8-14. Attachment M - Public Participation Plan.pdf

Amarillo Metropolitan Planning Organization Public Participation Plan

AMARILLO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

Public Participation Plan

PPP

This report was prepared by the Amarillo Metropolitan Planning Organization

In cooperation with the:

City of Amarillo Potter and Randall Counties

Texas Department of Transportation US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Federal Transit Administration

Panhandle Regional Organization to Maximize Public Transportation

The original Amarillo MPO Public Participation Plan (PPP) was approved and adopted by the MPO Policy

Advisory Committee at a regularly scheduled meeting on October 10, 2007. This latest version, in which staff updated the document and mailing list of transportation stakeholders, was revised on October 19, 2023.

A public comment period of 45 days was required before this document could be adopted. The draft PPP public comment period began June 1, 2024, and ran through July 16, 2023. At the July 20, 2023, MPO Policy

Committee meeting, staff had received no public comment regarding the updated document and subsequently asked for Committee acceptance of the document. The Policy Committee supported the document updates and voted to unanimously to approve the 2023 Public Participation Plan revision.

Disclaimer:

The preparation and publication of this document was financed in part by funds provided by the United States

Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and Federal Transit Administration. The provision of Federal financial assistance should not be construed as denoted U.S. Government approval of plans, policies, programs, or projects contained herein.

Contact information:

Amarillo Metropolitan Planning Organization 808 S Buchanan Street, Room 235 Amarillo, TX 79101 Phone: (806) 378-4219 Email: amarillompo@ci.amarillo.tx.us Website: www.amarillompo.org mailto:amarillompo@ci.amarillo.tx.us http://www.amarillompo.org/

Table of Contents Introduction

The Purpose of the Public Participation Plan

Organization of the Amarillo MPO

Federal and State Legislative Requirements

MPO Methods and Strategies

Outreach Tools

Opportunities for Public Participation

Program Administration Guidelines

Texas Open Meetings & Records Procedures

TIP Revision Request Procedure

Review Of Draft Materials

Appendix A

Major Revisions to the MTP, TIP, UPWP, & PPP

Minor Revisions to the MTP, TIP, UPWP, & PPP

Appendix B

Federal Regulations

Appendix C

Amarillo Community Engagement Process

Appendix D: MPO Public Involvement Flowchart

Table 1. Public Participation Plan Minimum

Table 2: Mailing List

Mailing List

Introduction

The Amarillo Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is the regional transportation-planning agency for the urbanized area of Amarillo, Texas and parts of Potter and Randall Counties. Federal regulations require the designation of an MPO to carry out a coordinated, continuing, and comprehensive transportation planning process.

The Purpose of the Public Participation Plan

This policy is intended to ensure that public participation is an integral and effective part of the MPO activities and that decisions are made with the benefit and consideration of important public perspectives. This policy provides a mechanism for bringing a broad range of diverse viewpoints and values into the MPO decision-making process. Early public involvement enables the MPO to make more informed decisions, improve quality through collaborative efforts, build mutual understanding, and trust between the MPO and the public it serves.

The MPO Public Participation Plan has been updated to reflect and incorporate principles from the City of

Amarillo’s Community Engagement Policy, adopted in 2016, specifically the various outreach tools. MPO-related outreach will be considered a “level four” of the Community Engagement Policy, as most transportation measures affect a wide cross-section of the community and outreach should be widespread. The City’s

Community Engagement Policy is provided as an appendix to this plan.

The PPP outlines various tools and time limits for public involvement in the development various planning documents, such as the:

• Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP): A long-range transportation-planning document, which is updated every five years.

• Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): A short-range transportation-planning document, which is updated every two years.

• Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP): An outline of the activities that will be conducted by or overseen by the MPO staff over the course of one year.

Organization of the Amarillo MPO

Representatives from the Texas Department of Transportation, Potter County, Randall County, City of Amarillo, Amarillo City Transit, and the public are represented on various committees that are a part of the MPO.

Goals of the Public Participation Plan

The purpose of the Public Participation Plan (PPP) is to include residents, community and neighborhood groups and associations, non-profit groups, business sector groups, transportation providers, federal, state, and local government agencies, and many others to participate in a proactive, predictable planning effort that provides full access to making key transportation decisions early and throughout the process.

Planning for current transportation needs and for needs five, ten and even twenty years from now requires the

Amarillo MPO to coordinate and collaborate with many types of public and private groups to provide mobility to housing, schools, jobs, recreation, and freight movement. The public involvement in the planning process helps reduce the time and cost of creating short and long-range plans and projects and provides a forum for public input and collaboration with planning agencies. This process creates the opportunity for the public to voice their ideas, concerns, issues, and opinions and to help guide decision-makers in determining the transportation system of the future.

MPO Staff

The MPO staff is responsible for performing the administrative and technical services necessary to operate the

MPO. The MPO Department is fully staffed by the MPO Administrator, Senior Planner, Planning Technician and

Transportation Planner.

Policy Committee (PC)

This is the governing body for the MPO and provides a forum for cooperative decision-making and policy guidance.

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

This group is composed of technical staff of key transportation planning agencies in the area. Meetings are held to discuss transportation-related issues and to provide technical analysis of planning activities for the Policy

Committee.

Citizens Advisory Committee

The MPO staff will utilize the City of Amarillo Traffic Advisory Board as public advisory committee in the development of major issues affecting transportation planning in the urban area.

Amarillo MPO Boundaries

Federal and State Legislative Requirements

The following key pieces of legislation address specific requirements for conducting transportation planning in an open process that supports early and continued involvement, provides complete information, timely public notice and full public access to key decisions. See Appendix A for more information on the requirements sets forth in Title 23, CFR 450.316 (b) (1).

• Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST)

• Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21)

• Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act Legacy Users (SAFETEA-LU)

• The Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century (TEA-21)

• The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA)

• Texas Open Meetings Act

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Environmental Justice (EJ)

• National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)

• The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

MPO Methods and Strategies

To meet objectives set forth in federal and local mandates, the MPO uses a range of strategies designed to enhance and support public outreach and education in the transportation planning process. Depending on the nature of the project, these may include:

Committee Meetings

The MPO Policy Committee meeting is generally held quarterly on the third Thursday of January, April, July, and

October unless otherwise indicated. Agendas are mailed out, approximately one week in advance of the scheduled meeting date, to all individuals that have requested to be on the mailing list. A notice of meetings, which includes the date, time, and subject matter of the meetings, will be posted at the Potter and Randall

County Courthouses, TxDOT Amarillo District Offices, Amarillo City Hall, Canyon City Hall, and City of Amarillo

Public Library Buildings a minimum of seventy-two (72) hours in advance.

Information about the meetings will be made available in The Amarillo Globe-News newspaper the Sunday preceding the meeting. The meetings are also posted on the MPO website. Social media outlets will be utilized to increase public awareness of MPO initiatives. Persons with disabilities needing auxiliary aids or services are requested to contact the MPO office 48 hours in advance of meeting to make appropriate arrangements for their attendance of a meeting.

The MPO Technical Advisory Committee meeting is generally held on the first Wednesday of each month unless otherwise indicated. Agendas are emailed to members approximately one week in advance of the scheduled meeting.

Workshops and Forums

The MPO staff and other stakeholders participate in transportation planning workshops and forums to obtain or exchange information. Forums may be held in locations that are dispersed throughout the MPO area and are accessible to the broadest sector of citizens. Notices of such meetings may be distributed through mailings, media, and electronic outlets.

Transportation Focus Groups

Transportation focus groups may be scheduled to discuss special transportation needs of bicycle/pedestrian, neighborhood transportation planning, rural planning organizations, regional public transportation initiatives, and other community issues such as environmental justice, regional mobility authorities, and/or other special projects.

Mailing List

A diverse mailing list of organizations, public agencies, elected and appointed officials, transportation providers, neighborhood interest groups, radio stations, television stations, newspapers, special interest groups, civic organizations, advocacy groups, and individuals interested in transportation issues, and others have been developed. Efforts to expand relationships with non-traditional stakeholders will continue, as well as increasing communication with under-served communities such as people with disabilities, low-income, and racial and ethnic minorities. Mailing lists may be sorted via electronic or postal mailing groups. See Appendix B.

The mailing list is periodically updated to keep the list current. All organizations and individuals will remain in the database until either they request to be removed, or the U.S. Postal Service returns a notification to the

MPO office as undeliverable.

Educational Materials

The pamphlets and brochures published by the MPO provide information on the MPO composition, transportation planning process, and major documents and data produced by the MPO. On request the material is mailed or distributed during the MPO meetings, workshops, and forums.

MPO Website

The MPO commits to providing a dynamic web site with current, related MPO information, including agendas, primary planning documents, links to outside agencies, and other appropriate transportation-related information. Use of the World Wide Web will aid the MPO in attracting citizens and transportation stakeholders to the transportation planning process by making information readily available. The visual, electronic display of program documents and maps will permit a greater civic understanding of transportation planning projects.

In addition, MPO contact information and transportation planning links available on the website will let citizens find all information on transportation related subject matter. The website will give citizens a greater opportunity to comment on projects, ask questions, and receive a fast response from the MPO. Visit us at www.amarillompo.org or find us on your favorite social media outlet.

MPO Speakers

The MPO provides speakers to civic organizations, clubs, schools, neighborhood associations, and other organizations who like to know the transportation planning activities of the MPO. The speakers provide information on the purpose, process, and products of the MPO and seek continued participation and comments from the public.

Static Display

Static displays, used at meetings, will be updated periodically for special purposes, to depict transportation information, statistics, and/or maps. This, and other visualization tools, will be used to convey information to the public.

Targeting Activities for Traditionally Under-Served Populations

Contacts with traditionally under-served communities are very important. The MPO contacts minorities, disabled, and other traditionally under-served communities to exchange information regarding transportation planning. All public hearings and open houses are held at accessible locations. Upon request, the MPO will make every effort to provide auxiliary aids and services, such as interpreters for the deaf and hearing impaired, to those who qualify as a disabled individual under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The MPO office must receive notification by mail or telephone for such services at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. You may make a request for assistance by calling the MPO office in Amarillo, Texas at (806) 378-4219 or by calling the City of

Amarillo TTD number at 378 4229. Additionally, translators may be requested, for meetings, with prior notification of 48 hours.

Advisory Groups

The MPO will stay involved and participate in other groups involved with transportation-related issues, both in the community, as well as at the state and national levels.

Press Releases

The MPO will work closely with the local media as a tool to inform the public of significant transportation activities and issues. As warranted, the MPO will write press releases, conduct interviews, and submit articles to the news media.

Response to Interested Parties

If an interested party requests additional information or voices concerns about a project, then further coordination with that party will continue either through written correspondence, telephone conversations, and/or informal or formal

Outreach Tools

The community engagement process must fulfill the expectations of citizens, transportation stakeholders, and participating agencies. Most transportation projects affect a wide cross-section of the community;

consequently, public outreach should be widespread. To better achieve high-impact, wide-reaching solutions for community engagement, the MPO will incorporate the following methods as necessary:

• Social networking

• Banner on web, email list, display

• Notice on website

• Workshop

• Briefing/issue memo

• Online forum, focus group

• Media Release, notification sign

• Public meeting

• Advisory committee, meeting with stakeholders

• Expert commentary

• Public exhibition with invitation for written feedback

• Water bill inserts, newsletter, publication

• Dialogue, charrette

• RSS feed

• Billboard/Radio/TV, letter, blog post, survey, suggestion box, site tour, online poll meetings.

Opportunities for Public Participation

Recognizing that public awareness and involvement in the transportation planning process best assures that citizens are satisfied with the regional transportation system, the MPO is committed to bringing projects into the public forum. The MPO will employ measures such as those shown below, but not limited to, to enhance its efforts for presentation of information to citizens and the transportation stakeholders:

• public meetings scheduled at varying times

• public meetings scheduled in varying locations throughout the study area

• public meetings will not conflict with other known meeting times or dates

• use of electronic media or video to aid comprehension of plans and projects

• update the MPO website for project information and MPO contacts

• utilize maps to show the relation of projects to various population segments

The MPO is mandated by federal legislation to produce a Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), a Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), and a Public Participation Plan (PPP). Table 1 describes the various minimum required timelines associated with public participation periods for these documents. The days required for a particular activity are consecutive calendar.

days.

Program Administration Guidelines

The MTP, TIP, UPWP, and PPP may be modified at any time consistent with the procedures agreed to by the cooperating parties for developing these programs and the federal requirements in 23 CFR Part 450 concerning their development and public involvement requirements. All modifications to the MTP and TIP must maintain the fiscal constraint requirements for these documents. All modifications to the TIP must be consistent with the

MTP. Modifications to any of these documents must be consistent with Federal Title 6 requirements and consider the effect on congestion, safety, air quality, quality of life, and opportunities for economic development.

Texas Open Meetings & Records Procedures

• The MPO adheres to the requirements for open meetings and notices of meetings.

• All meetings where public business is conducted, which have a quorum, are open to the public. Notice of meeting is given no less than 72 hours beforehand through posting the agenda at county courthouses, TxDOT district office, city hall, and library branches.

• All open meetings will be sound recorded. A summary of proceedings (Minutes), including a roster of those who attended, will be made available at the MPO office usually within 90 days of the meeting.

Minutes are made available to the public upon request in accordance with the Texas Public Information

Law. The summaries of proceedings and recordings will be maintained for a minimum of three (3) years.

• Meetings may go into executive session following the rules of the Texas Open Meetings Law.

• All MPO meetings are held in barrier-free sites. Accommodation will be made for those with special needs if requested at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

• The MPO adheres to the requirements of the Texas Public Information Act. Records, as defined by the law, are made accessible to the public.

TIP Revision Request Procedure

To request a TIP revision, the project sponsor must submit the proposal to the MPO Study Director for review.

MPO staff will review the submitted request for compliance with Federal regulations, statute, and regional policy, including funding completeness, impacts to air quality, congestion mitigation, safety, quality of life, and opportunities for economic development, financial constraint, and for compliance with other Federal, state, and regional requirements before approving the submitted request.

If the proposal is found not to conform to the MPO adopted guidelines as shown herein or is inconsistent with the financial constraint of the TIP, the proposal may not be approved. Proposed revisions to projects contained in the TIP must also conform to the revision rules of the funding program involved. The MPO Study Director may initiate a revision to the TIP in order ensure that it remains in conformance with all applicable Federal, state and regional policy requirements.

Review Of Draft Materials

Copies of the draft Plan Updates for the MTP and TIP documents are placed at the City libraries, city offices, social media, and MPO website. The public is given ample time from when the notice is posted to review documents and call, mail, fax, or e-mail their comments. After the public comment period ends the draft documents along with the summary of comments are presented to the Policy Committee for the final adoption process.

• The MPO is mandated by federal legislation to produce various primary-planning documents, such as the long-range plan, short-range plan, staff work plan, and public participation plan. Table 1 describes the various timelines associated with public comment periods for all the planning documents of the

MPO.

Appendix A

Major Revisions to the MTP, TIP, UPWP, & PPP Major Revisions require a formal process including approval by some or all of the following entities: PC, TxDOT, FHWA, and FTA.

The following changes are examples of changes made through a Major MTP Revision:

• Adding or deleting a project.

• Changes in an estimated federal cost that is greater than 50% and results in a revised total cost exceeding $1,499,999.

• Changes in the type of work, length, or termini of a project from its original MTP description.

• Changes from non-federal to federal funds.

The following changes are examples of changes made through a Major TIP Revision:

• Adding or deleting a project.

• Changes in an estimated federal cost that is greater than 50% and results in a revised total cost exceeding $1,499,999.

• Changes in the type of work, length, or termini of a project from its original TIP description.

• Changes from non-federal to federal funds.

The following changes are examples of changes made through a Major UPWP Revision:

• Adding or deleting a task.

• Changes in the amount of funds programmed within a fiscal year.

Any changes, other than typographical errors or updating references, to regulatory requirements in the Public

Participation Plan are considered to be a Major Revision.

Minor Revisions to the MTP, TIP, UPWP, & PPP The approval of Minor Revisions has been delegated to the MPO Study Director, the TxDOT District Engineer and/or the TxDOT Director of Planning and Development through their written approval upon formal adoption of the Public Participation Plan.

Minor Revisions to the MTP, TIP, UPWP, and PPP may be made as long as the change does not adversely affect its timely implementation, financial constraint, or the public’s opportunity to participate in the transportation planning process. These changes may include:

• Minor data entry or typographical errors.

• Changes in Federal, State, or Local funding sources or the project sponsor (not including those MTP or TIP actions that involve changes from non-Federal to Federal funds).

• Moving a project and its funding from one fiscal year to another within the stated period of the program.

• Any non-regionally significant highway or transit project-related change to projects funded from a

“grouped” category.

Appendix B

Federal Regulations Specifically, Title 23, CFR 450.316 (b) (1), of the Metropolitan Planning Process, requires eleven elements be addressed. Each requirement and the method in which it is met, is listed below.

Development of a public involvement process.

A period of at least 45 days, from date of posted notice, for public comments will be provided prior to its adoption. Comments may be made in writing, in person, by phone, fax, or email. All comments are addressed and taken back through the Technical Committee for oversight, then put before the Policy Committee to request final approval.

Provide timely information on transportation issues.

Information is disseminated through a variety of measures, including a newsletter, information bulletins, email, press releases, forums, website, public meetings, mailings, and a static board.

Provide reasonable public access to technical and policy information in the development of plans.

The MPO provides this access through public, open, and accessible committee meetings and public review periods.

Facilitate public involvement in developing the TIP and MTP.

The various outreach tools will be employed in encouraging input into the development of these planning documents.

Public comments to be considered as an integral part of the planning process.

The public has an opportunity to comment on all plans released by the MPO. Comments may be made in writing, in person, by phone, fax, or email. All the comments are reviewed and documents are amended, if necessary.

Seek out and consider needs of historically under-served.

A comprehensive public notification list is maintained and includes groups that outreach to these under-served populations. Spanish translators are made available, if requested. Additionally, special arrangements can be requested for the physically disabled, hearing or visually impaired.

For areas of non-attainment, significant public comments will be part of the final TIP & MTP.

Even though the MPO is in attainment, public comments received on the TIP and MTP are addressed and included in the documentation.

Revisions to the TIP and MTP based on public comments will be made available to the public.

These types of revisions will be subject to the same, open meeting requirements.

Periodic Reviews of the PPP.

The Policy Committee and Technical Advisory Committee review the PPP as needed.

FHWA & FTA review of the PPP.

The PPP will be forwarded to the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration, in accordance with these federal mandates.

Coordination with statewide public involvement processes.

The MPO coordinates its activities with the Texas Department of Transportation.

Appendix C

Amarillo Community Engagement Process

Approved: December 16, 2015

Introduction

The City of Amarillo recognizes the importance of a responsive community engagement program. The City

Council is committed to ensuring that stakeholders have opportunities to communicate their thoughts and ideas on decisions that affect their lives. Through the development of a Community Engagement Process the

City of Amarillo seeks to take account of the views, needs, issues, and aspirations expressed by the community, and to balance these with other influences, such as budgetary constraints, to make informed decisions.

What is Community Engagement?

Community engagement is a connection between the local government and the citizens, enabling them to effectively come together, deliberate and act. Local governments across the country have moved beyond

“public comment” hearings to find ways to involve the stakeholders in the community. Research has shown that effective citizen engagement can foster a sense of community, engender trust, enhance creative problem solving, and even increase the likelihood that citizens will support financial investments in community projects.

Involving citizens in their local government can lead to significant improvements in policy and program designs and outcomes. Community engagement is an excellent way for City leaders to increase their awareness of the needs, priorities, and diversity within the local community. In turn, the City Council is better equipped to ensure that their actions are aligned appropriately. There is also potential for time, resource, and cost savings through shared skills and ideas.

Community engagement can be described as a spectrum and hierarchy of processes. As the level of engagement increases, so does the public’s influence. Each level along the spectrum builds from the previous.

For example, if you want to consult you must first inform. Citizen participation approaches range along the continuum from one-way communication on one end, to dialogue shared and processed among multiple participants at the other. 1 This is illustrated in the following table.

1 Lukensmeyer and Torres 2006; International Association of Public Participation [IAP2]20061

Public Involvement Spectrum in Local Governance*

Exchanges with Citizens Citizen Engagement

Interaction in policy making

Inform Consult Include/Incorporate Collaborate Empower

Goal:

Decision- Making and Problem-Solving

Provide the public with balanced and objective information to assist them in understanding the problem, alternatives, opportunities, and/or solutions.

Receive and respond to resident comments, requests, and complaints.

Obtain public feedback on analysis, alternatives, and/or decisions.

Work directly with citizens throughout the process to ensure that public concerns and aspirations are consistently understood and considered by staff.

Partner with citizens in each aspect of the decision, including the identification of issues, development of alternatives, choice of the preferred solution, and implementation.

Place final decision-making authority or problem-solving responsibility in the hands of citizens.

Interaction in service delivery

Provide/Enforce Consult Include/Co-produce Collaborate Empower

Goal: Service Delivery and Addressing Community Needs

Provide services and enforcement laws and regulations with courtesy, attentiveness, helpfulness, and responsiveness to citizens.

Receive and respond to citizen requests and complaints.

Obtain public feedback on quality of or satisfaction with services.

Involve citizens in deciding which services to evaluate and in assessment of results.

Involve citizens as volunteers and in production of services.

Partner with citizens in determining service priorities and taking actions to achieve objectives, e.g., crime watch.

Partner in services with non-governmental organizations.

Place final responsibility for meeting a community need in the hands of citizens or facilitate and accept citizen initiatives.

* Lukensmeyer and Torres (2006, 7) make the distinction between information exchange models and information processing models of citizen engagement. We use that distinction to categorize the activities in the spectrum of public involvement developed by the International

Association for Public Participation (IAP2) and used in adapted form by Lukensmeyer and Torres (2006, 7, Table 1). Neither Lukensmeyer and Torres or IAP2 include a separate spectrum for service delivery and addressing community needs.

**The term “engage” is used for this column in Lukensmeyer and Torres and the term “involve” is used by IAP2. In 2008, IAP2 provided another spectrum with categories “explore/inform, consult, advise, decide, and implement.”

The left side of the table focuses on “exchanges” with citizens that focuses on information and may be a one-way interaction with information flowing from the MPO to the citizens, or from the citizens to the government officials. However, these exchanges do not allow for the opportunity for information exchange and may not yield new information or allow for stakeholders to discuss ideas. The exchange of information is a vital part of community engagement, but as a primary technique of communication often fails to meet the public’s expectations of involvement. The right side of table illustrates community “engagement.” Community engagement creates opportunities for “extensive exchange of information.” The governing body should work to gain shared understanding and consensus with the stakeholders.

Determining the level of engagement will depend largely on the impact of the decision to be made.

Stakeholders may be incorporated in the decision-making process, or they may ultimately be empowered to make the final decision on a project.

Background

Information has been gathered by the MPO staff on the current state of Amarillo’s community engagement efforts. Comprehensively, the City of Amarillo shares a webpage with the MPO and has a Facebook, YouTube and Twitter account. City Council meetings are available to view live, accessed from the City’s webpage, or watched on YouTube. The Public Engagement and Innovation Department is responsible for producing press-releases, distributing public information, and posting information on the websites. These methods of communication allow citizens to be informed with some engagement.

Currently, the Amarillo MPO staff actively worked with the PE&I staff to create a logo for the MPO. MPO staff also sought assistance from the PE&I department to create a series of YouTube videos that allow interaction and encourages feedback.

Additionally, some departments within the City of Amarillo organization have advisory boards and public meetings to assist in their decision-making processes. The most active departments, in terms of community engagement, are Parks & Recreation, Planning & Zoning, and the Library. The MPO staff is aggressively seeking to work with these departments to include transportation in their projects and public engagement.

The Planning department has agreed to partner with MPO when starting the Comprehensive City Plan process.

Community Engagement Principles

The community engagement process must begin with expectations that both citizens and government will engage each other with mutual respect, honesty, and fairness. When both sides agree to listen and attempt to understand, the best solutions for the community can be found.

While participating in the community engagement, the MPO staff will adhere to these principles:

Inclusive: The MPO staff will strive to reach all individuals who wish to be involved.

Everyone, regardless of beliefs or philosophies can contribute their ideas to the community.

Partnership: Amarillo MPO will maintain a fair and open environment for community engagement in exchange for respectful and safe public participation and input.

The MPO will work with citizens, government and community institutions, and others to advance the common good.

Accessible: MPO will clearly define the opportunities for citizen engagement and will provide resources that enable all citizens to participate, regardless of ability.

Transparent & Trust: MPO will be clear and open about the process and provide public records of the outcomes including the range of views and ideas expressed.

Diversity: MPO will provide a variety of ways for citizens to participate. Engagement opportunities will be appropriate for the needs of the citizens that are participating.

Stewardship: MPO is committed to delivering quality services to the citizens of Amarillo.

Therefore, the time and energy the citizens put forth to provide ideas and feedback through community engagement efforts will be taken seriously. The City will ensure each participatory effort has real potential to make a difference and that citizens are aware of that potential.

Amarillo MPO Community Engagement Process

The community engagement process is relevant to all staff. This process aims to guide staff in their interactions with the community and ensure the appropriate level of participation for a range of projects, services, and activities. The community engagement process should be considered at the commencement of all projects and as a part of daily operations. The process is not meant to prescribe exactly how the community should be consulted for each project, issue, or service. Instead, it helps to identify different levels of impact that require certain types of engagement. Outlines below are the steps to the community engagement process.

Step 1-Purpose and Objectives

Clearly define the project or initiative and include what has happened to date. Define the expected outcomes of the community engagement process. Set goals for the engagement process and decide who will be the final decision-maker.

Step 2-Stakeholders

Create an initial list of stakeholders. Consider who will be affected by the project or decision. Consider asking committees, community groups, businesses, non-profit groups, and other departments for input. To understand the full impact of a project, an inclusive group must be identified.

Step 3-Level of Impact & Methods of Engagement

Before deciding how best to engage the community, it must first be determined what level of impact the issue will have on the stakeholders. Issues having minimal impact on the community will not likely garner much response to engagement efforts. Likewise, topics with many differing opinions and high impact will bring more public interest.

To determine the level of impact a project or issue will have, the chart below helps to categorize issues based on several factors. Each issue will fall into one of four levels.

Appendix D: MPO Public Involvement Flowchart

Metropolitan

Table 1. Public Participation Plan Minimum

PROGRAM

UPDATES

PUBLIC

MEETINGS

COMMENT PERIOD * ADDITIONAL NOTES

MTP:

25-year document, updated every 5 yrs 2 meetings 30 days A summary of all comments will be provided to the Policy

Committee and made available for public review.

TIP:

4-year document, updated every 2 yrs 2 meetings 30 days

UPWP: 1-year document 1 meeting 30 days

PPP: As needed 1 meeting 45 days **

PROGRAM

MAJOR REVISIONS

PUBLIC

MEETINGS

COMMENT PERIOD ADDITIONAL NOTES

MTP: As needed or by request 1 optional meeting

10 days

See Program

Administration Guidelines section of this document

TIP: Quarterly, if needed 1 optional meeting 10 days

UPWP: As needed 1 optional meeting 10 days

PPP: As needed 1 meeting 45 days **

PROGRAM

MINOR REVISIONS

PUBLIC

MEETINGS

COMMENT PERIOD ADDITIONAL NOTES

All: As needed or by request See Program Administration Guidelines section of this document

OPEN MEETINGS

Policy Committee As scheduled At each meeting

See Open Meetings &

Records section of this document

OTHER PUBLIC INFORMATION ADDITIONAL NOTES

Posted Notices *** Notices are posted 72 hours prior to public meetings and comment periods

Legal Notices Legal notices are run at least 72 hours prior to public meetings for

MTP, TIP, UPWP, and PPP updates.

Technical Assistance Available upon request

Presentations Available upon request

Publications Available on MPO web page and at MPO office

*If the MPO Study Director determines that a significant change to the Final Draft of the MTP, TIP, UPWP, or PPP is necessary because of comments received from the public, the Final Draft will be made available for one (1) additional seven (7) day public comment period to address the specific significant change(s).

However, the MPO Study Director may, at his discretion, request final approval by the Policy Committee prior to the additional comment period pending any additional changes to the document. ** Federal regulations call for a minimum 45-day public review period for a PPP update. *** Posted Notice is defined as from the date the notice is posted at the Potter and Randall County Courthouses and the City Hall of Amarillo.

Table 2: Mailing List

The MPO staff maintains and regularly updates the mailing list used for meeting notifications, newsletters, and various other mailings. This list includes a wide variety of stakeholders, such as the following:

MPO Policy Committee Legislators MPO Technical Advisory Committee Freight Transporters Potter County Panhandle Regional Planning Commission Randall County Area Newspapers & Publications City of Amarillo Radio Stations Amarillo City Transit Television Stations Panhandle Transit Amarillo ISD Panhandle Community Services River Road ISD Public Libraries Canyon ISD Citizens Bushland ISD Chamber of Commerce Highland Park ISD Center City of Amarillo Neighborhood Interest Groups Indian Tribal Groups Historical Preservation Groups Social Service Organizations Business & Civic Groups Consultants Bicycle Interest Groups Other MPOs Other Agencies

This mailing list is periodically updated to keep the list current. All organizations and individuals will remain in the database until either they request to be removed, or the U.S. Postal Service returns a notification to the

MPO office as undeliverable.

Mailing List irst Name Last Name Company Address City State Postal Code

LARRY BORGER 3 LAS COLINAS CT AMARILLO TX 79124-7800

PETER BOWES PO BOX 3836 AMARILLO TX 79116

GEORGE CHAPMAN 2319 HAWTHORNE DR AMARILLO TX 79109

MICHAEL DAVIS 4210 S POLK ST AMARILLO TX 79110

DICK DAVIS PO BOX 15067 AMARILLO TX 79105

TOMMY GRANT 121 COTTONWOOD ST AMARILLO TX 79108

STEPHEN HAYWARD PO BOX 50598 AMARILLO TX 79159

SAUL HERNANDEZ 4400 WEST HILLS TRAIL AMARILLO TX 79106

JOHN NOTESTINE 2606 ROYAL RD AMARILLO TX 79106

BILLY PRUETT 1700 OLD RANCH RD CANYON TX 79015

JAY ROSELIUS PO BOX 50925 AMARILLO TX 79159

ANTHONY SAIKOWSKI 5 STONERIDGE DR AMARILLO TX 79124-4825

EDDIE SCOTT 6003 TUSCANY VILLAGE AMARILLO TX 79119-6554

TOMMY STAFFORD 6003 TUSCANY VILLAGE AMARILLO TX 79119-6554

BEN WOMACK 4205 MESA CIRCLE AMARILLO TX 79109

JIM NEWTON ABF FREIGHT LINES PO BOX 31088 AMARILLO TX 79120

TED ABRAHAMSON ABRAHAMSON & ASSOCIATES 905 S FILLMORE ST STE 210 AMARILLO TX 79101-3540

BUZZ DAVID AEDC 801 S FILLMORE ST STE 205 AMARILLO TX 79101

STEVE PRITCHETT AEDC 801 S FILLMORE ST STE 205 AMARILLO TX 79101

AFFILIATED FOODS P O BOX 30300 AMARILLO TX 79120

AISD 7200 IH-40 WEST AMARILLO TX 79106

JOHN MOTT AMARILLO ALCOHOLIC RECOVERY 412 SE 16TH AVE AMARILLO TX 79101-2019

JIM ALLISON AMARILLO AREA FOUNDATION 801 S FILLMORE STE 700 AMARILLO TX 79101

KATHY GRANT AMARILLO AREA FOUNDATION 801 S FILLMORE STE 700 AMARILLO TX 79101

ELAINE BASHAM AMARILLO AREA LITERACY COUNCIL PO BOX 447 AMARILLO TX 79178-0001

DENISE PRICE AMARILLO ASSOC OF REALTORS 5601 ENTERPRISE CIRCLE AMARILLO TX 79106

GARY MOLBERG AMARILLO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PO BOX 9480 AMARILLO TX 79105

BECKY ZENOR AMARILLO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PO BOX 9480 AMARILLO TX 79105

RUSSELL LOWERY-HART AMARILLO COLLEGE PO BOX 447 AMARILLO TX 79178-0001

irst Name Last Name Company Address City State Postal Code

CYNTHIA CRESWELL AMARILLO COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL 803 S RUSK ST AMARILLO TX 79106

AMARILLO GLOBE-NEWS PO BOX 2091 AMARILLO TX 79166

BIANCA MONTES AMARILLO GLOBE-NEWS PO BOX 2091 AMARILLO TX 79166

ALASON MOOREHEAD AMARILLO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PO BOX 775 AMARILLO TX 79105

AMARILLO HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 5725 WEST AMARILLO BLVD AMARILLO TX 79106-4003

WENDELL SHORT AMARILLO HISTORIC RT 66 ASSOC PO BOX 3481 AMARILLO TX 79116-3481

AMARILLO LIFESTYLE HOMES PO BOX 52277 AMARILLO TX 79159-2277

RICHARD WARE AMARILLO NATIONAL BANK PO BOX 1 AMARILLO TX 79105

JUDI SOLLEY AMARILLO SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOC 1217 S TYLER ST AMARILLO TX 79101-4217

KRISTI HOWARD AMARILLO SOUTH CHURCH PO BOX 124 BUSHLAND TX 79012

SUZANNE TALLEY AMARILLO SOUTH CHURCH 7910 SIMPSON DR AMARILLO TX 79121

GARRY SNIDER AMARILLO STATE CENTER PO BOX 3250 AMARILLO TX 79116-3070

AMARILLO UNITED CITIZENS FORUM PO BOX 2353 AMARILLO TX 79105

VICKY RICHMOND AMERICAN RED CROSS 1800 S HARRISON ST AMARILLO TX 79102

ANOTHER CHANCE HOUSE 209 S JACKSON ST AMARILLO TX 79101

NATHAN TSELEE APACHE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA PO BOX 1330 ANADARKO OK 73005-1330

DAVID KELLER APEX SURVEYING 8330 CANYON DR AMARILLO TX 79119

DAVID GREEN AREA AGENCY ON AGING PO BOX 9257 AMARILLO TX 79105

ARLAND ARNETT ARNETT HOMES 5401 CAMP LN AMARILLO TX 79110

DUDLEY BALDWIN BALDWIN TRANSPORTATION SVCS 120 PORT O CALL DR AMARILLO TX 79118-9383

BAPTIST ST ANTHONY’S HOSPITAL PO BOX 950 AMARILLO TX 79105

BAPTIST ST ANTHONY’S HOSPITAL 1600 WALLACE BLVD AMARILLO TX 79106

BEAVER EXPRESS 4812 SE 22ND AVE AMARILLO TX 79103

BEDWELL CONSTRUCTION PO BOX 789 AMARILLO TX 79105-0789

DEAN BEDWELL BEDWELL HOMES P&Z 7010 SW 45TH AVE AMARILLO TX 79109

WAYNE MAGOUIRK BETHESDA OUTREACH 1101 FRITCH HWY AMARILLO TX 79108

ANDELE WORTHINGTON BIA – ANADARKO PO BOX 309 ANADARKO OK 73005

JOE FAUST BNSF CORPORATION PO BOX 961057 FT WORTH TX 76161-0057

DWIGHT BRANDT BRANDT ENGINEERS 4537 CANYON DRIVE AMARILLO TX 79110

BRUCKNER’S P O BOX 31958 AMARILLO TX 79120

BUTCH COLLARD BUSH-EMENY PROPERTIES PO BOX 1230 AMARILLO TX 79105

MARY EMENY BUSH-EMENY PROPERTIES PO BOX 1230 AMARILLO TX 79105

STEPHANIE BRADDOCK BUSHLAND ISD 7501 STUYVESANT AVE AMARILLO TX 79121-1907

TONY RENTERIA CAMARA DE COMERCIO HISPANA PO BOX 1861 AMARILLO TX 79105

CANADIAN RIVER SWCD 6565 AMARILLO BLVD WEST AMARILLO TX 79106-1725

CANYON RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 2200 SW 7TH AVE AMARILLO TX 79102

JOHNNA CAMPBELL CASE MANAGEMENT 901 MULBERRY TRL AMARILLO TX 79124

JEFF GULDE CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF TX PNHDLE PO BOX 15127 AMARILLO TX 79105-5127

THOMAS JONES CDAC MEMBER 1520 MAPLE ST AMARILLO TX 79107

MARY JANE NELSON CDAC MEMBER 2103 S MIRROR ST AMARILLO TX 79103

LO VAN PHAM CDAC MEMBER 1606 S TRAVIS ST AMARILLO TX 79102

RUBEN RIVERA CDAC MEMBER 1017 S WILLIAMS ST AMARILLO TX 79102

RITA SALDIERNA CDAC MEMBER 2002 RON DR AMARILLO TX 79109

SABRINA SISNEROS CDAC MEMBER 4014 WILLOW ST AMARILLO TX 79118-7768

MARK LOVE CENTRAL CHURCH OF CHRIST 1401 S MONROE ST AMARILLO TX 79101

CENTRAL FREIGHTLINES 6000 IH-40 EAST AMARILLO TX 79118

KEITH BURD CHRISTIAN HERITAGE CHURCH 2801 TYNDALE LN AMARILLO TX 79118

JANIE BRADDOCK CHRISTIAN WOMENS’ JOB CORP 1515 S BUCHANAN ST AMARILLO TX 79101

DON LANE CITY CHURCH 205 S POLK ST AMARILLO TX 79101

JAMES ALLEN CITY OF AMARILLO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMNT

BETH DUKE CITY OF AMARILLO CENTER CITY

AJ FAWVER CITY OF AMARILLO PLANNING

ELAINE HAYS CITY OF AMARILLO CITY COUNCIL

GINGER NELSON CITY OF AMARILLO MAYOR

JESSE PATTON CITY OF AMARILLO COMMUNITY RELATIONS

FREDA POWELL CITY OF AMARILLO CITY COUNCIL

EDDY SAUER CITY OF AMARILLO CITY COUNCIL

KYLE SCHNIEDERJAN CITY OF AMARILLO ENGINEERING

KELLEY SHAW CITY OF AMARILLO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMNT

HOWARD SMITH CITY OF AMARILLO CITY COUNCIL

GARY HINDERS CITY OF CANYON 301 16TH ST CANYON TX 79015

RANDY CRISWELL CITY OF CANYON 301 16TH ST CANYON TX 79015

CASEY DUMAS CITY OF REFUGE 2009 SW 7th Ave AMARILLO TX 79106-6703

RONNIE MULLINS CITY OF REFUGE 613 S ADAMS ST AMARILLO TX 79101

ISABEL CAMARILLO COALITION OF HEALTH SERVICES 301 S POLK ST STE 740 AMARILLO TX 79101

HOLLY HANCOCK COALITION OF HEALTH SERVICES 301 S POLK ST STE 740 AMARILLO TX 79101

CAROLYN WITHERSPOON COALITION OF HEALTH SERVICES 301 S POLK ST STE 740 AMARILLO TX 79101

BOB GARRETT COLDWELL BANKER REAL ESTATE 5701 TIME SQUARE BLVD, STE 190 AMARILLO TX 79119

TOM ROLLER COLDWELL BANKER REAL ESTATE 5701 TIME SQUARE BLVD, STE 190 AMARILLO TX 79119

COLLUMS TRUCKING 5000 GRAHAM ST AMARILLO TX 79108-5660

RUTH TOAHTY COMANCHE NATION OF OKLAHOMA PO BOX 908 LAWTON OK 73502

JOHNNY WAUQUA COMANCHE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA PO BOX 908 LAWTON OK 73502

JENNIFER HUDSON CORNERSTONE OUTREACH CENTER 1111 N BUCHANAN ST AMARILLO TX 79107

JOE KIRKWOOD CORNERSTONE OUTREACH CENTER 1111 N BUCHANAN ST AMARILLO TX 79107

JEFF REASONER CORNERSTONE SURVEY 4109 SW 33rd AVE AMARILLO TX 79109-3233

ALTON MCCORMICK CUMMINS SOUTHERN/PLAINS P O BOX 31570 AMARILLO TX 79120

ROY CUTRELL CUTRELL TRUCKING P O BOX 50656 AMARILLO TX 79159-0656

DEPT OF AGRICULTURE 6565 AMARILLO BLVD WEST AMARILLO TX 79106-1725

DOWNTOWN AMARILLO PO BOX 15108 AMARILLO TX 79105

DOWNTOWN WOMEN’S CENTER 409 S MONROE ST AMARILLO TX 79101

DIANN GILMORE DOWNTOWN WOMEN’S CENTER 409 S MONROE ST AMARILLO TX 79101

SUSIE ZIMMERMAN EDUCATION SUPPORT CENTER 7200 I-40 WEST AMARILLO TX 79106

RAYMOND GODOY EL MENSAJERO PO BOX 895 AMARILLO TX 79105

ENVIRO-AG ENGINEERING INC 3404 AIRWAY BLVD AMARILLO TX 79118-7741

KEITH LARUE EXCEL ENERGY PO BOX 1261 AMARILLO TX 79170

WES REEVES EXCEL ENERGY PO BOX 1261 AMARILLO TX 79170

JENA TAYLOR FAITH CITY MISSION PO BOX 870 AMARILLO TX 79105

LEE SIMPSON FAITH CLINIC CRUSADERS MINISTRIES 2000 N POLK ST AMARILLO TX 79107

JANET LUMAN FAITH-BASED BENEVOLENT AGENCIES 1101 FRITCH HWY AMARILLO TX 79108

CHRISTINE NUSSER FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES 1001 S POLK ST AMARILLO TX 79101

JIM WOMACK FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES 1001 S POLK ST AMARILLO TX 79101

KIRK FAUVER FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION 300 EAST 8TH ST RM 826 AUSTIN TX 78701

BOWDEN JONES FIRST CAPITAL BANK OF TEXAS P&ZV 3713 LEWIS LN AMARILLO TX 79109

DON FURMAN FURMAN LAND SURVEYORS PO BOX 1416 AMARILLO TX 79105

JOHN T BOWSER GALILEE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST 2502 N MIRROR ST AMARILLO TX 79107

RON GOLLADAY GOLLADAY & ASSOCIATES 6701 JAMESON RD AMARILLO TX 79106-2816

ED FIELDS GREATER MT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH 1215 N HUGHES ST AMARILLO TX 79107

DEWAYNE GRESHAM GRESHAM & ASSOCIATES 7120 I-40 WEST # 150 AMARILLO TX 79106

GREYHOUND BUS LINES 700 S TYLER ST AMARILLO TX 79101

RUSTY DILLON GROENDYKE TRANSPORT 10201 TRIANGLE DR AMARILLO TX 79107

VINCE HERNANDEZ GUYON SAUNDERS RESOURCE CENTER 200 S TYLER ST AMARILLO TX 79102

HAGAR BROWN & DORSEY LLC 4713 S WESTERN ST AMARILLO TX 79109

ROB PARKER HERRING BANK P&Z 3005 SWEETGUM AMARILLO TX 79124

JANIE DAVIS HIGH PLAINS FOOD BANK PO BOX 31803 AMARILLO TX 79120

IRIS LAWRENCE HILLTOP SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOC 1311 N TAYLOR ST AMARILLO TX 79107

J GAUT J GAUT & ASSOCIATES 4211 I-40 WEST STE 204 AMARILLO TX 79106-6000

MARK READ J SHEHAN ENGINEERING 5908 S WESTERN STE 237 AMARILLO TX 79110

JOE SHEHAN J SHEHAN ENGINEERING PO BOX 150 CANYON TX 79015

ALANA CHILCOTE JAN WERNER ADULT DAYCARE 3108 S FILLMORE ST AMARILLO TX 79110

JENKINS CHAPEL BAPTIST CHURCH 1801 N HUGHES ST AMARILLO TX 79107

AL GIPSON JERUSALEM CHURCH OF GOD 1711 N ADAMS ST AMARILLO TX 79108

LEVI PESATA JICARILLA APACHE NATION PO BOX 507 DULCE NM 87528

LORENE WILLIS JICARILLA APACHE NATION PO BOX 507 DULCE NM 87528

SONYA BENNETT JO WYATT CLINIC PO BOX 1110 AMARILLO TX 79105-1110

PHILLIP RANDEL JOHNSON CHAPEL AME 1901 N WASHINGTON ST AMARILLO TX 79107

KACV-FM P O BOX 447 AMARILLO TX 79178-0001

BRANDI SANCHEZ KAMR-TV 1015 S FILLMORE ST AMARILLO TX 79189

CHRIS ALBRACHT KARX, KQIZ, KZRK, KPUR 301 S POLK STE 100 AMARILLO TX 79101-1427

ROBERT KEYS KEYS & ASSOCIATES 4423 SW 45TH AVE AMARILLO TX 79109

WALT HOWARD KFDA-TV 7900 BROADWAY AMARILLO TX 79108

NEWS DIRECTOR KGNC RADIO PO BOX 20378 AMARILLO TX 79114

DOUGLAS SCHOOLEY KIMCO REALTY 3102 MAPLE AVENUE SUITE 620 DALLAS TX 75201

DOUGLAS SCHOOLEY KIMCO REALTY 3102 MAPLE AVENUE SUITE 620 DALLAS TX 75201

AARON NATHAN KIMLEY-HORN & ASSOC. 12750 MERIT DR STE 1005 DALLAS TX 75251-1212

MATTHEW KOMALTY KIOWA INDIAN TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA PO BOX 369 CARNEGIE OK 73015

BRICE SHEETS KIXZ-AM, KMML-FM 6214 SE 34TH AVE AMARILLO TX 79109

DAYLON MARTIN KTNZ-AM 10001 SNOWBALL TRL AMARILLO TX 79108

AMY SULLIVAN KVII-TV 1 BROADCAST CNTR AMARILLO TX 79101

SHIRLEY THOMAS LAWNDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2215 S BIVINS ST AMARILLO TX 79103

KAY PECHIN LEGAL AID OF NORTHWEST TEXAS 203 SW 8TH AVE STE 600 AMARILLO TX 79101

LOVE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH OF GOD PO BOX 5700 AMARILLO TX 79117-5700

ABEL BOSQUEZ LULAC PO BOX 733 AMARILLO TX 79105

VICKI BROOKS MARCH OF DIMES HIGH PLAINS DVSN 104 SW 6TH AVE STE 301 AMARILLO TX 79101-2325

MELISSA CHAPMAN MARTHA’S HOME 1204 SW 18TH AVE AMARILLO TX 79102

LINDA PITNER MARY E BIVINS FOUNDATION PO BOX 1727 AMARILLO TX 79105-1727

MATHIS TRANSPORTATION SERVICES 11616 TANGLEWOOD RD AMARILLO TX 79118-4349

KIMBER DANIELS MAVERICK CLUB OF AMARILLO 1923 S LINCOLN ST AMARILLO TX 79109

MELODY FOX MESA VERDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4011 BEAVER DR AMARILLO TX 79107

MARK CHINO MESCALERO APACHE TRIBE PO BOX 227 MESCALERO NM 88340

VP PERRY MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH 1015 N MONROE ST…