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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-07 MinutesCLARINGTON ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MARCH 7, 2007, 6:00 P.M. MEETING ROOM #1A Present: David Kelly, Chair Sally Barrie Keith Brettell Norman Hannan Tim Hick Councillor Ron Hooper Absent: Darlene Matthews Also Present: Edie Corneil, Durham Region Employment Network (attended until 6:30 p.m.) Gerry Shoalts, Shoalts and Zaback Architects Ltd. (attended from 6:30 p.m. to 7:28 p.m.) Edith Hopkins, Library Director attended from 6:30 p.m. to 7:28 p.m.) Bruce Taylor, Corporate Safety and Project Manager attended from 6:30 p.m. to 7:28 p.m.) Patti Barrie, Municipal Clerk Barb Boffey, Secretary 1. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Moved by Keith Brettell, seconded by Sally Barrie THAT the minutes of the meeting held on February 15, 2007 be approved, with the following amendments: Item 2a – Items Arising From the Minutes be amended by removing the words “that the power doors at the west entrance to the arena area are not working properly” and replacing them with the words “there are no power doors at the west entrance to the arena and a lip at the entrance which needs to be removed”. Item 6 – Other Business – e) Equipment Listing be amended by deleting the last sentence. CARRIED 2. ITEMS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES The matter of the observation deck of Pad A at the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex has been brought to the attention of the Community Services Department. Clarington Accessibility - 2 - March 7, 2007 Advisory Committee 3. PRESENTATIONS David Kelly introduced Edie Corneil from the Durham Region Employment Network (DREN). a) Edie Corneil, Durham Region Employment Network – Sensitivity Training Edie Corneil provided an overview on the DREN and stated the purpose of the organization is to assist individuals with disabilities such as finding suitable employment through training programs and workshops, community understanding and the promotion of access to community support services. Ms. Corneil distributed an Ability Guide and an Agenda from a recent Scugog Township Staff Accessibility Awareness Workshop (Sensitivity Training Program) which she advised was well attended. The program was hands-on to educate employees and promote awareness of the day-to-day barriers faced by the disabled. Ms. Corneil encouraged the Mayor and staff members for the Municipality of Clarington to participate in a similar half-day program and stated she would be flexible to accommodate all schedules. Ms. Corneil requested the Committee develop a list of specific questions and items to be addressed prior to an agenda being developed and the sessions being scheduled b) Gerry Shoalts – Clarington Public Library – Newcastle Branch Edith Hopkins introduced herself as the Library Director, Municipality of Clarington, Gerry Shoalts, Shoalts and Zaback Architects Ltd., and Bruce Taylor, Corporate Safety and Project Manager, Municipality of Clarington to the Committee. Ms. Hopkins stated the anticipated opening date for the Newcastle Library is the summer of 2008 and the purpose of their presentation was to gain input from the Committee with respect to the design of the building. Gerry Shoalts reviewed the exterior library site plans with the Committee and pointed out all access and barrier free areas. Mr. Shoalts stated there is 80 feet from the handicapped parking area to the main door entranceway. He stated the handicapped parking spaces could be made two feet wider to fit full size vans if required. Mr. Shoalts stated that curb cuts would be level, and could also be made along the tree lined area near the soccer field. Mr. Shoalts stated that the trees on either side of the courier driveway could be removed to avoid visibility problems. Norman Hannan stated that sidewalk contraction joints create unnecessary bumping and eventually become larger over time. Norman stated he would send information to Gerry Shoalts concerning a company that manufactures tools which can alleviate this problem. Keith Brettell suggested that due to the unevenness of interlocking, it should be avoided in the site design. Clarington Accessibility - 3 - March 7, 2007 Advisory Committee Tim Hicks suggested avoiding the use of tinting on the sidewalk concrete as it creates a very slippery surface and potential hazard. Mr. Shoalts suggested one additional barrier-free handicapped parking space could be added to the area nearest the soccer field. Gerry Shoalts reviewed the interior library site plans with the Committee and pointed out all access and barrier free areas. Mr. Shoalts stated the security gates at the front entranceway slider doors are 3 feet wide and could be increased to 3 feet 6 inches wide. He indicated the flooring of the library was standard tile, very level and that the joints were very close together. Mr. Shaolts stated there are four washrooms, two of which are designated as being handicapped and barrier-free. Mr. Shoalts confirmed that power doors are not part of the site plans and that it would be a costly endeavour. Keith Brettell suggested that for space and manoeuvrability reasons, the doors to the washrooms should open out, rather than open into the area. Keith suggested if this was not possible, then perhaps pocket doors could be implemented. Norman Hannan suggested moving the sink from one wall of the washroom to another in order to gain space. Mr. Shoalts stated this could be taken this into consideration. David Kelly suggested having lighting within the bookshelves to assist in the visibility of book labels. Mr. Shoalts stated if this was implemented, glare from the lighting could become a problem. Tim Hick suggested having the bookshelves slant slightly to assist with book label visibility. 4. NEW BUSINESS a) Correspondence from Pat Madill, Regional Clerk, Regional Municipality of Durham – Accessible Pedestrian Signals Policy Patti Barrie stated that Durham Region has been working with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and have implemented a region-wide policy on accessible pedestrian signals. The correspondence is for committee information purposes. 5. OTHER BUSINESS Keith Brettell questioned the status of feedback from Canadian Association of Retired Persons with respect to the concerns they may have with full-serve gas stations being converted to self-serve. Patti Barrie stated she was still waiting to hear back from the organization. Clarington Accessibility - 4 - March 7, 2007 Advisory Committee Tim Hick questioned whether the snow clearing offered for seniors could be extended to assist people with disabilities. Tim stated that clearing sidewalks of snow would greatly assist people with disabilities over the winter period. Patti Barrie stated she would investigate the parameters of the snow clearing program currently offered to seniors for further discussion at the next meeting. 6. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for April 3, 2007. 7. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Keith Brettell, seconded by Tim Hick THAT the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED _________________________ Chair _________________________ Secretary