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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-06-05 Minutes CLARINGTON ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE June 5, 2013, 6:00 P.M. MEETING ROOM 1A Present: Sylvia Jaspers-Fayer, Chair Shea-Lea Latchford, Vice Chair Sally Barrie Jennifer Forde Tim Hick Councillor Partner Absent: Andrea Horgan Also Present: June Gallagher, Committee Coordinator Bill Goulding, Sustainable Trails, attended until 6:35 p.m. Jack Hampsy, Bowmanville Creek Anglers Association and Valleys 2000 attended until 6:35 p.m. Charlie Hastings, Bowmanville Creek Anglers Association, attended until 6:35 p.m. Steve Kay, Bowmanville Creek Anglers Association attended until 6:35 p.m. Dave Lawson, Bowmanville Creek Anglers Association, attended until 6:35 p.m. 1. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Moved by Shea-Lea Latchford, seconded by Councillor Partner THAT the minutes of the meetings of April 3 and May 1, 2013 be approved. "CARRIED" 2. DELEGATION Dave Lawson, Bowmanville Creek Anglers Association (BCAA) was present to discuss the proposed accessibility project at Bowmanville Creek. He made a verbal presentation to accompany a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Lawson introduced the other visitors present: Bill Goulding, Jack Hampsy, Charlie Hastings and Steve Kay. He informed the Committee that the BCAA plans to build an accessible wheel chair access on Bowmanville Creek. Mr. Lawson noted that it will be the first of its kind in Durham Region and will be located south of the Goodyear Dam, north of Spry Avenue. He explained that, through his knowledge and experience, they have chosen a spot considered a "good fishing hole". Mr. Lawson explained that the system will be similar to others built by Mr. Goulding's company, Sustainable Trails. He noted that it will allow easy access to trout and salmon fishing for children and adults in wheelchairs. Mr. Lawson informed the Committee that the $8000 project will include bank stabilization, Clarington Accessibility - 2 - June 5, 2013 Advisory Committee natural surfaces, gravel, field stone, and low-impact machinery. He added that the BCAA will be doing fundraising, including scrap metal fundraising and approaching the Trillium Foundation and local industry for financial support. Mr. Lawson announced that the project is scheduled to commence in July and construction will be approximately two weeks. He explained that the project was initiated by a request from a fisherman, who uses a wheelchair, looking for a suitable spot to fish. Mr. Lawson added that the local nursing home residents will also benefit from this project. Mr. Goulding, from Sustainable Trails, informed the Committee that his company will be performing the work and has extensive experience in creating accessible trails, notably in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Portugal, Jamaica, Mexico, and Chile. He explained that the project will be dual purpose — providing wheelchair access and improving the watershed with streambank stabilization. Mr. Goulding noted that he was recently involved with the accessible trail at Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority's Purple Woods location and a portion of the Laura Secord Trail in St. Catharines. The Committee asked questions regarding machinery (low environmental impact and "right-sized" equipment); size (20ft long x 5 or 6ft wide, with fieldstones placed at front); family fishing; long term maintenance (to be undertaken by BCAA and Valleys 2000); and construction questions. The Committee suggested, and the BCAA agreed, that it would be beneficial to develop an accessible fishing equipment lending library. It was noted that the Conservation Authority and the Municipality of Clarington are in support of the project. The Committee offered suggestions of funding from the Rick Hanson organization, and March of Dimes. The Committee suggested that the project could be profiled on the Municipality's website as well as at local upcoming events, such as Applefest. The BCAA members requested a letter of support and possible funding from the Committee. Moved by Shea-Lea Latchford, seconded by Tim Hick THAT a Letter of Support be forwarded to the Bowmanville Creek Anglers Association in support of their project to create an accessible fishing spot on the Bowmanville Creek. "CARRIED" Clarington Accessibility - 3 - June 5, 2013 Advisory Committee Moved by Councillor Partner, seconded by Jennifer Forde THAT the Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee contribute $1000, from the Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee budget, to the Bowmanville Creek Anglers Association project to create an accessible fishing spot on the Bowmanville Creek. "CARRIED" 3. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES (a) Maplefest - Update Shea-Lea Latchford and Sally Barrie informed the Committee that Maplefest was a successful event. Shea-Lea asked that a thank you be forwarded to Jean Graham for bringing the "Guide Dogs in Training" out for Maplefest. The Committee received a copy of the final version of the Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee postcard, which was distributed at Maplefest. It was suggested that the accessible fishing spot be profiled at the next community event, Applefest. It was suggested that Applefest be discussed at the September meeting. Sally Barrie suggested that future booths at community events need to have an attraction, such as the Guide Dogs, to bring the public into the booth. Another suggestion was a "Wanted Poster" to ask for volunteers on the Accessibility Advisory Committee. Shea-Lea asked that Jennifer Cooke also be thanked for her assistance at the booth. (b) Accessibility Advisory Committee Forums - Update Sylvia Jaspers-Fayer and Shea-Lea Latchford attended the Accessibility Advisory Committee Forums 2013, presented by The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario in partnership with The Ontario Municipal Social Services Association on May 22, 2013. Sylvia noted that the signage was poor and the construction inhibited access. The Accessibility Forum was not advertised as such, but rather the umbrella organization (Access ON and OMSSA Ontario Municipal Social Services Association) which supports the Forum. Clarington Accessibility - 4 - June 5, 2013 Advisory Committee In general, she felt that it was not as interesting as in the past. She noted that two municipalities have decided to have the municipality clean all the sidewalks. She suggested that the Municipality of Clarington be approached to ensure that the windrows downtown be removed from the sidewalks. Shea-Lea mentioned that a Para-Olympian rower spoke very well. Shea- Lea noted that another portion of the Forum focussed on using different media. 4. NEW BUSINESS Clarington Fire and Emergency Services — Project Plan — Think Ahead Clarington Fire and Emergency Services have developed a project plan to encourage citizens to be prepared for emergencies. The Committee agreed to review the plan and provide feedback to Patti. Metrolinx—Accessibility Public Meetings Metrolinx is gathering public input for their Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. There will be a session at the Abilities Centre located in the Theatre/Multi-Purpose Room (Second Floor) 55 Gordon Street, Whitby, on Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. This information was received for information. Regional Municipality of Durham —Accessibility Awards Nominations are being received, until July 26, 2013, for the 2013 Region of Durham Accessibility Awards. Moved by Sally Barrie, Seconded Tim Hick THAT the Bowmanville Creek Anglers Association be nominated for the Region of Durham Accessibility Awards for their project to provide wheelchair access on Bowmanville Creek for children and adults confined to wheelchairs in order to enjoy fishing in Bowmanville Creek. "CARRIED" 5. REGIONAL UPDATE There was no Regional Update provided because there was no quorum at the last meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for June 25, 2013. Clarington Accessibility - 5 - June 5, 2013 Advisory Committee 6. OTHER BUSINESS BrowseAloud Software for Municipality of Clarington Website June Gallagher provided copies of correspondence from Jennifer Cooke, Manager of Marketing & Communications, requesting comments from the Committee on a new software, BrowseAloud. She explained that the software is currently being used by the City of Oshawa to "speak" the website, to assist those who struggle to read online. The information was received for information. Accessible Home for Sale in Oshawa June Gallagher distributed copies of an email regarding an accessible home for sale in Oshawa. The information was forwarded from Deborah Skinner, Program Manager with the Region of Durham, to the Municipal Clerk. The Committee was asked to forward the information to anyone who might be interested. The information was received for information. Bowmanville Mall June Gallagher provided the Committee with an update from Patti Barrie, Municipal Clerk, regarding the Committee's request to the Bowmanville Mall to alleviate the accessibility barriers at the back door of the mall and the double door in the bathroom. Ms. Barrie spoke to Steve McNeviche, from the Bowmanville Mall, who has indicated that the mall is imminently being sold. Mr. McNeviche indicated that both the vendor and the purchaser have agreed that the doors need to be repaired and that this is definitely a project that will be done. Service Ontario Building The Committee asked for an update on the lack of access at the Service Ontario Building on King Street in Bowmanville. The issue is that there is a double door, but no automatic opening. In addition, there is only one chair in the waiting area, with long line-ups. The Committee asked that the Municipal Clerk follow-up on the matter for the next meeting. 222 King St Medical Centre The Committee asked that the Municipal Clerk contact the owners of 222 King Street Medical Centre to discuss the matter of"no drop-off zone". The owners have moved the parking lot gate which has resulted in drivers having to pay for parking even if they are only dropping off. Sally Barrie confirmed that her clients have to pay for parking, even if they are just being dropped off by the volunteer driver. Clarington Accessibility - 6 - June 5, 2013 Advisory Committee CIBC Branch in Newcastle The Committee discussed Tim Hick's email regarding commending the Newcastle CIBC Branch for making their branch accessible. Moved by Tim Hick, Seconded by Councillor Partner THAT the Municipal Clerk, on behalf of the Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee, forward a letter to the Branch Manager of the Newcastle CIBC thanking them for improving accessibility in Clarington. "CARRIED" Orono BIA—Accessible Parking Space Councillor Partner noted that the Orono Business Improvement Association is creating an accessible parking space in front of the Orono CIBC Bank. 7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 commencing at 6:00 p.m. in Committee Room 1A. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Chair Secretary