....
(22) ....
(36)
.... (19)
.... (14) .....
(9)
68
60
22
33
0
381
Q5c5
Other Business Development .....
(37) ....
(33)
.... (12)
.... (18) .....
( -)
or Needs (Specify: SEE APPENDIX
A. PAGES
A -7
TO A -10
)
NEMMSOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE 13
IJS .I 1 ZN */ ,/ u l3lllt l• LJJ1, `ill. �-,i
Q6. Please list, in order, up to five things that you fed are the most important needs of Hutchinson.
These needs may be facilities, programs, philosophical, etc- We want M to tell as what you
think is needed most. Please print dearly, starting with "1" being what you fed Is the most
Important.
Five Needs Ranked Highest
1.
3.
4.
S.
Rllak Response
1 Affordable housing
2 Teen Center
3 Educational improvement
4 Reeu irants
5 Senior Center
(FOR COMPLETE RESULTS FOR Q6, SEE APPENDI% B, PAGES 13-2 TO B-16)
Q7. The state has granted the City of Hutchinson one million dollars to match local contributions
towards a 'community civic center." The state does not stipulate what this building needs to be
used for. Local contributions could come from tax revenue, land donation, private donations,
other means, or a combination of several sources. The actual cost of a community civic center
may, or may not, cost more than the combined two million dollars.
There are basically four options available for the million dollar state grant. Which ONE of the
following options would you MOST prefer' (Cirde one.)
EM M
218 (41) 1. Build a City owned, City operated and managed 'community civic center." The use of this
building would have to be determined by the public prior to its construction. The City would be
responsible for providing the one million dollar match for the state grant and operating and
mamaging the facility.
159 (30) 2. Offer the one million dollars to a private developer to build a City owned, but privately financed
and privately operated 'conference/convention center.' The developer would provide the one
million dollar match for the ante grant. In return for their investment the developer would
operate and manage the facility. Some public program use of the facility may be possible, bat
could be limited.
77 (14) 3. Do nothing now and consider this again at a huer date. However, the million dollars is only
available until app, :imately 2003. In addition, there is always the possibility that the
Legislature or governor could try to remove the money sometime before 2003.
82 (15) 4. Don't do anything with the million dollar and let it go back to the state.
P210000 a �1,
PAGE 14 M1NNESOTA C MER FOR SURVEY RESLARCH
M 91 " Q �Z• 1 1 I I oil 1416 1 40 ]I:11�
Q9. If a City owned, Qty operated and managed community civic center was to be built In
Hutchinson, how important is it that the following items by included in the center'
(Circle one answer for each item.)
Very Somewhat Not Very Not At All No
Important Important Important Important Opinion
1 2 3 4 5 BLANK
Q8. If the City of Hutchinson offered the million dollar state grant to a private developer to build a
178
200
City owned, but privately financed, managed and operated conferencelconvention center, how
52
36
important is it that the City have some use of the facility for public programs' (Circle one.)
FM
M
(33)
306
(56)
1. Very Important
134
(24)
2. Somewhat Important
38
()
3. Not Very Important
27
(5)
4. Not Important At All
45
(8)
5. No opinion
14
.... (34)
BLANK
Q9. If a City owned, Qty operated and managed community civic center was to be built In
Hutchinson, how important is it that the following items by included in the center'
(Circle one answer for each item.)
Very Somewhat Not Very Not At All No
Important Important Important Important Opinion
1 2 3 4 5 BLANK
I II I I✓.i1 YJ IJ• WW 1 • •I:r.Y' Y:
178
200
77
52
36
21
Q9a
Banquet Room(s) ........
(33)
.... (37)
.... (14)
.... (10) ....
(7)
214
187
60
48
34
21
Q9b
Meeting Rooms(s) .......
(39)
.... (34)
.... (11)
.... (9) .....
(6)
155
194
95
56
39
25
Q9c
Trade Show Space .......
(29)
.... (36)
.... (18)
.... (10) ....
(n
190
205
72
44
35
18
Q9d
Senior Center ..........
(35)
.... (38)
.... (13)
.... (8) .....
(6)
67
160
149
108
53
27
Q9e
Art Education Center .....
(12)
.... (30)
.... (28)
.... (20) ....
(10)
77
168
133
107
56
23
Q9f
Performing Arts Center ....
(14)
.... (31)
.... (25)
.... (20) ....
(10)
169
180
80
78
33
24
Q9g
Teen Center ...........
(31)
.... (33)
.... (15)
.... (14) ....
(6)
Q9h
Aquatic Center
109
128
105
152
45
25
(swimming pool/water slides)
(20)
.... (24)
.... (20)
.... (28) ....
(8)
99
156
130
114
40
25
Q9i
Basketball/Volleyball Courts .
(18)
.... (29)
.... (24)
.... (21) ....
(7)
137
148
108
108
39
24
Q9j
W ng/R ,m,in Track ....
(25)
.... (27)
.... (20)
.... (20) ....
(7)
68
118
145
150
55
28
Q9k
Racquetball Courts .......
(13)
.... (22)
.... (27)
.... (28) ....
(10)
21
23
22
42
0
456
Q91
Other Programs/ Services ...
(19)
.... (21)
.... (20)
.... (39) ....
(-)
(Specify: SEE APPENDIR
A. PAGES
A -10
TO A -11
I II I I✓.i1 YJ IJ• WW 1 • •I:r.Y' Y:
1 ttl j : 11 rjA[z)�+N
SECTION 3 - FINANCING If a need was to be filled, how could we pay for it?
Q10. Please rank the following financing options in the order that you would like them to be used to
fund a city need, starting with #1 for your fast preference.
(SEE APPENDIX C, PAGES GS TO C-6)
a._ Property tax backed bonding bill
b. Reallocate existing dollars, which would require cuts somewhere else
c._ Temporary local sales tax (In 1996, a local 1/2 percent sales tax would have collected
approximately 5500,000)
d._ Capital Improvement Fund Dollars (Funded primarily from a 5275,000 per year
contribution from Hutch Utilities. There is no guarantee that this amount would
always be available, although it is budgeted for by the utility. Since this fund is used for
various city projerxs, other projects may need to be delayed or cats made elsewhere.)
e._ Other (Specify: SEE APPENDIX A. PAGES A -11 TO A -13 )
301
Q11a. What current needs) do you feel would be worthwhile enough to be funded by a tax
increase? (Please print dearly.)
Five Needs Ranked Highest
Community /Civic Center
2 Senior Center
3 Teen Center
4 Conference/Convention Center
5 Ednah nsl improvement
(FOR COMPLETE RESULTS FOR Qua, SEE APPENDIX B, PAGES B-17 TO 11.22)
Q12a -b. A reallocation of existing dollars might make some money available to fund a city need. This
would require cuts in City services or programs elsewhere. What City services or programs,
if any, do you think could be reduced or eliminated? (Please print dearly.)
(FOR COMPLETE RESULTS FOR Q12, SEE APPENDIX B, PAGES B-23 TO B-26)
PAGE 16 11UNNE9OTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RE -VAR
Qll.
Would you consider a tax increase of some kind to fund a community need that = felt was
worthwhile? (Cade one.)
Ftm
M
272
(51)
1. Yes > > > > > > > > > > Qil 1. Which
type of tax would you mga prefer?
266
(49)
(Circle
2. No M PAC SKIP TO Q12) EM M
one.)
26
BLANK 40 (15)
1. Property taxes
212 (81)
2. Temporary local 1/2 percent sales tax
11 (4)
3. Other (Identify): APPENDIX A. PAGE A -13
301
Q11a. What current needs) do you feel would be worthwhile enough to be funded by a tax
increase? (Please print dearly.)
Five Needs Ranked Highest
Community /Civic Center
2 Senior Center
3 Teen Center
4 Conference/Convention Center
5 Ednah nsl improvement
(FOR COMPLETE RESULTS FOR Qua, SEE APPENDIX B, PAGES B-17 TO 11.22)
Q12a -b. A reallocation of existing dollars might make some money available to fund a city need. This
would require cuts in City services or programs elsewhere. What City services or programs,
if any, do you think could be reduced or eliminated? (Please print dearly.)
(FOR COMPLETE RESULTS FOR Q12, SEE APPENDIX B, PAGES B-23 TO B-26)
PAGE 16 11UNNE9OTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RE -VAR
Q13a. How much do you support or oppose Qty money being used to flnaacially assist the following
recreational programs and services? (Circle one answer per item.)
Q13b. How much do you support or oppose using City money to financially assist the following jacW
programs or services? (Chile one answer for each item.)
SOCIAL Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly No
FINANCING Support Support Oppose Oppose opinion
1 2 3 4 5 BLANK
RECREATION
Strongly
Somewhat
Somewhat
Strongly
No
(34)
..... (49) .....
FINANCING
Support
Support
Oppose
Oppose
Opinion
21
33
0 462
1
2
3
4
5
BLANK
(Specify: SEE APPENDIX
Youth Programs ........
220
254
32
21
22
15
Q13al
Existing Facilities .....
(40)
..... (46) .....
(6) ......
(4) ......
(4)
10
Q13b3
Family Programs .......
95
219
105
100
28
17
Q13a2
New Facilities .......
(17)
..... (40) .....
(19) .....
(18) .....
(5)
16
Q13b4
Arts education programs ...
113
190
108
103
34
16
Q13a3
Trail Development .....
(21)
..... (35) .....
(20) .....
(19) .....
(6)
475
Needs/Program ........
236
220
45
30
19
14
Q13a4
Youth Programs ......
(43)
..... (40) .....
(8) ......
(6) ......
(4)
)
168
247
68
40
26
15
Q13&5
Senior Programs ......
(31)
..... (45) .....
(12) .....
(7) ......
(5)
54
142
155
158
36
19
Q13a6
New Parts .........
(10)
..... (26) .....
(28) .....
(29) .....
(7)
Q13b. How much do you support or oppose using City money to financially assist the following jacW
programs or services? (Chile one answer for each item.)
SOCIAL Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly No
FINANCING Support Support Oppose Oppose opinion
1 2 3 4 5 BLANK
189
267
51
21
20 16
Q13&7 Existing Parks .......
(34)
..... (49) .....
(9) ......
(4) ......
(4)
Q13a8 Other Recreational
19
29
21
33
0 462
Programs/Needs ......
(19)
..... (28) .....
(21) .....
(32) .....
( -)
(Specify: SEE APPENDIX
Youth Programs ........
A. PAGE A -14
..... (42)
..... (8) ......
)
Q13b. How much do you support or oppose using City money to financially assist the following jacW
programs or services? (Chile one answer for each item.)
SOCIAL Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly No
FINANCING Support Support Oppose Oppose opinion
1 2 3 4 5 BLANK
MINNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE 17
172
263
71
40
10
8
Q13bl
Senior Citizens Programs ..
(31)
..... (47)
..... (13) .....
(7) .....
(2)
229
234
45
37
8
11
Q13b2
Youth Programs ........
(41)
..... (42)
..... (8) ......
(7) .....
(1)
191
245
58
40
20
10
Q13b3
Family Programs .......
(34)
..... (44)
..... (10) .....
(7) .....
(4)
60
192
135
120
41
16
Q13b4
Arts education programs ...
(11)
..... (35)
..... (25) .....
(22) ....
(8)
Q13b5
Other Social
10
27
18
34
0
475
Needs/Program ........
(11)
..... (30)
..... (20) .....
(38) ....
(-)
(Specify: SEE APPENDIX
A.
PAGE A -15
)
MINNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE 17
keg ( u i„in.1rr .i:ra�.c�Yy:
Q13c. How much do you support or oppose using City money to financiall assist the following
bad= related developments and programs? (Circle one answer for each item.)
BUSMESS Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly No
FINANCING Support Support Oppose Oppose Opinion
1 2 3 4 5 BLANK
Q14. Since not all projects can be done at the same time, what should the priorities be for funding
new needs and projects with tax dollars? Please rank the following types of needs and projects
in the order of their Importance, with 01 being the most important.
(SEE APPENDIX C, PAGES C-7 TO C-9)
a. New retail developments
b._ New industrial developments
c. New residential developments
C New social programs/ needs
e. New recreational programs/ needs
f._ Existing developments and programs with new needs
S._ Other (Specify: SEE APPENDIX A. PAGE A -17 1
SECTION 4 - THE PROCESS How would you like to be asked and when?
Q15. If a vote was to be taken on a city project or issue, would you prefer that the vote be takm
during the November General Election or during a special election? Special elections are an
added cost, but generally focus attention on one issue. (Circle one.)
Fma M
379 (68) 1. November General Election
98 (18) 2. Special Election
80 (14) 3. No Opinion
7 BLANK
PAGE 18 MII1NESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
115
243
94
74
27
11
Q13ol
Downtown Development ........
(21)
.... (44)
.... (17)
.... (13) ...
(5)
100
231
103
80
38
12
Q13c2
Industrial Park Development ......
(18)
.... (42)
.... (19)
.... (14) ...
(7)
186
234
59
50
24
11
Q13c3
Attracting New Industries .......
(34)
.... (42)
.... (11)
.... (9) ....
(4)
158
236
75
61
22
12
Q13c4
Attracting New Retail Businesses ...
(29)
.... (43)
.... (14)
.... (11) ...
(4)
183
251
59
39
20
12
Q13c5
Promoting Hutchinson .........
(33)
.... (46)
.... (11)
.... (7) ....
(4)
14
29
13
32
0
476
Q13c6
Other business programs ........
(16)
.... (33)
.... (15)
.... (36) ...
(-)
(Specify: SEE APPENDIX A. PAGE
A -16
)
Q14. Since not all projects can be done at the same time, what should the priorities be for funding
new needs and projects with tax dollars? Please rank the following types of needs and projects
in the order of their Importance, with 01 being the most important.
(SEE APPENDIX C, PAGES C-7 TO C-9)
a. New retail developments
b._ New industrial developments
c. New residential developments
C New social programs/ needs
e. New recreational programs/ needs
f._ Existing developments and programs with new needs
S._ Other (Specify: SEE APPENDIX A. PAGE A -17 1
SECTION 4 - THE PROCESS How would you like to be asked and when?
Q15. If a vote was to be taken on a city project or issue, would you prefer that the vote be takm
during the November General Election or during a special election? Special elections are an
added cost, but generally focus attention on one issue. (Circle one.)
Fma M
379 (68) 1. November General Election
98 (18) 2. Special Election
80 (14) 3. No Opinion
7 BLANK
PAGE 18 MII1NESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
JA
Q16. If a special election was to be held, would you prefer to vote with a mail ballot or at a ballot
box? (Circle one.)
EM
M
312
(56) 1. Mail Ballot
187
(33) 2. Ballot Box
61
(11) 3. No Opinion
4
BLANK
Q17. If multiple projects are included on a referendum vote, how strongly do you agree or disagree
that the public should be able to vote on each project individually? (Circle one.)
453
(81)
1.
Strongly Agree
71
(13)
2.
Somewhat Agree
11
(2)
3.
Somewhat Disagree
13
(2)
4.
Strongly Disagree
13
(2)
5.
No Opinion
3
BLANK
Q18. How strongly do you agree or disagree that the public should be asked to vote when the City
wants to fund mahr new facilities? (Circle one.)
452
(81)
1.
Strongly Agree
69
(12)
2.
Somewhat Agree
18
(3)
3.
Somewhat Disagree
13
(2)
4.
Strongly Disagree
9
(2)
5.
No Opinion
3
BLANK
Q19. Certain types of funding for a project, sock as a local sales tax, require that the City of
Hutchinson obtain both state approval and local voter approval. The local vote could either take
place before the City seeks state approval or after state approval is granted.
When would you prefer that the vote take place? (Circle one.)
280 (50) 1. Before Seeking State Approval
194 (35) 2. After Receiving State Approval
81 (15) 3. No Opinion
9 BLANK
ETA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE 19
I: Ue 1M: 1 I,Qil 10),71 h, 1 .I:I J 1.
OTHER INFORMATION Please answer the folowmg questions about yourself. This will only
be used to compare people's answers. It will 1101 be used to identify you in any way.
Q20. Do you reside within the Hutchinson city limits' (Circle one.)
Fns M
472 (84) 1. Yes
91 (16) 2. No >>>>>>>> Q20a. About how far out of town do you live? (Circle one.)
I BLANK EM f..&.)
_ 1 (33) 1. Lees than 1 mile
48 (53) 2. 1 to 5 mils
13 (14) 3. Mote than 5 miles
473 BLANK
Q21. How long have you lived In the Hutchinson area? (Circle one.)
8
(1)
1.
Less than one year
89
(16)
2.
1 - 5 years
126
(22)
3.
6 - 15 years
88
(16)
4.
16 - 25 years
252
(45)
5.
Over 25 years
1
BLANK
Q22. Do you own or rent your home? (Circle one.)
491 (88) 1. Own
70 (12) 2. Rem
3 BLANK
Q23. Includim vourself, how many people cmTentiy living in your household are in the following age
groups? (Write in the number for each age group.)
a.
0-17
b.
18-25
c.
26-40
d.
41-55
e.
56-65
f.
66 or older
Q24. What year were you born?
(Range: 1905 to 1980)
(Average age: 50 years)
Q25. Are you: (Chvk one.)
314 (57) 1. Female
237 (43) 2. Male
13 BLANK
(SEE APPENDIX C,
PAGES C-10 TO C-11)
(SEE APPENDIX C, PAGES C-12 TO CM
I
PAGE 20 hUNNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
aalaal:I l,1 ail ,. �
COhIl1IE M Your comments are welcomed and appreciated. Please use this space for additional
comments. If necessary, feel free to include an additional shed.
EM M
208 (37) 1. Response given
356 (63) 2. No response given
(SEE APPENDIX B, PAGES B-27 TO B-8)
Thank you for your help and input! Please return your completed survey in the enclosed envelope to:
University of hsinnesots Center for Survey Research
2331 University Avenue SE, Suite 141
N innespolis, MN 55414
APPENDIX A
OTHER -SPECIFY RESPONSES
Variable
I?escIIIItl
Bw
Qlh
Other source of local news ......................
A -2
Q5a-9
Other recreational programs or services needed .........
A -3
Q5b-9
Other social programs and services needed ............
A-6
Q5c -5
Other business development or needs ...............
A -7
Q91,
Other programs/services in a community civic center .....
A -10
Q10e
Other financing options to fund a city need ............
A -11
Qll 1
Other tax preferred to fund a community need ..........
A -13
Q13a -8
Other recreational programs/services to fund ...........
A -14
Q13b -5
Other social programs/services to fund ..............
A -15
Q13c -6
Other business development/programs to fund ..........
A -16
Q14g
Other projects to fund with tax dollars ..............
A -17
MII ( EMIR FOR SURVEY urr_cn A CE PAGE A-1
"Jira1)
Qlh. Please rank from 1 -3 your top th= sources of local news, starting with #1 for
your main source. h. Other (Specify: )
Rank
Response
3
Shopper
3
WCCO
3
Work
2
Ch. 9 news
3
Work ffM
1
Shopper
1
Ch -11
3
Channel 4 news
3
Litchfield news
2
Place of work
1
91.9 radio
2
Work
1
TV news
3
WCCO
3
Leader Shopper
3
Work
1
Community involvement
2
T.V.
3
Work
1
WCCO news
1
T.V.
3
Community events
1
Internet
1
WCCO
3
Newspaper
1
1 Star Tribune
�' � 11 I li: � YY �:M' � III' • Y:•.Y' M:
. 1 - 0 5 n ►:
1
WCCO, CNN
1
Radio, USA Today, Star Trib.
1
Network T.V. and Star Tribune
3
WCCO - Ch. 4 TV
3
Leader Shopper
1
Work for city
1
Star Tribune
2
KSTP Radio, St. Paul
3
Hutch Shopper Leader
2
Mailings
Q5a -9. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree that the following are
recreationa needs of the community. Other Recreational Programs or Services
(Specify: )
Answer: 1= strongly agree, 2 =somewhat agree, 3= somewhat disagree,
4= strongly disagree.
Answer
Response
2
Senior programs/places for them to go are needed.
2
Cross - country ski - groomed trails.
1
Summer kids programs/roller skate rink.
1
A stock car racing track.
1
Miniature golf.
1
Development of existing archery targets at park.
2
Boccie ball park.
2
Roller blade rental, Xtreme rec complex for rope and wall climbing, roller
skating, blading, grinding, half & quartet pipe for competition, and rec. use;
botanical garden; soccer.
1
New baseball complex in addition to present.
1
Something for teen kids to do /go to during the winter months that is not related
to or run by a church in this town or by adults/city councilors that push their
own views upon others.
1
Build a YMCA with pools, tennis, racquetball.
1
More overnight parking for RV's and campers; a gymnastics program.
hWeCESOTA CEt+ M FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE AJ
APPENDIX A
1
Arthritic swim programs.
1
Soccer.
2
Paved park road.
1
More tennis courts.
2
Senior citizen exercise/mature singles groups.
1
I'd like to see more efforts targeting mothers with or without their children
involved. Unless they are well off, most mothers have neither time or money,
but it's critical that they take care of themselves, not just everyone else.
2
Senior citizen athletic leagues (ages 50 -70); (1) softball, (2) volleyball, (3)
horseshoe leagues,
(4) bowling, (5) golf leagues.
1
Improve rec center programs; roller rink.
2
New fairgrounds with facilities, with Piepenburg Park, Lake Marion, Stahl's
Lake, Swan Lake within a short distance of Hutchinson.
1
Municipal golf course.
2
Pave Les Kouba Pkwy. Increase support for library.
2
More variety in adult education classes, perhaps literature and history, etc.
2
Need 50 meter pool.
2
Instead of a new pool center, roof over existing one if feasible.
1
Indoor play place for children to age 10.
1
Expand outdoor pool to include water slides and other pool activities.
1
Another lighted baseball field.
1
A Target Center.
2
Services for senior citizens.
1
Race track - check out Arlington if you don't believe me.
1
Arts related things, not everyone is sports oriented.
1
"Dome" football/soccer field (practice)
1
Public, city owned golf course; community center.
2
Possibly a roller rink/part-time teen center (I just do not feel our sports facilities
are being used to their full potential at this time.)
1
Developing the water carnival and the county fair into something more.
1
Tennis courts.
1
More programs for preschool aged children.
2
Any program to keep kids busy physically and mentally (day camp animal
farm).
1
More for teens to do.
PAGE A-4 ETA C WER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
"dyakI0)V 1
2
Develop the river area more.
4
New hockey arena. (strongly disagree)
2
All year ice.
1
Go-cart track and water park.
2
Place soccer within the schools; strengthen youth hockey.
1
Any aerobic exercise for seniors - water, land, or health club.
1
Water slide rec summer, roller skating rink (winter), indoor rec. for winter
(public pool), senior health club (city) at affordable rate.
1
More preschool - grade school type activities in the parks; swings, slices, sand
box, etc.
2
A larger senior center and parking.
1
Adult classes (crafts, etc.).
1
Public golf course.
1
Fitness center with pool or community center fieldhouse.
1
Horseshoes.
2
Pave road past Sanctuary; make sidewalks in residential area
2
Additional tennis courts - indoor especially.
1
Get something fun for older kids, 14 and up, to do always.
2
Properly continue to maintain the wonderful parks we have, and continue to
stipulate park area with new development.
1
Youth programs which relate to after - school needs.
2
Would like a place to walk dog when wet outside.
1
A community canter like the one Chaska has.
2
Gymnastics, soccer.
2
Bus service for local towns and Minneapolis.
1
Something for teens.
2
More baseball fields so tournaments can be held.
4
Hockey fink.
2
Fenced park for dogs to run free.
1
Additional unpaved recreational trails to accommodate off -road biking, cross -
country siding.
2
Upgrade skating facilities, indoor tennis.
1
Safer streets with street lights for kids to drive bikes at night.
2
More hockey and skating rinks.
NONNE OTA (ENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE A -S
Q5b-9. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree that the following are §ggid
needs of the community. Other social programs & services (Specify:
Answer: 1 =strongly agree, 2= somewhat agree, 3= somewhat disagree,
4 =strongly disagree.
Answer
Respoxw
1
Billiard hall.
1
Volunteer programs and what is available in the community.
2
Horse trail riding.
1
Humane society.
2
Lonely hearts club.
1
Assisted living complex.
2
Christian coffee house.
2
Senior program.
2
Latch Joey programs related to shift work; drug and alcohol
prevention/parenting networking.
1
Need places for teens to go and be with friends.
2
New child care options.
1
ECFE.
1
Educational facilities (schools).
1
More efforts targeting mothers.
2
We need more m this town for the children to get off the streets.
1
New high school.
1
Something geared for ages 8-78; fun park.
1
Help support Christian Youth Basement.
1
Something for the ages of 12 -16.
1
Some kind of community program for parents and their children with an
incentive to bring people to remind parents how important it is to watch their
children, to get to know their friends and to actually PLAY with their children.
2
The churches need to do more for activities for all ages.
2
Take care of local service melt and families; affordable living senior in -home
care; get rid of welfare programs.
2
Programs, if there are not any, for preparing the youth of Hutch for life in
Hutch after school, such as preparedness for jobs, housing, etc.
1
Crafts and meeting rooms for seniors (our center is not adequate).
2
Youth involvement - paid and volunteer.
1
Latch key programs.
PAGE A-6 hUNNESOTA CEq= FOR SURVEY RESEAR
2 Crisis center.
1 Indoor rollerblading track.
1 Humane society.
Q5c -5. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree that the following are
busi needs of the community. Other B using Development or Needs
(Specify: )
Answer: 1= strongly agree, 2= somewhat agree, 3= somewhat disagree,
4= strongly disagree.
Answer
Response
2
Up -scale department store.
1
Restaurants.
2
Italian restaurant.
1
Builders Square, Menards or someplace where a 2x4 can be bought on a
Sunday. Would also like to have an electronics store such as Best Buy or
Circuit City.
1
High quality restaurant - not high priced, but good food and pleasant
atmosphere. How about a Perkins too?
1
Parking downtown.
1
MGM, Home Depot.
2
Places to sit down when shopping.
1
Restaurants (24 hr) supper club style.
2
Finer restaurants, eating places besides fast food; clothing stores.
1
A Limi]y restaurant that's open 24 hours.
1
Bonanza restaurant; Menards or Home Depot.
1
More restaurants open later.
1
We need a fine dining establishment like Ciatti's, Olive Garden, Mexican
Village. We have nothing.
2
More restaurants.
1
More restaurants.
1
Jobs that have better opportunities besides 3M.
2
Don't need more discount stores or grocery stores, but another department
store would be nice.
2
Industries.
NIUgQ OTA C VIER FOR SURVEY RESEAR PAGE A -7
1
Upgrade the appearance of business places all along Hwy 7 as well as area
between those businesses and the highway.
1
We would like to see something done to preserve the old Hutch Hotel.
1
Additional (clothing malls) and other general store; i.e., (Home Depot,
Menards).
1
Supper club; an off -sale liquor store.
1
For smaller businesses, less than 10 employees.
1
If this is handled by the city the way More 4 and Shopko and city hall was, by
all means.
2
Need another liquor store - town's too big for just one.
1
Family style steak house or buffet; i.e., Old Country Buffet or Bonanza.
2
What every community needs are jobs - this means manufacturing such as 3M,
HTI development - going in this direction will keep the community strong.
2
Our town is big enough, we don't need more people coming here. We need
Country Buffet or Perkins.
1
Restaurants: Chi Chi's, Chili's, etc. IC Penny's: bigger with more variety.
Other mall businesses: clothing for children, Old Navy.
2
More restaurants.
2
Menards or Home Depot is a must.
2
Department stores.
2
Motels for convention center.
2
More restaurants bars, etc.
1
Lumber yard.
2
More jobs that pay a livable wage - you can't live on 38/hr like Hutch Tech
pays.
1
A good steak house with salad bar.
2
Somehow make the downtown more attractive.
2
Maybe a restaurant open for 24 hours.
1
Better eating places like Olive Garden, would like to see Herbergers.
1
Computer store.
1
We need a Menards.
1
Restaurants.
1
More stores and restaurants in the mall.
1
Department stores.
1
1 Something for kids to do.
PAGE A-9 MNNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
1
More chain restaurants (no more gas station/convenience stores).
1
Restaurants!!!
1
Need different types family restaurants.
1
Sit -down rest. that serve other than 'ordinary" meals (e.g. Mexican, Italian,
etc.).
2
Fine dining, Perkins.
1
24 -hour restaurant, Best Buy, Menards/Home Depot.
2
Better restaurants.
I
Need to bring in some larger corporations to provide some good jobs.
1
Home improvement center, such as Menards.
2
We need some restaurants in town - not just the Applebees!
2
Closing local businesses when you bring all big city companies in.
1
Home Depot of Menards store, also a good Italian restaurant.
1
Family restaurants - Denny's, Baker's Square, Perkins, Arby's.
1
Programs to help existing small businesses to grow and maintain
competitiveness in Hutchinson thru funding and possible tax relief and
expansion or relocation in Hutchinson funding.
1
Perkins restaurant, Menards.
1
Fun, family restaurants (and NOT fast food!).
2
Good restaurants.
1
City should involve downtown business parking lots to provide an indoor
connection to stores from the back - a walkway.
1
Would be nice to get some larger name good upscale or mid -scale restaurants.
1
Need additional clothing retailer, i.e., Herbergers, etc.
1
Restaurants or food places that stay open past 10:00 p.m.
2
Need department store (Herbergers), need development of Farmers Market.
1
Bagel, donut shop.
1
Another industry is needed in town.
1
Red Lobster, Home Depot, Baker's Square, Grandma's, Dayton's.
2
We need a good, well-known book store!
1
Mexican restaurant (dine in).
2
Herbergers Dept. store.
1
A good department store like Herbergers or Daytons.
1
Laundromat for south side residents.
MDUaSOTA CEtVM FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE A -9
2
Eating places (restaurants).
2
Menards.
1
More restaurants/open 24 hours.
1
Arby's.
1
Fine dining restaurants.
1
We need a Kohl's or Herbergers dept. store.
Q91. If a City owned, City operated and managed community civic center was to be
built in Hutchinson, how important is it that the following items by included in
the center? Other Programs / Services (Specify: )
Answer: 1 =very important, 2= somewhat important, 3 =not very important,
4 =not at all important.
Answer
Response
1
Fitness equipment.
1
A place for concerts and other events.
1
Billiard hall.
2
Stage and hardwood dance floor.
3
Tennis courts, Xtreme sports, botanical garden, soccer.
2
Weight loss classes thru Ridgewater College.
2
Craft fair incase of rain.
1
Indoor tennis courts (8 -10).
1
Kitchenette.
2
Indoor archery range.
1
Space for pool tournaments.
1
A Target Center.
1
Availability for nonprofit groups; i.e., new friends, etc.
2
Enclosed turf football/soccer field.
2
Teen center.
2
Should include facility for food service of some kind - maybe in the rec canter.
1
One building for all.
2
Adult community education classrooms.
1
Indoor walk/ track for winter.
1
Cooking classes.
2
Tennis.
2
Weight lifting.
PAGE A -10 MO SOTA CENTER FOR SMVEY RESEARCH
2
Good food.
2
Food vending stands for events to help fund the center.
2
Recreational skating rinks.
2
Health club equipment to keep 55+ year -old citizens healthy.
1
Gymnastics center.
1
Fitness center.
1
Tennis, horseshoes, golf.
1
Roller rink for roller blades/roller skates.
1
Roller skating/blading.
1
City offices, Chamber of Commerce offices.
1
ITennis courts.
2
lHave moveable walls so it could be any size.
Q10e. Please rank the following financing options in the order that you would like
them to be used to fund a city need, starting with #1 for your first preference.
e. Other (Specify: )
Rank
Response
2
Municipal bonds.
4
See bonds.
1
Combine c & d (temporary local sales tax and Capital Improvement Fund).
1
User fees, if can't be done there is not the interest or use.
1
User fees.
1
long term budgeting!
2
Private funding.
3
Pledges.
2
User tax on motels/liquor.
1
Property tax the rich - if they want it they can build it.
1
User pays or user membership.
3
A community center could have a reasonable membership fee.
3
Cut city employees.
3
Private funding.
3
Save and accept donations for.
1
Cuts in other funded city programs'- especially in budgets for meals during
officials' meetings and other wasteful city expenditures.
NGrZ MA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE A -11
I
There should be an emergency fund set aside. Why does the city think they
have to spend every penny they have and more?
2
Common sense budgeting. Higher nonresident fee for recreation programs.
5
Privately financed/operated.
Private funding.
1
1
Another municipally operated business to help generate revenue (second liquor
store).
4
Fund raisers.
2
Money generated by the Hutch Liquor Store since the city holds a monopoly on
this business market. No competition in a very fast growing community. I
would think more dollars would be available here?
2
I don't think all of us should be forced to pay for something we are not in favor
of - let private developers build.
5
Rentals for conferences, competitive athletic everts, etc. that use the center for
profit.
3
Donations from private contributors.
1
Raise the money by private donations and maintain it by fees paid to use it.
3
Liquor store.
5
Admissions.
1
Use the budget money. If you spend it foolishly you don't get more till next
year.
4
Grants, state dollars.
2
Private donations.
1
User fees only.
1
Private.
1
Private funding completely.
1
Donations/fund raisers
1
How about a combination of d and c with d being the 1st funding source and c
kicking in at a predetermined trigger pt. if d isn't producing enough.
1
Those that want it can pay for it.
1
All of the above.
1
State grant.
5
Fund the building thru fees collected thru conventions and events.
2
Liquor store, lottery, pull tabs.
2
Let any private citizens with money invest.
1
Private citizens that want this can pay for it.
PAGE A -12 NEWBCSMA CEMER FOR SURVEY RESEAR
4
Finance payment from user fees.
3
Donations - business, private.
2
Where do liquor store funds go.
4
Donations.
1
Private funding matched by state and federal grants.
1
User fees.
2
Grant or loan from state.
2
Private donations by individuals or organizations.
2
Private funding and maintenance.
5
Prospect old rich people for help.
4
Community fund raising.
1
Donations.
1
User fees.
1
Private.
1
Let special interest provide it.
Q11_1. Which type of tax would you most prefer?
3. Other (Identify: )
Response
Liquor - amusement, luxury.
Reallocate.
User fee or tax and property taxes.
Capital imp. fund and temporary local 112 percent sales tax.
Reallocate.
Use tax.
Both property and temporary sales tax (property tax would affect everyone).
Property tax and temporary local 1/2 percent sales tax.
Add tax to the Hutch liquor store.
Use tax.
Capital improvement fund.
MM SOTA CEN1ER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE A-13
Q13a4. How much do you support or oppose City money being used to financially
assist the following recreational programs and services? Other Recreational
Programs/Needs (Specify: )
Answer: 1— strongly support, 2= somewhat support, 3= somewhat oppose,
4= strongly oppose.
Answer
Response
2
Indoor pool.
2
Improvement or archery course at River Park.
1
Repair, remodel vacant buildings.
1
Race track.
1
ATV trails.
2
Tennis courts.
4
Cut back some sports in school.
1
Special needs for physically and mentally challenged.
1
Enclosed football field.
2
Develop some parks there but not use example of So. parks - park in NE part
of town.
4
Hockey rink.
2
Aquatic center, water slides.
2
River clean -up.
1
Water park and go-cart track.
1
Indoor walking - not the mall or rec center.
2
Skating rinks - inside- outside not hockey rinks per se.
1
City owned water slide with admission fees supporting it.
1
YMCA - YWCA type.
2
Ballpark for Jr. leagues.
4
Hockey rink, conference center.
1
Bike lanes (more).
1
Ice.
4
Hockey rinks.
PAGE A -14 AMOG SOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
QUM. flow much do you support or oppose using City money to financially assist the
following Iggw programs or services? Other Social Needs/Programs
(Specify: )
Answer. 1= strongly support, 2= somewhat support, 3= somewhat oppose,
4= strongly oppose.
Answer
Response
1
Transportation; ie., hutch mobile.
2
Singles program.
1
Senior dining.
2
Men abused by spouses.
2
Community music - choral or band.
4
The new arena for hockey.
2
Community education classes/programs.
2
Any services that will give aid to families in need.
1
Welfare.
1
Domestic abuse.
1
Programs for day care and other activities to help single parent families.
2
PIF, DARE, violence.
4
hockey rink, conference center.
1
More educational programs (despite age).
M 9005 YTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE A -1S
APPENDIX A
Q13c -6. How much do you support or oppose using City money to financially assist the
following business related developments and programs? Other business
programs (Specify: )
Answer. 1= strongly support, 2= somewhat support, 3 =somewhat oppose,
4= strongly oppose.
Answer
Response
2
Better copy place, lower prices, Mexican restaurant (excellent/fancy), Do It
center.
2
Airport development.
1
Tax relief for suppressed businesses.
2
Environmental.
1
Motels and bigger restaurants.
2
Keep downtown development in central city - not on the outskirts.
1
Home center.
1
Menards or Home Depot.
1
Existing business development.
2
More recreational city owned, such as a water slide, roller rink.
1
New and better retail in the mall.
2
Store front beautification to encourage downtown retail development.
1
Grants, loans to new businesses.
1
Keeping the businesses that are already here.
4
Conference center.
1
Fine dining restaurants.
PAGE A -16 NMeESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
Q14g. Since not all projects can be done at the same time, what should the priorities
be for funding new needs and projects with tax dollars? Please rank the
following types of needs and projects in the order of their importance, with #1
being the most important. Other (Specify: )
Rank
Response
1
Better stewards (wise) of taxpayer's money; wasteful spending by our city
officials.
1
Schools.
1
Conference/convention center.
1
Schools.
2
Use the river to its best advantage by promoting dining establishments, unique
shopping and quit using it for car lots, convenience stores, etc. - they don't need
or enhance a river view - buy the lot on the corner of Hwy 7 & 15 - it's the
first view people have of Hutchinson.
1
Find out the poor and needs and find a decent place for them.
1
Subsidized public preschool.
2
Cat, dog catchers, etc.
1
Seniors and teens.
3
Community civic center.
1
Teen center.
2
New elementary school to replace Park.
1
Main Street - traffic flow.
7
A swimming pool for daytime use.
1
Community civic arena.
1
Improve existing downtown retail buildings/store fronts especially signage.
Develop river front and include a farmer's market.
1
Keeping the businesses already here.
1
Infrastructure demands.
1
Senior center.
2
Reduce crime rate.
1
Traffic problems - Main St, traffic lights.
1
Fine dining restaurants.
1
Education.
1
Making School Rd SW safer to drive on. Need street lights, stop signs, lower
speed limit, fewer trucks; especially at intersection of School Rd SW and Alan
St SW.
NENNESOTA CENTER FOR SQRVEY RESEARCH PAGE A -17
TO OPEN -ENDED QUESTIONS
Variable Descriution EM
Q6A - Q6E Most important needs of Hutchinson - //1 to #5 ......... B-2
$Q6 MULT Multiple response variable for Q6A - Q6E ............ B-8
• . -RANK R anked order .1 • _. 1 • 1 f or • . •
•• • '171' wr•1 • •. •1_1 • IM 1
Q11A1 -QllA4 Current need to fund by tax increase -1 to 4 ........... B-17
$Q11A MULT Multiple response variable for Q11A ............... B-20
Q11A -RANK Ranked order of responses for Q11A ............... B-21
Q11A -OTHER Responses to Q11A coded as 'Other' ............... B-22
Q12A - Q12B How reduce city svcs/prog ams - 1 & 2 .............. B-23
$Q12 MULT Multiple response variable for Q12a - Q12b ........... B-23
Q12 -RANK Ranked order of responses for Q12 ................ B-24
• • .171' 1.1'w • • r•1 • 1�
• 1 171 1. 1. . n u -�1
ETA 1EMM FOR SMVEY MESEARM PAGE B-1
APPENDIX B
Q6A PvIPORTANT NEEDS OF HUTCHINSON - #1
PAGE B-2 M MOTA COMM FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
Valid
Cumulative
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
0
Nothing needed
6
1.1
1.3
1.3
1
Indoor rec facility
6
1.1
1.3
2.7
2
Pool/aquatic center
4
.7
.9
3.6
3
Ball fields
3
.5
.7
4.2
4
Trails,bike pths/lns
10
1.8
2.2
6.5
5
Parks/swim beaches
1
.2
.2
6.7
6
River clean up
5
.9
1.1
7.8
10
Rec- race track
1
.2
.2
8.0
20
Senior center
19
3.4
4.2
12.2
21
Art education
1
.2
.2
12.5
22
Performing arts
1
.2
.2
12.7
23
Domestic abuse centr
3
.5
.7
13.4
24
Affordable housing
33
5.9
7.3
20.7
25
YMCA
10
1.8
2.2
22.9
26
College student hsg
1
.2
.2
23.2
27
Teen center
30
5.3
6.7
29.8
28
Srs assisted living
3
.5
.7
30.5
29
Improve schools
33
5.9
7.3
37.9
30
Add/impr child care
2
.4
.4
38.3
31
Improve health care
3
.5
.7
39.0
32
Family progs/activs
1
.2
.2
39.2
33
Senior social progs
1
.2
.2
39.4
34
Youth social progs
12
2.1
2.7
42.1
35
Diversity
1
.2
.2
42.3
50
Confce/convtn center
15
2.7
3.3
45.7
51
Cmty/civic center
14
2.5
3.1
48.8
52
Conv /cmty/civic ctr
3
.5
.7
49.4
53
Dwntwn business dev
4
.7
.9
50.3
54
Industrial park dev
5
.9
1.1
51.4
55
Impr businss climate
4
.7
.9
52.3
56
Restaurants
18
3.2
4.0
56.3
57
Dept/clothing stores
12
2.1
2.7
59.0
58
Hardware/appl stores
4
.7
.9
59.9
60
Book store
2
.4
.4
60.4
61
Crow River developmt 1
.2
.2
60.6
70
Main St- traffic
11
2.0
2.4
63.0
71
St/road mmce/repair
16
2.8
3.6
66.6
72
Address traffic prob
17
.3.0
3.8
70.4
73
Public transporm
5
.9
1.1
71.5
74
Incr police activity
19
3.4
4.2
75.7
75
Reduce city spending
4
.7
.9
76.6
PAGE B-2 M MOTA COMM FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
Q6 MPORTANT NEEDS OF HUTCHINSON - #1 (continued)
Valid Cumulative
Q6B MPORTANT NEEDS OF HUTCHINSON - #2
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
76 More liquor stores
2
.4
.4
77.1
77 Lower taxes
23
4.1
5.1
82.2
78 City/public common
8
1.4
1.8
84.0
79 Leadership
1
.2
.2
84.2
80 Maintn curr faciltys
4
.7
.9
85.1
81 Bring back 911
2
.4
.4
85.5
82 Improve fire dept
2
.4
.4
86.0
97 Other
59
10.5
13.1
99.1
98 Don't know
4
.7
.9
100.0
Total
449
79.6
100.0
21
Missing
System
115
20.4
14.6
Total
Performing arts
564
100.0
.6
Q6B MPORTANT NEEDS OF HUTCHINSON - #2
NWC4ESOTA (ENTER FOR SURVEY RESFAR PAGE 13-3
Valid
Cumulative
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
Indoor rec facility
8
1.4
2.2
2.2
2
Pool/aquatic center
5
.9
1.4
3.6
3
Ball fields
1
.2
.3
3.9
4
Trails,bike pd /lns
15
2.7
4.1
8.0
5
Parks/swim beaches
8
1.4
2.2
10.2
6
River clean up
1
.2
.3
10.5
20
Senior center
11
2.0
3.0
13.5
21
Art education
4
.7
1.1
14.6
22
Performing arts
2
.4
.6
15.2
23
Domestic abuse centr
6
1.1
1.7
16.8
24
Affordable housing
23
4.1
6.3
23.1
25
YMCA
6
1.1
1.7
24.8
27
Teen center
20
3.5
5.5
30.3
28
Srs assisted living
2
.4
.6
30.9
29
Improve schools
13
2.3
3.6
34.4
33
Senior social progs
3
.5
.8
35.3
34
Youth social progs
22
3.9
6.1
41.3
35
Diversity
1
.2
.3
41.6
50
Confcelconvtn center
10
1.8
2.8
44.4
51
Cmty/civic center
5
.9
1.4
45.7
52
Conv /cmty/civic ctr
3
.5
.8
46.6
53
Dwntwn business dev
4
.7
1.1
47.7
54
Industrial park dev
2
.4
.6
48.2
NWC4ESOTA (ENTER FOR SURVEY RESFAR PAGE 13-3
APPENDIX B
Q6B IMPORTANT NEEDS OF HUTCHINSON - #2 (continued)
Valid Cumulative
Q6C IMPORTANT NEEDS OF HDTCHINSON - #3
Valid Cumulative
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
55
Impr businss climate
13
2.3
3.6
51.8
56
Restaurants
20
3.5
5.5
57.3
57
Dept/clothing stores
6
1.1
1.7
59.0
58
Hardware/appl stores
2
.4
.6
59.5
59
Bars/nightclubs
1
.2
.3
59.8
61
Crow River developmt
2
.4
.6
60.3
70
Main St- traffic
9
1.6
2.5
62.8
71
St/road mtnceJrepair
8
1.4
2.2
65.0
72
Address traffic prob
9
1.6
2.5
67.5
73
Public transportn
5
.9
1.4
68.9
74
Incr police activity
13
2.3
3.6
72.5
75
Reduce city spending
2
.4
.6
73.0
76
More liquor stores
3
.5
.8
73.8
77
Lower fazes
7
1.2
1.9
75.8
78
City/public commctn
1
.2
.3
76.0
79
Leadership
1
.2
.3
76.3
80
Maintn curr faciltys
6
1.1
1.7
78.0
81
Bring back 911
1
.2
.3
78.2
82
Improve fire dept
4
.7
1.1
79.3
97
Other
75
13.3
20.7
100.0
Total
363
64.4
100.0
Missing
System
201
35.6
Total
564
100.0
Q6C IMPORTANT NEEDS OF HDTCHINSON - #3
Valid Cumulative
PAGE B4 MM04ESWA CEN = FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
Indoor rec facility
11
2.0
3.9
3.9
2
Pool/aquatic center
8
1.4
2.8
6.7
3
Ball fields
4
.7
1.4
8.2
4
Trails,bike pths/lns
10
1.8
3.5
11.7
5
Parks/swim beaches
5
.9
1.8
13.5
6
River clean up
4
.7
1.4
14.9
7
Rec- tennis courts
2
.4
.7
15.6
8
Rec- miniature golf
1
.2
.4
16.0
9
Rec -go carts
1
.2
.4
16.3
10
Rec- race track
1
.2
.4
16.7
20
Senior center
8
1.4
2.8
19.5
21
Art education
1
.2
.4
19.9
22
Performing arts
6
1.1
2.1
22.0
PAGE B4 MM04ESWA CEN = FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
Q6C EWPORTANT NEEDS OF HUTCHINSON - #3 (continued)
IOTA CE 4TER FOR SQRVEY RESEARCH PAGE 13-5
Valid
Cumulative
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
23
Domestic abuse centr
8
1.4
2.8
24.8
24
Affordable housing
11
2.0
3.9
28.7
25
YMCA
1
.2
.4
29.1
26
College student hsg
3
.5
1.1
30.1
27
Teen center
11
2.0
3.9
34.0
28
Srs assisted living
2
.4
.7
34.8
29
Improve schools
13
2.3
4.6
39.4
30
Add/impr child care
2
.4
.7
40.1
31
Improve health care
3
.5
1.1
41.1
32
Family progs/activs
4
.7
1.4
42.6
33
Senior social progs
1
.2
.4
42.9
34
Youth social progs
5
.9
1.8
44.7
35
Diversity
1
.2
.4
45.0
50
Confee/convtn center
9
1.6
3.2
48.2
51
Cmry/civic center
7
1.2
2.5
50.7
53
Dwntwn business dev
3
.5
1.1
51.8
54
Industrial park dev
3
.5
1.1
52.8
55
Impr businss climate
6
1.1
2.1
55.0
56
Restaurants
13
2.3
4.6
59.6
57
Dept/clothing stores
2
.4
.7
60.3
58
Hardware/appl stores
3
.5
1.1
61.3
61
Crow River developmt
2
.4
.7
62.1
70
Main St- traffic
7
1.2
2.5
64.5
71
St/road mtncelrepair
10
1.8
3.5
68.1
72
Address traffic prob
8
1.4
2.8
70.9
73
Public transports
1
.2
.4
71.3
74
Incr police activity
7
1.2
2.5
73.8
75
Reduce city spending
4
.7
1.4
75.2
77
Lower taxes
5
.9
1.8
77.0
78
City/public commctn
2
.4
.7
77.7
79
Leadership
1
.2
.4
78.0
97
Other
62
11.0
22.0
100.0
Total
282
50.0
100.0
Missing
System
282
50.0
Total
564
100.0
IOTA CE 4TER FOR SQRVEY RESEARCH PAGE 13-5
APPENDEI B
Q6D UvIPORTANT NEEDS OF HUTCHINSON - #4
PAGE B-6 MIIOGESOTA CEMCER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
Valid
Cumulative
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1 Indoor rec facility
2
.4
1.0
1.0
2 Pool/aquatic center
3
.5
1.5
2.5
4 Trails,bike pths/Ins
4
.7
2.0
4.5
5 Parks/swim beaches
3
.5
1.5
6.0
6 River clean up
5
.9
2.5
8.5
8 Rec- miniature golf
1
.2
.5
9.0
9 Rec -go carts
1
2
.5
9.5
10 Rec - race track
1
.2
.5
10.0
20 Senior center
11
2.0
5.5
15.5
21 An education
2
.4
1.0
16.5
22 Performing arts
7
1.2
3.5
20.0
23 Domestic abuse centr
3
.5
1.5
21.5
24 Affordable housing
10
1.8
5.0
26.5
25 YMCA
5
.9
2.5
29.0
26 College student hsg
5
.9
2.5
31.5
17 ; center
9
1.6
4.5
36.0
assisted living
1
.2
.5
36.5
29 Improve schools
11
2.0
5.5
42.0
30 Add /impr child care
1
.2
.5
42.5
31 Improve health care
4
.7
2.0
44.5
32 Family progs /activs
2
.4
1.0
45.5
34 Youth social progs
4
.7
2.0
47.5
50 Confce /convtn center
5
.9
2.5
50.0
51 Cmty /civic center
1
.2
.5
50.5
54 Industrial park dev
2
.4
1.0
51.5
55 Impr businss climate
5
.9
2.5
54.0
56 Restaurants
7
1.2
3.5
57.5
57 Dept/clothing stores
6
1.1
3.0
60.5
58 Hardware /appl stores
1
.2
.5
61.0
59 Bars /nightclubs
2
.4
1.0
62.0
60 Book store
1
.2
.5
62.5
61 Crow River developmt
2
.4
1.0
63.5
70 Main St- traffic
2
.4
1.0
64.5
71 St/road mtnee /repair
7
1.2
3.5
68.0
72 Address traffic prob
5
.9
2.5
70.5
73 Public transporm
2
.4
1.0
71.5
74 Incr police activity
6
1.1
3.0
74.5
75 Reduce city spending
1
.2
.5
75.0
77 Lower taxes
9
1.6
4.5
79.5
78 City /public common
4
.7
2.0
81.5
97 Other
37
6.6
18.5
100.0
Total
200
35.5
100.0
Missing
System
364
64.5
Total
564
100.0
PAGE B-6 MIIOGESOTA CEMCER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
APPENDIX B
C�7771fA5t. IM • :U11 .... •. 1
Valid Cumulative
Frequency Percent Percent Percent
1 Indoor rec facility
1
.2
.7
.7
4 Trails,bike pths/lns
1
.2
.7
1.4
5 Parks /swim beaches
8
1.4
5.6
7.0
6 River clean up
3
.5
2.1
9.2
7 Rec- tennis courts
1
.2
.7
9.9
8 Rec - miniature golf
1
.2
.7
10.6
20 Senior center
6
1.1
4.2
14.8
21 Art education
2
.4
1.4
16.2
22 Performing arts
2
.4
1.4
17.6
23 Domestic abuse centr
4
.7
2.8
20.4
24 Affordable housing
9
1.6
6.3
26.8
25 YMCA
1
.2
.7
27.5
27 Teen center
2
.4
1.4
28.9
28 Srs assisted living
1
.2
.7
29.6
29 Improve schools
2
.4
1.4
31.0
31 Improve health care
2
.4
1.4
32.4
32 Family progs /activs
1
.2
.7
33.1
33 Senior social progs
2
.4
1.4
34.5
34 Youth social progs
1
.2
.7
35.2
50 Confee/convm center
1
.2
.7
35.9
51 Cmty /civic center
2
.4
1.4
37.3
53 Dwntwn business dev
3
.5
2.1
39.4
54 Industrial park dev
2
.4
1.4
40.8
55 Impr businss climate
8
1.4
5.6
46.5
56 Restaurants
4
.7
2.8
49.3
57 Dept/clothing stores
6
1.1
4.2
53.5
58 Hardware /appl stores
2
.4
1.4
54.9
59 Bars /nightclubs
2
.4
1.4
56.3
60 Book store
1
.2
.7
57.0
61 Crow River developmt
1
.2
.7
57.7
70 Main St- traffic
6
1.1
4.2
62.0
71 St/road mmce/repair
3
.5
2.1
64.1
72 Address traffic prob
2
.4
1.4
65.5
73 Public transporm
1
.2
.7
66.2
74 Incr police activity
6
1.1
4.2
70.4
75 Reduce city spending
1
.2
.7
71.1
76 More liquor stores
1
.2
.7
71.8
77 Lower taxes
5
.9
3.5
75.4
80 Mainm curr facittys
3
.5
2.1
77.5
97 Other
32
5.7
22.5
100.0
Total
142
25.2
100.0
Missing
System
422
74.8
Total
564
100.0
NW[NNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE B-7
$Q6 M= MQLTIPLE RESPONSE VARIAELE
FOR QGA -
QGE
Pet of
Pct of
Category label
Code
Count
Responses
Cases
Nothing needed
0
6
.4
1.3
Indoor rec facility
1
28
1.9
6.2
Pool /aquatic center
2
20
1.4
4.5
Ball fields
3
8
.6
1.8
Trails,bike pths /lno
4
40
2.8
8.9
Parks /swim beaches
5
25
1.7
5.6
River clean up
6
18
1.3
4.0
Roe- tennis courts
7
3
.2
.7
Rec- miniature golf
8
3
.2
.7
Rec -go carts
9
2
.1
.4
Rec -race track
10
3
.2
.7
Senior center
20
55
3.8
12.2
Art education
21
10
.7
2.2
Performing arts
22
18
1.3
4.0
Domestic abuse centr
23
24
1.7
5.3
Affordable housing
24
86
6.0
19.2
YMCA
25
23
1.6
5.1
College student hog
26
9
.6
2.0
Teen center
27
72
5.0
16.0
Sr■ assisted living
28
9
.6
2.0
Improve schools
29
72
5.0
16.0
Add /impr child cars
30
5
.3
1.1
Improve health care
31
12
.8
2.7
Family progs /activs
32
8
.6
1.8
Senior social progs
33
7
.5
1.6
Youth social progs
34
44
3.1
9.8
Diverelty
35
3
.2
.7
Confce /convtn center
50
40
2.8
8.9
Cmty /civic center
51
29
2.0
6.5
Conv /cmty /civic ctr
52
6
.4
1.3
Dwntwn business dsv
53
14
1.0
3.1
Industrial park dev
54
14
1.0
3.1
Impr busins■ climate
55
36
2.5
8.0
Restaurants
56
62
4.3
13.8
Dept /clothing stores
57
32
2.2
7.1
Hardware /appl stores
58
12
.8
2.7
Bars /nightclubs
59
5
.3
1.1
Book store
60
4
.3
.9
Crow River developmt
61
8
.6
1.8
Main St- traffic
70
35
2.4
7.8
St /road mtnce /repair
71
44
3.1
9.8
Address traffic prob
72
41
2.9
9.1
Public transportn
73
14
1.0
3.1
Incr police activity
74
51
3.6
11.4
Reduce city spending
75
12
.8
2.7
More liquor stores
76
6
.4
1.3
Lower taxes
77
49
3.4
10.9
City /public commctn
78
15
1.0
3.3
Leadership
79
3
.2
.7
Maintn curr facilty■
80
13
.9
2.9
Bring back 911
81
3
.2
.7
Improve fire dept
82
6
.4
1.3
Other
97
265
18.5
59.0
Don't know
98
4
.3
.9
Total responses 1436 100.0 319.8
115 missing cases; 449 valid cases
PAGE B-S MMMSOTA (MMM FOR SMVEY BESE4B(33
Q6 -RANK. Ranked order of responses for Q6. (Based on a 5 to 1 ranking where
5 = most important need.)
Rank
CQ&
Response
1
24
Affordable housing
2
27
Teen Center
3
29
Educational improvement, improve schools
4
56
Restaurants, dining establishments
5
20
Senior Center
6
74
Law enforcement, crime prevention, increase police activity
7
77
Lower taxes, no tax increases
8
34
Youth programs
9
72
Address traffic problems, traffic lights, congestion, traffic flow
10
71
Street/road repair, maintenance, improve roads, snow /ice removal
11
50
Conference/Convention Center
12
04
Recreation - trails, bike paths/lanes
13
70
Main Street improvements (road, parking, reduce congestion, monitor
speed)
14
51
Community/Civic Center
15
55
Attract new businesses, increased retail business, improve business
climate
16
57
Department/clothing stores
17
01
Recreation - indoor facility (basketball, track, walking)
18
25
YMCA
19
23
Domestic abuse shelter
20
02
Recreation - pool/aquatic center
21
05
Recreation - parks, swimming beaches
22
78
City/Public communication
23
06
River clean up
24
73
Public transportation, bus system (improve, expand)
25
53
Downtown business development
26
54
Industrial park development
27
22
Performing arts (adult orchestra, civic center for concerts)
28
80
Maintain current facilities
29
75
Reduce city expenditures (fewer city employees, reduce police)
30
58
Hardware/appliance stores (Menards, Fleet Farm)
31
31
Improvements in health care
32
28
Assisted living housing (for seniors)
33
03
Recreation - ball fields
34
00
Nothing is needed, don't add anything
35
21
Art education
36
52
Convention/Community/Civic Center or Conference/Community Center
37
82
Fire department (improvements, expansion, increase funding)
38
26
College student housing
39
76
Liquor issues (privately owned store, more liquor stores)
40
32
Family programs/activities
MINNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEAR PAGE 13-9
FV4 - 4N i l b;
Q6 -RANK. Ranked responses (continued)
Kr T 10 -!;
41
33
Senior programs
42
98
Don't know
43
61
Crow River improvement /development (beautify, restaurants, tourism)
44
30
Child care (add, improve)
45
81
Bring back 911 dispatch
46
60
Bookstore
47
35
Diversity (increase cross-cultural appreciation, welcome diverse groups,
Promoting the college.
1,3
promote understanding)
48
79
Leadership
49
10
Recreation - Race track (e.g., at Fairgrounds)
50
59
Add bars, night clubs
51
07
Recreation - Tennis courts
52
08
Recreation - Miniature golf
53
09
Recreation - Go carts
Q6- OTHER. Responses to Q6 coded as 'Other.' (Code 97) (Rank: 1 = response listed
first, 2 = response listed second, etc.)
Rank
Response
3
Low income recreation.
1,2
Maintaining sidewalks. Stricter supervision of dogs and cats.
3
No need for separate senior center, no need for more hiking trails, certainly no need for more
parks.
1,5
Need to be more concerned/caring for others. Be better steward of taxpayers money.
3,5
Clean water. Reasonable taxes for industry so we can keep them.
2
Roller skating rink.
3
Let elected officials make decisions - that's why we have elections.
1,3
Make people who use facilities pay for them. Cut some sports and maybe give scholarships.
2
Develop city master plan.
3
Promoting the college.
1,3
I feel the most important piece is to have an integrated plan covering recreational, social,
economic growth areas. Be fiscally responsible, both short and long term.
1,2,3
Growth, keeping in mind costs affecting taxes. Put a priority on needs. Long -range planning.
4
More rental housing.
4
Summa 'classes' - cooking, sewing, drama, etc.
1
Support for existing businesses.
PAGE B-10 h1HOHSOTA allMM FOR SURVEY RFSEARt$
1.4
Target Center -like facility. A larger college campus.
2
Planned Parenthood.
5
Slow down spending.
4
Community involved events.
2
Volleyball leagues.
2,5
Lower gas prices. More signing for Gopher Sanctuary. Lou of people drive by everyday. A
few years ago, only thing listed in AAA magazine.
3,4,5
Improve city forestry program. Single program (people meeting people). Pest and insect
spraying program.
1
Strong church family.
2
Post Office that is accessible for all and not blocked by Legion, etc.
1
Some group activity for new members of the community to get to know others.
1
New popcorn and slush machine at pool concessions.
5
Bigger vocational.
2,3
More open support groups for drug victims. More job opportunities for young teens - within
child labor laws, to teach them up- coming job responsibilities (ages 12 -15).
2,3,5
Someplace for the unorthodox or Xtreme sports. Camping facilities. If this facility is fitted
with lights, updated Aud. electronically and air conditioned, it would be invaluable for us.
3,4
Care for elderly. City employees being more efficient.
2
City should not spend money just because matching funds are available, as in the case of
replacing a serviceable bridge.
5
Break down on curfews. (sic)
1,3
Alternative Christian Center. More, much more, APIIUPI news in local paper.
1,2,3
Preserving historical buildings or locations. Do not destroy Main Street businesses by
expansion. Limit size and expansion of airport at present location.
1,2
I don't think we need a convention center. I don't think we need a senior center.
5
Y2 pipes (skateboard park).
4
Have water carnival parade back on Main Street.
1,2,3
A second funeral chapel for competition. Community education trips for non- seniors. Better
(louder) civil defense siren for SW Hutchinson.
4
Hutch needs to be more competitive with prices so people don't need to shop out of town.
2,4
No joke - braking in town. Get rid of bad yeast odor.
2,3,5
Citizens input on city expenditures over $100,000. Hiring of employees, particularly summer
youth, strongly biased toward who you know. I support youth rec subsidies, but adult rec
activities should be self supporting.
1,5
Public restroom for downtown. Finally do something to the old Hutch Hotel downtown)
1,2
Housing. Senior care.
hIINNFSOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE B-11
APPEN DAIC B
1
Make full utilization of current assets (facilities, recreational activities, etc.).
1
Develop and implement 5110115 year plan for Hutchinson.
2
Professional office space with underground heated parking.
1
Much more information to the elderly.
5 1
Community drug and alcohol prevention efforts.
4
More job opportunities - no one wants to work at HTI and 3M is too hard to get into.
2
Meals on Wheels.
1,2,3,4
We have a senior center. We don't need an art center. Teen centers don't work out. We have
enough buildings to use as a convention center.
4
Common sense by its officials.
3
Hutch Hotel renovation.
2
Let people pay for what they use.
2
Bowling center - pool tables and billiard parlor.
4,5
Pay for what they have. It takes two incomes to live in Hutch.
1
Get private investors to take care of the need if they so feel it is needed.
2
Library support.
1,2
Less government for business. More planning before city expansion.
3
More housing.
2
New housing /sewer, etc.
I
I think Hutchinson's biggest need is just good old reality
2
Weed control on vacant lots.
1
Civil defense for storms, etc.
1,2
Decrease number of 'humor students' classes; i.e., cross - country, etc. Effective ban on
booming-blaring car radios.
2
More homes for the elderly.
5
Common sense used by public officials - tax money is not Ih4iu to spend. This survey, if used,
may be a good start in that direction.
1
Rural encroachment needs to be slowed.
1
Good paying mfg. jobs - when these exist people live well.
1,2,5
No need to grow any larger. Expansion eliminates loyal local businesses. Non - locally owned
business must contribute much more to lower cost or taxes. Too much money leaving town.
3,5
I think people should obey the traffic rules. I think the kids should be off the road at nights and
not have the music so 10d.
1
A Target Center.
2
Dog and cat catcher (Humane Society).
PAGE B-12 MIN MOTA CENTER ER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
044 �.
1
Supervision of children by parents! Programs are no good without follow- through by parents
and attendance of parents.
1,2,3
We need to get rid of drugs in Hutchinson. We need a boot camp for drug violent kids and
theft. We need to lean our city from people who litter and steal.
1,2
I think we need to find more effective ways to sponsor school activities than having our children
pan handle. I feel more must be done to bring residents (old and new) together.
4
Our newspaper is kind of a joke.
2,3,4,5
Concentrate on what we have instead of adding more. Ask as little as possible from taxes.
Have a city council "happy" with a small town atmosphere. If big business or industries want
or need something LhM fund themselves.
1
The city grows regardless of what is needed or not needed. Tax monies used for any of the
facilities or programs planned are already coming (used up) just like the school issue, "no' was
not an option.
2
Competition in food stores.
3
Maybe have a winter festival.
2
Clean up Civic Arena, the dirtiest arena we've ever been to.
2
Adopt a no tolerance attitude toward gangs, violence, vandalism.
1
Need more motels.
3
I think we need a large, suitable place to hold wedding receptions.
2
Less government.
3,4
More conservative moral values implemented. Government by all, rather than a select few.
4
"Good of the whole' decision making. Accountability.
1
Promotion of the city as a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
2
Youth bible for all religions.
3
Infra- structure expansion.
1
Good paying jobs.
1
Balancing retail mall development with independent businessmen.
2,3
Problem - poor work ethics of city employees - esp. I feel too many "money groups' have too
much say so - city govt. does not represent everyone. I don't feel the resources we have are
utilized properly.
1,3,4
Once something is voted down do not bring it up for another vote for 3 years, get tired of
hearing the same old shit for the needs of a few people. Honest Council - that doesn't override
voters. Put all things over a set amount to a vote. Utilize existing facilities to the max!!!
2
Get the cost of senior programs down.
2,3,4
Need long range planning. Need for employment reviews. Need for greater council debate.
2,3,5
Homeless shelter. Soup kitchen (for the needy). Housing that allows pets.
MINNESOTA CEN= FOR SURVEY RESEAR PAGE B-13
APPENDIX B
1,2,4,5
Working together. More input for development from people other than city staff. More
common sense and fewer rules "by the book." Encourage people to run for school board and
city council.
3
Comic book store.
3
City council must be more responsive to ALL groups and individuals.
3
Easier loan programs to purchase houses.
3
Any such business should be privately owned.
2,5
This town is overrun by apartments. Every parent hates the school superintendent.
2,3
Roller skating. Animal shelter.
5
Keep out low tech industries that tend to attract low skilled employees and tend to pollute.
1,2,4
New mayor. City Con. Less sports.
5
Job service programs for kids under 15 to work.
4
Zoo.
1
Drug programs.
4,5
More oral dental surgeons. More dentists.
3
Helping to keep existing parks clean.
3
Public restrooms.
3
Build indoor shooting range.
2
Remove bike trail. on Dale St, they use the sidewalk anyway.
1,2,3
Study the "gang" activity that is growing ( "nip in bud "). Control /monitor "types' of citizens
Hutch is attracting. Bring another college to Hutch.
Full -time jobs with benefits. Parents having time for their kids.
E 2,4
2
Don't let the town lose that "small town" feeling.
2
The correct use of Tax Increment Financing - not for retail.
5
Lighted dam.
1
Apartment unit connected to Burns Manor.
2
Cooperation between existing facilities.
2,5
The Rec Center needs to be updated. Maintain the City of Hutchinson (parks, roads, trees,
etc.).
1,2
Schools teaching Judeo - Christian principles our country was founded onl Parents to receive no
strings education vouchers.
3
Volunteers to deliver (and wait for) seniors that don't drive to keep medical and dental
appointments.
Hutch is growing - keep up with the fine city government!
F
Ban tobacco advertising; More 4 regularly has a 1/4 page ad in the Leader /Shopper for tobacco
products.
PAGE B•14 NUNN SOTA CEN M FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
3
Help out food shelf.
3
Better local radio stations.
1,2
Increased participation in volunteer efforts to help others (mentoring, tutoring, visiting elderly,
Habitat for Humanity, food shelf, etc.). Increased recognition of academic excellence.
3
Mosquito spraying.
1
Cheaper taxi service.
2,4
Community needs to vote on decisions. The inside (city employees) of the city needs public
knowledge.
3
Laundromat at south end of Hutch.
1,3,5
To remain viable the downtown must combine parking and stores to create a mall atmosphere.
Designate thorough fares, ring road locations, to provide orderly development. Provide for
industrial and multiple family housing for future needs.
3
Clean up the high school - reduce drug problem.
2
Clean up downtown business area (it's an eyesore).
3
Gymnastics programs.
2
Get a new city manager.
5
Public golf course.
1,3,5
Increase aesthetic appeal of downtown. Find a more appealing location for Farmer's Market.
Develop bi- weekly door -to -door leaf /yard waste pick -up program (current program too
inconvenient and costly).
1
Look at city storm sewers.
3,4
Residential development. Recreational development.
1
I think Hutchinson has been quite fortunate. The school bill passed. Most people think that's
enough. The seniors can use the buildings and churches for what they need.
2
Public safety/health (includes maintenance/dev. of streets, all utilities).
2
Mosquito control.
1
Entertainment (something wholesome, not bars or gambling. rec center, miniature golf, plays,
concerts, dancing).
1
Tax payers should have more input on city spending.
3
Lower prices for open pool.
2,3,4,5
Park and recreation programs that dovetail with public safety programs. Strong economic
development agency. Strong coalition between education and industry. Strong convention and
visitors bureau.
I
Ability to adjust economically with the times.
2
Hockey facilities.
1,2
Replacing the city engineer. Use students for city maintenance in summer.
4
Eliminate boom box noise in cars and trucks.
MINNESOTA (ENTER FOR SURVEY RESEAR PAGE B-15
APPENDIX B
2,3,4,5
No "pork" in project. No more cheap housing. More projects everyone benefits from.
No special project for a few.
1
Safety for children.
3
Have an Indian Pow Wow annually.
4
Spend more tax money on having people keep their places clean instead of spending it on pretty
signs, etc.
2,3,4
Provide maintenance when problems develop instead of overlooking problems unit major repairs
are required. Tree maintenance: many places stop signs aren't visible.
City Council needs to keep our city engineer under control. Not allowing free hand to do as he
chooses.
2,3
Affordable transportation. Meals for elderly.
2
Travel accessible businesses with better parking.
1
Very important to me would be for the Hutch Mobile to also be available on weekends, like for
errands and shopping and on Sundays for church.
1,2
'Common sense" by city government. Quit wasting money on 30-year-old bridges.
2
More city happenings (never no dances).
3,4
Let special interests support their own habits. Eliminate utilities commission "slush fund"
(veiled tax).
3
Better use of existing city assets.
2
Dog dispatch.
2
Get rid of movies that are garbage.
3
Maintaining industry.
3
National news in our local newspaper.
2
A chance for the public to review new business ideas before final decisions.
4
I feel we need better zoning. We have tract houses nett to custom houses.
2
Need more books in library.
3,4
Let private people, not city government, take care of teen center, art center, theater.
Parks are mowed and sometimes flowers planted but nothing draws people to them.
1,2,3,
4,5
Quit trying to think of ways to "spend motley '. Work on reducing the cost of giving in Hutch.
Work to bring in (and kW working class people. I don't want mx tax money spent where
ever by Ind??? We don't need more foreign speaking people with attitudes intimidating hard-
working (self- supporting) people out of business and stores.
3,4
Eliminate Hutchinson utilities slush fund. Charge less! Let "users' pay for "special"
facilities /services.
PAGE B-16 MMIESOTA (EWML FOR SURVEY PMWARCE
a*
Q11A1 CURRENT NM) TO FUND BY TAX INCREASE-1
NMM1(FSOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCE[ PAGE B-17
Valid
Cumulative
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
0 Nothing needed
16
2.8
8.3
8.3
1 Indoor rec facility
6
1.1
3.1
11.4
2 Pool /aquatic center
3
.5
1.6
13.0
3 Ball fields
1
.2
.5
13.5
5 Parks /swim beaches
1
.2
.5
14.0
6 River clean up
3
.5
1.6
15.5
20 Senior center
20
3.5
10.4
25.9
21 Art education
1
.2
.5
26.4
23 Domestic abuse cemr
1
.2
.5
26.9
24 Affordable housing
3
.5
1.6
28.5
25 YMCA
4
.7
2.1
30.6
27 Teen center
18
3.2
9.3
39.9
29 Improve schools
18
3.2
9.3
49.2
33 Senior social progs
1
.2
.5
49.7
34 Youth social progs
5
.9
2.6
52.3
50 Confce/convm center
24
4.3
12.4
64.8
51 Cmty /civic center
35
6.2
18.1
82.9
52 Conv /cmty/civic cdr
7
1.2
3.6
86.5
70 Main St -traffic
1
.2
.5
87.0
71 St/road mmce/repair
3
.5
1.6
88.6
72 Address traffic prob
1
.2
.5
89.1
73 Public transporm
1
.2
.5
89.6
74 Incr police activity
4
.7
2.1
91.7
82 Improve fire dept
1
.2
.5
92.2
97 Other
8
1.4
4.1
96.4
98 Don't ]mow
7
1.2
3.6
100.0
Total
193
34.2
100.0
Missing
System
371
65.8
Total
564
100.0
NMM1(FSOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCE[ PAGE B-17
' 7 U ►
Q11A2 CURRENT NEED TO FUND BY TAX INCREASE -2
Valid Cumulative
PAGE B-18 hUNNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1 Indoor rec facility
2
.4
3.1
3.1
2 Pool /aquatic center
4
.7
6.3
9.4
3 Ball fields
2
.4
3.1
12.5
4 Trails,bike pths/lns
2
.4
3.1
15.6
6 River clean up
3
.5
4.7
20.3
7 Rec- tennis courts
2
.4
3.1
23.4
10 Rec- race track
1
.2
1.6
25.0
20 Senior center
8
1.4
12.5
37.5
21 Art education
2
.4
3.1
40.6
22 Performing arts
3
.5
4.7
45.3
24 Affordable housing
2
.4
3.1
48.4
25 YMCA
1
.2
1.6
50.0
27 Teen center
11
2.0
17.2
67.2
29 Improve schools
4
.7
6.3
73.4
34 Youth social progs
3
.5
4.7
78.1
50 Confce/com+tn center
4
.7
6.3
84.4
51 Cmty /civic center
3
.5
4.7
89.1
53 Dwntwn business dev
1
.2
1.6
90.6
54 Industrial park dev
1
.2
1.6
92.2
56 Restaurants
1
.2
1.6
93.8
57 Dept/clothing stores
1
.2
1.6
95.3
61 Crow River developmt
1
.2
1.6
96.9
82 Improve fire dept
1
.2
1.6
98.4
97 Other
1
.2
1.6
100.0
Total
64
11.3
100.0
Missing
System
500
88.7
Total
564
100.0
PAGE B-18 hUNNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
Q11A3 CURRENT NEED TO FUND BY TAX INCREASE -3
Q11A4 CURRENT NEED TO FUND BY TAX INCREASF.4
Cumulative
Percent
6.9
27.6
34.5
37.9
41.4
51.7
55.2
58.6
69.0
75.9
82.8
86.2
89.7
93.1
100.0
Valid Cumulative
Frequency
Percent
Valid
Percent
Frequency
Percent
Percent
1 Indoor rec facility
2
.4
6.9
20 Senior center
6
1.1
20.7
21 Art education
2
.4
6.9
22 Performing arts
1
.2
3.4
23 Domestic abuse centr
1
.2
3.4
27 Teen center
3
.5
10.3
29 Improve schools
1
.2
3.4
33 Senior social progs
1
.2
3.4
50 Confce/convm center
3
.5
10.3
51 Cmty/civic center
2
.4
6.9
54 Industrial park dev
2
.4
6.9
56 Restaurants
1
.2
3.4
61 Crow River developmt
1
.2
3.4
71 St/road mtnce /repair
1
.2
3.4
97 Other
2
.4
6.9
Total
29
5.1
100.0
Missing
System
535
94.9
Total
564
100.0
Q11A4 CURRENT NEED TO FUND BY TAX INCREASF.4
Cumulative
Percent
6.9
27.6
34.5
37.9
41.4
51.7
55.2
58.6
69.0
75.9
82.8
86.2
89.7
93.1
100.0
Valid Cumulative
MIN MOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY BESLARCH PAGE B-19
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1 Indoor rec facility
2
.4
25.0
25.0
20 Senior center
1
.2
12.5
37.5
22 Performing arts
1
.2
12.5
50.0
25 YMCA
1
.2
12.5
62.5
27 Teen center
1
.2
12.5
75.0
51 Cmty/civic center
1
.2
12.5
87.5
97 Other
1
.2
12.5
100.0
Total
8
1.4
100.0
Missing
System
556
98.6
Total
564
100.0
MIN MOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY BESLARCH PAGE B-19
$Q11A MULT MULTIPLE RESPONSE VARIAIILE FOR Q11A
Pct of Pct of
Category label
Code
Count
Responses
Cases
Nothing needed
0
16
5.4
8.3
Indoor rec facility
1
12
4.1
6.2
Pool /aquatic center
2
7
2.4
3.6
Ball fields
3
3
1.0
1.6
Trails,bike pths /ln■
4
2
.7
1.0
Parks /swim beaches
5
1
.3
.5
River clean up
6
6
2.0
3.1
Rec- tennis courts
7
2
.7
1.0
Rec -race track
10
1
.3
.5
senior center
20
35
11.9
18.1
Art education
21
5
1.7
2.6
Performing arts
22
5
1.7
2.6
Domestic abuse centr
23
2
.7
1.0
Affordable housing
24
5
1.7
2.6
YMCA
25
6
2.0
3.1
Teen center
27
33
11.2
17.1
Improve schools
29
23
7.8
11.9
Senior social progs
33
2
.7
1.0
Youth social progs
34
8
2.7
4.1
Confce /convtn center
50
31
10.5
16.1
Cmty /civic center
51
41
13.9
21.2
Conv /cmty /civic ctr
52
7
2.4
3.6
Dwntwn business dev
53
1
.3
.5
Industrial park dev
54
3
1.0
1.6
Restaurants
56
2
.7
1.0
Dept /clothing stores
57
1
.3
.5
Crow River developmt
61
2
.7
1.0
Hain St- traffic
70
1
.3
.5
St /road mtnce /repair
71
4
1.4
2.1
Address traffic prob
72
1
.3
.5
Public transportn
73
1
.3
.5
Incr police activity
74
4
1.4
2.1
Improve firs dept
82
2
.7
1.0
Other
97
12
4.1
6.2
Don't know
98
7
2.4
3.6
Total responses 294 100.0 152.3
371 missing cases; 193 valid cases
PAGE W20 M T44FS TA CENMR FOR SQRVEY RESEARCH
APPEN DEK B
Q11A -RANK.
Ranked order of responses for Q11A. (Based on Multiple
Response data.)
Ok
Code
Response
1
51
Community/Civic Center
2
20
Senior Center
3
27
Teen Center
4
50
Conference/Convention Center
5
29
Educational improvement, improve schools
6
00
Nothing is needed, don't add anything
7
01
Recreation - indoor facility (basketball, track, walking)
8
34
Youth programs
9
02
Recreation - pool/aquatic center
9
52
Convention/Community/Civic Center or Conference/Community Center
9
98
Don't know
12
25
YMCA
12
06
River clean up
14
21
Art education
14
22
Performing arts
14
24
Affordable housing
17
71
Street/road repair, maintenance, improve roads, snow /ice removal
17
74
Law enforcement, crime prevention, increase police activity
19
03
Recreation - ball fields
19
54
Industrial park development
21
04
Recreation - trails, bike paths/lanes
21
07
Recreation - Tennis courts
21
23
Domestic abuse shelter
21
33
Senior programs
21
56
Restaurants, dining establishments
21
61
Crow River improvement /development (beautify, restaurants, tourism)
21
82
Fire department ( improvements, expansion, increase funding)
28
05
Recreation - parks, swimming beaches
28
10
Recreation - Race track (e.g., at Fairgrounds)
28
53
Downtown business development
28
57
Department/clothing stores
28
70
Main Street improvements (road, parking, reduce congestion, monitor
speed)
28
72
Address traffic problems, traffic lights, congestion, traffic flow
28
73
Public transportation, bus system (improve, expand)
NEMESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY rtESEA CE PAGE B•21
Q11A- OTHER. Responses to Q11A coded as "Other." (Code 97) (Rank: 1 = response
listed first, 2 = response listed second, etc.)
Rank
Response
I
Target Center like facility.
I
Additional courts (tennis - basketball- volleyball).
1
Temporary being the key word. It doesn't seem to work that way though.
1
Depends if it is funded by 1/2 percent sales tax.
3
Improvements in utilities.
1
Infrastructure expansion.
1
Any facility or program that will help the most people. I prefer educational or service activities
- not necessary aMM.
2
Getting rid of some of those DAMN filthy ducks /geese. We need more sidewalks!I I hate
walking in the street.
I
More places and things to do of semi - invalid people (arthritics).
3,4
Increase aesthetic appeal of downtown. Find a more appealing location for Farmer's Market.
Develop bi- weekly door-to-door leaf /yard waste pick -up program (current program too
inconvenient and costly).
1
Mosquito control.
H' 0 9 Io 1 SZl1 Y 1II 11) 7 V111
Q12A HOW REDUCE CITY SVCS/PROGRAMS - 1
Q12B HOW REDUCE CITY SVCS/PROGRAMS - 2
Cumulative
Percent
21.8
47.6
56.5
62.4
64.9
69.0
70.5
72.0
73.4
81.5
100.0
Valid Cumulative
Frequency
Percent
Valid
Percent
Frequency
Percent
Percent
0 None /don't cut any
59
10.5
21.8
1 DK/Need more info
70
12.4
25.8
2 No opin/no comment
24
4.3
8.9
3 Cut city witrs /salary
16
2.8
5.9
4 Redee city wkr spadg
7
1.2
2.6
5 Cut police
11
2.0
4.1
6 Unneeded snow plowng
4
.7
1.5
7 Street sweeping
4
.7
1.5
8 More effcnt cry wkrs
4
.7
1.5
9 Parks /rec programs
22
3.9
8.1
77 Other
50
8.9
18.5
Total
271
48.0
100.0
Missing
System
293
52.0
Total
77
564
100.0
Q12B HOW REDUCE CITY SVCS/PROGRAMS - 2
Cumulative
Percent
21.8
47.6
56.5
62.4
64.9
69.0
70.5
72.0
73.4
81.5
100.0
Valid Cumulative
$Q12 NULT MULTIPLE RESPONSE VARIABLE FOR Q12a - Q12b
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
5 Cut police
2
.4
11.8
11.8
8 More effcnt cry wkrs
2
.4
11.8
23.5
9 Parks /rec programs
2
.4
11.8
35.3
77 Other
11
2.0
64.7
100.0
Total
17
3.0
100.0
5.9
Missing
System
547
97.0
2.6
Total
5
564
100.0
4.8
$Q12 NULT MULTIPLE RESPONSE VARIABLE FOR Q12a - Q12b
Total responses
293 missing cases; 271 valid cases
288 100.0 106.3
MINNESOTA aW= FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE 11.23
Pct of
Pct, of
Category label
Code
Count
Responses
Cases
None /don't cut any
0
59
20.5
21.8
DR /Need more info
1
70
24.3
25.8
No opin /no comment
2
24
8.3
8.9
Cut city wkr• /salary
3
16
5.6
5.9
Redce city wkr spndg
4
7
2.4
2.6
Cut police
5
13
4.5
4.8
Unneeded snow plowng
6
4
1.4
1.5
Street sweeping
7
4
1.4
1.5
More effcnt cty wkrs
8
6
2.1
2.2
Parks /rec programs
9
24
8.3
8.9
other
77
61
21.2
22.5
Total responses
293 missing cases; 271 valid cases
288 100.0 106.3
MINNESOTA aW= FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE 11.23
Q12 -RANK. Ranked order of responses for Q12. (Based on Multiple Response
data.)
'�1 IIy
1
01
Don't Imow, need more information
2
00
None, don't cut any services
3
02
No opinion, no comment
3
09
Parks and/or recreation (programs, facilities)
5
03
Cut city workers; cut city worker salaries
6
05
Cut police
7
04
Reduce waste (City Council lunches, reduce number of city vehicles,
etc.)
8
08
More efficient work by city workers
9
06
Unneeded snow plowing
9
07
Street sweeping
Q12 -OTHIIL Responses to Q12 coded as 'Other.' (Code 97)
Response
The liquor store, fancy bridges and frills.
You don't rob Peter to pay Paul.
If the need and use are there they should be self supporting. If not, I guess it isn't
needed.
Community education.
Garbage collection services, since these are available at about the same price
commercially.
Hutchinson utilities staffing.
Utility commissioners should be volunteers as other commissioners are. A savings of
$36,000 per year.
Why spend money on something we djWk we need? Can't you save a little money from
one year to the next so that it wouldn't hurt the tax payers so much?
Street/road development, upgrade, replacement, etc.
City projects run by city instead of government.
Welfare fraud and welfare for pregnant teens an heir children. (Their parents need to
be financially responsible for their child and gra -hild until age 20 yrs.) (The teens
both male and female parents must pay for grann..:ild and their children.) (Pareau
would be more responsible for their children.)
Reduce pension money provided by city.
We have no big needs.
PAGE B-24 itifSII MTA (ENTER FOR SURVEY RVWARCEI
Anything that involves sports (high school). COPS (Hitler youth 9) Sorry, but they act
that way and there is way too many of them. They need to get a better program and stop
picking on people.
Reduction in city funds for business development.
Follow what businesses are doing - outsouirce where it makes sense. Lawn maintenance,
janitorial, truck maintenance, etc. are all tasks /jobs that could easily be outsourced.
Chamber of Commerce - executive director.
Art Center.
We elect council members to make those decisions.
City officials should make these decisions. When council members are elected, decisions
on what needs to be cut should be done by them with feedback from staff.
The city is now taking well care of all city services. Thank you.
Replacing g4gd bridges with new one. Spending money just to get the match from state
or federal.
Too much expansion of city limits. Less city office expansion.
Art education, performing arts.
Cut upper management salaries.
This if what we elected our city council to decide.
I do not receive any city services at this time so you can cut them all!
Social services, Task Force, some people on City Council. Replacement needed (these
people want to spend, spend).
City Council and board members' pay or per diem.
1. Money city is saving by not having a police dispatch could be rued. 2. Curt back on
what is spent on the composting program.
Less gas stations. No more churches of different faiths.
We should not cut one program to fund another unless it is a program unused.
Composting program.
Stop filming the City Council mtg and airing it on Channel 10.
Stop curb -side recycle and compost pick -up.
Maintenance is always an issue. Maybe the local service clubs could help; i.e. road
ditch program.
Garbage services.
McLeod County Social Services needs to be more strict on who qualifies for assistance,
food stamps, etc.
City sidewalks.
Art center, performing arts center.
More economic use in street and park maintenance.
Go back to reading meters every three months.
Hiring out of town firms to tell us what we need. That is wasted dollars. We have
many people in out own city who are very capable and know our needs better than
someone from out or state.
trIIlO SOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE B-25
City government building projects - all the city buildings (city center, bus garage, etc.)
are nicer than where most of the citizens work to pay their taxes.
Don't care, but sounds okay to dol
More emphasis on collaborative partnerships with other governmental agencies; i.e.,
dispatch consolidation.
City involvement in school activities and use of school facilities.
Cut the pork for the rich developers.
Welfare and food stamp program, unemployment. With all the jobs available, there
should be very little of any of the above.
Outside contracting of studies that is very costly + (reduce).
Using money to bring business in. With the major retailers here, we are already focused
on. Building services for a minority. Look towards what the majority needs.
Wasting money on Bluff Street bridge and next, the Second Ave. bridge for starters.
Fire. City Council.
Building permits, business development.
Power commissioner wages.
Quit helping the Mexicans, etc. and giving them free monies to move here and live
cheap.
Tree trimming (especially without property owners permission).
Even the money out.
Street maintenance.
Something nobody cares for; something not many people need/use.
City engineering (building pevmits/inspection). 'Free tree' program. Hiring consultants
for unwanted programs.
PAGE B-26 HIIIQSOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
APPENDIX B
COMMENTS Your comments are welcomed and appreciated. Please use this space for additional
comments. If necessary, feel free to include an additional sheet.
Response
Q3 -Not very valuable because not everyone can afford or get the Leader.
Q5a- Biker lanes on roads - bikers continue to use sidewalks to ride on and current bike lanes are not
used. Addl construction of lanes, disrupting normal traffic flow on streets just doesn't make sense.
In my opinion, the school district has not been included adequately in addressing city needs. Park
Elementary School would fill the needs for a Sr Cerra, Performing Arts Center and Recreational
Center. Construction of a new school to meet future needs makes more sense. A year round school
calendar would help to reduce needs for "teen" programs.
I would "strongly agree" for paved walking and bike trails within the city For instance an extension
of the trail along Century Ave. after it crossed Hwy 15 - going east past Ridgewata College.
Q5c- Hutchinson needs more retail! Upscale department store would keep our residents from
shopping and spending dollars out of town. Thank you for the opportunity to complete this survey. It
is time the City of Hutchinson be made aware of how and what its citizens want. Good job!
We are seniors who lead an active life & when only 40 or less people sign for a senior dinner dance
& it has to be canceled. The thought of a senior center with a workshop & power tools is the last
thing we need, the liability would be tremendous. We play cards with friends in our own home &
don't need to go to the center for that. We have the highest concentration of elderly in senior
facilities that have their own activities. The only way that a senior center makes any sense is as part
of a conference or convention center, instead of a separate facility that would have to be staffed as a
separate building.
The chairman of the Task Force has long complained about how the city does "business.' I'm
wondering if his (& committee's) way of gathering information forever is really ever going to get
things off dead center and be better than what we had?? Remember, only the end result counts!!
I like the way the school bonds were obtained. I think when people were informed with all details.
The majority rules. It proved that the last election, whoever headed that up, did a god job. If it's a
1/2% sales tax, I think there should be a time limit.
MINNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE B-27
City officials are overpaid and are not wise stewards of our money, they are also double talkers. No
consideration for the taxpayers of this city. This survey is far too costly for us to be paying. This
should have been given to Ridgewater College students to do as a class project. City railroads the
public in all areas. People in this city are inconsiderate of others (especially for the seniors who
founded Hutchinson). More respect is needed especially by youth & city officials towards seniors.
More consideration for farmers who if they aren't given the freedom to farm we will not have any
food or milk to drink. Less building out in the country. Better education (kids are allowed to use
calculators in school & can't add or subtract in their heads. They rely too much on computers for
entertainment and less interaction with people. People also need to be better examples to the youth
i.e., quit drinking & smoking. How can I become a city official? Better trained doctors & nurses are
needed. More trees need to be planted in order to bring in the much needed rain to help the crops
grow. Beautify Hwy 7 & 15 and get rid of car dealership there. Commodities (i.e., food, gas, water
bills, electric bills, etc.) are higher than other towns & wages aren't adequate for the prices you pay
for these commodities. Companies and the city don't give incentives to live here (i.e., property taxes
are too high and profit sharing is never given out by companies anymore because it is being spent
elsewhere). Also open up the enclosed pools to the public during the winter months for open swim
days and charge about $2.00 per person per day.
Question comments: Q5a: There are numerous rec facilities already - Luce Line, the mall, civic
center, high school, middle school, etc; already are numerous baseball diamonds all over Hutchinson
area; bike lanes - roads are too small for bikes and people don't drive properly stow; pool - already
have enough; parks are within walking distance of houses now; parks are not being used now;
dredging Crow River - only if taxpayers don't pay for it. QSb: Art education is taught in schools; we
have auditoriums that can be used instead of a performing arts center, also churches; YMCA - kids
won't use this facility because they're too busy now; teen center - kids already have one below the
Christian bookstore and can go to church for other activities; nothing else needed for this size town
Q7- You already screwed up the taxes now. Way too high for this community. Pay better wages than
what is given now; i.e., bigwigs are paid far more than blue-collar workers. Q8- not important at all
because city (taxpayers) will end up paying to use this facility and it's not fair to the taxpayers. Qll-
none, you need to start looking at using facilities you already have (the fairgrounds, old hotel,
churches, etc.). Q13a- trail development - this is an existing facility; youth programs - what are they
doing with the money parents pay for now; existing parks - what are they doing with the money
people pay to use parks now? Q17- This is our tax money and we the taxpayers should have the say
not the city officials. Q20- (live out of town) But what does it matter I still pay taxes, which go to the
city for salaries, etc.
Q5c - labor force too weak to increase development. We need stores such as Herbergers and other
good clothing stores.
Too long a questionnaire. Seems too repetitious.
I am glad that I got one of these surveys. I feel that our system works well and that is to elect city
officials and leave them to make decisions. This is a waste of tax payers money and pushed by a
couple of people needing an ego trip and would never be elected to a city officelll! Q18- We elect
officials to make these dec.
My family has only lived here for about 5 months but I have worked in the school system for 6 years.
So I'm not sure how aware I am about the needs of our co Q5a -I think Hutch has a great
selection of parks and they seem to be well - maintain Q5b- art education center - have one already.
Q5c- I disagree because I think we are :Ding fine in these areas already. Q13c- I think Hutch does a
great job with business - related development and programs. Whatever it has done in the past should be
continued.
PAGE B-28 M][NNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
APPENDIX B
I feel that the taxpayers are being asked to pick up the tab up for a very few special interest groups;
i.e., hockey rinks, why not have the users pay for it? The cost of these things could possibly be used
for scholarships of some kind. After all, how many kids get free rides to colleges? How much cost
to the taxpayers for these very few that do get scholarships? Spend more on education, maybe less on
administration. How many 80-90K a year administrators does Hutch have? What do they do in
return but go to s eminars and tell the underlings 20-30K what to do. I personally cannot afford all
these luxuries. Get a clue. And do the best with what you have like the rest of the people have to.
Q5a- I think an indoor pool with a water slide or something would be useful (community center).
Q5c- We will soon be over retailed! Q13c- We have plenty of business to support.
Tax dollars are already going into schools - open more to recreationisocial programs - pool, track,
basketball, tennis, etc. Be more regional /inclusive in planning - draw in from larger geographic area.
If capital funding is secured and community center built - will it be financially self - sustaining, or will
we be asked for tax increase yearly thereafter? Are we thinking too big for population numbers?
Taxes are already at high end, with hourly salaries for ordinary person being less than metropolitan
area comparable; and yet costs of utilities, food, medical services, etc. are often greater than in
population centers like Mpls/St. Paul. True needs need to be met; wants prioritized!
Q2-Q3 Depends on issues. Some are #145. Q4 The city should take opportunity to co
issues. The facts are most important. Q5a- I have no opinion on some as I am not aware of needs or
issues involved. Any choice could be #1 if need information were given. Q5b- Senior, art education
& performing art center could possibly share but again what is involved, costs, etc. Q5c- I am for
progress but we need to give priority to a long range plan with costs and needs involved. Q7- Not
enough information to make an educated decision as to the legal, financial affects to the city. Q10-
Complex issues affect how to finance a city need. Q16- Mail-in ballot is very costly. Cost? Mail vs.
box? Fraud? Mail vs. box? Some thought: If wait too long costs are much more. Organization
could be in a more responsible position for the facility. Some building could be dual purpose. Q17-
Q 18- Depends on what it is? Amount of Money? What does "major" mean, $500,000 - S2,500,000?
Where do operating costs come from? Let council or task force decide.
I believe this is a rather narrowly focused "Community Needs Survey." The needs of Hutchinson do
not include buildings for recreational activities and business meetings. There is a need for some
knowledge applied when dealing with the growth of Hutchinson. Drive the streets someday and find
that Governor Ventura's "drunken Irishmen' have nothing over the people who have planned some of
Hutchinson's recent streets. You mention additional downtown business development in the survey.
Establishing some requirements for maintenance of the outside of the current businesses downtown -
painting, signs, advertisements in windows - would certainly improve the atmosphere and possibly
attract both new businesses and customers. Take a better look at how new developments impact the
surrounding areas and existing housing - sewer problems, drainage problems, etc. Qlla- A civic
center that provided oppormnities to the people of Hutchinson - not the businesses (like the Chaska
Community Center).
The community civic center would benefit seniors, adults, teens, and youth for so many activities.
We love going to the one in Chaska and would love to see so many in Hutchinson benefit from the
same here.
With a co as large as this there should be a well built center with multiple uses.
Q9- All of these are great, but to designate, I'd need more information. Q10- Property taxes are
already too high. Perhaps we could spread the base by some other method. Q13a- This is difficult to
fill out because we feel our parks, for example, are very fine. I doubt we need more.
Q5a- Too many programs for kids are not used; don't appreciate what they have! My mother (87
years) won't answer this type of survey - It goes in the wastebasket! A large majority of persons 75
yrs or more do not show interest in a survey like this!
MINNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEAR PAGE B-29
Q4 If they printed both sides of a city issue. Truth about taxes. Q5a- Use what we have to the
maximum
As a rural resident I did feel it unfair to charge us a different price for non - resident activities for
programs such as summer rec. Education - a new school - not just a bandaid on them.
I did not feel qualified to answer these questions.
Q7- (answer = 1) Chaska has an excellent community civic center.
I like Hutchinson and I think it's a great place to live. I feel we do need to improve on programs and
facilities for our youth and families. I would like to see Hutchinson grow at a faster pace.
Q5b- A teen center is used for a short time and then they are tired of it. When giving out information
state both sides and explain very clearly. In the survey, you are asking the same questions over and
over.
The Arts & Crafts Festival should be held somewhere else; preferably at the Fairgrounds. The streets
are congested enough now and are horrendous when the Festival is held. Luckily no one has been rum
over or killed by a car yet. Hutchinson is ultra - sports minded. After graduation what good is sports
as compared to a good education?
Use existing facilities to the maxim including schools, fairgrounds, etc.
Q10- Stop spending so much money!!
I think the city has been doing good job, don't change too much. Anyone can be wrong. All work
together to make things better. More one -man show.
Need more progress in the Hutchinson area!!
I think the amount of taxes being paid are too high already. Many senior citizens and low income
families can't afford additional taxes.
Post the cost of this survey in the Leader/Shopper.
Q4 A column in the Leader would be very valuable if honest. 5 I didn't print.
As a newcomer to MN we were not aware or alerted to city animal laws. Welcome lady was great
but should tell people about laws. We are awfully disgruntled over the excessive high fee for car
licenses. Seems very unnecessary. Very few township roads - even to beautiful living areas - are
asphalt! This is unnecessary - seems to make MN appear as a poor state. Water is awful - not
drinkable - everyone buys water. How dumb. How unsafe! Glad we have no infants or are 65 +.
1. I would protest if they tear down the nearly new and very nice Chamber of Commerce building.
2. The senior citizens in Hutchinson have enough money to pay for their own entertainment at the
Legion - VFW - Victorian Inn or Elks Club. The same businesses can provide enough room for most
all meetings.
I resent having this facility being considered again; the voters have said i111 already. I see that many
costly projects have been forced on residents. Because of this, people choose to say no whenever
given the chance. The mayor caters to rich people, and he sees issues from their point rather than
what is best for all people. If the utility company has excess funds, they should lower rates or send
out rebates. I read the local paper this week to learn that the City of Hutchinson has assessed some
taxpayers about $120,000 to run services next to their property. Who is crazy? How can a family be
expected to pay that? Rest assured it does not affect any of the council members' incomes. My
family had a home annexed to the city against our wishes; it cost a lot of money, we have gained
nothing except sewage in our basement due to improper operation of the sanitary waste system. The
city engineer lied many times to all of us home owners who were annexed, and now we are left with
huge costs and 114 benefit. How does the City Council dare to do this again! The only ones who
benefit are already rich with expensive homes. Someone needs to stop this treatment.
PAGE B-30 MINNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY ROEAR
Q7- Anything they did would end up as a big argument and there is little chance any group would be
happy. Use the money for college kids who can't afford to go to school. I hope this (community
civic center) never happens! Ql la- Teenagers in this town have nothing to do. Many of them resort
to drugs and alcohol for en Having things for them to do like mini golf, go-cart racing,
skate boarding, or drag racing would be great.
We elect people to serve on the City Council to make decision on issues pertaining to the City of
Hutchinson. A citizen's committee or task force should not be formed every time a small but vocal
group of citizens do not agree with decisions made by the City Council. We have lived in Hutchinson
for 38 years. It has grown from a community of 6,000 to over 13,000. The City Council present and
past must be doing things right to achieve this kind of growth. Let the City Council members govern
instead of dealing with task forces & community surveys.
1. There is not enough information about the programs and services the city financially supports.
2. The City Council never seems to listen to what we say. What we say we want, they cut. What we
say we don't they keep on pushing until they find a way to get what )by want.
3. The police dispatch never should have been cut. All the information wasn't given out until they
had already voted.
4. This is a small town. Why can't it stay that way? The last thing we need is a convention center.
I have very strong feelings that the first priority in this community for any new facility should most
definitely be a new high school. I would like to see this need be met, or at least planned for, before
Hutchinson is taxed in any way for anything else. I have a fear that any additional tax burden at this
time which may affect the community's willingness to support future school needs is a grave mistake.
After struggling to pass a bare minimum levy referendum this year. Hutchinson must keep this in
mind. Perhaps a broader look at planning community needs could incorporate a combined school /city
facility. We need to consolidate and cooperate - not separate and divide, for the overall good of all of
our citizens, not just the business community. Hutchinson is a mid -sized community. I, along with
many others, like it that way. Let's improve what we have with emphasis on attracting and keeping
the best but not over taxing current and future residents.
We pay too much now for taxes!!! Schools, schools, schools.
Good questions! Should get an idea of what the voters feel that the City should support.
Thank you - I guess I'd really like to have it alll
This city is expecting the tax payer to carry the burden for programs and activities that will benefit the
select few in the community!
Q10- No more tax increases. Our property taxes have been increasing at an alarming rate, about
10 %. Wages have increased by 2 %. We do not support increasing property taxes for at least three
years and then only by same rate as wages.
Q9- There are a multitude of buildings available in Hutch; e.g., fairgrounds, armory, civic centers,
schools, etc. These facilities may not be owned by the city but so what. Work out something so
these facilities can be utilized. Q10- Any of the above options will only discourage new business and
community growth. These options also would then cause additional bonds, tax increases, etc. Qlla-
To further educate our community (both traditional students as well as developing a better work
force); only for teaching materials; no new buildings, facilities, etc.
Regarding question #19: You're assuming that a local sales tax is something I'd support. I don't
want to vote before or after state approval - no new taxes
Please stop sending me this survey.
When you become elderly and lose your hearing. So it is useless to attend meetings or watch on
television. I would like a way we could have a voice in things. (sic)
MINNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE B-31
Bike lanes on existing roads are a safety hazard. I recommend reducing boulevards and putting in
paved bikeways. Many unsupervised small children are walking and riding bikes only 3 feet away
from speeding cars. One day a child will "go out of the lines' and be killed. It teaches children to
use the street lane instead of the sidewalk or street and follow driving rules.
Q5a - We need to use the facilities we already have - we don't need any more parks - we have 27
already and with that comes 13( +) softballfbaseball fields - five volleyball courts and plenty of space
to run/walk. As for the "community civic center ", what about the recreation/civic centers? Need
more space? What about the buildings at the McLeod Co. Fairgroundsl What we really need in this
town is a steak house!
I've lived in Hutchinson only a short time and so can't really do justice to this survey.
Q3- (fair) They only tell you what they want you to know. Q4 Not everyone receives a paper. Why
do they keep bringing things up for a vote after they have been voted down? I do not feel that my tax
dollars should be used for other people's entert and fun. Why is a City Council member still
making decisions on issues for the city when he is building a home outside of Hutchinson and will not
be paying taxes in Hutchinson?
Q5c- Built in proximity to schools and used as school multi- purpose during day - co multi-
purpose in evenings. Ql la- New schools gnly at this time. Q13a- Provide a wide variety of
facilities; youth programs - higher out- of-city fees needed. I believe we should be able to vote even
when funds are donated and facilities will be turned over to the city. We should be able to vote if we
want ownership of a large facility that will use tax payer dollars to operate. Do NQ1 appreciate way
hockey center was handled. I'm already, to my understanding, helping to fund the first sheet of ice
and I had no choice in the 2nd. City government officials must be fiscally responsible and understand
the greatest financial need is new schools. They must do their part by allowing the municipal tax
burden to lessen so the public will feel comfortable being taxed for educational needs. This question -
social need - was never touched on specifically by this questionnaire. Q8 - Why should we want to
line a business owner's pocket - probably better use of state funds elsewhere. Private business should
be funding social needs of community more. We don't have an employee pool for more business.
Only new jobs are low pay - not truly developing a "better" community.
Q5a & Q5b- I'd like to see more efforts targeting mothers with or without their children involved.
Unless they are well off, most mothers have neither the time or money, but it's critical that they take
care of themselves - not just everyone else. Just as a note - I am a mother, but my children are all
grown. I hope that some attention is being paid to the needs of the Hispanics in our community.
Have you thought of extending the city limits to include current businesses outside the limits who have
competitors in the city limits? That might equal out some of the opposition. I can think of several
businesses on Hwy 7 east who have competitors in the city limits. I don't know much about grams,
but I've heard that there are federal grants available for specific needs. Do we have people who can
tap into those to possibly procure some of that money for development?
The city has a unique opportunity to locate any new facility in the most developing area of the city.
That is along Hwy 15. I think the city could join forces with the county and use some of the facilities
at the fairgrounds to create a convention center. They could update existing buildings or build a new
center. If the city builds something - do it right - do it with room to expand and park. NM
d9v+ l9m.
Q5a - The river was drained to fix the dam; there are enough parks to play ball in; there are two
swimming pools in town, don't need another one. Cut back - Chamber of Commerce executive
director. Cut back - sports in school. Sr. citizens can't afford to live here. Who is going to pay for
new hockey arena?
I very strongly feel that we should be able to vote on each individual project on a referendum vote and
that these votes be taken either by mail ballot or in November's general election.
PAGE B-32 WDI�TA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
Hutch Leader is = a good place for info because most people I know don't even get the paper. They
(and 1) feel that 75 cents is too much for what is actually "there.' I read it if my boss brings it to
work.
Q5b- Center for teens should have night activities (dances, bands, etc.). The centers in question
should not necessarily be one big center. Seniors, conferences, etc. could be one but activities such as
walking, indoor basketball, volleyball, cunning, are something that could be separate. The teen
activities should be something for high school but somewhere that is close to other activities, food
establishments, etc. Widen South Grade Road from Date St. to School Rd. and put bike/walking path
along with. This could easily be a road with turn lanes. The road is terrible to walk or bike because
it is so unsafe. This should not be, especially with the school. Any school should be built to allow
levels to be built up.
I think it's a shame that the city hasn't had the foresight to use the beauty of the Crow River as a focal
point of the community. Most of my favorite cities are charming co mmuniti es on rivers. What makes
them charming is the way they use the rivers as the main attraction to their communities. They have
quaint shops, dining, paved paths, boat ramps, etc. We should not waste this beautiful area on car
lots, fast food joints, convenience stores, etc. A thriving co needs thriving businesses to keep
it going. The more desirable the co the more business to draw tax dollars from. These tax
dollars then can be used for better education and all the other needs of a great community. Sometimes
we can't see the obvious because we try to get too complicated. Use our river.
Q5a- Hutchinson does not need more; they have the most and best programs and services in the
county. If this facility would be built and rented to the school system, taxes would revert to the
burdened farm economy. If you add a local sales tax, people driving to work in Hutchinson will shop
in their own communities and I will go out of town to shop. When Hutchinson expands, we need
more schools, more taxes then fall on the city and rural people, who are now over taxed.
I feel that people who do not have to answer to the public should not try to run city hall. We elect
people who we feel will represent us fairly. Second guessing a decision made by the City Council is
easy to do when one is not sitting in their seat. Hutchinson is a very aggressive community - than
goodness - or we would be like a nearby community that seems to sit on their hands and doesn't make
any decisions that will help their city grow. I am proud to be from the Hutchinson area. What we
need are people in the community to educate others of our needs and how we can pay for them.
These need to be open- minded people who don't always say 'no" to all new projects that the city
should undertake.
We need to have the Health Dept. check on ways some people are surviving. We have plenty of
parks now. We have plenty of business development programs now.
No new taxes.
I believe the last thing we need is higher taxes. It seems like sports /recreation has taken over
everything else. We need more time together as families and maybe there would be fewer problems
with youth not having anyone around and not enough to do.
We are fortunate to live in a city like Hutchinson. We have a work ethic here probably unsurpassed
in the country. People take pride in their homes, families, and city. La's strive to am—= the type of
industry business that can contribute to this environment.
Poor survey - questions too generall
NMMESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEAR PAGE 5-33
•any:
Like most people I don't really like to pay taxes, but like most people, I probably don't mind paying
my fair share if the money is spent wisely. With that in mind, I think the city should concentrate
especially hard in two main areas: attracting business (which translates to jobs) and education. I'll
use an analogy to explain my line of thinking. The City of Hutchinson is a train with an engine and
railcars. Many of the things we would like to have, senior center, walking trails, sw immin g pools, art
centers, hockey rinks, volleyball courts, convention centers to name a few, are really nothing more
than railcars. And the more railcars you have, the more powerful the engine you need to pull them.
The most powerful engines are jobs and education. So, if you want a lot of railcars, you better have
the engines to pull them. Lastly, I would like you to weigh these comments more heavily than the
actual numbered survey as it is bard to get an accurate feel for things with the survey.
Q3- They'll tell you what they want you to hear. Q4- Again, everyone can justify their wants.
Q5a - Who is going to pay for all of this? We must have. As a farmer my property, which I make
my living from, is taxed. If people want additional activities for their children than they should pay.
If your living comes because you have a degree, then that degree should be taxed the same as my
land. Farmers are 2% of the population, take responsibility, pay your share, don't ask me to. Q510-
If you want it, raise your own funds; stricter punishment for domestic abusers; affordable housing -
doesn't Hutch have this already, if needed, let it be provided by private enterprise; YMCA funding
from private source only; teen center, been tried, didn't work. Q5c- private funding only. Q13 - For
all the people that are coming to Hutch our schools will soon be full and the people will have to build
more schools on their property tax. Our sewer system will soon he overloaded, then what? More
taxes. Own a business in town with 8 full -time employees - In 1982 tax was $1200.00, 1999 tax was
$4500.00. There are too many parks now.
How big do you want Hutchinson to grow? Big cities present bigger problems! What needs are not
being met and would benefit the )aiilply of citizens? Has anyone on the committee considered a
drastic downturn in the economy (a depression)? How many of these suggestions are pet projects of a
few individuals? the second skating rink? A youth center has been tried a number of times and always
failed. Are job opportunities being met for young people?
Quit spending, there are a lot of us on fixed income and plenty of medical bills. We can't afford
everything they want. Perhaps if they were spending out of their own pockets, they wouldn't be so
liberal.
We have enjoyed the past eight years of home ownership in Hutchinson. We live 6 months of each
year out -of -state and therefore are not very active in this community for the time we're absent.
Hutchinson community does not spend /wattage money wisely.
Q4- If it was the truth. Q11- Taxes are too high. Quality of work needs to improve for monies
spent.
Q10- No new razes!!! City needs to live within its budget so we can live within ours! We are fed up
with new taxes and waste in govt. and schools. Also, schools offering such a large number of
nonacademic classes, taking funding away from maintaining of facilities and academics is ridiculoust
have to budget and fend priorities. So should govt.!
Q5b- Instead of a new pool center, roof over existing one if feasible. I feel this questionnaire really
wasn't necessary as it has all been discussed many times. In my estimation the elected city officials
we have at the present time have done a very good job. I do agree that the convention center should
have been separate from the senior /art center when voted on. Perhaps we should have a wily
center as so many of our smaller neighboring communities have. This community center could then
include the above. We cannot expect to live in our beautiful, growing and thriving community unless
we keep up with the development of such. This is where we feel the 1/2 percent sales tax would have
been an ideal solution as it would 44S have been only for the residents of Hutchinson. We are paying
extra tax when we visit St. Cloud, Minneapolis, Willmar, etc. Let them help us in turn.
PAGE B-34 MWMOTA (ENM FOR SURVEY RESEAR
Q13a- The kids need some place they can go in the winter instead of hanging out at the mall. I find it
interesting how an increase in sales tax can be added without agreement of townsfolk. And how
certain things can be added to a bill sure to pass just so the council gets what it wants. I appreciate
the survey. I hope it won't be a waste of our time and the city does what it wants anyway.
Q4- I feel city officials are too biased to write a column; i.e., Hutch's Chief of Police has his own
agenda in mind whenever an article is primed and he is asked questions. Q13a- New facilities if for a
good reason; not a handful of people wanting something because it benefits their own needs; i.e.,
youth hockey, figure skating group, softball. Q's on downtown development? Downtown djj�d when
Main St. was changed to one -way traffic each way - most people try to avoid downtown just because
of the traffic and parking problems. What major businesses have been established vs. ones that have
closed to the Main St. area. Note: I do not consider Shopko or More 4 on Main St. The survey
asked Q's on a 1/255 sales tax. My question would be, would this be on major items such as cars,
boats, motorcycles, snowmobiles? A 1/2% added to the cost of these items would hurt businesses -
customers would go to neighboring towns to make the purchase or business people of Hutch would
have to pay it from their bottom line. Comment: I think this survey was a good ideal My hope is
that common sense can win out over some of the city official's personal agendas - what may be good
for a small group "The Top 400 of Hutch" may not be what is best for the rest of us living here.
Thank you for giving people a chance to voice an opinion.
Q8. Very poor question. You didn't give any other options only one scenario. You cannot answer
this question with one opinion when it brings up so many questions as a whole. No private developer,
= is your worst nightmare.
Many of the questions were misleading and any answer given would be without proper information.
Q1- HCVN 10 is not a news channel; family and friends? What kind of news do you mean?
Quarterly newsletter is information about what is going on in city of Hutch, not local news. Q4- A
regular column in the Leader would charged advertising rates, does the public know this? Q5- Many
of the recreational needs are funded with grant money - not direct taxes to general fund of the city.
Q5c- Business needs? What is the question asking for? Community needs? Or for benefit of business
only? This question is 14i1dcd. Q13a- Many of the parks and playgrounds are financially supported
by civic organizations. New parks and playgrounds are required to be land donated by developers, or
cash in lieu of land. Does the public know this? Q14- Real estate taxes? Sales taxes? Income taxes?
Which of these programs use my tax dollars other than recreation? Q18- Tax obligation bonds require
a referendum prior to funding new major facilities. Q19- State law required in 1999 that approval be
gotten from legislature first - otherwise you need voter approval twice.
Q5b- I feel that if there was a "Y" it wouldn't be necessary to have a teen center. Q14- I feel that
sometimes the area is over - saturated with certain businesses (e.g., banks, restaurants, hotels, grocery
stores), so that somebody goes down. Sad to say, but many residents go out of town to eat and shop.
Sometimes I feel that the Chamber (CVB) and city officers lose sight of how many businesses our
drawing area can support. Also, the labor pool is nearly depleted. You would have difficulty getting
anyone to work the minimum paying jobs. I know that people go out of town to shop and eat, and we
can't really compare because we don't have enough volume. This is an agricultural area and therefore
rather sparsely populated. Many of the existing businesses will be forced to close if the pie has to be
cut in smaller pieces. Many operate on a shoe - string already.
We must keep in mind that not every tax payer in Hutchinson can afford the taxes they now pay mach
less increases for things they don't need nor will use.
NWNESOTA CErTM FOR SURVEY RESEAR PAGE B
Q5a- I don't think any of these will draw people to the area. I don't think any public tax (sales or
property) should be used for these projects. The leaders need to set an example or be role models for
younger people (and all ages) to live within our budgets. This city tends to focus on the lam! The
costs to attend events and live in this community (taxes) make ownership impossible for some. I think
they should focus on fto ygg for AU if tax dollars are used! It seems the ones who need to be kept
busy or occupied are those who can afford it least - hence they are the young and old who fall thru the
cracks. We need to focus on making uses affordable for all.
I find it unusual that neither this survey document, or the introductory later are dated. Signing and
dating documents meant to convey a message is an important part of communication to professionals -
even the U of M missed that! 11
Get a target center like the Minneapolis one! Thanks.
Please do not use mail votes. I talked to many people who did not receive ballots. If people really
care about the issues, arrangements can be made to give everyone an opportunity to vote.
Q7- We build stuff that gets used very little, but our taxes go sky high, just because the money is
there.
Q5b- Senior center only for people with Hutchinson address; other communities have their own to
attend. Q13a- Strongly oppose other recreational programs, such as spending $15,000 for this survey.
Q14- We don't need to spend more tax dollars, we need to cut back; the money from the state is also
our tax dollars. We are middle income families retired and on a fixed income. Our taxes are very
high and they keep going up but our fixed income does not go up, if anything it is less with more
taxes taken out. There are many of us living in this area and we feel that our city does not need to
sper ' our tax dollars on something that is not needed. We have the Victorian Inn for conference
rooters. The fairgrounds for arts and crafts and there is also the recreation building and the arena can
be used for one of these things at some time or another. If this is not good enough for some people
then perhaps they can drive elsewhere, such as the Twin Cities. And if this city is not good enough
or big enough they can move elsewhere. We are trying to accommodate certain people that think they
are big shots and they spend money very foolishly, especially the tax payers motley. You always
mention state monies. Where do you think this state money comes from, us the tax payers. It
certainly does not grow on trees. As far as Senior Citizen Center - I think it is fine where it is at. To
begin with it should only be for seniors with the Hutchinson address. The other surrounding towns
have their own and these other seniors from other towns would go to the one with their address. If
we would only have seniors with the Hutchinson address there would be plenty of room. Why should
we support other communities? Some of these things really have gotten out of hand. Let's get things
back on track where they belong. Let's be more economical minded instead of trying to spend
someone else's money. Everything is getting so expensive it is hard for people to keep up. Our City
of Hutchinson is big enough and we do not need more people moving hem. You can tell by all the
theft and crime we are having here stow. It used to be a nice town to live in. Not so anymore. We
need to look at the drug situation in our city. It is very bad. So many young kids are on drugs, also
older people. But the school is saying no we don't have a drug problem, but we do and a very large
one. These are kids on ball games, hockey, etc. (sic) It seems the parents along with school
superintendent deny that there is a problem, but there certainly is a big problem. We do not need any
of these proposed buildings.
Q 13c- The above if existing quality programs do not suffer as a result. Somehow, it seems,
opportunity should be provided in such surveys as this for husbands and wives to both respond to the
questions. Sometimes they hold differing insights and opinions and are not given the opportunity to
express them when only one copy of a survey is provided.
There seems to be a lot of related questions in this form. Example, Q11- what part of no more or
increased taxes don't you understand. Is this questiomaire and comment going to be published in
full? I doubt it very much!!
PAGE 13-36 NHNNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
yy NZIO O,
I'm not real impressed with the survey. I don't really see how the results are going to be helpful.
At a time when waste and conservation are worldly issues, and serious issues I might add, we have the
City of Hutch at a total disregard. You can tell just by the way people drive. Money is not an issue.
I would like to share -my earnings with my family, not the City of Hutchinson. We can hardly afford
to leave town on a family vacation. Do any of you people leave town? This is a how to "spend"
survey. Our children need to be taught conservatism At all levels. My money is not Hutch's bank
account. It's that simple!
The city/school district have pulled some fast ones on the citizens of Hutchinson over the years. My
opinion is they are not to be trusted - we have a very nice town, which will grow regardless of how
much push /shove the city /school does. But if push comes to shove it will end up like the school
issues over the years. "No" is not in the equation. They will just keep bringing it up until it's voted
on.
Make the people who keep on squeezing out kids pay for the schools not people who don't have any
kids and people who have needs for recreation pay for that from reallocating funds from other areas.
We need a large sw immin g aquatic health center.
Q5b- teen center - haven't we tried that before and it didn't work? Q5c - Herbergers! No more
pharmacies! Your survey is WAY too long and somewhat redundant. Use age categories - then you
can tell what age groups think. Don't ask age - isn't that illegal?
I am 84 years old and not very interested in current proposals, votes or social interests. This is the
"i request for this information - with stamp, etc. that is quite persistent and expensive.
Our city badly needs more affordable housing for the young families and the senior citizens that are in
the middle class of wage (income) earners. We also need an apartment complex for the elderly
connected to a nursing home. Try to negotiate to get Red Lobster to come to Hutch.
It would be wonderful to have all of the mentioned facilities /services with no increase in taxes.
Hopefully these surveys will guide the city as they seek to provide what the community wants and is
willing to pay for.
If a convention center would be agreed on then there should be more motels and restaurants built.
Q15- Why vote if it doesn't pass, we will revote until it will.
Q4- Only if they don't lie. This is bullshit.
No more bike lanes such as the one on Jefferson St. Please. That one is a safety hazard on the south
end. And it gets used y=. v= little. Why not put some money away or towards the hun debt?
I don't like doing surveys. Sorryl Also I think we're taxes enough now.
Q5a- Better use facilities we have! Hutchinson is a wonderful attractive co but also has
extremely high taxes already. So much so we can't attract enough employees for our businesses - we
need to provide for needs of children and families and let private parties fund the extras.
This is a good survey, however, it is probably too long for the average citizen to fill out and covers
too many issues.
We elect officials to make some of the decisions necessary to ensure continued community progression
and vitality. It is therefore, unnecessary and impractical for the constituents to vote on community
projects. Their opinions can be registered in various ways other than voting. Too often voters are not
completely aware of the value or adverse impact a project may have on a community. Instead of
being informed, they vote "against a tax increase," not considering what is best for our community
and its future.
Q5a- No other recreational programs, taxes are too high now. No more taxes and a higher pay scale -
$8.00 to $10.00 an hr. Don't cut it with the high taxes and houses in this town.
NW4NMTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEAR PAGE 8-37
Fvlj — ;o 310 - 06 - 4v
Q5c- I'm concerned about the downtown area and balancing the need for more retail mall expansion.
I think $15,000 was a lot of money to be spent on a project like this!
Q4- Very valuable, but use the Reader's Digest form. Q5a- I just do not feel our sports facilities are
being used to their full potential at this time. Q5b- Hutch may need some improvements in existing
programs but not to the tune of multi- million dollars (white elephant) structures - example, City
Center. Q7- I feel this is too much of a rush job just to get the million dollars (which I do feel is
significant). However, I feel letting 2 -3-4 businesses match the million is a mistake, as I truly feel it
will end up 91p]I building subsidized by Hutch to the tune of one million plus dollars. Q9 (trade show
space)- We all ready have so many areas - mall, fairgrounds, park, etc. Q9 (aquatic center)- How
many pools do we need? Q15- Quit spending and reduce taxes. If it is an issue the people are
interested in, putting it on the Nov. ballot will be sufficient. Q16 & Q19- Which ever costs less.
Please discontinue the Quarterly newsletter the city of Hutch sends out. The little bit of impt. news
could be gotten to people thru a reg. column in the newspaper. In one back issue they interviewed the
snow plow drivers! l I do not want my tax dollars spent interviewing snow plow drivers, and he was
probably on the clock. I also don't understand why when it snows a little on Fri. we need the plow
outside our window on MM morning at 5 a.m. I was in my house, in the shower, water running and
I could hear him outside on the dead end. Why? Use some common sense. I also one day this
summer - windy, windy day - and they the builders are hauling truck loads of dirt from where they
are building the new ice. Why at approx 11 am. is the sweeper sweeping that area of South Grade
Road? What a waste of time and resources. Again, use some common sense.
Tired of a council that overrides people's votes then pass it anyway. Tired of voting for the same
B.S. every 6 months. Pass an article that states once an issue has been voted on it can't be brought up
again for a set number of years (3 -5). Sick and tired of this town. Will move when I retire in
another 3 -5 years to some city that respects the people's votes. This city sucks big time.
I moved to this town from a rural area that has better maintained roads in the winter. It is one of the
few complaints I have. The other is more industry machine shops, engineering funs and such.
Q5b- YWCA is not included, is there a reason? Because of health problems I haven't been as active
and my participation has been limited. There are many activities I've had to forego because of health
problems. I have missed many activities.
Q15- It seems that whatever the voter votes for the city finds a way to go around them; example - the
ice sheet. My main comment and from what I've heard from others is that anyone on the commission
gets what he wants. It is very noticeable that at least one member that never wanted a office before
ran for office so that his girl could have a hockey rink. A tarred and lighted walking path, a second
skating rink, a large convention hall (anyone can see that a seminar or convention would want it in the
cities 60 miles away). It is claimed the volunteer money will pay for part of it and maybe all but who
takes care of several thousand dollars in maintenance? I think we need to get off of spending for
some time. $15,000 for this survey, a laugh. Whoever is in charge don't know much about Hutch.
I think a survey like this is good. It is very important that Hutchinson continues to grow and offer
services for its citizens, but not over gxL%d its financial resources. Pick and choose carefully the
services and programs that will help a = gzm.
Q5a - Other recreational programs - none, too many now. Do not use tax money for private profit.
PAGE B-33 WOWMTA CENTI'EB FOR SURVEY RESF.ARCEE
I am of the opinion that we need to grow but! Do we really need a center that the city already paid
for (even before plans were drawn), they would not have enough to finance it or better yet, the
operating cost just needs to be more. Youth activities are needed - first figure out how to get the
youngsters there. We now have a pool and two at school - do we need more? Maybe we should use
what we already have and not always be wanting bigger and better. Each of us has a different opinion
as to what each needs - the bottom line is the tax structure. Many of us are on fixed incomes so it
would be hard to pay taxes on something that we don't use. Let's not have another Boston Tea Patty
and tax only those that would use the item as it relates to them. If a business wants to expand (or
even locate in Hutchinson) then I believe that business should find its own ways and means and not
rely on city government to help them out. Who helps the individual with the costs of his home? I
don't think the city does. This is a well - planned questionnaire, the people behind it worked hard to
cover the major issues.
We are in the process of getting a Target, Cub Foods, Office Max. We need a Menards, Home
Depot, Kohls, Perkins, Bonanza, or Chi Chis. We lack in clothing - hardware - sit down restaurants.
Convention Center for business meetings and conferences over 75 -100 people are very hard to
accommodate with the limited facilities available.
We appreciate effort to solicit community input. Overall, the city seems well governed. However,
there are many more appealing towns in the state in terms of development, architecture, local
preservation, etc. e.g., New Ulm, Northfield, Stillwater. Stop the big bucks development; i.e.,
Walmart, Shopko, and Target style development. Practice new urbanism!
I lack knowledge in the connections between different groups that represent Hutchinson, such as, is
the Chamber part of the 'City of Hutchinson' or separate? Being a rural resident limits my actively
researching the issues because I generally have no input or say in what is happening in the 'city.'
Since we moved to Hutchinson my wife loves and enjoys the bikelwalk trail because it's away from
traffic and safer. She'd like to see more trails like them.
Q7- The way the four options are worded and placed, leads the person answering to believe the first
option is best. We, the public, don't have a detailed enough understand of these situations to make
the decision. Qlla- However, basketball, volleyball leagues have more room than many sports and
attract a certain limited group - let them finance their own. The city of Hutchinson needs to adopt a
zero rudeness tolerance for dealing with the public. I have seen city employees cursed at, yelled at,
threatened, spit on, and just plain otherwise mistreated. I would not tolerate this behavior from
anyone. The city needs to let the general public know that verbally abusive behavior will not he
tolerated by their employees and that the employees will offer to do the same in remm. I can't
believe the rudeness these poor people are forced to endure at the hands of the people they serve every
day.
Personally, I would like the City to do some research on the issue as a totally objective group.
Hutchinson's growth needs should be studied and steered objectively, maybe using as urban
development consultant, rather than by making decisions based on steeds that arise for other various
reasons. We have an opportunity to grow here in an organized, positive fashion, utilizing expert
advice, and looking at how other cities have grown (positive and negative aspects). I feel this
approach would be 'doing it right,' rather than piecemeal, or in a special interest kind of manner. It
would be wise to include the school district, so we have joint ownership in endeavors and outcome.
There is a lot of history from other communities who have grown before us. We need to utilize all
available input, not look only from one perspective.
MINNESOTA CENTIM FOR SURVEY RESEAR PAGE B-39
Q5b- Affordable housing - your average family cannot afford to purchase a home and the rent is
disgustingly high!! Q13a- It's important to get people involved with these issues. One of the biggest
problems when it comes to money is the amount of waste that occurs before the actual amount is
spent. If I didn't have to work full time, I would definitely be more involved whether it be on the
City Council or school board. Most of the meetings are a waste of time spent voting on whether to
vote at the next meeting. They need to get to the point instead of dragging it out which deters people
from even going to the meetings. There is also a bit of arrogance among the councils.
I am a senior and think we should watch our dollars. We get a raise and everything goes up.
Supposed to be a cost of living raise but it doesn't work that way. They better seek another way to
fund or we will be on welfare soon.
Hutchinson has TOO MANY gas stations, convenient (sic) stores. I know too many individuals that
do not shop in Hutchinson because our mall is outdated and offers a poor selection. Hutch needs a
YMCA because the health clubs are too expensive and contr= based. More summer activities - mini
golf, ko-cart (sic), batting cage facility would attract smaller communities for entertainment purposes.
Hutch has nothing exciting to offer surrounding communities to make people come here to shop,
entertain spend money.
I am very disappointed in the political system of this city. Shortly after relocating to Hutchinson, the
public defeated the school referendum. That vote should have been sufficient. There was not a need
for another 're -vote' on this issue! Taxes are already very high. If resources are needed other
options should be considered besides raising taxes.
I'm really not involved with city issues. I never look at or buy the Hutchinson Leader. Basically I'm
oblivious as to what goes on around here - I'm too busy to care.
I think Hutch should focus on things people would use, not just elderly use.
Need a bus to go to the cities at least every two weeks.
We need to promote people to stay in town to shop, go out to eat, use services, etc. Too many
residents bring their money 'out -of -town' - tbis includes many business owners themselves and the
gity depts. How much local tax income do we lose each year to these people? Maybe a comparison
should be done to show, if people shopped locally, how low our taxes could be, our services, and our
prices in general.
Q7- For better causes like education for science and math and academia and basics, housing, etc.; or
give it back to the people who are the 1 = . Limit welfare spending to actual necessities only, like
wzen welfare was first brought into existence. Just do basics. Do not give cash only commodities
and vouchers. Less emphasis on fig, more on academics Teach more things that are used in daily
living to our children and senior high teens so everyone is interested, not just Sp. Every child
cannot afford sports or even likes them. Also teach our children to abstain from sex - too many
babies having babies - bad babies!!! Everyone suffers.
Q5c -Areas that we have are adequate. I would be for YMCA, if affordable monthly fees. What
would happen to the other health clubs in town?
There are 64 daycare providers in Hutchinson. We have to transport. But if someone would buy a
112 bus to take children to activities from 8-1, say $1.00 per trip, you could make a lot of money.
Plus a service to daycare children, plus park and rec would have a lot more children enrolled. Great
idea! Someone could make a lot of money!!
Q5b- Affordable housing, not just for welfare/Mexicans.
PAGE B40 NIQESOTA CFlr= FOR SURVEY RF_SEAR
I was born in Hutchinson and have always been proud to live here. I realize that community growth
is necessary, but maybe we are growing a little too fast. Also, maybe the City is trying too hard to
please too many small vocal groups at the expense of the satisfied majority. I think Hutchinson is still
a great community. I just wish sometimes a little more common sense and public opinion would be
used.
Q5a- We have enough adequately provided parks; recreational facilities are plentiful here. Dredging
the Crow River - absolutely not - who benefits from this? No sales tax for convention center.
Q5a- Have enough programs. I feel the senior program should have an active senior person as
manager. Someone who understands elderly persons. Why hasn't Main Street sports bar been asked
to fix its front?
I do not feel this was worth the cost.
I feel the kids of today are what make up our future. I think there needs to be more activities for the
kids - a place to call their own and then maybe there wouldn't be so much drugs, alcohol, and
violence in this world. I think the cost of living is outrageous, malting more families needing two
incomes and leaving kids at home with no supervision to do as they please.
Q5a- No opinion on fieldhouse or softball because I don't know current utilization. No opinion on
many questions because I do not get involved in issues like this - I leave it up to people who are more
concerned and better informed than I am. I only completed the survey to improve your return rate.
Q5a- Dredging the Crow River - I'd put in silt catch dams upstream. Greater expansion of the
industrial base in Hutch is very important. (Currently Hutch is too much a two industry town.)
Schools need to reinforce moral principles and values that are taught (or should be taught) in homes
and churches. School vouchers are one good way to insure this will happen, if public schools fail to
"get with the program." Thank you!
1. Better utilize the river. Clean it up for boaters. Maybe a restaurant on the river with outdoor
dining. 2. Have you ever considered art in the park along the river. Two sides of the road. Lots of
additional room. Downtown is getting too crowded to walk through the booths in the park. This way
you would utilize river. People would still park downtown and walk. 3. I can't emphasize enough
people's attitude about downtown - the word is 'avoid." Thru traffic doesn't bring customers - it only
upsets the real customer. 4. 5th Ave will be great if there would be a traffic light to get across
Adams! 6. Property tax does not capture renters. Sales tax hurts business.
Note: I see less need now that ice arena is going up and private developers are interested in
convention center.
I feel Hutchinson is an excellent town to live and raise a family. I just wam to make sure future plans
for the city are aimed towards improving existing conditions before adding more development to better
the community. Thanksl
Q13b- Our church has all that needs be. I would like to see better use of the indoor pool during
daytime hours. Q13c- We have more businesses now than Hutch can support. My survey is certainly
to average. I moved to Hutch after retirement. I have never had a child in the school system. I
have no adult family here so have never become involved in "everyday" things. I am a retired senior
on a fixed income so I'm mostly involved with what concerns seniors. We need a lot. I do a lot of
walking. Hutch needs sidewalks. The outdoor walk around the rec. center and civic center is perfect.
But the mall and rec center is n% acceptable in winter. I walk lots down by the river and feel
threatened by the ducks /geese. Just off Main Street, there were at last 100 of them - they refuse to
move and they hiss and fly at a person. Their droppings are so messy and nasty that I tend to avoid
that nice trail from Main Street all the way to School Road. I don't have cable, so don't get Channel
10; and don't know enough people to listen to local radio. I still listen to WCCO. (Sorry I'm not
much help.)
MUVIESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEAR PAGE B-41
In regards to section 3, Q10, with better management we could have had the money we need to get
these projects without any additional tax dollars. We have lost services of our police dispatch in order
to save money and now we don't have the service and it is costing us more due to not being able to
run the new facility that we have. What a shame) Please watch what is going onl
Qg- I do not want a mix of city and private; keep it entirely city owned and controlled by city. For a
city the size of Hutch and drawing customers in a 50 mile radius, we do not have enough healthy and
clean recreation for the young people (as evidenced by the turn out to the two -hour water activity on 3
Fri. of summer. We need to travel too far to have fun water e ntertainm ent during hot summer). Get
someone to put in a mini -golf (fun for all ages) - we travel for this too - NOT necessary. (sic)
feel Lh3t Hutchinson places its priorities on keeping up with the Jones' or Edina's instead of actual
' e people of Hutch. Just look at the traffic on Main St. It is a nightmare. But it looks
Save the people's money. Q11- Payoff all the other worthwhile projects we have in
r ._ _..c. Q13a- Wants and needs are not the same.
I would like to see the city help out with the food shelf more, as building place (sic), because it helps
all ages of people.
Additional local sales tax is needed and may provide us with some much needed local needs
(community center). Many communities have them (C. Center) and it draws newcomers to our
community where they will spend their SS in our community. (sic)
Unfortunately, more stuff won't make life better. Hutch needs to do an excellent job with the things
we have now. That is the first priority. I believe there is a general distrust of this city's government.
Therefore, any new endeavor must be put up for a vote in as much detail as possible. Any taxation
Mil st have clear stipulation of the limits on use. State matching dollars are not a predictable source of
income. Recent history is fresh in everyone's mind. Contingencies for canceled matching funds must
be shared with the public. Needs must take priority over wants. Basic services, education, etc.
before recreation. Existing facilities over development.
I feel - though my vote last fall was wasted. I voted yQ on the ice arena, and they still built it. Now
this garbage, that I already voted no on. I am beginning to fed my votes are wasted. Also, people my
age are close to retirement. We are talking about relocating, because of all the wants, not the needs.
After three tries on an excess spending (poor budgeting levy), you'd think they'd quit harassing
people. This survey is another waste of taxpayer's money. Our leaders should respect the word EQ.
Q7- At this time I feel the spending is getting way out of hand, and there needs to be a little more
conservative agenda for our City Council. The spending in this city needs to stop. I've learned that
our public schools should come first. Where are the taxes from Hutchinson going? Please put in
paper percentage where the taxes are divided. The people of this community need to see this. Then
we can tell better what needs to be done or what needs to .
Q5b- Teen center is good in theory but would take a lot of involvement to be successful. Q13c -
Downtown development if there is a private - public match to a connected downtown mall atmosphere.
Downtown Hutchinson is as noble as any city its size in MN. Parallel parking on Main St. is
prohibitive. The city should provide public financing or funding for a uniform heated walkway behind
Main St. buildings to better utilize parking. Smaller shops or offices could be accessible only from
walkway. It would become a take off of metro skyways on the ground (sic). Hutch should continue
to grow by attracting quality industry and retail. Increased growth should be self supporting for
school and social programs. Minimum wage jobs promote two parent working families and the social
problems that come with them.
Q5a- If you want to play you should pay. Q10- If this could work the private sector would be doing
it.
PAGE B42 NEDM 0TA (ENM FOR SURVEY RESEAR
A while back I lived in the Hutch area I moved back to Hutchinson recently. From my experience
and what I have seen, this town needs something for teenagers to do. I strongly believe that a teen
center would be beneficial. My husband and I would give our all to help with this, even though we
are only in our 20's. I think teens would rather "hang out" with people closer to their age. We were
also teen parents and could inform other young people on what a huge responsibility having a child is.
Hutchinson is growing very rapidly and it is important that the city keep informed of the needs of the
people in our city. Much has been accomplished in the past by the city officials and the cooperation
of those living in the area. This is a good survey.
Survey was too vague - not definitive at all. Really a complete waste of time - and thousands of
dollars that could have been used by the city for necessary projects. It was way too long and very
unclear. Leader says private monies could be used - then this is none of our business.
City needs to be more proactive in assisting Bremix Concrete find a suitable new location or we may
lose them. Crow River Country Club should allow residents to golf for green fees. It would
supplement their income and the course could easily handle additional use. Their membership costs
are prohibitive for someone who wishes to golf only occasionally.
All I have ever seen this council do is spend money. It is time we art back on city hiring when it
takes three men an hour sitting in a pick up watching a hydrant being flushed. There is something
wrong with supervision.
To give a thoughtful response to this survey, I had input from a friend who is also a H utchinson
resident, so this response represents both of our opinions. In forming our response, we thought about
the things we felt made a community a desirable place to live in and visit. We considered other towns
we had lived in and visited, in particular, what made us want to return to a town to shop or recreate.
We feel that the overall aesthetic impression a town gives is very important to encourage both tourist
and business development. We feel that Hutchinson could use a thoughtful review board or committee
to help enhance the appearance of our downtown (an eyesore to an otherwise beautiful city). We also
feel that the river flowing through our town is not used to its full potential as an aesthetic draw to
Hutchinson. The city I'm originally from has a fantastic farmer's market. This is something we feel
would attract people to our community. The reason we gave the teen center a low priority is because
we feel this is something more suitably handled by the area schools. Thank you for this opportunity
to give our input. Please feel free to ask us anytime for our opinions!
Q9- We have enough we are taxed for now. Q10- Elderly, fixed income people are already over
taxed. Q15- Doesn't make any difference, you the "city fathers' shove it at us until it passes. I think
we have more than enough parking lots downtown. We certainly have enough little parks that are not
used often. We are not the cities. Please take a count on the mtmber of minimum or barely over, and
elderly fixed income persons there are in Hutch. We don't have much to live on after we pay our
health and other insuran and our property taxes.
I don't think that a 112% sales tax should be added. We live in a hub where only 60 miles takes us to
bigger cities, north, south, east, west. This will affect businesses here.
The city needs to spend time on existing problems in the city of Hutchinson. And looking to the
future always good tool The city of Hutchinson has a lot of water problem areas. The cable service
needs a lot of help (very poor). The city is doing a good job. (Keep working) 0
The reason I strongly disagree on more bike lanes on roads - I hardly ever see anyone use the ones we
have.
On the curve on School Rd S, we have seen a lot of "near misses" that we've observed between
bikers /walkers and cars. Also those streets without sidewalks around and in the area of the high
school are dangerous, esp. during school time.
MMIESOTA ON= FOR SURVEY RESEAR PAGE B-43
Need to get taxes lowered - we are paying as much as metro areas which offer a much wider variety
of social, recreational, and co opportunities. Possibly by attracting more industries to city. I
can't help but believe a lot of our tax money is somehow being wasted or poorly managed. For as
high as our taxes are our schools are average, as are community offerings such as a recreation center.
We have plenty of outdoor recreation facilities like parks and ball fields, but need something more
year -round for Minnesota. City needs more en tertainm ent things than movies, restaurants, and bars.
Don't use tax money. With raise in S.S. we can't afford any more TAXES. You are moving us out
of our home.
We need better summer schools. Open to all at no cost to us. Kids are important.
Q12- Tar sanctuary Rd. Install speed bumps to reduce speeding through that area. Hutchinson is
known for its parks and excellent trails. These have to be kept up. More residents and nonresidents
use these facilities than anything else in town. I'm bothered by the fact that a gravel road tuns
through one of the most beautiful areas of town, the Sanctuary. People go speeding through there,
covering you and your children, and your picnic lunch with dust. I believe this area should be tarred
with speed bumps installed. This would mean an awful lot to all the people who use this area.
Q5b- YMCA, nc _ a Christian organization any more. Q5b- College student housing, not until the
students can show some respect for others' property. Q9- Teen center, these do not work; it has been
tried many times. Q11 - A co civic center, well - planned and built for multiple uses, especially
a banquet room to seat at least 500 (and able to be divided into smaller areas), and a number of
meeting rooms; have rental flexible so nonprofits can afford to use it. The schools have gotten so
expensive we can't use them and there are no other larger places with meeting rooms for conferences
and conventions except a few church facilities, which some object to (not me).
I am old and not sure what to put. Where I never answered - sorry.
I don't have enough knowledge of the consequences to answer any of this survey. I already live from
check -to -check and don't use many of the facilities.
Q10- I really feel we do not need a civic center. I feel Hutchinson has been growing too fast and it is
time to hold off on spending. We don't need higher taxes with cost of living going up year after year..
As concerns senior citizens, I will never believe Baby Boomers will be going to a senior center. I
think it is located in a fine spot, as most in attendance are from Evergreen. As concerns a teen
center, Hutchinson has tried this on numerous occasions, as far back as 1940's in the old bowling
allev on Main Street and it never worked out. If we can have an 'all senior reunion' at the
Fairgrounds, we certainly should be able to use those facilities, plus Legion, VFW and others for
meetings and social gatherings. We are too close to St. Cloud and Minneapolis and businesses in
Hutchinson are not getting wealthy in their businesses.
The City Council in Hutchinson can sure waste our tax money.
I wish we still had 911 in the City of Hutchinson. I think we need to take care of our school needs. I
don't want the schools to drop classes. I think more people would participate if there were a bigger
senior center. I feel social programs are needed for people who have needs or are handicapped. It's
important to me to keep costs low because I have a fixed income and I am trying to stay in my home.
When we moved to Hutch 50+ years ago, it was a nice small, homey town where one knew his
neighbors. Now it is a noisy, sprawling city expanding on all sides with taxes sky high and neighbors
don't bother to say hello. Now the city fathers seem to think bigger is better, and they expect the
taxpayer to pay for it. They should do like we did the past 50+ years. Don't spend it if you don't
have it. As for government grants - whose money was it in the first place?
PAGE B-44 NOOMSOTA CIN ER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
V 4431`I .11
I strongly support the mail ballot. I really hate all the apartments and duplexes (townhouses)
sprouting up in neighborhoods. It downgrades the city. If the city ever loses jobs, these will become
slums. If the city gives $ or help to developers, make them build real houses for real neighborhoods.
Thanks.
Educational programs and strong youth programs will help this community the most. A strong school
system attracts prospective development. I realize that Hutchinson has a large elderly community, but
couldn't there be some program developed to connect the elderly and the youth of our community?
Q7- Give it to the schools of Hutchinsonl
This (survey) is an organized way to hear from many different people, not just the verbally aggressive
few who go to City Council meetings and expound their vision of Hutchinson. The town needs
murals showing diverse groups of people who live and contribute to the town and surrounding area.
Q1- I think the Leader needs some competition; they print what they want, when they want!! Q4 If
the Leader would print itl Q5a- The problem with the programs and services is it is getting too
expensive to participate. For instance the Hutch wrestling club rents the high school which is run
through the Rec. Dept. For one day, this runs from 5700 - $800. I feel that is terrible since the
programs help support the school anyway. Q5c- Unfortunately the places downtown are being swept
up by the new places coming into town. I think this survey is a good idea but I think we (the City of
Hutchinson) should have done this alone without an outside source and spending a good chunk of
money on it]
Why are bike mails so important in town when there aren't any in the countryrl? Bikes aren't taxed -
so why should tax payers provide trails for them on our major streets? This isn't done in other
countries.
I think they could use buildings at Fairgrounds more if needed.
This city does not need a civic center. There is already a multiple -use facility that can be used. They
just want to spend more. In other words, I and we all have to pay for something we don't use. Put
the money in the bankl
Invariably there are inefficiencies and wasteful use of city resources. Clean them up, first. Reallocate
the savings before seeking new money. Let special interests fund their own projects. Government
should only be involved in projects that serve the majority, preferably a 213 majority. Since
businesses are the only ones to gain from "business development," then let them fund the
development.
Need to present sales tax proposal in a be= way to get it passed. Keep special interest groups out of
it, especially hockey. Make people realize they are already paying this tax in other places. Add on
mosquito spraying on vote if it is safe for the environment. What good are parks and trails if you
can't use them without little kids getting bitten up?
I think the biggest problem Hutch has is traffic related. If a person comes to an intersection and the
light is red, it can take close to 5 minutes to change, even if there are three or four cars, you wait
forever. That needs to be changed! Main St. - that hu to be changed back to two lanes going N &
S!! Traffic is ridiculous! I don't care how much money the city or state wasted changing it to one
lane with a tun lane. Change it back!! If people are concerned about kids 'dragging" on it at night,
stick a couple of cops on Main St., or at least one. That should be your #1 priority! Also, try to put
a ban in place for semi - trucks, so they can't use their jake- brakes on Hwy 7, 15, & 22. City residents
affected by jake- braking would be very pleased to see that put in place. Thank you!
MQQqESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RE —M4n PAGE BAS
Q7- Reimburse funds back to city residents. Q14- Return funds to city residents. The proposal for a
"community civic center" was soundly defeated by a WIDE margin in the last election. Despite the
resounding "no" from the public, the City Council members (and Chamber of Commerce,etc.) have
adopted "...the public be damned" attitude and are determined to "piss tbis money away come hell or
high water." While the City Council members stand to gain personally from "cozy" relationships with
contractors and other forms of legalized bribes, the proposed "community center" has minimal public
backing and probably even less public benefit - but who cares.... screw the public! Virtually everyone
(— 30-40 people) I have tallied to on this issue is against it - but once again, not that that matters. The
whole concept of "free" state money is repulsive.
The taxes (real estate) in Hutchinson are too high. They are equal to the metropolitan area.
Hutchinson is basically a rural area and I would like to keep it that way. It seems like everything has
to be new. They always tear down everything and it costs us taxpayers plenty. I love going to other
towns and walking into old stores. I work for the 3M company. A worldwide corporation but the
factory workers salaries are compared to factories in a 30 toile radius. Not much to compare to. The
cost
of living in Hutch is too high. They are taxing the people right out of their homes.
Hutchinson Technology is terminatin 600 people permanently and you are asking for more money!
Get realistic! What if there are more cuts? Who is going to be willing to pay when their job is in
question?
Q5a- No other recreational programs - use what we have. It seems as though the "city fathers' are
frantically looking for a place to throw $1,000,000. Let us utilize the buildings we have to the fullest
first and we won't have to wonder which is most important.
We need to increase our real estate homes for homeowners. (New construction for first time home
owners.) More opportunity is needed to get renters out of apartments and into homes. That should be
our town's primary concern. Thank you
Our downtown Main Street is a nightmare, the traffic flow is very poor. It was better when we used
to have two lanes going in each direction. Very poor planning done on this. Sometimes the traffic is
plugged for two blocks. We need a more even evaluation for our real estate taxes. Some people pay
80% of home value, others pay 105% of home value. This statement was made at a City Council
meeting. How out of line can you get! Some people are paying 25% more than others. Surely this
could be done more equally if there was any care or concern for the townspeople. Progress is
wonderful and necessary. But let's very carefully be spending the public's money. And avoid special
interest groups' wants.
Q3- Many times the info is after the fact. This took a long time to produce a rather simplistic survey
form.
We live right outside the city limits. We really don't use any of the recreational facilities in Hutch.
You have not mentioned one thing about the needs of the school district. The school is much more
important. Get the school problems on the right track and many of the city problems will correct
themselves. Much needed communications between youth and the police - the youth does not trust
HYPD. Ql la- All- seasons, large building -as Chaska, Shakopee.
This community needs working street lights Please fix the street light at intersection of School Rd.
SW and Alan St SW. It's dangerous for kids to ride bikes at night without working street lights. The
City of Hutchinson needs to add additional street lights along School Rd SW (especially around the
Alan St SW At School Rd SW intersection). The city should create a safer street environment for
children to play on and adults to drive on. The city needs more street lights. This community also
needs clean river and lake The easement owned by the city needs attending to. The river/lake is
eroding into the 2roperty line The city needs to stop this erosion of property and eliminate flooding
from occurring.
PAGE B-46 MINMOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RFSFAR
Let the public (churches, ed.) take care of social needs - teen center, arts, performing arts, etc. There
are lots of wants but are they needs? We too often have a champaign appetite but a beer pocket book.
The single most important need this city has is to have someone available at the police dept and the
building open 24 hrs a day - 365 days a yeaz Can any of you dispute that police protection is the
most important (far and away) service this city or any g& provides, if anyone reading this can come
up with a more important service that they better rethink very quickly and if they still dispute this I
would hope they would have the common sense in the best interests of all of Hutchinson to
immediately remove themselves from the Task Force, city government or whatever position they have
that entitles them to be a part of this survey. I am very much a conservative, but not for one minute
would I argue over whatever fair cost it would be to "man" the police station as above. I have had to
only use police services once since the dispatch was "taken" away from the citizens of Hutchinson.
Result: the information the officers came to the scene with was very incorrect, although it was given
to the dispatcher correctly. I am not accusing the dispatcher of not doing his /her job correctly, BUT
he/she was not familiar with the town and as a result, this miscommunication. This would = have
happened with the Hutch dispatchers as they were familiar with the town, the area and even the bldg
involved. I find it very interesting that our Chief of Police (and as I understand was not backed by his
officers) was able to convince the powers that be that it was necessary to be cost- conscious on the
most important service we have. I'm sure we all know that the issue was much deeper than that. The
Chief of Police is to be congratulated for his "victory" that resulted in a "loss" for every resident of
the City of Hutchinson Now I realize to ask for the dispatcher services back would be a joke, but I
would hope that the above is not all in vain and the Police Dept. can be "manned" as above. I'll be
watching very closely to see if this is being discussed in the future. If not, then I know what I should
do with the next survey received from the City of Hutchinson.
Q6- Wash down the walk bike trails along the river - so frill of goose feces - very unsanitary.
We need to focus on our youth. They need role models and direction We need to cooperate.
Buildings are expensive to maintain We need to consolidate many things to reduce maintenance
expenses. We need to also think about administrati expenses also. Any new expense of a building
should consider building usage. How can we manage the building to its maximum usage. We need to
direct our attention away from sports for a while and concentrate on teens, seniors, and the arts.
Q4- Complete, unbiased information should be mailed directly to all voters. Q8- How can it be city
owned and privately financed? Q14- Cut taxes. Q154f the issue is important, then it will get
attention anyway. Q16- Don't trust mail ballots. Q19- Otherwise, you're wasting effort and raising
false hopes. Taxes are = high! Government is too big! City government should not embark on
projects, which it cannot sustain (e.g., conference centers, etc.). Special interests should pay their
own way.
MBVIESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEAR PAGE B-47
L\J'r� lV6
APPENDIX C
Variable
Descriytion
EM
Q1A -Q1H
Rank local news source - Q1A to Q1H ..............
C -2
Ql
Rank local news sources - means ..................
C-1
Q10A -Q10E
Ranking- finance - Q10A to Q10E .................
C -5
Q10
Rank funding options - means ....................
C-6
Q14A -Q14G
Rank how important - Q14A to Q14G ...............
C -7
Q14
Rank project priorities - means ...................
C-9
Q23A -F
Number in HH (age groups) - Q23A to Q23F ..........
C -10
Q24
Year born . ...............................
C -12
AGE
Age of respondent ...........................
C -14
DATE
Date survey returned .........................
C -16
MV(NE O A CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE G1
APPENDIX C
Q1A RANK LOCAL NEWS SOURCE -HUTCH LEADER
1
318
56.4
2
131
23.2
3
47
8.3
Total
496
87.9
Missing System
68
12.1
Total
564
100.0
Value Frequency Percent
Valid
Cumulative
Percent
Percent
64.1
64.1
26.4
90.5
9.5
100.0
100.0
41.0
Q1B RANK LOCAL NEWS SOURCE -KDUZ RADIO
Value Frequency Percent
1
68
12.1
2
88
15.6
3
75
13.3
Total
231
41.0
Missing System
333
59.0
Total
564
100.0
Valid
Cumulative
Percent
Percent
29.4
29.4
38.1
67.5
32.5
100.0
100.0
23.6
Q1C RANK LOCAL NEWS SOURCE -KARP RADIO
Value Frequency Percent
1
23
4.1
2
60
10.6
3
50
8.9
Total
133
23.6
Missing System
431
76.4
Total
564
100.0
Valid
Cumulative
Percent
Percent
17.3
17.3
45.1
62.4
37.6
100:0
100.0
90.6
Q1D RANK LOCAL NEWS SOURCE -KKdR RADIO
Value Frequency Percent
Missing
Total
2
19
3.4
3
34
6.0
Total
53
9.4
System
511
90.6
564
100.0
Valid
Cumulative
Percent
Percent
35.8
35.8
64.2
100.0
100.0
a
PAGE C-2 AMMSOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
Q1E RANK LOCAL MEWS SOURCE -HCVN CHANNEL 10
Value Frequency Percent
1
5
.9
2
21
3.7
3
63
11.2
Total
89
15.8
Missing System
475
84.2
Total
564
100.0
Valid
Cumulative
Percent
Percent
5.6
5.6
23.6
29.2
70.8
100.0
100.0
19.1
Q1F RANK LOCAL NEWS SOURCE - QUARTERLY NEWSLTR
Value Frequency Percent
1
2
.4
2
33
5.9
3
73
12.9
Total
108
19.1
Missing System
456
80.9
Total
564
100.0
Valid
Cumulative
Percent
Percent
1.9
1.9
30.6
32.4
67.6
100.0
100.0
67.7
Q1G RANK LOCAL NEWS SOURCE - FRIENDS & FAMILY
Value Frequency Percent
1
96
17.0
2
163
28.9
3
123
21.8
Total
382
67.7
Missing System
182
32.3
Total
564
100.0
Valid
Cumulative
Percent
Percent
25.1
25.1
42.7
67.8
32.2
100.0
100.0
6.4
Q1H RANK LOCAL NEWS SOURCE-OTHER
Value Frequency Percent
1
15
2.7
2
6
1.1
3
15
2.7
Total
36
6.4
Missing System
528
93.6
Total
564
100.0
Valid
Cumulative
Percent
Percent
41.7
41.7
16.7
58.3
41.7
100.0
100.0
PAGE C.3
4AY II
Q1 RANK LOCAL NEWS SOURCES - MEANS
(Based on a 1 to 3 ranldng; 3 —most important news source)
NOTE: In the questionnaire a rank of 1 =most important. For calculating the
means, the scale was reversed.
Rank
News Source*
Number'
Mean
1
Hutchinson Leader
496
2.55
2
KDUZ Radio
231
1.97
3
Friends & Family
381
1.93
4
1 KARP Radio
133
1.80
5
KKJR Radio
53
1.36
6
HCVN Channel 10
89
1.35
7
Quarterly City Newsletter
108
1.34
*The category "other" is not included because the responses were varied.
**Total number of people who gave a response for each item.
I i IIA ei 506 bJ'
•a n�. r
Q10A RANK - FINANCE W/PROP TAR BACKED BOND
Valid Cumulative
r
0
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
26
4.6
7.3
7.3
2
55
9.8
15.4
22.7
3
91
16.1
25.5
48.2
4
158
28.0
44.3
92.4
5
27
4.8
7.6
100.0
Total
357
63.3
100.0
1.0
Missing System
207
36.7
72.2
100.0
Total
564
100.0
27.8
Q10B RANK- FINANCE BY REALLO CA TING EXISTING $
RANK - FINANCE W/ TEMP LOCAL SALES TAR
Valid
Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
109
19.3
26.8
26.8
2
133
23.6
32.7
59.5
3
106
18.8
26.0
85.5
4
55
9.8
13.5
99.0
5
4
.7
1.0
100.0
Total
407
72.2
100.0
19
Missing System
157
27.8
Total
Total
564
100.0
Missing
Q10C
RANK - FINANCE W/ TEMP LOCAL SALES TAR
Valid
Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
121
21.5
31.3
31.3
2
60
10.6
15.5
46.8
3
96
17.0
24.8
71.6
4
91
16.1
23.5
95.1
5
19
3.4
4.9
100.0
Total
387
68.6
100.0
Missing
System
177
31.4
Total
564
100.0
PAGE GS
Q10D RANK- FINANCE W/ CAPITAL IMPROVEMT FUND $
Valid Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
191
33.9
45.9
45.9
2
137
24.3
32.9
78.8
3
55
9.8
13.2
92.1
4
32
5.7
7.7
99.8
5
1
.2
.2
100.0
Total
416
73.8
100.0
Missing System
148
26.2
Total
564
100.0
Q10E RANK- FINANCE BY OTHER METHOD
Valid Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
27
4.8
45.8
45.8
2
13
2.3
22.0
67.8
3
8
1.4
13.6
81.4
4
6
1.1
10.2
91.5
5
5
.9
8.5
100.0
Total
59
10.5
100.0
Missing System
505
89.5
Total
564
100.0
Q10 RANK FUNDING OPTIONS - MEANS
(Based on a 1 to 5 ranking; 5 =most preferred funding source)*
NOTE: In the questionnaire a rank of 1 =most important. For calculating the
means, the scale was reversed.
Rank
Funding Option*
Number**
Mean
1
Capital Improvement Fund
Dollars
416
4.17
2
Reallocate existing dollars
407
3.71
3
Temporary local sales tax
387
3.45
4
Property tax backed
bonding bill
357
2.71
*The category 'other' is not included because the responses were varied.
**Total number of people who gave a response for each item.
PAGE G6 ETA CENTER FOR SURVEY RES mca
MAJ
Q14A RANK HOW n*IPT NEW RETAIL DEVELOPNM
Valid Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
47
8.3
10.3
10.3
2
86
15.2
18.9
29.2
3
86
15.2
18.9
48.1
4
70
12.4
15.4
63.5
5
70
12.4
15.4
78.9
6
89
15.8
19.6
98.5
7
7
1.2
1.5
100.0
Total
455
80.7
100.0
Missing System
109
19.3
Total
564
100.0
Q14B RANK HOW IDIPT NEW INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMTS
Valid Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
103
18.3
22.3
22.3
2
86
15.2
18.7
41.0
3
69
12.2
15.0
56.0
4
63
11.2
13.7
69.6
5
81
14.4
17.6
87.2
6
54
9.6
11.7
98.9
7
5
.9
1.1
100.0
Total
461
81.7
100.0
Missing System
103
18.3
Total
564
100.0
Q14C RANK HOW MIPT NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELPNM
Valid Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
56
9.9
12.4
12.4
2
45
8.0
10.0
22.3
3
83
14.7
18.4
40.7
4
122
21.6
27.0
67.7
5
76
13.5
16.8
84.5
6
65
11.5
14.4
98.9
7
5
.9
1.1
100.0
Total
452
80.1
100.0
Missing System
112
19.9
Total
564
100.0
NgMwsoTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE G7
APPENDIX C
Q14D RANK HOW RAFT NEW SOCIAL PROGRAMS
Valid Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
67
11.9
14.8
14.8
2
89
15.8
19.6
34.4
3
89
15.8
19.6
54.1
4
69
12.2
15.2
69.3
5
80
14.2
17.7
87.0
6
56
9.9
12.4
99.3
7
3
.5
.7
100.0
Total
453
80.3
100.0
Missing System
111
19.7
Total
564
100.0
Q14E RANK HOW M" NEW REC PROGRAMS
Valid Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
64
11.3
14.1
14.1
2
79
14.0
17.4
31.4
3
66
11.7
14.5
45.9
4
68
12.1
14.9
60.9
5
83
14.7
18.2
79.1
6
93
16.5
20.4
99.6
7
2
.4
.4
100.0
Total
455
80.7
100.0
Missing System
109
19.3
Total
564
100.0
Q14F RANK HOW ID1T EXISTING DEVELPMTS/PROGS
Valid Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
147
26.1
31.7
31.7
2
89
15.8
19.2
51.0
3
72
12.8
15.6
66.5
4
51
9.0
11.0
77.5
5
45
8.0
9.7
87.3
6
56
9.9
12.1
99.4
7
3
.5
.6
100.0
Total
463
82.1
100.0
Missing System
101
17.9
Total
564
100.0
PAGE C-8
NMNNFSOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY REsEAR
' J 11 ►'
C�7�iCe— :7:1:1:(�I� I :Z 1 .4
ryw
Valid Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
18
3.2
75.0
75.0
2
4
.7
16.7
91.7
3
1
.2
4.2
95.8
7
1
.2
4.2
100.0
Total
24
4.3
100.0
Missing System
540
95.7
Total
564
100.0
Q14 RANK PROJECT PRIORITIES - MEANS
(Based on a 1 to 7 ranking; 7—most important priority)*
NOTE: In the questionnaire a rank of 1 =most important. For calculating the
means, the scale was reversed.
Rank
Needs/Projects*
Number**
Mean
1
Existing developments and
programs with new needs
463
5.13
2
New industrial developments
461
4.75
3
New social programs/needs
453
4.59
4
New recreational programsineeds
455
4.31
5
New retail developments
455
4.29
6
New residential developments
452
4.27
'The category "other" is not included because the responses were varied.
**Total number of people who gave a response for each item.
PAGE G9
;J 1 1 ►;
" ' ai BII I
Q23B NUMBER IN HH AGED 18-25
Valid
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
1
82
14.5
38.7
2
87
15.4
41.0
3
34
6.0
16.0
4
8
1.4
3.8
5
1
.2
.5
Total
212
37.6
100.0
Missing System
352
62.4
Total
564
100.0
Q23B NUMBER IN HH AGED 18-25
Q23C NUMBER IN HH AGED 26-40
Missing
Total
Valid
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
1
69
12.2
71.1
2
25
4.4
25.8
3
3
.5
3.1
Total
97
17.2
100.0
Missing System
467
82.8
100.0
Total
564
100.0
Q23C NUMBER IN HH AGED 26-40
Missing
Total
Cumulative
Percent
38.7
79.7
95.8
99.5
100.0
Cumulative
Percent
71.1
96.9
100.0
Cumulative
Percent
36.7
98.3
99.4
100.0
/
PAGE G10 NIMIESOTA IETIER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
Valid
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
1
66
11.7
36.7
2
111
19.7
61.7
3
2
.4
1.1
6
1
.2
.6
Total
180
31.9
100.0
System
384
68.1
564
100.0
Cumulative
Percent
38.7
79.7
95.8
99.5
100.0
Cumulative
Percent
71.1
96.9
100.0
Cumulative
Percent
36.7
98.3
99.4
100.0
/
PAGE G10 NIMIESOTA IETIER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
.
Q23D NUMBER IN HH AGED 41 -55
Valid Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
85
15.1
40.7
40.7
2
123
21.8
58.9
99.5
3
1
.2
.5
100.0
Total
209
37.1
100.0
Total
Missing System
355
62.9
Total
564
100.0
Q23E NUMBER IN HH AGED 56-65
Valid Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1
43
7.6
43.0
43.0
2
55
9.8
55.0
98.0
3
2
.4
2.0
100.0
Total
100
17.7
100.0
Total
Missing System
464
82.3
Total
564
100.0
Q23F NUMBER IN HH AGED 66 OR OLDER
Cumulative
Percent
51.0
100.0
PAGE G11
Valid
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
1
53
9.4
51.0
2
51
9.0
49.0
Total
104
18.4
100.0
Missing System
460
81.6
Total
564
100.0
Cumulative
Percent
51.0
100.0
PAGE G11
APPENDIX C
Q24 YEAR BORN
Valid
Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1905
1
.2
.2
.2
1910
1
.2
.2
.4
1911
1
.2
.2
.6
1912
2
.4
.4
.9
1913
4
.7
.8
1.7
1914
3
.5
.6
2.3
1915
2
.4
.4
2.6
1916
3
.5
.6
3.2
1917
3
.5
.6
3.8
1918
5
.9
.9
4.7
1919
5
.9
.9
5.6
1920
5
.9
.9
6.6
1921
4
.7
.8
7.3
1922
3
.5
.6
7.9
1923
8
1.4
1.5
9.4
1924
6
1.1
1.1
10.5
1925
3
.5
.6
11.1
1926
5
.9
.9
12.0
1927
8
1.4
1.5
13.5
1928
6
1.1
1.1
14.7
1929
6
1.1
1.1
15.8
1930
8
1.4
1.5
17.3
1931
1
.2
.2
17.5
1932
4
.7
.8
18.2
1933
4
.7
.8
19.0
1934
6
1.1
1.1
20.1
1935
6
1.1
1.1
21.2
1936
10
1.8
1.9
23.1
1937
9
1.6
1.7
24.8
1938
4
.7
.8
25.6
1939
7
1.2
1.3
26.9
1940
12
2.1
2.3
29.1
1941
11
2.0
2.1
31.2
1942
12
2.1
2.3
33.5
1943
9
1.6
1.7
35.2
1944
11
2.0
2.1
37.2
1945
11
2.0
2.1
39.3
1946
12
2.1
2.3
41.5
1947
12
2.1
2.3
43.8
1948
13
2.3
2.4
46.2
1949
22
3.9
4.1
50.4
1950
10
1.8
1.9
52.3
1951
10
1.8
1.9
54.1
PAGE C-12
NV3MSOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
z
Q24 YEAR BORN (cont.)
PAGE G13
Valid
Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
1952
7
1.2
1.3
55.5
1953
11
2.0
2.1
57.5
1954
8
1.4
1.5
59.0
1955
10
1.8
1.9
60.9
1956
14
2.5
2.6
63.5
1957
12
2.1
2.3
65.8
1958
7
1.2
1.3
67.1
1959
8
1.4
1.5
68.6
1960
15
2.7
2.8
71.4
1961
10
1.8
1.9
73.3
1962
11
2.0
2.1
75.4
1963
11
2.0
2.1
77.4
1964
7
1.2
1.3
78.8
1965
8
1.4
1.5
80.3
1966
9
1.6
1.7
82.0
1967
7
1.2
1.3
83.3
1968
11
2.0
2.1
85.3
1969
16
2.8
3.0
88.3
1970
10
1.8
1.9
90.2
1971
10
1.8
1.9
92.1
1972
13
2.3
2.4
94.5
1973
8
1.4
1.5
96.1
1974
7
1.2
1.3
97.4
1975
4
.7
.8
98.1
1976
2
.4
.4
98.5
1977
2
.4
.4
98.9
1978
2
.4
.4
99.2
1979
2
.4
.4
99.6
1980
2
.4
.4
100.0
Total
532
94.3
100.0
Missing System
32
5.7
Total
564
100.0
PAGE G13
APPENDIX C
AGE AGE OF RESPONDENT
Value
Frequency
Percent
19
2
.4
20
2
.4
21
2
.4
22
2
.4
23
2
.4
24
4
.7
25
7
1.2
26
8
1.4
27
13
2.3
28
10
1.8
29
10
1.8
30
16
2.8
31
11
2.0
32
7
1.2
33
9
1.6
34
8
1.4
35
7
1.2
36
11
2.0
37
11
2.0
38
10
1.8
39
15
2.7
40
8
1.4
41
7
1.2
42
12
2.1
43
14
2.5
44
10
1.8
45
8
1.4
46
11
2.0
47
7
1.2
48
10
1.8
49
10
1.8
50
22
3.9
51
13
2.3
52
12
2.1
53
12
2.1
54
11
2.0
55
11
2.0
56
9
1.6
57
12
2.1
58
11
2.0
59
12
2.1
60
7
1.2
61
4
.7
Valid
Cumulative
Percent
Percent
.4
.4
.4
.8
.4
1.1
.4
1.5
.4
1.9
.8
2.6
1.3
3.9
1.5
5.5
2.4
7.9
1.9
9.8
1.9
11.7
3.0
14.7
2.1
16.7
1.3
18.0
1.7
19.7
1.5
21.2
1.3
22.6
2.1
24.6
2.1
26.7
1.9
28.6
2.8
31.4
1.5
32.9
1.3
34.2
2.3
36.5
2.6
39.1
1.9
41.0
1.5
42.5
2.1
44.5
1.3
45.9
1.9
47.7
1.9
49.6
4.1
53.8
2.4
56.2
2.3
58.5
2.3
60.7
2.1
62.8
2.1
64.8
1.7
66.5
2.3
68.8
2.1
70.9
2.3
73.1
1.3
74.4
.8
75.2
4
&T.mri 781.1
e
.
AGE AGE OF RESPONDENT
(cunt.)
Valid
Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
62
9
1.6
1.7
76.9
63
10
1.8
1.9
78.8
64
6
1.1
1.1
79.9
65
6
1.1
1.1
81.0
66
4
.7
.8
81.8
67
4
.7
.8
82.5
68
1
.2
.2
82.7
69
8
1.4
1.5
84.2
70
6
1.1
1.1
85.3
71
6
1.1
1.1
86.5
72
8
1.4
1.5
88.0
73
5
.9
.9
88.9
74
3
.5
.6
89.5
75
6
1.1
1.1
90.6
76
8
1.4
1.5
92.1
77
3
.5
.6
92.7
78
4
.7
.8
93.4
79
5
.9
.9
94.4
80
5
.9
.9
95.3
81
5
.9
.9
96.2
82
3
.5
.6
96.8
83
3
.5
.6
97.4
84
2
.4
.4
97.7
85
3
.5
.6
98.3
86
4
.7
.8
99.1
87
2
.4
.4
99.4
88
1
.2
.2
99.6
89
1
.2
.2
99.8
94
1
.2
.2
100.0
Total
532
94.3
100.0
Missing System
32
5.7
Total
564
100.0
PAGE G15
DATE DATE SURVEY RETURNED
T
PAGE C-16 1 D TA CENTER R FOB SURVEY RESEARCH
Valid
Cumulative
Value
Frequency
Percent
Percent
Percent
722
57
10.1
10.1
10.1
723
62
11.0
11.0
21.1
726
51
9.0
9.0
30.1
727
26
4.6
4.6
34.8
728
21
3.7
3.7
38.5
729
48
8.5
8.5
47.0
730
40
7.1
7.1
54.1
802
46
8.2
8.2
62.2
803
18
3.2
3.2
65.4
804
13
2.3
2.3
67.7
805
8
1.4
1.4
69.1
806
3
.5
.5
69.7
809
31
5.5
5.5
75.2
810
22
3.9
3.9
79.1
811
13
2.3
2.3
81.4
812
18
3.2
3.2
84.6
813
10
1.8
1.8
86.3
816
10
1.8
1.8
88.1
817
9
1.6
1.6
89.7
818
16
2.8
2.8
92.6
819
12
2.1
2.1
94.7
820
8
1.4
1.4
96.1
823
12
2.1
2.1
98.2
824
5
.9
.9
99.1
825
2
.4
.4
99.5
826
3
.5
.5
100.0
Total
564
100.0
100.0
T
PAGE C-16 1 D TA CENTER R FOB SURVEY RESEARCH
COVER t xrrERS POSTCARD TEXT, AND PHONE SCRIPT
m
Cover Letter - July 19, 1999
........................ D-2
Reminder Postcard Text ............................ D -3
Follow -up Letter - August 5, 1999 ...................... D-4
Phone follow -up script ............................. D-5
NuNNESOTA CENTER FOR SURVEY RESEARCH
PAGE D-1
Hutchinson Citv Center
;I I Hassan m SE
Hutchinson. 1IN 55350 -251'
320- 5875151/Fax 320 -231 -4240
Dear Hutchinson Area Resident
To better understand the "needs" the general public feels exist in our community, the Hutchinson City
Council authonzed the formation of a broad -based citizen task force to help identify and pnonuze community needs
and suggest possible funding mechanisms. You can help us in determining what our priorities should be. We want to
understand what is important to you and what you fed is important for Hutchinson.
The Community Needs Task Force would appreciate your help on this project by completing the enclosed
ill
survey. Your response is y= important and w give the task force and the City Council vahrabk information
in understanding what is important to the public. Your household is one of a small number of randomly selected
Hutchinson area residents being asked to give their opinions about the needs of our community. For the survey results
to truly represent the opinions of Hutchinson area residents, it is important that sash survey is completed and
returned Residents from out side the city limits are included since they are often users of city programs and facili ties.
When you consider the total process of addressing a need four pnmary factors are involved These factors
are the actual need identification- communicating information about the needs with the public. consideration of
available financing options and finally asking the public if they agree or not through the voting process. Taking each
of these four factors into account can max . = e the chance of sUcoessfully addressing any identified need Bemuse
each of these four factors are important in their own right, questions about each are included in the survey.
Please take some time to complete and return the enclosed questionnaire. TVs is an ettceRent opportunity
to let City officials and the task force know how you fed about thew important iasum. A postage paid rerun
envelope is included for your convenience. The Minnesota Center for Survey Research at the University of Minnesota
is assisting us with this survey. Therefore the surveys are being returned to their office for tabulation and a nalysis.
You may be assured of complete confidentialty. The questionnaire has an identification number for mailing
purposes only. This is so your name maybe checked off the mailing fist when your questionnaire is returned Your
name will never be placed on the questionnaire.
Thank you for your help with our survey. Again, to get accurate information. it is very important that ALL
surveys are retmnred. If you have any questions, please feel free to call (collect) Pam Sc homer at the Minnesota
Center for Survey Research (612) 627 -4282.
Sincerely,
Steve Cook, Chairman John Mlinar, vice -President
Community Needs Task Force Hutchinson City C=Xd
TASK FORCF MEMBERS
Norm Hoefer Jo Kodmlman Andrea Moore John Paulsen
Roger Petersen Mike Ribich Jadv Simons Roger Stearns
Tnn�en tin rcY Pater -
F-V ;O:u �.
Last week a questionnaire was sent to you seeking your opinions about the
needs of residents in the Hutchinson area. You are one of a few Hutchinson
residents randomly selected to participate in this research study.
If you have already completed and returned the survey to us, please accept
our sincere thanks. If not, please do so today. It is very important that
your answers be included in the study, if the results are to accurately
represent the opinions of ail residents in the Hutchinson area. Any adult in
your household may complete the survey.
If you did not receive a questionnaire, or it has been misplaced, please call
me (collect) at 612 -627 -4282 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and I will
send you another one right away.
Sincerely,
Rossana Armson, Director
Minnesota Center for Survey Research
2331 University Ave. S.E., Suite 141
Minneapolis, MN 55414
MIl`MWTA CIWOR FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE D-3
C
Hutchinson Citv Center
111 Hunan Surma SE
Hutchinson, NIN 55750-252?
320-587- 5151/Fm 320.234-3246
August 5, 1999
Dear HuWun.m Area Rendent,
Several weeks ago the `Hutchinson Community Needs Survey - 1999' was sent to you. As of today, we
have not received your completed survey. Yaw response is XW important. For the survey to truly represent the
opinions of H utchinson area residents, it is important that each survey is completed and returned. Any adult
in the homrLdd may frill out the quustioma
To better understand the ' needs' the general public feels exist in our community, the H City
Council authorized the formation of a broil -based cib= task force to help identify and prioritize community needs
and suggest possible funding merbaniams. You cm help us in determining what our priorities should be. We want
to understand what is important to you and what you fed is important for Hutchimom. Residents from outside
the city limits are included since they are often users of city programs and facilities.
In the event that your questionnaire has been misplaced, another survey is enclosed. Please tare some time
to complete the questionnaire and return it in the enclosed postage -paid envelope. This is an excellent opportunity
to let city officials and the task force know how you fed about these important issues.
You may be assured of complete confidentudity. The questionnaire has an identification number for
mailing purposes only. This is so your name may be checked off the mailing list when your questi is
returned. Your name will never be placed on the questi The Minnesota Center for Survey Research at the
Univemty of Minnesota is assisting ne with this survey. Therefore, the surveys are being returned to their office
for tabulation and analysis.
Thank you for your help with our survey. Again, to get accurate information, it is very important that
lU surveys are returned. If you have any questions, please feel free to all (collect) Pam Schomaker at the
Minnesota Center for Survey Research (612) 627 -4282.
Sincerely,
Steve Cook, Chairman
Community Needs Task Force
Norm Hoefer
Roger Petersen
Marlin Torgerson, Mayor
City of H uwbi*son
V.Vlj A;[$):Cy:1131:1S1*l:l
Mite Ribich
Judy Simons
John Paulson
Roger Stearns
PAGE D-4 MJNPIESOTA CERM FOR SURVEY RESEA11CH
Pnnua w n cl pryer -
• u l u l 114 ���
Phone follow -up with nonrespondens
A Hello, my name is . Tm a member of the Hutchinson Community Needs Task Force,
and I'm calling about a survey that was sent to your household a few weeks ago.
The survey was called the Hutchinson Co Needs Survey' and is being conducted for the
City of Hutchinson and the Task Force. The survey was printed on blue paper.
B. Do you recall receiving the survey?
1. Yes
2. No
C. I'm calling to let you know how important it is that we receive your completed survey. We would
really appreciate it if you could take some time to complete it as soon as possible. Are you willing to
complete and return your survey?
(NOTE: Let than know that ANY adult in the household may complete the survey.)
1. Yes
2. No
3. DK
IF NEEDED: This is an opportunity for you to let City officials know what you feel is important for
Hutchinson.
to
(NOTE: IF PERSON WOULD LIKE ANOTHER SURVEY, ASK FOR THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS
AND WRTTE IT BELOW.)
D. Thank you very much for your time. We really appreciate your help with the survey!
Hello, my name is . I'm a member of the Hutchinson Community Needs Task Force, and I'm
calling about a survey that was sent to your household a few weeks ago. The survey was called the
Hutchinson Community Needs Survey' and was printed on blue paper. I'm calling to let you know how
.important it is that we receive your completed survey. We would really appreciate it if you could take some
time to complete and return it as soon as possible. Any adult in your household may complete the survey. If
;you need another survey or have any questions, please call Pam Schomaker at the University of Minnesota
Center for Survey Research, at 612 -627 -4282. Please feel free to call collect. Thank you very much for
your help!
MU SOTA CU MM M FOR SURVEY RESEARCH PAGE DS