HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2017-04-27Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date: Thursday April 27th, 2017
Location: Conestoga Room, City of Kitchener
Present:
Sharon Giles (Co -Chair), Carrie Speers (Co -Chair), Rob Bender, Jolene MacDonald, Andrew
Tutty, Mike Shipley, Brenda Robinson, Paula Saunders, Greg Moore, Donna Hartzler,
Councillor Sarah Marsh, Coucillor Sue Foxton, Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener/City of
Waterloo), Gina Hickman (Region of Waterloo), Johanna Ellis (City of Kitchener/Recorder)
Regrets:
Keri Cameron, Councillor Bob Mavin, Julie Forth (Township of Woolwich), Amy Black (Township
of Wellesley), Dawn Mittelholtz (Township of Wilmot), Lori Heinbuch (Township of North
Dumfried)
Absent:
Dawn Clelland
Guests: Karen Leasa (City of Kitchener), Geri Quin (City of Waterloo), Ian Young (Region of
Waterloo), Dayna Edwards (City of Kitchener)
1.0 Welcome and Introductions
• Sharon Giles called the meeting to order at 1:30pm
• Round table introductions
2.0 Approval of March Minutes and April Agenda
• Motion to accept the April Agenda — moved by Mike Shipley and seconded by Donna
Hartzler, carried
• Motion to accept the March minutes by Mike Shipley and seconded by Carrie Speers,
carried
3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interests
• None
4.0 City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo Playgrounds Awareness — Karen Leasa, Geri
Quin
• Presentation by both cities on playground accessibility.
• Children's play spaces must meet accessibility standards within DOPS (Design of
Public Spaces Standard). Specifically the outdoor play spaces. Play equipment has to
be accessible for all children. Must make sure that the ground is stable and smooth,
and can absorb impact.
City of Waterloo
• In Waterloo, there is a playground inspector that inspects every playground area (80 in
total) each month. The playground upgrades are done according to need. The number
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of playgrounds that are repaired, upgraded, each year is dependent on budget
allotment. The City of Waterloo uses the Annex H guidelines.
• The City of Waterloo uses pressed mulch which meets the requirements for impact.
• They now put a trail from parking lots for easy access to play area.
• The play structures all have a transfer station for accessibility.
• Activity panels are all accessible.
City of Kitchener
• The City of Kitchener uses many of the same components as the City of Waterloo.
• Depending on the budget, The City of Kitchener repairs approximately 3 to 4
playgrounds per year. The City of Kitchener has 191 playground parks.
• Crosby Park was used as an example of a playground area that has a concrete curb
like structure around it to keep all impact materials contained. There will be a concrete
ramp constructed to ensure accessibility to the play area.
• The City of Kitchener notifies all residents, within the park radius, when playground
areas are on the list to be renewed. Residents are asked questions to assist staff as to
what the needs of the neighbourhood are.
Question: What happens if there are only 1 or 2 items at a part that need replacing?
Answer: It is done immediately if it is a safety hazard.
Comment:
All accessibility issues should be taken into consideration when designing a park.
5.0 Playgrounds Debrief — Paula Saunders
• Will create a playground accessibility considerations list as a starting point and bring to
GRAAC for discussion.
6.0 Kitchener Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment — Dayna Edwards
(City of Kitchener)
• Worked with the City of Waterloo, the Region of Waterloo and GRAAC to compile a list
of accessible requirements for the Built environment.
• Will be taking document to City Council for adoption.
• Once adopted, Dayna will give Lolita a copy for distribution to GRAAC members.
• This document will be used for site developments. Under the AODA act, developers
have to be compliant. This guide will be helpful.
• GRAAC played a huge role in making sure the document came about. This helped
maintain consistencies between the City of Kitchener, City of Waterloo and Region of
Waterloo.
• Once adopted, the document will be implemented into the Urban Design manual.
Break (20 mins)
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7.0 Region of Waterloo Accessibility during construction — Ian Young (Region of
Waterloo)
• Construction Accessibility and Regional practices on Regional roads.
Contractual requirements
• All of the road contracts are based on the OPS GC Clauses 7.07 — 7.08.
• Pedestrians should be provided with a safe, convenient and clearly delineated travel
path.
• Accessibility as per the AODA.
• Consider needs of visually impaired pedestrians.
• Minimum sidewalk width of 1.2 meters, 1.8 if possible.
• Minimize exposure to potential hazards.
• Obstructions must be clearly marked.
• RWSS 02; pedestrian access — minimum 100m of compacted granular material ramped
to accommodate wheelchair access.
Practices
• Include additional measures for accommodation in the contract; review traffic control
plans; ensure signage locations are appropriate to avoid dead ends.
Additional Accommodations
• Temporary asphalt/RAP sidewalks are considered for long term work.
• Railed "bridges" over trenches; taxi shuttle service for seniors; pedestrian escorts.
Monitoring/enforcement
• Contractor is responsible for adhering to the contract.
• There is usually a Region of consultant inspector on site to monitor.
• Project Manager responds to complaints and directs contractor.
• Try to get all of the access information worked out before the job starts.
• If there are any problem situations you see on construction sites, call the project
manager through the contact centre.
• Comment by GRAAC member that indicated, based on personal experience, that more
universal access signs are required to let people know where there is an opening and
easy access to cross the street.
8.0 GRAAC Logo — Jolene MacDonald
• Jolene presented the options for the new GRAAC logo.
• Option C was adopted as the new GRAAC logo. This option was a combination of
option A and option B.
9.0 Built Environment Update — Paula Saunders
• "Food Forest' project at the Forest Heights Community Centre was discussed. The lead
of the Food Forest is looking for some accessibility tips.
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• Once a date and time is set, Lolita will follow up with the lead of the Food Forest to
coordinate a site visit with any GRAAC members interested.
• Lolita will send out an email asking who would like to attend.
10.0 Councillor Report(s)
• Councillor Sarah Marsh asked that everyone mark their calendars for Neighbours Day
Saturday June 10th. This event is Kitchener wide and will be held at all community
centres. This is the Td year for this free event.
• The Strategy for Downtown Kitchener is almost fully completed. The 3 directions for
downtown are as follows;
1. Ignite the downtown as a platform for future business, retail, restaurants etc.
2. To foster and support heartfelt urban experiences.
3. Champion a caring and collaborative community.
11. Co-Chair/Staff Report(s)
• After consultation with staff, there will be no GRAAC meetings for the months of July and
August.
• Lolita reported that The City of Kitchener's CLASS program registration system will be
replaced by a new program called ActiveNet.
• Lolita is the for Accessibility staff rep on the ActiveNet project team.
• There will be a demo, from a customer perspective, at Kitchener City Hall at 11:00 am
on Tuesday May 9th, in the Graham Room on the 7th Floor for all GRAAC members.
Lolita will send out a meeting invite to all GRAAC members.
• Lolita will not be at the May meeting. Lori Palubeski (Manager of Program & Resource
Services) will be attending in Lolita's absence.
12. Adjournment
• Motion by Rob Bender and seconded by Carrie Speers
Next meeting will be on Thursday May 25th, 2017
City of Kitchener, 200 King St W — Conestoga Room
Please send regrets to:
Johanna Ellis at lohanna.elliskitchener.ca or call 519-741-2200 Ext. 7225
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