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Home My WebLink AboutGRAAC 2013-12-19Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursdav December 19th, 2013 Kitchener Citv Hall, Learning Room PRESENT: Anthony Cashin (Co- Chair), Andrew Tutty (Co- Chair), Carrie Speers, Paula Saunders, Ken Parker, Keri Cameron, Greg Moore, David Kuhn, Councillor Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener), Julia Sippel (North Dumfries), Kaitlyn Draker (Wellesley) Gina Hickman (Region of Waterloo), Val Hummel (Woolwich), Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener /City of Waterloo), Lisa Harper (ASL Interpreter), Lesley Roach (ASL Interpreter), Shannon Sweeney (Recorder) REGRETS: Mike Shipley (Woolwich), Councillor Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo), Councillor Jean Haalboom (Region of Waterloo), Dorothy Staal GUESTS: Gord Crummer (City of Waterloo) 1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: • Andrew Tutty called the meeting to order. • Andrew Tutty welcomed all members; round table introductions. 2.0 APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER MINUTES & APPROVAL OF DECEMBER AGENDA: • Motion by Ken Parker, seconded by Carrie Speers to accept the minutes of the November meeting; all in favour. • Motion by Ken Parker, seconded by Carrie Speers to accept the December agenda; all in favour. 3.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS: • There were no pecuniary interests to declare. 4.0 TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH STATUS UPDATE ON ACCESSIBILITY PLAN — Val Hummel (Woolwich) • Woolwich is in a good position. • There was Customer Service Training in December as well as other training initiatives. • Municipal elections - The Township wants to make them as accessible as possible. 5.0 2013 STATUS UPDATE ON CITY OF WATERLOO /CITY OF KITCHENER JOINT ACCESSIBILITY PLAN — Lolita Paroski (City of Waterloo /City of Kitchener) • Currently all staff in the City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo are receiving training on the IASR /OHRC. • Both cities provide monthly training to new hires on the customer Service Standard of the AODA • The volunteers are handled jointly between the cities with 2 new joint brochures that have a new look. • Both cities have re- vamped their Intranet sites. • Both cities have new resources. • City of Waterloo and City of Kitchener will both be providing information to affiliated groups as part of the Customer Service Standard compliance. This is ongoing in both Waterloo and Kitchener. • The Accessibility Policy and commitment statements can be found on both cities websites Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday December 19th, 2013 • The Joint Accessibility Plan was placed on both websites in 2013 the plan carries us to 2017. • All GRAAC members received the Ontario Human Rights Volunteer Brochure. This brochure was also given to staff attending training as well was posted on the intranet. • In the coming year both cities will be... • Continuing to incorporate accessible procurement practices • Incorporating accessibility features like checklists and staff have a guide and links to this information. • Will continue to provide training for all staff on the Human Rights Code. • Will continue to provide training to all direct volunteers on Human Rights Code (volunteers not required to get IASR training only staff is required). • Staff in both cities are being trained on creation of accessible documents. Waterloo is close to being complete. Kitchener is also underway. • Colleen Collins (City of Kitchener) is taking inventory of all public documents to be sure they are all accessible by January 1, 2015. • City of Waterloo hired someone to inventory their website to ensure accessibility. • The Human Resource Departments in the City of Waterloo and City of Kitchener have created forms for accommodation requests for all new staff. Questions/ Comments • Anthony Cashin suggested that the TTY number be included in external job applications. BREAK 6.0 UPTOWN WEST NEIGHBOURHOOD TRAFFIC STUDY UPDATE — Gord Crummer (City of Waterloo) • In 2012 the City of Waterloo developed a Transportation Master Plan that covered street classifications. • All roads were put into classifications depending on traffic volume. This way it is easier to address resident's concerns. • Gord said there has been a freeze on reclassifications for now. • With the tremendous amount of building going on it makes the current data out dated. • Caroline /Park /Erb to Westmount around 2000 units will be built and that means a potential of 2000 more vehicles onto the residential streets. • The neighbourhoods in this area have concerns because of the number of streets with partial sidewalks. • As a result the City of Waterloo started a Traffic Study Program 11 neighbours, 1 resident and 1 City of Waterloo Transportation Committee rep and 1 GRAAC member rep (Gord Crummer) • Meetings have started in order to bring everyone up to speed. • An engineering firm gathered data for this project. • School Board and Emergency Services are interested in this information as well. • There was a Public Education session October 30th 2013 • There was a task force meeting on December 18th 2013 and alternative solutions are being developed. December 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 2 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday December 19th, 2013 • The consultants are going to present to the committee in early February 2014. • Gord mentioned he is very pleased with the turnout of residents in this area. • Gord said as a GRAAC rep he is very interested in the accessibility features and he appreciates the opportunity to represent GRAAC. Questions/ Comments • Paula said that she is in favour of sidewalks and when attending meetings always stresses that GRAAC is favour of sidewalks. 7.0 BUILT ENVIRONMENT UPDATE — Paula Saunders • Paula had nothing to report. • Paula did state that she would be absent from the January meeting. 8.0 COUNCILLOR'S REPORT(S) — Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener) • Berry announced he was re- appointed at the Council Representative for GRAAC. • Council is amidst budget meetings. • It is looking like there may be a 1 -1.25% tax increase and the City is trying to get down to 1 %. • The Region will be hosting a public meeting in early February about the Waterloo Region Airport Master Plan. • Berry will be attending the New Year Levy on January 5th. He said it will be a family friendly event, there will be children's activities included this year. Berry hopes we all attend. Questions/ Comments • Greg Moore asked for an update on the Victoria Park Boathouse. Berry told us that there is 1 proposal left. The staff is evaluating and figures a decision will be made in January. • The boats in the park were very successful and the season was extended. This service might evolve to a permanent feature in Victoria Park. Berry is hoping an accessible boat will be made available. • Anthony asked if Victoria Park might get similar equipment to the pools to make the boats more accessible. Berry believes this will likely be tendered for future operators and Berry said he will raise accessibility concerns when needed. 9.0 ELECTION PREPERATION — Val Hummel (Township of Woolwich) • Brand new GRAAC members in January. • The election process will start with Co -Chair positions and then standing committee chairs. • Please ask people to nominate you. 10.0 CO -CHAIR REPORT(S) — Andrew Tutty • Losing some members. • This is Ken Parker's last meeting however he will remain part of Atec. Ken was presented with a certificate of recognition for his dedication to GRAAC. December 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 3 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday December 19th, 2013 • Today is also Gina Hickman's (Region of Waterloo) last meeting. Thank you for all you have done Gina. Gina was presented a certificate of recognition. Gina thanked the committee. • Lolita Paroski will also be leaving GRAAC returning to her permanent position within Inclusion Services. Lolita was presented with a certificate of recognition as well and was wished continued success. Lolita said it has been a great 2 years and she will miss GRAAC. • Stephannie Leach resigned. • New members to be announced in New Year. The new members have lots of experience. • Carrie Speers and Andrew Tutty attended exhibit at Kitchener Waterloo Clay and Glass Museum. It is focused on using technology to look at art. • Lolita asked GRAAC to fill out a new volunteer services form. Adjournment/ Next Meeting A motion was made by Ken Parker, seconded by Carrie Speers, to adjourn the December meeting. The next meeting will be on January 23rd, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. in the Conestoga Room at Kitchener City Hall. December 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 4