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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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