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Home My WebLink AboutGRAAC - 2014-01-23Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday January 23rd, 2014 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room PRESENT: Anthony Cashin (Co- Chair), Andrew Tutty (Co- Chair),Carrie Speers, Greg Moore, Keri Cameron, Amanda Moorehead, Laura Master, Dawn Clelland, Sharon Giles, Christine Taylor, Councillor Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener ), Councillor Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo), Councillor Jean Haalboom (Region of Waterloo), Lisa Harper (ASL Interpreter), Lesley Roach (ASL Interpreter) Val Hummel (Woolwich), Julia Sippel (North Dumfries), Kaitlyn Draker (Wellesley), Vanessa Lopak (Region of Waterloo), Lori Palubeski (City of Kitchener, City of Waterloo), Shannon Sweeney (Recorder) REGRETS: Mike Shipley, Paula Saunders and David Kuhn GUESTS: Christine Kliewer (Region 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 DECEMBER MINUTES & APPROVAL OF JANUARY AGENDA: • Motion by Carrie Speers, seconded by Dorothy Staal to accept the minutes of the December meeting; all in favour. • Motion by Greg Moore, seconded by Dawn Clelland to accept the January agenda; all in favour. 3.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS: • There were no pecuniary interests to declare. 4.0 LETTER FROM REGION ABOUT ACCESSIBLE PARKING — Vanessa Lopak (Region of Waterloo) • Tuesday January 28th, 2014 there will be a council meeting and Vanessa asked if GRAAC would want to send a delegate to attend meeting? • New practices along regional roads are being recommended. • Region adopted 2% on street as accessible parking. Questions/ Comments • Dawn Clelland asked how will it be managed, will they be staggered? • Keri Cameron said according to Stats Canada re percentage of population with disabilities, 2% is not enough accessible parking. • Jean Haalboom said that it seems 2% will be approved. However, council may ask for more. • Greg Moore stated that 4% is what Toronto has. • Vanessa reminded GRAAC that on street parking is 2% but off street parking is 4 %. • Jean Haalboom asked if it would be in order for Regional Staff to come to GRAAC before anything is approved. Actions • GRAAC is going to propose a letter to the Region of Waterloo • Sharon Giles to write and Vanessa to support her with that. • Motion by Greg Moore, seconded by Carrie Speers to write a letter to the Region of Waterloo re: accessible parking; all in favour. 5.0 ELECTIONS — Valrie Hummel (Woolwich) Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday January 23rd, 2014 • Today there will be elections for Standing Committee Members we will go to a vote if required. • Christine Taylor opted out of voting. • Greg Moore - nominated Carrie Speers for Transportation Committee Chair. • Carrie Speers - nominated Paula Saunders for Built Environment Standing Committee Chair. • Carrie Speers - nominated Greg Moore for co -chair position. • Carrie Speers - nominated Anthony Cashin for co -chair position. • Carrie Speers - nominated Andrew Tutty for co -chair position. • The elections did end up going to a vote and the results were that Greg Moore was elected as a new co -chair and Andrew Tutty was re- elected as a co- chair. • Congratulations to all, thank you to all for past service. 6.0 COUNCILLORS REPORT(S) • Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener) • Next week, final budget Thursday January 30tH • 1.17% increase as of now. Expecting to get down to 1 %. • Environics Survey will be happening. Residents will be asked a series of questions about how the City of Kitchener is doing. This is a professional firm and the statistics are accurate. • Compass Kitchener got a sneak peek. Next week the rest will see. • There will be some interesting statistics in the Saturday paper. Residents' #1 issue is inadequate public transit (33% are stating that). 10% have an issue with jobs and the economy. • There will be a meeting about the Regional Airport's Master Plan on February 6th, 2014 at the Waterloo Region Museum about future expansion plans from 4 -8pm. There will be several presentations. • Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo) • The City of Waterloo had their budget day in December. This is the 3r6 year of the 3 year budget. • There were minor shifts that took place to maintain service levels. • Waterloo ended up with a 1.25% increase. • Waterloo approved a new contract position to move their Culture Plan forward. • Jean Haalboom (Renion of Waterloo) • Shipwreck - Pirates and Treasure - January 31 - April 30 at the Waterloo Region Museum on Huron Road. • The Region of Waterloo had their budget pass with a 1.86% increase. 0.8% when to Police Services. The 1.05% went to the rest. • Jean Haalboom appreciates the positive remarks about the LRT. Region is getting lots of press. • The Province said they would give $2.5 million for children services however, The Region expects a shortfall in this area. • Some routes were cut for GRT. As well as increases for the booming areas. • On February 15th there will be a Heritage Show Case at Fairview Mall, 35 groups will have exhibits set up. November 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 2 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday January 23rd, 2014 7.0 GRT PLUS ONE PROGRAM — Christine Kliewer (Region of Waterloo) • This program is for people who need support on transit. • GRT Plus One Card - There is an approval process. Once approved you will receive a GRT + 1 card. Then, present card at bus or mobility plus and bring whomever you like. Questions/ Comments • Anthony asked for clarification of the form and program. Support person can be anyone? The form wasn't clear if there are restrictions on support person. • Carrie Speers asked if the support person can be different every time and the answer was yes. • Christine Taylor asked if even people with mental health issues will qualify and Christine Kliewer said yes they qualify. • Keri Cameron and Greg Moore thought the application was too personal. Christine Kliewer will take this feedback back to GRT. • Anthony Cashin also pointed out that there is no place to write a TTY number down. • The GRT Plus One Program has a 3 year expiry date. However, exceptions may be made. 8.0 RESPONSE LETTER TO GRAAC RE:FEEDBACK ON NEW BUSES — Vanessa Lopak (Region of Waterloo) • Vanessa read the letter to GRAAC. Questions/ Comments • Is the cost of $1200 to retrofit buses the current fleet or the new buses? • Why is red /white contrast only available? • Brail is not available for buttons? • Why is next stop at back of the bus (2013) and not in front anymore like the (2011 -2012) buses? 9.0 STAFF UPDATES — LoriAnn Palubeski (City of Kitchener) • Lolita Paroski shared she was returning to her previous position. Thank you for supporting us through the staff transitions. • Pam Albrecht will be returning as the Inclusion Coordinator on February 3r6 , 2014. • LoriAnn Palubeski continues to be the manager supporting the committee. • Contact list went out via email. Please double check and make sure everything looks ok. • Youth forum is looking for adult committee members. • City of Waterloo and City of Kitchener have filed compliance reports. Lots of training of staff /volunteers has been completed. November 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 3 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday January 23rd, 2014 10.0 CO -CHAIR REPORT(S) • Andrew Tutty (Co- Chair) • Youth Forum will be taking place on February 13th, 2014 and the theme will be Dragon's Den. It will be taking place in the Rotunda at Kitchener City Hall. If you would like to be a mentor please let them know by Monday. Adjournment/ Next Meeting A motion was made by Greg Moore, seconded by Sharon Giles, to adjourn the January meeting. The next meeting will be on February 27th, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. in the Conestoga Room at Kitchener City Hall. November 2013 - GRAAC Minutes 4