PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

While the Public Involvement Plan is intended to be adaptable to changing circumstances and project developments, the following are the anticipated elements of the plan.

1. Community Interviews - Conduct up to 15 interviews with local leaders, property owners, residents and previous study participants to:
   1. determine current project understanding and issues,
   2. develop awareness of funding constraints and need for local partnerships,
   3. validate understanding of key audiences, stakeholders and participants,
   4. identify potential areas of concern or special needs relative to the project and the community and,
   5. identify local communication channels.
2. Stakeholder and Public Participation Tracking Matrix – The matrix will track outreach, media coverage and public interaction throughout the duration of the project, ensuring that targeted audiences are involved, documenting the reach of public involvement activities, and the number of participants and responses.
3. Advisory Group - Create and utilize a study advisory group to gather information about local community needs and concerns and work toward community consensus and support for the project. The advisory group will be comprised of 18 to 24 civic, business and governmental decision-makers who represent local, regional and statewide perspectives regarding the project and related decisions.
4. Community Presentations - To keep community groups engaged, project team members will present study information during the course of the study upon request.
5. Local and Regional Briefings – Through both one-on-one meetings and group briefings with local and regional officials, the study team will have the opportunity to talk about expectations, progress and recommendations as well as develop support for funding partnership opportunities.
6. Project Blog and Web Site – A project Blog and web site will be utilized to communicate project information and status on a weekly basis. The blog format will allow stakeholders and public the opportunity to provide comments and feedback quickly and easily. There will also be the opportunity for online surveys and email updates.
7. Media Relations – Media releases will be prepared and distributed and contacts made with local media as needed to communicate project information. News releases will provide contact information for principal contacts. Media inquiries and coverage will be documented and communicated to the project team.
8. Issues Workshops – Conduct two issues workshops around specific, targeted concerns to gather feedback and ideas from interested stakeholders and the public. Workshops will be customized to streamline the planning process that benefits from public input. Issues workshops will be held to gather input on access issues, recommendations, and priorities.
9. Public Meetings - Plan and conduct three public meetings in an open house format. Includes producing and sending meeting notices, as well as arrangements, materials, staffing, exhibits, handouts, required notifications, comment forms, contracting with court reporter, and documentation.