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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 2, 2011 Minutes / Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee Wednesday, November 2, 2011 PICKERING 7:00 pm Main Committee Room Attendees: Councillor O'Connell Keith Falconer, Chair Terence Arvisais, Vice Chair M. Brenner Tanya Logan Doodnauth Sharma Don Tierney Jacob Yacoumidis Prem Noronha-Waldriff L. Roberts, Recording Secretary Absent: Ida Fogo Stephen Little Donna Manning Aisha Nathifa Heywood Sue Wilkinson Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as a ro riate 1. Welcome & Introductions Keith Falconer Keith Falconer welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Debbie Shields, City Clerk. 2. Delegation Debbie Shields, City Clerk appeared before the Committee to answer any questions or concerns with respect to Committee Governance. She noted the importance to set the meeting. schedules at the beginning of each calendar year and to try to adhere to the dates throughout the year. She provided an overview of the City Policy and Terms of Reference, providing copies for all members. She noted the Committee should start preparing their annual report and 2012 workplans for submission in 2012. She also noted that the appointments for Chair and Vice-Chair will be coming up in January, noting that the position of Chair is a one year term, which is up for re- appointment each year, with a maximum term of 2 years. She informed the Committee that an revisions or additions to Page 1 CORP0228-2/02 the Terms of Reference could be forwarded to her electronically. 3. Adoption of Minutes All Review & Approval of Minutes Moved by M. Brenner Seconded by T. Arvisais That the minutes of the September 28, 2011 meeting be adopted as amended. 4. Accessibility Awareness Event - November 5 All P. Noronha-Waldriff provided an update on the Accessibility Awareness Event for Saturday, November 5th. She noted everything was set to go with a start time of 11:00 am and displays at 9:00 am. She noted two more volunteers were needed to help at the booths and T. Arvisais volunteered to assist from 9 - 11:30 am. Those members who had previously volunteered noted they would also be available to assist throughout the day. P. Noronha-Waldriff also provided an overview of the materials which would be available at the Committee's booth. Discussion ensued with respect to the possibility of having an interpreter available and it was suggested this could be pursued for next year's event. 5. 5-Year Accessibili Plan - Review` • A detailed discussion ensued with respect to the 5-Year Accessibility Plan with the following comments being noted; • excellent document - lots of research done • some items could be implemented prior to compliance • Built Environment Standard - no standards set yet in legislation • how to ensure these recommendations happen • pursue possible funding options from Federal and Provincial levels as well as other programs currently in place • establish a dedicated amount from taxes collected for Accessibility Capital Budget projects - creation of a reserve fund • larger expenditures seem to be put in later years • automatic door openers at Millenium Square should be a priority • upgrade of Council Chambers to include accessible Page 2 CORP0228-2/02 viewing area (this item may already be included in the City of Pickering's budget for the future) P. Noronha-Waldriff noted that staff do outsource whenever possible, and have made application in the past. She noted an email had just been received from a Federal representative to P. Noronha-Waldriff to appear at a Committee meeting. P. Noronha-Waldriff noted action she would follow up on this for the new year. Councillor O'Connell noted her agreement with the idea of dedicated funding from such areas as a reserve fund into which donations could be received. Questions arose with respect to what Capital Projects were done in 2011. P. Noronha-Waldriff noted that the report is P. Noronha-Waldriff to available on the City website, but she would bring a status action report to the November 23`d meeting. Further discussion ensued with respect to the distribution of the City's budget to incorporate the projects in the 5 year plan. Procedures for a reserve fund were discussed. It was the general consensus of the Committee to have the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer or the Manager, Finance & Taxation attend the November 23`d meeting to L. Roberts to action discuss reserve funds further and also to answer questions with respect to the budget process. Moved by M. Brenner Seconded by J. Yacoumidis 1). That the Five Year Accessibility Plan be accepted with revisions as discussed, save and except the Built Environment Standard section; and, 2) That the Built Environment Standard section of the Five Year Accessibility Plan be deferred until such time as a representative from the Finance Department has met with the Committee. Carried 6. Accessibillity Survey P. Noronha-Waldriff provided copies of the Accessibility Survey, which was a combined effort between D. Tierney and S. Wilkinson. D Tierney provided a brief overview and the following suggestions were made; remove the first 3 lines which would remove name and Page 3 CORP0228-2/02 contact information • ask respondents to use geographic location • include a City contact if the individual wishes to contact someone from the Committee or City staff • look at including an insert in the tax bills to go out to all residents with a link to the survey • possibly look at including the survey in the Spring/Summer Directory • working with IT staff to have available on line P. Noronha-Waldriff advised that she would update the survey P. Noronha-Waldriff to and email to all members for review at the November 23~d action meeting. 7. Other Business 7.1) M. Brenner questioned whether there was a citizen of Pickering appointment on the Durham Region Accessibility Committee. P. Noronha-Waldriff noted that there are representatives on the Durham Region Accessibility Advisory P. Noronha-Waldriff to Committee, and will look into whether any Pickering residents action were appointed to the Transit Committee. P. Noronha-Waldriff to It was questioned whether the Accessibility members could action obtain the agendas and minutes for these meetings. M. Brenner also suggested looking into using the "Accessible Pickering" logo as a marketing tool. 7.2) Councillor O'Connell invited the members to participate in the Remembrance Day ceremonies being held at the City on November 6th at 10:30 am and November 11th at 10:45 am at Esplanade Park. She also noted the Santa Claus Parade which is taking place on November 12th. It was questioned whether Accessibility could have a banner on the City's float. 7.3) Councillor O'Connell noted that when representatives from Durham Region Transit Accessible Services were in attendance, she had raised the issue of improving specialized services. She noted this has now been included in the Region's budget and will continue to follow up on the implementation in 2012. 7.4) P.Noronha-Waldriff referred to a newspaper article with P. Noronha-Waldriff to respect to youth suicide. She suggested the Committee could action Page 4 CORP0228-2/02 form a connection with the schools through their "I am Who I am" program. 8. Next Meeting & Adjournment Next meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 7:00 pm. Moved by Councillor O'Connell Seconded by M. Brenner i That the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED Meeting Adjourned: 9:05 pm Page 5 CORP0228-2/02