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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRACC - 2022-04-28 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Date: Thursday, April 28th, 2022 Location: Zoom Meeting Present: Donna Hartzler, Rob Bender, Brenda Robinson (Co-Chair), Paula Saunders, Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener), Carrie Speers, Teresa McQuillin (Co-Chair), Melanie Garbarz (Region of Waterloo), Councillor Debbie Chapman (City of Kitchener), Amy Ross (City of Waterloo), Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Heather Clark Harris, Jolene MacDonald, Ashley Sage (Township of North Dumfries), Councillor Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo), Trevor Tamlin, Ilidia Sa Melo (Township of Woolwich) Regrets: Berny Wesselink, Tracey Murray (Township of Wilmot), Councillor Sue Foxton (Region of Waterloo), Amy Harron, (Township of Wellesley), Robyn Jackson, Tamara Bell 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Approval of March Minutes and April agenda Teresa motioned to accept April agenda; Heather seconded; All in favour. Change to agenda — presentation by Sunda Siva, City of Waterloo added after the Declaration of Pecuniary Interests Donna motioned to accept March minutes; Jolene seconded; All in favour. 3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interests None Sunda Siva, City of Waterloo -Apology, Accessibility Audits • Acknowledge in hindsight that the accessibility audits should have been handled differently • Will do better moving forward and consult GRAAC before audits begin • Request a representative from GRAAC to attend the site visits • Staff will connect with the Chair of the Built Environment Sub Committee; however, the Chair is also looking for participation from other members of the committee to help with the audits 4. Region of Waterloo Accessible Taxis 2020-2022 Update • Focus on enforcement of pandemic restrictions from March 2020 to March 2022 • Inspection of Taxi fleet • Implementation of taxi fare increase January 2021 • Changes at Licensing and Enforcement Services Accessible Vehicle Information • Currently 16 accessible vans in service out of 21 mandated by the bylaw's 7% of fleet provision. • Does 7% of fleet size reflect the necessary number of accessible taxis? • To be discussed at the Accessible Taxi Fund Committee, GRAAC has a representative on this committee • To be analyzed for possible further action Accessible Fund Dispersal • Money for this fund collected from Regionally licensed rideshare companies (Uber) • Investigating whether Uber can provide accessible service • The Allocation of Accessibility Funds Working Group (AAFWG) supported staff recommended allocation formula and it was approved by the Licensing and Hearings Committee in January 2021 • This plan was discussed with GRAAC at the meeting on 3 November 2020 o $40,000 to taxi scrip program o $60,000 to accessible ride subsidies ($2 per ride) o $40,000 to accessible van conversions Direction for 2022 • Joint inspections of accessible taxis with MTO • Assessment of 7% accessible vehicle requirement • Potential increase in need for service • Taxi broker's request for an increase in fares —will bring back to this committee next meeting Questions/Feedback • What can be done to ensure Mobility Plus customers that are directed to use an accessible taxi, but the accessible taxi does not follow through with a pickup as scheduled due to a request received through their regular taxi request process (where they can make more money)? • It is a common issue that taxis leave accessible fare without transportation that were scheduled. Customers need to provide the feedback that they are not receiving the service in order that the taxi can be investigated into why. Call service first centre: 519-575-4400 with any complaints regarding accessible taxis • What is the service reach and capacity in townships? (e.g., how many accessible taxis are available in each township) 888 Taxi has gone out of service • Appointments changing back to in person, people are returning to work, school, and socializing • Current set up not working • Similar decrease in non-accessible rides during pandemic? Non-accessible rides also decreased but are now back to normal • Loading up a walker or wheelchair, meter cannot be running, can only be started when the ride is started 5. Region of Waterloo —Active Transportation Advisory Committee, Terms of Reference The Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC) is an advisory committee of the Region of Waterloo. ATAC serves as a forum for the public to advise Regional Council and staff on active transportation (pedestrian and cycling) issues. ATAC advise on policies, programs, and infrastructure to help the Region achieve its Transportation Master Plan, address climate change, and create a world class low carbon community. Proposed ATAC Terms of Reference Updates: • New Vision Statement, Focus Area, and Goals/Objectives: o Provide clearer message of what ATAC does and why o Revisions to Mandate o Updated to reflect recent Council-approved/endorsed plans: ➢ 2018 Transportation Master Plan, Community Climate Action Strategy (TransformWR), etc. o Better capture ATAC's role as a "consultation resource" for staff for new plans, legislation, significant development, infrastructure, and program evaluation o Clarify ATAC's role: ➢ ATAC is not intended to serve as the advisory committee or forum for specific issues that fall under the mandate of other Regional or Area Municipal advisory committees, ad hoc staff and Council committees or working groups, (e.g., Accessibility, Equity, Transit, Environment, etc.) o Housekeeping updates around conflicts of interest, code of conduct, etc. • Required and proposed membership changes based on findings and feedback received It is proposed that a GRAAC representative will no longer participate on ATAC after the current term: • Proposed changes would come into effect alongside new membership nomination process in 2023 • Historical context: representation on ATAC was not a request from GRAAC or ATAC • Staff liaisons report that past GRAAC representatives expressed the role was challenging o Difficult to represent GRAAC's position and breadth of accessibility concerns of GRAAC "on the spot" on a project-by-project basis at ATAC • Need greater distinction between each advisory committees' role and mandate and consistent membership o Dedicated GRAAC membership position on ATAC inconsistent with new nominating panel process for reviewing and recommending appointments to Regional Council o Typically, citizen members may serve on only one committee or board at any one time as a regional appointee o City active transportation committees (and most elsewhere) do not have a dedicated accessibility representative. o GRAAC is typically consulted at the higher level conceptual and master plans, and/or provides a position on broad issues to inform entire project teams. o Consensus among staff liaisons for ATAC, GRAAC, and local area municipalities' committees that project-specific accessibility issues should be presented to GRAAC and not through an accessibility representative on ATAC • Projects with an accessibility concern should be presented to GRAAC, for all GRAAC members Questions/Feedback • Concerns with no GRAAC member participating on the ATAC committee • Description of the qualifications of members of the committee," educational experience with Active Transportation", people with accessibility issues may not be able to participate because of that. New committee seems to be restrictive, not inclusive. Description can be changed to people with educational experience with Active Transportation as well as, people with interest in Active Transportation Email Kevan or plan a follow up discussion with any members who wish to chat, Melanie will coordinate 6. BREAK 7. Townships Joint Municipal Election Accessibility Plan This plan is for use in the 2022 Municipal Election in conjunction with the Municipality's current Multi-Year Accessibility Plan and Policy 2020-2023. The Townships abides by the following principles when conducting the Municipality's Election: • Integrity of the process is maintained throughout election • Secrecy and confidentiality of each individual vote • Election is fair and non-biased • Election is accessible to the voters • Results reflect votes cast • Voters and candidates treated fairly and consistently This plan is presented to fulfill the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended, in respect of the regular election held on October 24, 2022. Accessible Election Mandate: With respect to accessibility, the mandate of the Townships Municipal 2022 Election is as follows: "It is the continued goal of the Townships to ensure that Electors in the Townships who have a disability or an issue with accessibility are provided with the best opportunity to vote as independently as possible in the 2022 Municipal Election." Municipal Election Act Requirements: The Clerk is responsible for the proper legislative and administrative conduct of municipal elections in the Townships. This includes establishing policies and procedures that ensure that all electors can fully participate in the 2022 municipal election. In addition to the Municipality's current Accessibility Plan and Policy; the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 S.O. 1996, Chapter 32, Section 12 states: "12.1 (1) A clerk who is responsible for conducting an election shall have regard to the needs of electors and candidates with disabilities. 2009, c. 33, Sched. 21, s. 8 (8). Questions/Feedback • No mention of environmental disabilities, will not know what the measures will be due to COVID, online option is key • Updates will be brought back to this committee 8. Built Environment Sub-Committee Updates • City of Kitchener - Playground ramps and wayfinding Paula shared through photo and drawings. A design change to the playground ramp proposal that was brought to GRAAC already. This ramp is being proposed to be used at new/redeveloped City of Kitchener playgrounds. The committee supports the design change to the playground ramp. Paula also asked the committee if the existing expansion joint between the back of the concrete curb and adjacent concrete gathering area can be used as a wayfinding guide. The committee feels that less is better for smaller parks, regarding wayfinding. • City of Kitchener - Painted Hydro Poles Approached by a group to paint seven hydro poles, to "pep" up the neighbourhood. Any red flags or concerns? Committee has no concerns. • Region of Waterloo - 416 Kingscourt Unable to attend initial meeting, zoom meetings with blueprints not the same as being onsite. CMHC funding helping to make accessible units. Do not use the words completely accessible as can never be fully accessible. Sliding doors not the best but that is what is required. • City of Kitchener— Painted Crosswalk, Zack Stevens, Neighbourhood Liaison Honorary Crosswalk for Every Child Matters in Victoria Park, presentation was shared Questions/Feedback • Paint for the footprints, the same as paint on the walk? White design, same paint as the footprints, no lips, all flat surface • Person with a visual disability has no issues with this design • Followed CNIB recommendation was to keep footprints on one side of the path • Will not interfere with a pedestrian crossing 9. Committee Updates Carrie Spears, ATAC Electric scooters program, roundabouts safety concerns were discussed 10. Councillor Reports No updates 11. Co-chair/Staff Reports No updates Meeting Adjourned Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie —janis.mckenzie&kitchener.ca Next Regular Meeting —Thursday May 26, 2022, at 1:30pm, ZOOM