Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC 2013-03-28Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday March 28th, 2013 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room PRESENT: Andrew Tutty (Co- Chair), Anthony Cashin (Co- Chair), Ken Parker, Carrie Speers, Paula Saunders, Mike Shipley, Dorothy Staal, Greg Moore, Amanda Moorhead, Charlotte Gravlev, Kaitlyn Draker (Wellesley), Julia Sippel (North Dumfries), 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), Linda Pretty (Recorder) REGRETS: David Kuhn, Stephannie Leach, Val Hummel, Johanna Ellis, Councillor Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener) GUESTS: Eric Gillespie and Shelly -Ann Rusu from GRT; Eckhard Pastrik - City of Waterloo; 1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: • Anthony Cashin called the meeting to order. • Anthony welcomed all members; round table introductions. 2.0 APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY MINUTES: • Motion by Carrie Speers, seconded by Mike Shipley to accept the minutes of the February meeting. 3.0 APPROVAL OF MARCH AGENDA: • Motion by Mike Shipley, seconded by Greg Moore to accept the March agenda; all carried. 4.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS: There were no pecuniary interests to declare. 5.0 GRT PRESENTATION ON ACESSIBILITY - Eric Gillespie and Shelly -Ann Rusu Eric Gillespie (Director of Transportation and Services) and Shelley -Ann Rusu (Supervisor of Customer Services), attended the meeting to update the group on GRT accessibility strategies. Via a PowerPoint presentation they explained efforts regarding accessible transit buses, bus stop announcements, bus stops re snow falls and the GRT web. A question and answer period followed the presentation. Transit Buses • The change to low floor buses began in 1994 and now all GRT buses are fully low floor. • Buses run for 18 years. • GRT tracking shows that there were 139,000 trips taken on conventional transit by Mobility Plus customers. • GRT is meeting the demand but that creates challenges too as the low floor buses make it easier for people with strollers and shopping carts to travel, so there is not a lot of room. People are competing for floor space now so changes such as wider aisles were needed. Shelley held focus groups to hear what people want. Single passenger seating with a seat on one side creates a wider aisle thus strollers can be put beside the seat instead of blocking the aisle. Better perimeter seating at the back of the bus ensures more leg room. • AODA requirements make people with mobility devices a key priority in the seating plan - someone would have to move if a person with a mobility device comes on the bus. • GRT is conducting an awareness campaign to let people know of the policies. March 2013 - GRAAC Minutes Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday March 28th, 2013 Bus Stop Announcements • It was difficult to get bus operators to announce bus stops so GRT instigated automated announcements on all buses. As well, all buses have a digital display of the next stop. • Some of the heritage street names were a challenge to be pronounced. • Working on a balance between the system being too loud and too low. • The automated system is working well but it sometimes will malfunction. If the system breaks, the driver calls for a replacement bus. • Major cross streets will be announced if a bus has to detour. • Staff is working on updating policies to include detours when automated systems cannot be used because the bus has gone off route or when there is a malfunction. Bus Stops • This area has approximately 2800 bus stops; 482 shelters; 68 shelters at terminals; 1200 accessible bus stops. • All shelters are cleaned once /week - residents call if there is a mess in a shelter throughout the week. • After a snowfall, bus stops will be cleared within 72 hours, however, although clearing bus stops is a priority, it remains a challenge to remove snow within that timeframe. It would be more expensive to clear the snow in less time - the Region works with the cities, sometimes using contractors. • People can use driveways /walkways close to the bus stop to wait for a bus - drivers will look for riders after a snowfall and the stop hasn't yet been cleared. Fare Parity • It's an AODA requirement that the cost of fares be equal for all riders. • Traditionally, Mobility Plus and Kiwanis Transit had no access to reduced fares /bus pass, etc. ($3/ each ticket). Now, everyone has the same fares - equality for all. • The practice used to be that if a patron travelled from township to township, they were charged 3 zone fares. As of January 1, 2013, all township councilors agreed that there be one transit fare so now riders can travel within the townships for the one. GRT Website • Both the GRT and the Region's web have been updated to become fully accessible. • Browsers have the ability to make text bigger; a screen reader is embedded in the site but personal readers can also be used. All images have text now as well as links that are marked. • Staff is working on an upgrade to the trip planner which should be ready by Fall 2013. • Alternate formats are available on request and also PDF schedules. • Region -wide TTY instant messaging for people who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing - can be transferred to any department and is easy to use. • By 2014, the Region /GRT will have a 24 hour call centre to answer customer concerns. • All of these are Region -wide initiatives, not just GRT. Questions /Answers Eric advised that if there is 12 hours between snowfalls, they are treated as two separate events. Priority snow clearing is always given to bus stops, beginning with those with higher ridership. Anthony asked that the term "deaf" be used, not "hearing impairment ". Eric noted that text -only schedules have been removed from the web as they weren't being used. They can be made available upon request. March 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 2 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday March 28th, 2013 • For people with no computer, phones are answered from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. but by the end of the year, the 24 hour call centre will be functioning. • With low floor buses being so accessible, there is competition for space (i.e. mobility devices, strollers). People already on the bus will not be asked to get off for anyone else - if there is no room available, patrons will have to wait for the next bus. Operators should look at the back of the bus to see if it's clear. In time, all buses will have single seats on one side. People with strollers are encouraged to travel in off -peak times and purchase collapsible strollers. If a person has to wait for another bus, operators will tell them when the next bus will come or offer to call taxi /Mobility Plus. • The City bylaw says homeowners have 24 hours to remove snow from sidewalks following a snowfall. As it is too costly to meet the 24 hour standard, City staff /contractors have 72 hours for GRT. If Regional Council can work toward 24 hours, they can ask for a staff report to determine costs, etc. • People are being encouraged to use transit rather than a car so GRT has to make it safe and easy to do. • Anthony will send Eric a link to the city bus service in NFLD which has a fully accessible website for people who are visually impaired. • Contractors have guidelines to fully clean bus stops to bare pavement within 72 hours. This was first year contractors were used in Kitchener so they have to be trained and shown the right way to clear. Contractors are receptive and conditions will get better - they have agreed to purchase equipment if necessary. • All landing pads at bus stops are accessible and more landing pads are added each year. As well, this year, a lot more routes will be added. • Stops need to have something to which a pad can be anchored i.e. a curb or sidewalk, or else the pad may heave during heavy rain, etc. If there is a stop and no pad, it could be due to the lack of an anchor or it could be adjacent to private property. The Planning Department is looking at routes in advance and asking if a pad can be added before being installed. • There is no bus to either the Activa Centre in Kitchener or the Waterloo Rec Complex in Waterloo making it a major issue to wheel to them. It is hard to maneuver around the Activa Centre although a bridge is planned for the future; Eric will look into the Waterloo Rec Complex and pass the query on to the Planning Department. Eric and Shelley -Ann were thanked for their presentation. BREAK 6.0 CITY OF WATERLOO PARK FESTIVAL AREA - Eckhard Pastrik Using a PowerPoint presentation, Eckhard provided the committee with background and information on Waterloo Park development of the park area fronting Father David Bauer Drive. The City of Waterloo is designing a new 11.5- hectare festival area on the west side of Waterloo Park on Father David Bauer Drive, opposite the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex. This section of the park is planned to be one of the primary activity areas identified in the Waterloo Park Master Plan. The design project includes the following elements: An accessible playground; Expansion of our Wi -Fi network into the park; Improvements to pathways, lighting, signage and parking; the integration of the skatepark. This is fastest growing district with an influx of people that the park can't accommodate now. The design concept includes 11 program elements /spaces that will be integrated in the plan with a series of green rooms along the park frontage, defined by specific trees. Hope to accommodate 5000 in the festival area. March 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 3 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday March 28th, 2013 Many of the upgrades associated with this festival area project are made possible thanks to a grant from the Government of Canada Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund. Staff applied for the grant for the project in August 2012 and received approval on January 8, 2013 (2.8 million). The park will be constructed in phases over a number of years as funding becomes available - the first phase will need to be done by the end of this year. Waterloo Park began in the late 1800's - park infrastructure is at least 50 years old. Councillor Jeff Henry entered. • The project will be tendered in early May, with construction beginning in early June. Questions /Answers • Using sand in the playground area will not exclude children with mobility issues. All areas and every piece of equipment are accessible. Sand has successfully been used in accessible playgrounds before and was chosen because of the play aspect. • The trail through the park to the university (The Promenade) is outside of scope of this project. The LRT will pass through the trail and will impact it to some extent. • Paula shared that there is a meeting planned for Thursday April 4 from 10:30 - noon at ILC to look at the plans for Waterloo Park in detail. The committee is welcome to attend. • Members may contact either Eckhard, Paula or Lolita if they have questions. ACTION: Paula will send an email reminding members of the meeting on April 4. 7.0 GRAAC REPRESENTATION ON ATAC - Andrew Tutty • Following up re an email sent to members, Andrew asked for feedback from the committee on representation on committees outside of GRAAC. GRAAC is able to set the length of term and reporting requirements. • Charlotte clarified that in talking to Waterloo's Council Services Group and reviewing the GRAAC Terms of Reference, she determined that ATAC is looking for a rep with expertise re mobility considerations but it doesn't have to be a member from GRAAC. • Carrie's thoughts were that for consistency, it would be good to have someone on the committee for at least 3 years and that someone who has either been a former member of GRAAC or whose term is approaching an end, would be familiar with GRAAC and could report back to them. • Ken Parker declared an interest in being part of ATAC and as his term is almost up, said that he would be willing to provide the continuity from ATAC to GRAAC. • Paula asked about the possibility of other committees requesting representation from GRACC and the availability of members, time -wise. Andrew suggested that this issue be added to a future agenda. ACTION: A motion was made by Andrew Tutty, seconded by Carrie Speers, that Ken Parker serve on ATAC for a term of 4 years and regularly report back to GRAAC. The motion was carried. March 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 4 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday March 28th, 2013 8.0 Built Environment Committee - Paula Saunders • Paula reported that the City of Waterloo is renovating the parkade in Waterloo and installing automatic door openers on the glass doors. Paula will visit the parkade and review. • Lolita and Paula went to Wing 404 to assess planned modifications to the washrooms, and discussed with some Wing 404 board members what can be done. BREAK 9.0 TOWNSHIP OF WELLESLEY ACCESSIBILITY PLAN - Kaitlyn Draker Using PowerPoint, Kaitlyn presented an update on the Wellesley Accessibility Plan. 2011/2012 • Changes were made to Council Chambers which is located in an old building. A accessbile concrete step was added in the front. • Added new accessibility parking spot - there was no accessible parking before that. • Parking lots are owned by the township. • Wellesley Community Centre added an accessible parking space. • St. Clements Arena - a barrier free ramp was added to the entrance. • Hawksville Community Centre added automatic sliding doors in both back and front entrances. • Braille signs were added to all facilities - signs are being added bit by bit as it's costly to do. • A concrete walkway was poured leading to the GRCA pond. • Replaced 1200 feet of sidewalks - added "rumble strips" to 3 corners and more are planned. • Over the next five years, Wellesley will continue its financial commitment to GRAAC and a rep will continue to attend GRAAC meetings. • The township will continue to renovate sidewalks. 2013 • Hawksville Community Centre - constructed a barrier free ramp to give access to the elevated first floor and renovated existing washrooms. Plans are to add new ones on the main and 2nd floors - will bring plans to GRAAC to review. • Wellesley Arena - installed a multi -use sports pad. • A stone dust, multi -use trail was added in a new area of Wellesley (new housing area). • Will create an emergency evacuation plan for all facilities. • Hope to have the Wellesley website updated by late Spring. • Sidewalks - will update standards to meet barrier free requirements. 2014 • Update the by -law re barrier free parking spaces so people can be fined for using them without a permit. • Complete all outstanding items in the accessibility audit. March 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 5 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday March 28th, 2013 2014 On • Rumble strips will be added on identified streets. Suggestions: • Paula remarked that it is an ongoing discussion regarding what is the best option for sidewalks to alert visually impaired pedestrians. Paula suggested meeting with people who would be affected before more strips are added. • Carrie recommended that the whole intersection not be covered with strips and that the strips are installed in the direction of the crossing so people know which way to go. • Ken said that not all ramps are wide enough for scooters to turn and proposed that enough space be provided. 10.0 Councilors Report - Jeff Henry • Councilor Henry reported that the update re Waterloo Park is important and that Council and staff want people to be happy with the results. • A committee has been formed to look into the Uptown West traffic study. Gord Cummer is part of the committee. Tender is going out to find a consultant soon. • Council approved community cash grants and doubled the amount from $10 to $20 thousand. The grants are to support neighbourhood initiatives - projects to bring neighbours together. • Paula mentioned that a few years ago, GRAAC gave input into accessibility issues about plans for the King Street streetscape. Jeff said that plans have been put on hold due to Region Council decision on LRT, and that eventually the streetscape will be redone. 11.0 Co- Chairs Report • Accessibility Directorate of Ontario - meeting in April and May - May 29 in London and May 9 in Burlington and May 22 in Toronto. • Open to anyone on accessibility committees - staff or members. • Engaging effectively for your committee - provide tips and stats for advisory committees to make communities more accessible and inclusive. • Andrew will send an email to members - Lolita will look into compensation for travel expenses - get back to Lolita if you want to go. Staff Report - Lolita • Lolita sent an email to GRAAC re Leisure Facilities Master Plan (LFMP). In 2005, the City of Kitchener prepared a 20 -year Master Plan - every 5 -7 years, they check to see if we're on track, etc. This year, they are connecting with the community to get input on how residents feel about how things are going. A survey is coming out shortly and once Lolita receives it, she will send it to GRAAC. 12.0 New Business In this segment, Andrew asked members to bring forward any issues that they wished to discuss. • Dorothy is having problems with new washing machines installed in her building and her inability to see the dial /lights on the machine. Paula offered to work with Dorothy to resolve. • Dorothy & Carrie felt that although sometimes something may happen, overall, GRT bus service is good and that co- operation is needed to help each other out so there is space for all. March 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 6 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday March 28th, 2013 • Anthony shared his concern about the lack of visual fire alarms in the Waterloo Regional Building and Kitchener City Hall and feels that this should be made a priority for municipal buildings. Lolita will look into it for Kitchener City Hall. • Greg said that he is on GRAAC because accessibility is very important to him and noted that Kitchener is extremely accessible compared to other cities throughout Canada and the US. Adjournment/Next Meeting A motion was made by Ken, seconded by Carrie, to adjourn the March meeting. The next meeting will be on April 25 at 1:30 p.m. in the Conestoga Room at Kitchener City Hall. March 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 7