HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 22, 2011
City o~ Minutes / Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
PI KERING 7'00 pm
Civic.Complex, Main Committee Room
Attendees: Keith Falconer, Chair
Councillor O'Connell
Ida Fogo
Stephen Little
Tanya Logan
Aisha Nathifa Heywood
Don Tierney
Sue Wilkinson
Prem Noronha-Waldriff
Renee Michaud, Recording Secretary
Absent: Terence Arvisais, Vice Chair
Donna Manning
Jacob Yacoumidis
Item/ Details & Discussion &'Conclusion Action Items/Status
-Ref # (summary of. discussion) (include deadline as
a ro riate
01. Welcome & Introductions Keith Falconer
Keith Falconer welcomed Committee members. Roundtable
introductions were made.
2. Ben Chartier, Deputy General Manager Ben Chartier
Specialized Services & Contract Services, DRT
Ben Chartier and Bill Bekarovski, Supervisor, Specialized
Services, provided an overview of the Durham Region Transit
(DRT) Accessible Services. A copy of the presentation is
attached.
About 39% of passengers in wheelchair and scooter and 61 %
of ambulatory (walkers/canes) use specialized services on a
daily basis for a number of trip purpose, from medical, work,
school and social.
Ridership has increased by 36% from 2005 across the region,
with Pickering ridership up by 13.4%. The highest increase is
in Oshawa with 41 which can be attributed to the new
university and the hospital. It was noted that the trips are
tracked from the originating point.
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DRT is committed to improving the conventional service
currently offered by FLAG service, Community Bus and
Accessible Fixed Routes by introducing more Low-Floor Buses,
Courtesy Seating, Hard Surfaced Stops and Shelters.
Mr. Chartier mentioned that 84% of DRT's fleet is accessible
and the goal is to be fully accessible by 2014. From the total
hard surfaced stops of 2798, 1258 (45%) are accessible. DRT
modified 271 stops in 2010 and has identified 500 more stops
for modification in 2011.
The challenge is to accommodate accessible stops along some
roads where there are no sidewalks and stops are located near
culverts.
As part of the AODA Compliance requirements, DRT is
implementing Customer Service Standard Training, Integrated
Accessibility Regulation (Transportation Standard) with better
Stop Announcements (2011), Courtesy Seating (2.012), Fare
Parity (2013) and Support Person Fares (2014).
Councillor O'Connell enquired if Oshawa had more buses as
they have higher ridership. Mr. Chartier advised that the buses
are stored at the depots available in Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa
and are dispatched as needed. There is no priority based on
the number of buses stored at a certain location.
S. Little asked how DRT determines the stops required and if it
is based on volume, location, etc. Mr. Chartier advised that
DRT is currently upgrading the stops which can be improved
easily and also works closely with area municipalities to
coordinate improvements at sites that they have identified as a
concern.
Councillor O'Connell mentioned that Councillor McLean brought
up the issue of who is responsible for maintenance of the pads
at the bus stops, for snow removal, grass cutting, waste
collection etc., to ensure easy and clear access to the bus.
B. Bekarovski noted that DRT is responsible for the Councillor O'Connell
maintenance of bus stops. They have increased requested that the
communication with municipalities for improved coordination for committee refer this
snow clearing within 24 hours after a snow fall. Drivers are also matter to staff for
encouraged to report any stops requiring clearing. review and report back
with current measures
Councillor O'Connell also enquired about furniture in bus in place.
shelters. Mr. Chartier advised that there is an RFP for more
enclosed bus shelters and that he will confirm whether furniture
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is included in the RFP. It was noted that benches should
include proper back and arm rests.
Other challenges for drivers include monitoring of courtesy
seating and support person fares.
T. Logan enquired about TTC connection with DRT. B.
Bekarovski advised that this service is available and that riders
need to be registered with DRT and should book rides a few
days in advance.
Councillor O'Connell asked about the impact of PRESTO card
implementation and whether DRT is considering this system.
Mr. Chartier noted that they are reviewing PRESTO card
systems but have not approved implementation at this time.
It is expected that the new Pedestrian Bridge across the 401
will increase ridership and improve connections with TTC and
GO Train.
Discussion followed on booking specialized services, for a day
trip or for block booking, and whether this service could be
automated via phone or internet. DRT is currently reviewing
improvements for their system which will require budget
approval.
K. Falconer thanked both Mr. Chartier and Mr. Bekarovski for
their insightful presentation.
3.' Agenda & Minutes All
Review & Approval of Agenda
Moved by Councillor O'Connell
Seconded by Ida Fogo
That the Agenda for the June 22, 2011 meeting be amended to
include a separate item for Site Plan discussion with Tyler
Barnett, Planning & Development.
CARRIED
Review & Approval. of Minutes
Moved by Stephen Little
Seconded by Aisha Nathifa Heywood
That the minutes of the May 15, 2011 meeting be adopted.
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CARRIED
Business Arising from Minutes
Not applicable.
4. Updates: All
Regional AAC Meeting May 30, 2011
- 2011 Presentation to Council, June 20, 2011
Regional AAC Meeting - May 30, 2011
P. Noronha-Waldriff reported that A. Nathifa Heywood did an
excellent presentation on behalf of the committee. Others in
attendance included Sue Wilkinson, Jacob Yacoumidis and Ida
Fogo.
Other presenters were from the Abilities Centre and Elections
Ontario. P. Noronha-Waldriff to circulate minutes of the
meeting upon receipt.
2011 Presentation to Council, June 20, 2011
K. Falconer and T. Arvisais presented the 2011 AAC work plan
to Council at the June 20, 2011 meeting as required by
committee mandate. Other committee members in attendance
were Sue Wilkinson, Ida Forgo and A. Nathifa Heywood. The
City Clerk confirmed by memo that the presentation was
received.
P. Noronha-Waldriff noted that the designated wheelchair P. Noronha-Waldriff to
seating area in Council Chambers is not accessible when the refer to Facilities staff
video projection screen is down as it blocks the area. Better for review and report
accessible seating area should be considered, back.
5. Accessibility Awareness Event
Media Bearer Program
P. Noronha-Waldriff advised that the Committee has been P. Noronha-Waldriff to
asked to nominate a Medal Bearer for the Rick Hansen run on submit ad for
November 5t". A complete list of candidate qualifications was community page for
outlined and municipalities are given 3 options for nominating a nominations.
resident to represent the city. The committee agreed to
proceed with the "Call to Nomination" option due to the short
submission deadline of August 3rd
Site Plan Review 1 Stephen Little'
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Tyler Barnett, Senior Planner, Planning & Development was
invited to meet with the committee members in order to provide
guidelines to review site plans. T. Barnett indicated that the site
plans are reviewed by a number of groups and agencies. Each
provides their comments to Planning & Development which are
compiled for the Site Plan Committee review.
The committee is requesting a check list for items to note when
reviewing site plans.
S. Little indicated that site plans can be quite overwhelming for
most people and a checklist with a description of the codes
would be extremely helpful for items such as parking spaces,
curb cuts, ramps and slopes, etc.
T. Barnett advised that he will submit the committee's request
to the Director of Planning for approval.
Councillor O'Connell agreed that the checklist with key
elements would be very beneficial to committee members as .
most of them are new to the committee.
A. Nathifa Heywood requested that the checklist should be in
simple terms, not too technical, to better understand the
description.
S. Little suggested that the committee could meet on a
separate occasion rather than the regular scheduled meetings
for the site plan training.
Councillor O'Connell suggested that P&D wait until they have 2
or 3 plans to review to schedule the training session.
It was agreed that the committee would meet at 6 pm on a
Wednesday during the summer months for the training session.
P. Noronha-Waldriff to coordinate with T. Barnett and contact
committee members for availability.
7. Other Business
Pickering Accessibility Needs Survey - S. Wilkinson circulated
copies of the draft survey for comments. A few changes were
recommended. The revised survey will be forwarded to IT for
setup as a link on the City's website.
Increased Committee visibility at Council meetings - A. Nathifa
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Heywood commented that the committee should consider
having regular participation at the Council meetings in order to
increase their visibility in the community. After discussion, it was
agreed that the committee will have several opportunities to
appear before Council to present survey findings and report
back on the Accessibility Awareness Event. The committee will
also be presenting its annual work plan in January 2012.
Regional Forum in Ontario- P. Noronha-Waldriff and S.
Wilkinson attended this Forum last week. Brochures were
circulated for information.
Integrated Accessibility Standards - This became law in June
2011. P. Noronha-Waldriff distributed copies of the report for
committee members' review and feedback at next meeting.
I
Cultural Strategic Plan - P. Noronha-Waldriff reminded
committee members that Marisa Carpino sent a survey a few
weeks ago and response is required by July 0.
Committee Correspondence - K. Falconer read correspondence
received from the Region of Durham and organizations. It was
suggested that this type of correspondence should be
circulated to committee members as it is received and that any
items of interest should be added to the agenda for further
discussion.
By-law Review - Councillor O'Connell suggested that the
committee should consider assigning rotating responsibility to
committee members to. review City by-laws as they pertain to
accessibility issues. This could be added as part of the regular
agenda items and art of the committee's mandate.
8. Nezt Meetin &,Ad ournment
Next meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
at 7:00 pm.
Moved by Sue Wilkinson
Seconded by Ida Fogo
That the meeting be adjourned.
CARRIED
Meeting Adjourned: 9:45 pm
opy: City Clerk
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