Bay County Public Participation Plan County... · 2019. 8. 20. · 5 A 45-day comment period for the draft PPP was initiated by the Bay County TPO at its April 26, 2017, meeting.

Planning for the future transportation needs of northwest Florida.

Bay CountyPublic Participation Plan

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BAYCOUNTYTRANSPORTATIONPLANNINGORGANIZATION

PUBLICPARTICIPATIONPLANDRAFTMARCH17,2017

WITHRENEWALINFIVEYEARS

BayCountyTransportationPlanningOrganizationStaffedbytheWestFloridaRegionalPlanningCouncil4081E.OliveRd.,Ste.APensacola,FL32514Formoreinformation,pleasecontactPublicInvolvementCoordinator,KathySaldana,[email protected].

ThisreportwaspreparedasacooperativeeffortoftheU.S.DepartmentofTransportation(USDOT),FederalHighwayAdministration(FHWA),FederalTransitAdministration(FTA),theFloridaDepartmentofTransportation(FDOT),andlocalgovernments.ThecontentsofthisreportdonotnecessarilyreflecttheofficialviewsorpoliciesoftheU.S.DepartmentofTransportation.

Thisdocumentispostedonlineatwww.wfrpc.org.

DRAFTDATE:March17,2017

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SUMMARY

TheBayCountyTransportationPlanningOrganization(BayCountyTPO)hascreatedthisPublicParticipationPlan(PPP)documenttoprovideguidelinesforachievingoptimumengagementofthepublicwhendevelopingmajorplanningdocumentsandprograms.Qualitypublicparticipationissolicitedbeforetheplanningprocessbeginsandcontinuesthroughouttheprocess,helpingtoavoid,minimize,andmitigateprojectimpacts,whileprovidingthebestsolutions.TheprimarygoalsoftheBayCountyTPO’sPPPareto:

• InformthePublicInformthepublic,tothemaximumextentpossiblewithavailableresources,ofopportunitiestoparticipateinthetransportationdecision-makingprocess.

• InvolvethePublicInvolvethepublicearlyandofteninthetransportationplanningprocess.

• IncludethePublicReachouttothegeographical,organizational,anddemographiccommunitiesthatcomposetheTPOplanningareatoincreasethepublic’sopportunitytoparticipateindevelopingtransportationplansandservices.

• ImprovethePublicParticipationProcessContinuallyidentifyandimplementwaystoimprovethepublicparticipationprocesses.

HISTORY

In1981,ThePanamaCityUrbanizedMetropolitanPlanningOrganizationwascreatedundertheauthorityofChapter163oftheFloridaStateStatutes,asamechanismtoconductacontinuing,cooperative,comprehensive,andcoordinated(4-C)planningprocessforthetransportationneedsofthePanamaCityurbanizedarea.NowknownastheBayCountyTransportationPlanningOrganization(TPO)itisagoverningbodyconsistingofelectedofficialsrepresentingthefollowinglocalgovernments:BayCounty,Callaway,LynnHaven,MexicoBeach,PanamaCity,PanamaCityBeach,andParker.TheBayCountyMetropolitanArea(MPA)nowincludestheentirecountyinadditiontotheurbanizedarea.TheTPOstaffiscomposedofaTPOcoordinator,executivedirector,transportationplanningmanager,variousplanners,publicinvolvementcoordinators,accountingsupport,andadministrativesupport.Inaddition,therearetwoadvisorycommitteesthatdirectlyreporttotheTPOtoensurecitizenparticipationisincludedinthetransportationplanningprocess.Thefollowingisabriefdescriptionofthesecommittees.

CITIZENSADVISORYCOMMITTEE

TheCitizensAdvisoryCommittee(CAC)iscomprisedofmembersofthepublicwhoexpressinterestintransportationplanning.ProspectivememberscompleteanapplicationprocessandundergoanapprovalprocessbytheTPO.

TECHNICALCOORDINATINGCOMMITTEE

TheTechnicalCoordinatingCommittee(TCC)iscomprisedoflocalgovernmentstaffandothercommunityresourcerepresentation.ThiscommitteeparticipatesintheplanningprocessbyprovidingtechnicaladvicetotheTPOontransportationissues.

INTENTOFTHEPUBLICPARTICIPATIONPLAN

Thesignofasuccessfulpublicparticipationdocumentisthelevelofearlyawarenessandthequalityoffeedbackreceived.Processesthatinvolvethepublicinaproject’sbeginningstagesfosterbuy-inandbetteroverallacceptanceofprojects.

ThePPPisdesignedtoidentifyandimplementstrategiesthatmosteffectivelygatherpublicinputfortheBayCountyTPOthroughouttheplanningprocessandinthedevelopmentoftransportationplans.Techniquesformosteffectivelyreachingthepublicaresubjecttoever-changingtechnologiesandtrends.ThePPPistobereferencedasaguideandwillbereviewedregularlyandupdatedasneededtomeetchangingrequirementsinlaworchangesinstrategiesemployed.

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Theappropriatelevelofpublicinvolvementwillvarybyplanorproject.Theminimalrequirementsforplansareaddressedinthisdocument.ThePPPalsoincludesamethodologyforassessingeffectiveness.

BAYCOUNTYTPOPOLICYONPUBLICPARTICIPATION

TheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)andtheFloridaMetropolitanPlanningOrganization(MPO)HandbookoutlinepublicinvolvementrequirementsfordevelopmentoftheLongRangeTransportationPlan(LRTP)andtheTransportationImprovementPlan(TIP).TheBayCountyTPOiscommittedtoprovidingstakeholderswithopportunitiestoprovideinputforeachtransportationplanandprogram.Likewise,theFederalHighwayAdministration(FHWA)andFloridaDepartmentofTransportation(FDOT)encouragetheTPOtosolicitpublicinputinallefforts.

ItisthepolicyoftheBayCountyTPOto:

• Providecompleteandeasilydigestibleinformationforallsegmentsofthepublic,particularlythoseaffectedbytheoutcomesand/orthosewithspecialneeds

• Supportanearlyandcontinuinginvolvementofthepublicinthedevelopmentandimplementationoftransportationplansandprograms

• Continuallyidentifyandimplementwaystoimprovethepublicparticipationprocess

FEDERALREQUIREMENTSFORPUBLICPARTICIPATION

TheFixingAmerica’sSurfaceTransportation(FAST)ActwassignedintolawonDecember4,2015.TheFASTActauthorizes$305billionoverfiscalyear(FY)2016throughFY2020forfederal-aidhighways,highwayandmotorvehiclesafety,publictransportation,motorcarriersafety,hazardousmaterialssafety,rail,aswellas,research,technology,andstatisticsprograms.TheFASTAct;maintainsfocusonsafety(keepingintacttheestablishedstructureofvarioushighway-relatedprograms),continueseffortstostreamlineprojectdelivery,andprovidesadedicatedsourceoffederalfundsforfreightprojects.TheFASTActallows,statesandlocalgovernmentstomoveforwardwithcriticaltransportationprojectswithconfidencethattheywillhaveafederalpartneroverthelongterm.TheFASTActisthefirstlong-termsurfacetransportationauthorizationenactedinthelasttenyearsthatprovideslong-termfundingcertaintyforsurfacetransportation.PoliciesandprogramsoftheFASTActadministeredbytheFederalHighwayAdministration(FHWA).

TheMovingAheadforProgressinthe21stCenturyAct(MAP-21),enactedin2012,includedprovisionstomakefederalsurfacetransportationmorestreamlined,performance-based,multimodal,andtoaddresschallengesfacingtheU.S.transportationsystem.Thisincludesimprovingsafety,maintaininginfrastructurecondition,reducingtrafficcongestion,improvingefficiencyofthesystem,freightmovement,protectingtheenvironment,andreducingdelaysinprojectdelivery.TheFASTActbuildsonthechangesmadebyMAP-21.

Settingthecoursefortransportationinvestmentinhighways,theFASTAct:

• ImprovesmobilityonAmerica’shighways• Createsjobsandsupportseconomicgrowth• Acceleratesprojectdeliveryandpromotesinnovation

Thesechangeswillimproveinnovationandefficiencyinthedevelopmentofprojects,throughtheplanningandenvironmentalreviewprocess,toprojectdelivery.

FEDERALREVIEWPERIOD

Thepublicinvolvementprocessrequirementsof23CFRPart450,Section450.316(b)(1)encourageproactivepublicinvolvementensuringearlyandcontinuinginvolvementintheplanningprocess.

(i)Requireaminimumpubliccommentperiodof45daysbeforethepublicinvolvementprocessisinitiallyadoptedorrevised;

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A45-daycommentperiodforthedraftPPPwasinitiatedbytheBayCountyTPOatitsApril26,2017,meeting.ThereviewperiodendedonJuly5,2017,atwhichtimestaffaggregatedthecommentsandpreparedthedocumentforadoptionbytheTPO.

ENVIRONMENTALJUSTICE/TITLEVI

Eachpublicinvolvementprocessgivesstafftheopportunitytodevelopmethodstoreachtraditionallyunderrepresentedpopulationssuchasminoritiesandtheeconomicallydisadvantaged.Thesepotentiallyunderservedpopulationsmayalsobeyouth,personswithdisabilities,andseniors.

In1994,apresidentialexecutiveorderdirectedfederalagenciestoaddresstheeffectsofallprograms,policiesandactivitieson“minoritypopulationsandlow-incomepopulations.”TheBayCountyTPO’senvironmentaljusticeinitiativesaccomplishthisbyadheringtothreefundamentalenvironmentaljusticeprinciples:

1. Toavoid,minimize,ormitigatedisproportionatelyhighandadversehealthandenvironmentaleffects(includingsocialandeconomic)onminoritypopulationsandlow-incomepopulations

2. Toensurethefullandfairparticipationbyallpotentiallyaffectedcommunitiesinthetransportationdecision-makingprocess

3. Topreventthedenialof,reductionin,orsignificantdelayinthereceiptofbenefitsbyminorityandlow-incomepopulations

Properlyimplemented,environmentaljusticeprinciplesandproceduresimprovealllevelsoftransportationdecision-making.Theyenhancethepublicinvolvementprocess,strengthencommunity-basedpartnerships,andprovideminorityandlow-incomepopulationswithopportunitiestoimprovethequalityoftransportationintheirlives.Further,environmentaljusticeassiststoavoiddisproportionatelyhighandadverseimpactsonunderservedpopulations,andmitigatesavoidablenegativeimpactsbyidentifyingconcernsearlyintheplanningphases.

AnyproposedprojectsenteredintotheEfficientTransportationDecisionMaking(ETDM)environmentalscreeningtoolallowfortheopportunitytoincorporateenvironmentalconsiderationsintotransportationplanningandengagetheresourceagencies,aswellassupporttheenvironmentalpolicyofFDOT“tohelppreserveandenhanceFlorida’snatural,physical,cultural,andsocialenvironmentaswedevelop,implement,andmaintaintransportationfacilitiesandservices”(PolicyNo.:000-625-001-l).TheETDMtoolprovidescitizenswiththeopportunitytodirectcommentstoFDOTagencies.TheETDMtoolalsoprovidesotherstakeholderstheopportunityforearlyinputandconsiderationoftheenvironmentintransportationplanningandwillbeincludedintheLongRangeTransportationPlanprocessasneeded(https://etdmpub.fla-etat.org/est).

ACHIEVINGTHEBESTPUBLICPARTICIPATION

Federalandstatelawsrequirethetransportationplanningprocesstoincludeproactivepublicparticipationthatprovidescompleteinformation,timelypublicnotice,andfullpublicaccesstokeydecisions.

TheTPOmaintainspublicparticipationopportunitiesfortransportationplansandprojectsforimpactedcommunitiesthroughawiderangeofmethods,including,butnotlimitedto,boardandadvisorycommittees,publicmeetingsandworkshops,outreachtocommunityorganizations,continuouspubliccommentopportunitiesatTPOmeetings,newsreleases,surveys,eNewsletters,andsocialmedia.Staffworkstomaintaingoodrelationshipswithmembersofthelocalmediatoraiseawarenessofpublicinvolvementopportunitiesintransportationplanning.

TheTPOholdsmeetingsatlocationseasilyaccessibletothegeographicallydiverseareaofBayCounty.Allmeetingsarelegallyadvertisedandpromotedthroughlocalmedia.Whenpossible,publicmeetingsandworkshopsareheldatfacilitiesofferingfreepublicparkingandaccessibilitytotransit.AllpublicmeetingsandworkshopsoftheTPOanditsadvisorycommitteesareheldinAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA)compliantvenues.LocationsmustbeaccessibleandmeettheFloridaBuildingCodeChapter11accessibilitystandardsofdesign,perFloridaStatute286.26.AlllegaladvertisingandmediapromotionprovidenoticethatreasonableaccommodationswillbemadeforaccessinaccordancewiththeAmericanswithDisabilitiesActandlistcontactinformationforthoseneedingassistance.

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Additionally,theTPOprovidesanopportunityforthepublictocommentateachmeetingduringpublicforum.AllpublicallyadvertisedmeetingsareheldincompliancewithSunshineLaw.

TheBayCountyTPOrecognizestheimportanceofreachingouttocommunitiesthroughsocialmediatools.Oftensocialmediaprovidesanefficientmediumtocommunicatewiththepublic.Incorporationofthesemediaisdeterminedonacase-by-casebasis.ItisthepolicyoftheTPOtodeletecommentswithabusivelanguageorthosedeemedofftopic.

TheBayCountyTPO’sTitleVIPlanidentifiestheLimitedEnglishProficient(LEP)populationsinitsserviceareaandprovidesguidelinesforTPOstafftohelpensurethatinformationandservicesareaccessibletoLEPpersons.Additionally,thebylawsoftheCitizensAdvisoryCommitteeaddressdiversityrequirementsforminorityrepresentationtoensureallmembersofthepublichaveeveryopportunitytobeinvolvedinthetransportationplanningprocess.

Withadequatenotice,theTPOprovidesassistancetocitizenswhoarehearingimpaired,visuallyimpaired,oflimitedEnglishproficiency,transportationdisadvantaged,orhaveotherspecialneeds,atallpublicmeetingsandworkshops.

BESTPRACTICESFORACHIEVINGGOODPUBLICINVOLVEMENT

PUBLICMEETINGS

1. Legallineadvertisementsevendaysinadvanceinprintednewspaperoflargestcirculationinarea*2. Newsrelease3. EventonWFRPC(www.wfrpc.org)websitecalendar

*IncompliancewiththeAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct,reasonablemodificationstoaccessmeeting,andforlimitedEnglishproficiency,areavailableuponrequest.PersonswhorequirespecialaccommodationsundertheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActorpersonswhorequiretranslationservicesshouldcontactPublicInvolvementtollfree800-226-8914,ext.220orPublicInvolvement@wfrpc.orgatleast48hourspriortothemeeting.Ifhearingimpaired,telephone800-273-7545TDD.Participationissolicitedwithoutregardtorace,color,nationalorigin,age,sex,religion,disability,orfamilystatus.PersonswhobelievetheyhavebeendiscriminatedagainstontheseconditionsmayfileacomplaintwiththeTitleVICoordinator850-332-7976,[email protected]:800-955-8770voice;800-955-8771TTY.

PUBLICWORKSHOPS

Samestepsaspublicmeetings(above)andmayalsoinclude:

1. Fliersemailedtocommitteesandinterestedparties2. ArticleineNewsletter3. Tailoredpresentationstoincludeflipcharts,pens,maps,surveys,and/orhandoutsasneeded

PRESENTATIONSTOGROUPSANDORGANIZATIONS

1. Tailoredpresentationtoincludeflipcharts,pens,maps,surveys,and/orhandoutsasneeded2. InvitationstoTPOchair,FDOTliaisons3. Follow-upnoteofthanksandasummaryofquestionsandcommentstomeetingcoordinator

Staffwillassessoutreachactivitiesonaquarterlybasistoevaluateeffectivenessandmakeimprovementsasneeded.

PUBLICPARTICIPATIONGOALSANDTECHNIQUES

GOAL1:INFORMTHEPUBLIC

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Informthepublic,tothemaximumextentpossiblewithavailableresources,ofopportunitiestoparticipateinthetransportationdecision-makingprocess.

TECHNIQUES:

• ProvidemeetingagendastoTPOmembersandadvisorycommitteemembers• PostmeetingsandworkshopsontheTPOwebsite(www.wfrpc.org)andonsocialmedia• Posttocommunityonlinecalendarsasneededforspecificevents• Maintainandgrowrelationshipswithlocalmediaforcoverageofpublicparticipation• Sendnewsreleasesviaemailtolocalmediaaswellascommunitygroupsandorganizations• Inviteinterestedpartiessubscribingonlineatwww.wfrpc.org• IncludethewebsiteURLonallTPOadvertisingandnewsreleases,enablingeasypublicaccessmeetinginformation• Includeprovisionsinmeetingadvertisementsforinterestedpersonstorespondbyphoneorbyemail• Utilizeeducationaldisplaysatpublicevents,includingthoseintraditionallyunderservedcommunities• Speakatlocalorganizations,schools,neighborhoods,andotherinterestedgroupsabouttransportationplanning• GiveinterviewsonlocalTV/radionewsprogramstoeducatethepublicregardingtransportationplanningissuesandthe

roleofresidents• Publishupdatesonlineatwww.wfrpc.org,intheTPOeNewslettertoinformthepublicoftheTPO’saccomplishmentsandto

requestpublicparticipation• MakeallinformationavailableatWestFloridaRegionalPlanningCouncilforinterestedpartieswithoutcomputeraccess

GOAL2:INVOLVETHEPUBLIC

Involvethepublicearlyandofteninthetransportationplanningprocess.

TECHNIQUES:

• Maintainanactivestandingadvisorycommitteesoresidentshaveanopportunitytoparticipateinthecontinuousplanningprocess

• ReviewCACcompositiontoensurethatequitablerepresentationismaintainedfortheregion• IncludeafeatureontheTPO’sWebpageallowingthepublictoemailstaffwithquestionsorcomments• CreateannualsurveystobeadministeredatTPOmeetings,workshops,events,etc.• Respondtoallinquiries,providinginterimresponseswhileaquestionisbeingresearched• Allocatetimeforpublicinputateachcommitteemeeting

GOAL3:INCLUDETHEPUBLIC

Reachouttothegeographical,organizational,anddemographiccommunitiesoftheTPOplanningareatoincreasethepublic’sopportunitytoparticipateindevelopingtransportationplansandservices.

TECHNIQUES:

• Participateincommunityoutreachevents,maintainingafocustoincludetraditionallyunderservedcommunities• TakeadvantageoftrainingopportunitiesandlearnfromtheexperiencesofotherTPOs• LearnaboutthecommunitiesthatcomprisetheTPOareabyattendingfestivals,specialevents,lectures,etc.thathighlight

thediversityofthearea• Continuallyaddinterestedpartiestoemaildatabase• Coordinatewithlocalgovernmentredevelopmentagenciesandnon-profitagencieswhohavealreadydeveloped

communitycontacts

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• IncludeinpublicnoticesadvertisedbytheTPOthatuponrequestandadequatenotice,assistancewillbeprovidedtocitizenswhoarehearingimpaired,visuallyimpaired,oflimitedEnglishproficiency,transportationdisadvantaged,orhaveotherspecialneeds,atallpublicmeetingsandworkshops

GOAL4:IMPROVETHEPUBLICPARTICIPATIONPROCESS

Continuallyidentifyandimplementwaystoimprovethepublicparticipationprocesses.

TECHNIQUES:

• Lookforopportunitiestoaddandcreatestrategiesthatwillreachgreaternumbersandmorediversepopulations• Conductquarterlyassessmentsofoff-linepublicparticipationtechniquesanddiscusswithstaff• UtilizeWeb-basedanalyticstoolstotracktheperformanceofonlinepublicoutreachstrategies• Continueexpansionofregionalinteragencycoordinationofpublicparticipationactivitieswhenprojectsmaydirectly

involveresidentsfromadjacentcounties• Adjuststrategiesasneededtoimproveeffectiveness

PRIMARYPLANNINGDOCUMENTSANDPROGRAMS

TheBayCountyTPOcontinuouslydevelopsandupdatesplansandprograms.Inexercisingitsauthoritytoguidetheexpenditureoffederalandstatetransportationfunds,itiscriticalforthePPPtoprovidecompleteinformationandtimelypublicnotice,andsupportcontinuinginvolvementofthepublicindevelopingplansandprograms.

ThefollowinginformationincludespublicinvolvementstrategiesfortheprimaryplanningdocumentsdevelopedbytheBayCountyTPO:

LONGRANGETRANSPORTATIONPLAN

TheLongRangeTransportationPlan(LRTP)isafederallyrequiredplan,updatedeveryfiveyears,thataddressesfuturetransportationneedsforaminimumoftwentyyears.

PublicinvolvementstrategiesforeachLRTPupdateshouldincludeavarietyofoutreachactivitiesdesignedtosolicitfeedbackinallstagesoftheprocessfromstakeholdersofallages,communities,andinterests;andmustsubscribetothefollowingexplicitprocedures,strategies,anddesiredoutcomes,asoutlinedbytheCodeofFederalRegulation(CFR450.316)andtheMPOHandbook.Thesestrategiesareaslisted:

• ProvidereasonablepublicaccesstotechnicalandpolicyinformationusedinthedevelopmentoftheLRTPonthewebsiteandattheTPOofficeatWestFloridaRegionalPlanningCouncil

• Provideadequatepublicnoticeofpublicinvolvementactivitiesandtimeforpublicreviewandcommentatkeydecisions,suchas,butnotlimitedto,theapprovaloftheLRTP

• Demonstrateexplicitconsiderationandresponsetopublicinputreceivedduringplandevelopmentprocess• EmployvisualizationtechniquestodescribetheLRTP• MaketheLRTPandanyassociatedinformationavailableontheTPOwebsite• Holdpublicmeetingsatconvenienttimesandaccessiblelocations• Seekoutandconsidertheneedsofthosetraditionallyunderservedbyexistingtransportationsystems,including,butnot

limitedto,low-incomeandminorityhouseholds• Coordinatewiththestatewidetransportationplanningpublicinvolvementandconsultationprocessesunder23C.F.R.Part

450,SubpartB• PeriodicallyreviewtheeffectivenessoftheproceduresandstrategiescontainedinthePPP• IncludeinthefinalLRTPasummary,ananalysis,andareport,onthedisseminationofwrittenororalcommentsonthe

draftLRTPthatarearesultofpublicinvolvement

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• ProvideanadditionalopportunityforpubliccommentifthefinalLRTPdifferssignificantlyfromtheonemadeavailableforpubliccommentorraisesnewmaterialissues

GENERALMETHODSPROVENEFFECTIVEINPREVIOUSEFFORTSBYTHETPOINCLUDE:

• ReviewingpreviousassessmentsandLRTPactivitiesforsuccessfulpublicoutreachendeavors• ReviewingCommunityProfilestounderstandthediversityoftheTPOareaandidentifytraditionallyunderserved

populationstohelpguidetheTPO’soutreach• Developingalistingofspecificpublicinvolvementtaskstoincludeinthedraftscopeofservices,including,butnotlimited

to:o Outreach

§ Identificationofstakeholders,entities,organizations,traditionallyunderservedcommunities,tribalorganizations,andmediaoutlets

§ Newsreleases/articles§ Radio/TVinterviews§ Advertisements§ Creationanddistributionofsurveys§ Publicopenhouses,workshops,andforums§ Presentationstospecificgroups§ Commentcards§ UseofGISmaps

o Awareness/Education§ Newsletters§ Emailmarketing§ SocialMedia

o Documentation§ Compilationofsurveyinformationandcomments§ Photosofoutreachactivities§ Oralandwrittencommentstobepostedtothewebsitealongwithdrafts

PROJECTPRIORITIESANDTRANSPORTATIONIMPROVEMENTPROGRAM

TheProjectPrioritiesresultfromtheLRTP’sCostFeasiblePlanandarereviewedwiththepublicandtheTPO’sadvisorycommitteeseachJuly.OnceapprovedbytheTPO,theprioritiesaregiventoFDOTforcreationoftheFive-YearWorkProgram.FromtheFive-YearWorkProgram,theTPOdevelopstheTransportationImprovementProgram(TIP)whichcontainsalltransportationprogramsandprojectsscheduledduringthenextfiveyears.TheTIPisrevisedannuallyinJuneandisavailable,ininteractiveformat,ontheTPO’swebsite.

TheProjectPrioritiesandTIPmustbedevelopedbytheTPOinconsultationwithallinterestedparties,and,ataminimum,describeexplicitprocedures,strategies,anddesiredoutcomesforthefollowing,asoutlinedbytheCodeofFederalRegulation(CFR450.316)andtheMPOHandbook:

• Providereasonablepublicaccesstotechnicalandpolicyinformationused• Provideadequatepublicnoticeofpublicinvolvementactivitiesandtimeforpublicreviewandcommentatkeydecisions,

suchas,butnotlimitedtotheapprovaloftheTIPand/orProjectPriorities• Demonstrateexplicitconsiderationandresponsetopublicinputreceivedduringplandevelopmentprocess• MaketheTIPand/orProjectPrioritiesdraftsandfinaldocumentsavailableontheTPOwebsite• Holdpublicmeetingsatconvenienttimesandaccessiblelocations• Seekoutandconsidertheneedsofthosetraditionallyunderservedbyexistingtransportationsystems,including,butnot

limitedto,low-income,andminorityhouseholds

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• Coordinatewiththestatewidetransportationplanningpublicinvolvementandconsultationprocessesunder23C.F.R.Part450,SubpartB

• PeriodicallyreviewtheeffectivenessoftheproceduresandstrategiescontainedinthePPP

Additionally:

• WhensignificantwrittenandoralcommentsarereceivedonadraftTIPand/orProjectPrioritiesasaresultofpublicinvolvement,asummary,ananalysis,andareportonthedisseminationofcommentsshallbemadepartofthefinaldocuments.

• IfthefinalTIPand/orProjectPrioritiesdiffersignificantlyfromtheversionmadeavailableforpubliccomment,orraisesnewmaterialissues,anadditionalopportunityforpubliccommentmustbemadeavailable.

• WhentheMetropolitanPlanningArea(MPA)includesAmericanIndiantriballands,theTPOshallappropriatelyinvolvetheAmericanIndiantribalgovernment(s).

• WhentheMPAincludesfederalpubliclands,theTPOshallappropriatelyinvolvethefederalgovernment.

GeneralmethodsproveneffectiveinpreviousTIPand/orProjectPrioritiespublicinvolvementeffortsinclude:

• ProvidingthepublicwithasufficientopportunitytoreviewthedraftTIPand/orProjectPrioritiesandTIPdocumentsonline• Promote,vianewsreleases,socialmedia,thedevelopmentoftheTIPand/orProjectPrioritiestotheTPO,theTPOadvisory

committeemembers,andotherinterestedparties• HoldpublicworkshopsforTIPand/orProjectPrioritiesacrosstheBayCountyTPOarea,unlessanLRTPupdateisunderway,

inwhichcasetheTIPand/orProjectPrioritieswouldbediscussedinconjunctionwithLRTPpresentations• Coordinatepublicoutreachtoatleasttwoadditionalcommunitygroups(withemphasisontheunderserved)unlessan

LRTPupdateisunderway,inwhichcasetheTIPand/orProjectPrioritieswouldbediscussedinconjunctionwithLRTPpresentations

• ProvidethepublicwithasufficientopportunitytoreviewthedraftTIPand/orProjectPrioritiesdocumentsonline• IncludepublicinputcollectedatworkshopsinthedraftTIPand/orProjectPriorities• IncludeTIPand/orProjectPrioritiesreviewintheadvertisementoftheTPOmeetingwhenthedraftTIPand/orProject

Prioritiesaretobepresented• ProvidepublicwithanopportunitytocommentduringpublicforumwhenthedraftTIPand/orProjectPrioritiesare

presentedforreviewtotheTPOandadvisorycommittees• IncludeadoptionintheadvertisementoftheTPOmeetingwhenfinaldraftTIPand/orProjectPrioritiesaretobepresented• ProvidepublicwithanopportunitytocommentduringpublicforumwhenthedraftTIPand/orProjectPrioritiesare

presentedforadoptiontotheTPOandadvisorycommittees• PublishadoptedTIPinteractivesiteandfinalProjectPrioritiesdocumentonwebsite

AnyproposedprojectsenteredintotheEfficientTransportationDecisionMaking(ETDM)environmentalscreeningtoolallowfortheopportunitytoincorporateenvironmentalconsiderationsintotransportationplanningandengagetheresourceagencies,aswellas,supporttheenvironmentalpolicyofFDOT“tohelppreserveandenhanceFlorida’snatural,physical,cultural,andsocialenvironmentaswedevelop,implement,andmaintaintransportationfacilitiesandservices”(PolicyNo.:000-625-001-l).TheETDMtoolprovidescitizenswiththeopportunitytodirectcommentstoFDOTagencies.TheETDMtoolalsoprovidesotherstakeholderstheopportunityforearlyinputandconsiderationoftheenvironmentintransportationplanningandwillbeincludedintheLongRangeTransportationPlanprocessasneeded(https://etdmpub.fla-etat.org/est).

AMENDMENTSTOADOPTEDPLANS(LRTPORTIP)

AdministrativemodificationstotheLRTPorTIPareminorrevisionsanddonotrequirepublicreview,butmustbeincludedintheadvertisementoftheTPOmeetingwhenthemodificationispresented.

AnamendmentisamajorrevisiontoanLRTPorTIPandincludesaddingordeletingprojectstoaplan.Italsoincludesmajorchangestoprojectcosts,initiationdates,ordesignconcepts.AmendmentsmustbeincludedintheadvertisementoftheTPOmeetingwhen

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thedraftamendmentispresented.ThepublicmustbeprovidedwithanopportunitytocommentduringpublicforumwhenthedraftispresentedforadoptiontotheTPOandadvisorycommitteesasfollows:

• Providethepublicwithasufficientopportunitytoreviewthedraftamendeddocumentonline• IncludeadoptionintheadvertisementoftheTPOmeetingwhenamendmentistobepresented• Providepublicwithanopportunitytocommentduringpublicforumwhentheamendmentispresentedforadoptiontothe

TPOandadvisorycommittees• PublishadoptedamendedfinaldocumentonwebsiteHYPERLINK"http://www.browardMPO.org/"HYPERLINK

"http://www.browardMPO.org/"

UNIFIEDPLANNINGWORKPROGRAM

TheUnifiedPlanningWorkProgram(UPWP)isthedocumentthatdetailsthetasksassignedtotheTPOstaffandtheprojectedfundingtocoverthosetaskswithinthefiscalyear.Theplancoversatwo-yearperiod,butisrevisedannually,inApril,torefinetaskdescriptionsandreflectchangesnecessarywithintheforecastedfinancialmanagementschedule.Publicinvolvementforthisadministrativedocumentmustbemadeavailabletothepublic,federalagencies,andinterestedpartiesforcomment.BelowaresomeofthestepsutilizedtoupdateandrevisetheUPWP:

• Providethepublicwithasufficientopportunitytoreviewthedraftdocumentonline• IncludereviewintheadvertisementoftheTPOmeetingwhendraftistobepresentedinFebruary• ProvidepublicwithanopportunitytocommentduringpublicforumwhenthedraftispresentedinFebruaryforreviewto

theTPOandadvisorycommittees• IncludeadoptionintheadvertisementoftheTPOmeetingwhenfinaldraftistobepresentedinApril• ProvidepublicwithanopportunitytocommentduringpublicforumwhenthefinaldraftispresentedinAprilforadoption

totheTPOandadvisorycommittees• Publishadoptedfinaldocumentonwebsite

ADDITIONALTPOPROJECTSANDPLANS

Publicinvolvementstrategiesandtechniquesvarywidelydependingonthedepthanddetailofaprojectorplan.ExamplesincludetheCongestionManagementProcessPlan,CorridorManagementPlan,Bicycle-PedestrianPlan,andtheRegionalFreightPlan.Project-specificpublicinvolvementelementswillbeincludedpriortotheplanningprocess.TheTPO’stypicalpublicinvolvementelementsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto:

• Providingthepublicwithasufficientopportunitytoreviewthedraftdocumentonline• IncludingreviewintheadvertisementoftheTPOmeetingwhendraftistobepresented• ProvidingthepublicwithanopportunitytocommentduringpublicforumwhenthedraftispresentedforreviewtotheTPO

andadvisorycommittees• IncludingadoptionintheadvertisementoftheTPOmeetingwhenfinaldraftistobepresented• Providingthepublicwithanopportunitytocommentduringpublicforumwhenthedraftispresentedforadoptiontothe

TPOandadvisorycommittees• Publishingadoptedfinaldocumentonwebsite

ASSESSMENTOFPUBLICPARTICIPATIONSTRATEGIES

TheBayCountyTPOmustassesstheeffectivenessofitspublicparticipationstrategiestoensurethatfundsandtimeinvestedinpublicparticipationactivitiesareachievingtheTPOsgoals.ItisstandardpracticeforallprojectsandinitiativesinitiatedbytheTPOtorequireanevaluationofpublicoutreachactivitiesonaquarterlybasis.Iftheassessmentrevealsthatthepublicparticipationgoalsarenotbeingachieved,techniquesmaybemodifiedorchanged.

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TheBayCountyTPO’spublicparticipationactivitiescanbeevaluatedthroughnumerouspossiblemethods.CurrentlytheTPOismeasuringeffectivenessbytrackingthefollowing:

• Numberandqualityofoutreachopportunities• Numberofsocialmediafollowersandposts• NumberofeNewslettersubscribersandeNewsletters• Numberofnewsreleasesubscribers(mediaaswellasgroupsandorganizations)andnumberofnewsreleasesdistributed• Numberofattendeesatpublicworkshops• NumberandgeographicdistributionofCACmembers• Numberofuniquevisitorstothewebsite• Numberofcompletedsurveys

GETINVOLVED!

FormoreinformationabouttheBayCountyTPOortolearnaboutwaystogetinvolved,pleasecontactthePublicInvolvementCoordinatorat850-332-7976,followusonFacebookatFacebook.com/WFRPCandTwitter@WFRPC,visitusonlineatwww.wfrpc.orgorwriteto:

BayCountyTransportationPlanningOrganizationc/oWestFloridaRegionalPlanningCouncilP.O.Box11399Pensacola,FL32524

Forquestions,comments,orconcernsaboutcivilrightsornondiscrimination;orforspecialrequestsundertheAmericanwithDisabilitiesAct,contacttheTitleVICoordinatorat850-332-7976.

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Acronyms

ADA AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct

CAC CitizensAdvisoryCommittee

CFR CodeofFederalRegulations

ETDM EfficientTransportationDecisionMaking

FAST FixingAmerica’sSurfaceTransportation

FDOT FloridaDepartmentofTransportation

FHWA FederalHighwayAdministration

FTA FederalTransitAdministration

FY FiscalYear

GIS GeographicInformationSystems

LEP LimitedEnglishProficiency

LRTP LongRangeTransportationPlan

MAP-21 MovingAheadforProgressinthe21stCentury

MPA MetropolitanPlanningArea

MPO MetropolitanPlanningOrganization

PPP PublicParticipationPlan

TCC TechnicalCoordinatingCommittee

TDD TelecommunicationDevicefortheDeaf

TIP TransportationImprovementProgram

TMA TransportationManagementArea

TPO TransportationPlanningOrganization

TTY Teletypewriter

UPWP UnifiedPlanningWorkProgram

URL UniformResourceLocator

WFRPC WestFloridaRegionalPlanningCouncil

Bay County Public Participation Plan County... · 2019. 8. 20. · 5 A 45-day comment period for the draft PPP was initiated by the Bay County TPO at its April 26, 2017, meeting.

Documents