Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-22 GRAACGrand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021 Location: Zoom Meeting Present: Donna Hartzler, Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Dawn Clelland (Co -Chair), Heather Clark -Harris, Rob Bender, Andrena Lockley -Brown, Brenda Robinson (Co -Chair), Berny Wesselink, Melanie Garbarz (Region of Waterloo), Paula Saunders, Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo), Carrie Speers, Tracey Murray (Township of Wilmot), Councillor Debbie Chapman (City of Kitchener), Jeff Smith (Township of Woolwich), Ashley Sage (Township of North Dumfries), Councillor Sue Foxton (Region of Waterloo),Trevor Tamlin, Councillor Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo), Jolene MacDonald, Mamie Sealey -Baker Regrets: Teresa McQuillan, Tamara Bell, Amy Harron (Township of Wellesley), Brad Sayles 1. Welcome and Introductions, Brenda Robinson 2. Approval of March Minutes and April Agenda addition to the agenda following the built environment update Kevin Marshall from the Region of Waterloo regarding E -scooters. Dawn motioned to accept April agenda. Andrena seconded. All in favour. Paula motioned to accept March minutes; Jolene seconded. All in favour. 3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interests None 4. City of Kitchener, Vision Zero, Faranak Hosseini The purpose of this project is to put together a road safety plan for the next five years with the goal of reducing the number of collision -related serious injuries and fatalities. Work started on this project in fall 2020 and the plan is to complete the project and report back to Council by end of 2021. More information on the project can be found at: https://www.engagewr.ca/vision-zero At this point, public engagement has been completed and collision analysis/network screening completed to understand where and what the traffic safety concerns are and where there might be room for improvement. Based on the results of these analyses and stakeholder engagement there have been some high level and preliminary traffic safety improvements to the Vision Zero plan. Comments/Feedback • What are examples of things from other countries that we are not doing currently? There are things we are doing well but there are pieces missing such as better use of data, network screening, collision patterns etc. Education, engagement of best practices. i.e. pedestrian crossovers • This committee would like to be part of the accessibility pieces of vision zero. • AODA not necessarily keeping up with all the issues around accessibility issues. • Looking at accessibility issues globally is a really good idea. • Vulnerable section should include those with disabilities distinctly. • Are other municipalities looking at this as well? City of Waterloo is working with vision zero plan and Region of Waterloo has its own safety plan. City of Waterloo and Region of Waterloo are working on the project plan. Objective is the same is to reduce serious collisions and fatalities • Engagement link to be sent to committee by Lolita via email. 5. North Dumfries, Playground Replacement at Browns Subdivision Park at 24 Oakwood Drive, Karen Winter Brown's Subdivision Park is a small residential area of approximately 80 Residences. The current play structure will be replaced in July 2021. The Township is mandated to meet provincial AODA and CSA standards for all play structures on municipal property. With the replacement installation in the Brown's Subdivision Park, the Township will be compliant with the applicable regulations. Features: • Increased size of play area. • Accessible round area. • Additional features lower to ground. • Two separate play sensory play areas. • Inclusive swing set — ages 2-12years. • Sand to be removed and engineered wood fiber utilized in its place. Comments/Feedback • Love the lower features to the playground • No adjustability to the swing therefore will not support everyone • Dirt path to the playground will not be accessible. Dirt is compacted down but will look at something different for the future. • Signage indicating there is a feature available might make it easier for some • Is one bench enough? Maybe add a picnic table or two? Break (15 mins) 6. Built Environment Sub Committee Updates, Paula Saunders • Working on a lot of projects but nothing to update right now 7. Update from the Region of Waterloo regarding E -scooters, Kevin Marshall • Project team is City of Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, and Region of Waterloo • Micromobility Study • Microbility scope to include bicycles, electric assist bikes(e-bikes), and e -scooters • Summary of Industry best practices • Study recommended responding to the MTO's scooter pilot program before any implementation • Municipalities can choose where e -scooters will be permitted locally and how shared e -scooter programs will be managed • Options shared with committee • Coming back to this committee with results of the survey Comments/Feedback • Is this the debate in Toronto regarding banning them due to persons with visual disabilities not being able to hear them coming? Yes, it is now going to council but the recommendation from staff is to ban them • Have two separate walkways — one for Pedestrians and one for bicycles/E-bike, and E -scooters • Education is key to the users of the vehicles and the pedestrians 8. Committee Updates City of Kitchener, Mayor's Task Force, Brenda Robinson No updates as projects are ending. 9. Councillor Reports Mayor Sue Foxton, North Dumfries • COVID vaccinations and the ride program for those with accessibility issues going very well Councillor Sandra Hamner, City of Waterloo • COVID been main topic. • Master Transportation Plan approved. • Sidewalk policy will be coming back to Council. • Slow street signage changing to avoid confusion. Councillor Debra Chapman, City of Kitchener • Tiny Homes went to Council and will come back. • Slow street signage also coming to Kitchener. • Traffic calming. 10. Co-chair/Staff Reports Lolita Paroski, City of Waterloo/City of Kitchener • Happy National Volunteer week, many thanks for all your hard work. An email has been sent from Volunteer Engagement with a link to a draw to enter and maybe win a prize. Names will be selected randomly, and names selected May 3, 2021 Jeff Smith, Township of Woolwich • Accessibility audit happening and will update at the next meeting. Meeting Adjourned Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie — ianis.mckenzie(a)-kitchener.ca Next Regular Meeting — Thursday May 27, 2021 at 1:30pm, ZOOM