Okanogan Council of Governments

Human Services Transportation Plan Update, 2022

Project Overview

The Okanogan Council of Governments (OCOG) Coordinated Public Transit- Human Services Transportation Plan (CPT-HSTP) is a required document for Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs) as established by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The CPT-HSTP is required to be updated every four years by the state.

Human services transportation help people with special transportation needs get where they need to go. This plan will focus on identifying issues and opportunities with the current public transit systems in Okanogan County and result in prioritized recommendations and projects to improve the accessibility and efficiency of transportation for people with special transportation needs. People with special transportation needs include senior citizens, people with disabilities, and low income families and individuals (RCW 81.66.010).

The Region

This plan will focus on public transit and other transportation services within Okanogan County. The plan will also analyze how these systems connect to areas outside the county, including other major destinations within Washington such as Spokane, Wenatchee, and Moses Lake. Okanogan County also borders Canada, and this plan will address how transit systems connect across international borders as well.

Public Engagement

Any good plan has quality public outreach. Below we have outlined a number of ways we plan to engage the diverse population of Okanogan County throughout this process. The aim of this plan is to improve services and transportation for people with special transportation needs, so our public outreach will ideally include feedback from those communities it aims to serve. Check back here for regular updates and resources regarding public engagement and plan development.

Regional Survey

A regional transportation survey was available through the end of June. The survey is now closed. The survey was intended to help identify community needs, potential opportunities, potential barriers, and project priorities to help shape the vision, goals, and recommendations of this plan.

Public Open Houses

There will be four opportunities to share your thoughts on this plan. OCOG and their planning consultants SCJ Alliance will be hosting booths at the events listed below. Please stop by and share your thoughts with us! We will have interactive ways to participate, and will also be around to listen to you and take your feedback. Public feedback will be vital to the process of prioritizing projects and recommendations for future transit funding and development.

OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE

A series of open houses will be held in various communities throughout Okanogan County in June 2022. This could include a pop-up series where we set up a tent, snacks, and exhibits while soliciting feedback on the plan. We will also have a survey available at the events, and info to access more materials online and in person.

· Saturday, June 4th, 2022 from 9am – 2pm at Okanogan Days in Okanogan, WA

· Thursday, June 16th, 2022 from 2-6pm at the Tonasket Farmers Market in Tonasket, WA

· Saturday, June 18th, 2022 from 9am – 12pm at the Methow Valley Farmers Market in Twisp, WA

· Tuesday, June 27th, 2022 from 3:30pm – 6:30pm at the Omak Farmers Market in Omak, WA

OCOG BOARD MEETINGS: 

There will be two regularly scheduled OCOG board meetings that will address updates to the CPT-HSTP.

First Meeting: Monday, June 13th, 2022 at 5:00pm

Intent: Provide demographics update report, progress report on public engagement efforts, and initial findings. The Board will be asked for feedback on progress and given the opportunity to advise the next steps in the planning process.

Second Meeting: Monday, July 11th, 2022 at 5:00pm

Intent:  Present final public engagement report, initial draft plan, including draft priorities and recommendations. The Board will have the opportunity to advise how priorities and recommendations are addressed and other aspects in the development of the final draft by August 2022.

Project Schedule

The plan is scheduled to be complete and adopted by September 1, 2022. The schedule below shows a high-level overview of the schedule to complete the plan by the proposed adoption date.

Resource Library

2018 CPT-HSTP

Get In Touch

Feel free to reach out if you have a question or comment, need more project information, or want to get more involved. Someone from our project team will get back to you shortly!

OCOG Contact: Brent Timm btimm@okanogantransit.com

SCJ Alliance (Consultant) Contact: Aren Murcar aren.murcar@scjalliance.com

Title VI Notice to the Public

The OCOG hereby gives public notice that it is the agency’s policy to assure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. Title VI requires that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or other activity for which OCOG receives federal financial assistance. For additional information regarding a subrecipient’s Title VI obligations, a public information request form must be completed and filed with the OCOG Title VI Coordinator.

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