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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC 2013-06-27Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursdav June 27, 2013 Kitchener Citv Hall, Conestoga Room PRESENT: Andrew Tutty (Co- Chair), Anthony Cashin (Co- Chair), Carrie Speers, Paula Saunders, Mike Shipley, Greg Moore, Keri Cameron, Dorothy Staal, Kaitlyn Draker (Wellesley), Julia Sippel (North Dumfries), Gina Hickman (Region of Waterloo), Councillor Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener), Councillor Jean Haalboom (Region of Waterloo), Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener /City of Waterloo), Karen Panchaud (ASL Interpreter), Lesley Roach (ASL Interpreter), Shannon Sweeney (Recorder) REGRETS: Councillor Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo), Val Hummel, Amanda Moorhead, Ken Parker ABSENT: David Kuhn, Stephannie Leach GUESTS: William Sleeth (City of Kitchener), John Griffin (City of Waterloo), Barb Magee Turner (City of Waterloo), Laurier Proulx, Gethyn Beniston (Grand River Transit) 1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: • Anthony Cashin called the meeting to order. • Anthony welcomed all members; round table introductions. 2.0 APPROVAL OF MAY MINUTES & APPROVAL OF JUNE AGENDA: • Motion by Mike Shipley, seconded by Greg Moore to accept the minutes of the May meeting; all in favour. • Motion by Carrie Speers, seconded by Dorothy Staal to accept the June agenda; all in favour. 3.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS: • There were no pecuniary interests to declare. 4.0 CITY OF KITCHENER &WATERLOO TRAILS — William Sleeth (City of Kitchener) and John Griffin (City of Waterloo) William Sleeth and John Griffin came and presented information about trails in Kitchener and Waterloo. Highlights • William Sleeth (City of Kitchener) believes we are moving ahead. William stated Kitchener's best accessible trails are not state of the art but they are the best Kitchener has. • Category A trails are located in Victoria Park, Mclennan Park and Huron Natural Area. • All are accessible by public transit. Grades are less than 5 %. • Category B trails are not always paved. Huron Naturals is a Category B trail. • Category C trails have no washrooms at the trailhead; they are not always accessible by transit. Parking may be on street. • John Griffin presented on behalf of the City of Waterloo Trails. He handed out Waterloo's waterproof trail map. • John spoke about Waterloo's Walter Bean Trail. • This trail has 3 metre wide asphalt, the surface is flat. There are accessible washrooms near trail head at RIM Park. • The trail runs along the Grand River. Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday June 27th , 2013 • John offered to take the GRAAC Committee on a tour of this trail. • There are a lot of flat surface trails in Waterloo. • Improvements are being made to the Trans Canada Trail. It is going to take 2 -3 years to do the improvements. • John will keep in touch with GRAAC with details on this project. • New subdivisions are being built and they are reconciling new trails within the subdivision and attempting to make hard surfaces. • William and John said they are currently working on new posts, new crossing improvements, more signs and surface improvements. John and William are going to talk about using the same contractor. • William also stated that Kitchener is currently working on a new cycling map. • Most trails are not available in the winter for example Walter Bean trail and parts of the Trans Canada trail. The Iron Horse trail will only be plowed after everything else. GRAAC Response • Jean Haalboom asked William and John if there is a budget to revive the signs on the trails as they are looking worn and faded. John replied if it is in the budget they will be revived. • Paula Saunders inquired about gravel surfacing. William stated that more recently stone dust is being used. • It was asked if there will be the international wheelchair symbol so people with wheelchairs know if a trail is accessible. • William is producing a digital map that will be accessible via phone or computer. • Andrew asked if information is available online. John said yes it is and he will be sure to pass link information on to Lolita. William also stated he would pass on information to Lolita. • Dorothy asked if they are moving part of the Iron Horse Trail. Yes, they are the trail runs along the railway from Park Street to Caroline Street they are moving it so there is no disconnect and it is re- routed so it is straight. 5.0 STREETSCAPE — Barb Magee Turner (City of Waterloo) Barb Magee Turner came to speak about the streetscape plan for the streets around Central Meat Market down to Erb Street in Uptown Waterloo. This project began in 2010 from an Environmental Assessment. • There will be street light replacement. • Sidewalk and some curbs need replaced as well. • There have been a number of public information sessions. • The project manager at the time in 2010 did attend GRAAC. • Five alternatives have been drawn up. For example just replacing sidewalk and lights. • In late 2010 these discussions were put on hold. • In early 2013 discussions opened again and it was decided to focus on King Street and Erb Street. • City of Waterloo engaged a project team and task force. • This team will be looking at all possibilities. - Barb Magee Turner took questions. June 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 2 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursdav June 27th , 2013 - Anthony Cashin asked if time can be added to cross walk warning lights as those with manual wheel chairs often don't have enough time to cross? Barb Magee said she will pass this recommendation onto the Region. - Carrie Speers commented that canes become tripping hazards because of the planters. Suggested that tripping into a garden is much nicer than tripping into a cement planter. Barb Magee stated that they are looking into this and said they are looking at moving to possible portable planters that can be moved seasonally. • Barb will return in the fall 2013 with designs. Councillor Berry Vrbanovic entered the meeting. 6.0 QUEEN ELIZABETH ARENA REVIEW — Laurier Proulx • Trying to make the 2nd floor accessible as the washrooms are down two steps. • Downstairs will go in via main entrance. • Putting a lift in. • Already there is much better access. • Barrier free washrooms are being installed. • Project is going to cost approximately $450,000 • The downstairs drawing showed us that there will be proper vestibules and wide doors, an elevator and opening up the lobby and there will be no more office space. • Laurier informed us that the doors downstairs are 3 feet openings. In the bathrooms they are going to be getting new counter tops, soap dispensers that will be located on the side of the counter, towel dispensers will be nearby; it was suggested to have larger mirrors over the slanted ones. It was suggested that instead of the large round locks in the washrooms a larger slide lock would work better. • Andrew Tutty said that contrast in colour in the washrooms would be very helpful as all one colour is difficult. Laurier said colour suggestions are being taken into consideration. • Laurier said the current lighting is not bright enough and he is currently looking into dimmable fluorescent lights. However, looking at all types of lights as part of the energy conservation program. • Laurier stated that the washroom in the Roseville Centre was not compliant for barrier free. Moving walls and properly complying to make it barrier free. • Suggestions were made on how to install the doors in the washrooms. Laurier is accepting all suggestions and will look at works best for the area. BUILT ENVIRONMENT — Paula Saunders • Paula and Lolita provided comments to the city regarding the 122 Weber Street West GO -Bus Platform with 27 space parking facility. They commented that there should be 1 accessible parking space for the 27 spots in accordance to legislation. Also suggested that the GO -Bus platform be flat not raised so that persons in wheelchairs can use the platform. • Gina and Paula are discussing accessible meeting room space at the Region. • People expressed an interest in taking a walk on Walter Bean Trail. Will set this up with John Griffin. June 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 3 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday June 27th , 2013 7.0 COUNCILLORS REPORT - Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener), Jean Haalboom (Region of Waterloo) • Jean Haalboom (Region of Waterloo) - There will be open houses Kitchener /Waterloo and Cambridge concerning ION stop designs. • Jean mentioned that when she was in Europe that they use rumble strips at their intersections. Our Region has installed them on the corner of Frederick and Edna. - GRAAC members stated that they need to be cleaned. - GRAAC members also said that the saw cuts cause ice to form and it is hard to clear. • Jean talked about the Kitchener In Bloom Committee - Looking for front yards with nice flower displays - Businesses or residents - Please nominate yards you like. - Nominations are due July 15, 2013 and nominations can be sent to kitchenerin bloom @ kitchen er.ca • Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener) - Berry attended a BIA session last night. - Berry said there will be a preliminary look at the 2014 budget in August. - Berry will share this information after August 12tH - An announcement will be made that trails will be barrier free in the next few weeks as signage is made and installed. - New washrooms in Victoria Park - Berry would like input from GRAAC on what will need to be done to make the washrooms accessible. 8.0 GRT SMART CARD SYSTEM - Gethyn Beniston (GRT) The Region of Waterloo is in the early stages of making a new fare tracking system. GRT would like GRAAC input so it is designed properly from the start. • The card will be the size of a credit card. • Card will have the ability to store transfers. Meaning you will be able to tap without additional billing. • Users will be able to use multiple transit systems. • Smart Cards can be re- stocked via phone, internet or in person. • Seniors do have to go in person in order to prove they are senior citizens. • The Region is coordinating focus groups. GRAAC Response • Will there be reduced fares for personal assistants? • Tapping may be an issue if you do not have use of hands. • How will CNIB card be recognized? Gethyn said that they need to work through this. For now some regions allow CNIB patrons to show the card to the driver. • Berry Vrbanovic suggested looking at how to integrate this with all modes of transit. LRT, Bus, Mobility Plus, GRT, Taxis and Grand River Car Share. • Taxis will be difficult as they are independent. June 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 4 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday June 27th , 2013 • It was stated that it is hard to find the readers on GO Trains. Standards need to be put in place where there are readers so that it is the same in every situation • Standards need to be put in place for readers. Preferably have sound and lights to alert patrons of the location of the readers. • Gethyn said he will return to GRAAC when more information is available. 9.0 CO -CHAIR REPORT — Anthony Cashin (GRAAC) • Update on Dawn Griffin she has found a new job and has resigned from the committee. We will miss her! • Congratulations to Carrie Speers she was recognized for Salute to Seniors Mayors Advisory Council. • Andrew gave an updated on the snow removal letter saying that the Region is willing to work with us on clearing certain stops. Andrew wanted to know if this appealed to the committee. • Jean said that she spoke with Eric Gillespie (Region of Waterloo) and the difficulty with clearing stops is when the plow goes by again and the stop will need to be cleared twice. Eric would like a list of priorities. Berry reminded us that the time clock for snow removal only begins once the snowfall ends. • The committee has great concerns about a priority list for the reason how can we possibly pin point priorities. • It was suggested maybe a "hotline" could be implemented to let the region know where a stop needs clearing. • Andrew wanted to know if we should go ahead sending letter to GRT. The letter will be going to Regional council in early August. • Andrew will forward letter to committee ASAP. Please read and respond. Dorothy will get a verbal of the letter over the phone. • Gina is asking for feedback concerning the truncated domes that will be installed at Frederick and Edna. The Region is going ahead with these using cast iron plates they will be rust coloured. The report will be going to council soon. • Concerns were expressed about the colour. Members believe it needs to be bright yellow. There were also concerns about the plates being lined up properly for the layout of the intersection. • Gina will take recommendations. Adjournment/ Next Meeting A motion was made by Carrie Speers, seconded by Jean Haalboom, to adjourn the June meeting. The next meeting will be on August 22nd, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. in the Conestoga Room at Kitchener City Hall. June 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 5