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