Survey: 89% of Vestavia Hills residents satisfied with city services

Eighty-nine percent of the residents of Vestavia Hills are either satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of services provided by the city, according to results of a survey that City Manager Jeff Downes shared with the City Council Monday night.

That compares with a mean 51% satisfaction rate among cities across the United States, Downes said.

The results came from a survey of residents the city conducts every two years as part of its strategic planning process, he said.

The study also found that:

• Eighty-three percent of residents are satisfied with the overall image of the city, compared to 55% nationally.
• Seventy percent of residents are satisfied with the value they receive for their city tax dollars and fees, compared to 34% nationally.
• Sixty-nine percent of residents are satisfied with the overall appearance of the city, compared to 56% nationally.
• Ninety-seven percent see Vestavia Hills as a good place to raise their children, compared to 62% nationally.
• Ninety-seven percent see Vestavia Hills as a good place to live, compared to 50% nationally.
• Seventy-five percent see Vestavia Hills as a good place to work compared to 58% nationally.
• Seventy-five percent of residents are satisfied with the quality of leadership by the city’s elected officials, compared to 39% nationally.
• Seventy-one percent of residents are satisfied with the effectiveness of city department heads and staff, compared to 39% nationally.

Downes said city leaders should feel proud of what they’ve been able to accomplish and about how residents feel about living in Vestavia Hills.

However, the city still has some challenges in finishing two projects: the widening and improvement of Crosshaven Drive in Cahaba Heights and the third phase of Walk Park improvements, Downes said.

The city has completed its portion of the Crosshaven Drive project, but Jefferson County continues to work on its portion at the intersection of Crosshaven and Green Valley Road, Downes said.

The county’s contractor is actively laying pipe along the road and soon will be installing curbs and gutters, he said. The last timeframe the city was given for completion was late March or early April, but Downes said that completion date could be delayed due to conflicts that have arisen.

As for the third phase of Wald Park, a subcontractor has been given notice to begin building new retaining walls, and phase three should be completed by June 2023, he said. Phase three includes six tennis courts, six pickleball courts, more than 100 parking spaces, a dog park and a walking trail.

In other business tonight, the Vestavia Hills City Council:

• Appointed Chad Gay to a five-year term on the Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Board
• Appointed Susan Swagler to a four-year term on the Vestavia Hills Library Board and reappointed April Jackson-MacLennan to another four-term on the Library Board.
• Gave approval for Stephanie Hazen to operate Iron City Pawfection as a dog grooming facility at 1401 Montgomery Highway.
• Authorized Mayor Ashley Curry and Downes to purchase budget and planning software from OpenGov for $46,255 the first year, $24,977 the second year and $26,226 the third year.
• Heard from Curry that the city is taking applications for its Design Review Board until Dec. 5. The board is required to have at least one architect and one landscape architect on it, Curry said. Terms on the board last for three years, he said.