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TTAC backs using Missoula‑style timelines to clarify public participation for major MPO documents
Summary
Staff will draft a revised public participation plan that keeps flexible outreach for routine items but adopts defined timelines (patterned after Missoula) for major, cyclical documents such as the LRTP, TIP and UPWP; the draft will return to TTAC for review.
The Galton Valley MPO Transportation Technical Advisory Committee discussed a public comment received on the draft public participation plan and directed staff to draft revisions that incorporate defined timelines for recurring, major planning documents while retaining flexibility for other items.
Why it matters: The public participation plan (PPP) sets when and how the public may comment on MPO products. Committee discussion focused on balancing predictable, formal comment windows for cyclical, high‑impact documents—like the Long‑Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)—with staff flexibility for shorter or topic‑specific outreach where appropriate.
Jeff Butts, MPO manager, said the MPO had completed a 45‑day public comment period on the PPP and received a substantive suggestion to add “more defined times and periods” for structural items. Butts proposed adopting procedures similar to the City of Missoula’s approach: full TTAC/TPCC review and the standard comment period for major products and a reduced (Missoula uses seven working days) comment period for certain administrative or non‑capacity‑expanding TIP amendments.
Committee members raised clarifying points. Chris Saunders asked about coordination between MPO schedule changes and jurisdictional development reviews, cautioning that timing changes could affect developers’ construction coordination with transportation projects; staff replied that MPO influence is limited to on‑system routes where federal funding and TIP actions apply and that development review and MDT’s system impact process remain primary. Sean O’Callaghan said a seven‑day reduced comment window felt too short and suggested a longer reduced period (for example, 14 days) to provide meaningful public input.
Butts recommended copying Missoula’s procedures closely and returning a document to TTAC for final review. Chair Nick Ross and staff agreed to have Butts produce a revised draft incorporating feedback; the committee did not take action on the item and will consider the revised PPP at a subsequent meeting.
Public comment on the item was solicited; none was received.
