HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 12, 2017
Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
April 12, 2017
7:00 pm Main Committee Room
Attendees: P. Bashaw
B. D’Souza A. Doucette D. Hughes V. Ronaldi M.Thorpe Ross
J. Whynot D. Wysocki T. Higgins, Staff Representative V. Plouffe, Supervisor, Facilities Operations L. Roberts, Recording Secretary
Absent: S. Bernardo, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade E. Fulton S. Wilkinson
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.
2. Review and Approval of Agenda T. Higgins outlined the agenda, noting there were no updates with respect to local issues to report at this time. He also noted that site plan reviews would be deferred to the May meeting, as staff were unavailable for review this evening.
3. Approval of Minutes
Moved by D. Wysocki Seconded by V. Ronaldi
That the March 15th, 2017 minutes of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Carried
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
4. New Business
4.1) Operation Centre Plan Review V. Plouffe appeared before the Committee and through the aid of a power point presentation as well as handouts, outlined the
plans for the new Operation Centre which will be located on
Clements Road, south of Bayly.
Has been in the design stage for four years
Will tender out in one week
Project has been scaled down, but key accessibility features will remain
Single level floor plan – no second storey
Existing operations centre is at the end of its life span
Hill into the soccer dome governed the grade for the site
Provided an outline of the location for all areas of the centre – parking, office, garage, etc.
Discussion ensued with comments/inquiries noted as follows;
There will be limited public traffic
All key doors will have automatic door openers with all
devices meeting accessibility requirements
Consultants/Project Managers/City staff will all be monitoring as the plans progress to ensure compliance
Opportunity to go beyond requirements
Projected completion date will be April, 2019 with occupancy in September, 2019
Old facility will be decommissioned
Secondary facility to be located in the northern area
Discussed best timelines for members to have a walk
about – possibly June or September of 2019
Opportunity to make adjustments
Questioned accommodations for accessibility for
disabled employees in office area
Dressing rooms/showers – discussed guidelines for turning radius
Suggested the elimination of doors on washrooms for
barrier free access
discussed privacy and security issues with elimination of doors – adjoining uses must be looked at
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
lighting – City has approved LED standards for improved lighting
lighting will include motion and heat sensors T. Higgins noted that changes were coming from the Ontario and possibly the Federal Government with respect to
employment-related accessibility standards, noting the City
could monitor as we go along with these plans in order to provide an exemplary site for the future employment of the disabled. It was also noted that funding is available through government grants, and V. Plouffe indicated that they were
keeping the design as flexible as possible with the inclusion of
open office spaces, U shaped large work stations. He also noted they are looking at new furniture standards, noting that the plans are all inclusive and not specific to accessibility.
Further discussion ensued;
importance of proper signage
raised lettering/braille
stand up desks
turning radius within showers
gender neutral washrooms
various types of lifts to transfer from wheelchair to change table/toilet area
important to note that disabled on occasion may have attendants to assist them
grab bars should be installed
should consider reinforcing of the structure in the current plans to allow for future adaptability
parking spaces – pavement markings for safe
connections to walkways
V. Plouffe noted that opportunity still exists for updating the plans and encouraged members to continue to submit recommendations through T. Higgins. He also noted he would bring photos for members as the project progresses.
V. Plouffe provided members with an update on the renovations of the Council Chambers/lobby area at City Hall, which are scheduled to commence at the end of June this year. He outlined the following:
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
design will encompass moveable parts, such as seating area as well as desks, to enable the Council Chambers
to be re-purposed for various events
customer care will have two barrier free locations
Members questioned captioning at meetings, and the
ability to view live meetings – logistics of this was discussed – need to know and understand the need for this as well as costs involved
Where would space be allocated for interpreters
Discussed effective cost solutions to captioning, such as having a tablet with Dragon software installed available V. Plouffe advised members he would be available to attend
future meetings to provide updates as the project progresses.
4.2) Recreation Programs & City Events T. Higgins advised members of the following upcoming events
and noted he would canvass for volunteers to attend through
email to confirm member’s availability.
April 27th - Human Rights training session organized by
Region of Durham
May 4th – Confederation Journey Youth Fair – being held at the Recreation Complex
May 27th – Your City event – being held at City Hall
June 1st – Accessibility Directorate forums –being held at 9 locations, but currently full
July 1 – Canada Day
Discussion ensued with respect to member’s roles at events. It was noted that we need to determine what our message is as well as having a meaningful activity in order to engage
residents at these events. The possibility of student
volunteers was suggested. T. Higgins canvassed members to volunteer to come up with an activity and script. B. D’Souza and M. Thorpe Ross volunteered to coordinate
this.
4.3) 2016 Year End Report/2017 Work Plan
T. Higgins to action
B. D’Souza/M. Thorpe
Ross to action
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
Timelines were discussed for preparing and presenting the 2016 year-end report and 2017 work plan. T. Higgins had provided members with an electronic copy and noted he will
forward a revised copy out electronically, as he had received one response. The deadlines for submission to Council are as follows: May 15th Council meeting – May 10th
June 26th Council meeting – June 21st It was noted that the June Council meeting would be the latest for submission, as the renovations to the Council chambers would be commencing.
5. New Business
5.1) Accessible/Affordable Housing Due to time constraints, this item will be deferred to the May meeting.
6. Other Business and Updates
6.1) D. Wysocki provided members with an update on the conference he had attended on April 11 held by Durham Region regarding web accessibility. He noted this was an
introductory level seminar providing good basic perspectives.
He stated the workshops were very well done, with presentations provided on writing for the web. He suggested this would be a good conference to run again, possibly at the City as a lunch and learn, or coordinated through the Board of
Trade.
6.2) D. Hughes noted he had attended a public meeting on behalf of the Accessibility Committee which was hosted by TRCA. He explained that TRCA is seeking input on their
proposed barrier free outdoor learning space at Claremont Field
Centre. He noted he had expressed concerns with their proposal for a deck, noting it needed to be raised to a proper level, possibly a wrap around deck. Also, he recommended a ramp at the back with a 5 degree angle. He stated they are still
working on the design, as there are still issues with ensuring
protection for the visually impaired.
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
6.3) D. Hughes provided an update with respect to the appeal hearing he had attended regarding a resident with a cognitive impairment who had been denied full service on Durham
Transit. He stated that the appeal had been denied. He noted a need to find additional funding options to provide support. He noted one possibility would be to charge full rates for individuals with disabilities, and using these funds to help pay for support workers to assist those with cognitive impairments.
It was suggested this could be discussed at a future meeting with Durham Transit in attendance. T. Higgins noted he had been in contact with Durham Transit,
and while a definite date to appear had not been decided, he suggested the possibility of May.
T. Higgins to action
7. Next Meeting: Wednesday May 10, 2017, Main Committee Room
Meeting Adjourned: 9:20 pm Copy: City Clerk