MPO staff to update Public Participation Plan with virtual engagement, Title VI guidance and evaluation metrics

Jessica Wilgis of Cape Cod Commission staff presented proposed updates to the MPO’s Public Participation Plan (PPP), describing changes staff plan to include and a schedule for public review.

Wilgis said the current PPP (posted in English and Portuguese and last updated in February 2017) will be revised to incorporate virtual participation measures developed during the COVID era, recent USDOT Title VI guidance for community participation plans, additional translations (including Portuguese outreach materials), and explicit evaluation criteria to assess the effectiveness of outreach efforts. Staff described a toolbox of techniques — websites, social media, translated flyers and in‑community outreach — used to reach underrepresented groups and Portuguese speakers.

"Our plan is inclusive, involves equitable decision making and provides a toolbox of techniques to achieve effective participation," Wilgis said. She noted staff will develop evaluation methods for outreach effectiveness and will solicit member and public feedback before releasing a draft PPP for a 45‑day public comment period.

Wilgis outlined specific outreach examples — translated information sheets distributed through a local church, online virtual office hours, project videos, and interactive project websites — and said the updated PPP will document these virtual practices and Title VI procedures for accessible and nondiscriminatory engagement.

Next steps: staff will prepare PPP revisions, incorporate USDOT Title VI guidance, add virtual participation documentation and evaluation approaches, and release a draft for public comment later in the spring.