C O N D U C T E D FO R T H E C I T Y O F M A N H AT TA N B EAC H
COMMUNITY OPINION SURVEY
P R ES E N T E D B Y T I M OT H Y M C L A R N E Y P H . D.
2/17/2022
PURPOSE OF STUDY o Assess perceptions of quality of life and important issues in the City o Measure resident satisfaction municipal services o Gather opinions on specific topics including public safety, code enforcement, homelessness, and budget priorities o Identify the sources residents rely on for City news and information
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METHODOLOGY OF STUDY o Dates: December 6 th to December 12 th , 2021 o Stratified Random Sample: 560 adult residents within City of Manhattan Beach o Mixed Methodology o Email, Text & Telephone Recruiting o Online & Telephone Data Collection
o Margin of error: ± 4.1%
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RATING THE CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH Excellent
Good
The overall quality of life in Manhattan Beach
Fair
Poor
Very poor
Not sure/Prefer not to answer
57.6
Manhattan Beach as a place to recreate
36.8
48.3
Manhattan Beach as a place to raise a family
49.9
Manhattan Beach as a place to shop and dine
38.3
Manhattan Beach as a place to retire
28.4
23.2 0
10
7.7 12 4
33.8
9.1 11 6
30
40
15.2
17.0
31.1 20
36.8
43.0
31.8
Manhattan Beach as a place to work
4.6
50
13.3
4 2
60
70
7
21 12
3
27 80
90
100
% Respondents
4
LIKE & WANT TO PRESERVE 16.7
Small tow n feel, charming beach community
16.2
Public safety, low crime rate 14.2
Beach, ocean 12.6
Cleanliness, appearance, beauty of City
11.6
Community, friendly people, family atmosphere
10.5
Local businesses, dow ntow n area
10.3
Parks, rec facilities 9.2
Schools, education Not sure / Cannot think of anything
8.7 7.1
Low density development, single family homes
6.6
Community events, activities 5.7
Open spaces, greenbelts
5.4
Outdoor shops, dining options
5.0
Relaxed, casual lifestyle 4.2
Walkability of commercial, residential areas
3.5
The Strand, pier 2.7
Proximity to other areas
2.0
Weather, climate 0
5
10
% Respondents
15
20
5
CHANGES TO IMPROVE CITY 9.8 9.6
Not sure / Cannot think of anything Improve public safety, more police presence Address parking issues No changes needed / Everything is fine Enforce traffic, e-bike law s Limit grow th, development Encourage, support diversity, address inequity Preserve, support outdoor dining Beautify City, cleanliness, landscaping Improve City planning, development Attract variety of less expensive restaurants, shops Add, improve park, rec facilities Provide more affordable housing Reduce traffic congestion Improve government leadership, communication Address homeless issues Enforce City codes, ordinances Improve w alkability, sidew alks Underground utilities Increase support for small businesses Improve quality of education Reduce taxes, fees Reduce cost of living Improve permitting process Address Bruce’s Beach issue Provide more activities, events for all ages
8.5 5.6 5.5 5.1 5.0 5.0 4.7 3.8 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.5 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.3 2.0 2.0 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.6 0
2
4
6
8
10
% Respondents
6
OVERALL SATISFACTION Very dissatisfied 1.9 Somew hat dissatisfied 7.5
Not sure/Prefer not to answ er 2.8
Very satisfied 39.5
Somew hat satisfied 48.4
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IMPORTANCE OF SERVICES Extremely important Maintaining parks and open spaces
Very important
59.3
37.1
Providing emergency medical services
64.9
Maintaining sewer and storm drain systems
63.5
Maintaining a low crime rate
27.2 28.1
74.8
Preparing the City for emergencies
88%
23.3
48.4 51.4
28.6
Addressing homelessness
52.5
25.8
33.0
Addressing bike safety and e-bikes Enforcing traffic laws
20.1
Providing eastside library services
14.2 11.7
Providing a variety of public art 0
33.3
53%
35.0
20
51%
34%
19.4
33%
21.7 10
63% 58%
30.0
16.3
Providing cultural and arts opportunities
66% 63%
35.3
27.8
Providing services and programs for seniors
68%
37.3
27.2
Providing after-school programs and diversion programs for youth
71%
25.1
25.3
Enforcing animal control laws such as leash-laws and waste cleanup
71%
30.4
41.1
Providing special events such as concerts in the park, holiday fireworks
71%
43.1
37.9
Removing graffiti
80%
34.7
27.4
84%
78%
37.7
35.9
Providing a variety of recreation programs for all ages
88%
22.4
Protecting the environment Maintaining public athletic fields
88%
39.2 61.1
Providing neighborhood police patrols
88%
36.7 64.3
Keeping public buildings, parks and facilities clean and attractive
90%
33.6
51.2
Preserving the City’s small, beach-town character
91%
28.4
54.8
Maintaining and repairing local streets and roads
92%
16.6
61.6
Providing fire protection and prevention services
96% 92%
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
% Respondents
8
SATISFACTION WITH SERVICES Very satisfied
Somewhat satisfied
Provide emergency medical services
Somewhat dissatisfied
49.7
Provide fire protection and prevention services
48.9 65.2
Provide services and programs for seniors
5.2
53.0
48.8
Provide special events such as concerts in the park, holiday fireworks Maintain public athletic fields
39.0
50.2
30.5
Provide eastside library services Maintain a low crime rate
53.3
33.5
46.3
22.5
Address homelessness Enforce traffic laws Enforce animal control laws such as leash-laws and waste cleanup
24.8
0
10
42.6
30
9.8 5.0 9.5 12.4
20.3 27.1
40
5.7
19.2
34.7 20
6.7
21.3
42.9
18.1
Address bike safety and e-bikes
13.5
25.1
46.7
25.6
7.9
15.8
44.2
50
60
70
1
9.8 19.7
46.7
25.8
3.5
16.1
48.8
27.6
Provide neighborhood police patrols
1 2
12.6
50.7
25.8
Preserve the City’s small, beach-town character
10.0 13.2
55.1
31.7
Maintain and repair local streets and roads
6.9 2
57.1
27.9
Provide a variety of public art
8.0
50.7
27.8
Protect the environment
6.6 1
59.7
40.4
Provide cultural and arts opportunities
6.5 1
52.1
31.9
Provide after-school programs and diversion programs for youth
6.5 1
57.2
39.8
Maintain parks and open spaces
4.2 2
48.1
35.1
Prepare the City for emergencies
3.8 2
44.9
44.9
Maintain sewer and storm drain systems
31
60.1
41.6
Keep public buildings, parks and facilities clean and attractive
4
46.3
34.8
Provide a variety of recreation programs for all ages
1 31.3
49.9
Remove graffiti
Very dissatisfied
12.3 20.1
80
90
100
% Respondents Who Provided Opinion
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PERCEIVED SAFETY OF CITY Very unsafe 0.9 Somewhat unsafe 5.4
Prefer not to answer 0.3
Very safe 47.8 Somewhat safe 45.6
10
SATISFACTION WITH CITY’S EFFORTS TO ENFORCE CODE VIOLATIONS
Not sure 19.4
Prefer not to answer 1.1
Very satisfied 22.2
Very dissatisfied 7.0 Somewhat dissatisfied 14.8
Somewhat satisfied 35.5
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ISSUES & VIOLATIONS OF CONCERN 23.5
Construction issues, concerns 21.4
No-smoking regulations, violations 17.8
Noise ordinance violations 13.3
Dog law s, violations 10.1
Lack of consistent enforcement 8.5
Cannot think of anything specific
8.3
Traffic law violations
7.6
Parking issues Bike, e-bike issues
7.2 5.8
Building code concerns
5.4
Homelessness issues Crime, public safety concerns
4.4 1.9
Short-term rental issues 0
5
10
15
20
25
% Respondents Dissatisfied With Code Enforcement (Q9)
12
1 YEAR TREND IN HOMELESSNESS Prefer not to answ er 0.2 Decreased Not sure 4.2 15.8
Stayed about the same 42.9 Increased 37.0
13
STRATEGIES FOR HOMELESSNESS Yes
No
Not sure
Prefer not to answer
Join with other cities, County to create more regional homeless shelters
64.2
19.4
15.1
Enhance lighting and modify benches in public areas to deter overnight camping
62.7
21.8
14.2 1
Provide funding for mental health facilities, street outreach, and housing placement
57.1
Provide counseling and rehab for drug and alcohol addiction
56.1
0
10
20
30
23.4
18.0
22.8
40
50
60
70
19.3
80
90
1
2
2
100
% Respondents
14
SPENDING PRIORITIES High priority Fix potholes and repair and improve city streets and sidewalks
Medium priority
54.6
Repair and upgrade the City’s sewer and wastewater systems
35.0
50.5
Improve maintenance of parks and park amenities including restrooms, sports courts, dog runs
32.0
Redesign public spaces to allow for outdoor dining areas
33.1 13.4
Restore and enhance nature areas throughout Sand Dune Park Renovate, improve the City’s Community Centers including the Joslyn, Manhattan Heights, Sand Dune Community Centers
26.7
37.3
16.6
26.1
Provide low-cost, on-demand rideshare services so residents can visit restaurants, shops, and business areas in the City without having 18.3 to park a vehicle Create a Manhattan Beach Historical Museum to preserve and store 4.0 16.1 historical documents 0
48.2
32.3
8.4
Reconstruct and improve the City’s swimming pool - Begg Pool
33.8
10
23.6
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
% Respondents
15
AGREEMENT WITH STATEMENTS Strongly agree
I trust the City of Manhattan Beach
Smwt agree
18.5
City is responsive to residents’ needs
14.3
City listens to residents when making important decisions
12.7
City manages its finances well
12.9 0
10
Smwt disagree
Strongly disagree
48.4
13.1
51.3
13.4
43.2
16.9
34.3 20
30
13.1 40
5.7
50
7.6
5.4 60
5.6
DK/NA
14.3
15.5
19.6
34.3 70
80
90
100
% Respondents
16
CONTACT WITH STAFF IN PAST 12 MONTHS Prefer not to Not sure answ er 1.4 3.5
No contact w ith City staff 48.6
Yes, contact w ith City staff 46.5
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PERCEPTION OF CITY STAFF 100
2.8 4.6
90
% Respondents With Staff Contact in Past 12 Months
80
3.3 8.2
2.9 12.1
Not sure
32.8
70
45.6
60
41.6
Not at all
50 40 30
Somewhat
59.8 42.9
20
43.3 Very
10 0 Professionalism
Accessibility
Helpfulness
Q16 Perception of city staff . . .
18
SATISFACTION WITH COMMUNICATION Prefer not to Not sure answ er 8.5 1.2 Very dissatisfied 4.2
Very satisfied 24.4
Somew hat dissatisfied 11.3
Somew hat satisfied 50.4
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INFORMATION SOURCES The Beach Reporter
49.3
Nextdoor.com
24.9
Nixle/Alert South Bay notification system
22.2
City w ebsite
22.0
Email notifications from City
21.0
Friends/Family/Associates/w ord of mouth
17.3
Easy Reader
15.8
Non-City Social M edia, Facebook, Tw itter, Instagram, YouTube
15.4
The Daily Breeze
13.7
M anhappenings brochure
10.9
Patch.com
10.3
Internet (not City’s site)
9.5
Letters, postcards, flyers or brochures mailed from City to your home
9.0
Los Angeles Times
8.4
City’s social media posts on Facebook, Tw itter, Instagram, YouTube
8.0
Television (general)
2.6
Other
2.3
City Council M eetings
2.0
HOA or neighborhood association
1.1
Not sure
1.0
Do Not Receive Information about City
1.0
Radio
0.7 0
10
20
30
40
50
% Respondents
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KEY CONCLUSIONS Despite the pandemic and challenges of the past year, resident have high opinions of their community and City government o Quality of life o City ’s Overall Performance o Specific Ser vices City Government is viewed positively and staff receives high marks for customer service Opportunity Areas: o Bike safety/e -bikes o Improving public safety o Addressing parking issues o Code enforcement o Enforcing animal control laws o Street repair/maintenance o Repairing /upgrading sewer and wastewater systems o Park maintenance and amenities
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