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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-05 MinutesClarington Accessibility Advisory Committee April 5, 2017, 6:30 P.M. Meeting Room 1A Present: André O’Bumsawin Tim Van Leeuwen Maureen Reed Sally Barrie Jacquie Watchorn Shea-Lea Latchford Also Present: Jeannette Whynot – Accessibility Coordinator Regrets: Councillor Partner Meeting was called to order at 6:27pm. 1. Adoption of Minutes Moved by André O’Bumsawin seconded by Maureen Reed That the minutes of the meeting of March 1, 2017 be approved. Carried 2. Presentation No presentations 3. Business Arising From Minutes (a) Multi-Year Accessibility Plan The Accessibility Coordinator advised Committee members that the multi-year plan survey was moving forward as planned and that it was currently being reviewed by municipal staff for comments. It is expected that the survey will be available beginning in May for 4-6 weeks. The Committee was informed that the survey will be shared through Municipal social media and the Municipal website. The Committee was also informed that an advertisement for the survey will be placed in the summer edition of the recreation and leisure guide. The Coordinator asked Committee members to email her suggestions of community organizations that should be directly contacted. Clarington Accessibility - 2 - April 5, 2017 Advisory Committee (b) ServiceOntario Bowmanville Update The Committee discussed the March 23rd article in the Clarington This Week newspaper where the accessibility issues of ServiceOntario Bowmanville were highlighted. Committee members congratulated Maureen Reed on her contributions to the article on behalf of the Committee. The Accessibility Coordinator advised the Committee that over the last week she received a number of complaints from residents regarding the lack of accessibility at the Bowmanville ServiceOntario location. The Committee was informed that this week a “ramp” was installed and that it did not meet the barrier -free guidelines of the Ontario Building Code, nor was it installed with the proper permits. As such, the ramp was inspected by Municipal staff and would be receiving an Order to comply by the end of the week. The Committee was shown pictures of the ramp that was installed and agreed that it was an unacceptable attempt at providing accessibility. The Committee agreed that it looked too steep, lacked safety features and did not have enough landing space for a mobility device to turn at the bottom of the ramp. The Committee discussed possible next steps they could take but agreed to wait until the next meeting to see if the Order resulted in any positive changes. Committee members each expressed their frustration and concern about the lack of improvement at the Bowmanville ServiceOntario Centre. (c) National Access Awareness Week As a follow-up to the March 1, 2017 meeting, the Committee worked together to develop their delegation presentation to Council for the May 29th in honour of National Access Awareness Week. André O’Bumsawin agreed to speak to Council on behalf of the Committee at the delegation. Committee members were encouraged to attend if they are able to. The Accessibility Coordinator advised the Committee that two requests were submitted to the Mayor’s Office for consideration. One requested a flag raising in honour of National Access Awareness Week and the other requested that National Access Awareness Week be proclaimed. The Committee will be updated on the status of those requests at the next meeting. (d) Snow Removal + Accessibility In Councillor Partner’s absence, the Accessibility Coordinator provided the Committee with an update on her discussion with the Operations Department regarding the snow clearing concerns raised by Tim Van Leeuwen at the last meeting. Clarington Accessibility - 3 - April 5, 2017 Advisory Committee The Operations Department will discuss the feedback/concerns raised by the Committee in May when they review their 2016/2017 winter performance. After this meeting the Operations Department will provide the Committee with an update and upon request will attend a meeting in person to further discuss snow removal plans. 4. New Business (a) Maple Fest Schedule Committee members discussed their availability to attend Maple Fest on Saturday May 6th. Schedule will be confirmed at the May 3rd meeting. (b) Durham Regional Transit Specialized Service Update The Accessibility Coordinator provided Committee members with a copy of a recent report to (Regional) Council written by Durham Regional Transit (DRT). The Committee was given a brief overview of the changes DRT has made and were shown a copy of the updated application form. 5. Regional Update (a) Regional Updates André O’Bumsawin advised the Committee that at the last Regional AAC meeting he attended there was a guest speaker who spoke on the importance of accessible housing. A discussion on the importance of accessible housing took place. André O’Bumsawin also discussed a DRT presentation on the design of their new bus stop signs. The Committee was told of the changes that were suggested and were shown a sample of their first draft. 6. Other Business Jacqui Watchorn brought forward a discussion on the lack of emergency phones at transit stops. She explained that this is common place in other municipalities and cities and questioned why there were none in Durham. 7. Date of Next Meeting Wednesday May 3, 2017 at 6:30 PM. 8. Adjournment Moved by Jacqui Watchorn seconded by Maureen Reed That the meeting adjourn. Clarington Accessibility - 4 - April 5, 2017 Advisory Committee Carried The meeting concluded at 7:41pm. _________________________ Chair _________________________ Secretary