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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 19, 2015 Minutes/Meeting Summary City n¢► Accessibility Advisory Committee sw.»""`, lD.mm� =•� March 19, 2015 Ir 7:00 pm Main Committee Room, Pickering Civic Complex Attendees: T. Arvisais P. Bashaw D. Hughes C. Morrison S. Wilkinson • D. Marlowe, Staff Representative L. Roberts, Recording Secretary • Absent: M. Brenner A. Doucette Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref# (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome D. Marlowe welcomed everyone to the meeting. 2. Approval of Minutes Moved by S. Wilkinson That the February 19, 2015 minutes of the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be approved. Carried 3. Business Arising from minutes D. Marlowe provided an update on action items from the previous meeting as follows: • Meeting dates —alternate meeting dates and locations were provided to members electronically and will be presented for approval with the Terms of Reference later in the meeting. Site Plan Review—currently members are receiving all site plans for review. Discussion ensued with respect to timing on the receiving of plans for review, as well as having them forwarded electronically. It was also noted that some of the plans received for review are difficult to view, due to the quality, so the electronic versions may not be feasible. Page 1 of 5 Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref# (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) Customer Feedback— D. Marlowe explained the City of Pickering currently has a generic feedback process. He noted in discussions with Customer Care, they indicated they would welcome input from the Committee. Members questioned whether the City had a system for tracking the calls, and it was noted the difficulty in breaking down into particular categories. Discussion also ensued with respect to the accessibility survey from previous years and what the feedback results were. D. Marlowe noted the results from the survey were minimal. It was suggested that the Committee organize a Town Hall meeting for open dialogue with respect to specific accessibility concerns. Discussion ensued with respect to the possibility of inviting Durham Transit to participate as well. Members discussed the difficulties encountered by persons with disabilities utilizing the transit system and the need for training. It was recommended this be placed on the next agenda for further discussion. D. Marlowe to action D. Marlowe requested all members think about ideas for hosting Town Hall meetings and to determine what you would All members to action like to see achieved. 4 New Business 4.1) Parking By-law Consultation Process D. Marlowe noted that Mr. Surti would be attending the April meeting for discussions regarding the Parking By-law consultation process. 4.2) Draft Terms of Reference The draft terms of reference were reviewed by members. Discussion ensued regarding having a liaison from the Ajax- Pickering Board of Trade attend all meetings. D. Marlowe noted they had received the City's letter of invitation and the City Clerk had advised that the Board of Trade would be meeting to discuss this and an update would be provided by the next meeting. Discussion also ensued with respect to the inclusion of various other associations to attend the meetings or to appear as delegations or simply act as a resource. Page 2 of 5 Item! 'Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref# (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) Moved by C. Morrison That the draft terms of reference be approved as presented. Carried 4.3) Revised Meeting Schedule D. Marlowe presented the following dates for Accessibility Committee meetings for 2015 to be held at the Pickering Recreation Complex, Program Room #2: Wednesday, April 15 Wednesday, May 13 Wednesday, June 10 Wednesday, September 16 Wednesday, October 14 Wednesday, November 11 The Committee was in agreement for the above meeting dates. 4.4) Site Plan Application — 550 Finch Avenue D. Marlowe provided an overview of the application received for 550 Finch Avenue and the following comments/recommendations were made: • Quality of the plans very poor making it difficult to review • Accessible parking spaces should be spread out • Need to avoid crossing roadway • Accessible staff parking —too far away should it be required • Need straight access to ramp required • Sidewalk is too narrow for door to swing out— members questioned what the standard width is and whether this D. Marlowe to action meets current standards — D. Marlowe to inquire • Committee recommends one accessible parking spot directly in front of the building and one at either end Site Plan Application — Blue Sky Supermarket D. Marlowe noted a site plan application was just received today requesting additional access from Pickering Parkway to the Blue Sky Supermarket. He provided an overview of the application, noting the current safety issues. The Committee Page 3 of 5 Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref# (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) reviewed the plans with the following comments made; • Need for additional access from Pickering Parkway • Will be asphalt • Existing curved curb will be removed • Expand driveway at the other side The Committee was in favour of the plans as presented, noting this appears to.be the safer solution. Members also noted concerns regarding the timing of receiving plans for review, questioning whether they could receive a copy at the time of submission to the City. 4.5) Work Plan Development D. Marlowe reviewed the 2015 work plan which had previously been circulated to members electronically along with the items he had compiled as a result of discussions at the February meeting. Discussion ensued with members being asked to determine the focus of the work plan for 2015. The following items for inclusion in the 2015 work plan are noted as follows: • Awareness • Need to focus on employment for persons with disabilities, particularly those who are 50+ —determine how to address this issue • Federal funding opportunities for projects (ie ramps) for businesses — P. Bashaw noted he could research this P. Bashaw to action • Collaboration with Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade • Develop a proposal to present to Council for a Town Hall meeting on Accessibility • Invite City staff to participate in formal discussions with respect ect to the planning and development process Discussion ensued with respect to the submission of the 2014 report and 2015 work plan. Members felt it would be important to attend the Council meeting to present. D. Marlowe will forward the 2014 achievements to members for review. He also noted he would compile the 2015 work plan D. Marlowe to action and forward to members electronically for review and discussion at the April meeting. Page 4 of 5 Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref# (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) 4.6) Review of Resource Material D. Marlowe reviewed Section 20 of the Employment Standards with members, providing an overview of the recruitments assessment section. He noted the need to promote businesses that hire persons with disabilities and to look into any grants/tax credits available for companies. 4.7) Event Planning D. Marlowe noted that Artfest was currently in the planning stage with the event scheduled to take place on May 23rd. D. Marlowe asked members to think about possible activities for Canada Day. Therapeutic horseback riding was suggested and P. Bashaw noted he would look into this as a possibility. It was P. Bashaw to action suggested that D. Marlowe look into the City's liability in relation D. Marlowe to action to this event. 5 Other Business 5.1) D. Marlowe noted there were funds in the budget for workshops and conferences and encouraged members to think about attending. 6 Next Meeting: April 15, 2015 Pickering Recreation Complex Program Room #2 Meeting Adjourned: 9:10 pm Copy: City Clerk Page5of5