HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-06 Minutes
CLARINGTON ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
November 6, 2013, 6:00 P.M.
Meeting Room 1A
Present: Sylvia Jaspers-Fayer, Chair
Shea-Lea Latchford, Vice Chair
Sally Barrie
Councillor Partner
Absent: Jennifer Forde
Tim Hick
Andrea Horgan
Also Present: Councillor Hooper attended the meeting from 6:09 p.m. to 6:41 p.m.
Sandra McKee, Buyer, attended the meeting until 6:41 p.m.
Patti Barrie, Municipal Clerk
1. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Moved by Sally Barrie, seconded by Councillor Partner
THAT the minutes of the meeting of September 4, 2013 be approved.
“CARRIED”
2. DELEGATION
Jeff Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Adaptability Canada Corporation together
with Patrick McDonnell, Bii Canada, made a PowerPoint presentation to the
Committee regarding building accessible environments. Jeff advised that his
company provides solutions to removing barriers in buildings by identifying and
minimizing risk, and prioritizing around the needs of the community, thereby
allowing municipalities to avoid costly retrofits and control long-term costs with
equipment standards. His company provides audits for residential, non-profit,
commercial and public buildings.
The delegation was followed by a question and answer period.
Clarington Accessibility - 2 - November 6, 2013
Advisory Committee
3. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES
(a) Service Ontario Building, 222 King Street Medical Centre
i) Correspondence from Elisabeth McKenzie, Manager,
ServiceOntario 388 – Bowmanville advising that letters dated
April 11, 2013 and August 27, 2013 regarding accessibility at the
Service Ontario Building have been forwarded to the landlord and
that accessibility matters are being looked into, and that in the
interim they will continue to do as they have in the past which is for
staff to be aware of the issue and to provide assistance to
customers requiring help entering/exiting the premises, was
received for information.
ii) Correspondence from Charles Cattran, Business Manager,
Bowmanville Professional Building Limited advising that a drop off
zone outside the gates of the building cannot be provided as this
would interfere with the traffic flow and that many people let their
passengers off either on St. George Street or just off the street in
the entrance to the parking lot, before the gates, or if the passenger
is unable to walk that far they can come inside the gates and
discharge their passenger then go into the pharmacy or his office
and request a complimentary token to get out of the lot, was
received for information.
(b) Washrooms in Retail Stores
Moved by Shea Lea Latchford, seconded by Councillor Partner
WHEREAS the Building Code Act governs the construction, renovation,
demolition and change of use of buildings;
AND WHEREAS the Building Code, a regulation under the Act, sets out
technical and administrative requirements;
AND WHEREAS the Building Code requires retail stores to be constructed
with washrooms for the intended number of employees and the public;
AND WHEREAS following occupancy, the Building Code has no impact on
policies individual retail companies may choose to implement regarding
public or customer access to these store washrooms;
AND WHEREAS enforcement of the Act and the Building Code is a
municipal responsibility;
Clarington Accessibility - 3 - November 6, 2013
Advisory Committee
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Ministry of Municipal
Affairs and Housing be requested to amend the Ontario Building Code Act
to require individual retail companies to provide public and customer
access to the washrooms that have been constructed as a requirement of
the Building Code and to provide a means for municipalities to enforce this
requirement; and
THAT this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister
of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Association of Municipalities of
Ontario and to the area municipalities within Durham Region for their
support.
(c) EmployABILITY Awards and Gala
Sylvia, Sally and Patti attended the EmployABILITY Awards and Gala on
October 3, 2013 at Tosca Hall. The speaker, Samantha Mutis, who has
autism, shared her story of attaining success in her education and singing
career. She entertained by including her music with her presentation.
The Bowmanville Creek Anglers Association received an award for their
accessible fish platform and Sunspace Sunrooms of Newcastle and their
employee Steven Willsher received awards for the employment program.
(d) Joint AAC Forum
The Joint AAC Forum on September 24 was attended by Sylvia, Shea
Lea, Sally and Patti. The speakers Alfred Spencer, Accessibility
Directorate of Ontario, and David Clarke, Durham Mental Health Services,
were both very interesting and informative.
4. NEW BUSINESS
(a) Scent-Free Environment
Discussion ensued around the possible implementation of a scent-free
environment policy for the Municipality. The Municipal Clerk will contact
the Region about their policy and provide information at the next meeting.
Clarington Accessibility - 4 - November 6, 2013
Advisory Committee
5. REGIONAL UPDATE
There was no Regional update for this meeting.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
(a) Newcastle Library
The Municipal Clerk distributed photos of the entrance to the Newcastle
Branch of the Clarington Public Library and the method used to correct the
accessibility concern with the security gate.
7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled to be held on Wednesday,
December 4, 2013 commencing at 6:00 p.m. in Committee Room 1A.
8. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
_________________________
Chair
_________________________
Secretary