HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 20, 2024
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
March 20, 2024
Hybrid Electronic Meeting
Main Committee Room
7:00 pm
Attendees: C. Rudberg-Chin
D. Currie
B. Ferguson
M. Shackleton
K. Sullivan
M. Wilson
A. Topple, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
L. Gibbs, Director, Community Services
I. Janton, Senior Planner – Site Planning
N. Johnstone, Website Coordinator
S. Muir, Supervisor, Public Affairs & Corporate Communications
A. Mostert, Manager, Landscape & Parks Development
J. Joyce, The MBTW Group
T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator (Staff Liaison)
J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Absent: A. Khan
S. Snyders
S. Azhar
M. Thorpe Ross
Councillor M. Nagy
Councillor M. Brenner
Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action
Ref # (summary of discussion) Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
1. Review and Approval of Agenda
Moved by C. Rudberg-Chin
That the Agenda for the March 20, 2024, Meeting of The
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting be approved.
Carried
2. Disclosure of Interest
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action
Ref # (summary of discussion) Items/Sta
(include
deadline
appropriat
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Approval of Minutes
Moved by K. Sullivan
Seconded by C. Rudberg-Chin
That the Minutes of the February 21, 2024, meeting of the
Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
4. Presentations/Delegations
There were no presentations or delegations.
5. New Business
5.1 Welcome New Accessibility Advisory Committee Member
Morgan Wilson
T. Higgins welcomed M. Wilson to the Accessibility Advisory
Committee and invited all meeting attendees to introduce
themselves.
5.2 Website Redesign Project
S. Muir provided a presentation introducing the City of
Pickering’s Website Redesign Project, a project that is supported by the City’s Digital Strategy. S. Muir noted
letstalkpickering.ca/digital as a resource for information about the Website Project and the Digital Strategy.
Discussion among Committee Members ensued regarding:
• the implementation of public user testing;
• improvement of the search function and providing a simplified, more user-friendly system;
• integrating specific accessibility input throughout the
redesign project;
• the Committee assisting in finding appropriate users to
contribute to the website testing;
• using plain language that anyone can understand;
tus
as
e)
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
• the Pickering Public Library website being a separate site
with very different needs and a unique purpose;
• providing easy access to Durham Region information in the
form of a seamless link; and,
• simplified categorization of searches.
5.3 Beachfront Park Master Plan Implementation
With the aid of a slide deck, J. Joyce provided an overview of
the Beachfront Park Revitalization Project, outlining the study
area and noting that Phase One includes the Waterfront Trail
Reconstruction and Phase Two includes West Beach Area &
Millennium Square. Phase One design drawings are currently
underway, construction is anticipated in 2024-2025 and Phase
Two construction is anticipated to begin in 2026.
Discussion among Committee Members ensued regarding:
• accessible signage including Braille and other accessible
features;
• providing varied tactile and/or coloured surfaces to show
the ends of ramps and other transitional areas;
• monolithic concrete being placed under ramps and the
ongoing care of the ramps;
• Mobi-mats being installed seasonally; and,
• additional parking, including accessible parking, and shuttle
bus services.
5.4 Accessible Playgrounds
A. Mostert provided an update on the Accessible Playground
Reconstruction Project focusing on inclusive play. With the aid
of photos and a slide deck, A. Mostert highlighted the
significant upgrades to Progress Frenchman’s Bay East Park,
Forestbrook Park, Southcott Park, and St. Mary Park.
5.5 Site Plans Review – I. Janton
1635 Bayly Street # 1 – Day Care
I. Janton provided an overview of the Site Plan for a proposed
732 square meter Day Care, which is to include a fenced-in,
outdoor play area.
Discussion with Committee Members ensued regarding:
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
• access points to the property; and,
• clarification that the entrances are barrier free.
1635 Bayly Street, BLDG “E” – Warehouse/Office Base
Building
I. Janton provided an overview of the Site Plan for a proposed
Federal Facility with a Warehouse or Office Base and outdoor
storage space.
5.6 Creating an Accessibility Advisory Subcommittee
Moved by M. Shackleton
Seconded by D. Currie
1) That the Accessibility Advisory Committee strike a
subcommittee for the purpose of developing an
Accessibility Orientation Symposium; and,
2) That C. Rudberg-Chin, B. Ferguson, and K. Sullivan be
appointed to the Subcommittee.
Carried
5.7 2023 Year End Report and 2024 Proposed Work Plan
T. Higgins provided background on the process involved as
well as the purpose in creating the 2023 Year End Report and
2024 Proposed Work Plan.
Discussion ensued amongst the Committee Members
regarding:
• presenting to Council and the importance of the presence
of the Committee Members.
Moved by B. Ferguson
Seconded by C. Rudberg-Chin
That the Accessibility Advisory Committee endorses the 2023
Year End Report and 2024 Work Plan, subject to
administrative revisions.
Carried
J. Currie to
provide
printed Site
Plans on
11x17 size
sheets for
future
meetings.
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action
Ref # (summary of discussion) Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
6. Correspondence
There were no items of correspondence.
7. Other Business
L. Gibbs provided an update on action items from the
Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting held on February 21,
2024, pertaining to Item 5.3 Exterior Lighting – City
Hall/Library and 5.4 Valley View Park/City Hall. She noted
that staff had completed an assessment of the areas and
addressed the issues identified by the Committee. A report is
projected to be brought to Council regarding the Committee
Motion concerning the Exterior Lighting Presentation in May.
8. AAC Member Roundtable Updates
Committee members and staff provided updates and comments regarding:
• updates to the City By-laws addressing accessible parallel parking standards;
• T. Higgins being a strong leader and accessibility advocate;
• the misuse of accessible parking spaces in the City of T. Higgins to
Pickering and the role of enforcement; and, invite staff
from the By-
• inviting the Manager, Municipal Law Enforcement Services law
and the Supervisor, Licensing & Enforcement, from City By-department to
law to discuss parking enforcement at the April 17, 2024, the next AAC
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting. meeting.
9. Next Meeting – April 17, 2024
10. Adjournment
Moved by K. Sullivan
Seconded by C. Rudberg-Chin
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
Meeting Adjourned: 9:15 pm