HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-27 GRAACGrand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date: Thursday May 27, 2021
Location: Zoom Meeting
Present: Donna Hartzler, Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Dawn Clelland (Co -Chair), Heather Clark -Harris,
Rob Bender, Brenda Robinson (Co -Chair), Berny Wesselink, Melanie Garbarz (Region of Waterloo), Paula
Saunders, Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo), Tracey Murray (Township of Wilmot), Councillor
Debbie Chapman (City of Kitchener), Brad Sayles, Teresa McQuillin, Lindsay Raftis (Township of Wellesley),
Jeff Smith (Township of Woolwich), Ashley Sage (Township of North Dumfries), Councillor Sue Foxton (Region
of Waterloo), Councillor Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo), Jolene MacDonald, Mamie Sealey -Baker, Trevor
Tamlin
Regrets: Andrena Lockley -Brown, Carrie Speers, Tamara Bell
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Approval of April Minutes and May Agenda
Region of Waterloo's Page Assist presentation tabled for future meeting.
Berny motioned to accept May agenda; Brenda seconded. All in favour.
Berny motioned to accept April minutes; Brenda seconded. All in favour.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interests
None
4. City of Kitchener, MyKitchener, New website Update, Nicole Amaral, Helena Foulds, Linnea Scian
The City of Kitchener online portal is the first of its kind in Canada. It can create a secure account unique to
each user. The user can view information about services relevant to them in one, centralized place. It will
customize content based on user preferences and address. Users will receive notifications when new
information becomes available. The new website only requires a single sign -on to utilize other City services
like tax and utility e -billing. A short tutorial was given to the committee members.
Comments/Feedback
• Still in Beta stage so still looking for feedback
• On the portal there is no zoom feature, would need to use browser
• Are there specific platforms to be utilized? Both website and portal fully responsive to multiple devices.
Fully mobile responsive.
• Why would you want to sign up with a different address in the portal? Examples would be landlords or
people who owned multiple properties. Everything that would be utilized is public information. Anything
like property taxes could only be utilized by the homeowner.
• Persons with visual disabilities can access.
• Will Sidewalk closures also be included the same as road closures? Corporately looking at accessing
that data.
• Working on adding a report a problem widget to the portal.
• Are noise exemptions going to be included? Already located on the website.
5. City of Kitchener, Iron Horse Trail Crossings, Darren Kropf
The Iron Horse Trail is the city's busiest trail, with over 250,000 trips a year by pedestrians and cyclists of all
ages and abilities. Guided by the Iron Horse Trail Improvement Strategy (2015), recent investments in the trail
have improved the trail's function, safety, and comfort, including trail widening, benches, lighting, and
landscaping.
Continuing with these improvements, city staff is proposing to improve safety and accessibility at all city -owned
trail crossings with the installation of Pedestrian Crossovers (PXOs), as well as raised crossings or refuge
islands.
Comments/Feedback
• Like the raised crosswalk idea.
• Approximate timeline for Kent Avenue is two years and Gage Street is five years.
• What would it take to get everyone in the Region doing the same thing? Every jurisdiction has a
different mandate.
• Smooth flush cross ride cross walk, looks like a regular cross walk, concern is the width? Raise and a
drop, how much space? According to provincial regulations these cannot be separated. Looking to
change that in time which is why the design is bigger to incorporate this in the future. No tactile strips
are going to be utilized at this time.
Break (15 mins)
6. Built Environment Sub Committee Updates, Paula Saunders
• Northdale Parks
Brought to GRAAC in January 2020. Guide strips will be included.
• Schlegel Park
Guide strips important here to the public washrooms. A site trip was done by Dawn and suggestions
well received. A site visit with GRAAC and staff once pandemic restrictions are lifted.
• Button Factory
Guide strips again from the side of the building to the back of the building to the elevator. Well received
and staff are working with Dawn.
• Waterloo Council Chambers
Redesign put on hold for now.
• Waterloo Memorial Rec Complex washroom
Would like to have been onsite to show where to place washroom fixtures, due to COVID had to be a
virtual call instead. Not 100% sure everything will be fine due to the virtual instead of onsite visit. An
onsite visit will be planned once pandemic restrictions are lifted.
• Roger St Park
Came to GRAAC recently. Staff reached out to get clarification regarding placement of guide strips.
Meeting was virtual.
• In Boulevard Shared Use Facilities Paper
Working on a paper with Brenda and Dawn with staff support from Melanie and Lolita.
7. Committee Updates
Brenda Robinson, Co -Chair
• Committee report went to council on Monday:
http://Ifprodas/WebLin k/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=1928986&page=1&cr=1
The new Director, Equity, Anti -Racism & Indigenous Initiatives is Suzanne Charles Watson. Joins the
City in this inaugural role on June 7.
Active Transportation Advisory Committee, Dawn Clelland
• Signage should be consistent for all the bike and walking trails in the entire region
• Would like to see this committee come to GRAAC as there is a lot going on.
8. Councillor Reports
Councillor Debra Chapman, City of Kitchener
• Ramps in the downtown patios should be up the end of this week.
• Downtown Cycling Grids signage going up soon.
• Council approved Schlegel Aquatic Facility.
Downtown events to be cancelled, rescheduled and/or virtual.
9. Co-chair/Staff Reports
Jeff Smith, Woolwich Township
• Desktop Accessibility audit happened and are now compliant.
Lindsay Raftis (Township of Wellesley)
• Desktop Accessibility audit happened and are now compliant.
Lolita Paroski, City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo
Reminder that AccessAbility Week is coming up May 31- June 4. 1 sent an email to all GRAAC
members early May regarding the webinar series. If you haven't registered for these free webinars, you
still can. Lolita will forward the email to all members.
Dawn Clelland, Co -Chair
• Many agenda items for the June meeting, therefore, will start the June meeting at 1 pm.
• GRAAC breaks for the months of July and August.
Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie — ianis.mckenzie(c-kitchener.ca
Next Regular Meeting — Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 1:OOpm, ZOOM