HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC 2013-11-28Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursdav November 28th, 2013 Kitchener Citv Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT: Anthony Cashin (Co- Chair), Carrie Speers, Paula Saunders, Ken Parker ,
David Kuhn, Julia Sippel (North Dumfries), Kaitlyn Draker (Wellesley) Gina Hickman
(Region of Waterloo), Councillor Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo), Councillor Jean
Haalboom (Region of Waterloo), Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener /City of Waterloo), Lisa
Harper (ASL Interpreter), Lesley Roach (ASL Interpreter), Shannon Sweeney
(Recorder)
REGRETS: Val Hummel (Woolwich), Andrew Tutty (Co- Chair), Amanda Moorehead,
Keri Cameron, Greg Moore, Councillor Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener), Dorothy
Staal and Mike Shipley
ABSENT: Stephannie Leach
GUESTS: Bob Henderson (Region of Waterloo) and Joanne Leeson (Region of
Waterloo), Chris Hodgson (City of Waterloo), Barb Magee Turner (City of
Waterloo)
1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS:
• Anthony Cashin called the meeting to order.
• Anthony Cashin welcomed all members; round table introductions.
2.0 APPROVAL OF OCTOBER MINUTES & APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER AGENDA:
• Motion by Paula Saunders, seconded by Carrie Speers to accept the minutes of
the October meeting; all in favour.
• Motion by Ken Parker, seconded by David Kuhn to accept the November agenda;
all in favour.
3.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS:
• There were no pecuniary interests to declare.
4.0 REGION OF WATERLOO STATUS UPDATE ON ACCESSIBILITY PLAN —
GINA HICKMAN (Region of Waterloo)
• Gina provided a review of the Region's multi -year Accessibility Plan for the years
2013 -2017.
• Gina presented accessibility updates from 2013 which will be available on the
Region's website.
The updates included among other actions, training for all staff and volunteers on
the IASR and OHRCS, the installation of a new accessible family washroom at
150 Frederick Street, and the development of organizational standards for
accessible documents.
In 2014 the Region will
• Continue with training.
• Work on an interpreter policy.
• Review HR policies to reflect the intent of the legislation. The Region will be
upgrading applicant tracking systems for job postings.
• Continue to implement the recommendations to enhance accessibility on
Regional roads.
• Other planned accessibility actions for 2014 will be available in the Region's
Status Update on the Region's website.
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday November 28th , 2013
5.0 TRUNCATED DOMES — Bob Henderson (Region of Waterloo)
Highlights
• In 2012 the domes were installed at Frederick and Edna.
• In February 2013 a report to enhance accessibility at intersections and
roundabouts was approved by Regional Council.
• The Region will also be installing Accessible Pedestrian Signals, Tactile surface
indicators, sidewalk improvements, yellow curbs at pedestrian refuge islands,
and ladder crosswalks. Bob said they will be following AODA regulations.
• Bob did indicate that there is a challenge putting tactile guide strips on regional
roads and that they are looking to form something into the asphalt.
Questions/ Comments
• Anthony Cashin asked why the vibro - tactile buttons are not being installed in
every intersection. Bob is going to check.
• Ken Parker asked why the domes are not yellow. Bob explained a lot of research
was done before deciding on a colour. The yellow painted domes have led to
rusting prematurely and the Region saw this as a long term maintenance
problem. Therefore they decided to go with the natural rust colour.
• Anthony commented he appreciated the knowledge about the domes. He also
stated that Iowa has domes that are some kind of plastic and they work really
well.
• Bob said he is always looking at different materials and will continue to look for
reliable materials.
Anthony thanked Bob for joining us today.
6.0 COUNTRY COURTHOUSE RENOVATIONS (Weber Street) — Joanne Leeson
(Region of Waterloo)
Highlights
• The building will be used as a Region Employee building.
• The building was built in 1963 and is 60,000 square feet with 2 wings.
• There will be a complete interior renovation and partial exterior renovation.
• Due to the safety of workers the renovation will be completed in 2 stages.
• The renovation is scheduled to be complete by spring 2015.
• The building is Heritage listed and therefore the lobby must remain intact. The
blue tile near elevators must remain untouched as well as the window
configuration.
• The landscaping will be taking on a 1960's style.
• The building will be following the Design of Public Spaces Standard and the
specifications in the proposed Accessible Built Environment Standards.
• The main floor will be accessible. This will include 6 1/2 foot wide hallways, way
finding and lots of contrast in colour.
• The East Wing will be made as accessible as possible and will have an accessible
washroom for judges.
• The West Wing will have the public using it as well.
• Every floor will have accessible washrooms. Main floor will have accessible
washrooms in both wings.
November 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 2
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday November 28th , 2013
• There will be push buttons on all doors.
• The building will be green. For example all paper towel waste will be composted
and there will be a green bin in every washroom.
• Staff will be encouraged to bike or walk to work and therefore showers will be
installed in the basement for staff.
Questions/ Comments
• Paula asked if a pull down grab bar could be installed in case there is ever
weakness from a stroke for example.
• Joanne stated they have one challenge and that being they cannot change the
elevator shaft because of the heritage component. The elevators at 6 foot by 4
foot. The plan is to keep most traffic on ground floor to lessen the need for
elevators.
• A suggestion was made that if things like scooters wouldn't fit on the elevators
that there be a safe place to store them and Joanne said this shouldn't be a
problem and will take the suggestion back.
7.0 LEXINGTON ROAD TRANSPORTATION PROJECT UPDATE — Chris Hodgson
(City of Waterloo)
• Lexington Road is a well - travelled road in Waterloo.
• Travel speeds average 60 -70km per hour.
• There are no sidewalks to allow access to get to school.
• There is transit in this area.
• Residents are worried about the impact.
• Residents want sidewalks installed for the safety of the children.
• This is a mature area.
• The preferred approach for this project having sidewalks, a bike lane and 2 lane
driving.
• This project will be seeking council approval in 2014 and hoping to start
construction Spring /Summer of 2014.
8.0 UPTOWN WATERLOO STREETSCAPE — Barb Magee- Turner (City of
Waterloo)
Barb Magee - Turner joined us again to update us on the Waterloo Streetscape
Project that runs on King St. in Waterloo from Erb St. to Central Street.
• Don the lead consultant from IBI joined Barb.
• Barb reported that since June when she last joined us a lot of progress has been
made.
• Plan to replace street lights in uptown Waterloo.
• The wiring of the lights caused the need to remove some sidewalks.
• On November 13th interesting input was given by the public. There are some
competing strong interests for example cycling.
• City of Waterloo realizes that the Streetscape is tired.
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Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday November 28th , 2013
• The city wants to make the streets safe.
• They want to have an accessible sidewalk.
• The downtown is going to be a people movement area when the project is
complete.
• In the next 10 years there are going to be upwards of 4000 more housing units.
• This will put more people on the streets. Walking will be prevalent in 10 years.
• Cannot leave street in the condition it is in. It does not meet the Region of
Waterloo's standards.
• The new design will be road one lane per direction and on street parking.
• King will now cause diversions.
• Weber will be used more to get around King Street.
• The City of Waterloo is working closely with the business owners. Their input will
be considered.
• City of Waterloo had 2 million for this project.
• Jean Haalboom had a question and that being "Will there be mid -block
crossings "? The answer was yes.
9.0 BUILT ENVIRONMENT UPDATE - Paula Saunders
• City of Waterloo - Information Kiosk to replace current directory at City Hall.
Paula and Carrie went to look at it again and new improvements will be made
which include...
• A larger font size
• Better contrast
• Adding all main touch controls along the bottom of the screen which will
allow persons in wheelchairs to reach
• When looking for directions to a meeting room a text version will appear
on the screen and a visual picture will also appear.
• Carrie and Paula approved of these changes /updates.
• There is better contrast but you still get glare on the screens.
• Albert McCormick Arena - City of Waterloo is replacing the flooring around the
rink. They want to use a rolled surface that will go to the dressing room doors
and then tile type flooring will go in change rooms for the reason it will be easier
to repairs to the flooring if required. Paula shared with staff to ensure contrast is
provided and the flooring options looked good.
10.0 COUNCILLOR'S REPORT(S)
• Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo)
• The City of Waterloo Budget was released yesterday. You can find it at the
following link www.waterloo.ca /budget
• The City of Waterloo declined to use internet voting.
• Jean Haalboom (Renion of Waterloo)
• Jean expressed we need to continue on expressing our accessibility needs.
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Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday November 28th , 2013
• Courthouse project should be complete by 2015/2016.
• The archives will be located on the first floor of the Courthouse Building.
• The Region has had challenges with their budget.
• The Region has increased the service hours for the GRT however; no new vans
have been purchased.
• Police are getting a .9% increase.
• Taxi scripts are being increased.
11.0 Co -Chair Report — Anthony Cashin
• Anthony asked if staff have anything to share and Lolita shared the following.
• At the Clay and Glass museum Bill Pooler (owner) wanted to know if anyone from
GRAAC wanted to help with a project.
• The project being how to make more museums more accessible by using smart
phone technology.
• This will be taking place Dec 10th from 10:00am to 11:30am.
• Lolita will email out the information.
• Anthony Cashin - (Co- Chair)
• GRT is making it easier by allowing people to purchase more tickets at one time
and therefore reducing the number or trips you have to make to the terminal.
• Reminder next month is the Christmas Potluck please bring cookies or candy.
Shannon will adjust menu with Williams to include more crackers and cheese,
fruits and veggies.
• The meeting will take place on the 2n6 Floor in the Learning Room at City Hall.
Adjournment/ Next Meeting
A motion was made by Carrie Speers, by Ken Parker, to adjourn the November
meeting. The next meeting will be on December 19th, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. in the
Learning Room at Kitchener City Hall, 2nd floor.
November 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 5