HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 18, 2020Page 1 of 5
Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
November 18, 2020
Electronic Meeting
7:00 pm
Attendees: Peter Bashaw
Glenn Lang
Anthony Lue
Megan Thorpe Ross
Sue Wilkinson
David Wysocki
John McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Tim Higgins, Staff Representative
Rumali Perera, Committee Coordinator
Guests: Isabelle Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning, City of Pickering
Jamie Austin, Deputy General Manager - Business Services,
Durham Region Transit
Michael Binetti, Supervisor - Service Design, Durham Region Transit
Absent: Donna Holmes
Dan Hughes
Saima Fatima
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Welcome & Introductions
T. Higgins welcomed members and guests to the
electronic Committee meeting.
2. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Review and Approval of Agenda
T. Higgins reviewed the agenda items. Agenda
approved.
4. Review and Approval of Minutes
-October 21, 2020
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
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Moved by M. Thorpe Ross
Seconded by D. Wysocki
That the Minutes of the October 21, 2020 meeting of
the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
5. New Business
5.1 Durham Regional Transit
Jamie Austin, Deputy General Manager, Business
Services and Michael Binetti, Supervisor, Service
Design, Durham Region Transit joined the
electronic Committee meeting via audio connection
and presented detailed information on DRT’s
COVID-19 response to date. They discussed
ridership impacts, resumption of fare collection,
and provided an overview of the multi-phase
service plan, including a revised network and level
of service frequency to respond to the change in
ridership. Expansion of transit in rural areas was
noted. Information on the Durham Region Transit
app (DRT on-demand) was shared. M. Binetti
presented draft social equity guidelines which
include priorities, communities of focus, as well as
guidelines and goals. He sought feedback from the
Committee.
A question and answer period ensued between
Members of the Committee and Jamie Austin and
Michael Binetti regarding:
• whether the draft social equity guidelines
was still open for consultation and the AAC’s
ability to provide feedback on the guidelines;
• addressing the unique needs of the different
groups identified as equity priorities in
Durham Region;
• whether the vehicles used through the on-
demand app are accessible;
• whether the PRESTO E-ticket was merged
with the Toronto Go bus ticket;
• whether the Kubota lands would be included
within the on-demand zone;
• whether DRT was working on ensuring that
bus stops were accessible;
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Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
• whether a trip from Oshawa to Bowmanville
would only cost one fare;
• purchasing tickets through the PRESTO E-
tickets application;
• the importance of recognizing abilities as a
top equity priority (rather than at the bottom
of the list) and the intersectionality among
the different equity priority groups;
• the disconnection of important resource
centres within Durham, such as the Abilities
Centre and the Pickering Football Club, and
the importance of considering DRT resource
deployment for these locations; and,
• ensuring that public consultation is carried
out periodically, especially with people with
disabilities, to evaluate the quality and
effectiveness of the service being provided.
D. Wysocki provided an overview of the Service
and Support Animal Initiative, and noted that
transportation service providers are a key
stakeholder group. Mr. Austin and Mr. Binetti
discussed the importance of the initiative as it
relates to transportation service providers and
noted that representatives from DRT would be
available to participate in the upcoming innovation
labs.
5.2 Site Plan Review - S04/11(R20), Conseil
Scolaire Viamonde, 2235 Brock Rd
Isabelle Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning, City
of Pickering, provided the Committee with an
overview of the proposed site plan, noting that the
applicant is requesting to build a daycare and an
outdoor amenity space onto the existing school.
Through the aid of site plans, Ms. Janton provided
the Committee with an overview of the proposal.
A brief discussion period ensued between Members
of the Committee and Ms. Janton, regarding:
• whether the applicant had received permission
from the Province to construct the proposed
daycare;
• opportunities to go beyond the standards to
recognize various abilities; and,
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
• impact of COVID-19 on the design and
whether appropriate licenses and design
standards had been incorporated.
Through the aid of a video, Isabelle Janton, Senior
Planner - Site Planning, City of Pickering, provided
the Committee with a visual representation of the new
proposed Fire Hall in Duffin Heights.
5.3 Motion to Council – Accessible Housing
T. Higgins asked members for input for drafting a
motion to Council regarding the subject matter.
A discussion period ensued between the Committee
Members regarding:
• enabling Staff to work with the AAC to draft
recommendations on improving accessible
housing in Pickering;
• framing the motion to speak to policies and
principles that currently exist in the City;
• lack of accessible housing in Pickering;
• designating lands for accessible housing;
• accessibility concerns with condominium
buildings pertaining to lack of space within the
unit;
• developer’s reluctance in building accessible
housing due to revenue reasons; and,
• the Federal government’s opportunities fund.
T. Higgins noted that a motion to refer the matter to
City staff for a report with recommendation would be
a suitable solution.
6. Other Business & Updates
6.1 Member Updates
D. Wysocki provided the Committee with an update
on the Service and Support Animal Initiative, noting
that the survey development and the Innovation Lab
planning are well underway. Members commented
that a good way to receive exposure to the Initiative is
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Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
to advertise the survey on the City’s website and the
News Advertiser.
P. Bashaw noted that Rouge Park was designing a
new accessible park trail, noting that other updates
were also being made to the Park.
J. McLellan discussed two level residential elevators.
A. Lue noted that he had attended his first Rick
Hansen ratings as part of the Ontario pilot project,
and commented on the challenges and barriers he
had experienced.
7. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 9:18 pm.