Title VI – Environmental Justice Plan 2022

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Title VI / Environmental Justice Review

Prepared May 2022

I. Purpose

The Environmental Justice Planning Project, Task 1.20 of the Adirondack / Glens Falls Transportation Council’s (A/GFTC’s)
Unified Planning and Work Program (UPWP), calls for “Complete and submit civil rights, self-certification and other
required reports as necessary. This will result in completed Title VI updates, updated Environmental Justice reports
triggered by changes to core planning documents, and other documentation and submissions as necessary.” This review
will examine A/GFTC’s performance with respect to compliance with existing Environmental Justice legislation.

A. Background

A/GFTC is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Planning and Programming Area of
Warren and Washington Counties and the Town of Moreau in Saratoga County, New York. All MPOs are
required to review their transportation planning activities to ensure that low-income and minority groups are
receiving equitable treatment. The following is a list of relevant legislation:

• Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act (42 U.S.C. 2000d-1) states that, “No person in the Unites States shall, on
the ground of race, color, or natural origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or
be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
• The President’s Executive Order on Environmental Justice (Executive Order 12898, issued February 11, 1994)
further provides that “each Federal agency shall make achieving environmental justice part of its mission by
identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or
environmental impacts of its programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income
populations.
• In compliance with Executive Order 12898, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued
the United States Department of Transportation Order on Environmental Justice (DOT Order 5610.2, April
15, 1997) requiring the incorporation of environmental justice principles into all existing USDOT activities,
policies, and programs.
• Issued December 2, 1998, the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) FHWA Actions to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations (FHWA 6640.23) is a similar
document to DOT Order 5610.2 and requires incorporation of environment justice principles into all FHWA
activities, policies, and programs.
• On August 11, 2000, Executive Order 13166, “Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English
Proficiency” was issued. The Executive Order requires Federal agencies to examine the services they
provide, identify any need for services to those with limited English proficiency (LEP), and develop and
implement a system to provide those services so LEP persons can have meaningful access to them.

None of the legislation listed above contains guidance or standards regarding the review of MPO practices. This
report was developed by A/GFTC based on its interpretation of the documents listed above.

B. Goals and Objectives

In addition to complying with all relevant legislation and policy, the goal of A/GFTC is to promote Environmental
Justice through the following objectives:

• Ensure an equitable distribution of capital and planning projects throughout the A/GFTC region
• Ensure that adverse impacts from capital and planning projects do not create inequitable impacts on
minority or low-income populations
• Create meaningful opportunities for public access to all aspects of A/GFTC’s planning process

II. Review Criteria

A. Demographic data

The demographic and economic data and associated geographic classification used in this review are:

• Minority Population Percentage, measured at the Census Block Group level
• Low/Moderate Income Population Locations, measured at the Census Block Group level
• Limited-English Proficiency, measured at the Census Tract level

The analysis area has been defined as the entire A/GFTC Planning and Programming Area. In each case, the most
recent vintage of data was utilized to the fullest extent practicable.

B. Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Review (FHWA funds)

To review the distribution of FHWA funds, the locations of projects currently listed in A/GFTC’s Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP) were examined. Current TIP projects were mapped to determine whether
applicable areas receive a disproportionate amount of potential adverse environmental impacts due to capital
construction. Examples of potential negative impacts from capital projects include reduced air quality due to
increased traffic capacity/volume, increased noise impacts, or reduced bicycle/pedestrian circulation. Examples
of potential positive impacts include improved traffic flow (thereby potentially reducing congestion), increased
safety, improvements to bicycle/pedestrian features, and preservation of critical transportation function to
increase mobility. In addition to potential adverse environmental impacts, the distribution of projects was
examined in terms of geographic equity of federal funding.

C. Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Review (FHWA & FTA Funds)

In addition to programming capital funds, A/GFTC undertakes various planning efforts, either as required by
federal legislation or on behalf of municipal partners. These projects often lead to further improvements in the
transportation system which may or may not be federally funded. The locations of projects listed in the previous
and current UPWP were mapped to determine whether there is an equitable distribution of planning projects
within the A/GFTC region.

D. Public Transit Service Review (Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds)

In addition to programming available FHWA funds for the Glens Falls Urban Area, A/GFTC also receives planning
funds from FTA for the same area. An analysis of the public transit service area is included. A/GFTC does not
make the final determination regarding public transit routing. That responsibility lies with Greater Glens Falls
Transit (GGFT), the federally designated recipient of FTA Capital and Operating funds in the Glens Falls Urban
Area. The service areas of year-round and seasonal GGFT operations were analyzed as part of this review.

E. Public Access & Outreach Review

A review of policies and procedures regarding access to meetings and documents as well as public outreach
efforts was conducted to determine whether this access was adequate and equitable for all interested members
of the public. This includes access under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Executive
Order 13166.

III. Review Results

A. Minority Population

The Minority Population percentage was derived from the total number of minority persons in all minority
groups divided by the total number of all persons per Block Group. The total number of persons from all
minority groups was used due to the absence of a significant regional minority population in any one single

ethnic group. The data source was the 2015-2019 American Community Survey. For context, the NYSDEC defines
potential Environmental Justice Areas based on the following thresholds for minority populations:

• At least 52.42% of the population in an urban area reported themselves to be members of minority groups,
or
• At least 26.28% of the population in a rural area reported themselves to be members of minority groups

Except for two Block Groups in the Town of Fort Ann which contain correctional facilities, no Block Groups
within the A/GFTC area meet the relevant thresholds. All Block Groups containing over 10% minority population
are listed in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Estimated Minority Population, Block Groups over 10%

Minority
Percentage

Total
Pop.

Minority
Pop.

Municipality

County

Block Group

Urban/Rural

21.2%

1205

256

City of Glens Falls

Warren

Block Group 2, Census Tract 705

Urban

18.2%

2476

451

Town of Kingsbury

Washington

Block Group 2, Census Tract 803

Both

17.7%

1891

335

Town of Queensbury

Warren

Block Group 4, Census Tract 708

Urban

15.0%

1561

234

City of Glens Falls

Warren

Block Group 1, Census Tract 703

Urban

12.8%

486

62

Town of Bolton

Warren

Block Group 3, Census Tract 780

Rural

 

 

Appendix A contains maps showing the distribution of minority populations throughout the Planning and
Programming Area and the Glens Falls Urban Area.

B. Low Income Population Locations

Income level data was derived from data obtained through the HUD Division of Community Planning and
Development, based on estimates from the 2011-2015 American Community Survey. These data provide
estimated counts of persons based on their family income as either:

• Low: at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI),
• Moderate: 50- 80% of AMI

Although the vintage of this data is not as recent, the AMI data is maintained by HUD on an annual basis as it
serves as one of the core requirements for Community Development Block Grant funding. This dataset also
takes into account income data on a level of analysis which is not available to the public (i.e., the AMI);
therefore, for the purposes of determining Low/Moderate Income Areas, this data has been included in the
analysis for the A/GFTC Planning and Programming Area.

In addition, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Potential Environmental Justice Areas
were used as a secondary source of income data. Within the A/GFTC Planning and Programming area, the
relevant income thresholds for a potential EJ Area are those Block Groups with at least 22.82% of the population
having household incomes below the federal poverty level.

Twenty-three (23) Block Groups meet the HUD methodology, while five (5) meet the NYSDEC criteria. The
location of these areas is listed in Table 2 below. A map of these areas is included in Appendix B.

Table 2: Location of Low/Moderate Block Groups

Municipality*

County

# of Block Groups –
HUD Methodology

# of Block Groups –
DEC Methodology

Urban/Rural

Town of Moreau

Saratoga

1

0

Rural

Town of Chester

Warren

1

0

Rural

Town of Johnsburg

Warren

1

0

Rural

Towns of Stoney Creek &
Thurman

Warren

1

0

Rural

Town of Dresden

Washington

1

0

Rural

Town/Village of Whitehall

Washington

2

1

Rural

Town of Kingsbury

Washington

2

1

Rural

Town/Village of Granville

Washington

1

1

Rural

Town of Hebron

Washington

1

0

Rural

Town of Salem

Washington

1

0

Rural

Village of South Glens Falls

Saratoga

2

0

Urban

City of Glens Falls

Warren

5

2

Urban

Village of Hudson Falls

Washington

1

1

Urban

Town of Queensbury

Warren

2

0

Both

Town/Village of Fort
Edward

Washington

2

0

Both

*Note: Some Block Groups span multiple municipalities

C. Limited-English Proficiency

Individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, speak,
write, or understand English can be limited English proficient, or “LEP.” These individuals may be entitled to
language assistance to access federally funded programs such as those conducted by A/GFTC. For this analysis,
the 2014-2018 American Community Survey data was examined at the Tract level. The unit of measurement in
this data set was households (HH) rather than individuals.

Of the estimated 58,062 households within the A/GFTC Planning and Programming area, approximately 330
were classified as LEP in the 2014-2018 ACS. This represents approximately one half of one percent (0.5%) of
households. The breakdown of languages spoken in the LEP households is shown in Table 3.

Table 3: LEP Households, A/GFTC Planning & Programming Area

Language

# of LEP Households

Spanish

149

Other Indo-European Language

124

Asian & Pacific Islands

39

Other

18

Total

330

 

 

D. A/GFTC Resource Distribution

1. Capital Project Distribution (TIP)

When conducting an analysis of the distribution of TIP projects in the A/GFTC area, it is important to
note that the urbanized area has a higher density of federal-aid eligible roadways. Conversely, in the
rural areas, there is a higher proportion of off-system bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects. As
such, the distribution of projects will never be entirely equal across the whole A/GFTC Planning &
Programming area, due to the location of eligible infrastructure.

The current TIP projects are designed to balance regional circulation improvements with minimal
negative community impacts. All will provide some combination of benefits to the immediate
surrounding environment, including bicycle and pedestrian enhancements, safety improvements, new
pavement surfaces, and mobility preservation. Based on the mapping analysis, the distribution of TIP
projects does not pose a disproportionate adverse impact on minority or low/moderate-income
populations in the urban or rural portion of the A/GFTC Planning & Programming Area. Conversely,
these areas received an equitable number of capital projects compared to other portions of the Planning
& Programming area.

2. Planning Project Distribution (UPWP)

The UPWP projects are derived through an annual solicitation process. Other than core documents or
projects which may affect the entire A/GFTC region as a whole, A/GFTC does not conduct planning
projects without the active interest and involvement of the relevant municipal partners. As such, the
distribution of UPWP projects is somewhat dependent on the requests received during the annual
solicitation. However, geographic equity (and therefore equity with regards to minority and low-income
populations) is one factor which is taken into account when creating the UPWP. Based on the mapping
analysis, the distribution of UPWP projects is equitable with regards to low/moderate-income and
minority population clusters within the A/GFTC region.

3. Transit Service

As noted above, A/GFTC does not create the transit routes in the region; that is the sole responsibility of
GGFT. The range of year-round transit service is largely contained to the Urbanized Area, with seasonal
service available via the trolley lines to Bolton in the summer.

The availability of transit service was compared to the locations of Block Groups containing more than
10% minority populations. All but one of the Census Blocks identified receive year-round fixed-route
service from GGFT. The one remaining Block Group in Bolton which does not receive year-round service
from GGFT does receive seasonal trolley service. As such, no disproportionate impacts on minority
populations due to transit service availability have been identified.

Regarding low/moderate income areas, thirteen (13) of the low/moderate income Block Groups
identified via the HUD methodology, representing approximately 68% of the low/moderate income
population in the identified area, receive year-round fixed route service from GGFT. In terms of the
NYSDEC methodology, three (3) of the five total low income block groups identified receive year-round
GGFT service, representing approximately 62% of the low income population from the identified Block
Groups. As such, no disproportionate impacts on low/moderate income populations due to transit
service availability have been identified. In addition, A/GFTC, in conjunction with GGFT, continues to
strive for improvements to rural mobility through planning and coordination efforts to those locations
where fixed-route service is simply not feasible.

4. Public Access and Outreach

A/GFTC actively seeks public participation in all phases of the planning process. In addition to posting all
draft publications for public comment, the public is notified of and encouraged to attend all A/GFTC
Policy Committee and Planning Committee meetings. A/GFTC staff participates in public events
throughout the year to obtain further public participation and explain how the transportation planning
process works. Digital notifications and social media are also utilized to update the public. Details of the
methods used to solicit public input are listed in A/GFTC’s Public Participation Plan, last updated in
September 2021.

In terms of the ADA, Title VI, and other relevant requirements, A/GFTC integrates the following policies
and procedures:

• All in-person public meetings are held in accessible locations, with preference given to locations
near transit services.
• In 2020, A/GFTC shifted to online meeting platforms to accommodate the requirements for social
distancing under the Covid-19 pandemic. Online meetings are posted on social media and the
website to allow public participation via web or phone. This has increased the ability of the average
resident in the Planning & Programming Area to participate in regular meetings of the Policy and
Planning Committee.
• A/GFTC makes every effort to utilize best practices for web design and document preparation to
facilitate the use of screen reader technology.
• For in-person and online meetings, translation/interpretation services, including American Sign
Language (ASL), or other auxiliary services are available upon request with notice to A/GFTC at least
10 days prior to the meeting. For meetings streamed online, closed-captioning services are also
available directly through the streaming platform.

In terms of access by Limited-English Proficient households, the affected population is less than one
percent of the A/GFTC area. By providing translation services with 10-days advance notice, A/GFTC
ensures equitable access to public meetings and official documents. As of the date of this review,
translation/interpretation services have never been requested.

IV. Conclusions

Upon review of the demographic and economic information obtained in preparing this report, the following conclusions
can be made:

A. Minority populations are not subjected to a disparate amount of adverse environmental and/or health impacts
as a result of federally funded transportation projects or activities. Conversely, these areas receive an equitable
distribution of planning funds as requested by municipal partners. The overall minority population in the A/GFTC
Planning and Programming Area is small and no specific Block Group within that area is characterized by a
disproportionately large minority population; therefore, no areas of specific concern can be identified based on the
locations of minority populations.

B. Persons living in Low/Moderate Income Population Locations are not subjected to a disparate amount of
adverse environmental and/or health impacts as a result of federally funded transportation projects or activities.
Conversely, these areas receive an equitable distribution of planning funds as requested by municipal partners. Twentythree
(23) Block Groups in the A/GFTC Planning and Programming Area have been classified by A/GFTC as
Low/Moderate Income Population Locations based on a methodology similar to that used by HUD. Throughout the
entire planning area, TIP projects have been equitably distributed so that Low Income Population Locations are receiving
maintenance funding and are not being forced to suffer adverse effects from projects designed to benefit residents of
other areas. Presently, Low/Moderate Income Population Locations within the Glens Falls Urban Area are well served by
public transit.

C. All persons in the A/GFTC Planning and Programming Area, regardless of ethnicity, income, disability, or limited
proficiency with English language, have equal opportunity to participate in the transportation planning process. The
public outreach efforts undertaken by A/GFTC are not geared towards persons of any specific ethnic group or income
level. Adequate provisions have been made to accommodate a wide range of abilities and access requirements.

V. Future Documentation

A/GFTC will continue to update this review as new data is released. Information generated by this review will be
maintained, and the planning process will continue to be monitored to ensure that A/GFTC complies with Environmental
Justice and Title VI legislation in its usage and dispersal of federal funds.

 

 

Appendix A

 

 

Minority Population Maps

 

 

 

Appendix B

 

 

Low/Moderate Income Population Maps

 

 

 

 

Appendix C

 

 

Public Participation Plan

 

A/GFTC Public Participation Plan

 

 

I. Introduction

The Adirondack / Glens Falls Transportation Council (A/GFTC) is the designated Metropolitan
Planning Organization (MPO) for Warren County, Washington County, and the Town of Moreau and
Village of South Glens Falls in northern Saratoga County. A/GFTC is responsible for facilitating a
regional transportation planning and programming process that is continuing, cooperative and
comprehensive for projects and activities eligible for funding through the Federal Highway and
Federal Transit Administrations. The active participation of the public, in addition to area elected
officials and municipal professionals, is necessary for the transportation planning process to be
effective.

A/GFTC is committed to facilitating meaningful public participation. Although the MPO is based out
of the Glens Falls urbanized area, much of the surrounding A/GFTC planning region is rural. As
such, the scope of A/GFTC planning products varies widely based on context. Therefore, the success
of this public participation plan cannot be measured simply by the number of meeting attendees or
hits to a website. Instead, a successful public outreach effort will:

• Provide timely information to the community or region
• Actively target the participation and input of stakeholders
• Take equity into account at all levels of the process
• Utilize relevant communication techniques based on the context of the specific project
• Go above and beyond minimum requirements

With these measures of success in mind, the policies and procedures outlined herein are intended
to provide a framework for successful public participation for A/GFTC products and projects.

A. Organizational Structure

The Adirondack/Glens Falls Transportation Council consists of two principal committees and
planning staff. Local and regional transportation issues are considered through the A/GFTC
committee framework. Transportation policies, programs, and projects are developed and
prioritized for the area’s highway, bridge, and public transportation facilities. The Council provides
opportunities for public involvement in this transportation decision-making process through public
notices, publicly accessible meetings, and access to meeting minutes on a timely and continuous
basis. See section III.7 for details on public meeting procedures.

1. Policy Committee

The Policy Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all A/GFTC planning activities
and documents, including the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the Unified Planning
Work Program (UPWP), and the Long Range Plan (LRP). Policy Committee voting membership
includes:

• Chairpersons of the Boards of Supervisors of Warren, Washington and Saratoga Counties

• Mayors of the City of Glens Falls and the Villages of South Glens Falls, Fort Edward, Hudson
Falls, and Lake George

• Supervisors of the Towns of Moreau, Fort Edward, Kingsbury, Queensbury, and Lake George

• One rural supervisor from Warren County and one from Washington County

• The Chairman of the Lake Champlain/Lake George Regional Planning Board

• The Commissioner of The New York State Department of Transportation

• The Executive Director of the New York State Thruway Authority

In addition, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Greater Glens Falls Transit
(GGFT) serve as advisory members to the Council.

Meetings of the Policy Committee are held twice a year, usually in February and October. Decisions
by the Policy Committee are made on the basis of unanimity of affected parties. Quorum for the
Policy Committee is achieved with the attendance of at least one elected county-level
representative (or a designated alternate) from Warren, Washington, and Saratoga Counties as well
as New York State Department of Transportation Region 1. If quorum is not attained, no votes will
be held and a subsequent special meeting of the Policy Committee will be scheduled.

2. Planning Committee

The Planning Committee serves as the recommending body to the Policy Committee. It reviews all
major documents and actions in advance of Policy Committee consideration and is responsible for
oversight of ongoing staff activities. The Planning Committee is comprised of local highway
superintendents, planning officials, other representatives from the municipalities that vote on the
Policy Committee, and GGFT.

Meetings of the Planning Committee are held five to six times a year, usually in January, April, June,
September, and December. Decisions by the Planning Committee are made on the basis of
unanimity of affected parties. Quorum for the Planning Committee is achieved with the attendance
of at least one representative (or a designated alternate) from Warren, Washington, and Saratoga
Counties as well as New York State Department of Transportation Region 1. If quorum is not
attained, no votes will be held and a subsequent special meeting of the Planning Committee will be
scheduled.

3. A/GFTC Staff

A/GFTC is staffed by a Transportation Planning Director and a Senior Transportation Planner. Staff
members are available via email, phone, or in person (by appointment only) to discuss issues and
concerns with members of the public. Response to public requests and inquiries is given a high
priority. The A/GFTC office is located in downtown Glens Falls within the handicap-accessible
Empire Theatre Plaza, which is accessible by public transit.

B. Core Documents

The core documents produced by A/GFTC that govern the Council’s programs and policies are the
Long Range Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program, and the Unified Planning Work
Program.

• The Long Range Plan (LRP) establishes a program of both short- and long-term goals and
recommendations for a planning horizon of 20-25 years, and is designed to facilitate the
development of an integrated and efficient intermodal transportation system. The LRP is
updated once every five years.
• The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a listing of capital surface
transportation projects that are selected and programmed to receive federal funding. The
TIP is updated every two years and represents a prioritized listing of projects intended to
address the challenges and opportunities listed in the LRP.
• The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is the annual work program that identifies the
transportation planning and programming activities that are to be undertaken by the staff
in support of the Council during the current State Fiscal Year(s). The UPWP coordinates
annual tasks that the MPO hopes to accomplish in support of the LRP through the use of
FHWA and FTA funding in addition to local and state contributions.

II. Federal Requirements

A. FAST Act

The FAST Act contains requirements for public participation in MPO activities. These requirements
are found in 23 USC Section 134 (i) and 23 CFR Part 450.316. The public participation plan must be
developed in consultation with interested parties and must address the following elements:

• Provide adequate public notice of public participation activities and time for public review
and comment at key decision points, including a reasonable opportunity to comment on the
proposed LRP and the TIP;
• Provide timely notice and reasonable access to information about transportation issues and
processes;
• Employ visualization techniques to describe the LRP and TIP;
• Make public information (technical information and meeting notices) available in
electronically accessible formats

• Hold any public meetings at convenient and accessible locations and times;
• Demonstrate explicit consideration and response to public input received during the
development of the LRP and the TIP;
• Seek out and consider the needs of those traditionally underserved by existing
transportation systems, such as low-income and minority households, who may face
challenges accessing employment and other services;
• Provide an additional opportunity for public comment, if the final LRP or TIP differs
significantly from the version that was made available for public comment by the MPO and
raises new material issues that interested parties could not reasonably have foreseen from
the public involvement efforts;
• Coordinate with the statewide transportation planning public involvement and consultation
processes; and
• Periodically review the effectiveness of the procedures and strategies contained in the
participation plan to ensure a full and open participation process.

B. Other Requirements

In addition to the FAST Act, there are a number of other requirements which relate to public
participation, including:

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice)
• Executive Order 13166 (Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English
Proficiency)
• The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

To address these requirements, A/GFTC has enacted the following policies:

1. Translation/ASL Services.

For in-person and online meetings, translation/ interpretation services, including American Sign
Language (ASL), or other auxiliary services are available upon request with notice to A/GFTC at
least 10 days prior to the meeting. For meetings streamed online, closed-captioning services are
also available directly through the streaming platform.

2. Access to meeting locations.

All in-person meetings hosted by A/GFTC are held in locations that are accessible to persons with
mobility limitations. Where feasible, locations with access to transit service provided by GGFT are
given priority.

3. ADA Accessible Website

A/GFTC makes every effort to utilize best practices for web design and document preparation to
facilitate the use of screen reader technology.

III. General and Ongoing Outreach

A. Public Outreach, Notice, and Comment Periods

1. Core Documents

The LRP, TIP, and UPWP are developed in consultation with the public and affected local, State, and
municipal planning, economic development, and environmental organizations. Once the draft
documents are available, the following policies apply:

• Public comment period duration: Draft versions of all MPO core documents will be made
available to the public for review and comment for a period of at least thirty (30) days.
• Public Notice: Legal notices will be posted in the paper of record for public comment
periods for draft core documents. Notification will also be provided on the A/GFTC website
and on social media accounts.
• Access to Draft Documents: Copies of documents will be made available to individuals by
mail upon request. All draft documents are available on A/GFTC’s website.
• Comment procedure: All public comments received according to the policies outlined in
section III.B are documented and considered by A/GFTC staff and the Planning Committee
for incorporation into each final document as is warranted and appropriate prior to the
adoption of final documents by the Policy Committee. Major comments that generate
significant revisions between publicly distributed draft documents and final documents will
be summarized and included as appendices to those documents.

2. Planning Projects

A/GFTC administers transportation planning projects, both to further the goals of the LRP and on
behalf of our municipal partners. These projects may include corridor studies, bicycle/pedestrian
projects, local or regional safety studies, traffic analyses, and more. For all standalone planning
projects outlined in the UPWP, the following policies apply:

 

• Project Outreach Plan: In conjunction with the project steering committee and project
consultant (if applicable), each planning project scope of work will include an outline of
public and/or stakeholder outreach efforts, known as a Project Outreach Plan, which will
set forth the format(s) of the input methods for that specific project. See section
• Public comment period duration: Draft versions of all MPO planning projects will be made
available to the public for review and comment for a period of at least fourteen (14) days.
In addition, for projects undertaken on behalf of a municipality, there may be an optional
public comment period undertaken by the municipality itself, which may run prior to or
concurrently with the A/GFTC public comment period.
• Public Notice: Notification of the public comment period will be provided on the A/GFTC
website and on social media accounts, as well as on municipal websites and social media
accounts as appropriate.

• Access to Draft Documents: Copies of documents will be made available to individuals by
mail upon request. All draft documents are available on A/GFTC’s website, as well as on
municipal websites (if feasible).
• Comment procedure: All public comments received according to the policies outlined in
section III.B are documented and considered by A/GFTC staff and the project steering
committee for incorporation into each final document as is warranted and appropriate
prior to the adoption of final documents by the Planning Committee. Major comments that
generate significant revisions between publicly distributed draft documents and final
documents will be summarized and included as appendices to those documents.

3. Technical Analysis and Planning and Engineering Assistance
Projects

A/GFTC provides staff and on-call transportation planning and engineering assistance to our
municipal partners as outlined in the UPWP. These evaluations are intended to provide technical
analysis to address specific transportation issues at one or more discrete locations. For these
projects, the following public notice and comment policies apply:

• Public comment period duration: Draft versions of all technical analysis and planning and
engineering assistance projects will be made available to the public for review and
comment for a period of at least fourteen (14) days.
• Public Notice: Notification of the public comment period will be provided on the A/GFTC
website and on social media accounts, as well as on municipal websites and social media
accounts as appropriate.
• Access to Draft Documents: Copies of documents will be made available to individuals by
mail upon request. All draft documents are available on A/GFTC’s website, as well as on
municipal websites (if feasible).
• Comment procedure: All public comments received according to the policies outlined in
section III.B are documented and considered by A/GFTC staff and the project steering
committee (if applicable) for incorporation into each final document as is warranted and
appropriate; these technical analyses may be declared complete by the Planning Committee
and/or the local municipality via staff, as appropriate.

B. Public Comment Format and Submission

To promote a uniform, organized planning process, public comments must adhere to the following
standards:

1. Format

a. Comments collected during an official A/GFTC Public Comment Period
must be submitted via mail, fax, email, through the A/GFTC website, or
phone, and must be submitted directly to A/GFTC or its designee.
b. Direct messages through social media will not be counted as official
comments, as the format and archival process is dependent on third-

 

party platforms which may not meet relevant standards for file
retention; however, A/GFTC staff will respond to advise individuals how
to submit comments in an official manner.
c. Per A/GFTC Social Media Policy as outlined in section III.C, comments on
Facebook posts (page or “wall” posts) will be treated as public
discussion and not as official comments; A/GFTC staff will respond to
advise individuals how to submit comments in an official manner.
d. Input received through a public outreach effort (such as stakeholder
interviews, public meetings, or a survey) will be collected and/or
summarized according to procedures relevant to the format. These may
be included within the project file or integrated as an appendix to the
final document, depending on the details of the Public Outreach Plan.

 

2. Submission deadlines

a. Deadlines for public comment will be clearly stated on the website and
in any related social media post, as well as during any relevant meeting
or event.
b. Although there is no obligation to accept or respond to comments which
do not conform to the correct format and time period, A/GFTC will still
make a meaningful effort to take these comments into consideration.

3. Content

Staff or project consultants will inform individuals if a comment does not conform to policy and will
be invited to revise their comment accordingly. Comments which contain the following will not be
accepted or considered:

a. Comments in support of or opposition to political
campaigns or ballot measures or that are politically biased
b. Profane language or content
c. Memes or satirical images
d. Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination
on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital
status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin,
physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation
e. Sexual content
f. Solicitations of commerce
g. Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity
h. Information that may tend to compromise the safety or
security of A/GFTC, the public, or public systems
i. Threats of violence or harm against specific individuals
j. Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party

C. Social Media Policy

1. Purpose

A/GFTC uses social media platforms to provide relevant, timely, and informative information to the
public. Social media platforms that may be used include (but are not limited to): Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube, LinkedIn, and blogs. Content posted by staff to the A/GFTC social media platforms should
contain links directing users back to the A/GFTC website for in-depth information, forms,
documents, mechanisms to submit official comment, or any other services necessary.

2. Content

Any content posted to a social media platform will be timely, informative, and related to the tasks,
programs, products, or events of A/GFTC. There may be instances where the sharing of articles,
websites, or online information produced by outside sources is appropriate. This could include
newspaper articles, municipal websites, other transportation and/or planning agencies or other
informative, yet relevant, content from trusted sources. A/GFTC may share these items as
“information only” and does not endorse, support, or take responsibility for their accuracy.

The use of social media platforms will follow all federal, state, and related laws and/or A/GFTC
policies regarding the sharing of information, collection of data, and archiving. A/GFTC also
reserves the right to disable the social media platforms at any time if it is determined they are not
fulfilling the A/GFTC goals and objectives as detailed herein.

3. Social Media Comments and Discussion

Social media platforms provide a variety of ways to communicate with the A/GFTC and fellow users
of the platform. Some of these communication methods such as @replies on Twitter or wall
postings on Facebook are publicly visible and it is not directly stated whether the comment is
intended for A/GFTC or fellow users of the platform. As such, A/GFTC will treat these social media
communication methods as discussion, not official comments directed at A/GFTC. Discussions on
social media platforms may be summarized and shared with the A/GFTC Policy Committee,
Planning Committee, or Project Steering Committees as appropriate.

 

User comments which contain any elements listed in section III.B.5 above will not be considered or
accepted. If available, A/GFTC may also use a social media’s ‘blocking’ feature for repeat offenders
of the content guidelines specified above.

 

A/GFTC reserves the right to reply or not reply to any and all comments posted on social media
platforms. Replies from the A/GFTC should generally be used to correct erroneous information
about A/GFTC projects that may be posted by other users. Replies from the A/GFTC should not be
used to debate issues or attempt to sway the opinion of other users.

4. Collection of Data

A/GFTC will not collect or store the personal information (name, e-mail, location, gender, etc.) of
social media users except when required by law. Social media sites may have their own privacy
policies that may differ from A/GFTC.

D. Website

The A/GFTC website (www.agftc.org) was re-launched in 2017 with the goal of facilitating public
involvement and the dissemination of information in an accessible format. Draft documents, final
publications, meeting announcements, agendas, and meeting minutes are all available for review,
comment, and download (if appropriate). A/GFTC requires consultants to provide electronic copies
of all documents produced for the Council to facilitate online viewing by and email distribution to
interested parties. A contact link accessed from the home page generates an e-mail message to
A/GFTC staff; the site also contains phone, fax, and mailing contact information for A/GFTC staff.
The website is the principal mode for the sharing and distribution of documents.

1. Posting and updates

Staff will regularly maintain and update the website to the following standards:

a. Announcements for regularly scheduled Policy or Planning Committee
meetings and public input events held as part of a Public Outreach Plan
will be posted on the home page at least fourteen (14) days prior to the
event. Announcements for special meetings of the Policy or Planning
Committees will be posted on the home page at least seven (7) days
prior to the meeting.
b. Announcements for the availability of draft documents will be posted on
the home page no later than the first day of the public comment period.
These announcements will include details regarding format, deadlines,
submission procedure, and a link to the relevant materials.
c. Solicitations for grant programs or TIP/UPWP projects will be posted on
the home page as soon as the information is available. These
announcements will include details regarding format, deadlines,
submission procedure, and a link to the relevant materials.
d. Final/adopted documents will be posted on the home page within one
(1) week of adoption or acceptance by the relevant committee or agency.
e. Draft meeting minutes will be posted on the home page no later than
two (2) weeks after the meeting took place.
f. General web content such as maps will be updated as needed.
g. Links to time-sensitive information, such as items listed in a-c above, will
be removed from the home page once the deadline has passed. However,
the information from those posts will still be available on the website on
https://agftc.org/blog/.

 

h. Documents on the “Publications” page will be posted both in .pdf and
plain text format to accommodate screen-reader technology to the
maximum extent feasible.

 

E. Other Media Outreach

1. Direct Mail

Given the widespread availability and usage of online information, A/GFTC has become less reliant
upon direct mailing and disbursement of printed materials, as it is generally costly, consumptive,
and inefficient. Printed materials are deployed on a limited basis and are individually available
upon request.

2. Newspaper

Print media coverage of A/GFTC activities from daily and weekly publications has historically
grown less consistent over time. Advertising in print media has also been determined by staff to be
of high cost and low yield. A/GFTC will continue to purchase legal notices to announce public
comment periods for draft core documents. Staff will send out press releases regarding ongoing
planning efforts and related public workshops on an as-needed basis.

3. Radio

Utilization of local radio stations has yielded mixed results for A/GFTC. Targeted communications
to local stations regarding specific ongoing planning studies have generated favorable responses
and occasional on-air interview opportunities. However, radio advertising has not proven to be a
cost-effective means of notification regarding A/GFTC activities and will only be deployed on a
limited basis if called for in a Public Outreach Plan.

4. Television

Television coverage opportunities for A/GFTC are limited. The A/GFTC area is generally considered
to be part of the larger Albany-Schenectady-Troy media market; most network coverage is centered
around the greater Capital District. Coverage from Look TV, an independent station, and YNN, a 24-
hour cable local news network, has been sporadic, with occasional responses to press releases
resulting in on-air interview opportunities as well as televised meeting reports. Press releases may
be sent to TV news outlets on a case-by-case basis.

 

IV. Public Meeting Procedures

This update to the Public Participation Plan takes into account recent advances in the deployment
of virtual meeting technology. The use of virtual meeting platforms has in many cases allowed for
greater participation, both in terms of A/GFTC committee meetings and public presentations.
Virtual meetings allow participation without having to leave home or office, which saves on time,
travel costs, and in the case of some meetings, childcare. However, many parts of the A/GFTC region
also lack reliable internet access. In addition, certain types of meeting formats, such as a design
charrette or open house, are best experienced in-person. As such, the policies outlined herein are

intended to strike a balance between a variety of virtual and in-person approaches to public
participation.

A. Policy and Planning Committee

1. Format

Meetings of the Policy and Planning Committees may be held in-person or via videoconferencing
(“online” meetings). Participation by videoconferencing shall constitute presence in person and
counted for quorum purposes. In-person meetings will be held in locations accessible to the public;
ideally, these locations will be accessible via public transit as well. Online meetings will be streamed
live over the internet; the web address and login instructions will be included in the meeting
announcement.

2. Public Participation

Members of the public may attend, listen, and observe online and in-person meetings. Direct
participation will be limited to specific times on the agenda or during Q&A following specific topics.

3. Notification

Announcements for regularly scheduled Policy or Planning Committee meetings will be posted on
the website at least fourteen (14) days prior to the event. Announcements for special meetings of
the Policy or Planning Committees will be posted on the home page at least seven (7) days prior to
the meeting.

B. Other Public Outreach Meetings

During the development of core documents and planning studies, public outreach meetings may be
held to gather input on specific projects or topics. The input methods should be selected to
maximize meaningful participation according to the needs of the target community. As new
technologies expand the capabilities of public outreach, the input methods should adapt to take
advantage of emerging opportunities.

1. Format

Public outreach formats may include, but are not limited to, public charettes, open houses,
information booths, meetings, presentations, stakeholder interviews, online or mail-in surveys,
meeting-in-a-box, and/or online participation methods.

2. Notification

For standalone public outreach meetings conducted and hosted by A/GFTC, the meetings will be
posted to the A/GFTC website at least 14 days prior to the time of the event. Additional notice may
be posted on municipal websites and social media, as called for in a Public Outreach Plan for a
specific project.

 

Public Involvement Policy

A/GFTC Public Participation Plan

I. Introduction
The Adirondack / Glens Falls Transportation Council (A/GFTC) is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Warren County, Washington County, and the Town of Moreau and Village of South Glens Falls in northern Saratoga County. A/GFTC is responsible for facilitating a regional transportation planning and programming process that is continuing, cooperative and comprehensive for projects and activities eligible for funding through the Federal Highway and Federal Transit Administrations. The active participation of the public, in addition to area elected officials and municipal professionals, is necessary for the transportation planning process to be effective.
A/GFTC is committed to facilitating meaningful public participation. Although the MPO is based out of the Glens Falls urbanized area, much of the surrounding A/GFTC planning region is rural. As such, the scope of A/GFTC planning products varies widely based on context. Therefore, the success of this public participation plan cannot be measured simply by the number of meeting attendees or hits to a website. Instead, a successful public outreach effort will:
* Provide timely information to the community or region
* Actively target the participation and input of stakeholders
* Take equity into account at all levels of the process
* Utilize relevant communication techniques based on the context of the specific project
* Go above and beyond minimum requirements
With these measures of success in mind, the policies and procedures outlined herein are intended to provide a framework for successful public participation for A/GFTC products and projects.
A. Organizational Structure
The Adirondack/Glens Falls Transportation Council consists of two principal committees and planning staff. Local and regional transportation issues are considered through the A/GFTC committee framework. Transportation policies, programs, and projects are developed and prioritized for the area’s highway, bridge, and public transportation facilities. The Council provides opportunities for public involvement in this transportation decision-making process through public notices, publicly accessible meetings, and access to meeting minutes on a timely and continuous basis. See section III.7 for details on public meeting procedures.
1. Policy Committee
The Policy Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all A/GFTC planning activities and documents, including the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), and the Long Range Plan (LRP). Policy Committee voting membership includes:
• Chairpersons of the Boards of Supervisors of Warren, Washington and Saratoga Counties
• Mayors of the City of Glens Falls and the Villages of South Glens Falls, Fort Edward, Hudson Falls, and Lake George
• Supervisors of the Towns of Moreau, Fort Edward, Kingsbury, Queensbury, and Lake George
• One rural supervisor from Warren County and one from Washington County
• The Chairman of the Lake Champlain/Lake George Regional Planning Board
• The Commissioner of The New York State Department of Transportation
• The Executive Director of the New York State Thruway Authority
In addition, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Greater Glens Falls Transit (GGFT) serve as advisory members to the Council.
Meetings of the Policy Committee are held twice a year, usually in February and October. Decisions by the Policy Committee are made on the basis of unanimity of affected parties. Quorum for the Policy Committee is achieved with the attendance of at least one elected county-level representative (or a designated alternate) from Warren, Washington, and Saratoga Counties as well as New York State Department of Transportation Region 1. If quorum is not attained, no votes will be held and a subsequent special meeting of the Policy Committee will be scheduled.
2. Planning Committee
The Planning Committee serves as the recommending body to the Policy Committee. It reviews all major documents and actions in advance of Policy Committee consideration and is responsible for oversight of ongoing staff activities. The Planning Committee is comprised of local highway superintendents, planning officials, other representatives from the municipalities that vote on the Policy Committee, and GGFT.
Meetings of the Planning Committee are held five to six times a year, usually in January, April, June, September, and December. Decisions by the Planning Committee are made on the basis of unanimity of affected parties. Quorum for the Planning Committee is achieved with the attendance of at least one representative (or a designated alternate) from Warren, Washington, and Saratoga Counties as well as New York State Department of Transportation Region 1. If quorum is not attained, no votes will be held and a subsequent special meeting of the Planning Committee will be scheduled.
3. A/GFTC Staff
A/GFTC is staffed by a Transportation Planning Director and a Senior Transportation Planner. Staff members are available via email, phone, or in person (by appointment only) to discuss issues and concerns with members of the public. Response to public requests and inquiries is given a high priority. The A/GFTC office is located in downtown Glens Falls within the handicap-accessible Empire Theatre Plaza, which is accessible by public transit.
B. Core Documents
The core documents produced by A/GFTC that govern the Council’s programs and policies are the Long Range Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program, and the Unified Planning Work Program.
* The Long Range Plan (LRP) establishes a program of both short- and long-term goals and recommendations for a planning horizon of 20-25 years, and is designed to facilitate the development of an integrated and efficient intermodal transportation system. The LRP is updated once every five years.
* The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a listing of capital surface transportation projects that are selected and programmed to receive federal funding. The TIP is updated every two years and represents a prioritized listing of projects intended to address the challenges and opportunities listed in the LRP.
* The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is the annual work program that identifies the transportation planning and programming activities that are to be undertaken by the staff in support of the Council during the current State Fiscal Year(s). The UPWP coordinates annual tasks that the MPO hopes to accomplish in support of the LRP through the use of FHWA and FTA funding in addition to local and state contributions.
II. Federal Requirements
A. FAST Act
The FAST Act contains requirements for public participation in MPO activities. These requirements are found in 23 USC Section 134 (i) and 23 CFR Part 450.316. The public participation plan must be developed in consultation with interested parties and must address the following elements:
* Provide adequate public notice of public participation activities and time for public review and comment at key decision points, including a reasonable opportunity to comment on the proposed LRP and the TIP;
* Provide timely notice and reasonable access to information about transportation issues and processes;
* Employ visualization techniques to describe the LRP and TIP;
* Make public information (technical information and meeting notices) available in electronically accessible formats
* Hold any public meetings at convenient and accessible locations and times;
* Demonstrate explicit consideration and response to public input received during the development of the LRP and the TIP;
* Seek out and consider the needs of those traditionally underserved by existing transportation systems, such as low-income and minority households, who may face challenges accessing employment and other services;
* Provide an additional opportunity for public comment, if the final LRP or TIP differs significantly from the version that was made available for public comment by the MPO and raises new material issues that interested parties could not reasonably have foreseen from the public involvement efforts;
* Coordinate with the statewide transportation planning public involvement and consultation processes; and
* Periodically review the effectiveness of the procedures and strategies contained in the participation plan to ensure a full and open participation process.
B. Other Requirements
In addition to the FAST Act, there are a number of other requirements which relate to public participation, including:
* Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
* Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice)
* Executive Order 13166 (Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency)
* The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

To address these requirements, A/GFTC has enacted the following policies:
1. Translation/ASL Services.
For in-person and online meetings, translation/ interpretation services, including American Sign Language (ASL), or other auxiliary services are available upon request with notice to A/GFTC at least 10 days prior to the meeting. For meetings streamed online, closed-captioning services are also available directly through the streaming platform.
2. Access to meeting locations.
All in-person meetings hosted by A/GFTC are held in locations that are accessible to persons with mobility limitations. Where feasible, locations with access to transit service provided by GGFT are given priority.
3. ADA Accessible Website
A/GFTC makes every effort to utilize best practices for web design and document preparation to facilitate the use of screen reader technology.
III. General and Ongoing Outreach
A. Public Outreach, Notice, and Comment Periods
1. Core Documents
The LRP, TIP, and UPWP are developed in consultation with the public and affected local, State, and municipal planning, economic development, and environmental organizations. Once the draft documents are available, the following policies apply:
* Public comment period duration: Draft versions of all MPO core documents will be made available to the public for review and comment for a period of at least twenty-five (25) days.
* Public Notice: Legal notices will be posted in the paper of record for public comment periods for draft core documents. Notification will also be provided on the A/GFTC website and on social media accounts.
* Access to Draft Documents: Copies of documents will be made available to individuals by mail upon request. All draft documents are available on A/GFTC’s website.
* Comment procedure: All public comments received according to the policies outlined in section III.B are documented and considered by A/GFTC staff and the Planning Committee for incorporation into each final document as is warranted and appropriate prior to the adoption of final documents by the Policy Committee. Major comments that generate significant revisions between publicly distributed draft documents and final documents will be summarized and included as appendices to those documents.
2. Planning Projects
A/GFTC administers transportation planning projects, both to further the goals of the LRP and on behalf of our municipal partners. These projects may include corridor studies, bicycle/pedestrian projects, local or regional safety studies, traffic analyses, and more. For all standalone planning projects outlined in the UPWP, the following policies apply:

* Project Outreach Plan: In conjunction with the project steering committee and project consultant (if applicable), each planning project scope of work will include an outline of public and/or stakeholder outreach efforts, known as a Project Outreach Plan, which will set forth the format(s) of the input methods for that specific project. See section
* Public comment period duration: Draft versions of all MPO planning projects will be made available to the public for review and comment for a period of at least fourteen (14) days. In addition, for projects undertaken on behalf of a municipality, there may be an optional public comment period undertaken by the municipality itself, which may run prior to or concurrently with the A/GFTC public comment period.
* Public Notice: Notification of the public comment period will be provided on the A/GFTC website and on social media accounts, as well as on municipal websites and social media accounts as appropriate.
* Access to Draft Documents: Copies of documents will be made available to individuals by mail upon request. All draft documents are available on A/GFTC’s website, as well as on municipal websites (if feasible).
* Comment procedure: All public comments received according to the policies outlined in section III.B are documented and considered by A/GFTC staff and the project steering committee for incorporation into each final document as is warranted and appropriate prior to the adoption of final documents by the Planning Committee. Major comments that generate significant revisions between publicly distributed draft documents and final documents will be summarized and included as appendices to those documents.
3. Technical Analysis and Planning and Engineering Assistance Projects
A/GFTC provides staff and on-call transportation planning and engineering assistance to our municipal partners as outlined in the UPWP. These evaluations are intended to provide technical analysis to address specific transportation issues at one or more discrete locations. For these projects, the following public notice and comment policies apply:
* Public comment period duration: Draft versions of all technical analysis and planning and engineering assistance projects will be made available to the public for review and comment for a period of at least fourteen (14) days.
* Public Notice: Notification of the public comment period will be provided on the A/GFTC website and on social media accounts, as well as on municipal websites and social media accounts as appropriate.
* Access to Draft Documents: Copies of documents will be made available to individuals by mail upon request. All draft documents are available on A/GFTC’s website, as well as on municipal websites (if feasible).
* Comment procedure: All public comments received according to the policies outlined in section III.B are documented and considered by A/GFTC staff and the project steering committee (if applicable) for incorporation into each final document as is warranted and appropriate; these technical analyses may be declared complete by the Planning Committee and/or the local municipality via staff, as appropriate.
B. Public Comment Format and Submission
To promote a uniform, organized planning process, public comments must adhere to the following standards:
1. Format
a. Comments collected during an official A/GFTC Public Comment Period must be submitted via mail, fax, email, through the A/GFTC website, or phone, and must be submitted directly to A/GFTC or its designee.
b. Direct messages through social media will not be counted as official comments, as the format and archival process is dependent on third-party platforms which may not meet relevant standards for file retention; however, A/GFTC staff will respond to advise individuals how to submit comments in an official manner.
c. Per A/GFTC Social Media Policy as outlined in section III.C, comments on Facebook posts (page or “wall” posts) will be treated as public discussion and not as official comments; A/GFTC staff will respond to advise individuals how to submit comments in an official manner.
d. Input received through a public outreach effort (such as stakeholder interviews, public meetings, or a survey) will be collected and/or summarized according to procedures relevant to the format. These may be included within the project file or integrated as an appendix to the final document, depending on the details of the Public Outreach Plan.
2. Submission deadlines
a. Deadlines for public comment will be clearly stated on the website and in any related social media post, as well as during any relevant meeting or event.
b. Although there is no obligation to accept or respond to comments which do not conform to the correct format and time period, A/GFTC will still make a meaningful effort to take these comments into consideration.
3. Content
Staff or project consultants will inform individuals if a comment does not conform to policy and will be invited to revise their comment accordingly. Comments which contain the following will not be accepted or considered:
a. Comments in support of or opposition to political campaigns or ballot measures or that are politically biased
b. Profane language or content
c. Memes or satirical images
d. Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation
e. Sexual content
f. Solicitations of commerce
g. Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity
h. Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of A/GFTC, the public, or public systems
i. Threats of violence or harm against specific individuals
j. Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party
C. Social Media Policy
1. Purpose
A/GFTC uses social media platforms to provide relevant, timely, and informative information to the public. Social media platforms that may be used include (but are not limited to): Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and blogs. Content posted by staff to the A/GFTC social media platforms should contain links directing users back to the A/GFTC website for in-depth information, forms, documents, mechanisms to submit official comment, or any other services necessary.
2. Content
Any content posted to a social media platform will be timely, informative, and related to the tasks, programs, products, or events of A/GFTC. There may be instances where the sharing of articles, websites, or online information produced by outside sources is appropriate. This could include newspaper articles, municipal websites, other transportation and/or planning agencies or other informative, yet relevant, content from trusted sources. A/GFTC may share these items as “information only” and does not endorse, support, or take responsibility for their accuracy.
The use of social media platforms will follow all federal, state, and related laws and/or A/GFTC policies regarding the sharing of information, collection of data, and archiving. A/GFTC also reserves the right to disable the social media platforms at any time if it is determined they are not fulfilling the A/GFTC goals and objectives as detailed herein.
3. Social Media Comments and Discussion
Social media platforms provide a variety of ways to communicate with the A/GFTC and fellow users of the platform. Some of these communication methods such as @replies on Twitter or wall postings on Facebook are publicly visible and it is not directly stated whether the comment is intended for A/GFTC or fellow users of the platform. As such, A/GFTC will treat these social media communication methods as discussion, not official comments directed at A/GFTC. Discussions on social media platforms may be summarized and shared with the A/GFTC Policy Committee, Planning Committee, or Project Steering Committees as appropriate.

User comments which contain any elements listed in section III.B.5 above will not be considered or accepted. If available, A/GFTC may also use a social media’s ‘blocking’ feature for repeat offenders of the content guidelines specified above.

A/GFTC reserves the right to reply or not reply to any and all comments posted on social media platforms. Replies from the A/GFTC should generally be used to correct erroneous information about A/GFTC projects that may be posted by other users. Replies from the A/GFTC should not be used to debate issues or attempt to sway the opinion of other users.
4. Collection of Data
A/GFTC will not collect or store the personal information (name, e-mail, location, gender, etc.) of social media users except when required by law. Social media sites may have their own privacy policies that may differ from A/GFTC.
D. Website
The A/GFTC website (www.agftc.org) was re-launched in 2017 with the goal of facilitating public involvement and the dissemination of information in an accessible format. Draft documents, final publications, meeting announcements, agendas, and meeting minutes are all available for review, comment, and download (if appropriate). A/GFTC requires consultants to provide electronic copies of all documents produced for the Council to facilitate online viewing by and email distribution to interested parties. A contact link accessed from the home page generates an e-mail message to A/GFTC staff; the site also contains phone, fax, and mailing contact information for A/GFTC staff. The website is the principal mode for the sharing and distribution of documents.
1. Posting and updates
Staff will regularly maintain and update the website to the following standards:
a. Announcements for regularly scheduled Policy or Planning Committee meetings and public input events held as part of a Public Outreach Plan will be posted on the home page at least fourteen (14) days prior to the event. Announcements for special meetings of the Policy or Planning Committees will be posted on the home page at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.
b. Announcements for the availability of draft documents will be posted on the home page no later than the first day of the public comment period. These announcements will include details regarding format, deadlines, submission procedure, and a link to the relevant materials.
c. Solicitations for grant programs or TIP/UPWP projects will be posted on the home page as soon as the information is available. These announcements will include details regarding format, deadlines, submission procedure, and a link to the relevant materials.
d. Final/adopted documents will be posted on the home page within one (1) week of adoption or acceptance by the relevant committee or agency.
e. Draft meeting minutes will be posted on the home page no later than two (2) weeks after the meeting took place.
f. General web content such as maps will be updated as needed.
g. Links to time-sensitive information, such as items listed in a-c above, will be removed from the home page once the deadline has passed. However, the information from those posts will still be available on the website on https://agftc.org/blog/.
h. Documents on the “Publications” page will be posted both in .pdf and plain text format to accommodate screen-reader technology to the maximum extent feasible.
E. Other Media Outreach
1. Direct Mail
Given the widespread availability and usage of online information, A/GFTC has become less reliant upon direct mailing and disbursement of printed materials, as it is generally costly, consumptive, and inefficient. Printed materials are deployed on a limited basis and are individually available upon request.
2. Newspaper
Print media coverage of A/GFTC activities from daily and weekly publications has historically grown less consistent over time. Advertising in print media has also been determined by staff to be of high cost and low yield. A/GFTC will continue to purchase legal notices to announce public comment periods for draft core documents. Staff will send out press releases regarding ongoing planning efforts and related public workshops on an as-needed basis.
3. Radio
Utilization of local radio stations has yielded mixed results for A/GFTC. Targeted communications to local stations regarding specific ongoing planning studies have generated favorable responses and occasional on-air interview opportunities. However, radio advertising has not proven to be a cost-effective means of notification regarding A/GFTC activities and will only be deployed on a limited basis if called for in a Public Outreach Plan.
4. Television
Television coverage opportunities for A/GFTC are limited. The A/GFTC area is generally considered to be part of the larger Albany-Schenectady-Troy media market; most network coverage is centered around the greater Capital District. Coverage from Look TV, an independent station, and YNN, a 24-hour cable local news network, has been sporadic, with occasional responses to press releases resulting in on-air interview opportunities as well as televised meeting reports. Press releases may be sent to TV news outlets on a case-by-case basis.

IV. Public Meeting Procedures
This update to the Public Participation Plan takes into account recent advances in the deployment of virtual meeting technology. The use of virtual meeting platforms has in many cases allowed for greater participation, both in terms of A/GFTC committee meetings and public presentations. Virtual meetings allow participation without having to leave home or office, which saves on time, travel costs, and in the case of some meetings, childcare. However, many parts of the A/GFTC region also lack reliable internet access. In addition, certain types of meeting formats, such as a design charrette or open house, are best experienced in-person. As such, the policies outlined herein are intended to strike a balance between a variety of virtual and in-person approaches to public participation.
A. Policy and Planning Committee
1. Format
Meetings of the Policy and Planning Committees may be held in-person or via videoconferencing (“online” meetings). Participation by videoconferencing shall constitute presence in person and counted for quorum purposes. In-person meetings will be held in locations accessible to the public; ideally, these locations will be accessible via public transit as well. Online meetings will be streamed live over the internet; the web address and login instructions will be included in the meeting announcement.
2. Public Participation
Members of the public may attend, listen, and observe online and in-person meetings. Direct participation will be limited to specific times on the agenda or during Q&A following specific topics.
3. Notification
Announcements for regularly scheduled Policy or Planning Committee meetings will be posted on the website at least fourteen (14) days prior to the event. Announcements for special meetings of the Policy or Planning Committees will be posted on the home page at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.
B. Other Public Outreach Meetings
During the development of core documents and planning studies, public outreach meetings may be held to gather input on specific projects or topics. The input methods should be selected to maximize meaningful participation according to the needs of the target community. As new technologies expand the capabilities of public outreach, the input methods should adapt to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
1. Format
Public outreach formats may include, but are not limited to, public charettes, open houses, information booths, meetings, presentations, stakeholder interviews, online or mail-in surveys, meeting-in-a-box, and/or online participation methods.
2. Notification
For standalone public outreach meetings conducted and hosted by A/GFTC, the meetings will be posted to the A/GFTC website at least 14 days prior to the time of the event. Additional notice may be posted on municipal websites and social media, as called for in a Public Outreach Plan for a specific project.

 

Draft Air Quality Conformity Determination

The draft Air Quality Conformity Determination for the Albany-Schenectady-Troy 1997 8 Hour Ozone Non-Attainment Area is available for public review and comment prior to Policy Committee consideration as final. This new conformity determination was triggered by Capital District Transportation Committee’s update of its New Visions 2050 metropolitan transportation plan. The report confirms that projects listed in A/GFTC’s and CDTC’s long range plans (LRPs) and Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs) meet all applicable transportation conformity requirements.

 

This document is available for public review and comment through July 15, 2020. Written comments will be accepted by mail at A/GFTC, 11 South Street, Suite 203, Glens Falls, NY 12801 or by email at afrankenfeld@agftc.org.

A/GFTC Procurement Manual

Manual guiding procurement of goods and services necessary for the execution of the A/GFTC annual work program and administration of the regional transportation planning process.