The Billings Metropolitan Planning Organization is mandated by the Federal Highway Act of 1973 to provide a cooperative, comprehensive, and continuing transportation planning and decision-making process.  This decision-making process requires the MPO to develop a Public Participation Plan (PPP) to outline process and procedure to engage the public in transportation planning projects.  The MPO is currently operating under the 2008 PPP that was developed in accordance with the SAFETEA-LU highway bill. This plan is outdated and lacking current transportation planning requirements.  Therefore, the MPO is bringing forth an update to the Public Participation Plan that will guide transportation planning public outreach for future transportation projects.
 

The MPO acts as a liaison between local governments, communities, residents, and the State and Federal Departments of Transportation (DOTs). The MPO currently operates under the U.S. DOT’s FAST Act (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act).
 
The MPO is committed to the concept that planning is a community-based effort. In support of this, the MPO Public Participation Plan (PPP) defines a process that ensures reasonable opportunity for all interested parties to participate in the planning process.
 
The two main purposes of the Public Participation Plan are to provide the public with a guidebook for how and when they can participate in local and regional transportation planning and decision-making, and it outlines the policies and procedures for public engagement committed to by the MPO.  The MPO’s public participation plan process also satisfies MET Transit’s grantee’s public participation process or the Program of Projects.
 
It is the intent of the MPO to consistently inform and engage the public throughout the regional planning process from the development of planning policies to the conceptual stages of planning projects through the adoption of formal planning documents.
 
The Planning Board received a presentation by staff at July 24 meeting.  At the meeting on August 14, 2018, the Planning Board will conduct a public hearing to review and receive comments on the update to the Public Participation Plan for the City/County Planning Division and the Billings Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to meet FAST Act planning requirements.  After the closing of the public hearing, the board will make a recommendation on adoption of the PPP to the Policy Coordinating Committee.
 

There should be no direct financial impact from the adoption of this plan.  However, the plan will provide a process for public participation and assist with transportation planning procedures and the completion of projects in a timely manner.
 

Staff recommends that the Planning Board conduct a public hearing to receive public comment on the PPP draft and forward a recommendation of approval to the Policy Coordinating Committee.