Community Advisory Group

An important component of the CSS process is the development of a Community Advisory Group (CAG) to assist in the development of the environmental and engineering studies. The purpose of the CAG is to provide input on the development of the Purpose and Need statement and the alternatives to be carried forward for evaluation in the EA. The CAG group consists of community leaders and public members who are directly or indirectly affected by the project. The CAG will represent the views of the local governments, agencies, residential and business communities and county within the study area. The responsibilities of this group include providing input to the study process and reaching a consensus at key milestones (e.g., problem statement, purpose and need, range of alternatives to be advanced for detailed study, and the recommended alternative(s).

CAG Meeting #1 – Introduction and Problem Statement

CAG Meeting #1 was held on August 27, 2013. All volunteers who filled out CAG application forms were invited to attend. Each CAG member present introduced themselves and identified their affiliation. A PowerPoint presentation was then given that included a review of the planning process and Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS), overview of the CAG role and responsibilities, study overview, and Public Meeting #1 review.

The CAG members participated in a workshop and were asked to identify transportation concerns/issues within the project study area. A list of the issues and concerns of the CAG were recorded and will be used to draft a Problem Statement for the next CAG meeting.

To view the presentation, exhibits and notes from the meeting click here.

 

CAG Meeting #2 – Draft Problem Statement and Preliminary Purpose and Need

CAG Meeting #2 was held on Tuesday, October 8, 2013. Each CAG member present introduced themselves and identified their affiliation. A PowerPoint presentation was then given that included a recap of CAG Meeting #1, review of the draft Problem Statement, review of the preliminary Purpose and Need and diagrams of the preliminary alternatives.

The CAG members were asked to comment on the draft Problem Statement with the goal of achieving consensus on a final Problem Statement. The CAG’s comments were recorded and will be used to finalize the Problem Statement for the next CAG meeting.

To view the presentation, draft Problem Statement and notes from the meeting click here.

CAG Meeting #3 – Final Problem Statement and Range of Alternatives

CAG Meeting #3 was held on Tuesday, November 19, 2013. Each CAG member present introduced themselves and identified their affiliation. A PowerPoint presentation was then given that included a recap of CAG Meeting #2, review and finalization of Problem Statement, review of the preliminary Purpose and Need, Alternatives metrics discussion and evaluation of the Range of Alternatives.

The CAG members reviewed the revised draft Problem Statement and achieved consensus on the final Problem Statement. The CAG also reviewed the metrics used to evaluate the Range of Alternatives and participated in a facilitated discussion to narrow the Range of Alternatives.

To view the presentation and notes from the meeting click here.

 

CAG Meeting #4 – Alternative Refinement

CAG Meeting #4 was held on Thursday, January 30, 2014. Each CAG member present introduced themselves and identified their affiliation. A PowerPoint presentation was then given that included a recap of CAG Meeting #3, summary of the alternatives evaluation and review and comparison of the remaining alternatives.

The project team presented the remaining alternatives to the CAG to obtain input and narrow the range of alternatives further.

To view the presentation and notes from the meeting click here.

 

CAG Meeting #5 – Preferred Alternative

CAG Meeting #5 was held on Thursday, August 7, 2014. Each CAG member present introduced themselves and identified their affiliation. A PowerPoint presentation was then given that included a recap of CAG Meeting #4 and Public Meeting #2, a summary of the remaining alternatives as presented at Public Meeting #2,  and a detailed description of the Preferred Alternative and its associated impacts.

The project team presented the Preferred Alternative to the CAG to obtain input and help refine key design elements.

To view the presentation and notes from the meeting click here.