Citizen Participation, Intergovernmental Coordination - 1200

To expand citizen participation in the planning process by publicly communicating the service, financial and institutional issues facing the regional transportation system; as well as acting as a liaison between government agencies and member entities.

Citizens are understandably concerned about transportation infrastructure. Ensuring current and future movement of tangible and intangible items, including information and people, is a primary need of our society. It is the responsibility of the agencies involved in planning expansion and maintenance of the existing infrastructure to make certain that citizens understand, and have a part in the planning. The purpose of MCAG’s citizen participation program is to ensure that the transportation planning process involves the general public and includes the traditionally underrepresented.

There are three primary components for this work element: citizen participation, coordination with other agencies and public communication of issues related to regional transportation.

As the population grows, and more demands are placed on existing transportation infrastructure and new technologies, these concerns will likely only expand. In 1996, in addition to its traditional methods of communicating with the public and member jurisdictions, MCAG began disseminating agendas and program and transportation issues information via e-mail and an Internet website. In FY 00/01 MCAG expanded upon past efforts by slating meetings throughout the region at local service clubs and civic organizations to provide information on future transportation planning issues.

MCAG will continue to research and implement effective and non-traditional methods for encouraging and promoting citizen participation and intergovernmental coordination.

In view of current difficulties in securing adequate financing for needed projects, having a well-informed public is critical.