On Dec. 15, RDA held its 2008 Annual Meeting at Rainbow Mennonite Church. Approximately 40 residents, business and property owners, and elected officials attended.

The agenda consisted mainly of the annual awards presentation and a report from the ETC Institute on the results of the U.G. 3 rd District citizen survey.

Rosedale resident and volunteer extraordinaire Phil Gardos received the Volunteer of the Year Award. Phil is an active member of Holy Name Catholic Church and is known for his "green thumb:" he has planted and tended several garden plots in Rosedale during the past several years, helping to beautify the neighborhood. He also happens to be the incoming RDA Board President.

KC Drywall received the Business of the Year Award for the company's charitable repair work at the Rosedale Congregational Church. Owner Eric Martincich donated materials and numerous hours of labor to help make critical maintenance improvements at the church, which is known for its community-based health programs for area youth and older adults.

Congratulations to Phil and KC Drywall for their outstanding contributions to the Rosedale community.

Attendees of the annual meeting also listened to a presentation by Karen Faulk from the ETC Institute, which conducted a citizen satisfaction survey within the U.G.'s 3 rd District last August and September. The survey was mailed to residents and businesses within the boundaries of Rosedale and Argentine. It was designed to gauge their level of satisfaction with basic city services and to assist in planning efforts for the area. 769 residents and 65 business owners completed the survey.

Key findings from the survey data and analysis:

• Most residents were satisfied with the quality of public safety services (police, fire, and ambulance), but were least satisfied with the quality of curbs and sidewalks.

• During the next two years, residents thought the city should prioritize the following three services: (1) maintenance of city streets; (2) quality of curbs and sidewalks; and (3) lowering the mill levy/property taxes.

• 56% of residents would vote "yes" on a ¼-cent sales tax, if the revenues would fund improvements to key infrastructure, such as sidewalks, roads and curbs.

• 61% thought that their neighborhood was an excellent or good place to live.

• 51% of residents supported a fireworks ban and 50% supported a smoking ban.

• Overall, business owners were more satisfied with city services than residents.

• 25% of businesses were satisfied with the city's efforts to improve the physical appearance of their neighborhood and 40% were dissatisfied.

• 25% felt that the current tax structure in Wyandotte County was fair.

• 63% thought that their neighborhood was a "business-friendly" community.