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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-05Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee Minutes for the meeting of May 5, 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 Deb Kalogris Marina Ross Sarah Taylor Tim Van Leeuwen Sarah McConaghy Catherine McConaghy Councillor Janice Jones Also Present: Jeannette Whynot, Accessibility Coordinator George Acorn, Director, Community Services Regrets: None 1. Call to order The meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. 2. Review of Previous Meeting Minutes Moved by Marina Ross; seconded by Sarah Taylor That the minutes of the meeting of March 5, 2021 be approved. Carried 3. Presentation George Acorn, Director of Community Services George thanked the Committee for giving him the opportunity to attend and speak. It was explained that 2021 is going to be a large year for accessibility in programs, facilities and services; specifically working on the Universal Design Standards which has full support of the Corporation and Council. Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes — May 5, 2021 With the recent re -organization in Clarington, in addition to adding Jeannette's position to Community Services, Building Services was also moved. Strategically this will help move many projects forward, with better collaboration, because they are under the same department now. George briefly spoke about the Municipality participating in the LEAD process with the Abilities Centre and how they recently completed two half -day facilitations. There was great representation from staff, Council and community members. Some other interesting pieces that the AAC will eventually hear more about: An accessibility improvement plan for Orono Public Library and 156 Church Street. For the Church street location looking at changing grades around the building, and putting in an elevator to ensure accessibility. No confirmed tenant yet, but hopefully the renovations at 156 Church will be completed by the end of the year. Finally, George advised that next week he'll be bringing a report forward to Council on building a new recreation facility in Bowmanville. Not sure where it will be built or the timelines yet but there will definitely be a focus on universal and inclusive design. Moved by Sylvia Jaspers-Fayer, seconded by Marina Ross That the presentation by George Acorn be received for information Carried 4. Declaration of Interest Information Jeannette Whynot advised the Committee the moving forward there will be a declaration of interest on the Committee's agenda. It will provide members with an opportunity to declare interest in anything on the agenda. Members were advised to revisit their welcome package for more information on what constitutes a declaration of interest. Additionally, members can speak with Jeannette directly if they have questions or concerns. 5. Business Arising from Previous Meeting Minutes 5.1 Update on National AccessAbility Week For staff, there will be two lunch and learns through the week. There will also be two staff engagement questions and participating in Easter Seals Red Shirt Day. Engagement questions will ask staff to think about accessibility and what they can do in their everyday lives to move it forward. Throughout the week there will be social media posts and re/posts from other organizations who are sharing information related to AccessAbility Week. Page 2 of 3 Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes — May 5, 2021 The Mayor has issued a proclamation for the week and there will be a flag raising. Due to Covid-19 there will be no flag raising ceremony this year. Wednesday June 2 there will be a small ribbon cutting for the newly -renovated Orono Town Hall. It will be video tapped and then shared online later in the day. Jeannette Whynot suggested that the Committee may wish to give a delegation to Council at the May 31 General Government and Committee meeting as it nicely coincides with the start of AccessAbility Week. Sarah Taylor expressed interest in presenting on behalf of the Committee but would confirm with Jeannette later in the week. If Sarah is unable to present, the Committee asked Jeannette to present on their behalf. 5.2 Mobility Device Charging Stations — Update This project was on the front page of Clarington News. Has generated a lot of interest now from others Rouge National Park, Pickering Accessibility Advisory Committee and others. The article featured a comment from Jim McEwan who also emailed Mayor Foster. His concern is the use of interlocking pavers because they pose an accessibility barrier for people with mobility devices or other physical disabilities. His email requested that the Municipality consider banning their use in developments. When reviewing site plan applications, the Accessibility Committee has always encouraged builders to use more asphalt paving and use the pavers more for decorative reasons. However, there is no obligation for builders to incorporate the Committee's feedback. Sarah Taylor asked if this could be an opportunity for AAC to use social media, newspapers to educate the public on the importance of not having pavers for accessibility reasons. After a brief discussion, the Committee decided to defer discussion to next meeting to have a more fulsome conversation. Jeannette Whynot will discuss the matter with Planning staff and bring more information to the June meeting. 5.3 Update on Newcastle accessible parking Jeannette advised the Committee that due to the close proximity to the corner the proposed location of the accessible parking space was causing safety concerns. It will be pushed slightly further West so it is further away from the intersection, making it safer. It will be closer to Newcastle Town Hall. The BIA will lose two regular on -street spaces but will gain one (safe) on -street accessible space. 5.4 LEAD Process Update Pinder DaSilva provided the Committee with an update on this project. It took place approximately 2 weeks ago. There was an excellent turn out from staff, Council, and Page 3 of 3 Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes — May 5, 2021 Community members. Everyone was fully engaged throughout the process and provided great information/feedback. Next steps — Abilities Centre staff are working on building out the improvement plan and identifying key themes. This will be presented back to organizing team at Clarington for preliminary review. Sarah Taylor represented the Committee during the LEAD process as a community rep and stated she thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was happy to see the diverse perspectives and views. 6. New Business Jeannette Whynot requested that members consider nominations for this year's accessibility awards. We will be discussing them at the next meeting. Jeannette provided an overview of a grant application the Municipality is looking to submit to hire a youth with a disability. The position would be an Inclusion Counselor Assistant and would be funded through the Canada Parks and Recreation Youth Employment Experience Grant. It would be an excellent opportunity and the Municipality would be partnering with Participation House and the Abilities Centre to hire and train the individual. Moved by Pinder DaSilva, Seconded by Marina Ross, That the Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee supports the Municipality of Clarington's application to Canada Parks and Rec Youth Employment Experience Grant; That the Accessibility Coordinator prepare a letter of support on behalf of the Committee. Carried 7. Adjournment Moved by Deb Kalogris; seconded by Tim Van Leeuwen That the meeting be adjourned. Carried The meeting was adjourned at 7:25pm Page 4 of 3 Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes — May 5, 2021 Next meeting Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Via Microsoft Teams Page 5 of 3