Glendale survey: 8-in-10 residents satisfied with city services; traffic safety and housing top concerns

Glendale city officials on June 3 presented results of a community satisfaction survey showing roughly eight in 10 respondents rated Glendale as an excellent or pretty good place to live and said they were satisfied or very satisfied with city services.

The survey, conducted March 5–19 by FM3 Research, interviewed a random sample of 839 registered voters, and the firm reported a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3.5 percentage points for questions asked of everyone. "We interviewed in total, random sample of 839 registered voters," said Dr. Richard Bernard, lead researcher with FM3. "For questions asked of everyone, the margin of error is plus or minus 3.5, which is quite small."

City Manager staff framed the presentation as a tool to align the city’s strategic plan and budget priorities with resident concerns. "We will use this data…to align our strategic plan and goals with the priorities of the community and council moving forward," the city manager said when introducing the presentation.

Why it matters

The survey offers a current snapshot of public opinion that city leaders said they plan to use in budget and capital planning. Council members repeatedly referenced the findings during deliberations, saying the data should guide resource allocation even as the city faces a budget shortfall.

Key findings and details

- Overall satisfaction: 79% said they were very or somewhat satisfied with city services, summarized by FM3 as "8 in 10" satisfied or very satisfied. "You've got 79%, effectively 8 and 10," Bernard said of the combined satisfied ratings. - Top concerns: When asked open-endedly what is the most serious issue facing Glendale, respondents most frequently mentioned speeding and traffic safety, affordable housing and rent, and the cost of utilities. - Service strengths: Fire protection and paramedic services, library services, 911 response, and garbage/yard waste collection scored highest on satisfaction. - Policy priorities: Respondents rated repairing and retrofitting local fire stations for earthquake safety, prioritizing housing (including for low-income residents, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities), and streamlining the permitting process among the highest policy priorities. - Access & communications: Word-of-mouth and the city website were the most commonly used sources of information about Glendale programs and events; the survey was offered in English, Armenian (7%), Korean (2%) and Spanish (3%).

Public and council reaction

Several residents spoke during public comment about the survey’s outreach and representation. One caller, Fernando Roldan, said he did not learn about the survey until the meeting and urged broader marketing, particularly to reach residents with disabilities. "Maybe if you folks would have put some signs all over the city…some of us can use QR codes," he said.

Council members said they view the survey as a largely positive report card for city services but said it should inform budget choices. Councilmember Brotman said the city’s high marks reflect the work of frontline staff: "It really reflects the hard work, from…our line workers, the parks attendants, the sanitation, all the way up police, fire," he said.

Next steps

City staff said the full results will be posted on the city website and will be used to craft a three-year strategic plan and to inform upcoming budget study sessions. The city manager told council staff will return with proposals tied to the priorities identified in the survey.