HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC 2015-02-26Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date: Thursday February 26th, 2015
Location: Conestoga Room, Kitchener City Hall
Present:
Sharon Giles, Paula Saunders, David Kuhn, Keri Cameron, Greg Moore (Co- Chair), Andrew
Tutty (Co- Chair), Carrie Speers, Mike Shipley, Dawn Clelland, Brenda Robinson, Kathie Must,
Councillor Mark Whaley, (City of Waterloo), Councillor Sue Foxton (Region of Waterloo),
Vanessa Lopak (Region of Waterloo), Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener /City of Waterloo), Julia
Sippel (Township of North Dumfries), Kaityln Draker (Township of Wellesley), Johanna Ellis
(City of Kitchener, Recorder)
Regrets:
Councillor Kelly Galloway - Sealock (City of Kitchener), Laura Master, Amanda Moorehead
Guests:
Dawn Mittelholtz (Township of Wilmot), Rob Bender (Township of Wilmot)
Absent:
1.0 Welcome and Introductions
• Andrew called the meeting to order.
• Round table introductions.
2.0 Approval of January Minutes and February Agenda
• Moved by Mike Shipley, seconded by David Kuhn to accept the January minutes.
CARRIED
• Moved by Carrie Speers, seconded by Paula Saunders to accept the February agenda.
CARRIED (Date changed on the bottom from February to March for next general
meeting).
3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interests
• None
4.0 Region of Waterloo Strategic Plan — Lori Fioze, Region of Waterloo
• 2 -way online conversation (Similar to Facebook).
• Focus groups to share thoughts and ideas to help set the Region of Waterloo's priorities
for 2015 — 2018.
• Focus group schedule is listed on the website and also on the handout.
• March 26th & March 27th Community Conversation to discuss the changing population
and the trends that could shape the future of the community.
• Refer to handout for dates, times and location(s).
Committee Question: Do you want us to attend focus group and add input from an
individual or group perspective?
Answer: Both individual and group. Feel free to call or email Lori Fioze with any questions
at Ifioze regionofwaterloo.ca
Committee Question: Where can the current Strategic Plan be accessed?
Answer: Region of Waterloo website.
5.0 Elections
• Vanessa prepped the committee for elections.
• Reviewed nomination process.
• Position reviewed for each position before nominations opened.
Nominations and results are as follows:
Co -Chair Nominations
David Kuhn — Stand Co -Chair
Greg Moore — Stand Co -Chair
Paula Saunders — Declined
Sharon Giles — Stand
Andrew Tutty — Stand
Transportation Sub - Committee
Sharon Giles — Stand Acclaimed
Andrew Tutty — Declined
Carrie Speers — Declined
BUILT Environment Chair
Andrew Tutty — Declined
Paula Saunders — Stand Chair
Carrie Speers — Declined
Mike Shipley — Declined
Dawn Clelland — Stand
Motion to destroy the ballots by Carrie Speers and seconded by Mike Shipley — CARRIED.
6.0 ROW Active Living Charter — D'Arcy Farlow (Consultant)
• Looking for feedback from community groups, public health.
• There is a concern within our Region that we are not active.
• Refer to the Waterloo Region Active Living Charter that was attached to last months
email.
• To allow for confidentiality, the discussion and feedback provided by GRAAC on the
Active Living Charter will not be reflected in the minutes.
Actions
• Vanessa to send an electronic copy of the Framework to committee.
• GRAAC requests a follow up on the Charter, to hear how it has moved forward or will be
implemented.
February 26th, 2015 — GRAAC Minutes Page 2
7.0 BUILT Environment Report
• Paula attended a meeting at Forest Heights Pool.
• Putting a ramp in the pool during major renovations in August 2015.
• Discussions at the meeting included measurements, ramps and pool chairs (Forest
Heights Pool has 2 pool chairs).
• Did an audit on the change rooms and here is a list of issues:
- Soap dispensers need to be at appropriate height (accessible).
- Access to stall, "D" shaped handle installed at the door. Paula explained that it
would make more sense for the handle to be installed on the hinge side of the door.
- Location for "D" shaped handle to be determined.
- Accessible stalls still need to be bigger ( "down the road" possibilities).
- Paper towel dispenser to be relocated closer to the sink.
- Remove wooden bench and replace with adult change table.
- Seat in shower with hand held shower head.
- No automatic door opener from pool to change room. Recommendation is to install
one.
- Male and female change rooms are old and need a lot of renovations. Focus now is
on family change rooms.
- Showed pictures (power point) from other pools. Tactile features and colours were
discussed.
- Coloured lines in ramp help. Ramp should come flush with bottom of the pool.
- Comment that tactile surfaces shouldn't collect or trap dirt given the chemicals in the
pool.
- Good colour contrast between ramp and deck of the pool is essential.
- For those with low to no sight, some type of indicator should be there as well.
- Committee is asking for; high contrast (deck /pool), chevrons top ramp /bottom ramp,
no slip surface on ramp.
8.0 Councillor(s) Report(s)
• Councillor Whaley is eager to gain more knowledge about GRAAC.
• Councillor Whaley suggested committee keep snow removal on their radar.
• Councillor Sue Foxton praised committee for all of their continuous hard work.
• Councillor Foxton also recommended that GRAAC stay on top of the issues with Grand
Links.
9.0 Staff /Co -Chair Report
• Vanessa congratulated all newly elected members and acknowledged Andrew for
accomplishments, hard work and dedication as Co- Chair.
• Andrew shared that the City of Waterloo is in the process of creating a 2015 -2018,
Council Strategic Plan. To help in shaping the plan, a feedback session is being
planned for all committees of council during the evening of March 24th from 6:30 — 8:00
pm at RIM Park, Room 207 and 208. Each committee of council should send a
minimum of 2, maximum of 4 committee representatives. Please email Lolita by March
10th if you are interested.
February 26th, 2015 — GRAAC Minutes Page 3
• Andrew shared that the Ontario government/AODA now has a phone number to ledge
complaints which is 1- 866 - 515 -2025.
11.0 Adjournment
• Motion to adjourn by Paula Saunders, seconded by Sharon Giles, CARRIED
Next meeting is Thursday March 26th, 2015 at Kitchener City Hall in the Conestoga Room
February 26th, 2015 — GRAAC Minutes Page 4