HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2018-01-25
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date: Thursday January 25, 2018
Location: Conestoga Room, City of Kitchener
Present:
Sharon Giles (Co-Chair), Rob Bender, Donna Hartzler, Andrew Tutty, Greg Moore, Keri
Cameron, Jolene MacDonald, Gail Brunsdon, Rhonda-Marie Parke, Ben Benninger, Councillor
Sue Foxton (Region of Waterloo), Councillor Yvonne Fernandes (City of Kitchener), Lolita
Paroski (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo), Ashley Sage (Township of North Dumfries), Amy
Black (Township of Wellesley), Leslie Roach (ASL Interpreter), Fran Miller (City of Kitchener)
Regrets:
Paula Saunders, Brenda Robinson, Mike Shipley, Dawn Clelland, Councillor Bob Mavin (City of
Waterloo), Jeff Smith (Township of Woolwich), Dawn Mittelholtz (Township of Wilmot), Gina
Hickman (Region of Waterloo)
Guests:
Rebecca Florence (City of Kitchener), Melanie Garbaraz (Region of Waterloo), Peggy Forrest
(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 December Minutes and January Agenda
Motion to accept the December minutes and January Agenda – moved by Donna
Hartzler,and seconded by Jolene MacDonald, carried
3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interests
none
4.0 City of Kitchener Snow Angels Study Focus Group- Rebecca Florence
Snow Angels program is a way to recognize neighbours who help others clear snow. An
appreciation letter from the Mayor goes to the neighbour that was nominated as a Snow
Angel. This program raises awareness about people who need help with snow clearing.
Volunteer Resources is currently investigating a “matching program” regarding Snow
Angels.
Rebecca is here for input from the committee regarding the Snow Angels program and
its possible expansion.
Question 1. How do you currently handle snow removal?
o The village of Ayr, additional fee attached to tax bill to remove snow from
sidewalks.
o Shovel in early morning and family helps.
o Shovel my own driveway by using my feet to determine what needs to be
removed.
o Live in a condo, so no worries about snow removal.
o Live in a Township where sidewalks are cleared.
o Neighbours help.
o Contracted company comes and clears driveway, lives on corner, company
doesn’t do a good job at the clearing. Doesn’t travel by wheelchair in winter.
o Share snowblower with neighbour.
Question 2. What do you find are the biggest barriers with regards to snow removal? (ie.
driveway, sidewalks, windrow, finding assistance, cost, etc.)
o Windrows are the biggest issue
o Shoveling in a straight line because vision is an issue in the daytime. Students
next door do not clear their sidewalk.
o Windrows are an issue. Chunks of ice and snow are typically thrown onto
driveway.
o Live in an apartment building and the contractors go through early, plow fills in
the cleaned out spaces. Usually stay in unless has to leave the house during the
winter months.
o Sidewalks and curb cuts. Isn’t confident leaving house when snow is an issue.
Unreliable clearing service. May venture out but turn back around and go back
home when I reach a home that has not cleared the sidewalk because I am
afraid of getting stuck in my wheelchair.
o Frustrated when parallel parking onstreet beacsue can’t easily get to sidewalk
from where you park.
o Intersections are awful. Covered in snow. Corners are bad, berm of snow. City
maintained corners are worse than those cleaned by residents. Can’t go outside
when the snow is bad.
o Sidewalks are the biggest barrier. Insufficiently cleared.
o Windrows and sidewalks; can’t move the snow, daughter can’t walk far
(dwarfism), daycare brings a sled for her to get back and forth to school.
o Sidewalks with no boulevards to put the snow onto in some areas of the City.
Question 3. How would you feel about being involved with a volunteer matching sidewalk
snow removal program?
o Guelph has snow angels matching program. Recruit volunteers, screen them
thoroughly. Anyone requesting Snow Angel would have to be eligible
(requirements). Volunteer is matched with person in need.
o Other cities do more neighbourhood matching programs.
o Calgary has awareness raising program.
o Not applicable in the Township because sidewalks are cleared but I would like
help with windrows.
o Fantastic idea and good for teens getting volunteer hours. Would like to meet
with volunteer, coordinate timing of removal.
o Great idea. Criterion needs to be discussed. Doesn’t solve my ability to move in
my neighbourhood. Won’t solve all issues around barriers.
o Nice for neighbours to support each other.
o Good idea. Meet with volunteer to discuss problems you’re having, not just snow
removal generally.
o Wouldn’t help my problem at all. Others around aren’t doing their clearing, so it’s
still an issue.
o Have good neighbours so they help. Gives people who help her a little gift card.
o Human rights issue when cities don’t clear sidewalks. Embarrassing. Impossible
to go anywhere. Programs shouldn’t be necessary for sidewalks. Contract
clearing is great, but expensive.
o Can people help to get people further than the end of their driveways.
o Question reliability of volunteers
o Reliability an issue. Better option is a paid group of people who would go to
identified locations, driveway, sidewalk, connection to bus stop.
o We live in Canada, we need to deal with it.
o What do other countries do? What are their models?
5.0 Councillor Reports – All Councillors
Councillor Yvonne Fernandes (City of Kitchener)
o Final Budget Day, Monday, January 22, 2018 - 1.6% increase for taxes, 4%
water, 6.9% sanitary, 9.9 % stormwater fees.
o Stormwater management fee is always an issue because people don’t
comprehend the rationale.
o Additional funding 6.8% for trails in parts of the City lighting on Iron Horse trail.
An island will be installed to enable pedestrians to cross at Victoria/West Ave.
People are jaywalking currently. Island will slow down traffic and make it easier
for residents to cross.
o The resolution from that report INS-16-087 directed staff as follows:
1. That the existing sidewalk snow clearing practices are maintained and
improvement opportunities continue to be explored and implemented
where feasible.
2. That staff continue to review and evaluate impacts of any proposed
changes to O.Reg. 239/02 (Minimum Maintenance Standards) and report
back to Council at a future date. The review will include the following
activities:
Overall service review, including core services, service levels, risk
assessment
Consultation with internal and external stakeholders
New provincial maintenance standards
Cul-de-sac and sidewalk maintenance
Trails and cycling lane maintenance
Salt management
Councillor Sue Foxton (Region of Waterloo)
o Report to AMO, sidewalk clearing included.
o If volunteers do the snow removal you would need to consider liability, back
problems. Good intentions, but injuries can be sustained.
6.0 Elections - Ashley Sage, Amy Black
Position = GRAAC Co-chairs
Andrew Tutty nominates Greg Moore – accepted
Keri Cameron nominates Jolene MacDonald – not accepted
Andrew Tutty nominates Sharon Giles - accepted
Greg Moore nominates Andrew Tutty - not accepted
Greg Moore nominates Rob Bender - not accepted
Jolene MacDonald nominates Donna Hartzler - accepted
Postion = Chair of Built Environment
Paula Saunders provided a letter stating her interest to stand as Chair of Built Environment.
Keri Cameron nominates Paula Saunders.
No further nominations.
Elections closed and results to be announced at the end of this meeting.
BREAK
7.0 Region of Waterloo Isearchmycommunity database- Melanie Garbaraz
Melanie provided an overview of the “Isearchmycommunity” website that the Region has
created in conjunction with the Social Planning Council of Cambridge.
The website provides a listing of community services such as; employment, basic needs,
children and youth, retirement services, volunteer opportunities.
How can this website better serve the needs of it’s visitors?
The Region is looking for help from GRAAC by hosting a few focus groups.
A short evaluation survey with scenarios questions will be sent to GRAAC members.
Can work through the website as a first-time user.
Feedback on the website will help the Region with accessibility.
This website is linked to the Region of Waterloo website.
This website replaces what used to be “The Blue Book”. Having information online
means that it is quickly updated.
Comments about the website, as it is currently:
o Colours don’t offer good contrast
o How will this website be promoted to the community?
o What other committees will the website be shared with?
8.0 Doon Pionner Park Community Centre Addition - Peggy Forrest
Peggy Forrest, Construction Projects Manager, presented information and floor plans
regarding the expansion of the Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre (DPPCC).
o A 9000 square foot addition is going onto existing building.
o Another entrance will be added to the facility.
o Communications hub will be included. The hope is to draw community to have
meetings and work at the Centre.
o Furniture will be installed so that hallways are at least 6 feet wide for accessibility
requirements.
o Will include accessible working counters. No barriers; will allow persons using a
wheelchair to pull right in.
o Reception area will also have an accessible counter area.
o Washrooms will be changed entirely. Both the men’s and women’s washrooms
will include an accessible stall.
o A universal washroom will be installed with an adult change table within it.
Questions:
What about visual fire alarms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Peggy replied
that visual fire alarms are a requirement of the building code.
Will you have a designated quiet room re: autism. Peggy replied that nothing specific is
designated as such. Lolita replied that meeting rooms have been used in the past at
other community centre locations, if required.
Can you provide moveable stools to get up to a sink (dwarfism). Suggestion to have
these in the facility. Peggy will share this suggestion with the centre supervisor.
Peggy shared that there will be non-slip finishes in any new construction. DPPCC will
have non-slip polished concrete in their main areas.
Lolita will send Peggy legislation regarding service counters and fixed furniture/seating.
The new building will have 2 ramps and will follow the accessibility requirements. Will
there be way-finding methods installed/included for persons with visual disabilities?
Will a person with a visual disability be able to get to the front doors of DPPCC safely if
taking public transportation? The bus stop is near to DPPCC? Peggy will share this
comment with the centre supervisor.
Peggy will send the blueprints for the splash pad to Lolita and Paula for review.
9.0 Election Results- Ashley Sage, Amy Black
Amy and Ashley announced the results of the election.
GRAAC Co-chair’s = Greg Moore and Sharon Giles
Chair of Built Environment = Paula Saunders
10.0 Co-chair/Staff Reports - Sharon Giles, Staff Reps
Lolita
o Received an email from the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario asking to forward
a survey to our Accessibility Advisory Committee. Looking for input from
members of accessibility committees. Lolita will forward the survey to all GRAAC
members. Please complete the survey by February 9, 2018.
o The admin support position was posted and has been filled by Janis McKenzie.
Shannon sends her good wishes to the committee. Janis will be joining GRAAC
for the February meeting. Thanks to Fran for stepping in to do the minutes for
this meeting.
o On behalf of Gina Hickman, Lolita shared information and distributed brochures
regarding a mobility clinic.
Sharon
o Presented as a delegate at City of Kitchener Council on Monday January 15,
2018. Spoke about snow removal and GRAAC’s position.
o Attended a Region of Waterloo workshop around a wellbeing initiative, affordable
housing, children learning and issues, social inclusion.
Motion to Adjourn by Andrew Tutty, seconded by Donna Hartzler and carried.
Next meeting will be on Thursday February 22, 2018
City of Kitchener, 200 King St W – Conestoga Room
Please send regrets to:
Janis McKenzie at janis.mckenzie@kitchener.ca
or call 519-741-2200 Ext. 7225