Residents press council on survey methodology and committee transparency

Several public commenters used the three-minute public-participation slot to press the council on transparency and the survey process. Jim Rossberg told the council that positive headlines should not obscure the survey’s concerning results and urged the council to "admit mistakes, analyze why they happen, and correct them." Anna Gipson (Ward 2) said her online response hadn’t been counted in the random sample and described committee agendas and minutes being posted late; "These are not just my opinions. These are facts," she said, and added a colorful remark about how the issue became known.

ETC’s Derek Harvey explained the firm’s methods: the random-sample mailing and an online address verification intended to keep online responses separate from the random sample; he said the city received both random-sample responses and a larger set of nonrandom submissions that staff has. Councilors agreed to ask staff to compile themes from open-ended comments and to consider how to better publish agendas and minutes so residents can weigh in earlier in committee processes.