Committee demands DOT community‑engagement SOP and project matrix; DOT to deliver SOP draft in two weeks

Committee members told DOT the public and council need a clear, standardized statement of how the city conducts community engagement on transportation projects and when residents should expect outreach. Chair Ryan Dorsey and Council President Zeke Cohen said the matrix required under the Complete Streets ordinance should show phases for each project type and the corresponding engagement steps, so residents and council offices can understand what engagement has occurred and what comes next.

DOT's deputy chief of community engagement and planning staff said the agency can provide draft SOPs within two weeks but that the matrix—because it must incorporate Complete Streets guidelines across diverse project types—will take longer. "We have draft SOPs that we can share... in 2 weeks," Director Veronica Macbeth said. DOT planning staff said the SOP will serve as the blueprint for any future matrix and the matrix will be used to enhance transparency across project phases.

On resurfacing, DOT's government relations deputy chief, Luciano Diaz, told the committee that an internal resurfacing list is expected in March and that capital 'tech' resurfacing projects follow a multi‑year procurement cycle. Committee members asked DOT to provide the tech project list and associated plans for the projects that will enter construction in the coming fiscal cycle, noting that earlier access to plans is essential to ensure resurfacing projects meet Complete Streets safety objectives.

Next steps: DOT will share draft SOPs within two weeks, continue work on the project matrix and provide finalized resurfacing plans and tech project details as they are finalized; committee members requested written copies of the SOP and a schedule for the matrix development after they review the SOP draft.