Community Government

City council approves vendor for public surveys

Gig Harbor residents have a new way to let city officials know what they think about important issues. They can do so anonymously through a survey service called FlashVote.

The Gig Harbor City Council approved a three-year contract with FlashVote to conduct six scientific surveys per year during its meeting Monday, March 13.

City officials will select survey topics and what information they’re seeking. FlashVote will craft questions, randomly select survey recipients from their database, compile responses and report findings.

Surveys will be about 1 minute long. The city’s vendor will distribute them via email, text messages and phone calls. FlashVote will compile results within 48 hours. The city will  post results on its website.

The surveys can be designed to measure opinions from specific geographic or demographic populations, based on the city’s criteria.

According to City Clerk Josh Stecker, FlashVote surveys could be beneficial in gathering information on the several upcoming issues including the Crescent Creek Park Master Plan, the Comprehensive Plan update, a climate action plan and other topics.

The city will pay FlashVote $7,900 annually to conduct the surveys.

Residents can register here to participate in FlashVote surveys. FlashVote will select other participants randomly from public records.

Gig Harbor Civic Center Ed Friedrich / Gig Harbor Now

Use of Compost

To comply with a new state law, the council approved adding a chapter to the city code regarding procurement and use of compost in landscaping projects, erosion control, stormwater runoff filtration and other situations. The city already uses compost in most of those, according to Public Works Director Jeff Langhelm.

The city council’s next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 27, at the Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St.