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HomeMy WebLinkAbout January 10, 2018 Page 1 of 7 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee January 10, 2018 7:00 pm Main Committee Room Attendees: P. Bashaw A. Doucette D. Hughes V. Ronaldi M. Thorpe Ross S. Wilkinson J. Whynot D. Wysocki T. Barnett, Principal Planner, Site Planning V. Plouffe, Manager, Facilities Capital Projects T. Higgins, Staff Representative L. Roberts, Recording Secretary Absent: S. Bernardo B. D’Souza E. Fulton Guests: Saul Perdomo, Digital Project Leader, Pickering Library Tammy-Lyle Gravlev, Pickering Soccer Club Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome T. Higgins welcomed Members and guests in attendance. Introductions were made around the table. 2. Review and Approval of Agenda T. Higgins reviewed the agenda. No changes were proposed. Page 2 of 7 3. New Business 3.1) Site Plan Reviews – 1474 Bayly Street T. Barnett appeared before the Committee to provide an overview of the site plan application for 1474 Bayly Street. This had been sent out electronically for members to review, and the consensus was in favour of this procedure, as it results in easier viewing. Through a power point presentation, he outlined the location of the site, which is the Art Thompson Arena site, a prime area for development. He noted the zoning revisions have been done, and the area will have a significant density, which is in conformity with the Provincial Growth Plan. Mr. Barnett stated the application proposes a 17 storey residential building, noting the existing commercial building will be demolished. He outlined the interior amenities and noted there will be two levels of underground parking with a limited amount of surface parking, as it is anticipated there will be mostly commuter traffic in the area. It was noted that an appropriate number of parking spaces above and below grade will be accessible, with sufficient on-street parking for the commercial space. He outlined the ground floor space, stating there would be combined residential and commercial on this level. Discussion ensued with comments and concerns noted as follows:  Potentially a good site for accessible living with access to the City Centre  Pedestrian connections need work – particularly Krosno Creek  Long term plan to connect to Brock Road from Sandy Beach  Safety concerns with pedestrian pathways and access over to the walkway onto Liverpool in the interim, until such time as permanent connections are completed  To create a side entrance for safer access  Ensure proper lighting on walkways as well as the entrance  Questioned how access would be made to the Go Train Page 3 of 7  Will there be a Wheel Trans drop off/pick up area? P. Bashaw inquired about the feasibility of incorporating a training facility for Olympic athletes. The Members felt this has a great potential as an accessible place to live, with some minor revisions and felt it deserved a “B” rating. T. Barnett encouraged members to continue to bring any issues forward to the City. 3.2) Library Update Saul Perdomo, Digital Project Lead, Pickering Public Library, appeared before the Committee to provide an update on the PPL Connect, which is a Provincially funded project. He stated the goal is to strengthen the Library role to support and assist the community through education and training. With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, he outlined the various tools available, including 3D printers, Snap circuitry, smart phones and tablets. He also outlined their community outreach, which included pop-up events outside of the Library which creates gathering points for residents of all ages. He also explained the wireless hotspot lending program, which is a portable device that provides residents access to the internet wherever they go, noting they currently have ten available for lending. He explained how this will bridge the gap in access to technology and is available to all residents over the age of 18 with a Library card. Mr. Perdomo also noted their mobile circulation services where they visit residents unable to leave their homes. Discussion ensued with members inquiring about the cost to purchase and maintain hotspots, as well as how additional ones would be funded. Members also inquired about services for disabled, with Mr. Perdomo noting he would be happy to discuss opportunities. It was suggested that possibly service clubs such as the Legion or Board of Trade could become involved to help raise funds to offset some of these costs. Page 4 of 7 T. Higgins will provide members with Mr. Perdomo’s contact information. 3.3) Pickering Soccer Club Update Tammy-Lyle Gravlev appeared before the Committee to inform members about the Pickering Soccer Club’s new program “In Motion”, which is an active living program for adults aged 55+, funded by the Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund and the Pickering Soccer Club. She noted the program will focus on health and well-being, education, and provide social interaction and recreational opportunities. Ms. Gravlev provided members with a brochure. She noted they have just held their first day with 25 residents participating. She noted they had expressed a lot of interest in walking on the soft surface in the dome. She explained some of the activities they had set up for the day, which had been well received by all participants. She noted their plans in moving forward to make the program available on Mondays and Fridays, and are looking at ways to help offset costs. She also noted plans in February for a walking soccer program, which will be a pay-per-use program. She noted that the Pickering Soccer Club has funding until the Spring of 2019 and is looking into sponsorships to keep the costs down. Comments from Committee;  Is there a Durham Transit stop?  What accommodations are in place for transportation – plans for car pooling?  Potential to market to new moms as an indoor walking facility  Opportunity to connect with seniors  Questioned whether there would be any concerns with pressurization for residents with hearing impairments Ms. Gravlev encouraged members to spread the word about this new program. She also advised members that the last Tuesday of the month, they have partnered with Loblaws to do a food sampling. T. Higgins to action T. Higgins to touch base with T. Gravlev to discuss transportation options Page 5 of 7 3.5) Conservation Building Update V. Plouffe appeared before the Committee to provide an update on the progress of the conservation building, formerly known as the Steam Barn. Through hard copies of plans provided as well as a PowerPoint presentation, he outlined the location of the site, which is west of Greenwood. He stated the building currently is unheated, poorly clad with no insulation. This is not ideal for its current use which is housing a significant collection of artifacts, due to a lack of space at the Museum. He noted that the intent of the project is to remove the exterior cladding and rebuild to add a heating and cooling system which will be more conducive to Museum-grade storage. He also noted plans would include a conservation lab, dedicated office space and a volunteer workshop area. Discussion continued with respect to the following:  no accessible access to the upper level, as it will only house a mechanical room  this building is generally not open to the public  the site itself is the biggest challenge, as it consists of gravel and grass pathways which also make maintenance difficult  no space on the site to accommodate a new building  members questioned whether the entrance could be moved – intention is to create a side entrance Moved by A. Doucette Seconded by P. Bashaw That the Accessibility Advisory Committee endorse the project in principle as presented. Carried V. Plouffe noted there would be a lot of work happening on a variety of projects throughout 2018, pending budget approval, and that he would keep the Committee apprised on an on-going basis. Page 6 of 7 3.5) Accessible Transit Update T. Higgins informed the members that he was in the process of preparing the letter which would soon go out to Durham Regional Councillors, copying mayors, among others, with respect to the motion approved at Pickering Council in December. This is in regards to identifying potential improvements to accessible transit in Durham Region. Members shared disappointing stories of their experiences with Durham Region Accessible Transit. One member discussed his experience on Christmas Day, being unable to travel to Toronto, and left on his own to make his way home, which required travelling in portions on the roadways, resulting in his wheelchair getting stuck numerous times. Other issues with accessible transit are noted as follows:  being told no accessible transit available past 6:00 pm  lengthy on-hold wait times to book rides  snow ploughs filling in curb cuts  lack of coordination with snow clearing between street and sidewalk ploughs  why is there only one specialized transit bus  DRT seems to be unaware of the Human Rights Code Members also advised of additional concerns as follows:  “integrated” DRT service which transfers residents from specialized transit vehicles to/from regular buses, which requires multiple, illogical and inefficient transfers for some riders  Bus shelters are not accessible, sometimes lack seating and the buses are often too crowded.  One incident where an autistic young person was on the bus for 2 ½ hours to travel from Pickering to Whitby and became agitated T. Higgins advised members that he and D. Hughes had participated in an interview with the Pickering News Advertiser, and that it would be published in Page 7 of 7 next week’s edition. The interview was based on the customer service concerns raised at Pickering Council December 11, 2017 regarding accessible transit. Members were encouraged to continue to bring forward to the AAC real-life stories of incidents and to report concerns to ADO (the Regulator), as all calls are recorded. 3.6) 2017 Civic Award Nominations T. Higgins reminded members that the deadline for submissions for Civic Awards was February 8th, and encouraged members to think of potential nominations. 3.6) Member Updates  Safety concerns with accessible taxicabs  Questioned why the fishtail curb cuts could not be consistent throughout the City  Issues with sidewalk clearing with the ploughs blocking the curb cuts with snow  Would like to invite a representative of Parks Canada out to a meeting  Need a standardized system for reviewing site plans All members to action All members to action T. Higgins to action T. Higgins to action T. Higgins to action P. Bashaw to action T. Higgins to action 4. Review & Approval – December 13, 2017 Minutes & Business Arising Moved by A. Doucette Seconded by D. Hughes That the December 13, 2017 minutes of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Carried Meeting Adjourned: 9:10 pm Copy: City Clerk