Date: January 16, 2002

Time: 9:00 a.m.

Location: Chicago Area Transportation Study

Stephen Alexander, Chicago State University

Chuck Allen, AAA-Chicago Motor Club

Randy Blankenhorn, Illinois Department of Transportation

Tony Bowman, Pace

Felicia Dawson, Bethel New Life

Jo Ann Eckmann, Lake County Citizen/Chair

Laura Guillot, Chicago Department of Transportation

Adrienne M. Jones, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin

Arlene J. Mulder, Council of Mayors/Village of Arlington Heights

Ruth Ann Payne, Illinois Department of Transportation

John Allen, CATS

Henry Gardunio Latino Express Inc.

Jock Hardy, CATS

Suzanne Lanzafame, CATS

LynnToi Lawson, CATS

Jill Leary, West Central Municipal Conference

Veronica Lopez, CATS

Jan Metzger, Center for Neighborhood Technology

Ross Patronsky, CATS

Eugene Ryan, CATS

Amy Swanson, Medill News Service

Anita Torres, CATS

Introduction of new members

The task force welcomed The Honorable Arlene Mulder, Mayor of Arlington Heights and Adrienne Jones with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.

Meeting Notes from December 18, 2001

The minutes were approved.

Report on the consultant selection for the proposed Public Involvement Assessment contract and the Public Involvement Strategies for the RTP 2030 Plan contract

The bids were opened on Monday, January 14, 2002.

Recommendations for the scope of work for the Public Involvement Assessment contract

The task force made suggestions on the work of the consultant and identified the stakeholders. Mayor Mulder suggested that we send letters to other MPOs to inquire about their public involvement process.

Stakeholders are citizens that have shown interest in the process throughout the entire region.

Ms. Guillot brought up the question of how is the best way to talk to citizens, should it be by phone, door to door, organizations etc…?

Mr. Blankenhorn felt we should ask ourselves if we are doing a good job to reach the average citizen and the interested parties?

Dr. Alexander suggested that we focus on diversity.

Mayor Mulder felt that CATS needed more visibility.

The task force discussed the best way to reach the public through the consultant.

It was suggested that questionnaires or surveys should be sent to citizens, advocacy groups and/or community organizations.

Ms. Dawson feels that we can't just rely on advocacy groups because they do not represent all of the public. People that are not connected to an organization will not be reached.

Mr. Bowman felt that Advocacy groups would be more likely to take part in a survey/questionnaire. Phone calls could be made to the organization and then we should let the advocacy groups get the information to and from the people.

Another suggestion of how to reach the public was through an interview process. The groups that should be interviewed are Citizens, Council of Mayors, state legislators, county and local elected officials and transportation professionals and agencies. Some qualities of the groups to be interviewed are:

Regionwide and diverse audience

Advertised process for project related problems for the general public

The task force members, CATS staff and like agencies should also be interviewed.

Recommendations concerning the Public Involvement Strategies for the RTP 2030 Plan

The main question was how to involve the public in the RTP 2030 plan. There needs to be input on staff of what is important and CATS needs to participate. The task force will meet with members of the RTP committee to discuss a working plan to execute the contract based on the scope of work. The role of the PITF in reviewing the consultant's plan will also be addressed.

Project Updates

The poster contest, the February construction press conference and the May joint press conference were brought up so that the task force could participate.

Ms. Guillot suggested that a briefing of the events and listing of dates be compiled so that members can work the events into their schedules.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 at 9:00 am at the Chicago Area Transportation Study.

The task force will meet on every third Wednesday of the month from now on, a listing of these dates will be available soon