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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 21, 2024 Page 1 of 6 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee February 21, 2024 Hybrid Electronic Meeting Main Committee Room 7:00 pm Attendees: A. Khan C. Rudberg-Chin M. Thorpe Ross S. Snyders M. Shackleton K. Sullivan J. McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade Councillor M. Brenner M. Murray, Division Head, Culture & Community Programming I. Janton, Senior Planner – Site Planning K. Roberts, (Acting) Supervisor, Cultural Services T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator (Staff Liaison) J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary) Absent: S. Azhar B. Ferguson D. Currie L. Gibbs, (Acting) Director, Community Services Councillor M. Nagy Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Review and Approval of Agenda Moved by C. Rudberg-Chin That the Agenda for the February 21, 2024, Meeting of The Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting be approved. Carried 2. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 3. Approval of Minutes Page 2 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Moved by C. Rudberg-Chin Seconded by M. Shackleton That the Minutes of the January 17, 2024 meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Carried 4. Presentations/Delegations There were no presentations or delegations. 5. New Business Due to technical difficulties, the order of New Business was adjusted. 5.1 Canada Day Planning & Participation K. Roberts provided an overview of the Canada Day Event proposed Site Plan. K. Roberts outlined a review of the Event in the past and provided proposed plans for 2024, highlighting increased efforts to make the event more accessible and welcoming. T. Higgins identified past challenges with transit issues arising, and that a more simplified plan would limit margins for error and unplanned obstacles. Discussion ensued with Committee Members regarding: • clarification of the walking route from the proposed bus drop off; • that the path to the event area is paved, but that the event area is gravel; • various options to increase accessibility of graveled area such as “Mobi-Mats” and adaptive golf carts; • clarification that all transit buses will be designated accessible buses and that the challenge is managing a safe onboarding system that can accommodate the busiest departure times; and, • the suggested possibility of identified accessibility tickets. Page 3 of 6 5.2 Site Plans Review – I. Janton 1125 Squires Beach Road – File: S 07/88(R23) I. Janton provided an overview of the Site Plan for 1125 Squires Beach Road. The site plan outlines an existing building and a proposal for an addition for manufacturing and warehouse purposes. The property has asked for a reduction of the approved 133 parking spaces down to 52-55 parking spaces and will provide three Accessible Parking spaces, two located at the front entrance and one located near a secondary entrance where there is a depressed curb. Access to the addition is through the existing building which currently meets Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requirements. Discussion ensued between Committee Members and staff regarding: • clarification that the entrances are barrier free and that no modifications are proposed to the existing building; and, • that public access would be through the front entrance, which is accessible. 1355 Kingston Road – File: S13/23 I. Janton provided an overview of the Site Plan for a proposed seven story hotel, noting that this is a preliminary design and that proposals are still being sent out to various hotel chains. Decisions will be finalized when the contract is awarded. The proposed hotel site is directly across from City Hall and will provide full access to the Pickering Town Centre. Accessible Parking will be available and the site will meet AODA requirements. Discussion ensued between Committee Members and Staff regarding: • that this could be an opportunity to build a flagship example of accessibility that highlights features that exemplify accessibility; • that it is early enough in the planning phase to invite the developers to discuss and share ideas of accessibility with the Committee at a future meeting; and, • clarification that the only outdated AODA requirements that will be “grandfathered” in are in reference to the Fire Alarm System currently in place at the Pickering Town Centre, referring to the colours of the Fire Exit Signage, and that the new structure will comply with the building code and AODA requirements of today. Page 4 of 6 5.3 Exterior Lighting – City Hall/Library K. Sullivan provided a slideshow presentation outlining the importance of adequate lighting in public spaces, specifically noting City Hall and the Pickering Public Library. Highlights included the current status and issues relating to Municipal outdoor lighting, next steps, and ways to improve. Discussion ensued amongst the Committee Members regarding: • the importance of addressing outdoor lighting issues as it pertains to multiple factors such as safety, security, and accessibility; • that there is enough evidence presented to prompt a City Study of the adequacy of Municipal Outdoor lighting; • the improvement of current lighting contributing to making the City welcoming and broadening accessibility and inclusiveness, as well as providing for crime prevention through environment; and, • the benefit of providing this presentation to Council with a recommendation to conduct a study pertaining to the impact of insufficient Municipal lighting and updating technology to current standards. Moved by M. Shackleton Seconded by M. Thorpe Ross 1. That the Exterior Lighting Presentation by K. Sullivan be received by Council; and, 2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee requests Council endorse an exterior lighting study of the City of Pickering's City Centre (including City Hall/Library, parking areas, Esplanade Park and the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex); and, 3. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee requests that the City undertake similar exterior lighting studies of other Municipal facilities across the City. Carried 5.4 Valley View Park/City Hall S. Snyders provided photos highlighting some accessibility barriers in Valley View Park. S. Snyders noted a storm drain in disrepair, with cracks in the sidewalk, and an old gate piece installation, protruding in the middle of the walkway. Discussion ensued amongst the Committee Members regarding: M. Murray to follow up with the Page 5 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) • that many have experienced trouble maneuvering around the park; • there being different storm drains designed to increase accessibility; • organizing a walkabout with the appropriate City Staff to identify deficiencies and prioritizing repairs or redesigns to meet accessibility standards in the park and on its walkways; • ensuring that the accessibility of the park is considered more broadly while reviewing with City Staff; and, • the importance of addressing these specific barriers immediately using an interim solution such as large orange cones to provide public visible warning of the obstacles. 5.5 Council Reports arising from January 17th Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting (re: Durham Region Transit Service and the Donovan Report) T. Higgins summarized that the motions provided by the Accessibility Advisory Committee on January 17th, 2024, pertaining to the Durham Region Transit Service Letter, and the Rich Donovan Report on the 2023 Legislative Review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 will be brought to Council on Monday, February 26, 2024. Councillor M. Brenner noted that there was good attendance at the Durham Region Transit (DRT) Executive Committee meeting, and that there is a commitment from the DRT Leadership to attend a Special Town Hall on Transit on March 21 @ 7pm. T. Higgins noted the beneficial impact of delegations from Members of the Accessibility Advisory Committee at the Executive Committee Meeting on Monday, February 26, 2024. 5.6 Creating an Accessibility Advisory Subcommittee – Re: Building an Accessibility Orientation Symposium T. Higgins noted that the ACC had indicated the benefit that may come from communicating with developers early in the City’s submission process in the form of an Orientation Symposium and that a Subcommittee could be created to further develop this project. T. Higgins will send an invitation to Committee Members to volunteer for the subcommittee and a motion to strike the subcommittee will be provided at the next March 20, 2024 AAC meeting. appropriate staff and organize a review of park accessibility, and to place Orange Pilons as an interim solution. Page 6 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 5.7 Accessibility Advisory Committee Report to Council: 2023 Year End Report & 2024 Work Plan T. Higgins summarized the requirements and process of providing the 2023 Year End Report & 2024 Work Plan. 6. Correspondence There were no items of correspondence. 7. Other Business K. Sullivan provided information regarding an Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Checklist tool to approach developers and noted that this could be provided to the proposed Subcommittee for reference. 8. AAC Member Roundtable Updates There were no updates shared by Members of the Committee. 9. Next Meeting – March 20, 2024 10. Adjournment Moved by M. Thorpe Ross Seconded by S. Snyders That the meeting be adjourned. Carried Meeting Adjourned: 9:06 pm