Sound Transit 2 Compliance with HCT System Planning Requirements Technical Memorandum on Public Involvement and Outreach Prepared for: Sound Transit Prepared by: Parsons Brinckerhoff EnviroIssues FINAL December 2008 Table of Contents 1. Background ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Role of Public Involvement and Outreach....................................................................... 1 1.2 Public Involvement and Outreach Strategy throughout Sound Transit 2 Planning Process ........................................................................................................................................ 2 2. Public Involvement Program Elements.................................................................................... 3 2.1 Timeframe ...................................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Scope ............................................................................................................................. 4 2.3 Public Information Materials............................................................................................ 5 2.3.1 Print Materials........................................................................................................ 6 2.3.2 Web Site ...............................................................................................................12 2.3.3 Television..............................................................................................................13 2.3.4 Telephone.............................................................................................................14 2.4 Public Meetings .............................................................................................................14 2.4.1 Meeting Venues....................................................................................................14 2.4.2 Meeting Tools and Comment Methods .................................................................18 2.4.3 Overview of Audience ...........................................................................................19 3. Outreach Program Elements..................................................................................................19 3.1 Community Outreach.....................................................................................................20 3.1.1 Community Stakeholders and Speakers Bureau...................................................21 3.2 Government Relations...................................................................................................22 Sound Transit 2: HCT Compliance Report i Parsons Brinckerhoff Public Outreach Technical Memorandum EnviroIssues FINAL 12/08 List of Tables Table 1: Public Information Topics................................................................................................... 5 Table 2: Print Materials for Public Information.................................................................................. 6 Table 3: Media Outlets for InMotion Video Magazine/Sound Transit Board Meetings.....................13 Table 4: Public Meeting Timeframes and Corresponding Sound Transit 2 Planning Processes.....14 Table 5: Public Meeting Dates and Venues ....................................................................................15 List of Figures Figure 1: Sound Transit 2 Planning Timeline ................................................................................... 4 Appendices Appendix A: List of Public Outreach Activities for Sound Transit 2 Appendix B: Sound Transit 2 Public Information Materials Sound Transit 2: HCT Compliance Report ii Parsons Brinckerhoff Public Outreach Technical Memorandum EnviroIssues FINAL 12/08 1. Background This document outlines Sound Transit’s public involvement and outreach efforts during system planning for the second phase of regional high capacity transit (HCT) improvements, commonly referred to as Sound Transit 2 (ST2). The Washington State legislation that created the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (RTA, also called Sound Transit) requires that this public agency “provide for public involvement,” during the system planning process (RCW 81.104.100 (2) (a)). In compliance with this requirement during the Sound Transit 2 planning process, Sound Transit implemented a district-wide outreach and public involvement program to reach thousands of people and many government agencies within the Sound Transit service district, which covers portions of King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. This document describes and summarizes the results of these efforts. 1.1 Role of Public Involvement and Outreach Voters approved the first phase of transit investments, Sound Move, in 1996. Shortly thereafter, the Sound Transit Board moved to commit the agency to developing an intensive public involvement program, formally recognizing that the Sound Move plan required “commitments to public accountability and citizen participation, and specific public involvement principles (Regional Transit Authority Motion No. 19, December 13, 1996).” Moreover, the Board emphasized using “a wide variety of techniques to involve and support citizens representing all stakeholder groups in the wide range of regional, subarea, corridor and community issues and projects.” The adopted motion also defined guiding principles for public involvement for the agency, saying it must: • Reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the communities involved; • Clearly define the objectives, missions and tasks of the activities and participants; • Establish time schedules (including beginning and end dates) for activities and participant processes to achieve objectives within a timeframe supportive of the plan implementation schedule; • Retain decision-making within the Board [of Directors]; and • Ensure that all public input, not just that of advisory or review groups, is available to the Board members. Today, members of the Sound Transit Board members and staff have ongoing interactions with the public in a variety of forums. From Spring 2004 through Summer 2008, activities included public involvement for the Sound Transit 2 system planning process. Sound Transit worked to develop a transit plan that builds upon the existing HCT system and increases mobility and transit options throughout King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Sound Transit acknowledges that public awareness and feedback about its planning work have been essential in developing a system expansion plan for the region. In particular, after the failure of the 2007 Roads and Transit ballot measure, Sound Transit sought public feedback and reconsidered the original Sound Transit 2 plan. The result of this effort was the development of an updated Sound Transit 2 plan, the 15- Sound Transit 2: HCT Compliance Report 1 Parsons Brinckerhoff Public Outreach Technical Memorandum EnviroIssues FINAL 12/08 year Mass Transit Expansion plan approved by voters in the Sound Transit district on November 4, 2008. During the development of the Sound Transit 2 plan, Sound Transit Office of Corporate and Strategic Communications staff worked side-by-side with the agency’s Office of Policy and Planning (these divisions were later consolidated) to ensure that accurate information about the agency’s projects and processes was disseminated to the public. Information and plans developed by the Office of Policy and Planning and its consultants have been developed and presented in succinct, comprehensive and understandable materials for the public, and feedback has been sought through many communication channels. Starting with the long-range/environmental planning process underlying the ST2 plan, which began in 2004, agency responsibilities for public involvement and outreach rested with the Office of Corporate and Strategic Communications. In Summer 2006, staff from the Office of Strategic Communications and the Office of Policy and Planning were blended into a new department, under the guidance of the former Chief Communications Officer. The consolidated division is named the “Office of Policy, Planning and Public Affairs.” Informational materials and documents used in public outreach for Sound Transit 2 have ranged from longer eight-page summary pamphlets to accompany the Long-Range Plan Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS), to more succinct “tri-fold” pamphlets and online tools outlining the specific elements of expansion plans. Public meetings have allowed members of the public to talk one-on-one with Sound Transit Board members, staff and consultants, as well as provide input via comment forms. Other, more formal briefings were held for groups of elected officials, such as the South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd), which allowed for input and assistance in narrowing the list of projects to be included in transit expansion plans. Additional descriptions of materials created and utilized for the purpose of public outreach can be found in Table 2 (Section 2.3.1). 1.2 Public Involvement and Outreach Strategy throughout Sound Transit 2 Planning Process Public involvement is recognized as essential to the success of Sound Transit as an agency. The Sound Transit mission statement declares that “Checks and balances ensure accountability to the community” and that “Projects are [to be] developed with the help of meaningful community involvement and participation.” Public involvement has been