MVRPC has long been committed to meaningful and proactive public involvement. Throughout the years many methods have been refined and successfully employed to attain valuable public input, resulting in commendations from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This updated Public Participation Policy (updated May 2024) represents a combination of MVRPC’s past methods and the latest techniques to be successful input devices.
MVRPC’s Public Participation Policy is designed to secure active and representative involvement
from all segments of the community in planning and decision-making about regional projects,
investments, policies and other planning issues. In accordance with federal law, Metropolitan
Planning Organizations (MPO) and Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPO) are
responsible for facilitating interaction with stakeholders and the public to provide information and to
facilitate dialogue, record input received and incorporate the thoughts and concerns of the public into
the development of major MPO/RTPO planning documents and in various aspects of the MPO/RTPO
planning process. MPO/RTPO will be represented with the agency acronym MVRPC for the purpose
of this document.
MVRPC makes four core commitments throughout the Public Participation Policy:
- MVRPC will provide an effective public forum in a manner appropriate for the project/ program, through which consensus can be reached between public officials and citizens for regional planning issues. This will be achieved by discussing issues, negotiating conflicts, and reaching general agreement on important regional decisions.
- MVRPC will provide adequate and timely notice of public participation and planning activities to provide the opportunity for interested parties to comment on proposals, plans. programs, and projects, that affect the general population and to actively contribute to the policy and decision-making process.
- MVRPC will endeavor to educate the public on the processes and issues involved in transportation planning and other programs in such a manner that it is easy to understand and provide feedback.
- MVRPC solicits public participation without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, low-income status or disability. MVRPC is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
In order to achieve the purpose and commitments outlined above, MVRPC will emphasize the
following essential components of the public participation process:
- Enable early and continuing participation by the public in the development of policies, plans and programs.
- Provide adequate and timely access to information about public participation opportunities and key decisions throughout the planning process.
- Involve a broad cross-section of key stakeholders, including affected individuals and public agencies.
- Foster transparency by providing full public access to complete and easily readable information in sufficient time that all may consider the information and provide feedback.
- Demonstrate consideration to comments received.
- Seek innovative ways to inform and engage the public and use the appropriate combination of techniques to obtain the most meaningful input possible.
- Make special efforts to secure participation and input from traditionally underserved, lowincome, minority, older adults, individuals with disabilities and Limited English proficiency in compliance with Environmental Justice and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 laws and other underrepresented populations as identified in the community impact assessment section of the Long Range Transportation Plan and Regional Transportation Plan.
- Periodically review the Public Participation Policy to make adjustments to ensure that maximum public participation is achieved.
- Coordinate with Ohio statewide public participation plans to review standards and best practices.
- Constant evolution of public outreach methods based on new technology, new partners and best practices.
For more information, please contact Laura Dent, Director of Marketing and Public Outreach at Ldent@mvrpc.org.