Step 2: Normative Requirements Pass (Discussion)

Section Content:

Facts:
Engineer M is retained by the City as the lead engineer on a major public infrastructure project to upgrade a highway system that runs through Community P, a historically underserved, underrepresented, and overburdened neighborhood.
During the planning phase, the City requires a series of public engagement sessions to gather input from the affected community.
Engineer M’s firm partners with an engineering consultant, Firm DBA, to coordinate public outreach and conduct these sessions.
Firm DBA has a department within its corporate structure that specializes in communications and public relations.
It is this department that is directly charged with providing these services on behalf of Firm DBA.
Firm DBA has licensed professional engineers in charge or in supervisory roles of all departments in the firm as well as in Firm DBA ownership.
Firm DBA organizes meetings at times and locations that are difficult for Community P residents to attend, such as during work hours at venues far from the area and not easily accessible via public transit.
Further, Firm DBA’s outreach and notices do not provide for a method for community members to submit written comments.
Finally, no virtual meetings are held to gather feedback from interested persons.
The area in which Firm DBA holds the public outreach sessions, Community Q, is an alternate route for the major public infrastructure project.
Few Community P members participate, and those who do express concerns about the project’s potential to displace residents and disrupt local businesses.
Many comments are received that support the upgrade through the historically underserved, underrepresented, and overburdened neighborhood (Community P) and not through Community Q.
Engineer M expresses concern to Firm DBA about the public outreach and session locations, but Firm DBA states that these practices are consistent with prior projects undertaken for the City.
Further, Firm DBA states that City leaders, citing economic, political, and social considerations, specifically instructed Firm DBA to perform the public engagement sessions in the way that Firm DBA completed them.
Despite Engineer M’s concerns, Firm DBA prepares a carefully-framed report, omitting details about where the sessions were held and at what time of day the sessions were held, including not identifying that written comments were not accepted.
Firm DBA submits a report claiming Community P’s support for the project, citing a lack of significant opposition and comments in support of the project.