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(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) A view of the downtown square and down Elm Street in Graham. The city of Graham recently opened an online anonymous community survey that is available for residents and others interested in the city.
As part of a grant requirement from the Texas General Land Office, the city of Graham is surveying the community regarding its services as a step to create a comprehensive plan.
The city received a grant from the Texas General Land Office to engage in planning activities under the Resilient Communities Program.
The program promotes the development, adoption and implementation of modern and resilient building codes and flood damage presentation ordinances to ensure structures in the community can withstand future hazards.
“As part of the GLO Resilient Communities Program grant the city is required to conduct a community survey to gain information on the public’s desires and perceptions regarding city services, infrastructure and future development,” City Manager Eric Garretty said in August.
The anonymous survey takes five to seven minutes to complete and is available online. The link to the survey is also available at the city’s website.
Both residents and nonresidents can participate in the survey. Within the survey it is stated that no public information is collected or shared by those who respond.
Respondents can give their opinions on public service, development, housing and infrastructure and help shape the city as it moves forward with its comprehensive plan.
“We value your input as we work to create a comprehensive plan that addresses Graham’s needs and priorities,” the survey states. “This survey is your opportunity to share feedback on important topics such as public services, development, housing, and infrastructure, helping us shape plans that reflect the community’s vision and goals.”
A comprehensive plan is a growth and development plan for the city with elements such as an updated Master Parks Plan.
The survey begins by asking where the respondent lives, how old they are, how long they have lived in the city and how they find out information about the city’s services, news and events.
With a rating scale of 1-10, respondents can determine how satisfied they are with police, fire, emergency medical services, public works, animal control, trash services and code enforcement.
The survey also has a ranking of infrastructure improvements in order of importance for water, wastewater, streets, city facilities, parks and recreation, drainage, housing, sidewalks, lighting, street signs and signals and parking.
The city asked how satisfied the survey respondents are with the way the city has developed over the past few years as well as if they have any development concerns.
The city is also asking in the survey for types of businesses or industries lacking within the city. Those choices are retail, farming, professional services, food and beverage, commercial, industrial, grocery, hotel or other.
The city’s number one priority in its 2040 strategic plan is to make residential housing available and affordable. The city asks in the survey to rate the availability and affordability of housing in the city.
Respondents can also rank long-term goals and initiatives for the city in order of importance. Those choices are quality housing and neighborhoods, resilient infrastructure, efficient city expansion, sustainable economic development, health and education availability, improvement of public safety, diverse transportation options, preserving natural resources, enhancing resilience and preparedness and historical preservation.
The survey ends with three short answer questions on what the city is doing well, what the city needs to work on and any additional comments, suggestions or concerns.
The Graham City Council approved Thursday, July 31 forming a comprehensive planning committee to provide input to the city council regarding development of the plan.
“When we last updated the comprehension plan, the city did establish a committee of residents so that residents would have a forum to provide input to the comprehensive plan. It’s not a requirement of the grant,” Garretty said.
Similar to a recently established and dissolved board for reviewing and amending the city charter, this board would be limited to this purpose and then dissolved. Garretty said it will take around 12-18 months to complete the work on the comprehensive plan.
“The city manager contacted community members and city staff who have interest and expertise in future city development and compiled an initial slate of persons who would be willing to serve on the committee,” Garretty said.
That committee will use information obtained from the survey as they work to develop the comprehensive plan.
