Overview
The Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) is important to ensuring the tax-paying public is given ample opportunity to access, review, and comment on plans, studies, and other documents as they are being developed. The SEP helps members of the public and affected organizations understand how to participate effectively in the APO’s planning processes.
The procedures outlined in the SEP are reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to ensure a full and open participation process.
The SEP helps the APO meet federal rules related to public involvement, Civil Rights, and language access. The SEP combines three federally required plans into one document.
APO staff speaking at a community listening session hosted by the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization (CAIRO).
- Public Participation Plan (PPP). The PPP is the document in which the APO outlines its process for creating opportunities for public involvement, participation, and consultation — particularly in the development of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
- Title VI Plan. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination by the federal government regarding public assistance. Since the APO receives federal funds, it is required to have a Title VI Plan. This plan must be updated at least every three years.
- Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan. Programs and activities receiving federal funding assistance (including those conducted by the APO) must take reasonable steps to ensure that people with limited English proficiency have meaningful access. The LEP Plan examines the services the APO provides, identifies any needs for services to those with limited English proficiency, and develops and implements a system and/or plan to provide those services so LEP persons can have meaningful access to them.
Title VI Plan
Title VI and other applicable non-discrimination regulations require that the transportation needs of all populations be considered throughout the APO planning process, including during plan development, programming, and project selection.
Certain population groups are afforded protections under federal regulations such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title II, and the Older Americans Act (OAA). The APO’s Title VI Plan — a component of the SEP — fulfills this federal requirement. Click below to view the Title VI specific section of the APO’s SEP.
Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice by the APO has a right to file a formal complaint with the APO, MnDOT, or the U.S. DOT. Any such compliant must be in writing and filed with the APO’s Title VI Compliance Manager within 180 days following the date of the alleged discriminatory occurrence.
More information on the Title VI compliant procedures and how to file a formal complaint can be found on the APO’s CIVIL RIGHTS page.
Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan
In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the APO evaluates how language barriers may affect access to its services. Federal regulations and interpretations of Title VI continue to support reasonable efforts to ensure meaningful access for individuals who face language-related barriers.
The APO’s Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan — a component of the SEP — fulfills this federal requirement. Click below to view the LEP specific section of the APO’s SEP.
LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY PLAN (PDF)
Social Media Policy
As part of its commitment to transparent and accessible public involvement and in compliance with federal requirements under 23 CFR 450.316 the APO uses social media to share information and gather input on transportation plans, projects, and programs.
The APO’s social media platforms are used to share details about ongoing planning efforts, public meetings, surveys, events, and opportunities for input. These platforms complement existing outreach tools including the APO’s website, printed materials, and in-person engagement. All content shared on social media is written in clear, easy-to-understand language to support wide accessibility.
The APO’s Social Media Policy — a component of the SEP — can be found in Appendix D of the document. Click below to view the Social Media Policy specific section of the APO’s SEP.
Stakeholder Engagement Plan Annual Report (SEPAR)
The APO annually assesses the effectiveness of its public input processes. We do this to help ensure that they are reasonable and convenient for the public, and result in more and better feedback. By reviewing the effectiveness of our processes, we hope to improve them over time and keep them relevant and convenient for the public.
DOWNLOAD LATEST SEPAR (PDF)
History of Changes to Current SEP
Oct. 9, 2025
The APO’s Policy Board approved an update to the Stakeholder Engagement Plan. The adopted plan supersedes all other SEP documents.
