HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-24 GRAAC
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2019
Location: Conestoga Room, City of Kitchener
Present: Brenda Robinson (Co-Chair), Councillor Debbie Chapman (City of Kitchener), Rob
Bender, Paula Saunders, Donna Hartzler, Greg Moore, Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener),
Tracey Murray (Township of Wilmot), Councillor Sue Foxton (Region of Waterloo), Nadine
McNeelands (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo)
Regrets: Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo), Sanjay Govindaraj (Region of
Waterloo), Jeff Smith (Township of Woolwich), Ashley Sage (Township of North Dumfries),
Dawn Clelland, Trevor Tamlin, Jolene MacDonald, Keri Cameron, Caitlin Gillis (Township of
Wellesley) Councillor Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo)
Guests: Mary Cathryn Lorentz, Kevin Van Ooteghem, Laura Dick
Welcome and Introductions
Brenda called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m.
Round table introductions
2.0 Approval of October agenda and November minutes
Motioned to accept October agenda, no quorum
Brenda asked that the Minister Cho,s visit debrief from previous meeting be added to the
agenda if there is time.
Motioned to accept September minutes, no quorum
Change start time to 1:30 p.m. from 1:00 p.m. in September minutes
3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interests
None
4.0 City of Kitchener Cycling and Trails Master Plan Liz Christensen (City of Kitchener)
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Over the next year, city staff and a team of consultants will be reaching out all across the
city to hear from people about how we can make Kitchener a great place to walk and
bike. The new Cycling & Trails Master Plan will serve as the catalyst for building a city
where people willingly an
partnering with Urban Systems, Dillon Consulting and 8-80 cities to draw on their
inclusive community engagement process that gets more people involved and out on
their bikes. There was feedback from more than 2,000 Kitchener residents during our
first round of public consultation this past summer, and that feedback was used to define
the goals and approach that will be used for the Cycling and Trails Master Plan to
include the downtown area, city wide, and supporting networks cycling and trails. Most
of the respondents were residents of Kitchener and the purpose of cycling trips included
such things as schools/work and trails recreation. A community engagement event has
been scheduled for November 12, 2019 at city hall in the rotunda from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
If you are unable to attend please find the survey link below:
https://www.engagewr.ca/cycling-and-trails-master-plan
Feedback from the committee
The dead space will not be considered part of the trail however, do understand
the need to be cleaned up as much as possible. Whole trail corridor needs to be
welcoming to everyone.
Are wheelchairs allowed on new bike lanes? Electric only or manual? Barry
Cronkite sent an email with the question.
Have other groups been contacted i.e. CNIB
Dawn Clelland is a member of the cycling and trails committee as member from
GRAAC representing visual disabilities
5.0 Township of Wilmot Administration Building Wayfinding Tracey Murray
New signage was presented and committee was asked for feedback
Clear font and as large as it can be as well as simple as possible
Guide strip to take people from the main door
Signs maybe too high
Black on white lettering versus white on black lettering
Tactile lettering if guide strips not an option (both would be ideal)
Outline silver sign in black
Non glare surface
Break
6.0 City of Waterloo East Side branch Library Laura Dick, Kevin Van Ooteghem
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In a unanimous decision, Waterloo City Council voted to approve to move towards the
construction of a fourth library location by proceeding to detailed design, as part of the
RIM Park Manulife Financial Sportsplex and Healthy Living Centre.
After completing an extensive feasibility study and a series of public engagement
exercises, WPL and City of Waterloo staff presented a report to City Council
recommending the approval of the East Side Library Feasibility Study and proceeding to
detailed design in anticipation of construction funding for a new East Side Branch Library
to be considered as part of
efficiency for the whole city. The new building will be approximately 15,500 square feet
in size and proposes to be a ten million dollar endeavor. New building design plans
were presented to the committee as a starting point for feedback from the committee.
Feedback from the committee:
Will all of the Inclusive washrooms be barrier free?
Not all of them will be but at least one
Toilet paper dispensaries to be looked at before purchasing
Grab bars etc. installations will not be done until a tour is completed onsite in
order to check it out first
What is the difference between gender neutral and inclusive? Still working on
language for signage
What about a living wall?
Could be added after
Wayfinding?
It would be nice to include tactile strips to some areas to drop off, sportsplex,
reception desk etc. Paula to speak with Dawn about getting in touch with Kevin
Van Ooteghem. Laura to send Lolita 60 minute special on an architect and
wayfinding
7.0 Built Environment Sub Committee Update Paula Saunders
Building condition assessment facility tours almost complete, one fire station left
to go. Not sure what the report is going to accomplish.
Met with Kevin in regards to the expansion of the Waterloo Memorial Recreation
Complex. He was very open to suggestions.
8.0
, Brenda Robinson, Greg Moore
Initial training meeting, learned some terminology, could not make second meeting,
however, heard they were setting up terms of reference etc.
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9.0 Councillor Reports
Councillor Debbie Chapman (City of Kitchener)
Complete Streets Plan have gone to committee and will be going to council but to keep in mind
these are only guidelines. Pilot projects will continue this year for winter snow removal.
Proactive enforcement not everywhere so be sure you call.
10.0 Co-chair/Staff Rep Reports
Nadine McNeelands (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo)
Friendly reminder All Committee Meeting is November 6, 2019
Brenda Robinson (Co-chair)
Minister Cho debrief
Brenda suggested putting together a summary of important issues to the Minister as the
meeting seemed rushed however, GRAAC feels like the committee got across their main points.
Meeting adjourned
Next meeting will be on Thursday November 28, 2019 1:00 p.m. start
City of Kitchener, 200 King St West, Conestoga Room
Please send regrets to:
Janis McKenzie at janis.mckenzie@kitchener.ca
or call 519-741-2200 Ext. 7225
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