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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 13, 2016 Page 1 of 8 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee January 13, 2016 7:00 pm Main Committee Room Attendees: P. Bashaw A. Doucette D. Hughes C. Morrison S. Wilkinson T. Higgins, Staff Representative L. Roberts, Recording Secretary Guests: D. Selsky, Manager, Capital Projects & Infrastructure N. Emery, Coordinator, Traffic Operations A. Mostert, Sr. Coordinator, Landscape & Park Development Absent: T. Arvisais S. Bernardo, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade M. Brenner Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome & Introduction T. Higgins welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made for the members of City staff in attendance. 2. Approval of Minutes Moved by S. Wilkinson Seconded by C. Morrison That the December 9, 2015 minutes of the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be approved. Carried 3. New Business 3.1) Parking By-law Consultation Plan Update N. Emery provided members with an overview of the draft work plan for the Accessible Parking Project, explaining they were currently at the consultation stage of the project. He noted they were proceeding with the recommendations as noted at the November meeting of the Accessibility Committee, which included the number and size of accessible parking spaces as well as pavement marking details. He also noted staff had Page 2 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) prepared a consultation plan to present the proposal, and provided members with a copy. N. Emery also provided members with a copy outlining the information to be contained on the City’s website. He explained notification to the community would consist of mail outs, newspaper advertising, Town hall meetings as well as social media. He also noted business owners and other organizations would be contacted as well for input. A discussion period ensued, with T. Higgins explaining the advisory role of Committee members and also the timelines for the process. The consultation process was discussed with the following comments and questions noted;  Questioned extent to which by-law might/should go above and beyond the AODA standards  Questioned whether previous City consultations were successful  Documents will be available on line as well as a questionnaire  What information will be provided to community prior to the public meetings?  Frame questions to engage people in discussions  Highlight how the proposed by-law will vary from Ontario law  Looking into temporary accessible parking for special events such as Ribfest  Information should be provided outside of Pickering as well for consultation purposes  Invite representative from AODA to the City for discussions  Questioned whether the by-law would apply to commercial spaces as well or be grandfathered in  Questioned whether the City will take a proactive approach  Importance of looking at the design of parking lots and curb designs  Parking spaces need to be barrier free in order to get from one end to the other in commercial plazas without crossing live traffic  Possibility of commercial businesses joining together for cost savings  Concerns that site plans are not integrated T. Higgins encouraged members to provide comments to him as well as N. Emery, which will be used to shape the Page 3 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) consultation plan and the by-law. D. Selsky also requested that locations be provided as well. Members questioned viewing the reports, and T. Higgins noted we would provide a link to these on the City website’s Parking By-law consultation area. Moved by C. Morrison Seconded by D. Hughes That the Accessibility Advisory Committee support City Staff’s Draft Work Plan for Accessibility Parking Project and Communications Plan for Accessible Parking. Carried 3.2) Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment A. Mostert provided members with an overview of the Standard Operating Procedures prepared by City staff, to ensure compliance with the Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment, noting the AODA requirements. As an example of several standards currently under development, he provided members with a draft copy of the Standard Operating Procedure for outdoor public use eating areas, outlining staff’s participation and responsibilities. He also noted a checklist has been developed for the design, set-up and maintenance of outdoor public use eating areas to ensure conformity with AODA requirements. He also indicated the checklist will go above and beyond AODA requirements to integrate other relevant standards such as those from CSA, and to recognize best (successful) practices. A. Mostert noted that staff workshops will be conducted to train staff and build awareness. T. Higgins noted that by developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures, we are currently at the stage of operationalizing commitments made in the 5 Year Accessibility Plan 2016 - 2020. It was noted that staff will be able to access an online checklist to ensure projects are executed to achieve AODA compliance. It was questioned whether checklists would be accessibile on mobile phones. A discussion period ensued with the following questions and comments noted:  Additional ramps needed for special events such as T. Higgins to action Page 4 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Ribest  Event staff should be well informed with respect to accessibility requirements for set up at special events such as seating and spacing  Possibility of City purchasing fold up ramps for use at all events  Curbs and markings need to be improved at special events  Discussed accessibility on recreational trails at Altona Forest – some exceptions may apply for such areas as heritage designations  It is a requirement that signage be posted at recreation trails noting accessible areas  Include Prince of Wales park in future budget for walkway surfacing  Questioned whether by-laws could be imposed on Parks Canada  Set up meeting with Parks Canada to discuss accessibility in parks T. Higgins suggested an evaluation be done of the new Standard Operating Procedures in one year’s time. He also noted the Committee members could be provided with the draft Standard Operating Procedures in order to provide comments prior to their approval. A. Mostert noted he would aim to provide the balance of draft SOP’s that pertain to the built environment by the next meeting. Moved by P. Bashaw Seconded by C. Morrison That the Accessibility Advisory Committee support the work of staff which has been completed to date on the draft standard operating procedures. Carried 3.3) Curb Cuts S. Wilkinson informed members that she has documented a number of areas where there are opportunities for improvement of accessibility with respect to curbs and sidewalks which she had provided to the Customer Care Centre at the City. She noted she had received a good response from staff. She stated that she had identified approximately 12 curb cuts in need of T. Higgins/A. Mostert to action Page 5 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) repair between Glenanna and Brock Road area and had met with M. Pelzowski in Engineering & Public Works at the City in December. Discussion took place and it was noted that going forward, new sidewalks and crossings will be improved. Discussion ensued with respect to the coordination challenges regarding sidewalks on Regional roads. It was questioned whether the issues related to maintenance of, or design of, the sidewalks, as well as where the responsibility lies. D. Selsky responded to questions raised and provided an overview of the City’s responsibilities and noted that arrangements have been made for the installation of tactile plates at locations approved by the Region. D. Selsky stated that he would review S. Wilkinson’s list and discuss with staff in order to find a resolution. He extended an invitation for Sue to meet with staff in order to work together to find improvements and also to prioritize the list. A. Doucette noted concerns with inaccessibility of the sidewalks at Brock Road at Bayly. It was noted that some of the difficulties were the result of work being conducted by the Province. S. Wilkinson also noted safety concerns at Glenanna and the Esplanade North with seniors crossing mid-block as well as crossing from 1000 The Esplanade over to the park. T. Higgins noted there seems to be concerns with communication and collaboration between the Province, Region and City regarding ownership and responsibility for the sidewalks, noting a collaborative effort is needed to improve harmony between the various jurisdictions. It was noted that this be placed on the future agenda items list. 3.4) Civic Awards T. Higgins advised members that nominations close on February 4th. P. Bashaw has provided T. Higgins with a nomination for consideration. It was noted that the City’s website is now set up for nominations, and T. Higgins encouraged members to consider additional submissions. He noted that awards of various kinds would be an ongoing topic D. Selsky/S. Wilkinson to action T. Higgins to action Page 6 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) on future agendas. A. Doucette suggested also looking into volunteer awards coordinated through MPP’s Tracy MacCharles’ office. 3.5) Upcoming Events T. Higgins encouraged members to advise him of any additional upcoming events. 4. Business Arising from Minutes T. Higgins provided an overview of the business items arising from the previous minutes as follows: Tax Clinics  outreach was conducted through a contact with the Pickering Library – generated a lot of interest  D. Hughes noted he would partner with the City on this or do on his own  P. Bashaw also volunteered to assist Memo to HR  T. Higgins noted he will be contacting HR and would aim to bring this item forward in February or March Accessible Housing  will be included on the future agenda items list PingStreet Application  Nancy Johnstone has advised that Accessibility will be added as a category in “Report a Problem” in January, 2016  Postcard was distributed at the Your City event in October, 2015 and is now available in all facilities. Mail-outs to hamlets will be done in the new year, with consideration of additional distribution in 2016  PingStreet usage has increased significantly Site Visit to Delaney Rink  The March meeting will be held at the Recreation Complex, O’Brien Room  Part of the meeting will involve a tour of Delaney Rink D. Hughes/P.Bashaw to action T. Higgins to action Page 7 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 5 Year Accessibility Plan:  was approved and is now set up on the City’s website  has been distributed to core staff as well as the Library  Advertising in newspaper has taken place  place on the 2016 work plan to track progress A desire to see youth become involved in the Committee – C. Morrison noted he was still in contact with various schools and could put the word out. P. Bashaw questioned whether accessible housing should be considered as part of social housing, as a number of residents requiring this also need financial assistance. Discussion ensued with the possibility of public forums being held as well as meeting with developers and the Durham Home Builder’s Association. C. Morrison to action 5.0 Correspondence 5.1) Regional AAC Minutes T. Higgins noted he had forwarded the Regional Accessibility minutes out to members and would continue to share this information. 5.2) Site Plans Review & Feedback – Kinsale Golf Course T. Higgins advised that he had forwarded comments he had received from Members regarding the Kinsale Golf Course on to I. Janton in City Development, noting that she would provide feedback to members at a future meeting. 5.3) CCTV Donation to Petticoat Creek Library T. Higgins informed members that P. Bashaw had made a generous donation to the Petticoat Creek Library. He had provided equipment that will magnify documents for the visually impaired. 6.0 Other Business 6.1) Member Resignation T. Higgins advised members that T. Arvisais had submitted his resignation. It was noted that in accordance with City policy, advertising for the vacancy will be placed in the local newspaper as well as the City’s website. L. Roberts to action Page 8 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 6.2) P. Bashaw suggested that a meeting with Parks Canada representatives be held and offered to make this contact and advise D. Selsky as well. It was suggested this could be a potential delegation at a future meeting. 6.3) A. Doucette noted that the Pickering Museum has a sub-committee for award submissions and suggested that Mandy Smiles would be a contact for this. P. Bashaw to action 7. Next Meeting: February 10, 2016 Main Committee Room Meeting Adjourned: 9:00 pm Copy: City Clerk