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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC 2013-04-25Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday April 25th, 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, Keri Cameron, Amanda Moorhead, Dawn Griffin, Kaitlyn Draker (Wellesley), Julia Sippel (North Dumfries), Gina Hickman (Region of Waterloo), Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener /City of Waterloo), Karen Panchaud (ASL Interpreter), Lesley Roach (ASL Interpreter), Linda Pretty (Recorder) REGRETS: David Kuhn, Stephannie Leach, Val Hummel, Councillor Jean Haalboom (Region of Waterloo), Councillor Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo), Councillor Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener) GUESTS: Ken Carmichael, City of Kitchener; Don Drackley, IBI Group; Breanna Pilon, City of Kitchener; Karla Cote and Tristan Wilkin, City of Kitchener 1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: • Andrew Tutty called the meeting to order. • Andrew welcomed all members; round table introductions. 2.0 APPROVAL OF MARCH MINUTES: • Motion by Carrie Speers, seconded by Dorothy Staal to accept the minutes of the March meeting. 3.0 APPROVAL OF APRIL AGENDA: • Motion by Anthony Cashin, seconded by Greg Moore to accept the April agenda; all carried. 4.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS: There were no pecuniary interests to declare. 5.0 KITCHENER TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN - Ken Carmichael, Interim Director of Transportation Services and Don Drackley, IBI Group Ken attended GRAAC last year to talk about the City's Transportation Master Plan. The city is currently reengaging in the plan that will guide the city as it strives to manage growing transportation demand. Ken and Don are going out to groups to present an overview of the plan and to get input. A report will go to Council in June for approval - after that, the plan will be updated every 5 years. Highlights • The plan is a high -level broad -based tool used by the municipality in how it develops its transportation system over the next 20 years - pedestrian, cycling, transit and roadway infrastructure. • The plan does not include GRT, which is regional, nor taxi service, etc. • Want to be an accessible transit system • Right now, not much policy direction exists on making the city more accessible so input Guidance /direction from GRAAC on what makes a city accessible will be helpful. Staff can then take that information and enshrine it in the policy. • Please refer to the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) if there are questions in the future. April 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 1 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursdav April 25th, 2013 GRAAC Response • Carrie - what works with someone with a vision problem may not work for someone in a wheelchair, i.e. tactile surfaces. • Don D - the City is trying to establish an over - riding direction so all disabilities are taken into consideration. People informing us of their needs, can expect them to be addressed in the plan but can't address all disabilities The TMP is a doc that deals or focuses on general issues not specific • Accessibility issues will always be addressed in the Transportation Master Plan as reflected in the first part of the GRAAC mandate (Advising councils annually, as required by legislation, regarding the preparation, implementation and effectiveness of the annual accessibility plans of the participating municipalities). • No accessibility issue has been brought to staffs attention in the process so far. • Andrew said that as TMP will come to GRAAC every 5 years, it is recommended that staff annually compare notes and see if plans are on track. Plans are completely reviewed every 5 years and brought to Council which fits in with the mandatory 5 year official plan. • The plan says the provision of streetscapes be designed so that they don't create barriers for anyone, i.e. shrubs /trees, so if a tree /shrub is overgrowing on a sidewalk, it is a City issue. • There is no specific policy as to how high a tree or shrub should be trimmed, but staff would trim as high as possible. • Sidewalks have to have a clear space for everyone to walk - there can still be things on the sidewalk but people have to be able to move around freely. • It's a challenge to clear sidewalks after a snowfall. City officials are concerned with the cost of clearing residential sidewalks so property owners are responsible to clear snow and ice within 24 hours of a snow event. Locations throughout the city are prioritized for snow clearance - there is a process to be followed which takes time. Residents can call the City's Contact Centre at 519 - 741 -2345, 24 hours a day and a message will be forwarded to the appropriate contact. • Trails are part of the Master Plan, although it's geared more toward trail development, i.e. extending trails (where they can be extended). • Anthony commented on the type of lighting used in the night, some of which are on black poles - it's not easy for a person to see a light on a black pole as some lights are very dim. Could something solar be used? Ken Carmichael responded that there are different types of lights for different areas but it is a challenge as sometimes there can be too much light. Hydro has a 24 hour line to call - 519- 745 -4771. The City is also working on a pilot project with LED lighting, which is a work in progress at the moment. • Dorothy suggested calling #211 - 211 is a three -digit phone number that provides information and referral to community and social services in Ontario. (www.211ontario.ca) Ontario is divided into Regions - each region has its own TTY number to call. • The TMP will go to Council on June 17. April 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 2 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursdav April 25th, 2013 ACTION: GRAAC members were asked to send comments to Ken Carmichael via email (ken.carmichael @ kitchener.ca) or call 519- 741- 741 -2200 ext 7372. 6.0 LEISURE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN - Breanna Pilon The City of Kitchener is updating its Leisure Facilities Master Plan that identifies and prioritizes the leisure and recreational programs, facilities and services required to meet the needs of the community over the next five to 10 years. Public consultation is a key element in the master planning process, especially when it comes to recreational and leisure services for residents (arenas, trails, park, CRCs, pools, etc.). Staff, with the help of the consultant who developed the original master plan, is undertaking an update to the 2005 Master Plan. Breanna is a member of the Leisure Facilities Master Plan project team and attended the GRAAC meeting to follow up with members and gather input. Lolita had sent a link to the committee to an online survey that has a deadline that's been extended to May 3. A workshop to bring draft recommendations to a community consultation will be held on June 19, from 6 -9 p.m. at the Auditorium in the Subscribers Lounge. • Anthony suggested that any public service announcement in a centre /facility could be broadcast on a TV having the screen clearly lit and easy to see - a good way to get info out to everyone. • Anthony: most programs listed in the Leisure Magazine are not aimed at people with disabilities - add a program to show people how to interact with people with disabilities, offered in a fun way. Paula noted that when programs for people with disabilities are held at ILC, from an agency perspective, programs are poorly attended. Anthony suggested having programs so the basics of interacting with people with disabilities can be taught - to give them awareness. • Paula - in AODA customer service standard, it is mandatory for staff and volunteers to take customer service training. Lolita provides training and the CNIB has ambassadors who provide information. Dorothy felt that it should be taught in schools from when children are young. • Ken noted that the YMCA teaches people i.e. use of wheelchairs. • Paula: there are still things at the Auditorium that need attention and there is not enough parking at the Downtown CC. Ensure that there are accessible facilities and parking. • Breanna left hard copies of the survey and reminded members to use them to provide input. Members can call Breanna and she will help. Information collected will be reflected in the draft presented at community workshops - all data /feedback received will guide the City. BREAK April 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 3 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursdav April 25th, 2013 7.0 HAWKESVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE RENOVATIONS - Paula Saunders Using PowerPoint, Paula /Kaitlyn reviewed the architects drawings. • Doorways are 39 ". • Grab bars are L- shaped; the turning radius in the washrooms is good. • Washrooms are 7'5" by 9'4" - would need to measure to see if they can accommodate a big scooter. • Barrier free washrooms are family washrooms. • Outside Ramp - concern that although there is a flat spot on the top by the door, there is no flat resting spot or level landing on the way up. There has to be a space to put a plateau as the ramp is way too long, although Paula noted that any renovation has to be done to code. • Handrails were required to be 36" in the old building code and 43 1/2 minimum width between handrails in the new proposed building code. • Anthony - suggest adding visual fire alarms now while renovating. • Advise architects about the existing and proposed building codes. • The outside ramp is wood - there is a sand mix that can be added to the stain to help with the slipperiness of a wood ramp in winter and regular salt will have to be used as well. 8.0 Built Environment Committee - Paula Saunders Waterloo Parking Garage • Lolita and Paula toured the Waterloo parking garage. There are 2 accessible parking spots on the main floor on King and 2 on Regina. Floors 2 to 6 have accessible parking spaces on the King Street side. • An automatic door open is to be put on the King Street side. On floors 2 -6, King Street side, doorways have tempered glass and metal frames. Door openers can be put on metal frames but there is an expansion joint that was added for future expansion and it created a rut in the concrete right outside the door which makes the wheels on a wheelchair get caught in the rut. Staff has no answer to fix it; 14" of concrete have to be drilled through to install electricity. Dawn suggested putting a "pool noodle" in the rut to fill it and, as well, there may be another product available to fill the ruts such as that used to fill rail tracks. • The Region has purchased some of the floors of the garage for staff so those floors are not available to the public. ACTION: Members are asked to send comments and ideas to Lolita and she will pass them on to Kevin. Waterloo Park • A group met on April 4 to discuss plans for Waterloo Park - minutes were sent out. • Some playground areas will have a cover of engineered wood chips that wheelchairs can navigate. • Talked about ensuring picnic tables in the Cherry Room are scattered throughout the long picnic table so that people in wheelchairs aren't clustered at the end. April 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 4 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursdav April 25th, 2013 Email re On- Street Accessible Parking Paula forwarded and email to GRAAC re accessible parking on- street parking in Waterloo. The City will make 2 accessible spots - Paula asked the group for ideas on where the spots should be located. Feedback determined that 1 spot be around the Princess Street area and one between William and Willis Way but GRAAC strongly suggests more spots be added as well. The City of Kitchener is creating 2 accessible parking spots on Charles Street between Victoria Street South and Eby Street North. There are no metres on on- street parking in KW. Greg noted that the accessible parking spots in the Charles Street garage aren't wide enough - the accessible spots are not accessible. ACTION: GRAAC are asked to send ideas re accessible parking spots to Paula through email. If required, Paula will set up a separate meeting to discuss. Paula will visit the Charles Street parking garage to check out the accessible parking spots. 9.0 COUNCILORS REPORT - Jeff Henry N/A BREAK 10.0 COMPASS KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN - Karla Cote and Tristan Wilkin • Each year Compass Kitchener, a small citizens' advisory group, reviews the city's work and produces an annual Citizens' Report Card to both city council and residents of Kitchener. The report card tracks and grades the city's success in continuing to address the priorities of our community as outlined within the City's strategic plan. Karla and Tristan attended GRAAC to get input from members to find out what they want to be measured in the report card. • The six community priorities measured in the Report Card, which were developed through extensive community consultation in recent years, include: Leadership and engagement; Quality of life; Diversity; Downtown; Development; and Environment. • The last Report Card was produced in 2011. There won't be a Report Card in 2012 - rather, the time this year will be spent evaluating the process to make it more inclusive and advise staff earlier on what to include so they can provide it early enough. • Karla and Tristan will visit advisory committees for input and will also consult with City staff. For each of the strategic directions, key performance indicators will be developed. • A report will go to Council in June. • For each directive - look at activities /output /outcomes and how to evaluate. April 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 5 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursdav April 25th, 2013 GRAAC Comments • Keri commented that physical environment is important, accessibility to businesses, parks, etc. To ensure the physical environment is inclusive to and accessible to everyone, survey all community members. Ask: can everyone get into the businesses; can you get into the building and use the services? • Compare with other cities of similar size i.e. accessibility audit to ensure ODA compliance. • Survey businesses to see how accessible they think they are - self -audit for businesses. Councillor Frank Etherington entered. ACTION • GRAAC members may email Karla with comments. (karla.cote@kitchener.ca; phone - 519- 741 -2200 ext 7083. 11.0 Co- Chairs Report • Andrew said that he'd like GRAAC to send a letter to Regional Council asking them to consider reducing the time for mandatory snow removal by City staff /contractors from 72 hours to 24 hours at the end of a snowfall. Paula felt that there is inconsistency with the 24 hour bylaw for homeowners and that she supports sending a letter stating that this is a from GRAAC. • Members indicated that they would like to hear more about the Transportation Master Pla.n in the future. • GRT is holding a transit education seminar on May 23 at 6pm at the Cambridge City Hall. The seminar is highlighting accessibility features for both conventional transit and Mobility Plus. • On April 30, Kitchener Council will hear public input regarding building a casino in the area. Paula noted that GRAAC doesn't need to be involved unless one is built and the committee is involved to ensure it is accessible. • Gina shared that GRAAC will be consulted regarding roundabout accessibility in Cambridge. Staff can't attend a GRAAC meeting due to timelines. The date suggested is May 3 at 150 Frederick with Regional staff - Gina will send an email to GRAAC. ACTION: A motion was made by Greg Moore, seconded by Paula that GRRAC send a letter to Regional Council requesting them to consider reducing the time for mandatory snow removal by City staff/ contractors from 72 hours to 24 hours at the end of a snowfall. All were in favour; carried. Adjournment/ Next Meeting A motion was made by Carrie, seconded by Amanda, to adjourn the April meeting. The next meeting will be on May 23 at 1:30 p.m. in the Conestoga Room at Kitchener City Hall. April 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 6