Results from the 2023 Community Survey were presented to Manhattan City Commissioners during their Tuesday meeting.
University of Nebraska Center for Public Affairs Research Director Josie Schafer noted responses were overall more positive than negative but said there are still areas in need of improvement.
Schafer said parks and recreation was a hot topic for this year’s survey and explained some of the public’s highest priorities for the department.
Schafer said responses regarding Aggieville were also notable but did not make the path forward for the district any clearer.
Some areas with higher levels of satisfaction include quality of life, feeling of safety and police and fire department services.
The entire community survey along with results from previous years can be viewed here on the city’s website.
Also on Tuesday’s agenda was a request to amend the planned unit development for Greenbriar to allow for non-owner-occupied short-term rentals (STRs) at the Stadium Place apartments.
In addition to their application, the applicant presented the city with an oversight proposal that sets a management plan for the up to 87 short-term rental units. Commissioner John Matta said there are multiple positives that make the request worth approving.
Commissioner Linda Morse voiced concerns about the increasing number of STRs and feels there is a need for increased regulations.
The request was approved 3-1. Morse opposed.
Additionally on Tuesday, the board also approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation to establish the Parks and Recreation Foundation Fund.
The MOU outlines how the two entities will collaborate and establishes a process for how the city will receive donations.
City staff noted in the agenda item summary that “this MOU enhances and expands support for MPRD. The MOU does not replace or limit the fundraising efforts of the City or other support entities, such as the Sunset Zoo Trust or the Flint Hills Discovery Center (FHDC) Foundation.”
The MOU was approved unanimously.
