HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 17, 2026
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Main Committee Room
June 17, 2026 - 07:00 PM
Present:
S. Azhar
D. Currie
K. Hale
D. Schick
M. Shackleton
T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator (Staff Liaison)
V. Plouffe, Division Head, Facilities Management & Construction
A. Mostert, Manager, Landscape & Parks Development
D. Poida, Senior Project Manager, Capital Projects
A. MacGillivray, Council and Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Regrets:
B. Ferguson
C. Rudberg-Chin
S. Snyders
A. Topple, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Councillor M. Brenner
Councillor M. Nagy
Review and Approval of Agenda
T. Higgins provided an overview of the agenda and requested that Item 5.5 regarding the
Facilities External Lighting Report be moved closer to the front of the agenda as new Item
5.3.
Moved By D. Currie
Seconded By D. Schick
That the Agenda for the June 17, 2026 Meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee
Meeting be approved, as amended.
Carried
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Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes, May 20, 2026
T. Higgins reviewed the Minutes of May 20, 2026 and highlighted various action
items.
Moved By D. Currie
Seconded By D. Schick
That the Minutes of the May 20, 2026 Meeting of the Accessibility Advisory
Committee be approved.
Carried
Delegations/Presentations
There were no delegations.
New Business
City Centre Park (7:10 pm)
Jeanne Ng, MJMA Architecture & Design provided an overview of the Pickering City
Centre Park project, highlighting the location of the park and its surrounding context,
the community engagement undertaken to date, and he design concepts
considered and their respective features.
Quorum was lost at 7:38 pm. Quorum was reattained and the meeting resumed at
7:40 pm.
Discussion ensued amongst the Committee regarding:
whether elements could be integrated into the design that highlight the City's
history, public art, and culture;
•
the need to ensure that the pathways and landscape elements are well
defined and accessible;
•
whether the landscaping and architecture can be designed to provide more •
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private spaces for gathering around the park;
concerns regarding pedestrian safety and vehicle traffic along Glenanna Road
adjacent to the park.
•
A. Mostert, Manager, Landscape & Parks Development encouraged Members to
send any further feedback to him through T. Higgins.
Bonita Park (7:25 pm)
A. Mostert, Manager, Landscape & Parks Development provided an update to the
Committee regarding concerns raised about Bonita Park, speaking to the types of
accessible features considered and incorporated into the park, and highlighting the
other parks that the City is updating and their respective features.
Facilities External Lighting Report (8:00 pm)
Vince Plouffe, Division Head, Facilities Management & Construction, City of
Pickering provided the Committee an overview of the Facilities External Lighting
Report that was conducted and highlighted various findings and the City's response.
Quorum was lost at 8:25 pm. Quorum was reattained and the meeting resumed at
8:27 pm.
George Ashe Library and Community Centre (7:35 pm)
T. Higgins introduced the guests in attendance for this matter, including Bill Holmes,
General Manager, Durham Region Transit, Matthew Darling, Project Manager,
Rapid Transit and Active Transportation Implementation, Region of Durham,
Megan Rippin, Eligibility Coordinator for Specialized Services, Durham Region
Transit, and Michael Binetti, Supervisor, Policy and Planning, Durham Region
Transit
Diana Poida, Senior Project Manager, Capital Projects, City of Pickering and
Matthew Darling, Project Manager, Rapid Transit and Active Transportation
Implementation, Region of Durham spoke to the proposed location and design of
the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus station at Kingston Road and Rosebank Road
and the proposed accessible pedestrian access to George Ashe Library and
Community Centre (GALCC).
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Discussion ensued amongst the Committee and guests regarding:
whether travel transit information displays could be considered to be
integrated into the GALCC;
•
the anticipated naming of the BRT station to be "Rosebank";•
whether way finding signage could be considered which include estimated
walk time from the GALCC to the bus station; and,
•
the next station westward anticipated to be located at Altona Road.•
Seaton Recreation Complex and Library (SRCL) (7:50 pm)
Diana Poida, Senior Project Manager, Capital Projects, City of Pickering provided
the Committee an update on the Seaton Recreation Complex and Library (SRCL)
project, highlighting the accessibility of various features throughout the interior and
exterior.
Discussion ensued amongst the Committee regarding:
the Helsinki University Research (HUR) equipment at the Abilities Centre in
Whitby and whether that equipment could be explored for potential
incorporation into the SRCL;
•
positive sentiment regarding the design of the facility;•
integration of this facility into the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP); and,•
whether accessibility could be prioritized and maintained if cost-cutting
measures are required to bring the project back within budget.
•
Canada Day - Roster and Planning (8:30 pm)
T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator, City of Pickering spoke to the Committees
involvement in the City's Canada Day Event hosting the Tranquility Tent. T. Higgins
highlighted the Committee's opportunity to promote the City's Multi-Year
Accessibility Plan (MYAP) Survey, the Sunflower Program, and connecting with
event attendees.
T. Higgins to follow up with Members to ascertain who may be available to
attend the event to assist.
MSAA AAC Forum - June 18, 2026 (8:40 pm)
T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator, City of Pickering spoke to the Ministry of
Seniors and Accessibility (MSAA) Forum Event that took place on June 11, 2026
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highlighting the informative presentation at the event regarding the site plan review
process. T. Higgins spoke to the opportunity to utilize the presentation to help train
new Committee Members in the future on how to assess site plans for accessibility.
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP) – Planning (8:45 pm)
T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator, City of Pickering provided an update regarding
the City's Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP), highlighting:
the consultation process underway to solicit public input, including the survey,
pop up events, and focus groups;
•
the brainstorming of ideas to incorporate into the MYAP to encourage the City
to go above and beyond compliance with regards to accessibility; and,
•
Dr. Jutta Treviranus' work on accessibility standards for artificial intelligence
(AI).
•
T. Higgins indicated that he would share material with the Committee
pertaining to the work of Dr. Jutta Treviranus' on accessible AI.
Reports to Council - Update (8:55 pm)
T. Higgins spoke to approval of the Committee's 2025 Year End Report and 2026
Work Plan and the Report regarding Accessible Doors at City Facilities being
presented at the June 22, 2026 Council Meeting.
Other Business
There was no other business.
Correspondence
There was no correspondence.
Adjournment
Moved By D. Currie
Seconded By D. Schick
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
The meeting adjourned at 9:27 pm.
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