Adopted: October 8, 1992

Updated: August 19, 2008

SHEBOYGAN TRANSIT SYSTEM

PUBLIC COMMENT POLICY

FOR

FARE AND SERVICE CHANGES

The Sheboygan Transit System (STS) will specifically seek public comment on fare and service changes under any of the following circumstances:

a.         Any increase to the full adult fare,

b.         any increase to the ADA paratransit fare,

c.         any decrease in service in which 10% or more of the total system services is considered for elimination

When circumstances dictate the solicitation of public comment, then open public meetings and public hearings will be held.  The open public meetings may take the form of monthly regular or monthly special Sheboygan Parking and Transit Utility Commission (PTUC) meetings.  Citizens attending these public meetings where fare or service is considered will be afforded an opportunity to speak to the Commission.  Letters written or referred to the PTUC with respect to fare or service changes will also be considered at the public meetings.

Additionally, when the Commission proposes to increase the fares or decrease service per any of the above circumstances, at least one public hearing will be held prior to the City of Sheboygan Common Council meeting that adopts the budget incorporating the subject fare or service changes.

The Public Hearing will meet the following criteria:

a.         Published public notice will be given as to the date, time, location and purpose of the public hearing;

b.         the notice will allow for mailed written public comment in lieu of attendance at the hearing;

c.         the public notice will be printed at least 10 calendar days prior to the hearing;

d.         the public hearing will be held in a location accessible to persons with mobility disabilities;

e.         a record of the proceedings will be made.  Transcripts of the proceedings may be obtained at the expense of those requesting such a transcript;

f.          comments from the public will be taken up to the closing time of the public hearing.  The hearing shall have a duration of no less than one hour for the collection of public comment, and no individual will take more than five minutes to present a view point, and, or the moderator of the public hearing reserves the right to limit comments to five minutes or less;

h.         for the sake of the record, persons submitting comments at the hearing will be asked to provide their name and address

i.          Sheboygan Transit System officials may make a presentation concerning a fare increase or service reduction;

j.          either the Director of STS, the Chairman of the PTUC or a Commissioner of the PTUC will hold, chair, and moderate the public hearing proceedings.

After the Public Hearing, the Director of STS will present a summary of the proceedings to the Commission.  The Director may also submit a summary communication to the City of Sheboygan Common Council with regard to the public comments from the hearing.  These summaries will be communicated prior to the city of Sheboygan Common Council meeting that adopts the budget incorporating the subject fare or service changes.