EDA Packet 05.17.22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TH 61 Visioning and Jurisdictional Transfer Study | Washington County 33Approach and Methodology Several members of our team, including project manager Beth Engum and task lead Bob Rogers, have completed the advanced SDIC training on how to integrate consent-building methods into engagement activities. We will work openly and honestly with all stakeholders so the study process, recommendations, and implementation plan are viewed as “reasonable” outcomes that are legitimate and technically competent. While it is not realistic to reach consensus with every individual or interest group, our innovative and inclusive engagement approach will develop trust, respect, and consent of even the most cynical stakeholders. As part of the study kickoff, we will work with the project partners to craft a dynamic public involvement plan (PIP) that targets the community and corridor users. The PIP will provide details on the engagement opportunities and strategies planned to encourage public participation through regular communication via electronic means (e.g., online, email, social media) and a variety of virtual and face-to-face meetings. As we implement the plan, we will carry forward project branding to provide continuity and a sense of familiarity to the public. Stakeholder Agency Engagement Buy-in from stakeholder agencies will need to be developed throughout the year over which the study takes place. We intend to embrace these agencies as partners working toward a common goal. Staff from each agency will participate in monthly PMT meetings. Through these meetings, we will build trust as we work through the study tasks. Within the first month of the study, we suggest hosting a goal setting session. The meeting would engage a group broader than the PMT to include representatives from the Washington County Board of Commissioners and Hugo City Council, in addition to MnDOT, county, and city staff. Objectives of the session include: »Facilitate buy-in on elected official and staff levels »Identify and prioritize short- and long-term goals »Discuss what project success looks like »Identify challenges/barriers The session would consist of large- and small-group exercises where attendees can share issues and priorities to be explored during the study. Information obtained during the event would serve as a road map for the study team. Engaging the Community in the Vision Our team is skilled in bringing information to the public in a way that helps them understand how the project will impact them and why their feedback is necessary and valued. We will create a meaningful, innovative, and equitable approach to engagement that will build trust with the community and lead to the successful delivery of projects along Highway 61 that plan for community growth, while improving multimodal safety and operations along the corridor. Our approach to engagement is flexible and will go a long way with the study budget, because we focus on the right tools, the right people, and the right strategies to build project champions throughout the study. We work to maintain these connections so they can be leveraged for further support during future project development activities. The Right Tools, People, and Strategies: Engagement Options Toolbox To successfully address safety and mobility in the Highway 61 study area, while also providing a guide for access management and investment triggers for the corridor, efficiency in understanding the issues and finding recommendations is essential to the study’s success. Therefore, effective engagement is about using proven tools, well-known communication outlets, and tailored strategies to actively engage all stakeholders including those that are commonly underrepresented in public infrastructure projects. Bolton & Menk has worked on numerous transportation corridor studies in the past five years. Through this experience, our team has developed and conducted vastly successful and efficient engagement strategies. Taking a “toolbox” approach, we propose using a combination of robust online engagement, in-person events, and innovative concept tools to illustrate and provide clear explanation for each potential improvement option. Online Interactive Comment Map: For robust online engagement, Bolton & Menk will use INPUTiDTM to collect stakeholder feedback throughout the study process. INPUTiD is our proprietary and highly customizable online comment mapping tool which allows users to provide location-specific comments and respond to comments from others. While the online survey tool is a more traditional way of collecting feedback on conceptual improvements, a preferred corridor concept/vision can be loaded into INPUTiD so participants can toggle through to see and provide feedback on the key features and potential impacts. Check out the example of how we used this interactive mapping tool for Rice Street Visioning in Ramsey County. In-person Events: We also know engagement is most effective if we connect with people where they are. Our outreach plan includes both traditional (open houses) and more innovative in-person events (pop-ups). We propose hosting two traditional open house meetings with the first event occurring after the existing conditions task is wrapping up and corridor needs are being defined. The second open house meeting would occur later in the study once conceptual improvements are developed and options are being screened. Including public stakeholders in both defining the problems and determining solutions will go a long way in building trust and consent. We also propose conducting at least one pop-up event and view Hugo Good Neighbor Days as a great opportunity. As a long-time Hugo resident, Bob knows that this event is widely attended by community members. Another opportunity could be coordinated with the Hugo Business Association at the Kidz n Biz Fest if they again decide to organize this event. While attendees at these community events may or may not live or work along the Highway 61 corridor, you can bet CLICKHERE