HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 11, 2016
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
May 11, 2016
7:00 pm Main Committee Room
Attendees: P. Bashaw
A. Doucette E. Fulton C. Morrison V. Ronaldi M.Thorpe Ross
T. Higgins, Staff Representative I. Janton, Planner II – Site Planning L. Roberts, Recording Secretary Absent: S. Bernardo, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
D. Hughes J. Whynot S. Wilkinson S. Zeco
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appropriate)
1. Welcome & Introduction
T. Higgins welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Approval of Minutes
Moved by E. Fulton Seconded by P. Bashaw That the April 13, 2016 minutes of the Accessibility Advisory
Committee be approved. Carried
3. Business Arising from Minutes
T. Higgins provided an overview of the business arising from the minutes as follows:
Site Plan Review – a pamphlet providing information on accessibility for developers of residential developments
was passed around and will be forwarded to the members electronically for review and comment at the
L. Roberts to action
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June meeting
TTY – City is moving forward to ensure effective
alternatives to the current TTY systems
Plans to invite Durham Region Transit representatives to attend an Advisory Committee meeting to provide a presentation
Will continue to forward correspondence received electronically to members
T. Higgins to action
4. New Business
4.1) Site Plan Review & Feedback
T. Higgins introduced Isabelle Janton to the new committee members present. I. Janton provided an overview of the following site plan applications:
Father Fenelon School:
I. Janton outlined the location of the school, which opened late in 2015. She noted they have received funding for a daycare which will be privately run by the YMCA. She also indicated
they will be adding an additional drop off area and outlined the
access areas to the school. She also provided an outline of the floor plan, indicating that it would be fully accessible. V. Ronaldi questioned whether an outdoor play area was being
considered. It was noted that the surrounding community also
uses school play areas during off school hours. It was suggested that making accessible playgrounds was an important issue and should be suggested to the applicants.
970 Brock Road I. Janton provided an overview of the site plan application for 970 Brock Road, located at the corner of Brock Road and
Dillingham Road, south of Bayly. She noted this was an old car dealership site and that the application was minor in nature. She stated that the applicants were proposing interior renovations, expanding the mezzanine area to a full second floor, as well as re-cladding the building and cleaning up the
site. She also noted the applicants were proposing curb cuts, ramps, and accessible parking. She noted that the second floor would be fully accessible, but that the only accessible washroom will
be located on the main floor.
I. Janton to action
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Members felt it was important to include accessible washrooms on the second floor. I. Janton noted this was most likely
excluded due to space constraints, but would advise the applicant accordingly. Pre-Consultation for Site Plans
I. Janton provided members with an overview of the process for site plan approval for commercial, industrial and multi residential applications. She outlined the procedure for pre-consultation with applicants, where City staff and applicable commenting agencies review the proposal and advise the
applicant of the Site Plan Application requirements. She stated this is a great opportunity to bring up any concerns. T. Higgins noted he plans to attend and would inquire about committee members attending as well. This is a good opportunity to let applicants know what they should be including, prior to the
formulation of plans. 4.2) AAC Report and Plan T. Higgins advised members that he was in the process of
preparing the draft 2015 report and 2016 work plan for the Accessibility Committee. He noted he would tentatively forward an electronic version to members on May 25th for review and comment. He stated this would be on the June 8th agenda for the Committee’s endorsement with a final version being
forwarded to Council on June 27th. T. Higgins also noted this would be a good opportunity to put together a power point presentation to present to Council on that day. P. Bashaw questioned the Committee’s accountability with
respect to the report and work plan, and requested that this be placed on all future agendas to ensure commitments are on track. Members also felt it would be helpful to have a copy of last year’s report, and were advised this would be forwarded out electronically.
4.3) Upcoming Events and Future Agenda Items T. Higgins requested that members consider recessing for the summer months. He noted that should items of importance
come up during that time, the Committee could agree to meet,
or a protocol could be established to keep in touch as required. It was noted the Committee could decide on an approach at the
I. Janton to action
T. Higgins/L. Roberts to action
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June 8th meeting. 4.4) Recreational Programs
T. Higgins informed members that the City has received concerns from residents regarding accommodations for recreational programs.
Discussion ensued with respect to the problems with identifying accommodation requirements and disabilities, as P. Bashaw noted individuals do not have to provide proof of their disability. T. Higgins noted that occasionally the accuracy of a claim can be questionable, and with the current process making it difficult
to validate. He also noted that the programs are not designed for open end accessibility programs. He stated the City is in the process of updating related policies and programs, as well as staff and volunteer training.
V. Ronaldi questioned whether the Committee could review these policies. T. Higgins noted this would be provided for members to comment as well. He also noted he has contacted other accessibility coordinators in Durham Region, and would bring this forward again at the June 8th meeting. V. Ronaldi
suggested that the best practices Province wide be considered as well. P. Bashaw noted that Participation House and Kerry’s Place would be good organizations to contact as well.
T. Higgins noted that he would be attending a meeting on May 26th with a possible presentation by Durham Region Transit representatives, and would invite them to attend an Accessibility Advisory meeting as well to speak on related
processes.
T. Higgins to action
T. Higgins to action
5. Correspondence
5.1) Captioning at Council Meetings
T. Higgins noted he had received correspondence with respect to the lack of closed captioning of Council meetings across Durham Region. He noted the primary letter was addressed to Rogers Cable, with Mayors and Accessibility Advisory Committees being copied. He indicated that he would forward
a copy of the letter out to members and will keep the committee updated.
T. Higgins to action
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V. Ronaldi noted the importance of this issue, and questioned who had sent the letter and why Rogers was not providing this
service. She also questioned whether a response had been sent.
6. Other Updates and Business
6.1) Canada Day
T. Higgins provided an update on the Canada Day event noting
the City was working to make the event even more accessible
than ever this year. He noted that Kinsmen Park would be upgraded with accessible pathways with improved connections. He indicated they were also looking into improvements for pedestrian and traffic flow.
C. Morrison questioned monitoring and enforcement of accessible parking spaces. V. Ronaldi questioned the location of accessible washrooms.
T. Higgins noted a possible site visit by AAC members in advance of Canada Day.
6.2) Parking By-law
T. Higgins noted that the Parking By-law is in the middle of the consultation process currently, with public events being included as well. He outlined some of the reported issues, being the lack of temporary parking being addressed, the need
for enforcement to ensure legitimate usage of the accessible parking spaces.
6.3) Altona Forest
T. Higgins noted that he had participated in a site visit at Altona Forest along with Larry Noonan and TRCA to consider what
accommodations would be possible for accessibility in rugged outdoor areas.
P. Bashaw advised that he had met with Parks Canada to discuss accessibility in the Rouge Park. He noted there are plans for bus tours to vistas in the park with information guides.
He also noted discussions were continuing with respect to identifying trails and making them accessible, as well as plans for a boardwalk and totally accessible trails along the Rouge River from Lake Ontario to Highway 401.
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6.4) Brock Ridge Park
A. Doucette advised members of the safety concerns at Brock Ridge Park by the ball fields. He stated there is no easy access
to the two ball fields at the front. He noted that when attempting to access the area, he encountered difficulty, resulting in a dangerous situation.
T. Higgins advised that he would bring this concern forward to City staff and inquire about timelines. He also noted that
signage should be posted to make residents aware of possible barriers/hazards.
6.4) Sidewalks
M. Thorpe Ross noted concerns with the sidewalks north on Valley Farm Road. She noted they are very narrow at the
bridge north of Finch.
V. Ronaldi questioned how concerns that are raised at Committee meetings are being addressed. She referred to her previous concerns with the lack of sidewalks along some portions of Kingston Road. T. Higgins noted that he would
extend an invitation for City staff to attend the June meeting to respond to questions of this nature and to address timelines. He also noted concerns would be relayed to Durham Region as well.
C. Morrison suggested that D. Hughes speak on his project with
regards to accessible housing possibly at the June meeting.
T. Higgins to action
T. Higgins to action
6 Next Meeting: Wednesday June 8, 2016
Main Committee Room
Meeting Adjourned: 8:55 pm Copy: City Clerk