HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2011-05-26Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday May 26, 2011 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT: Gordon Cummer (Co-Chair), Sharon Giles (Co-Chair), Taposhi Batabyal, Kurt Schneider,
Ken Parker, David Kuhn, Carrie Speers, Paula Saunders, Councilor Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo),
Councilor Jean Haalboom (Region of Waterloo), Kelly Steiss, Vanessa Lopak, Darryl Denny, Julia
Sippel, Linda Pretty (Recorder).
GUESTS: Dave Smith, Charles Fitzsimmons, William Sleeth, Jay Cranston, Sarah Longstaff, Tina
Malone-Wright.
REGRETS (MEMBERS): Sharon Ward-Zeller, Anthony Cashin, Saul Herzog, Katherine Nessner, Gail
Brunsdon, Johanna Ellis.
ABSENT WITHOUT REGRETS: N/A
1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
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Sharon called the meeting to order.
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Round table introductions.
2.0 APPROVAL OF APRIL MINUTES & MAY AGENDA
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Amendments to April minutes: Gordon noted that the library was the main library, not
the new library.
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Motion by Gordon to accept the minutes, seconded by Kurt; carried.
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Motion by Kurt to accept the agenda as amended, seconded by David; carried.
3.0DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
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No conflicts of interest were declared.
4.0MOBILITY PLUS 2012-2016 BUSINESS PLAN CONSULTATION – Charles Fitzsimmons
Dave Smith, Grand River Transit MobilityPlus, introduced Charles Fitzsimmons, a consultant
hired to draft the five year business plan for MobilityPlus. An info sheet was emailed to
GRAAC members in preparation for today’s meeting.
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The Region wants to build on the accomplishments of the past 5 years. Current practices
provide greater spontaneous travel but improvements can be made.
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Consultants are using the most current draft of the AODA Transportation Standard for
guidance on the upcoming transportation requirements.
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To gather information for the five-year business plan, consultations have occurred with:
Specialized Transit Services Advisory Committee; agency and caregivers serving people
with disabilities across the region; and public consultations. These were completed last
week.
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There was a comment that, as a Mobility Plus user, he felt the plan was good but lacked
specifics, asking what exactly was meant by “improved services”. Charles responded that
improved services included: deciding what can be done for people who have difficulty
getting rides at peak times; addressing the uneven quality of taxi services; a process
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where GRT could change contracts with accessible taxi providers to offer better service;
enforce penalties when taxi services don’t provide the required service levels.
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There were questions about MobilityPlus service areas including the travel to and from
the townships, with members noting that MobilityPlus does not go to Elmira when
conventional transit does. Charles said that the Region is working with townships and
their specific challenges. The current conventional route to Elmira is a pilot project, and
MobilityPlus has not become involved at this stage. It was suggested MobilityPlus look at
coordinating with Kiwanis transit to get riders to Woolwich.
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The demand for MobilityPlus has grown in the past three years, but capacity to
accommodate the demand has not kept pace.
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MobilityPlus is exploring different options for easing the demand for MobilityPlus,
including: looking at alternatives for travel for dialysis patients; encouraging users to
take conventional/iXpress where possible; encouraging using MobilityPlus as part of a
feeder system to conventional transit.
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Addressing the costs for operating a bus, a question was asked about using smaller
vehicles, such as accessible cars, when there are one or two passengers. Charles
acknowledged that it was possible and that taxi’s could be used when demand is lowest,
while noting the bulk of the costs for operating a bus was labour costs, which would be
identical if the vehicles were smaller.
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The current practice of free transportation for persons with a disability and standard fare
for the attendant will likely stay the same.
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An idea was raised of a tiered approach to qualifying for MobilityPlus. For example,
different services if you can walk to a bus. Charles acknowledged this may be addressed
in the AODA Transportation Standards, while agreeing that, if we had information on a
passenger’s abilities and limitations to using various transit options, MobilityPlus could
create more specialized eligibility criteria.
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It was noted that, if MobilityPlus users are to be expected to use conventional transit,
stops, shelters, signage, and routes would need to be made more accessible.
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If someone can typically take conventional transit, they may be unable to get to a bus
stop if the route is not clear (e.g. snow/ice on sidewalks). Because MobilityPlus must be
booked in advance, information on the condition of the route is unavailable at the time
of booking.
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In response to a question, Charles advised that Mobility Plus will dovetail with Rapid
Transit. With an ID card, users can ride any conventional service for free.
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The MobilityPlus five year business plan will be ready for GRAAC to review in full at
around September, 2011.
ACTION:
GRAAC members are asked to send further thoughts re the MobilityPlus Master Plan to
Charles.
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5. North Dumfries 2011 Accessibility Plan – Darryl Denny
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Darryl distributed a copy of North Dumfries 2011 Accessibility Plan, reviewed highlights
and asked for comments/concerns from GRAAC members.
Councilor Haalboom entered the meeting.
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The Plan hasn’t yet gone before Council.
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Questions about staff training. Darryl said that in 2009, staff received a 1/2 day training
session but as that type of training can’t be offered for each new staff, a manual is being
used as a tool. Retraining may / could occur every few years.
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In response to a question, Darryl advised that there are currently no trails in Ayr and
sidewalks are being cleared of snow.
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Darryl was thanked for bringing the plan to the committee and was requested to let
Council know GRAAC appreciates the plan. Recommendation that staff look at the entry
and parking lot of the municipal building and recommendation that promotional
advertising for the Fresh Ayr Festival, include information that the event is accessible.
6. City of Kitchener Official Plan – Tina Malone-Wright; Sarah Longstaff
Tina and Sarah gave an overview of the City of Kitchener’s Official Plan via a PowerPoint
presentation.
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On June 20, the plan will be released to the public. A second draft will come out in the
Fall, possibly in November.
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Once the Regional Official Plan appeals that are currently underway are dealt with the
City of Kitchener plan is ready to go.
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Comments regarding the (draft) City of Kitchener Official Plan will be welcome after June
20.
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Tina responded to a question as to whether the Heritage or AODA would take
precedence when heritage buildings need to be made accessible by saying that, in a
circumstance such as that, there is a process that has to be followed.
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There was a comment that new housing projects aren’t always accessible. Staff work
with builders, through the Site Plan Review Process to address issues of accessibility. The
regulation covers the outside of buildings.
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Paula – good to have new places but we need the ability to get to them.
7.0REPORT ON 911 POLICE FORUM
Sharon Giles shared an email update from Gail Brunsdon. Update is attached.
8.0REPORTS
8.1 Built Environment Standing Committee - Paula Saunders
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Paula updated the group regarding a trip to the Waterloo Regional Museum and passed
along suggestions for improvements to Vanessa.
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Overall, comments were positive. The building is open and light, lovely design, liked the
hands-on exhibits, door openers are great, washrooms good size.
8.2 City of Waterloo – Councillor Jeff Henry
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The City of Waterloo Strategic Plan should be completed by June 13 and go before
Council on June 27 for approval.
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Highlights to add to the strategic plan include sections on “getting around” and “our
living environment” plus a new section on neighbourhood vitality. There are no specific
actions in the plan at this time as they will be decided upon at budget time. Public input
will be requested January/February 2012.
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The Transportation Master Plan was adopted in principle. All modes of transportation
will be considered including sidewalk snow clearing which is dependant on budget.
8.3 Region of Waterloo - Councillor Jean Haalboom
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Jean attended the provincial volunteer awards presentation at which Sharon Giles
received an award.
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At the beginning of each term, Council develops a strategic plan and are now looking at
categories within the current framework and anticipate a draft plan in June/July that will
be circulated to the public.
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Public sessions re the LRT will be held on May 31 and June 1 at 6 pm. On June 15, a
decision will be made.
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During the last term of Council, Jean had a concern regarding the rights of pedestrians
and drivers who don’t stop for them. Municipalities do not have the authority to enforce
cars to stop for pedestrians because of the specifications of the Highway Traffic Act.
Jean encouraged GRAAC to send a resolution to Bob Henderson, Manager of
Transportation Engineering at the Region of Waterloo, outlining the rights of pedestrians
from an accessibility perspective. Jean said that she will leave the issue with GRAAC to
discuss/decide.
9. CITY OF KITCHENER MULTI-USE PATHWAY MASTER PLAN – William Sleeth and Jay
Cranston
William introduced consultant Jay Cranston from the MMM Group, who via a PowerPoint
presentation, updated GRAAC members on the progress of the Multi-Use Pathways Master
Plan and Implementation Strategy undertaken by the City of Kitchener. Jay and William
asked for a thorough and detailed analysis of the plan from GRAAC.
A final draft of the plan is nearing completion and a full document will be posted on the
City’s website in June and will go to Council in the Fall.
ACTIONS:
(i)Jay and William will attend a GRAAC meeting either in the summer or in September
to further discuss the Pathways Master Plan and get feedback from GRAAC
members.
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(ii)GRAAC members are asked to email any comments they have on today’s
presentation to Jay or William.
(iii)A request for a CD and/or word document of the information.
10. REQUEST FROM PEDESTRIAN CHARTER STEERING COMMITTEE – Gord
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Gord received a request from the Pedestrian Charter Steering Committee asking that
GRAAC endorse and add its name to a letter, which the Pedestrian Charter Steering
Committee intends to send to area Councils. The letter asks area Councils to examine
their by-laws regarding snow clearing and to make by-laws more proactive.
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Motion to add GRAAC’s name to the Pedestrian Charter Steering Committee letter was
put forward by Ken. Motion was seconded by Kurt.
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A concern was shared by a member that the Pedestrian Charter Steering Committee has
no legislated mandate, and expressed concerns that this group was using GRAAC’s
authority and influence to move their own agenda forward. This concern was based on
past experience with the Pedestrian Charter Advisory Committee. There was a
recommendation that GRAAC not support this motion.
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There were four votes in favour of the motion; one vote against the motion; one
member abstained. The motion was carried.
11. CO-CHAIRS REPORT
Deferred.
12. NEXT MEETING
The next GRAAC meeting will be held on Thursday June 23 at Kitchener City Hall in the
Conestoga Room on the main floor from 1:30-4:00 p.m.
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