HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC 2015-05-28Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date: Thursday May 28th, 2015
Location: Conestoga Room, Kitchener City Hall
Present:
Greg Moore (Co- Chair), David Kuhn (Co- Chair), Andrew Tufty, Keri Cameron, Laura Master,
Sharon Giles, Carrie Speers, Mike Shipley, Dawn Clelland, Brenda Robinson, Councillor Kelly
Galloway - Sealock (City of Kitchener), Julia Sippel (Township of North Dumfries) Vanessa Lopak
(Region of Waterloo), Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener /City of Waterloo), Dawn Mittelholtz
(Township of Wilmot), Shannon Sweeney (City of Kitchener, Recorder)
Regrets:
Amanda Moorhead, Paula Saunders
Absent:
Kathie Must, Julie Forth (Township of Woolwich), Councillor Sue Foxton (Region of Waterloo),
Councillor Bob Mavin (City of Waterloo), Kaitlyn Werth (Township of Wellesley)
Guests:
Bob Cheyne (City of Kitchener)
1.0 Welcome and Introductions (David Kuhn)
• David welcomed everyone
• Round table introductions
2.0 Approval of April Minutes and May Agenda
• Moved by Carrie Speers, seconded by Mike Shipley to accept the April minutes.
CARRIED
• Moved by Dawn Clelland, seconded by Brenda Robinson to accept the May agenda.
CARRIED
3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interests
• None
4.0 Consumer Publication Review (Bob Cheyne)
The City of Kitchener is looking for feedback from citizens, stakeholders and committees
at this point.
Feedback from GRAAC:
Promoting Information in the Leisure Guide
• Would like additional information added in the guide (i.e. facilities that have adult
change table etc.) This will allow people to prepare themselves when going to
facilities and deciding if they should register for programs.
• Ensure that publications are available in various digital formats.
o Print publication in large print, high contrast.
o Is there a place to put a phone number to report accessibility issues (i.e. went to
community centre and change table is broken)
o Maybe include an accessibility corner in guide. Features to promote what
persons with disabilities have done (i.e. skiing with visual disability). This would
provide awareness to the community.
• Barriers you face with this publication
• Using shiny paper.
• Newsprint is better compared to shinny paper.
• Put at 16 font to make easy for tools people with disabilities have
• Chart formats are hard to read for people with visual disabilities. You are flipping
and really not getting to where you need to go on your computer.
• Provide easily accessible multiple formats.
• PDF is not the way to go.
• Word is fine.
• Critical that the staff are familiar with alternate formats to provide.
• Best of Times
• Much the same response as given for Leisure Guide.
• Use Facebook and Twitter to advertise Best of Times.
• Your Kitchener
• Include sidewalk closures or if that is not possible allow for people to sign up to
get information sent to them.
• Should include accessibility updates in all literature.
• Even City and Region what is happening (i.e. new pedestrian signal put in at this
corner etc...).
• Want all publications available electronically because cannot pick one up
because of disability.
5.0 Introduction to the Township of Wilmot (Dawn Mittelholtz)
• Donna Hartzler (Township of Wilmot) and Rob Bender (Township of Wilmot) are the new
representatives on GRAAC. They are happy to be here.
• Wilmot is a cohesive, vibrant, welcoming countryside community.
• The settlement areas are Baden, Foxboro Green, Haysville, Lisbon, Luxemburg,
Mannheim, New Dundee, New Hamburg, Petersburg, Phillipsburg, Shingletown, St.
Agatha, Sunfish Lake, Wilmot Centre and Punky Doodles Corner.
• Wilmot's settlement areas do have sidewalks and lights.
• Downtown New Hamburg is the largest settlement followed by Baden.
• Lots of growth in the past few years.
• Population of 21,000.
• Downtown New Hamburg is designated a heritage district.
• The fire hall in New Hamburg has a fun mural attached.
• Some of the festivals Wilmot hosts are St. Agatha Strawberry Festival middle of June.
Mopar Fest is Canada's largest car show. They also host Mennonite relief sale, Canada
Day Celebration, fall fair, tree of lights, music in park, Baden's annual corn fest, Baseball
tournaments, Soap box race, Summer Concerts.
• Wilmot has Castle Kilbride as part of what they offer, you can attend tours with tea and
they even host a princess tea and tour.
May 28th, 2015 — GRAAC Minutes Page 2
• Nith River houses the water wheel.
• Grandstand in New Hamburg used to be wooden but it burned down and is now rebuilt.
• The Wilmot Centre has dual ice pads, soccer fields, pools, tracks, and an inclusive
playground as well as the new splash pad opening soon. The centre also houses the
Active Living Centre and a Youth Centre.
BREAK
6.0 Councillor(s) Report(s) — Councillor Kelly Galloway - Sealock (City of Kitchener)
• Neighbourhood Day June 13th — focused on bringing communities together.
• Sidewalks — Changes to policy, there are now 3 categories
- Sidewalks will be put in where it makes sense. Improving sidewalks where
needed.
- Cul de sac's that serve less they 50 units will not be required to put in sidewalks.
If there are more than 50 units sidewalks will be on one side of street.
- This policy will be in affect with all new building and when full road construction is
done. Repairs will not fall under this policy.
- Policy will go forth to council Monday night.
Comments
o Laura asked if there is a communication plan to roll this information out. We
need to get the information to the people that need to hear it. Can GRAAC's
position be heard as a means of communication?
MOTION:
It is GRAAC's recommendation that when the opportunity to include sidewalks in
construction and infill projects exists, that sidewalks should be included on both sides
of the street except under extreme circumstances. Motion by Dawn Clelland,
Seconded by Carrie Speers — Carried unanimously.
7.0 Draft position paper on accessible parking
Comments
• Dawn would like the word "consider" replaced with "provide ".
• If parking meter is not accessible do not fine people with permits.
• Feedback from October said take specifications from off street to on street
parking.
• It was suggested we should reach out to Paula.
• Greg stated that on street parking is very difficult and not going to meet
everyone's requirements.
• Carrie suggested using "need" instead of "want" in the document as well.
• Greg angled parking is much safer than getting out of vehicle in traffic.
• Keri pointed out typo in point 11 in the document.
• Vanessa and Lolita will be taking feedback for the next 2 weeks.
• Co -Chair will bring back revised position paper to future GRAAC meeting.
8.0 Built Environment Committee Update — Lolita Paroski
May 28th, 2015 — GRAAC Minutes Page 3
1.) Little Libraries in Parks
• A little Library is a take -a -book, return -a -book gathering place where neighbors
share their favourite books. It is a free standing mailbox of books where anyone
can take a book and drop off a book. Little Libraries are appearing on front lawns
across the region.
• The mailbox kit is provided by the local public libraries.
• The City of Kitchener was approached by a community to have this little library in
their municipal neighbourhood park.
• Lolita was asked by city staff to comment on any accessibility features to
consider.
The following was provided;
A) Height and stability of the library to ensure children and persons in wheelchairs
can reach to access books out of the little library. A maximum height of 48
inches from ground to the top of the little library box.
B) Use contrast with colour when decorating the little library box. This is especially
beneficial if you plan on using text on your little library box. Contrast will help
people read your message.
C) Path to the little library box. When deciding the placement of the little library box
please ask yourself if a person with a mobility aid, such as a walker or a
wheelchair can easily access the little library. For example placing the little
library at the entrance way of a park would be a more accessible location rather
than at the top of a hill.
2.) Big Music Fest
• This is not a city run event. It is an event that takes place on city land.
• The event organizers have welcomed accessibility comments from last year and
will have changes this year re: accessibility seating area.
• This year the accessibility seating area will be located outside of the fenced
license area. The accessible seating area will be elevated for a better view. Also
this year, a staff person at the event will be assigned as a runner. The runner will
be available to assist persons with disabilities seated in the accessible seating
area with requests such as food orders.
• The music fest website has clear information regarding accessibility and parking
drop off.
3.) Bridgeport Community Centre Bike Rack and Water Fountain
• Paula and Lolita visited Bridgeport Community Centre to provide feedback and
suggestions on the placement of a new bike rack to ensure a best accessible
option. Three locations were considered and the preferred location is a concrete
slab which is in the front of the building closer to the parking lot which has no
accessible parking spots. The facility is hoping to install these bike racks for
June 13th neighbours day.
May 28th, 2015 — GRAAC Minutes Page 4
• The community centre does not have a water fountain and are frequently asked
by community members using the centre for one.
• The preferred location would be in between the entrances into the washrooms.
• Questions around how much can it stick out and will the fountain take away from
the width of the path of travel to enter the washrooms.
• Suggestions made were to investigate a water fountain with a hallowed bottom
portion that way if entering the washrooms by wheelchair the fountain will not be
in the way.
• The centre also needs to investigate plumbing and if not possible will look at
purchasing a portable fountain that can be tucked in and still not affect the path
of travel
4.) Turf at RIM park soccer fields
• The turf at RIM park indoor soccer fields have been replaced with the same turf that
was installed at Bechtel park indoor soccer fields. This is a product that is green and
looks like fake grass. Will have yellow lines to provide contrast. Suggestions made
are to make sure that any edging is tucked tightly and seaming is done properly.
5.) Iron Horse Trail Improvement Strategy
• In 2015, the City of Kitchener is launching an Iron Horse Trail Improvement Strategy
to explore potential improvements to the trail, including signage and wayfinding,
picnic and seating areas, lighting, public art opportunities, enhanced natural features
and more.
• Lolita already sent out an email to all GRAAC members of the June 8th brainstorming
workshop.
• This is a reminder of the brainstorming workshop. It is a facilitated public workshop
to brainstorm potential improvements that can be made to the Iron Horse Trail.
• Date: June 8, 2015 / Time: 5:30- 7:30pm / Location: Victoria Park Pavilion
9.0 Transportation Committee Update — Sharon Giles
• Upcoming meeting —Tuesday June 9, 2015 9:30a.m — 1:30p.m. Room 110 — The
Region 150 Frederick St.
• 2 people from ION to be there
• Bring topics with you or forward to Vanessa or Sharon.
10.0 Co -Chair Report
• GRAAC takes a month off in the summer
• This year GRAAC will be off the month of August.
• Motion to Adjourn by Dawn Clelland, seconded by Sharon Giles and carried.
Next meeting is Thursday June 25th, 2015 at Kitchener City Hall in the Conestoga Room
May 28th, 2015 — GRAAC Minutes Page 5