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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 8, 2016 Page 1 of 6 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee June 8, 2016 7:00 pm Main Committee Room Attendees: P. Bashaw S. Bernardo, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade E. Fulton D. Hughes C. Morrison V. Ronaldi M.Thorpe Ross J. Whynot S. Wilkinson S. Zeco T. Higgins, Staff Representative K. Bentley, Chief Building Official L. Roberts, Recording Secretary Absent: A. Doucette Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome & Introduction T. Higgins welcomed everyone to the meeting. 2. Approval of Minutes Moved by E. Fulton Seconded by C. Morrison That the May 11, 2016 minutes of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Carried 3. Business Arising from Minutes T. Higgins provided an overview of action items from the previous meeting as follows;  Presentation was made by Durham Region transit representatives at the staff core meeting to discuss new standards. T. Higgins advised that there are still plans to Page 2 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) invite them to an AAC meeting  Policies and programs updates for recreation programs are still at staff level and will be brought before the Committee once ready  Captioning at Council meetings – no updates at this point, P.Bashaw suggested that Rogers be contacted with respect to the costs involved – this item will be brought back to Committee in September  Brock Ridge Park – D. Hughes requested that this item be a priority given the timeframe coming into the summer months– T. Higgins noted he would be meeting with D. Selsky in the next week  Sidewalks – important concerns raised regarding stretches along Kingston Road – need to bring in Durham Region representatives  P. Bashaw noted concerns with respect to a lack of sidewalks east of Whites Road on the north side of the new plaza by Crabby Joes – T. Higgins noted this would be looked into as a priority item as well V. Ronaldi questioned whether members could receive a running list of all action items with proposed timelines included. T. Higgins to action T. Higgins to action T. Higgins to action T. Higgins to action T. Higgins to action New Business 4.1) 2016 D.C. Onley Award T. Higgins provided an overview of the awards ceremony held at Queen’s Park on June 1st. He noted that the Durham Regional Police accepted the award for Leadership in Accessibility on behalf of the partnership comprised of DRPS, City of Pickering, the Campbell Children’s School, the Grandview Children’s Centre and the March of Dimes. 4.2) 2016 Civic Awards Regional Awards T. Higgins provided an overview of the Civic Awards event held at City Hall on May 30th. He noted that the Access Award was presented to Pickering Soccer Club and Dentistry on Liverpool. 4.3) Seaton & Accessible Housing T. Higgins introduced K. Bentley, Chief Building Official, City of Pickering, who was in attendance to provide members with an outline of the Seaton development with respect to accessibility. He provided an overview of the new accessibility amendments to Ontario’s Building Code as of January, 2015; Page 3 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)  All smoke alarms to include a visual component  Rough ins for push button operators  Increase minimum number of suites within multi-unit residential buildings from 10 – 15% that must be designed with accessibility features  The 15% requirement must be distributed throughout the building to be more inclusive K. Bentley also noted that elevators are a requirement with buildings over one storey, with minimal exceptions. He stated that while the City cannot force builders to be barrier free, they make every attempt to encourage it. He also informed members that workshops had been held with good information being shared among representatives from various industries. He indicated he would like to see more workshops conducted for Seaton. Discussion ensued with respect to holding workshops and the timeframes involved;  Two months to plan properly  Holding during the summer months could mean a lack of availability for attendees due to holidays  Possibly hold in conjunction with the October 22nd Children’s games  Weekdays would better accommodate representatives from the various industries  O’Brien room as a potential venue – could showcase the Delaney Rink improvements being done  Should have a cross section of representatives from various industries i.e. policy makers, consultants, builders familiar with barrier free features  S. Bernardo noted he could contact John McLellan, a current member of the Ajax Pickering Board of Trade and area contractor  Education is the first step to innovation  Reach out to custom builders from surrounding areas – i.e. Barrie, Orillia to present  Public awareness, marketing and education  Are age-friendly communities being considered?  The workshops should have a clear objective with follow up  Encourage partnerships  Look into incentives to encourage builders  Zoning – how long should it exist on a parcel of land? S. Bernardo to action Page 4 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)  Outdoor greenspaces – will play areas be fully accessible? P. Bashaw questioned how the City is accommodating seniors with downsizing, noting that currently there is nothing that fits the requirements for seniors. Discussion ensued with respect to the issues with intensification requirements today as well as greenbelt initiatives, resulting in less bungalows being available. D. Hughes questioned the high density requirements in Seaton, as well as transportation and timelines. T. Higgins thanked K. Bentley for attending and extended an invitation for him to continue to work with the Committee. He also noted it would be helpful to have representatives from Durham Region attend a meeting as well. 4.4) Tactile Warning Plate Standards T. Higgins provided the following update  Some confusion as standards are not clear regarding replacement/purpose  Need discussions with the Region for consistency  New standards are emerging and will be brought forward in the Fall to the Committee  Placement of tactile warning plates will mirror MTO standards for now T. Higgins noted this item will be brought forward in September 4.5) Parking By-law Consultation T. Higgins provided the following update:  Minimal feedback was received from the on line questionnaire  Artfest – good turnout with better response to questionnaires which were provided at event  Target date for revised by-law to Council will be in the Autumn  Key issue seems to be the abuse of disabled parking spaces as well as temporary accessible parking at special events  Need to think about incentives and enforcement Defer to September Defer to September Page 5 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) T. Higgins noted this item will be brought forward in September 4.6) Local Issues T. Higgins noted his plans to meet with D. Selsky and will send members a summary of action items. 4.7) Canada Day T. Higgins provided the following update, along with a handout outlining the various event zones:  Working hard to increase accessible parking at Kinsmen Park to join with the new pathway system  One bus will be dedicated specifically to accessibility which will drop off closer to the pathways  Washroom facilities will be inspected prior to the event to ensure proper accommodations  Members questioned whether shade areas would be available  Suggested that tent shelters be erected at the bus drop off zones  Information pamphlets could be made available at the tent sites as well T. Higgins encouraged members to attend Kinsmen Park to view the site prior to the event to help assist in ensuring accessibility standards are met. June 30th was suggested as a possible date to allow sufficient time to correct any deficiencies. T. Higgins noted he would advise members of possible dates to attend, and encouraged members to attend the day of the event as well. 4.8) Canada 150 Submission T. Higgins provided members with copies of a draft memo to the Director, Culture & Recreation regarding a grant proposal to renovate the City Hall Council Chambers, foyer and washrooms. He noted he was seeking the Committee’s endorsement of the proposal. Moved by E. Fulton Seconded by P. Bashaw That the Accessibility Advisory Committee support the City of Defer to September All to action T. Higgins to action Page 6 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Pickering’s Canada 150 Grant proposal to renovate the Pickering City Hall Council Chambers, foyer and washrooms. Carried Unanimously 4.9) AAC 2015 Report and 2016 Work Plan T. Higgins provided members with a draft copy of the 2015 report and 2016 work plan for the Accessibility Advisory Committee, for submission to Council on June 27th. He encouraged members to review and provide any additional comments to him by the end of next week (June 17th). He will then forward a final copy to members. Discussion ensued with respect to members attending as a delegation at the June 27th Council Meeting. C. Morrison and J. Whynot offered to present and work on a presentation. S. Wilkinson, P. Bashaw, E. Fulton, M. Thorpe Ross and D. Hughes noted they would attend the meeting as well. T. Higgins encouraged members to assist as well by providing input for the power point presentation. 4.10) Summer Recess T. Higgins noted the Committee would not be meeting during the summer months, but would email members as necessary. C. Morrison/J. Whynot to action All to action T. Higgins to action 5. Other Business 5.1) V. Ronaldi questioned whether accessibility would be part of the Waterfront and Beach areas in Pickering. 5.2) S. Zeco noted he had recently had a tour and test drive of an accessible vehicle called the MV-1, and was impressed with the quality, questioning whether this could be considered for members to tour at a future meeting. Discussion ensued and it was suggested this could possibly coincide with the October 22nd DRP Children’s Games event. It was suggested that Metrolinx be contacted in this regard, as they currently own some of these vehicles. 6 Next Meeting: Wednesday September 14, 2016 Main Committee Room Meeting Adjourned: 9:26 pm Copy: City Clerk