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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC Minutes October 10 2018 Page 1 of 7 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee October 10, 2018 7:00 pm Main Committee Room Attendees: P. Bashaw D. Hughes V. Ronaldi M. Thorpe Ross S. Wilkinson T. Higgins, Staff Representative D. Poole, Recording Secretary S. Booker, Manager, Capital Projects & Infrastructure K. Thompson, Manager, Municipal Law Enforcement Services L. Narraway, Supervisor, Animal Services Absent: A. Doucette B. D’Souza E. Fulton J. Whynot D. Wysocki Guests: Tammy Lyle-Gravlev, Pickering Soccer Club Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome T. Higgins welcomed members and guests to the meeting, with introductions being made. 2. New Business 3.1) Pickering Soccer Club, In Motion Program T. Lyle-Gravlev, Pickering Soccer Club, appeared before the committee to provide an update on the In Motion program, which was designed to create an opportunity for individuals 55+ to become more active. The program started in January 2018 with 18 participants; currently there are 220 participants. The group did various activities throughout the summer and the current drop-in program, which occurs for 3 -Cd:Jof- p](KERJNG Page 2 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) hours on Tuesday mornings, sees an average of 80 – 100 participants weekly. T. Lyle-Gravlev noted that the government funding for the program will conclude in March 2019 therefore she is trying to develop partnerships through community engagement. P. Bashaw suggested that T. Lyle-Gravlev apply for funding from the Federal Government, as they can receive up to $25,000 every year provided that the theme of the program is different. T. Lyle-Gravlev indicated that she is currently working on two grants. T. Higgins noted that he would sign a letter of support for the programs on behalf of the AAC. Discussion ensued regarding the lack of adequate transit and sidewalks near the soccer dome. T. Higgins noted that he made a request to Durham Region Transit to consider bus service to the Pickering Soccer Club in its upcoming planning cycle. S. Booker advised that the new Operations Centre, which is being built beside the soccer dome, will be getting sidewalks on the eastern side. The timeline for this project is likely within the 2020 budget. 3.2) Capital Projects & Infrastructure Update S. Booker provided information regarding the capital projects and noted that the bulk of the projects for 2018 have been completed, which includes the installation of new LED streetlights throughout the municipality. Staff are currently working on finalizing the budget for 2019, which will be completed before Christmas. S. Booker noted that the ongoing project at Whites Road and Kingston Road is nearing completion. Discussion took place regarding the installation of sidewalks on Kingston Road. S. Booker noted that the placement of a sidewalk on Kingston Road between Dixie Road and Glendale Drive is in the works. S. Booker advised that he would like to see sidewalks throughout the Kingston Road corridor however the CN Bridge at Dixie Road is a major Page 3 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) obstacle, as the bridge would have to be widened before work could commence. S. Booker indicated that the Region of Durham may push back Kingston Road east of Glengrove Road to develop bike lanes as well as bus lanes. V. Ronaldi noted that the area around Shoeless Joe’s is dark. S. Booker to revisit the Whites Road MTO intersection to have this issue addressed. S. Wilkinson praised S. Booker and Tyler Barnett, Principal Planner, Site Planning, for their accessibility enhancements at the eastern side of the Pickering Town Centre. S. Booker provided an update on the construction at the western spit and noted that there are new accessible picnic tables and curb stops between the benches there. D. Hughes noted that the benches west of the Nautical Village need to be addressed. S. Booker suggested that he send in pictures so that he can review this concern with Operations staff. 3.3) Accessible Service Tariffs for Transportation Network Companies K. Thompson advised that she is looking at amending the Taxicab Licensing Bylaw to include Transportation Network Companies, such asUber. The By-law will include an accessible surcharge to TNC’s in lieu of providing accessible service. K. Thompson explained the two models other jurisdictions have in place to allocate the revenue collected from the accessible surcharge. The first option provides grants towards the purchase of an accessible vehicle, with the requirement to provide accessible taxicab service with the vehicle for a set time period. The second option provides an income subsidy to drivers providing accessible services, to compensate for the additional time taken with accessible service customers. The difference in data submitted to the City to support this type of Page 4 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) supplement, vs trip information provided to larger municipalities was discussed. There are concerns with both options. The report will be going to Council next year. V. Ronaldi noted that Uber has accessible vehicles in Toronto but not in Pickering. The committee brought forward concerns that the funds wouldn’t be utilized in an appropriate manner. The Taxicab industry is struggling to provide drivers for accessible vehicles. K. Thompson requested that the committee members provide her with feedback on the service level they receive while travelling within a taxi cab. T. Higgins requested that K. Thompson attend AAC meetings periodically in order to provide updates and maintain awareness of the Committee members’ experience. 3.4) Support Animals T. Higgins noted that a motion was recently passed at a Council meeting that more regulations are needed with regards to service/support animal standards. The expectation is for the working group to report back to Council in March 2019 with an update. L. Narraway advised that there is no clear definition of the term support animals within the AODA. This has resulted in the portrayal of animals as service animals which have no training or credentials, since fake kits can be purchased online and doctors can designate support animals with no knowledge of the animal or its behaviour. K. Thompson noted that this is an issue because some of the animals are a hazard to the public, as they may bite because of a lack of appropriate training. In the interest of public safety, the animal has to demonstrate that it can do its job with being a threat. K. Thompson indicated that Animal Services hands are tied if they attempt to create a certification process, as the AODA falls under Provincial Legislation. Municipalities have no ability to mandate stricter policies than the Province. Without a clear definition of support animals and service animals this will continue to be problematic Page 5 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) through the inability to set standards to recognize service animals. T. Higgins noted that the City of Pickering could play a leadership role, suggesting that insights from the City could be brought forward to the new Provincial Government, which may inform provincial policy revisions. P. Bashaw expressed his support for this endeavor, as he believes that the Provincial Government would be supportive. T. Higgins advised that this would be a worthy topic for the agenda at the ONAP 2019 Provincial meeting and that he could make a presentation outlining the various concerns and possibilities. T. Higgins noted that the committee can take on an advocacy and leadership role, through creative thinking and positive solutions. P. Bashaw suggested that someone contact the Federal Minister to bring forward these concerns to get the ball rolling. Discussion transpired regarding the training of service animals. K. Thompson noted that Trevor DeCristofaro, Municipal Law Enforcement Officer II, would be an excellent resource due to his extensive training with service animals. P. Bashaw suggested that individuals with disabilities assist with the training. 3. Review & Approval of Minutes T Motion: to approve the minutes of the June 21st meeting Moved: M. Thorpe Ross Second: S. Wilkinson Carried Motion: to approve the minutes of the September 12th meeting Page 6 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Moved: S. Wilkinson Second: P. Bashaw Carried 4. Other Business & Updates V. Ronaldi advised that she provided Durham Region Transit with a letter pertaining to their policies. In response to this letter, she received an invitation from Durham Specialized Transit to appear in front of their Commission in January 2019. T. Higgins indicated that Mayor Ryan has expressed interest in establishing a committee to address accessibility concerns with particular focus on transit. D. Hughes provided the following updates:  Judi Lytle, Accessibility Coordinator from the City of Burlington reached out to members of ONAP to obtain their support for a petition that the Older Women’s Network (OWN) is bringing forward to the House of Commons for them to immediately amend the National Building Code of Canada, making it mandatory that all housing in any way under the jurisdiction of the Government of Canada be universal design. They are looking to obtain 500,000 signatures in the next two weeks.  AXXESS CONDOS are going to be developed at the intersection of Pickering Parkway and Valley Farm Road and will be 100% accessible. Groundbreaking is planned to take place in early 2019.  Tony Attwood will be the lead speaker at the Geneva Centre for Autism Symposium from October 24 to 26 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre D. Hughes requested to lay a wreath on behalf of the Accessibility Committee at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day. The cost would be $125 for the D. Hughes to provide Myrna Picotte, Royal Page 7 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) wreath and associated fees to purchase 144 donuts for the volunteers. T. Higgins noted that these funds can come out of the accessibility budget. V. Ronaldi and S. Wilkinson agreed to lay the wreath on behalf of the committee. Canadian Legion, Branch 606 with the information. Meeting Adjourned: 9:20 pm Copy: City Clerk