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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 12, 2017 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee April 12, 2017 7:00 pm Main Committee Room Attendees: P. Bashaw B. D’Souza A. Doucette D. Hughes V. Ronaldi M.Thorpe Ross J. Whynot D. Wysocki T. Higgins, Staff Representative V. Plouffe, Supervisor, Facilities Operations L. Roberts, Recording Secretary Absent: S. Bernardo, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade E. Fulton S. Wilkinson 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. Review and Approval of Agenda T. Higgins outlined the agenda, noting there were no updates with respect to local issues to report at this time. He also noted that site plan reviews would be deferred to the May meeting, as staff were unavailable for review this evening. 3. Approval of Minutes Moved by D. Wysocki Seconded by V. Ronaldi That the March 15th, 2017 minutes of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Carried Page 2 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 4. New Business 4.1) Operation Centre Plan Review V. Plouffe appeared before the Committee and through the aid of a power point presentation as well as handouts, outlined the plans for the new Operation Centre which will be located on Clements Road, south of Bayly.  Has been in the design stage for four years  Will tender out in one week  Project has been scaled down, but key accessibility features will remain  Single level floor plan – no second storey  Existing operations centre is at the end of its life span  Hill into the soccer dome governed the grade for the site  Provided an outline of the location for all areas of the centre – parking, office, garage, etc. Discussion ensued with comments/inquiries noted as follows;  There will be limited public traffic  All key doors will have automatic door openers with all devices meeting accessibility requirements  Consultants/Project Managers/City staff will all be monitoring as the plans progress to ensure compliance  Opportunity to go beyond requirements  Projected completion date will be April, 2019 with occupancy in September, 2019  Old facility will be decommissioned  Secondary facility to be located in the northern area  Discussed best timelines for members to have a walk about – possibly June or September of 2019  Opportunity to make adjustments  Questioned accommodations for accessibility for disabled employees in office area  Dressing rooms/showers – discussed guidelines for turning radius  Suggested the elimination of doors on washrooms for barrier free access  discussed privacy and security issues with elimination of doors – adjoining uses must be looked at Page 3 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)  lighting – City has approved LED standards for improved lighting  lighting will include motion and heat sensors T. Higgins noted that changes were coming from the Ontario and possibly the Federal Government with respect to employment-related accessibility standards, noting the City could monitor as we go along with these plans in order to provide an exemplary site for the future employment of the disabled. It was also noted that funding is available through government grants, and V. Plouffe indicated that they were keeping the design as flexible as possible with the inclusion of open office spaces, U shaped large work stations. He also noted they are looking at new furniture standards, noting that the plans are all inclusive and not specific to accessibility. Further discussion ensued;  importance of proper signage  raised lettering/braille  stand up desks  turning radius within showers  gender neutral washrooms  various types of lifts to transfer from wheelchair to change table/toilet area  important to note that disabled on occasion may have attendants to assist them  grab bars should be installed  should consider reinforcing of the structure in the current plans to allow for future adaptability  parking spaces – pavement markings for safe connections to walkways V. Plouffe noted that opportunity still exists for updating the plans and encouraged members to continue to submit recommendations through T. Higgins. He also noted he would bring photos for members as the project progresses. V. Plouffe provided members with an update on the renovations of the Council Chambers/lobby area at City Hall, which are scheduled to commence at the end of June this year. He outlined the following: Page 4 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)  design will encompass moveable parts, such as seating area as well as desks, to enable the Council Chambers to be re-purposed for various events  customer care will have two barrier free locations  Members questioned captioning at meetings, and the ability to view live meetings – logistics of this was discussed – need to know and understand the need for this as well as costs involved  Where would space be allocated for interpreters  Discussed effective cost solutions to captioning, such as having a tablet with Dragon software installed available V. Plouffe advised members he would be available to attend future meetings to provide updates as the project progresses. 4.2) Recreation Programs & City Events T. Higgins advised members of the following upcoming events and noted he would canvass for volunteers to attend through email to confirm member’s availability.  April 27th - Human Rights training session organized by Region of Durham  May 4th – Confederation Journey Youth Fair – being held at the Recreation Complex  May 27th – Your City event – being held at City Hall  June 1st – Accessibility Directorate forums –being held at 9 locations, but currently full  July 1 – Canada Day Discussion ensued with respect to member’s roles at events. It was noted that we need to determine what our message is as well as having a meaningful activity in order to engage residents at these events. The possibility of student volunteers was suggested. T. Higgins canvassed members to volunteer to come up with an activity and script. B. D’Souza and M. Thorpe Ross volunteered to coordinate this. 4.3) 2016 Year End Report/2017 Work Plan T. Higgins to action B. D’Souza/M. Thorpe Ross to action Page 5 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Timelines were discussed for preparing and presenting the 2016 year-end report and 2017 work plan. T. Higgins had provided members with an electronic copy and noted he will forward a revised copy out electronically, as he had received one response. The deadlines for submission to Council are as follows: May 15th Council meeting – May 10th June 26th Council meeting – June 21st It was noted that the June Council meeting would be the latest for submission, as the renovations to the Council chambers would be commencing. 5. New Business 5.1) Accessible/Affordable Housing Due to time constraints, this item will be deferred to the May meeting. 6. Other Business and Updates 6.1) D. Wysocki provided members with an update on the conference he had attended on April 11 held by Durham Region regarding web accessibility. He noted this was an introductory level seminar providing good basic perspectives. He stated the workshops were very well done, with presentations provided on writing for the web. He suggested this would be a good conference to run again, possibly at the City as a lunch and learn, or coordinated through the Board of Trade. 6.2) D. Hughes noted he had attended a public meeting on behalf of the Accessibility Committee which was hosted by TRCA. He explained that TRCA is seeking input on their proposed barrier free outdoor learning space at Claremont Field Centre. He noted he had expressed concerns with their proposal for a deck, noting it needed to be raised to a proper level, possibly a wrap around deck. Also, he recommended a ramp at the back with a 5 degree angle. He stated they are still working on the design, as there are still issues with ensuring protection for the visually impaired. Page 6 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 6.3) D. Hughes provided an update with respect to the appeal hearing he had attended regarding a resident with a cognitive impairment who had been denied full service on Durham Transit. He stated that the appeal had been denied. He noted a need to find additional funding options to provide support. He noted one possibility would be to charge full rates for individuals with disabilities, and using these funds to help pay for support workers to assist those with cognitive impairments. It was suggested this could be discussed at a future meeting with Durham Transit in attendance. T. Higgins noted he had been in contact with Durham Transit, and while a definite date to appear had not been decided, he suggested the possibility of May. T. Higgins to action 7. Next Meeting: Wednesday May 10, 2017, Main Committee Room Meeting Adjourned: 9:20 pm Copy: City Clerk