HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2012-06-28Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday June 28th, 2012 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT: Gordon Cummer (Co- Chair), Anthony Cashin (Co- Chair), Ken Parker, Carrie Speers,
Andrew Tutty, Paula Saunders, Dawn Griffen, , Amanda Moorhead, Kaitlyn Draker, Julia Sippel
(North Dumfries), Vanessa Lopak (Region of Waterloo), Charlotte Gravlev (Region of Waterloo),
Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener /City of Waterloo), Councillor Jean Haalboom (Region of Waterloo),
Councillor Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo), Karen Panchaud (ASL Interpreter), Lesley Roach (ASL
Interpreter), Johanna Ellis (Recorder)
REGRETS: David Kuhn, Mike Shipley
1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS:
• Gordon Cummer called the meeting to order.
• Gordon welcomed all members; round table introductions.
2.0 APPROVAL OF MAY MINUTES & JUNE AGENDA:
• Motion by Carrie Speers, seconded by Andrew to accept the May minutes; carried.
• Motion by Ken Parker, seconded by Dawn Griffen to accept the June agenda; carried.
3.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS:
There were no pecuniary interests to declare.
4.0 ROUNDABOUTS DISCUSSION:
Vanessa read a letter from Region of Waterloo as an opener to begin discussion regarding
roundabouts.
Please send any feedback to Vanessa by July 27th, 2012.
Brainstorming session to come up with items that are GRAAC's priorities to be shared with
Transportation staff and Council(s).
What do we think of the RECORD articles?
• Numerous roundabouts on Franklin Blvd Cambridge.
• Gord reported and felt that the articles did have a lot to say about Pedestrian safety.
• There were 63 pages of comments, very strong both pro and con.
• Concerns and comments regarding a roundabout by St. Benedicts school in Cambridge.
• The RECORD has also put video together. No mention of pedestrians in video.
Are roundabouts the most critical pedestrian safety issue?
• All corners where cars and people mix are a safety issue.
• Needs to be more education and enforcement.
• A letter could be sent to Waterloo Regional Police Services stating the committee's
recommendations for heavier enforcement.
• Individual municipality to enforce bylaws.
• Halton Hills roundabouts have a lot of signage referring to pedestrians.
• The City of Toronto is currently working on reducing speed limits throughout the city.
Should GRAAC become more knowledgeable in roundabout issues?
• GRAAC is already quite informed.
• GRAAC is a good driving force for gathering and sharing information.
• Not sure how much more informed we need to become.
June 2012 - GRAAC Minutes
Are others who are concerned about accessibility as concerned as the vision impaired are?
• Most believe this to be true of everyone sitting around the table.
• It is safer for pedestrians to have some sort of traffic device for crossing (rather than free
flow).
• Statistically, most times drivers do not stop for pedestrians at roundabouts (where do these
numbers come from ?).
Would a workshop involving planners and organizations serving the disabled community be
useful?
• GRAAC members are interested.
• Get service organizations in the area for workshops.
• Gord would like someone from the Waterloo Regional Police to be part of this workshop so
they can answer any questions regarding enforcement.
• Outside of GRAAC meeting for a full day in September sometime.
• Vanessa to work with Transportation staff around dates for full day workshop.
Where do we go from here?
• There will be no more discussions on roundabouts until after the full day workshop.
5.0 REGION OF WATERLOO ACCESSIBILITY POLICY: Vanessa Lopak
• Overlap with Integrated Standard and Customer Service.
• Combined Customer Service Policy with Integrated Standard Policy to make one policy.
• Public meetings can include persons with disabilities.
• Feedback on services (refer to handout).
• Policy applies to staff, councillors and volunteers.
• Vanessa to take the Draft Accessibility Policy to Regional Council for approval.
Comments:
• How does this work with volunteers? Volunteers are trained. We rely on staff contact with
volunteers.
• Will provide information to volunteers.
• How does this apply to contractors? Legal department handles the legalities regarding
contractors.
• GRAAC in support of the policy and it can be forwarded on to Council.
6.0 TAXI FOLLOW -UP: Vanessa Lopak
Vanessa went around the room and asked each member the following questions
• Have you ever used accessible taxi cabs?
• Do you normally get an accessible cab when you need one?
• How often?
• Has there ever been a time when accessible cab was not available?
Comments:
• Double the number of cabs.
• Sometimes it is difficult to get an accessible taxi cab at certain times in the day because they
are being used for school runs and medical appointments.
• Need more license approval.
• Properly train staff.
• Consider demographics of Community.
• Percentage of total fleet. Increasing percentage throughout the year.
• Ask taxi company how they are utilizing their accessible taxis.
• Committee agrees that more accessible taxis are required in the region.
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- Break-
7.0 BUILT ENVIRONMENT UPDATE: Paula Saunders
• Continue to look at sidewalk design for persons with a visual disability.
• Looking into accessibility at McLennan Dog Park.
• Improvements on Hwy 85 Expressway Construction.
• Auburn - University; Paula will review email and get more clarification.
8.0 STAFF REPORT: Lolita Paroski
• Legislated change on how we do accessibility plans. Being changed to a multi -year plan.
• All Cities and the Region will be coming to GRAAC in the Fall to determine how we move
forward with the new legislation.
• Once the multi -year plan is in place, revisit yearly.
• For larger cities the multi -year plan begins January 1, 2013.
• For smaller townships the multi -year plan begins January 1, 2014.
STAFF REPORT: Vanessa Lopak
• Co -op student sent GRAAC a thank you card and expressed her gratitude for her experience
gained by attending committee meetings.
• Vanessa's maternity leave commences October /November. Not quite sure of exact dates
yet.
9.0 MANITOBA BARRIER FREE GUIDE: Andrew Tutty
• Handout to committee.
• Andrew went over some of the guide www. barrierfreemb .com /accesstogether
• Andrew explained how the guide works. There are 3 places that use it; Manitoba, Chelsea
New York and Boston Mass.
• Community driven.
• There is a 6 or 7 step process as to how to start this process. Take idea back to your
organizations and see what we can do in our community.
10. COUNCILLOR'S REPORT(S):
• Councillor Haalboom reported on the Manitou Drive expansion.
• The first stage of the environmental assessment is completed and the present two lane road
is proposed to expand to 3 lanes.
• 2nd stage of the environmental assessment will be the design process.
• Councillor Haalboom went to a convention in Saskatoon where she went on a tour of the
sidewalks to see how they made them accessible for the visually impaired.
• There are also many tactile and verbal pedestrian crossings.
• Councillor Henry reported that it has been a busy June.
• Northdale Land Use and Community Improvement Plan unanimously adopted by Council;
official plan amendments now with the Region; vision is, in part, a more walkable
neighbourhood.
• Sidewalk additions; receiving mixed response in Uptown West; Lexington Road notices have
not yet gone out but will likely also see a mixed response; comments from the public are
invited on these.
• Hosted the Inaugural LPGA Golf Tournament.
• 80,000 spectators.
3une 2012 - GRAAC Minutes 3
11. CO- CHAIR'S REPORT:
• Amy Ross tendered her resignation from GRAAC.
• Attempting to get a fix on the current access levels on GRAAC website.
12. ADJOURNMENT /NEXT MEETING:
A motion was made by Andrew Tufty to adjourn, seconded by Carrie Speers.
The next meeting will be on August 23 d, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.
in the Conestoga Room at Kitchener City Hall.
June 2012 - GRAAC Minutes 4