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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 10, 2019 Page 1 of 8 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. Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 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 -Cd:Jof- p](KERJNG Page 2 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 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 Page 3 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)  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 Page 4 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as 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 Page 5 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)  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 Page 6 of 8 Item/ Ref # 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 Page 7 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 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 Page 8 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)  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