Plan Overview

Purpose

The purpose of the Genesee Transportation Council (GTC) Public Participation Plan is to provide GTC staff, member agencies, and sponsors of projects funded through GTC with readily accessible and easily understandable guidelines for ensuring that the public has meaningful opportunities to participate in the development and execution of programs and activities (i.e., the planning process) undertaken by or on behalf of GTC in its role as the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Genesee-Finger Lakes region.

Background

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) requires every metropolitan area with a population over 50,000 to have a designated MPO to qualify for receipt of federal highway and transit funds. The Governor of New York State designated GTC as the MPO responsible for transportation planning in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region, which includes Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates counties.

Because of the size of the nine-county region, the primary focus of GTC’s transportation planning efforts is the Rochester Transportation Management Area (TMA). The Rochester TMA includes all of Monroe County plus the adjacent developed areas of Livingston, Ontario, and Wayne counties (see Exhibit 1).

The mission of GTC is to maximize the contribution of the transportation system to the social and economic vitality of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region.

To establish and maintain the certifiable transportation planning process required by the federal government as a precondition for receipt of federal transportation funding, GTC as the designated MPO for the region must at a minimum produce and maintain three major products: 1) the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), 2) the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), and 3) the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Please note that, for purposes of the TIP, GTC’s responsibilities and the application of this Plan is limited to the Rochester TMA.

In addition, GTC and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) are required to determine if the current, fiscally-constrained LRTP and TIP conform to federal air quality standards for ground-level ozone. As established in GTC Resolution 04-41, GTC is responsible for determining conformity in the Rochester TMA and NYSDOT-Region 4 is responsible for determining conformity in the remainder of the five counties included in the ground-level ozone nonattainment area.

This Plan establishes a minimum standard for public participation in all programs and activities associated with the LRTP, UPWP, TIP, and related GTC functions. This Plan wholly incorporates applicable federal requirements associated with funding sources programmed through GTC.

This page is a placeholder for a map of the nine-county GTC planning area. The map shows Village, Town, and County boundaries and names. The map shows the following counties: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Wayne, Wyoming, Seneca, and Yates.

This map cannot be shown in the text only version.

Standards & Requirements

In order to ensure the public has meaningful opportunities to participate in the development and execution of programs and activities undertaken by or on behalf of GTC, the Public Participation Plan must:

1. Establish minimum performance standards for public participation in all programs and activities associated with the LRTP, UPWP, TIP, and related GTC functions.

2. Address Federal and State public participation requirements, including:

· Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) & Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Planning Assistance and Standards (23 CFR 450);

· Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice);

· Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;

· The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;

· Environmental Impact and Related Procedures (23 CFR 771);

· New York State Open Meetings Law (Public Officers Law, Article 7); and

· Federal requirements applicable to individual funding sources.

Relevant excerpts of these Federal and State regulations are included in Appendix C starting on page 31 of this Plan.

Agency Applicability

GTC is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the public participation component of all projects funded through GTC is conducted in a fashion that is consistent with the GTC Public Participation Plan. Accordingly, project sponsors requesting funding through GTC and GTC staff must adhere to the minimum requirements and performance standards established by this Plan.

Project sponsors should strive to exceed the minimum performance standards established by this Plan to assure early and continuous public involvement in their projects. Project sponsors should seek out and consider the needs of those populations traditionally underrepresented in the transportation planning process. While public participation opportunities sponsored by or on behalf of GTC may satisfy requirements of other agencies, their primary purpose will be to satisfy the requirements of this Plan.

It should be noted that project sponsors may use their own public participation process provided it meets the minimum requirements and performance standards established by this Plan.

Project Applicability

The GTC Public Participation Plan applies to the development of the LRTP, UPWP, TIP, and air quality conformity statement. GTC staff members are responsible for working with the appropriate committees to develop these documents and for coordinating associated public participation. The minimum requirements and performance standards for public participation during the development of these documents are detailed in the Specific Requirements & Standards section starting on page 5 of this Plan.

The GTC Public Participation Plan also applies to projects funded through the UPWP and TIP. Individual projects (e.g., transportation studies, construction projects, etc.) carry their own public participation plan. The magnitude of a project dictates how extensive this plan is. The minimum performance standards for public participation during the conduct of UPWP- and TIP-funded projects are detailed in their respective portions of the Specific Requirements & Standards section starting on page 10 of this Plan.

In addition, GTC public participation activities will be coordinated with member agencies’ public participation opportunities and consultation processes to the maximum extent practical.

Review & Revision

The GTC Public Participation Plan should be reviewed and revised as necessary to maintain its relevance and effectiveness. At a minimum, the Plan will be reviewed and revised as appropriate every four years to coincide with the update of the LRTP. It may also be appropriate for this Plan to have intermediate revisions as regulations, expectations, and/or technology change. Additionally, the conclusion of major projects and the adoption of the LRTP, UPWP, and TIP provide natural opportunities to review and revise this Plan.

Specific Requirements & Standards

Baseline requirements & standards

The following minimum requirements and performance standards for public participation will apply to all activities conducted by or on behalf of GTC.

Requirement: Facilitate public access to the status and recommendations of GTC programs and projects

Performance standards:

1. Provide contact and address information for GTC staff and the GTC office such that it is readily available to a broad-based audience through standard resources. (responsibility: GTC staff)

2. Provide information via the GTC website on current and historic programs, projects, and activities to the maximum extent practical, including the use of alternative formats to facilitate dissemination of information to persons with disabilities. (responsibility: GTC staff)

3. Provide a library of current and historic copies of the LRTP, the UPWP, the TIP, the products of UPWP-funded projects, and other publications related to transportation planning. (responsibility: GTC staff)

4. Seek out and consider the needs of those populations traditionally underrepresented in the transportation planning process. (responsibility: project sponsor)

Requirement: Public notification of meetings in accordance with New York State Public Officers Law, Article 7 -- Open Meetings Law, Section 104 (see page 42)

Performance standards:

5. GTC quarterly Board meetings will be announced via a legal notice in the Democrat & Chronicle newspaper, a media release to television stations, radio stations, and weekly and daily general circulation newspapers in the region, and on the GTC website. (responsibility: GTC staff)

6. GTC Planning Committee meetings will be announced via a media release to television stations, radio stations, and weekly and daily general circulation newspapers in the region and on the GTC website. (responsibility: GTC staff)

7. Public meetings sponsored by GTC or held in conjunction with UPWP- or TIP-funded projects will be announced via a media release to television stations, radio stations, and weekly and daily general circulation newspapers with significant coverage in the area impacted by the project. (responsibility: project sponsor)

8. All meeting notices will provide contact information to enable access to more project information upon request. (responsibility: project sponsor)

9. GTC will maintain a list of contact information for media outlets throughout the region; this list will be continually updated as information becomes available. (responsibility: GTC staff)

Requirement: Location and time of meetings and accommodation of persons with disabilities

Performance standards:

10. All public meetings sponsored by GTC or held in conjunction with UPWP- or TIP-funded projects will be conducted at convenient locations and times to afford reasonable opportunities for interested parties to participate. (responsibility: project sponsor)

11. All public meetings sponsored by GTC or held in conjunction with UPWP- or TIP-funded projects will be conducted in wheelchair accessible locations. (responsibility: project sponsor)

12. Any reasonable accommodation that allows persons with disabilities to participate in a public meeting will be honored provided a request to do so is made in advance. Anyone seeking accommodation is requested to contact GTC staff or the project sponsor at least 48 hours before the meeting so there is sufficient time to make arrangements necessary to fulfill their request. (responsibility: project sponsor)

Requirement: New York State Open Meetings Law

Performance standards:

13. All GTC Board and committee meetings are open to the public. It is noted that the New York State Open Meetings Law allows for the conduct of an “executive session”, which excludes the public from a portion of a meeting under limited circumstances and that from time to time it may be necessary for the GTC Board and/or committees to do so. (responsibility: GTC staff)

14. A meeting agenda will be prepared for each public meeting sponsored by GTC or held in conjunction with UPWP- or TIP-funded projects. Meeting agendas will be incorporated into the appropriate project file and will be made available to the public upon request. (responsibility: project sponsor)

15. The agenda for each GTC Board meeting will include a “Public Forum” near the beginning of the meeting to allow for comments from the general public. The agenda for each GTC Planning Committee meeting will include a “Public Forum” near the beginning and end of the meeting to allow for comments from the general public. The Chairperson may, at their discretion, set a time limit for individual comments and/or the entire comment period, provided the time limit is made known to the audience prior to the start of the comment period. The Chairperson may, at their discretion, allow for additional opportunities for the public to comment during the meeting. (responsibility: GTC staff)

16. Meeting minutes will be prepared for each GTC quarterly Board meeting and GTC Planning Committee meeting within two weeks of the meeting. Meeting minutes will be labeled “Draft” until they have been approved at the next meeting of the GTC Board or GTC Planning Committee, as appropriate, and may be amended prior to being approved. Draft meeting minutes will be made available to the public by request. The approved meeting minutes will be posted to the GTC website and otherwise made available to the public by request. (responsibility: GTC staff)

17. A meeting summary will be prepared for each public meeting sponsored by GTC or held in conjunction with UPWP- or TIP-funded projects within two weeks of the meeting. Meeting summaries will be incorporated into the appropriate project file and will be made available to the public upon request. (responsibility: project sponsor)

Additional project-specific requirements

The following additional requirements and performance standards for public participation will apply to individual projects conducted by or on behalf of GTC. The requirements and performance standards are organized by the three major products that GTC must produce and maintain: the LRTP, the UPWP, the TIP. Requirements for the transportation conformity statement are also included.

Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) – Document Development

The LRTP provides a 20-year perspective of existing and projected transportation system capabilities, needs, and associated objectives, as well as recommended policies and actions to meet these objectives. This assessment is performed in the context of the eight major transportation planning factors established by the federal Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), enacted in 2005. It provides the framework for guiding federally-funded planning and investment decision making in the region. The LRTP must be updated at least every four years.

In addition to the Baseline Requirements & Standards noted above, development of the LRTP must address the following requirement:

Requirement: Opportunity for public input and consultation

Performance standards:

1. The development of the LRTP will be guided by the LRTP Development Committee (LDC) which, at a minimum, consists of a GTC Planning Committee representative from each county in the TMA, the City of Rochester, the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, and the New York State Department of Transportation. (responsibility: GTC staff)

2. GTC staff will identify techniques (e.g., direct mailing, etc.) that will be used to improve the awareness of opportunities for interested parties (including those identified in 23 CFR Part 450.316 (a)) to participate in the development of the LRTP and/or to improve the quality of guidance to GTC staff and review committees during the development of the LRTP. Concerted efforts will be made to reach those traditionally underrepresented in the transportation planning process, such as low-income and minority persons. (responsibility: GTC staff)

3. Development of the LRTP will include two sets of public meetings. The first set of meetings will be held early enough in the development on the LRTP to ensure that interested parties have the opportunity to provide input of the direction of the plan, regional needs and issues, and the desired state of the region. The second set of meetings will be held during the public review period for the draft LRTP to ensure that interested parties have the opportunity to provide input on the recommendations of the plan. (responsibility: GTC staff)

4. Public meetings held in conjunction with the development of the LRTP will employ visualization techniques to describe the LRTP. The final LRTP will use visualization techniques to the maximum extent practical. (responsibility: GTC staff)

5. The GTC Planning Committee must approve a draft LRTP for a 30-day public review. (responsibility: GTC Planning Committee)

6. The public review document will be made available at public locations throughout the region. (responsibility: GTC staff)

7. The availability of a public review document and the schedule of public meetings held in conjunction with the 30-day public review will be announced via a legal notice in the Democrat & Chronicle newspaper and a media release to television stations, radio stations, and weekly and daily general circulation newspapers in the region and on the GTC website. (responsibility: GTC staff)

8. Consultation with parties identified in 23 CFR Part 450.316 (a) will be accomplished by directly distributing the draft LRTP public review document to these parties, to the maximum extent practical. (responsibility: GTC staff)

9. A written summary of comments will be provided to the GTC Planning Committee as part of the meeting package distributed in advance of the meeting at which the draft LRTP will be considered for recommendation to the GTC Board. The GTC Planning Committee will consider comments received during the public review prior to recommending a final draft LRTP for GTC Board consideration. Copies of public comments will be provided to GTC Planning Committee Members upon request. (responsibility: GTC staff)

10. If the GTC Planning Committee deems any changes made in response to the public comments significant, the Committee must approve a revised draft LRTP for a subsequent 10-day public review. (responsibility: GTC Planning Committee)

11. The GTC Planning Committee will consider comments received during the 10-day public review period, if conducted, prior to recommending a final draft LRTP for GTC Board consideration. (responsibility: GTC Planning Committee)

12. A written summary of comments will be provided to the GTC Board as part of the meeting package distributed in advance of the meeting at which the draft LRTP will be considered for adoption. Analysis of and a report on the disposition of comments will be provided to the GTC Board, which will consider comments received during the public review prior to adopting the LRTP. Copies of public comments will be provided to GTC Board Members upon request. (responsibility: GTC staff)

Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) – Document Development

The UPWP programs federally-funded transportation planning activities that further develop the policies and actions contained in the LRTP into concept-level projects and programs. The UPWP allocates funding for both specific planning projects and on-going programmatic activities. The UPWP must be updated at least every two years.

In addition to the Baseline Requirements & Standards noted previously, development of the UPWP must address the following requirement:

Requirement: Opportunity for public input

Performance standards:

13. The development of the UPWP will be guided by the UPWP Development Committee (UDC), which consists of a GTC Planning Committee representative from each county in the TMA, the City of Rochester, the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, and the New York State Department of Transportation. (responsibility: GTC staff)

14. Project sponsors seeking funding through the UPWP are not required to conduct specific public participation efforts prior to proposing projects for UPWP funding; however, funded projects will have specific public participation requirements
(see UPWP – Funded Projects on page 10). (responsibility: project sponsor)

15. The GTC Planning Committee must approve a draft UPWP for a 30-day public review. (responsibility: GTC Planning Committee)

16. The public review document will be made available at public locations throughout the region. (responsibility: GTC staff)

17. The availability of a public review document will be announced via a legal notice in the Democrat & Chronicle newspaper, a media release to television stations, radio stations, and weekly and daily general circulation newspapers in the region, and on the GTC website. (responsibility: GTC staff)

18. A written summary of comments will be provided to the GTC Planning Committee as part of the meeting package distributed in advance of the meeting at which the draft UPWP will be considered for recommendation to the GTC Board. The GTC Planning Committee will consider comments received during the public review and revise the draft UPWP, as appropriate, prior to recommending a final draft UPWP for GTC Board consideration. Copies of public comments will be provided to GTC Planning Committee Members upon request. (responsibility: GTC staff)

19. A written summary of comments will be provided to the GTC Board as part of the meeting package distributed in advance of the meeting at which the draft UPWP will be considered for adoption. Analysis of and a report on the disposition of comments will be provided to the GTC Board, which will consider comments received during the public review prior to adopting the UPWP. Copies of public comments will be provided to GTC Board Members upon request. (responsibility: GTC staff)

Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) – Funded Projects

In addition to the Baseline Requirements & Standards noted previously, UPWP-funded projects must address the following requirement:

Requirement: Establish public input opportunities

Performance standards:

20. For purposes of determining the nature of public input required, GTC staff will recommend a classification for each UPWP-funded project. This classification will be one of three categories: Administrative, Technical/Data Collection, or Planning/Policy. The GTC Planning Committee must concur with the classification of each project. The following guidance is offered to help determine the recommended classification:

· Administrative Projects are generally limited to those UPWP tasks that enable GTC staff to carry out its day-to-day activities, with no material direct or indirect impact on the public expected (e.g., GTC Administration, Community Relations, etc.).

· Technical/Data Collection Projects are generally limited to those UPWP tasks that support some other element of the UPWP or some other function of the project sponsor, but are not in-and-of-themselves expected to have a material direct or indirect impact on the public (e.g., Monroe County Land Use Monitoring, Pavement Condition Monitoring, etc.).

· Planning/Policy Projects are generally limited to those UPWP tasks that are expected to result in recommendations or actions that have a material direct or indirect impact on the public (e.g., Route 14 Truck Study, Strategic Plan for Public Transportation in Livingston County, etc.). (responsibility: GTC Planning Committee and GTC staff)

21. UPWP-funded projects that are classified as Administrative or Technical/Data Collection do not require any additional public input. However, the results of the project may need to be reported at a GTC Planning Committee meeting. This will be determined in conjunction with the project sponsor on a case-by-case basis. (responsibility: project sponsor)

22. UPWP-funded projects that are classified as Planning/Policy require a public input component as part of an approved Scope of Work. Project sponsors should keep the following in mind:

a. The sponsor of a Planning/Policy Project must develop a Scope of Work for GTC Planning Committee consideration and approval prior to starting the project. Project activity conducted prior to Planning Committee approval of a Scope of Work may not be eligible for reimbursement or qualify for match against federal funds. The public input component for a Planning/Policy Project must be wholly consistent with this Plan. The magnitude of a project dictates how extensive the public input component is.

b. The following actions are suggested whenever a Planning/Policy Project is conducted:

· Convene a steering/advisory committee of stakeholders. All affected GTC member agencies should be given the opportunity to participate. The project sponsor, in consultation with other member agencies and GTC staff, should decide who to include on a steering/advisory committee.

· Conduct one public meeting early in the process to seek public input on the identification of goals and objectives, issues, concerns, opportunities, etc.

· Conduct one public meeting to review draft findings and recommendations and give the public the opportunity to provide input before finalizing the study.

c. Efforts should be made to identify interested parties prior to conducting the public meetings. Project sponsors should try to engage groups that have not traditionally been involved in transportation projects but have a vested interest in the outcome of the project. Project sponsors should be cognizant of the impact the project has on minority and low-income populations.

d. Efforts should be made to identify effective outlets for advertising public meetings in the project area, such as community newsletters, weekly newspapers, etc.

e. Advertising for the public meetings must be in compliance with the New York State Open Meetings Law (see page 41).

f. Efforts should be made to provide project-related information via the project sponsor’s website. (responsibility: project sponsor)

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) – Document Development

The TIP identifies and schedules the specific transportation improvements in the region that will receive federal funding over the next five years. Projects included in the TIP typically emerge from recommendations identified in projects and programs in the UPWP and infrastructure needs identified by member agencies. The TIP must be updated at least every four years.

In addition to the Baseline Requirements & Standards noted previously, development of the TIP must address the following requirement:

Requirement: Opportunity for public input

Performance standards:

23. The development of the TIP will be guided by the TIP Development Committee (TDC), which consists of a GTC Planning Committee representative from each county in the TMA, the City of Rochester, the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, and the New York State Department of Transportation. The Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council serves in an advisory role to the TDC.
(responsibility: GTC staff)

24. GTC staff will identify techniques (e.g., direct mailing, etc.) that will be used to improve the awareness of opportunities for interested parties (including those identified in 23 CFR Part 450.316) to participate in the development of the TIP and/or to improve the quality of guidance to GTC staff and review committees during the development of the TIP. Concerted efforts will be made to reach those traditionally underrepresented in the transportation planning process, such as low-income and minority persons. (responsibility: GTC staff)

25. Project sponsors seeking funding through the TIP are not required to conduct specific public participation efforts prior to proposing projects for TIP funding; however, funded projects will have specific public participation requirements (see TIP – Funded Projects on page 13). (responsibility: project sponsor)

26. The GTC Planning Committee must approve a draft TIP for a 30-day public review. (responsibility: GTC Planning Committee)

27. The public review document will be made available at public locations throughout the TMA. (responsibility: GTC staff)

28. The availability of a public review document and the schedule of public meetings held in conjunction with the 30-day public review will be announced via a legal notice in the Democrat & Chronicle newspaper and a media release to television stations, radio stations, and weekly and daily general circulation newspapers in the region and on the GTC website. (responsibility: GTC staff)

29. Public meetings held in conjunction with the development of the TIP will employ visualization techniques to describe the TIP. The final TIP will use visualization techniques to the maximum extent practical. (responsibility: GTC staff)

30. Consultation with parties identified in 23 CFR Part 450.316 will be accomplished by directly distributing the draft TIP public review document to these parties, to the maximum extent practical. (responsibility: GTC staff)

31. A written summary of comments will be provided to the GTC Planning Committee as part of the meeting package distributed in advance of the meeting at which the draft TIP will be considered for recommendation to the GTC Board. The GTC Planning Committee will consider comments received during the public review and revise the draft TIP, as appropriate, prior to recommending a final draft TIP for GTC Board consideration. Copies of public comments will be provided to GTC Planning Committee Members upon request. (responsibility: GTC staff)

32. If the GTC Planning Committee deems any changes made in response to the public comments significant, the Committee must approve a revised draft TIP for a subsequent 10-day public review. (responsibility: GTC Planning Committee)

33. The GTC Planning Committee will consider comments received during the 10-day public review period, if conducted, prior to recommending a final draft TIP for GTC Board consideration. (responsibility: GTC Planning Committee)

34. A written summary of comments will be provided to the GTC Board as part of the meeting package distributed in advance of the meeting at which the draft TIP will be considered for adoption. Analysis of and a report on the disposition of comments will be provided to the GTC Board, which will consider comments received during the public review prior to adopting the TIP. Copies of public comments will be provided to GTC Board Members upon request. (responsibility: GTC staff)

35. The GTC TIP Procedures Manual documents the process used to develop and manage the TIP, including more detail on public participation, and must be consistent with this Plan. (responsibility: GTC staff)

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) – Funded Projects

In addition to the Baseline Requirements & Standards noted previously, TIP-funded projects must address the following requirement:

Requirement: Establish public input opportunities

Performance standards:

36. The implementation of TIP-funded projects and the associated public involvement must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 USC 4321) and the New York State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) (6 NYCRR Part 617) procedures. (responsibility: project sponsor)

37. The magnitude of a project dictates how extensive these efforts are. (responsibility: project sponsor)

38. The public must be afforded meaningful opportunities to participate in the development and implementation of the project. (responsibility: project sponsor)

Transportation Conformity Statement

In addition to the Baseline Requirements & Standards noted above, development of the Transportation Conformity Statement must address the following requirement:

Requirement: Establish public input opportunities

Performance standards:

39. The Transportation Conformity Statement must be developed when the TIP and/or LRTP are updated or significantly amended. The Transportation Conformity Statement is developed cooperatively by GTC staff and NYSDOT – Region 4 staff to address the entire Rochester MSA. Only FHWA and FTA can make a Conformity Determination. (responsibility: GTC staff and NYSDOT – Region 4 staff)

40. The GTC Planning Committee must approve a draft Transportation Conformity Statement for a 30-day public review. (responsibility: GTC Planning Committee)

41. To the extent practical, the public review for the draft Transportation Conformity Statement will be held in conjunction with the public review period for the draft LRTP and/or the draft TIP. (responsibility: GTC staff)

42. The public review document will be made available at public locations throughout the Rochester MSA. (responsibility: GTC staff)

43. The availability of a public review document and the schedule of public meetings held in conjunction with the 30-day public review will be announced via a legal notice in the Democrat & Chronicle newspaper, a media release to television stations, radio stations, and weekly and daily general circulation newspapers in the region, and on the GTC website. (responsibility: GTC staff)

44. A written summary of comments will be provided to the GTC Planning Committee as part of the meeting package distributed in advance of the meeting at which the draft Transportation Conformity Statement will be considered for recommendation to the GTC Board. The GTC Planning Committee will consider comments received during the public review prior to recommending a final draft Transportation Conformity Statement for GTC Board consideration. Copies of public comments will be provided to GTC Board Members upon request. (responsibility: GTC staff)

45. It recognized that it may be necessary to conclude the public review period after the Planning Committee meeting at which the draft Transportation Conformity Statement will be considered for recommendation to the GTC Board. If this is the case, the Planning Committee will consider comments received to date and make a recommendation to the GTC Board pending consideration of any additional public comments. (responsibility: GTC Planning Committee)

46. A written summary of comments will be provided to the GTC Board as part of the meeting package distributed in advance of the meeting at which the draft Transportation Conformity Statement will be considered for adoption. Analysis of and a report on the disposition of comments will be provided to the GTC Board, which will consider comments received during the public review prior to adopting the Transportation Conformity Statement. Copies of public comments will be provided to GTC Board Members upon request. (responsibility: GTC staff)

Public Participation PLAN Update Requirements

The following requirement and performance standards for public participation will apply to the development of and any subsequent revisions to the Public Participation Plan.

Requirement: Opportunity for public input

Performance standards:

1. The development of the Public Participation Plan and any subsequent revisions will be guided by the GTC Planning Committee. (responsibility: GTC staff)

2. The GTC Planning Committee must approve a draft Public Participation Plan for a 45-day public review. (responsibility: GTC Planning Committee)

3. Written notice of the availability of a draft revised Public Participation Plan for public review will be provided to the parties identified in 23 CFR Part 450.316 (a) to the maximum extent practical. Concerted efforts will be made to reach those traditionally underrepresented in the transportation planning process, such as low-income and minority persons. (responsibility: GTC staff)

4. A written summary of comments will be provided to the GTC Planning Committee as part of the meeting package distributed in advance of the meeting at which the draft UPWP will be considered for recommendation to the GTC Board. The GTC Planning Committee will consider comments received during the public review and revise the draft Public Participation Plan, as appropriate, prior to recommending a final draft Public Participation Plan for GTC Board consideration. Copies of public comments will be provided to GTC Planning Committee Members upon request. (responsibility: GTC staff)

5. A written summary of comments will be provided to the GTC Board as part of the meeting package distributed in advance of the meeting at which the draft Public Participation Plan will be considered for adoption. Analysis of and a report on the disposition of comments will be provided to the GTC Board, which will consider comments received during the public review prior to adopting the Public Participation Plan. Copies of public comments will be provided to GTC Board Members upon request. (responsibility: GTC staff)

Appendix A

Public Participation Toolbox

The following list of tools and techniques for soliciting public input was extracted from Public Involvement Techniques for Transportation Decision-making, which was prepared for the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration and published in September 1996.

These tools and techniques should be considered when developing a Public Involvement Plan for a UPWP- or TIP-funded project. This list is not exhaustive and some tools and techniques are not appropriate for some projects. This list is presented as a resource for project sponsors who are developing a Public Involvement Plan for a specific project; however, other tools and techniques may be more appropriate for a given project.

As noted earlier, the magnitude of a project dictates how extensive the Public Involvement Plan is. An appropriate mix of tools and techniques is required to ensure the public has meaningful opportunities to participate in the execution of a project.

Passive Public Information Techniques

1. Printed public information materials, including:

· Fact sheets

· Newsletters

· Brochures

· Issue papers

2. Information repositories, including:

· Libraries

· County office building ^*

· City/Town/Village halls

· Schools

· Other public buildings

3. Technical reports of research or policy findings

4. Paid advertisements in newspapers and magazines

5. Newspaper inserts

6. Feature story on general project-related issues

7. Bill stuffer included with utility bill

8. Media releases

9. News conferences

10. Television programming to present information and elicit audience response

11. Websites containing project information, announcements, and documents (including those listed above)

Active Public Information Techniques

1. Briefings to social and civic clubs and organizations

2. Central information contact designated as official liaison for the public and the media

3. Information hotline with prerecorded project information or direct contact to project team members who can answer questions or obtain public input

4. Technical assistance to individuals and organizations

5. Simulation games

6. Information centers and field offices

7. Expert panel

8. Field trips for key stakeholders, elected officials, advisory group members, and the media

9. Open houses

10. Community fairs

Small Group Public Input Techniques

1. Interviews with stakeholders

2. In-person survey

3. Focus groups ^*

4. Coffee klatches (small meetings with neighborhood, usually at a person’s home)

5. Small format meetings with existing groups or in conjunction with another event

Large Group Public Input Techniques

1. Response sheets (mail back forms)

2. Mailed surveys and questionnaires

3. Telephone survey/polls

4. Internet survey/polls

5. Computer-based participation (survey)

6. Public hearings

Small Group Problem-Solving Techniques

1. Design charrettes

2. Community facilitators

3. Mediation/negotiation

4. Consensus building techniques for project decisions such as criteria and alternatives selection

5. Focus Groups

6. Advisory committees

7. Task forces to develop a specific product or policy recommendation

8. Panels to debate or provide input on specific issues

9. Citizen juries

10. Role-playing

Large Group Problem-Solving Techniques

1. Electronic democracy, including:

· Project website

· Televoting

· On-line dialogue

· On-line delivery of Government services

2. Samoan Circle (leaderless meeting that stimulates active participation)

3. Open space technology (participants offer topics and others participate according to interest)

4. Workshops

5. Future search conference (focuses on the future of an organization, a network of people, or a community)

6. Deliberative polling

Date	12/13/07	Original Signed by:
		KEVIN O’BUCKLEY, Secretary
		Genesee Transportation Council

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED

CERTIFICATION

Plan Overview

Purpose

Background

Standards & Requirements

Agency Applicability

Project Applicability

Review & Revision

Specific Requirements & Standards

Baseline requirements & standards

Additional project-specific requirements

Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) – Document Development

Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) – Document Development

Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) – Funded Projects

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) – Document Development

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) – Funded Projects

Transportation Conformity Statement

Public Participation PLAN Update Requirements

Appendix A

Public Participation Toolbox

Passive Public Information Techniques

Active Public Information Techniques

Small Group Public Input Techniques

Large Group Public Input Techniques

Small Group Problem-Solving Techniques

Large Group Problem-Solving Techniques