Public Involvement Evaluation: Brevard Metropolitan Planning Organization (Viera, Florida)

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Table 1. Public Involvement Tools Evaluation

Public Involvement Tool

Evaluation Criteria

Performance Goal(s)

Methods to Meet Goal(s)

Project Specific Newsletters

Calls, letters, etc.; Number of persons reached

Minimum of 15% of meeting attendees/survey respondents indicated that they received a newsletter. -OR- Reaches a minimum of 85% of persons that are affected by a project.

Increase or decrease distribution to more accurately target an area that may be affected.

Other Newsletters (Cities, Homeowners Associations, etc.)

Calls, letters, etc.; Number of persons reached

If no project specific newsletter: Minimum of 15% of meeting attendees/survey respondents were reached. -OR- Reaches a minimum of 80% of persons that are affected by a project. If in addition to project specific newsletter: Minimum of 5% of meeting attendees/survey respondents were reached -OR- When combined with project newsletter reaches a minimum of 95% of persons that are affected by a project.

Provide information to the publishers of these newsletters in a timely fashion. Investigate all possible newsletters that may reach an affected area.

Direct Mailings

Calls, letters, etc.; Number of persons reached

Minimum of 15% of meeting attendees/survey respondents indicated that they received the mailing. -OR- Reaches a minimum of 85% of persons that are affected by a project.

Increase/Decrease mailing list to more accurately target affected areas. Use the most up-to-date information from the Brevard County Property Appraiser to maintain the mailing list.

Press Releases

Calls, letters, etc.

No standard. Format may be modified based on specific comments received.

Encourage publication of press releases by keeping the media informed.

TV Message Boards

Calls, letters, etc.; Number of persons reached

Minimum of 15% of meeting attendees/survey respondents indicated that they saw the meeting notice.

Provide information to SCGTV as soon as it is available to increase the air time. Encourage SCGTV to make the announcements prominent.

Project Specific Web Sites

Calls, letters, etc.; Number of hit.

Minimum of 30 hits per month. Increase of at least 10% over the life of the project. Expectations may be higher depending on the size of the study area.

Use other public involvement tools to increase advertisement of the web site.

Project Specific Open Houses/Workshops

Calls, letters, etc.; Attendance

3% - 5% of affected population (based on study area) in attendance.

Schedule at convenient times and locations.  Hold multiple workshops.  Use other tools to increase awareness.

Small Group Meetings

Calls, letters, etc., Met the expectations of the group.

N/A.  These meetings are held at the request of affected groups.

MPO staff and any consulting staff should be available in a timely manner to hold small group meetings regarding any MPO activity or issue.  The meeting should be formatted to provide specific information requested by the group and should highlight issues that are of interest to the group.

E-mail Announcements/ Internet Message Boards

Calls, letters, etc.; Number of persons reached

Minimum of 5% of meeting attendees/survey respondents indicated that they saw the announcement.

Increase e-mail list by advertising the availability of e-mail announcements using other public involvement tools.

Citizen Advisory Committees

Calls, letters, etc.; Attendance

N/A.  These committees are part of most planning studies.  Members are appointed by elected officials in the study area.

MPO and consultant staff should encourage appointed members to attend committee meetings.

Fact Sheets

Calls, letters, etc.; Number of persons reached

Positive comments.

 

MPO Logo

Calls, letters, etc.;

Recognition of the logo.

The MPO logo should be used on all MPO products and publications, and on materials for all MPO sponsored activities.

Public Hearings

Calls, letters, etc.; Attendance

3% - 5% of affected population (based on study area) in attendance.

Schedule hearings at convenient times and locations.  Use other public involvement tools to increase awareness of hearings.

Comment Forms

Calls, letters, etc.; Number of responses

60% of meeting attendees filled out a form -OR- 2% of visitors to a web site submitted a form -OR- 20% of mail recipients return the form

Encourage responses by explaining the importance of receiving comments.

Surveys

Calls, letters, etc.; Number of responses

60% of contacted persons participate in the survey -OR- 20% of mail recipients return the survey

Encourage responses by explaining the importance of receiving feedback.  Offer incentives for returning surveys.

Space Coast Government TV

Calls, letters, etc.; Number of persons reached

Minimum of 15% of meeting attendees/survey respondents indicated that they saw the meeting notice.

Provide information to SCGTV as soon as it is available to increase the air time.  Encourage SCGTV to make the announcements prominent.

Posters and Flyers

Calls, letters, etc.; Number of persons reached

Minimum of 15% of meeting attendees/survey respondents indicated that they saw a poster.

Increase distribution to common areas where posters will be more visible to the general public.