HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 10, 2019
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
April 10, 2019
7:00 pm
Main Committee Room
Attendees: Peter Bashaw
Bianca D’Souza
Saima Fatima
Donna Holmes
Dan Hughes
Glenn Lang
Anthony Lue
Megan Thorpe Ross
Sue Wilkinson
David Wysocki
Tim Higgins, Staff Representative
John McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Scott Booker, Manager, Capital Projects & Infrastructure
Arnold Mostert, Sr. Coordinator, Landscape & Parks Development
Linda Roberts, Recording Secretary
Brenda Gregory, (Acting) Coordinator, Records & Elections
Guests: Paul B.
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Action Items/Status
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1. Welcome
T. Higgins welcomed members and guest to the
meeting, with introductions made around the table.
2. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Review & Approval of Agenda
T. Higgins reviewed the agenda items with the
agenda approved as presented.
4. New Business
4.1) Aging out of System Supports and Services
Paul B. appeared before the Committee to share his
life experiences and complex challenges in dealing
with a cognitive disability. He explained the lack of
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government programs available after a certain age,
as youth become adults and how it varies according
to where you reside. He also explained the treatment
received by individuals dealing with these disabilities,
and the perception from potential employers when
seeking employment. He noted that some are
expected to work as continuous unpaid volunteers in
order to gain employment. He also discussed
barriers encountered when trying to find his own
solution for employment, with a limited client base
due to communication issues.
A discussion ensued with members noting that a
large issue surrounding accessibility is employment
for the disabled, and how to change the
psychological barriers with respect to gaining
employment. Also noted was the need to change the
mind of business as well to eliminate the stigma.
S. Fatima noted a hospital in the Toronto area which
has an open hiring policy for persons with disabilities
and noted she would share this information.
T. Higgins noted a need to continue to encourage
Council to focus on the issue of employment for the
disabled, and also encouraged members to share
information in this regard as they become aware.
4.2) Built Environment Update
S. Booker and A. Mostert appeared before the
Committee to provide updates with respect to Capital
projects currently underway, those completed, as well
as work in progress. Detailed information was
provided on various City sidewalk projects as well as
parks, playgrounds, roads and pathways. S. Booker
encouraged members to continue to provide their
comments and feedback with respect to these
projects.
A. Mostert provided members with a PowerPoint
presentation outlining details on parks & playground
projects which included:
S. Fatima to action
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Rotary Frenchman’s Bay West Park, recently
completed, outlining the challenges in finding a
balance between public use and the natural
environment. Work included the
reconstruction of Beachpoint Promenade with
lay-by parking, construction of the waterfront
trail off-road, a picnic area with accessible
tables, interpretive kiosk, seating areas with
spaces to accommodate wheelchairs and
pathways for safety and improved accessibility
Foxtail Green, a new park in Seaton which is
completed with the exception of the
playground equipment
Noted safety surfacing in playground areas for
mobility devices
Outlined location for shade areas/splash pads
and playground area
Comments noted:
Beneficial to incorporate emergency buttons at
pedestrian crossings
Could protective material be used on the
playground decks for protection from the heat?
Fencing system for protection of those with
cognitive disabilities, similar to what has been
implemented in Ajax?
Create specific access points to assist autistic
children
A. Mostert continued the presentation outlining the
following projects for this year;
Centennial Park Master Plan – removal of the
small baseball diamond
Construction of pathways to connect the
playground area, washrooms, new picnic
shelter and ball diamond
Larger outfield fencing for ball diamond
Usman Green, located behind the Pickering
Islamic Centre - tender just closed and
construction to begin this spring
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
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Action Items/Status
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appropriate)
Extensive public consultation was completed
for this project
Seating area with fencing to contain activity
from the street
Explained the functional/accessible details of
the furniture
Esplanade Park to have a permanent
landscape installation along Valley Farm Road
which will consist of concrete seat walls and
benches with a variety of seating options to
block vehicles from entering the park
particularly during large events
S. Booker continued the presentation by providing an
overview of the road and sidewalk projects as follows;
Plans for urbanizing Sandy Beach Road with
pedestrian amenities such as multi-use path
on the west side and wider concrete sidewalks
on the east side
Anticipate 2 – 3 years for completion with a
start date later this year
Dedicated street lights to be installed on the
west side, being mindful of area residents
Comments and questions are noted as follows:
Questioned the installation of turning lanes on
Bayly for improved traffic flow
Will a Traffic impact study be completed for the
north side of Bayly?
How will residents access the park and
waterfront from the condominium
development?
What is the standard for lighting?
S. Booker continued the presentation by outlining the
new sidewalk installations as follows:
Church and Bayly Streets – identified new
development with a casino located to the
north, industrial factory to the south
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
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Installation of sidewalks/multi-use paths for
access to the park and waterfront
Wide concrete sidewalk will facilitate the
factory
Brock Road – Claremont
Existing asphalt sidewalk does not meet
current standards, is in poor condition, which
will be updated this year.
Discussion ensued with S. Booker responding to
questions raised regarding the benefits and
associated costs of sidewalks over multi-use
pathways. It was noted that the City will be
incorporating new standards for the Seaton
development.
Claremont Public School, Central Street in Claremont
will be getting a facelift, with new sidewalk
construction.
Kingston Road
Identified challenges with respect to sidewalk
installation in the area of the plaza east of the
Whites Road off ramp on the north side of
Kingston Road, as the sidewalk stops at the
plaza
Difficult to determine the logistics for the
sidewalk installation, with different jurisdictions
involved, as well as a massive ditch in the
area
Curbs on the south side are lacking curb cuts
Safety issues with a lack of lighting
S. Fatima questioned the lack of sidewalks on the
northeast corner of Brock Road near the Islamic
Centre, north of the bridge. S. Booker noted the City
is working on making connections.
4.3) Service & Support Animals
T. Higgins provided members with a brief overview of
the project with D. Wysocki providing the following
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Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
updates on their action plan, tasks and a summary of
their initial findings:
Group is comprised of ten members with a
good representation from all stakeholders
Held two meetings via conference call and
assigned tasks
How best to identify service animals and the
surrounding confusion and lack of consistency
Too complex an issue to regulate on a
municipal level
Variety of different support animals
Very easy to get certification online from “for
profit” companies by answering a few simple
questions
Need to ensure proper training of animals for
public safety
Responsibility to Council to provide
recommendations
Needs to occur on a Provincial level
Three Provinces have already implemented
varying degrees of regulation
Need to pull together and communicate on a
Provincial and Federal level
Will be meeting with Councillors to brief them
on their progress to date and next steps
D. Wysocki noted he would provide members with
detailed documentation on his draft report.
T. Higgins noted they had a good team assembled to
provide leadership and advice on best practices in
order to influence policy on both a Provincial and
Federal level.
D. Wysocki to action
5. Review & Approval of Minutes
Moved by D. Wysocki
Seconded by D. Hughes
That the Minutes of the January 9, 2019 meeting of
the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
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Moved by S. Wilkinson
Seconded by S. Fatima
That the Minutes of the March 13, 2019 meeting of
the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
6.0 Other Business & Updates
6.1) Upcoming PAAC Deliverables & Events
T. Higgins provided members with the following
updates:
The Committee is receiving great support from Mayor
Ryan with respect to addressing concerns related to
Durham Transit, with the need for improving
customer service, as well as the issues surrounding
delays in crossing municipal borders.
G. Lang noted that the Region of York offers a
service which allows people the opportunity of having
a guide on their first few trips. He questioned
whether the transit authorities would consider
integrating volunteers.
T. Higgins noted that the David C. Onley award for
Leadership in Accessibility will be presented at the
April 23rd Council meeting, noting this was the third
consecutive year in which Pickering has received this
award. He encouraged members to attend the
meeting, which will begin at 7:00 pm.
T. Higgins noted he was currently working on the
2018 year-end report and 2019 workplan with plans
to present to Council on May 27th. He advised that
he would prepare a draft and forward to members by
the end of April for review. He also noted this was a
good opportunity for members to make a presentation
to Council and encouraged attendance.
T. Higgins advised members of the following
upcoming events:
Civic Awards – May 13 Your City Event – May
25
T. Higgins to action
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Canada Day – July 1
6.2) Roundtable Updates
B. D’Souza stated she had taken the orientation
course on the webinar and noted that upcoming
webinars would be offering information on reading
site plans, which she felt would be very helpful
D. Holmes noted that having descriptions during the
meetings was very beneficial
D. Hughes noted the condo project was working with
Apple to implement fully automated units
J. McLellan noted he had attended the Mayor’s
Breakfast and quoted some of David Onley’s report to
help bring forward an increased awareness of
accessibility issues.
S. Fatima stated she was encouraged to hear
updates on the sidewalks, as the area on Brock Road
by the Islamic Centre is difficult to access, particularly
for those with mobility devices.
T. Higgins noted that Rogers Cable had filmed the
“Polar Plunge” event which has raised over
$24,000.00 for Special Olympics.
7.0 Adjournment
Meeting Adjourned: 9:17 pm
Copy: City Clerk