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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 18, 2020Page 1 of 5 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee November 18, 2020 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Attendees: Peter Bashaw Glenn Lang Anthony Lue Megan Thorpe Ross Sue Wilkinson David Wysocki John McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade Tim Higgins, Staff Representative Rumali Perera, Committee Coordinator Guests: Isabelle Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning, City of Pickering Jamie Austin, Deputy General Manager - Business Services, Durham Region Transit Michael Binetti, Supervisor - Service Design, Durham Region Transit Absent: Donna Holmes Dan Hughes Saima Fatima Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome & Introductions T. Higgins welcomed members and guests to the electronic Committee meeting. 2. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 3. Review and Approval of Agenda T. Higgins reviewed the agenda items. Agenda approved. 4. Review and Approval of Minutes -October 21, 2020 Page 2 of 5 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Moved by M. Thorpe Ross Seconded by D. Wysocki That the Minutes of the October 21, 2020 meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Carried 5. New Business 5.1 Durham Regional Transit Jamie Austin, Deputy General Manager, Business Services and Michael Binetti, Supervisor, Service Design, Durham Region Transit joined the electronic Committee meeting via audio connection and presented detailed information on DRT’s COVID-19 response to date. They discussed ridership impacts, resumption of fare collection, and provided an overview of the multi-phase service plan, including a revised network and level of service frequency to respond to the change in ridership. Expansion of transit in rural areas was noted. Information on the Durham Region Transit app (DRT on-demand) was shared. M. Binetti presented draft social equity guidelines which include priorities, communities of focus, as well as guidelines and goals. He sought feedback from the Committee. A question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and Jamie Austin and Michael Binetti regarding: • whether the draft social equity guidelines was still open for consultation and the AAC’s ability to provide feedback on the guidelines; • addressing the unique needs of the different groups identified as equity priorities in Durham Region; • whether the vehicles used through the on- demand app are accessible; • whether the PRESTO E-ticket was merged with the Toronto Go bus ticket; • whether the Kubota lands would be included within the on-demand zone; • whether DRT was working on ensuring that bus stops were accessible; Page 3 of 5 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) • whether a trip from Oshawa to Bowmanville would only cost one fare; • purchasing tickets through the PRESTO E- tickets application; • the importance of recognizing abilities as a top equity priority (rather than at the bottom of the list) and the intersectionality among the different equity priority groups; • the disconnection of important resource centres within Durham, such as the Abilities Centre and the Pickering Football Club, and the importance of considering DRT resource deployment for these locations; and, • ensuring that public consultation is carried out periodically, especially with people with disabilities, to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the service being provided. D. Wysocki provided an overview of the Service and Support Animal Initiative, and noted that transportation service providers are a key stakeholder group. Mr. Austin and Mr. Binetti discussed the importance of the initiative as it relates to transportation service providers and noted that representatives from DRT would be available to participate in the upcoming innovation labs. 5.2 Site Plan Review - S04/11(R20), Conseil Scolaire Viamonde, 2235 Brock Rd Isabelle Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning, City of Pickering, provided the Committee with an overview of the proposed site plan, noting that the applicant is requesting to build a daycare and an outdoor amenity space onto the existing school. Through the aid of site plans, Ms. Janton provided the Committee with an overview of the proposal. A brief discussion period ensued between Members of the Committee and Ms. Janton, regarding: • whether the applicant had received permission from the Province to construct the proposed daycare; • opportunities to go beyond the standards to recognize various abilities; and, Page 4 of 5 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) • impact of COVID-19 on the design and whether appropriate licenses and design standards had been incorporated. Through the aid of a video, Isabelle Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning, City of Pickering, provided the Committee with a visual representation of the new proposed Fire Hall in Duffin Heights. 5.3 Motion to Council – Accessible Housing T. Higgins asked members for input for drafting a motion to Council regarding the subject matter. A discussion period ensued between the Committee Members regarding: • enabling Staff to work with the AAC to draft recommendations on improving accessible housing in Pickering; • framing the motion to speak to policies and principles that currently exist in the City; • lack of accessible housing in Pickering; • designating lands for accessible housing; • accessibility concerns with condominium buildings pertaining to lack of space within the unit; • developer’s reluctance in building accessible housing due to revenue reasons; and, • the Federal government’s opportunities fund. T. Higgins noted that a motion to refer the matter to City staff for a report with recommendation would be a suitable solution. 6. Other Business & Updates 6.1 Member Updates D. Wysocki provided the Committee with an update on the Service and Support Animal Initiative, noting that the survey development and the Innovation Lab planning are well underway. Members commented that a good way to receive exposure to the Initiative is Page 5 of 5 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) to advertise the survey on the City’s website and the News Advertiser. P. Bashaw noted that Rouge Park was designing a new accessible park trail, noting that other updates were also being made to the Park. J. McLellan discussed two level residential elevators. A. Lue noted that he had attended his first Rick Hansen ratings as part of the Ontario pilot project, and commented on the challenges and barriers he had experienced. 7. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 9:18 pm.