Citizen Advisory Committee

History of the Committee
Role of the Committee
Joining the Committee

Meeting Information

History of the Committee

The Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study has recognized the importance of public involvement and participation in the transportation planning process since near the Study's inception. The formal organization of a Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) was completed in 1972.  Although a range of diverse groups and representatives were specifically invited to participate, the CAC had a policy of open membership. The CAC chairperson, as selected by the group to present and represent their position, was a member of both the Technical and Policy Committees. 

The CAC was active and instrumental in providing input for the development of the initial Long Range Transportation Plan published in 1980. During the initial period of Plan development, a CAC Executive Committee held periodic meetings, varying in frequency from 6 - 15 meetings per year.  To stimulate more widespread input, the CAC developed a newsletter (TRANS-ACTION) featuring articles by its members and information articles developed by individuals in the transportation field. The information articles ranged from highway-, transit-, and airport-related, and from neighborhood protection to environmental concerns. At the peak, over 400 individuals and agencies were on the newsletter mailing list, and an additional 500 - 1,000 newsletters were distributed by placing them for easy access in libraries and government offices.  Over this extended Plan development period, approximately 20 such newsletters were developed. 

Although not by design, two basic groups emerged as the Plan development partners in this process: individuals representing the interest of neighborhoods and those representing environmental interests. The process proceeded openly and was never reduced to an adversarial relationship.

Until completion, the development of the Long Range Transportation Plan was the major focus of many of the meetings; however, Plan development participation was not the CAC's exclusive activity.  Review of the Unified Work Programs (UWP), Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP), and individual projects and programs were included in the process. 

After the completion of the Plan, the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) continued as an active group. Without the widespread participation that was stimulated by the Long Range Plan development process, the meeting attendance reduced sharply; however, a core group, acting as the CAC Executive Committee, continued to meet. Their directed focus turned to the review of the Unified Work Program and Transportation Improvement Program, in addition to providing the Technical Committee and Policy Committee position statements on key projects. The CAC developed a proactive stance by collectively identifying what they felt were key transportation issues and potential solutions to addressing areawide transportation problems.  The principal result of this action was some broad reaching major project proposals.  In addition, they reviewed and prepared positions on a number of key transportation proposals and issues that surfaced in the Kalamazoo area. A proposed rail consolidation concept was one example of this.

With apparent diminishing public interest, the CAC meetings became increasingly infrequent and participation more limited. Several key long time participants shifted from the group to address problems of their specific points of interest and concern.  Until 1991, the CAC structure remained in place, but activity was reduced to one or two meetings a year.
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Role of the Committee

The Citizen Advisory Committee will provide input on upcoming and future transportation projects in Kalamazoo County.  Input will be received through meetings, e-mail surveys, and other discussions with the group.  The committee will meet with the local road and transit system providers to provide ideas and suggestions for improvements.

Approved Bylaws

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Joining the Committee

Membership on the Citizen Advisory Committee is currently being reviewed by the KATS Policy Committee. It is the initial intent that this subcommittee provide a broad range of transportation interests while remaining small enough to be workable. Interested groups are encouraged to select one primary and one alternate person to be a part of this subcommittee. Umbrella organizations of particular groups may be selected to act as representatives on the subcommittee to provide communication between KATS and the group’s members. Individual input is encouraged and can be done by:

=  contacting KATS for inclusion in its mailing list
=  Reviewing of this web site
=  E-mail, telephone, or letter
=  Attending the Technical or Policy Committee meetings.

If you or your organization would like to be considered for membership on this committee, please contact KATS.

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