HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 25, 2012
Page 1 CORP0228—2/02 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Wednesday, January 25, 2012 7 pm Civic Complex – Main Committee Room Attendees: Councillor O’Connell
Keith Falconer, Chair Terence Arvisais, Vice Chair Maurice Brenner Ida Fogo Aisha Nathifa Heywood-Delpeache Stephen Little Doodnauth Sharma Don Tierney Sue Wilkinson Jacob Yamoumidis
Prem Noronha-Waldriff Renée Michaud, Recording Secretary Guests: Leigh Reynolds, Senior Citizen Service Specialist John Hagg, Deputy Fire Chief Tony Prevedel, CAO Gil Paterson, Director,
Corporate Services & Treasurer Councillor Dickerson Councillor Pickles Councillor Rodrigues Item/Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include
deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome Keith Falconer K. Falconer introduced and welcomed the guests and expressed thanks to the committee members for attending the meeting this evening
as well as their ongoing contribution as volunteers on this committee. 2. Federal Government Government funding programs /services for persons with disabilities /agencies serving this
client group Leigh Reynolds Senior Citizen Service Specialist L. Reynolds provided an overview of the services and programs available through Service Canada for Youth and for Persons
with Disabilities as well as the Launch of the 2012 Canada Summer Jobs. There are 2 Service Canada offices in the Durham Region, one in Ajax and the other in Oshawa. The website www.servicecanada.gc.
ca has also been redesigned for easier access. Handout was distributed
Page 2 CORP0228—2/02 highlighting the pages for ―Registered Disability Savings Plan‖, the grants available under the ―Skills Link Program‖, ―Career Focus Program‖ and the ―Youth Awareness
Program‖. The objective of the Skills Link Program is to help youth facing barriers for employment develop the broad range of skills, knowledge and work experience they need to participate
and succeed in the job market. The Career Focus program provides funding for employers to offer post-secondary graduates opportunities to obtain career-related work experience. The Youth
Awareness initiative provides financial assistance to applicants for the design of projects that address labour market issues facing youth in their community. Contribution recipients
can be businesses, organizations, institutions, band/tribal councils, Aboriginal organizations, or municipal governments. The handouts also include a copy of the website page detailing
how to apply for funding for these programs. The Canada Summer Jobs Applicant Guide will be available online and at Service Canada Centre’s starting February 1, 2012. L. Reynolds mentioned
that Service Canada will be establishing a Mobile Transitional Clinic comprising of staff to visit residents and groups from remote areas facing challenges to travel to the centre, to
assist them with application and submitting the forms for them. S. Little asked about the Skills Link program and how it might fit with municipal planning. Additional information will
be forwarded to Prem for distribution to the committee members. L. Reynolds encouraged everyone to review the package and take advantage of the funding and grants available for these
initiatives. Councillor O’Connell mentioned that she would be interested in meeting with L. Reynolds to discuss opportunities for Ward 1. 3. Emergency Management Plan John Hagg Deputy
Fire Chief J. Hagg attended the meeting to answer questions from the committee members with regards to the Emergency Management Plan. He indicated that the plan does not currently include
specialized evacuation needs for disabled residents and encourage members of the committee to review the Emergency Management Plan available on the website. Fire Services promotes ongoing
public learning and safety. All residents should have an emergency kit ready regardless of being disabled or not.
Page 3 CORP0228—2/02 Councillor O’Connell expressed concerns that a new resident to Pickering may not be aware of the local alarms or programs available for emergency preparedness. J.
Hagg mentioned that the best approach for disabled residents is to have a family member or a contact person responsible for ensuring their timely evacuation if needed. M. Brenner mentioned
that it may be an opportunity for the committee to collaborate with the City to develop a listing and further suggested taking advantage of the funds available from one of the programs
from Service Canada. S. Little questioned if there were additional methods of communication such as TTY and if this service is 24 hour. John advised that the TTY is not 24 hour, after
hours emergency should be directed to 911. Stephen recommended that the emergency communication numbers should be publicized for everyone’s access. J. Hagg indicated that there are 2
types of emergency, the first being nuclear which allows time for evacuation, the other type would be a major leak or spill from the 400 highways, train, etc. which requires immediate
response. K. Falconer suggested to consult with other municipalities to enquire how or if they gather information on homes with disabled residents. Councillor Dickerson suggested checking
with medical providers for disabled listings. J. Hagg stated that due to the lack of resources Fire Services does not maintain a listing of homes with disabled residents but that he
would take these recommendations forward to the next Emergency Management Committee meeting in February. 4. Reserved Funding for Accessibility Tony Prevedel, CAO Gil Paterson Director,
Corporate Services & Treasurer T. Prevedel expressed thanks to the committee members for their dedication and contribution for volunteering their time on the committee. T. Prevedel mentioned
that he was pleased to attend the meeting along with Gil Paterson following up on request from 2011 to attend a meeting to update the committee on the funding available for accessibility
improvements in the City.
Page 4 CORP0228—2/02 He advised that every year the City budgets $40,000 for accessibility upgrades and since 2008 there has been a total of $170,000 funds carried over. In 2011, a list
of accessibility improvements were identified and completed from the reserved funds. They included, power operated doors at many of the City facilities. G. Paterson advised that the
City is currently reviewing budgets for 2012 and has already committed to setting up a reserve fund for accessibility improvements for money not spent in previous years to be carried
over to the next year. He indicated that this also requires Council approval. Discussion followed on the sidewalk improvements which have also been completed in 2011 which can be included
as part of accessibility improvements but not necessarily funded from the $40,000. Councillor O’Connell mentioned that the committee would like more input on the improvement projects
being considered in order to meet their work plan priority. She further suggested that the committee committee would like to know what is in the reserve fund and dedicate an amount to
this fund on an annual basis to complete major accessibility improvements. Councillor O’Connell suggested that the Accessibility Advisory Committee forward the following recommendations
to Council for consideration: That the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) request to Council that a formalized process be established for the AAC to meet prior to the yearly budget
with the City Treasurer and Community Services staff to determine priority projects to be included in that year’s budget. That Council be requested to implement a revenue strategy and
a dedicated funding source of $100,000 (increase of $60,000) in each year’s budget to complete capital expenditures as established in the built form requirements as established by the
Province of Ontario. And That staff establish a form of reporting accessibility capital expenditures to be included in each year’s budget. Discussion ensued on the need for the committee
to be more involved in deciding the types of projects being completed and have more input into the annual budget process. It was also noted that the committee should celebrate the achievements
on accessibility projects completed. Motion to be finalized and memo reviewed for submission to Council.
Page 5 CORP0228—2/02 5. Nomination /Election: Chair /Vice Chair Prem Noronha-Waldriff Stephen Little nominated Keith Falconer as Chair Seconded by Terence Arvisais. Councillor O’Connell
nominated Maurice Brenner for Chair. Staff noted that a Council Representatives cannot nominate a Committee member. The Boards & Advisory Committee Terms and Conditions state that Council
Representatives are responsible for acting as a liaison between Council and the Committee, responding to Committee members’ questions, interpreting Council’s direction to the Committee,
providing updates to Council on Committee activities and providing updates to the Committee on Council activities. Maurice Brenner noted that he was not interested in being nominated.
Vote for Keith Falconer as Chair Carried Maurice Brenner nominated Terence Arvisais, Vice-Chair Seconded by Keith Falconer Vote for Terence Arvisais as Vice-Chair Carried 6. Adoption
of Minutes November 23, 2011 Chair Review and approval of minutes. Moved by Don Tierney Seconded by Terry Arvisais That the minutes of the November 23, 2011, meeting be adopted. Carried
7. Other Business All Councillor O’Connell advised that the item on drive thrus in the City of Pickering was deferred to the next regular meeting in February due to the number of presentations
this evening. Prem mentioned that the nomination deadline for the Youth Volunteer Awards is January 31, 2012 and suggested that the committee recommend the Pine Ridge group. The Committee
members agreed on the nomination. Councillor O’Connell to draft a policy for review. Prem to submit nomination on behalf of the committee.
Page 6 CORP0228—2/02 Prem reminded committee members that the nomination deadline for Civic Awards is Thursday, February 9, 2012. Discussion followed as to whether the committee should
nominate the Pine Ridge group for the Civic Award. The committee approved of this recommendation and will submit background information to Prem to assist with the nomination. Maurice
Brenner suggested that the committee schedule a separate meeting to discuss the 2012 Business Plan. It was agreed to meet on Wednesday, February 15th at 7 pm in the Main Committee Room.
Prem enquired if the committee members were in agreement of the 5 year Built Environment Plan. Moved by Maurice Brenner Seconded by DonTierney that the committee endorse the plan. Carried
Prem to inform Clerk’s office to ensure notice of meeting is advertised. 8. Next Meeting & Adjournment All A special committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 to
discuss the 2012 Business Plan at 7 pm. The regular scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 7 pm in the Main Committee Room. Moved by Terence Avaris Seconded
by Don Tierney that the meeting be adjourned. Carried Meeting Adjourned: 9:15 pm Copy: CAO City Clerk