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Home My WebLink About2021-10-28 GRAAC Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Date: Thursday, October 28, 2021 Location: Zoom Meeting Present: Donna Hartzler, Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Heather Clark-Harris, Rob Bender, Brenda Robinson (Co-Chair), Paula Saunders, Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener), Tracey Murray (Township of Wilmot), Councillor Debbie Chapman (City of Kitchener), Lindsay Raftis (Township of Wellesley), Trevor Tamlin, Carrie Speers, Teresa McQuillin, Melanie Garbarz (Region of Waterloo), Councillor Sue Foxton (Region of Waterloo), Mamie Sealey-Baker, Jeff Smith (Township of Woolwich), Councillor Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo), Jolene MacDonald, Berny Wesselink, Tamara Bell Regrets: Dan Lajoie, Dawn Clelland (Co-Chair), Ashley Sage (Township of North Dumfries), Brad Sayles 1. Welcome and Introductions, Brenda Robinson 2. Approval of September Minutes and October Agenda Carrie motioned to accept October agenda as amended; Donna seconded. All in favour. Break time between items 5 & 6 on the agenda Jolene motioned to accept September minutes; Tamara seconded. All in favour. 3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interests None 4. City of Kitchener, Southwest Community Library, Chris Oke Design plans were shared with the committee regarding a new community library in Southwest Kitchener. (Corner of Fisher Hallman and Bleams Road). Next Steps: 1. Detailed design and costing 2. Construction tender (Spring/Summer 2022) 3. Construction tender award (Summer 2022) 4. Library opening (2023) Comments/Feedback • Daisy Reader to sign out? Yes, at this locations and other locations as well. Staff will forward the information. • Group study area will be a bookable resource after hours when the Library is not open • Community Kitchen (teachable) • Using buttons or bars for accessible entries, bars make it accessible to more people • Built Environment subcommittee would like to go over the accessible washrooms before finalized • Accessible washrooms, is there two entries? Yes • Will the kitchen be fully accessible? One part of the kitchen should be accessible, staff to take back to the architect • Flashing strobe lights for fire alarms? Any enclosed space should have flashing strobe lights, not just the sound of the alarm • Accessible parking will be on the North side near the accessible washroom and book drop • Low to the ground fun things for children • Entrance will be street level, no ramp, or steps • More contrast with the posts for visibility purposes • Are wayfinding strips going to be used to get people to the service desk from all entrances? Working towards utilizing wayfinding strips in the design • Bars are angled, make sure walking sticks can find first • Creation centre, (visible media spaces) computers with higher tech graphic design • Moveable desks to adjust the height for the user 5. Waterloo Region, Community Safety Well Being Plan, Neb Zachariah & Sunil Issac The Region of Waterloo is working alongside the community and its partners to develop an integrated plan to improve the wellbeing and safety of everyone. This work involves collaborating with diverse members of our community and integrating over 170 plans into a clear path for renewed action and change. While this work starts with a plan, the outcome will evolve, change, and grow along with the needs of our community. This plan is not meant to be a static document, but a vision for creating a community that addresses the root causes of how to create a safe and well community for all, and actively works together. To complete this work, three committees have been formed as the foundational groups to develop this plan, with continued community engagement planned throughout 2021. The timeline for the completion of this plan is December 2021, when the plan will be presented to council for approval, and then submitted to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and Ministry of the Attorney General. Over a period of 6 months, the three committees will continually meet to develop a framework, in conjunction with targeted outreach to communities for whom this plan will have a great effect. The makeup of the committees includes local leaders, representatives from area municipalities, as well as representation from the Region's Anti-Racism Advisory Committee and Indigenous and community organizations that are focused on wellbeing. Safety and Wellbeing are broad terms, and in the context of this plan the committees are working to define what safety and wellbeing mean to the Region. This includes a focus on upstream initiatives, equity, diversity and belonging. As the work progresses, updates will be made on this page as well as to council as needed. The vision of the engagement is to hear from 100 voices from community leaders, organizations, and more collaborating to build the framework for a safe and well community. "100 voices" is focused on engaging, collaborating and co-planning with community leaders. Community leaders have trusted relationships within their communities and understand the issues and barriers faced by communities, and the strengths they hold. Engaging with community leaders to listen, learn and inform is essential to the success of the CSWBP. The goal of this process is to develop a shared vision and understanding of CSWB among community leaders from priority communities in Waterloo Region. Engagement will explore what a community that is safe and well looks like, how it may look different across different communities, identifying what gaps exist, and incorporating an equity lens. Who? Community leaders and Elders from priority communities, leaders from organizations and institutions, and subject matter experts, will be engaged to collaborate in co-planning and co-designing a vision for CSWB in Waterloo Region. How? Focused conversations and discussions as priority groups or as one on ones, virtually or by phone. Comments/Feedback • It feels like the conversation is mainly with Community Leaders and staff, important to talk with community members who have lived experience and/or those not online or have access to a computer. Any recommendations from this committee, please reach out to staff. You can forward any contacts/feedback to staff tomgarbarz@regionofwaterloo.ca • How broad is the definition of safety? It is whatever means to you as a group • Never ending list, snow shoveling, option for child care after the age of 12 years, better access in general doors etc. • Affordable housing and security in that space due to a lower income • Safety using the transit systems • Some neighbourhoods that are accessible but don't feel safe • Multi Use trails • Affordable housing and accessibility • A lot of people seem to be caught in the middle, not eligible for assistance, but still need help with social issues— connecting with paramedic services could be helpful • Need more resources reallocated to people living in isolation • Shortage of family Doctors, specifically with those who have multiple issues, driving to Toronto not always an option • Limitations of Mobility Plus • Speeds throughout the Region • Food security: no mobile shopping carts or not enough, stores in the area need to be made aware of the disabilities in the community • More education regarding persons with disabilities; health (COVID testing an example) Break 6. GRAAC Draft position paper MUT signage, Brenda Robinson Brenda shared the draft MUT signage position paper with the committee. Comments/Feedback • Change signs to upright signs • No idea where they were on the trail when 911 call; location markers needed (street access locations) to help facilitate emergency response • Speed limits for safety • Clearly marked signage versus painted signage • Cyclists must yield to pedestrians in shared spaces Brenda will send draft issue paper to committee members for further feedback via email and asked for approval in principle. Jolene moved to accept the issue paper on principle, and Sue seconded. All in Favour. 7. Built Environment Sub Committee Updates, Paula Saunders • City of Waterloo Toilet Paper Dispensers Ongoing issue depending on what type dispenser is used. Building code says toilet paper dispenser is supposed to be under the grab bar. Everyone on the same page but still an ongoing issue. • City of Kitchener Centre in the Square Pull down grab bars will be installed in barrier free washrooms and universal washrooms. Colour contrast in the washrooms has been adjusted as per suggestions from previous meeting. In the universal washroom there will be a device installed near the toilet which will house a sensor that will lock the door if it is left unlocked on entry. This is not required per code, suggested by the architect. • City of Waterloo Roger St. Park No standards regarding tactile strips, conversation ongoing. With help from CNIB hopefully can come up with standards • City of Kitchener Small Parks Brubacher and Westwood Initial plans were shown, more to come. Staff to come to November meeting to share more details. 8. Committee Updates No updates 9. Councillor Reports Councillor Sandra Hanmer, City of Waterloo • Waterloo Recreation Complex expansion nearing completion • East side Library at Rim Park almost completed Councillor Debbie Chapman, City of Kitchener • Kitchener Wilmot Hydro has changed billing due date and is not easily changed back. A clause will be added to the bottom of the bill and if this is causing hardship, there will be a contact number. • Zero parking in new developments also means no accessible parking. • Vision Zero & Places and Spaces Engagement survey online 10. Co-chair/Staff Reports Lolita Paroski, (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo) • City of Kitchener will increase bylaw officers for snow removal this winter Meeting Adjourned Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie— janis.mckenziep_kitchener.ca Next Regular Meeting —Thursday November 25, 2021 at 1:30pm, ZOOM