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Public Information and Communications. Purple Line Implementation Advisory Group Meeting Issue Paper August 12, 2014. Public Information and Communications. Issues and Concerns
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Public Information and Communications Purple Line Implementation Advisory Group Meeting Issue Paper August 12, 2014
Public Information and Communications Issues and Concerns • Lack of sufficiently timely and widespread notifications of meetings and other opportunities for public questions and input • Dissatisfaction with MTA’s follow up to issues raised • Strong desire for county staff to remain involved in the process and act as community advocates as needed • High level of turnover in outreach staffing resulting in much time spent getting new staff up to speed on both community issues and MTA progress before they are able to respond adequately to questions and concerns • Desire to establish neighborhood-based working groups to address specific issues along the length of the line
Public Information and Communications Issues and Concerns (cont.) • Establish regular reporting requirements to keep the public informed about progress during the design and construction phase, and • Designating staff that will be available for members of the public to contact when questions and/or problems arise to provide a timely response, particularly during construction.
Public Information and Communications 13.2.1 General Owner Responsibilities “Lead Community Outreach and public outreach using community outreach staff liaisons assigned to specific areas in the Corridor” How many staff liaisons envisioned? What are the “specific areas” of the Corridor or when will they be assigned? Are the areas only geographic? (or do they include business, property owner and residential – and residential include owner and rental?) Any vision for larger group engagement outreach to cover broad issues (such as PLIAG group)?
Public Information and Communications 13.2.1 General Owner Responsibilities Reference to “Project newsletters and press releases.” To whom would newsletters be distributed and how? Intent to rely on print only? Refers to “develop and perform Project marketing activities” Intended audience? Nature of these activities? How are they different from other materials and activities? What is the expected outcome(s)? Not clear Owner will include input from Concessionaire (as with outreach)
Public Information and Communications 13.2.2 Communication and Public Outreach Plan “Owner will prepare…with input from Concessionaire. The Plan will . . . provide a framework for communication with the public” Is Owner waiting until after Concessionaire selected to create framework (to get their input)? Will the County be involved? What is the anticipated timing to create the framework?
Public Information and Communications 13.2.2 Communication and Public Outreach Plan “Owner will prepare…with input from Concessionaire. The Plan will …engage the community and local stakeholders…Owner will hold regular neighborhood work group meetings as needed with support and participation of the Concessionaire” When will we know what encompasses a “neighborhood work group”? How will neighborhoods be defined? Who chooses representatives? We suggest neighborhoods choose their own from a wide pool Outreach to specific minority communities? Large Ethiopian, Vietnamese populations, for example Who defines “as needed” and how?
Public Information and Communications 13.3.1 General Concessionaire Responsibilities • Calls for “dedicated Public Involvement Coordinator” • Employee or subcontractor? Is one enough? • “Concessionaire to provide community liaisons” • Employees or subcontractors? How many? • “Concessionaire to provide photographs” • Video increasingly more effective, especially online • Easily done • Strongly suggest including as requirement
Public Information and Communications 13.3.5 Communication Materials “Concessionaire shall submit Communications Materials for Review and Approval no less than five business days prior to their use” Is 5 days adequate time for review? Concern that may hold up actual notification if not approved for release.
Public Information and Communications 13.4 and 13.4.1 Public Notification and Incentive “Concessionaire shall report all public notification that did not occur in accordance with Exhibit 13.1… (ratings based on performance)” Why not “required” instead of providing rating “incentive”? Concessionaire will self-rate What’s the incentive and/or penalty for poor ratings?
Public Information and Communications 13.5 Project Identification Signage “Concessionaire shall provide, erect and maintain FTA Project signs placed at…as designated by Owner” PLIAG member request to include project signage (potentially different from FTA Project signage) all along the alignment (including County roads, not just state road crossings)
Public Information and Communications Summary and Conclusions • Proposal heavily relies on traditional (and conservative) means of communications • Many people no longer have/take time for meetings, newsletters, etc. • Social media should be a central part of the strategy • Would greatly expand audience for information and feedback • No call for a crisis communications plan • Strong media relations component needed • Outreach beyond traditional news outlets
