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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-22Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Date: Thursday September 22nd, 2016 Location: Conestoga Room, Kitchener City Hall Present: Keri Cameron, Donna Hartzler, Carrie Speers (Co -Chair), Sharon Giles (Co -Chair), Mike Shipley, Andrew Tutty, Dawn Clelland, Councillor Sue Foxton (Regional of Waterloo), Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo), Julie Forth (Township of Woolwich), Dawn Mittelholtz (Township of Wimot), Vanessa Lopak (Region of Waterloo), Wendy Smith (Township of Wellesley), Johanna Ellis (Recorder — City of Kitchener) Guests: Anna Lee Sangster (City of Waterloo), Stephanie Snow (Snow Larc Landscape Architects Ltd.), Mark Parris, City of Kitchener, Carolyn Schoenfeldt (Ontario Works), Bojana Kojic (Region of Waterloo) Reg rets: Councillor Kelly Galloway-Sealock (City of Kitchener), Councillor Bob Mavin (City of Waterloo), Greg Moore, Paula Saunders, Brenda Robinson, Rob Bender, Wendy Smith, Lori Heinbuch Absent: Kathie Must 1.0 Welcome and Introductions • Carrie welcomed everyone. • Round table introductions. 2.0 Approval of August Minutes and September Agenda • Change August minutes from welcomed by Carrie to, welcomed by Sharon. • Acceptance of August minutes as amended, moved by Andrew, seconded by Mike. • Acceptance of September agenda, moved by Mike, seconded by Sharon. 3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interests • None 4.0 City of Waterloo, Mary Allen Park — Anna Lee Sangster, City of Waterloo • Stephanie Snow from Snow-Larke Landscape Architecture presented the power point showing the Mary Allen Park expansion, City of Waterloo uptown. • Elements being proposed; Multi use pad for basketball and skating; hard paved surfaces as per guideline requirements; seating area at regular and frequent intervals; bulletin boards; little free libraries, trash receptacles; benches, tables and shelters; raised flower beds, game tables for a range of ages and abilities. • The existing playground equipment is standard and will remain. There will be wood fiber surfacing in the play area. • They are looking at hard surfaces (example: paved) as per guideline requirements. • The design complies with the City of Waterloo accessibility guidelines. • Power point ended with a diagram of the park plan. GRAAC — September 2016 Minutes Page 1 Questions/comments: • Have not yet determined the type of play equipment. Will keep the existing play area and incorporate some accessible equipment. • Will include tactile surfaces and indicators. • A question was asked if they could come up with alerts, for children who have a visual disability, around swing sets so they do not get hit. • Surfaces will be wheelchair friendly. • Pathways asphalt/concrete. • The committee asked if Ms. Snow could bring the plan back for updates on the project. This was agreed to. • Question was asked if there would be a water source for drinking water. There is nothing planned. • They are looking at full approval to go ahead and begin construction drawings. • Will look into the committee's comment that there was no mention of signage along the trail. The suggestion from the committee of a tactile map was appreciated and will be taken back for discussion. • Comment was made that anything added to the playground is CSA approved. MOTION: To support the project of the Mary Allen Park expansion with consideration on awareness of tactile mapping, way finding, signage, tactile egress and entrance to playground. Motion by Sharon Giles, Seconded by Dawn Clelland, Carried unanimously. 5.0 Iron Horse Trail — Mark Parris, City of Kitchener • Improvements between Victoria and Queen St's. • Looking to GRAAC for ideas since this is in the preliminary stages. • The section is approximately 1.3 km. Looking at widening the trail and identifying AODA improvements. Wayfinding and adding some new connections in the park. • In the West Ave area, they are looking at improving connections, tactile warning surface indicator plates, wayfinding. • There are 2 potential ideas. Trail and driveway or more of a traditional crossing where would swing 90 degree/shared space driveway. Questions/comments: • Clarification was required as to whether they would actually be walking on the road. If the 90 degree idea was used, there would be tactile wayfinding plates and truncated domes to assist persons with visual disabilities. • Comment that there is no desire to share the trail with areas where there are cars parked or moving. • Comment was made that a person who is totally blind would be lost without the tactile wayfinding plates and truncated domes. • The comments that Josh Joseph gathered, from the committee when they did the walkabout, was part of the report being used for this plan. GRAAC — September 2016 Minutes Page 2 • There is also a plan for parkette improvement, rest areas and consideration to redo the bridge. • Comment was made that perhaps they could use sound on the bridge to assist those with visual disabilities. • Showed existing signage in Waterloo and an example of the signage that would be used in Kitchener. • The committee suggested tactile mapping and the use of the tactile warning strips at all crossing points of the trail. • The planning process consists of looking at markers as well. • Trail widening; improve connections. • Considering widening the trail but keeping in mind that going too wide would result in the removal of trees along the trail. • Will send the committee invitations to public meetings. • Any other comments/suggestions are welcome. Contact Lolita who will pass them on to Mark. 6.0 Councillor's Report(s) • No report Break 7.0 Ontario Works Discretionary Benefits Program — Carolyn Schoenfeldt Ontario Works program, Bojana Kojic, Region of Waterloo • Carolyn went through a power point presentation on how the program works. • In 2012, funding changed to the discretionary program. • Not cutting any mandatory benefits. • Bojanna did an overview of discretionary benefits. • The Region has been in consultation with the community when the funding cuts were first announced in 2012. Consultation continued with the community again in 2015. • There will be continued dialogue with the community once council makes a decision. • They will beep GRAAC informed. • There is more information about Ontario Works Benefits on the Region of Waterloo website. Questions/comments: • There are concerns on taking away vision care for adults. Not having proper glasses can cause sight problems if not cared for. • The benefit of discretionary benefits is to cover anything not covered by the existing drug card. • There is a concern if someone requires a new wheelchair and is only allowed to have a $5,000 bank balance on ODSP. How is someone supposed to afford a $20,000 wheelchair? • Decision making criteria was based on community input. • Carolyn left her business card for members who want to add comments to today's presentation. GRAAC — September 2016 Minutes Page 3 8.0 Transportation Master Plan — Vanessa Lopak • The Region is starting some of the consultation for the Transportation Master Plan. • GRAAC has been asked to provide a rep for the Region's Transportation Master Plan Stakeholder Panel. • Goal of the master plan is to look at cycle lanes, roadways, expanded bus network, road improvements, and pedestrian friendly areas. • There will be stakeholder panel that will meet approximately 6 times to provide input over the next 18 months. One member from GRAAC has been asked to sit on the committee. • Vanessa went over the panelists' responsibilities. There are other advisory committees invited to send a rep, throughout the region. • Dawn, Carrie and Keri volunteered to sit on the panel. • Staff will connect with the co-chairs and make a suggestion at the October meeting. 9.0 Position Paper Template — Sharon Giles • A template for position paper(s) was handed out for the committee to look at. • The document is to be used to present a single statement. • Sharon suggested the first paper would be on the subject of snow removal. • Sharon will attempt to use the template and report back to GRAAC at a future meeting. 10.0 Staff Report(s) • GRAAC recruitment; Staff advertised through social media, in all cities and townships throughout the Region. Now available for people to apply. The deadline for applications is October 7`h • Lolita gave an update on Councillor Mavin. • Community wellness and wellbeing initiative. A couple of GRAAC members attended. There will be a community forum. Vanessa will send out an email with detailed information on how to get involved with the community wellbeing initiative. 11.0 Co -Chair Report — Carrie Speers There was a discussion around how often GRAAC attends council meetings. Carrie went over the presentations today and GRAAC's role is in giving their input. Motion to Adjourn, Sharon and seconded by Donna GRAAC — September 2016 Minutes Page 4