HomeMy WebLinkAboutA048 - Motion setting July 14, 2026 as date of Public Hearing for amendment to Participation PlanITEM #:4
DATE:05-26-26
DEPT:AAMPO
SUBJECT:PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN AMENDMENT
TRANSPORTATION POLICY COMMITTEE ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The Public Participation Plan is a federally required document maintained by metropolitan
planning organizations (MPOs) which outlines how the MPO will involve the public in its
transportation planning and decision-making processes.
The Ames Area MPO’s (AAMPO’s) Public Participation Plan, last updated in 2024, includes
detailed plan development, public involvement, and amendment processes for each of its five
core planning documents:
1. Public Participation Plan (PPP)
2. Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP)
3. Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
4. Transportation Planning Work Program (TPWP)
5. Passenger Transportation Plan (PTP)
Currently, the Public Participation Plan dictates that the AAMPO must follow these steps, at a
minimum, to amend a core planning document:
1. Review by the Transportation Technical Committee (TTC) (amendments to the PTP
must also be reviewed by the Transportation Collaboration of Story County)
2. Initial review by the Transportation Policy Committee (TPC) & setting date of public
hearing
3. Minimum 10-day public comment period (45 days for PPP amendments)
4. Public hearing & final approval at a second TPC meeting
Due to the relatively infrequent meeting schedule of the AAMPO’s TTC and TPC, the current
amendment process often takes a long time to complete without the addition of a special
meeting of the TPC, since the amendment must be brought to the TPC twice due to the
requirement to hold a public hearing.
In response to the increasing number of requests to amend AAMPO core planning documents,
particularly the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), staff has reviewed the public
participation procedures utilized by peer MPOs in Iowa and neighboring states and found that
many MPOs do not require a formal public hearing for all amendments to planning
documents, including the TIP. Instead, these MPOs generally provide a public comment
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period and consider adoption of amendments during a regularly scheduled committee
meeting.
Federal regulations require MPOs to provide adequate public notice, time for public review
and comment, and reasonable opportunities to comment on MPO planning documents, but do
not specifically require a formal public hearing for all amendments.
As such, staff is proposing an amendment to the Public Participation Plan to remove the
requirement to hold a separate formal public hearing for each amendment to the
AAMPO’s core planning documents . Under the proposed amendment process,
amendments would still require TTC review, the applicable public comment period, and
approval by the TPC at a public meeting.
This change would maintain opportunities for public input while allowing the AAMPO to
complete amendments in a more efficient and timely manner and maintain consistency
with other peer MPOs in Iowa.
The proposed amendment as it would appear in the Public Participation Plan is attached.
Note, the proposed amendment includes language which preserves the TPC’s
discretion to require a public hearing prior to final approval for amendments that may
warrant additional public review.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Set July 14, 2026, as the date of public hearing for the amendment to the Public
Participation Plan.
2. Do not amend the Public Participation Plan.
MPO DIRECTOR'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The proposed amendment streamlines the amendment process for the AAMPO’s core
planning documents by removing the formal public hearing requirement while
continuing to provide opportunities for public review and comment consistent with
federal public participation requirements and in alignment with other Iowa MPOs.
Additionally, the Transportation Technical Committee unanimously recommended its
approval. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the MPO Director that the Transportation
Technical Committee adopt Alternative No. 1.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Public Participation Plan Amendment.pdf
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN | AAMPO
5.6 Amendments
While each of the core planning documents are updated under the respective time cycles, they can be
amended in between updates when the need arises. Amendments are also subject to public review
requirements and procedures.
The AAMPO requires that before any core planning document can be amended, the amendment must
be reviewed by the Transportation Technical Committee (TTC) and the Transportation Policy
Committee (TPC). Additionally, amendments to the PTP need to be reviewed by the Transportation
Collaboration (TC) of Story County. A minimum of a 10-day public comment period (45 days for the
PPP) must also occur prior approval of an amendment to any core planning document. A public hearing
and final approval of the amendment must occur at a TPC meeting., at a minimum, follow the process
below:
1. Review by the Transportation Technical Committee (TTC)
o Amendments to the PTP must also be reviewed by the Transportation Collaboration (TC)
of Story County.
2. Minimum 10-day public comment period (45 days for the PPP)
3. Approval by the Transportation Policy Committee (TPC) at a public meeting
For certain amendments, the Transportation Policy Committee (TPC) may also require a public hearing
prior to final approval.
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