HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 20, 2023
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
September 20, 2023
Electronic Meeting
7:00 pm
Attendees: D. Currie
S. Azhar
B. Ferguson
A. Khan
P. Milton
R. Rizvi
M. Thorpe Ross
Councillor M. Nagy
Councillor S. Butt
N. Hann, Coordinator, Public Affairs & Corporate Communications
K. Wianecki, Director of Practice, Planning Solutions Inc.
T. Barnett, Principal Planner – Site Planning
L. Gibbs, Division Head, Culture and Community Programming
E. Knox, Community Safety and Well Being Advisor
G. Easton, Senior Planning Project Manager, GHD
W. Botter, President, Jardin Design Group Inc.
V. Petruzzo, Jardin Design Group Inc.
A. Emer, Senior Land Developed Engineer
T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator (Staff Liaison)
J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Absent: J. McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
J. R. Cherniak, Barrister and Solicitor, Cherniak Law
C. Rudberg-Chin
S. Snyders
Councillor M. Brenner
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.
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
2. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Approval of Minutes
Moved by M. Thorpe Ross
Seconded by B. Ferguson
That the Minutes of the June 20, 2023 meeting of the Accessibility
Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
4. Presentations/Delegations
There were no presentations or delegations.
5. New Business
5.1 Lebovic Homes – Accessibility Considerations
T. Higgins welcomed guests representing Lebovic Homes
including W. Botter, President, Jardin Design Group Inc., V.
Petruzzo, Jardin Design Group Inc., G. Easton, Senior Planning
Project Manager, GHD, and A. Emer, Senior Land Developed
Engineer.
T. Higgins provided a brief overview of the role and responsibility
of the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) as laid out by the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in
reviewing site plans provided to the City from the perspective of
accessibility features in the plans. In reviewing the Lebovic Homes
plans at the June 21, 2023 AAC meeting, the Accessibility
Advisory Committee saw an opportunity to discuss accessibility
and collaborate on potential solutions and create greater
accessible living moving forward.
W. Botter provided information regarding the intention and process
of building the Lebovic Homes, noting various challenges
pertaining to accessibility.
Councillor S. Butt provided an overview of concerns regarding
building homes that are accessible to the Pickering community
pertaining the specific needs of an ageing population as well as
families, single parents, and those who may experience temporary
disabilities. Councillor S. Butt noted that the City of Pickering
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Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
should be growing as a community that is inclusive and new
developments should consider all residents’ needs.
W. Botter noted that accessibility issues need to be addressed
very early in the design process and suggested that accessibility
standards could be added to the zoning requirements.
Discussion between Committee Members and the Lebovic Homes
representatives ensued regarding:
• Pickering’s growing population and the increased numbers
of residents and new residents with different needs that
should be considered;
• being mindful of the ageing population and the benefit of
accommodating greater accessibility;
• the importance of working together to implement solutions;
• developers contributing to the communities they are
building in and raising awareness of where contributions
may be best served;
• the demonstrated willingness to collaborate and make
positive changes shown by Lebovic Homes;
• considering the demographics of the community within
Pickering and that accommodating accessibility is good for
business;
• certain populations feeling that they are not being heard;
• the possibility of adding elevators to the stacked homes and
that this can be considered as an option for future projects;
• having optional accessibility features that can be added in
at a future date; and,
• the importance of establishing regulated criteria that is
relayed at the pre-consultation stage of the application
process.
5.2 Community Safety & Well-Being
E. Knox provided an overview of the Community Safety & Well-
Being Draft Plan, highlighting 7 Priorities and associated action
items. E. Knox welcomed questions and comments.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members regarding:
• clarification that action items are in various stages of progress;
and,
• the connection between the accessibility agenda and
Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
5.3 Corporate Strategic Plan
N. Hann provided an overview of Pickering’s first Corporate
Strategic Plan, sharing the project activities to date as well as the
visions and goals. N. Hann welcomed questions and comments.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members regarding;
• the infrastructure investment and renewal and what the plans
are concerning accessibility improvements;
• the Corporate Strategic Plan is a broad overview and specific
tasks and items will be decided on once Council approval is
received;
• increasing employment in Pickering through attracting and
retaining quality employment opportunities and the
importance of including those living with a disability in the
recruitment process;
• the opportunity to incorporate concepts that are already
included in the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan in the Corporate
Strategic Plan;
• a call to action to complete the Corporate Strategic Plan
survey available on the letstalkpickering.ca website and to
share with networks to provide their input as well as the
opportunity to forward comments to N. Hann and K.
Wianecki; and,
• the benefits of providing more in terms of accessibility than
required in mandated regulations.
5.4 2023 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005
(AODA) Compliance Report
T. Higgins provided an overview of the requirements for an
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 (AODA)
Compliance Report every two years and that it is due December
2023. T. Higgins noted that the City of Pickering has achieved
compliance according to the 12 questions supplied by the AODA.
Moved by B. Ferguson
Seconded by M. Thorpe Ross
That the Accessibility Advisory Committee endorse the 2023
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 Compliance
Report indicating full compliance across all 12 questions.
All AAC
Members to
complete,
share and
encourage the
completion of
the Corporate
Strategic Plan
Survey within
their
Networks.
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
Carried
5.5 Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting format, 2024
meeting schedule and member recruitment
T. Higgins proposed 2024 Accessibility Advisory Committee
meeting dates.
Moved by M. Thorpe Ross
Seconded by B. Ferguson
That the Accessibility Advisory Committee adopt the proposed
2024 Meeting dates.
Carried
T. Higgins announced the resignation of Committee Member T.
Lyle-Gravlev.
J. Currie provided a timeline for the application, recruitment, and
appointment process to fill the vacant position.
The Accessibility Advisory Committee discussed the proposal of
returning to in person meetings and noted points regarding:
• the benefits of in-person meetings and how they promote
working relationships; and,
• the recognition of a variety of accessibility needs and that a
hybrid model would suit the Committee.
Moved by R. Rizvi
Seconded by P. Milton
That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meetings continue in a
hybrid model, including an in-person format with the option to join
virtually.
Carried
J. Currie to
send
placeholder
meeting
invites for the
2024 AAC
Meeting
dates.
J. Currie to
check
availability of
the Main
Committee
room for the
October 18,
2023, AAC
Meeting for a
Hybrid model
meeting.
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include
deadline as
appropriate)
6. Correspondence
There were no items of correspondence.
7. Other Business
There was no other business. .
8. AAC Member Roundtable Updates
T. Higgins solicited Committee members for updates, no action
items noted.
9. Next Meeting
October 18, 2023
10. Adjournment
Moved by B. Ferguson
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
Meeting Adjourned: 9:08 pm