HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC 2013-02-28Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAA C)
Thursday, February 28th, 2013 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT: Anthony Cashin (Co- Chair), Andrew Tutty, Dorothy Staal, Dawn Griffin, Amanda
Moorhead, Keri Cameron, Greg Moore, David Kuhn, Carrie Speers, Mike Shipley, Lesley Roach
(ASL interpreter), Karen Panchaud (ASL Interpreter), Councillor Jean Haalboom, Lolita Paroski (City
of Kitchener /City of Waterloo), Gina Hickman (Region of Waterloo), Kaitlyn Draker (Township of
Wellesley), Julia Sippel (Township of North Dumfries), Johanna Ellis (City of Kitchener, Recorder)
REGRETS: Paula Saunders, Ken Parker, Stephannie Leach, Val Hummel, Councillor Jeff Henry,
Councillor Berry Vrbanovic
1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS:
• Andrew Tutty called the meeting to order.
• Andrew Tutty welcomed all members; round table introductions.
2.0 APPROVAL OF JANUARY MINUTES & FEBRUARY AGENDA:
• January minutes, moved by Carrie Speers, seconded by David Kuhn; carried.
• February agenda, moved by Carrie Speers, seconded by David Kuhn; carried.
3.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS:
• None
4.0 GRAAC SELF EVALUATION RESULTS (Julia Sippel):
• Comments were positive
• Julia read out comments to the committee
• Julia will send the comments through email to all members.
5.0 BUILT ENVIRONMENT UPDATE:
• Two meetings held in February, everyone was invited and Paula sent out invites to everyone.
• Made 12 submissions regarding the Ontario Building Code.
• Accessible signage; washrooms, papers dispensers, doors, sinks, mirrors, barrier free path
of travel, ramp slopes. (examples of submissions)
• Dawn will put together a document and send to members for details of what was submitted.
6.0 TRANSPORTATION UPDATE:
• Carrie attended a 2 day workshop in January. Discussed crosswalks at roundabouts.
• Mobility plus discussion around personal support worker accompanying persons with
disabilities. The Region is looking at this. Transportation Standard states that you cannot
charge a personal attendant.
• Suggestion to have a sticker on Mobility Plus card to signify that they have an attendant.
• To date, they do not accept the PAL card. Gina will take back to the Region for further
discussion.
• GRAAC asked to see the draft policy from the Region.
*Break*
February 28th, 2013 - GRAAC Minutes
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAA C)
Thursday, February 28th, 2013 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
7.0 ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITY GARDENS PROJECT:
Krista Long was at the December meeting where the garden at Chandler Mowat was
discussed. She presented an update today.
The slope was not accessible. The walkway /slop has been revised and the funding to re -cut
and resurface is within budget and meet accessible standards. Krista is looking at getting
approval from the committee for the revised plan for the Community
Garden at Chandler Mowat.
MOTION:
To accept the proposed plan for the accessible gardens provided that the gate is accessible from
both sides and that people can access the tools in the shed. Moved by Dawn Griffin, seconded
by Dorothy Staal, CARRIED.
8.0 ACCESSIBLE PARKING:
• Mike Jones presenting today in place of Bob Henderson.
• Region is currently looking at options for on street parking. Under proposed accessible
parking.
COMMENTS /FEEDBACK /SUGGESTIONS:
• Current percentage of accessible parking spaces. In downtown Kitchener there are currently
3 spaces.
• The City of Kitchener will be conducting a review of the downtown area.
• When The City of Kitchener has reviewed the downtown, will come back to GRAAC for input.
• Part of the review for The City of Kitchener will be to research and see where other
municipalities are and if they are looking at accessible parking as well.
• Committee is in agreement that 2 percent is not enough. The City and Region go by
requests but are reviewing this.
• Region to take comments back to the committee and return to a GRAAC meeting in the near
future.
• City of Kitchener is looking at their off street lots first. They want to ensure that pay and
display lots are accessible and the machines are easily accessible for people in wheelchairs.
*Break*
9.0 ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION AVDISORY COMMITTEE UPDATE:
• Looking to recruit a representative from GRAAC.
• GRAAC can appoint a representative that is not a current member of GRAAC.
• Committee commented that the ATAC representative should be an active member of
GRAAC if they are representing GRAAC.
• Discussion deferred to the next meeting.
10.0 COUNCILLOR(S) REPORT:
• The Region's Waste Management Program is being reviewed. Information at the Region of
Waterloo's website www.regionofwaterloo.ca .
• There are transit improvements; University Xpress, Ira Needles Boardwalk and more. Open
house is March 18tH
• Region of Waterloo sign is completed at the Region's airport and it won an International
prize.
February 28th, 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 2
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAA C)
Thursday, February 28th, 2013 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
11.0 CO -CHAIR REPORT:
• A motion for the GRAAC report to the Region on Roundabout pedestrian safety is to go to
Regional Council. The report had been pre - circulated and read aloud at the last GRAAC
meeting.
• Waterloo Region Active Living Network (WRALN) is a community group working on
promoting active living in Waterloo Region. The Network is working on developing a blue
print for action of physical activity for Waterloo Region. Dr. Mark Eys from Wilfred Laurier
University has been retained to conduct community consultations with key groups around
active living and physical activity.
• A key group they would like to consult with are people living with disabilities and are asking if
GRAAC members are interested in participating in a focus group on this topic. Consultations
are being scheduled for the first two weeks in March. Contact Gina if you are interested in
being a member of the focus group.
• Does GRAAC's mandate go so far as to include sensitivity training for City /Regional council?
What does GRAAC think? After committee discussion the following motion was put forward.
MOTION:
This issue of sensitivity training for council not be part of GRAAC's mandate and any information
relevant to this issue be forwarded to staff and onto council. Motion by Greg Moore, seconded
by Dorothy Staal; CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT:
• Motion by Amanda Moorhead to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 4:00 pm.
The next meeting will be on Thursday March 28th, 2013 in the Conestoga Room,
Kitchener City Hall
February 28th, 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 3