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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-03Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee Minutes for the meeting of February 3, 2021 6:30 p.m. Via Microsoft Teams If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Present: Shea -Lea Latchford, Chair Sylvia Jaspers-Fayer, Vice -Chair Pinder DaSilva Councillor Janice Jones Deb Kalogris Sarah McConaghy Catherine McConaghy Marina Ross Sarah Taylor Tim Van Leeuwen Also Present: Erica Mittag, Community Development Coordinator Mary Jane Bacon, Clarington Animal Services Supervisor (until 6:45 p.m.) The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m. 1. Discussion — Use of Dog Leash Concern received from resident. A complaint was received about his dog being in a public space without a leash. The resident advises he uses a scooter and is concerned about safety of the animal if on a leash (i.e. leash getting tangled in wheels). Municipal Law Enforcement Officer visited his residence and provided education about the by-law. The "Pets at Large" by-law was shared by Erica with the Committee. Both Erica and Mary Jane consulted with their colleagues from municipalities across Ontario and have confirmed that all implement the by-law in a similar manner. Some resources and suggested accessories were shared by colleagues in other municipalities to support the resident using a leash. Mary Jane suggested that dogs should be on a leash due to the unpredictable nature of animals and the owner needs to be able to control the animal should something happen. Pinder suggested that the Committee should support the municipality in enforcing the by-law and provide resources (education) to support the resident. Sarah Taylor suggested various options for leash and accessories should be offered. Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes — February 3, 2021 Action Item: Erica will follow up with the resident and provide him with the various resources. Councillor Jones offered to follow-up and support if needed as well. 2. Review of Previous Meeting Minutes The Members reviewed the meeting minutes from the January 6, 2021 meeting. Moved by Deb Kalogris; seconded by Sarah McConaghy That the minutes of the meeting of January 6, 2021 be approved. Carried 3. Business Arising from Previous Meeting Minutes 3.3. Update on request for accessible on -street parking in Newcastle Erica has confirmed that the lot adjacent to the Newcastle Community Hall is for Hall business only and is not public parking. Public Works has looked at King Avenue in Newcastle. East of Mill Street is to narrow to accommodate and accessible spot. In front of the Community Hall, on the north side of King Avenue, would be a suitable location. Funds for construction of an accessible spot in Newcastle has been requested through the 2021 budget. Once approved, staff will work with the Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Newcastle BIA to confirm best location. As well, staff from Public Works will be working with the Accessibility Advisory Committee to develop a plan to identify and prioritize accessible on -street parking across Clarington. 3.4. Request for Toyota Canada to attend a future meeting At our January meeting, the Committee shared they were pleased to learn of Toyota Canada's recent Gold recognition for accessibility by the Rick Hansen Foundation. A request was made to invite representative(s) from Toyota to attend a future Committee meeting. Erica confirmed that a representative will attend the March 3 meeting to present and highlight some of their accessibility features they included in the design of the new Eastern Canada Parts Distribution Centre in Clarington. 4. New Business: 4.3. Clarington Ward Boundary Review The Committee received a memo with an update that following the recent Ward Boundary Review, Council has voted to retain the existing ward boundary structure at this time. Page 2 of 2 Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes — February 3, 2021 4.4. Service and Support Animal Initiative A collaborative initiative / survey on the challenges and barriers experienced in the community. The survey is open to stakeholders in the community — service animal users and support people of service animal users, businesses, advisory committee members, advocacy groups. Please share with your network. Action Item: Erica to request that Communications share the post(s) about this survey on social media. 4.5. LEAD Initiative Leading Equitable and Accessible Delivery. The Municipality of Clarington is collaborating with Abilities Centre to go through the LEAD process. The process looks to embed accessibility and inclusion into organization's policies, processes, strategy and culture. Currently forming a LEAD Working Group. Two members of Council — Councillor Jones and Councillor Hooper (as Council Liaisons to Accessibility Advisory and Diversity Advisory Committees) will participate in the LEAD Working Group. We are looking for a member of the Accessibility Advisory Committee to join the LEAD Working Group to share their perspective towards the process as a resident; someone who accesses programs and services offered by the municipality and who is open to sharing their thoughts to help develop an action plan to move this initiative forward. The commitment includes two half days sessions in late March / early April, with another approximately 2-hour meeting in late April or May to review the recommendations. Some members were interested. Members could take a look at the link to learn more and ask any questions of Erica between now and the next meeting Action Item: Members to share at March 3 meeting if they are interested in representing the Committee and community on the LEAD Working Group. 4.6. Roundtable Update Shea -Lea mentioned that she had to attend the Service Ontario site in Bowmanville recently and had concerns with the accessibility of service. Erica requested that Shea Lea share her experience with her in an email as this is an item that staff continue to follow up with the Ministry on. Sylvia noted that four sidewalk tiles are sinking along King Street just east of Scugog (parallel to the public parking lot). Erica will share the concern with Public Works. Sarah McConaghy shared that there needs to be more accessible parking on King Street in Bowmanville as well as close to the chiropractor office on Church Street. Erica indicated this could be included in the upcoming plan for on -street accessible parking. Councillor Jones shared that Council has been deliberating the 2021 budget with hopes of ratifying on February 8. Page 3 of 2 Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes — February 3, 2021 Pinder offered to present at the next meeting the first report from the National Disability Survey on the impact of COVID-19 on people with disabilities. The Committee would appreciate this. Erica will add to the next agenda. Erica thanked everyone for the reviewing and providing input to the annual report that went to Council. It was very well received. This is Erica's second to last meeting as Jeannette will be returning for our March meeting. 5. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Moved by Tim Van Leeuwen; seconded by Sarah Taylor That the meeting be adjourned. Carried Next meeting Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Via Microsoft Teams Page 4 of 2