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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-02 Minutes Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee December 2, 2015, 6:00 P.M. Meeting Room 1A Present: André O’Bumsawin Tim Van Leeuwen John Sturdy Jacquie Watchorn Shea-Lea Latchford Maureen Reed Also Present: Jeannette Whynot – Accessibility Coordinator Faye Langmaid - Manager of Special Projects, Planning Department Regrets: Councillor Partner Sally Barrie Adoption of Minutes Moved by John Sturdy seconded by André O’Bumsawin That the minutes of the meeting of November 3, 2015 be approved. CARRIED 1. Presentation Clarington CIP Faye Langmaid, presented information on the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) program to the Committee. The Committee was provided an overview of the various type of grant funds available and the types of projects they typically result in. The Committee was advised that the Building Code Grant has the least amount of money available and is the one that could potentially result in accessibility improvements. Grants are limited and are used up quickly in most of the Business Improvement Areas (BIAs). The Committee was informed the grants are not just focused on accessibility, though there has been a discussion amongst the BIA that this type of grant is needed and would be welcomed by the community. Questions were asked on the communication strategy for the CIP program. The Committee was advised that information is distributed via Clarington’s website, BIA sessions, and hand delivered letters in some cases. Clarington Accessibility - 2 - December 2, 2015 Advisory Committee Questions were also asked about changing the matching requirements currently in place. The Committee was informed that this can be changed but there is a process that needs to take place because they are public funds. Moved by, Maureen Reed seconded by André O’Bumsawin Whereas the Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee recognizes the need to assist local businesses to make their establishments more accessible; Now therefore be it resolved that the Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend to Council that the Community Improvement Plans (CIPs) program be specifically targeted on accessibility related improvements; and ThatCouncil increase the budget for the CIPs to include these improvements. CARRIED Moved by Shae Lea, seconded by André O’Bumsawin Whereas the Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee recognizes the need to assist local businesses to make their establishments more accessible; Now therefore be it resolved that the Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends undertaking a review of the funding percentages for the Community Improvement Plan program. CARRIED 3. Business Arising From Minutes (a) Freedom of Information (FOI) Request The Accessibility Coordinator advised the Committee that their FOI request has been submitted and that she has been in contact with staff from the Government of Ontario about the request. The Committee was advised that there are no major updates to provide at this time, but that the Committee will be provided information as it becomes available. (b) ServiceOntario Advocacy Letter The Committee was provided a copy of the response received from the Premier of Ontario. The Accessibility Coordinator advised the Committee that there are two outstanding responses and that they are not expected until the New Year given the upcoming holiday season. The Committee will be provided information Clarington Accessibility - 3 - December 2, 2015 Advisory Committee as it becomes available. 4. New Business (a) 2015 Accessibility Status Report The Accessibility Committee was provided a copy of the 2015 Accessibility Status Report. The report is a requirement of both the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). The Committee was advised that if there were no objections, that the report would be sent to the General Governance Committee and Council in the New Year. Moved by Maureen Reed, seconded by John Sturdy, That, the 2015 Accessibility Status Report be received for information CARRIED (b) Updates to the Customer Service (CS) Standard The Accessibility Coordinator advised the Committee that under the AODA standards must be reviewed every 5 years and that over the past 2 years the Government of Ontario has been reviewing the Customer Service Standard. Under the law, the government must post regulations, including changes to regulations, for 45 days to allow for public comment. In this situation, comments must be submitted by December 31, 2015. The Accessibility Coordinator advised the Committee that what was posted is not technically a draft regulation but rather a summary of their proposed changes. The difference is that a draft regulation would have the exact wording of the (proposed) regulation while a summary speaks in more general terms. It is yet to be seen if this meets their legal requirements, however if it is sufficient, it is important that the Municipality submit its feedback. The Committee was told that if the “summary” does not meet the legal requirement to post a draft regulation, the government will be forced to do this process again, at which time we will have another opportunity to submit comments. The Committee was advised that most of the changes have a minor impact on the Municipality and that most of the changes are adding clarification to the existing requirements. Support persons, service animals and training requirements were discussed more specifically as they will have the largest impact on the Municipality. Clarington Accessibility - 4 - December 2, 2015 Advisory Committee The Committee was advised that the Government wants to repeal the CS Standard and incorporate its requirements in the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR). While this has virtually no impact on the municipality because of its classification and size, it would have a significant impact on smaller businesses. Currently, the CS Standard defines a large organization as one with 20 or more employees, while the IASR defines a large organization as having 50 or more employees. By amalgamating the regulations, organizations with 20-49 employees would no longer be required to document their obligations under the CS standard. A discussion on the impact this would have on local businesses occurred. The Accessibility Coordinator advised that she would incorporate the Committee’s concerns in a formal submission to the government but that the submission should primarily focus on the impact the proposed changes would have on the municipality. Moved by André O’Bumsawin, seconded by John Sturdy Thatthe Accessibility Coordinator submit feedback on the CS update on behalf of the AAC and that a copy of this submission be provided to the AAC for information in the future. CARRIED 5. Regional Update No update. 6. Other Business Moved by John Sturdy, seconded by Shea Lea Latchford th That the January 6, 2016 meeting be cancelled. CARRIED 7. Date of Next Meeting Wednesday February 3, 2016 at 6:00 PM. Clarington Accessibility - 5 - December 2, 2015 Advisory Committee 8. Adjournment Moved by, Maureen seconded by André O’Bumsawin That the meeting adjourn. CARRIED The meeting adjourned at 7:15p.m. _________________________ Chair _________________________ Secretary