HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.c. Polco
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council Work Session: September 12, 2017
AGENDA ITEM: Discuss Polco engagement tool AGENDA SECTION:
Discussion
PREPARED BY: Logan Martin, City Administrator AGENDA NO. 2.c.
ATTACHMENTS: Polco results (emailed to CC members) APPROVED BY: LJM
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discuss the effectiveness of the Polco tool and consider its
use going forward.
BACKGROUND
In response to the City Council’s goal of increasing citizen engagement, staff investigated the opportunity
to utilize an interactive, online survey response tool to engage with the public on a myriad of issues and
policy questions. This tool, called Polco (https://polco.us/groups/city/rosemount-mn), was debuted on a
trial basis at the City Council’s booth during Leprechaun Days and was well received.
The public was invited to respond to 5 questions over the course of a week, and we ultimately received
160 voters. In conversations with Polco staff, this is a very positive turnout in a short time with a new
tool, and we were pleased with the varying responses and level of input that we received. The full report
of results and individualized comments has been provided to Council separately, and can be discussed in
greater detail at the worksession as needed.
Staff would appreciate receiving additional feedback from Council on the value of this tool, including the
Council’s interest in subscribing to this service on a longer term basis ($250/month). If we choose to
subscribe, staff would discuss internally the best way to select polling questions and would develop some
internal controls on utilizing this tool.
RECOMMNEDATION
Discuss the results of the Polco test run, overall impressions of its usefulness for the City going forward,
and provide staff direction on further implementing a subscription to the service.