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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 23, 2011 City o~ Minutes / Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee Wednesday, November 23, 2011 PIKEING 7:00 pm Main Committee Room Attendees: Councillor O'Connell Keith Falconer, Chair Terence Arvisais, Vice Chair Maurice Brenner Doodnauth Sharma Don Tierney Jacob Yacoumidis Ida Fogo Stephen Little Aisha Nathifa Heywood-Delpeache Sue Wilkinson Prem Noronha-Waldriff L. Roberts, Recording Secretary Absent: Tanya Logan Donna Manning 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 the first delegation. Moved by M. Brenner Seconded by D. Sharma That one additional item be added to the agenda under delegations. Carried 2. Delegation 1) IAmWho IAm Cody Morrison appeared before the Committee to provide an overview of their organization I Am Who I Am. Through the aid of a power point presentation, he provided background information on their organization comprised of students as well as school leaders which was launched at Pine Ridge Secondary School on November 14, 2011. Page 1 CORP0228-2/02 He noted their goal is to raise awareness and support of those affected by cancer and muscular dystrophy. He provided information on their fundraising efforts, noting their goal is to raise $10,000 for the purchase of a wheelchair, in the hopes of donating this to a Pickering family in need in memory of Mitchell Wilson. A question and answer period ensued. The members expressed their interest in assisting the organization and questioned how this could be achieved. P. Noronha-Waldriff invited the organization to attend various upcoming events that the City of Pickering will be hosting. K. Falconer thanked the delegations for attending and Cody Morrison presented the Committee with a poster. He also noted that the information on the organization is available through the school's website. 2) Durham Region Rapid Transit James Garland, Project Manager, appeared before the Committee on behalf of Durham Region Rapid Transit. He provided members with handouts as well as a power point presentation. He provided an outline on the Highway 2 Priority Measures, alternative design concepts, accessibility plans and the next steps. He noted the Highway 2 corridor challenge to accommodate growth and stated the need to change people's mode of transportation. He explained the factors involved when the options for the plan were considered. He noted that by 2031 the Region's population is projected to approach one million people. Highway 2 will continue to be one of Durham Region's most important corridors. He outlined the transit priority measures and long term strategy to handle demand, showing the four alternate solutions considered and identifying the preferred solution of curbside bus only lanes with on-road buffered bicycle lanes. He outlined the accessibility aspects, including buses, stops, sidewalks and crossings, identifying how intersections will be changed. He explained the reasons for right turn channelization lanes and identified pedestrian concerns. He noted it is now at the consulting stage with the next steps being to review all public and agency comments, reevaluate the Page 2 CORP0228-2/02 alternatives, and prepare the EA with a target date of February or March, 2012 and 2013 for construction to begin. A question and answer period ensued with questions regarding winter maintenance, right turn signalizations and countdown signals as well as timeframes. Members also questioned whether there would be a policy on curb cuts and grades. Mr. Garland noted he would share the detailed plans with the Committee. 3. Adoption of Minutes All Review & Approval of Minutes Moved by T. Arvisais Seconded by M. Brenner That the minutes of the November 2, 2011 meeting be adopted. Carried 4. Accessibility Awareness Event - De-Brief All P. Noronha-Waldriff provided an update with respect to the Accessibility Awareness Event held on November 5tn The following comments were noted: • Date & Time - could look into December 3rd to coincide with International Day of Disabled Persons or in conjunction with Accessibility Awareness Week • Centre Court venue in Pickering Town Centre proved to be a good location • Alternate location of food court could be quite cramped with less visibility • Look into email promotion by Pickering Town Centre • Keep in touch with participating groups throughout the year - possibly by forwarding out the minutes • Shorten time gap between speakers • Improve on press coverage for next year P. Noronha-Waldriff stated she had received good feedback from the participants and asked members to keep in mind throughout the year possible speakers or groups to contact for next year. K. Falconer thanked members for their participation in the event. Page 3 CORP0228-2/02 5. 20'12=2016'Accessit ilit .Plan P. Noronha-Waldriff informed the Committee that the Chief Administrative Officer and the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer were unable to attend tonight's meeting, but were on the agenda for the January 25th meeting. Discussion ensued with respect to the deferred portion of the Accessibility Plan, being the Built Enviroment Standard with concerns respecting the timelines for inclusion in the 2012 budget. It was noted the importance to have a reserve fund for projects which were not tied into large projects already in the budget, but for the stand alone projects such as the washroom doors at the waterfront. The need for an accessible component in the budget was stressed, particularly for retrofit. 6. Accessibility Survey Discussion ensued with respect to the accessibility survey completed by D. Tierney and S. Wilkinson, with the primary issue being whether to ask for the person's name on the survey. It was suggested that direction be obtained either through the City Clerk or City Solicitor on matters of seeking information of L. Roberts to action this nature from the residents. They questioned the legalities with respect to human rights, etc. The committee members felt, it was important to be able to contact the person filling out the survey. Discussion ensued on the format of the survey as well as timelines to launch and methods in which to provide residents access to the survey. 7. Site Plan Review The Committee reviewed the site plan application for First Gulf with the following comments being made: • Parking standards not being met • Signage for parking not displayed on site plans It was suggested that the Committee ask for a review of the parking standards. It was felt the current standards are obsolete and do not take into account current demographics. It Page 4 CORP0228-2/02 was suggested this be placed on the next agenda for discussion. P. Noronha-Waldriff to action 8. Other Business 1) M. Brenner questioned whether the Committee had ever set P. Noronha-Waldriff to aside time for a planning exercise with respect to a 2012 work action plan and asked that a copy of the 2011 work plan be provided to the members. 2) Councillor O'Connell informed the Committee she had attended a Joint Works Committee meeting at the Region and brought up the issue of intersection timing. She noted they were open to working with groups on specific locations and asked members to bring back any concerns they may have at the next meeting. She will forward concerns to the Commission of Works at the Region of Durham and continue to provide updates on this matter. 3) Councillor O'Connell noted she has begun to work with City of Pickering staff on the hiring of persons with disabilities with the hopes of working this into the current framework. Positive steps have been taken in this respect and a presentation on this matter will be held at the February meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee. 3) Councillor O'Connell noted her concerns with the policy on drive thrus in the City of Pickering as well as full station gas stations. She indicated she would work on a policy to bring forward at the next meeting. 4) K. Falconer advised the Committee that he had attended the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) Convention in Toronto recently on anti-homophobic and bullying issues. He noted he had expressed his support of a program to end bullying, reading out his resolution. He noted the position did not go far enough, but stated he was able to get an amendment to include disabled persons. 8. Next Meeting & Adjournment Next meeting to be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Moved by T. Arvisais Seconded by A. Nathifa Heywood-Delpeache That the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED Meeting Adjourned: 9:50 pm Page 5 CORP0228-2/02