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Council authorizes staff to hire pollster to draft Cultural Park survey; firms to return draft questions
Summary
After extended public comment and council debate, the council voted 4–3 to contract a survey firm to draft mailed survey questions about the Cultural Park Amphitheater and related Western Gateway uses; council directed staff to return drafts and emphasized neutral wording and inclusion of housing/recreation topics where appropriate.
The Sedona City Council voted Jan. 27 to engage a professional survey firm to draft a mail survey aimed at registered Sedona voters about potential uses of the Western Gateway/Cultural Park property, including the question of restoring an amphitheater. The motion approved staff's recommendation to enter into a contract (subject to city‑attorney review) with High Ground (listed as the recommended firm) to draft direct‑mail survey questions; council passed the motion 4–3 after extensive public comment and council discussion about timing, question framing and the scope of the poll.
Background: at the council retreat and in subsequent discussions council had been split over whether to proceed with polling now or to wait for additional planning information (notably the city's balanced housing study and more detailed Cultural Park proposals). Supporters of a near‑term poll said a professionally drafted survey would break the current impasse and provide an objective baseline for community sentiment; critics argued a survey without a finished concept would produce misleading or incomplete results.
What staff proposed: communications staff sought authority to contract with a firm to produce a statistically valid, mailed poll of registered voters. Staff recommended a specific firm based on responsiveness and willingness to work with staff; options presented included a higher‑volume approach or a direct‑mail approach focusing on registered voters. Staff noted adding a small number of targeted questions (for housing or recreation) typically does not materially change cost.
Council direction and vote: after lengthy debate about question content and sequencing, Councilor Kinsella moved to contract with High Ground to draft a direct‑mail survey; the motion passed 4–3. Council asked staff to return with the draft survey questions for council review and to ensure that questions are neutrally worded and cover the range of alternatives citizens have requested, including amphitheater restoration, recreation/rec center elements, and possible housing scales.
Next steps: staff will finalize contract details subject to city‑attorney approval, receive draft questions from the firm, and return drafts to council for review prior to launching the field effort. Council members emphasized the need for neutral wording and transparency about methodology.
