The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1999-05-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - SURVEY WATER CO CUSTOMERS (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT NEW BUSINESS City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: Gail Ortiz DATE: May 25, 1999 SUBJECT: SURVEY OF SANTA CLARITA WATER COMPANY CUSTOMERS DEPARTMENT: City Manager RECOMMENDED ACTION Receive and file. BACKGROUND At the request of Mayor Pro -Tem, Jill Klajic, we are providing you an overview of a recent City survey. At the City Council meeting of March 9, the City Council voted to approve $50,000 for communications -related work for the purpose of purchasing the Santa Clarita Water Company. City staff subsequently hired Rogers and Associates of Los Angeles to begin the research phase. This included hiring an experienced polling company to create and implement a telephone survey, which was performed in April, 1999, in the Santa Clarita Water Company service area. The polling company of Fairbank, Maslin & Maullin polled 400 individuals. This telephone survey has a 4.5% accuracy rate, meaning that if applied over the entire polling area, the results would only vary about 4.5% either way. The purpose of the survey was to gather information and to assess the following: • Residents' concern regarding the availability, quality and supply of water in the community; • How residents' concerns on water issues compare to other key community issues; • Residents' knowledge of and interest in the proposed sale of the SCWC; • Whether residents favor the City's purchase of the SCWC; h) "i� .Ctttt zwt",� �pp�OWED • Whether residents favor the Castaic Lake Water Agency's purchase of the SCWC. From the survey we learned: • Water issues are important to Santa Clarita residents. Nine out of ten respondents said that the availability of a reliable, affordable, and high quality water supply was important. You may recall our recent City-wide public opinion poll ranked water quality as the fourth most important issue, following crime, schools, and drug use among teens. • Most respondents are happy with their current water service, rating the quality of their water services to be excellent or good and their monthly bill fairly priced. • A majority of respondents supported the City's purchase (59%) of SCWC over the CLWA (15%). • Respondents felt that the City would do the best job of managing growth issues, especially those related to water (61%). Additionally, respondents said they trusted the City (74%) on water issues. Both pro and con arguments regarding the City's interest in purchasing the SCWC were presented in the survey in order to give respondents a clear idea of all sides of the issue. The arguments presented summarized those currently being made in the community regarding the purchase of the water company. Overall, the survey was a good information -gathering tool which provides the City Council with insights about residents' attitudes regarding the City's interest in purchasing SCWC. The survey also showed that the more knowledgeable residents become on the SCWC issue, the more likely they were to support the City's purchase of the SCWC. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS Council may vote to purchase the SCWC FISCAL IMPACT None for recommended action. ATTACHMENTS Attached you will find the actual survey and a tabulation of answers received. kM:aSdas[wcdo :lar FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN FINAL N=400 SANTA CLARITA WATER SUPPLY 320-105 FINAL N=400 April 16, 1999 Time Began Time Ended Minutes Hello, I'm from FMM&A, a public opinion research company. We are not trying to sell you anything. We're conducting a survey about issues that interest residents in the City of Santa Clarita. May I speak to [ ]? (MUST SPEAK WITH VOTER LISTED. IF NOT AVAILABLE, ASK WHEN IT WOULD BE CONVENIENT TO CALL AGAIN.) What company provides your home with water services? This company is the same company that provides you with your monthly water bill. (READ RESPONSES) Santa Clarita Water Company ---------------100% L.A. County Waterworks --------TERMINATE Newhall County Water District-- TERMINATE Valencia Water Company--------- TERMINATE (DON'T READ) DK/NA--------- TERMINATE 2. First, thinking about Santa Clarita in general, would you say things are going in the right direction or are they off on the wrong track? Right direction ---------------------------------- 58% Wrong track------------------------------------- 36% (DON'T READ) DK/NA----------------------7% In general, how would you rate the job being done by the City of Santa Clarita government in providing services to the City's residents? Would you say it is doing an ... (READ REPONSES) Excellent----------------------------------------- 15% Good---------------------------------------------- 52% Just fair, or -------------------------------------- 23% Poorjob --------------------------------------------6% (DON'T READ) DK/NA----------------------3% FAIRBANK MASLIN, MAULLIN —Santa Clarita Water Supply Survey 320-105 Page 2 Now I am going to mention some public agencies that provide services that might be used by Santa Clarita residents. After I mention each one, please tell me if you consider that agency to be responsive or non-responsive to the needs of Santa Clarita's residents. (IF RESPONSIVE/NOT RESPONSIVE, ASK: "Is that very or just somewhat?") (DON'T READ) VERY SOMEWM SOMEWHT VERY NO RESPON RESPON NON-RESPON NON-RESPON OPIN I;z171lrr It [ ]a. The Metrolink Commuter Train-------------- 44% --------- 29% ----------- 3% -----------1 % ----------24 % [ ]b. The Local Sheriff's Department -------------- 73%----------18%------------2% -----------3%----------- 4% [ ]c. The Castaic Lake Water Agency -------------14 %--------- 23% ----------- 5% -----------4 % ----------54 % [ Id. The City of Santa Clarita---------------------- 37% --------- 44% ----------- 7% -----------6 %----------- 8% [ ]e. The Local Fire Department ------------------- 86% -----------9%----------- 0% -----------0% -----------5% 5. Every community has things people regard as issues or concerns. Let me mention a few that people might consider important for residents of Santa Clarita. After I mention each one, please tell me whether you personally consider it to be extremely important, very important or somewhat important or not really an important issue or concern for people living in the City of Santa Clarita. (DON'T EXT. VERY SMWHT NOT READ) IMPORT IMPORT IMPOR IWOR DK/NA ROTATE IlaCrime -------------------------------------------------------37 %----------- 46% -------- 14% -------2 % ------ 0% []b. The availability of adequate public transportation ----------------------------------------------13 % -----------36% -------- 37% -------8 % ------ 6% []c. Air pollution, what we generally callsmog ---------------------------------------------------25 %-----------43% -------- 22% -------8 % ------ 2% []d. Traffic congestion on local streets---------------------46%-----------44%---------7%--------2%------0% Oe. Too much growth and real estate development ------------------------------------------------ 46% ----------- 35% -------- 13%-------6%------0% []f. Improving the quality of local public schools------------------------------------------------------33 % ----------- 49% -------- 14% -------3 % ------ 2% []g. The availability of a reliable, affordable and high quality water supply-------------------------------------------------------27 % -----------57 % -------- 12% -------3 % ------1 % VAIRBANK MASLIN, MAULLIN —Santa Clarita Water Supply Survey 320-105 Page 3 WE ARE INTERVIEWING RESIDENTS IN YOUR AREA ON ISSUES FACING SANTA CLARITA. WE ARE SELECTING ONE OF THE ISSUES I NST ASKED YOU ABOUT PER HOUSEHOLD TO DISCUSS FURTHER. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE WATER SERVICE IN YOUR AREA. 6. Overall, how would you rate the quality of the water service in your area? Would you say it is...? (READ RESPONSES) Excellent----------------------------------------- 27% Good---------------------------------------------- 46% Just fair, or-------------------------------------- 18% Poorjob --------------------------------------------8% (DON'T READ) DK/NA----------------------0% 7. In your personal opinion, what is your greatest concern with the water service in your area? (READ RESPONSES; RECORD ONLY ONE) The taste of the water ------------------------11 % The price of the water -------------------------6% The hardness of the water -------------------29% The availability of local water supplies in the future -------------------------17 % Contamination of local water sources ------------------------------------------32% (DON'T READ) I am not concerned about water --------------------------------------3 % (DON'T READ) DK/NA----------------------2% 8. Would you say the bill you receive each month for water services is fair and represents a good value, or not? (IF FAIR, ASK: "Is that very fair or just somewhat?") Very fair ----------------------------------------- 42% Somewhat fair ----------------------------------40% Notfair --------------------------------------------9 % (DON'T READ) DK/NA----------------------9% 9. To the best of your knowledge, is your local water company privately or publicly owned? Private--------------------------------------------- 56% Public---------------------------------------------- 19% (DON'T READ) DK/NA ---------------------- 24% F'AIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN —Santa Clarita Water Supply Survey 320-105 Page 4 10. In your personal opinion, is it important that your water company is privately or publicly owned? (IF IMPORTANT/NOT IMPORTANT, ASK: "Is that very or just somewhat?") (DON'T READ) VERY SOMEWHT SOMEWHT VERY NO IMPORT IMPORT UNIMPORT UNIMIPORT OPIN la. Private ------------------------------------------------16% ---------- 15% --------- 21% ----------28 %------- 21% ]b. Public -------------------------------------------------17% ---------- 19% --------- 19% ----------27 %------- 18% NOW I WOULD LIKE TO TALK MORE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE SANTA CLARITA WATER COMPANY 11. Have you seen or heard any discussion of a proposal to have the City of Santa Clarita purchase the Santa Clarita Water Company? (IF YES, ASK: "Is that a lot or just a little?") Yes, a lot -----------------------------------------16% Yes, a little --------------------------------------- 31% No-------------------------------------------------- 53% (DON'T READ) DK/NA------------------------1 % 12. As you may know, the Santa Clarita Water Company is the largest water company in the Santa Clarita Valley. Owners of the water company have expressed interest in selling it. If you could advise the Santa Clarita City Council on this issue, would you say the City should buy the Santa Clarita Water Company or not? (IF YES/NO, ASK: "Is that definitely or just probably?") Definitely yes, should buy --------------------26% Probably yes, should buy ---------------------26% Probably no, should not buy -----------------12% Definitely No, should not buy ---------------15 % (DON'T READ) DK/NA-------------------- 21% FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN —Santa Clarita Water Supply Survey 320-105 Page 5 NOW LET ME GIVE YOU SOME MORE INFORMATION. THE CITY IS CONSIDERING ACQUIRING THE SANTA CLARITA WATER COMPANY THROUGH EMINENT DOMAIN WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE CITY TO TAKE IT OVER IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC GOOD. THE CITY WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY THE FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR IT, WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND $48 MILLION. THE PURCHASE WILL BE FINANCED THROUGH BONDS WHICH WOULD BE PAID OFF FROM EXISTING CUSTOMER REVENUE. THE CITY IS CONFIDENT THAT NO WATER RATE OR TAX INCREASE WILL BE NEEDED. 13. In your personal opinion, should the City of Santa Clarita sell bonds worth 48 million dollars in order to purchase the Santa Clarita Water Company? (IF YES/NO, ASK: "Is that definitely or just probably?") Definitely Yes ---------------------------------- 25% Probably Yes ------------------------------------22% Probably No ------------------------------------12% Definitely No ----------------------------------- 28% (DON'T READ) DK/NA -------------------- 13% 14. Have you seen or heard any discussion of the plans by the Castaic Lake Water Agency to purchase the privately owned Santa Clarita Water Company? (IF YES, ASK: "Is that a lot or just a little?") Yes, a lot -----------------------------------------14% Yes, a little--------------------------------------- 25% No------------------------------------------------- 59% (DON'T READ) DK/NA-----------------------2% FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAUL41N —Santa Clarita Water Supply Survey 320-105 Page 6 15. The Castaic Lake Water Agency is a state government agency that buys water from the State of California and resells it for profit to water companies serving the Santa Clarita Valley, including the Santa Clarita Water Company. Having heard this, do you think the Castaic Lake Water Agency should purchase the Santa Clarita Water Company? (IF YES/NO, ASK: "Is that definitely or just probably?") Definitely Yes (ASK Q.16) --------------------5 % Probably Yes(ASK Q.16) --------------------10% Probably No(SKIP TO Q.17) ---------------18 % Definitely No(SKIP TO Q. 17) ------------- 44% (DON'T READ) DK/NA (SKIP TO Q.17) ------------------------------- 22% ASK Q.16 ONLY IF "YES" ON Q. 15 16. If the Castaic Lake Water Agency bought the Santa Clarita Water Company, it would have a monopoly over water for your area. Now knowing this, should the Castaic Lake Water Agency purchase the Santa Clarita Water Company? (IF YES, ASK: "Is that definitely or just probably?") Definitely Yes ----------------------------------20% Probably Yes ------------------------------------24% Probably No------------------------------------ 28% Definitely No ----------------------------------- 20% (DON'T READ) DK/NA----------------------8% FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN —Santa Clarita Water Supply Survey 320-105 Page 7 ROTATE QUESTIONS 17 AND 18 [ J17. I am going to read some statements made by people who favor the City of Santa Clarita's proposed purchase of the Santa Clarita Water Company. After hearing each statement, please tell me if the statement makes you more inclined to favor having the City of Santa Clarita make this purchase. If you do not believe the statement, or if it has no effect on your thinking, one way or the other, please tell me that too. (IF MORE INCLINED ASK: "Is that much more inclined or just somewhat?") ROTATE (DON'T (DON'T MUCH S.W. READ) READ) MORE MORE LESS DON'T NO NO INCL INCL INCL BELIEVE EFF OPIN [ ]a. The City has a good track record managing its fiscal affairs and is therefore qualified to purchase the water company----------------------------------- 22% ------ 34% ------- 5% [ ]b. Under the City's plan, its purchase of the Santa Clarita Water Company will not result in higher water rates or higher taxes ----------------------------------- 31% ------ 28% ------- 4% [ ]c. The Castaic Lake Water Agency spent 116 million dollars on the Rio Vista Water Treatment Plant - 45 percent over original estimates. Given the water agency's poor record with public funds, the City should be the one to purchase and operate the Santa Clarita Water Company ----------------------- [ ]d. The City is interested in purchasing the water company in order to manage the future of Santa Clarita, not to make a profit----------------- [ ]e. If the Castaic Lake Water Agency purchases the water company, instead of the City, it will have a monopoly over Santa Clarita's water supply-------------------------- [ ]f. If the City buys the Santa Clarita Water Company, it could be a potential safeguard against unlimited growth in the area ------- 14% --------21 %---4% 27% --------8 % 35% ------ 30% ------- 7% ------- 10% 38% ------ 24% ------- 5% ------- 21% 39% ------ 23% ------- 15% ------ 8% 34% ------ 25% ------- 7% ------- 22% 2% 13% --- 5 % 10%---3 % 10% --- 5 % 8% ----4 % FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN —Santa Clarita Water Supply Survey 320-105 Page 8 []18. Now I am going to read some statements made by people who oppose the City of Santa Clarita's proposed purchase of the Santa Clarita Water Company. After hearing each statement, please tell me if the statement makes you less inclined to support having the City purchase the water company. If you do not believe the statement, or if it has no effect on your thinking, one way or the other, please tell me that too. (IF LESS INCLINED, ASK: "Is that much less inclined or just somewhat?") ROTATE (DON'T (DON'T MUCH S.W. READ) READ) LESS LESS MORE DON'T NO NO INCL INCL INCL BELIEVE EFF OPIN [ ]a. If the City of Santa Clarita purchases the Santa Clarita Water Company, it could lead to local consumers or taxpayers having to pay off millions of dollars in bonds through rate and tax increases --------------------- [ ]b. If the City purchases the water company, water will be at the whim of politicians and could be used as a method to block needed growth in the area -------------------- [ ]c. If the Castaic Lake Water Agency buys the Santa Clarita Water Company, local residents would benefit from its vast technical and financial resources ------------------ 7% ------ 16% --------14 % -----3 % 13% ------ 27% --------18 % -----4 % 11% ------ 35% --------23 % -----6 % FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN —Santa Clarita Water Supply Survey 320-105 Page 9 19. Now that you have heard more about the City of Santa Clarita's proposed purchase of the Santa Clarita Water Company, let me ask you once more. Should the City purchase the water company? (IF YES/NO, ASK: "Is that definitely or just probably?") Definitely Yes ---------------------------------- 31% Probably Yes------------------------------------ 28% Probably No ---------------------------------------9% Definitely No ----------------------------------- 17% (DON'T READ) DK/NA--------------------15 % 20. The City has proposed a Joint Powers Agreement with the Castaic Lake Water Agency, in which purchase and oversight of the Santa Clarita Water Company would be shared. Would you favor a Joint Powers Agreement rather than either the City or the Castaic Lake Water Agency taking full control of the water company? (IF YES/NO, ASK: "is that definitely or just probably?") Definitely Yes ----------------------------------17 % Probably Yes ------------------------------------34% Probably No -------------------------------------11 % Definitely No ----------------------------------- 28% (DON'T READ) DK/NA--------------------10% 21. Now, let me ask you about growth and development in the Santa Clarita Valley. In your personal opinion, has growth and development been...? (READ RESPONSES) Too much and too fast------------------------- 81% Too little and too slow --------------------------0% About right -------------------------------------- 18% (DON'T READ) DK/NA----------------------0% 22. Some people believe the Santa Clarita Valley's future growth and economic development are ultimately influenced by the water supply and who controls it. Which agency do you believe will do the best job managing the growth in the Santa Clarita area...? (READ RESPONSES AND RECORD. THEN ASK: "Which agency would do the poorest job?" AGAIN, READ RESPONSES AND RECORD.) ROTATE BEST POOREST [ ]a. The Castaic Lake Water Agency -----------------7 %---------- 36% [ ]b. The City of Santa Clarita-------------------------61%--------- 13% [ lc. A private company ---------------------------------20% --------- 32% [ Id. Don't Know -----------------------------------------12% --------- 19% FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN —Santa Clarita Water Supply Survey 320-105 Page 10 NOW I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOUR OPINION ABOUT WATER QUALITY AND AVAILABILITY 23. In your personal opinion, how serious a threat is contamination of the local groundwater in your area? (READ RESPONSES) Very serious -------------------------------------22% Somewhat serious ------------------------------ 33% Somewhat not serious -------------------------14 % Not very serious -------------------------------- 22% (DON'T READ) DK/NA----------------------9% 24. What about water shortages, how serious a threat will that be in your area over the next 5 years? (READ RESPONSES) Veryserious------------------------------------- 26% Somewhat serious ------------------------------ 32% Somewhat not serious ------------------------- 13% Not very serious-------------------------------- 21% (DON'T READ) DK/NA----------------------8% 25 Next, let me mention some government agencies and companies involved in issues such as the quality and availability of water for the Santa Clarita Valley. After I mention each one, please tell me whether you have trust in that person, agency or company or not on these water issues. (READ RESPONSES. IF TRUST, ASK: "Is that a lot, somewhat or just a little?") (DON'T READ) TRUST TRUST TRUST TRUST NO ROTATE A LOT SOMEWHAT A LITTLE NOT AT ALL OPIN [ ]a. The Castaic Lake Water Agency -----------------4% ---------- 34% ----------26%----------19% ---------- 16% [ ]b. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors -------------------------------------------3 %---------- 23% ----------23% ---------- 47% ------------5 % [ ]c. The City of Santa Clarita------------------------- 24% --------- 50% ----------11 %-----------7 % --- ---------8 % [ ]d. Newhall Land and Farming Company ----------5 %---------- 17% ----------19% ---------- 54% ------------4 % [ ]e. The State of California ----------------------------16% --------- 45% ----------10%----------10% ---------- 20% i'AIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN —Santa Clarita Water Supply Survey 320-105 Page 11 NOW I AM GOING TO ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS JUST FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES 26. Do you live in a single family detached dwelling or in a multi -family building? 27. Do you own your home or do you rent it? Single family -------------------------------90% Multi -family ----------------------------------9 % (DON'T READ) Refused/DK------------1 % Own------------------------------------------ 94% Rent--------------------------------------------6 % (DON'T READ) Refused/DK------------0% 28. On average is your household water bill running...? (READ RESPONSES) Less than 15 dollars a month -------------------9% 16 to 30 dollars a month ---------------------- 46% 31 to 50 dollars a month ---------------------- 26% 51 to 75 dollars a month ------------------------6% More than 76 dollars a month ------------------3 % (DON'T READ) DK/NA 10% 29. How would you describe yourself to be liberal, middle of the road, or conservative? (IF LIBERAL OR CONSERVATIVE ASK: "Is that very (liberal/conservative) or somewhat?") Very Liberal ----------------------------------6% Somewhat Liberal -------------------------10% Middle Of The Road ---------------------- 41% Somewhat Conservative ------------------ 26% Very Conservative------------------------- 17% (DON'T READ) DK/NA-----------------1% 30. In what year were you born? 1981-1975 (18-24)-----------------------------2% 1974-1970 (25-29)-----------------------------2% 1969-1965 (30-34)-----------------------------7% 1964-1960 (35-39)----------------------------11 % 1959-1955 (40-44)----------------------------16% 1954-1950(45-49)-----------------------------15 % 1949-1945 (50-54)----------------------------13 % 1944-1940 (55-59)-----------------------------8% 1939-1935 (60-64)-----------------------------6% 1934 or earlier (65 & over) -----------------12% Refused------------------------------------------8 % f FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN —Santa Clarita Water Supply Survey 320-105 Page 12 31 32. 33. What was the last level of school you completed? Grades 1-8------------------------------------2% Grades 9-11-----------------------------------1 % High School Graduate (12) -------------- 12% Some College/Business/ Vocational School ------------------------- 34% College Graduate (4)----------------------35% Post -Graduate Work/ Professional School -----------------------17% (DON'T READ) Refused ------------------0% With which racial or ethnic group do you identify yourself? (READ RESPONSES) I don't need to know the exact amount, but please stop me when I read the category that includes the total income for your household before taxes in 1998? Was it: 34. What is your Zip Code? Anglo/White -------------------------------- 79% African-American or Black ----------------3 % Hispanic or Latino ---------------------------6% Asian -------------------------------------------1 % Something else -------------------------------3 % (DON'T READ) Refused/NA------------8% $20,000 and under ---------------------------4% $20,001 - $30,000---------------------------3 % $30,001 - $40,000---------------------------5% $40,001 - $50,000---------------------------8% $50,001 - $70,000-------------------------20% $70,001 - $90,000-------------------------18% $90,000 or more --------------------------- 26% (DON'T READ) Refused/NA---------- 17% FAIRBANK, MASLIN, MAULLIN —Santa Clarita Water Supply Survey 320-105 Page 13 Gender: By observation Party Registration Name Address City Phone: ( ) Interviewer Cluster # Male ----------------------- 47% Female--------------------- 53% Democrat -----------------36% Republican---------------- 54% Declined to state -----------7% Other -------------------------4 % Verified by Date Precinct Rep #_ Page # _ FLAGS 11/98 ----------------------99% 4/98 ------------------------ 66% 11/96 ---------------------- 99% 4/96 ------------------------ 66% 11/94 ---------------------- 85% 4/94 ------------------------ 47% THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN OUR SURVEY