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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 18, 2023Page 1 of 7 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee January 18, 2023 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Attendees: D. Currie Absent: S. Fatima B. Ferguson T. Lyle-Gravlev P. Milton R. Rizvi C. Rudberg-Chin S. Snyders M. Thorpe Ross J. McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade I. Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator (Staff Liaison) A. MacGillivray, Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary) A. Sardar Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Review and Approval of Agenda T. Higgins reviewed the agenda items. Agenda approved. 2. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 3. Approval of Minutes Moved by P. Milton Seconded by T. Lyle-Gravlev That the Minutes of the September 21, 2022 meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Carried 4. Presentations/Delegations Page 2 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) There were no presentations or delegations. 5. New Business 5.1 Welcome, self-introductions and onboarding of new AAC members T. Higgins provided introductory remarks and discussed: • his role as Accessibility Coordinator at the City of Pickering; • the role of the Committee in identifying gaps and providing advice to the City to ensure optimal compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA); • the relaying of advice to the Accessibility Core Team of City staff. Members and City Staff in attendance provided introductory remarks. T. Higgins spoke to the Committee’s Terms of Reference, and that Members will have opportunity to discuss and approve the Terms of Reference at the next meeting. T. Higgins spoke to the Committee’s Draft 2023 Meeting Schedule. Moved by C. Rudberg-Chin Seconded by S. Snyders That the 2023 Meeting Schedule for the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved as follows: January 18, 2023 – 7:00pm February 15, 2023 – 7:00pm March 15, 2023 – 7:00pm April 19, 2023 – 7:00pm May 17, 2023 – 7:00pm June 21, 2023 – 7:00pm September 20, 2023 – 7:00pm October 18, 2023 – 7:00pm November 15, 2023 – 7:00pm Terms of Reference will be sent to the Committee to review prior to the February Meeting. Page 3 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Carried T. Higgins spoke to a continuous learning curriculum to be provided to Members at each meeting regarding knowledge and insights on key topics. 5.2 Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Centre (CHDRC) – Change Room Emergency Buttons T. Higgins provided an overview of an issue that emerged regarding concerns with the renovations at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Centre (CHDRC), specifically the addition of emergency buttons in the facility’s dressing areas. He informed the Committee that the City responded to these concerns by having additional emergency buttons/alarms installed in these areas. 5.3 Site Plans Review I. Janton provided an overview of Site Plan Application S 08/22, a proposed sales office for a new residential development in the Seaton community. The Committee engaged in discussion regarding: • the primary focus of site plan reviews being on external features of the site; • the ability for the Committee to provide comments regarding both internal and external features of the site depending on the information provided; • the outdoor barrier-free toilets proposed for the site; • the location of the accessible parking spaces in relation to the entrance/exit ramp; • the measurements and the slope of the entrance/exit ramp and its compliance with AODA standards; and, • whether automatic door openers are proposed for the sales office. Page 4 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) I. Janton provided an overview of Site Plan Application S 16/22, a proposed automobile sales, showroom, and repair facility at 1695 Bayly St. The Committee engaged in discussion regarding: • vehicle access from Bayly St., and whether this could be used by drivers to circumvent the Brock Rd. and Bayly St. intersection; • concerns regarding safety of pedestrians crossing the private roadway on the site; • concerns regarding pedestrian visibility to drivers turning the corner in front of Unit 3; • whether traffic calming measures can be considered; and, • whether accessible counter heights will be considered for the sales facility. I. Janton provided an overview of Site Plan Application S 17/22, a proposed public elementary school at 2570 Tillings Rd. The Committee engaged in discussion regarding: • the accessible washrooms proposed and whether they will have changing tables; • the accessible parking spaces proposed on- site and pedestrian connections to the municipal sidewalk; • whether a secondary elevator can be considered for the facility; • clarification around the proposed Play Fields being owned by the school board, and the potential for park space to be developed on excess land on the site; and, • the consideration that the play areas being developed be fully accessible. 5.4 EnAbling Change Grant Submission Accessibility Internships - December 2022 T. Higgins provided an overview of the EnAbling Change Grant Submission for Accessibility Internships with the City of Pickering, discussing: • challenges that persons living with disabilities face seeking employment; • the proposal for six (6) internship opportunities with a term of six (6) months for Page 5 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Durham College and Ontario Tech University students next year; • outreach to community partners regarding this proposal; • the proposal for a coordinator position within the City to ensure sufficient planning and development of the internship opportunities; • the letter of support crafted on behalf of the former Accessibility Advisory Committee for the proposal; and, • the anticipated timeline to expect a response regarding the proposal in the coming months. 5.5 AODA 4th Independent Review – City of Pickering’s Input – November 2022 T. Higgins provided an update to the Committee regarding the City’s submission regarding the AODA 4th Independent Review including: • the consideration of policies to prioritize employment of persons living with disabilities rather than reliance on immigration as a sole solution to labour shortages; • the consideration of policies to encourage development of accessible affordable housing and addressing gaps in the Ontario Building Code; • the consideration of developing provincial standards regarding accessible recreation programming; • the need to address gaps around service and support animal policies in Ontario; • the need for clarification around accessible transportation and transit standards; and, • the network of provincial accessibility coordinators that aims to collaborate and address accessibility issues in Ontario, and the consideration of its formal recognition by the province. Moved by M. Thorpe Ross Seconded by D. Currie That the Committee endorse the submission of feedback provided by the City of Pickering to the Page 6 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Province of Ontario for the purpose of the AODA 4th Independent Review. Carried 5.6 Partnership with the Abilities Centre LEAD Project T. Higgins provided an overview of the partnership with the Abilities Centre LEAD Project, including: • the focus of LEAD Project to help municipalities to improve their accessibility programs; • the ongoing discussions with the City on how to effectively consult and identify improvement opportunities with regard to accessibility; • opportunities for the Committee to both provide, and receive feedback through the LEAD project; and, • a free AODA training module available online. 5.7 Awards T. Higgins provided an overview of the City’s accessibility awards and achievements, including: • the recognition of former Committee Member Peter Bashaw for receiving a Regional Accessibility Award; • the recognition of former Committee Member David Wysocki for receiving a Civic Award; • the recognition of John McLellan from the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade for his work on accessible housing, and the former Committee’s nomination of him to the David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility; and, • the recognition of former Committee Member David Wysocki for receiving the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award for his work on issue of accessibility. 5.8 Future Agenda Items T. Higgins provided an overview of various agenda topics planned for future meetings and the Page 7 of 7 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) timelines of when they can be expected to be discussed. 5.9 Advisory Committee Year End Reports/Work Plans T. Higgins provided an overview of the Year End Reports/Work Plan process that the Committee is required to undertake to highlight annual achievements and future work of the Committee. 6. Correspondence There were no items of correspondence. 7. Other Business There was no other business discussed. 8. AAC Member Roundtable Updates T. Higgins surveyed the Members for updates. Within the roundtable discussion, Members raised questions regarding the ability to share relevant documents through an online platform. T. Higgins and A. MacGillivray to explore options and report back to the Committee. 9. Next Meeting – February 15, 2023 10. Adjournment Moved by D. Currie Seconded by C. Rudberg-Chin That the meeting be adjourned. Carried Meeting Adjourned: 9:11 pm