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Home My WebLink AboutGRACC - 2024-09-26 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Date: September 26th, 2024 Location: Zoom Meeting Present: Tamara Cooper (Co-Chair), Alyssa Clelland (Co-Chair), Amy Ross (City of Waterloo), Emily Moore (Region of Waterloo), Jolene MacDonald, Trevor Tamlin (Canadian Hearing Services), Christine Nishiwaki, Heather Clark-Harris, Carrie Speers, Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener), Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Kaitlin Bos (Township of Wilmot), Teresa McQuillin, Councillor Chantal Huinink (Region of Waterloo) Regrets: Katherine Waybrant, Councillor Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo), Robyn Jackson (Independent Living Centre), Farshid Sadatsharifi, Paula Saunders, Alex Smyth (Township of Woolwich), Councillor Jason Deneault (City of Kitchener), Sarah Boghossian, Cynthia Hislop (Township of North Dumfries), Amy Harron (Township of Wellesley), Heather Gillespie Land Acknowledgement Although we are gathering virtually, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge that we are situated on the Haldimand Tract, land that was granted to the Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations of the Grand River, and that we are within the territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. To fulfill our vision of an inclusive and equitable community, we must practice allyship with Indigenous peoples. We commit in our work and our community to hold ourselves accountable to the continuous work of decolonizing, to ensure that we do not perpetuate the harms of colonization and to begin to repair them. 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Approval of June Minutes and September Agenda Jolene motioned to accept September agenda; Trevor seconded; All in favour. Heather motioned to accept June minutes; Jolene seconded; All in favour. 3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interests None 4. City of Kitchener, Centreville Chicopee Community Centre Site Remediation Project The objective of this project is to refresh the exterior space of the Centreville Chicopee Community Centre located at 141 Morgan Ave, Kitchener, which will include the replacement of an existing splash pad, replacement and relocation of a play area and the replacement and relocation of a basketball court. The renewal will also include the replacement of site lighting, fencing, retaining wall alterations, new accessible paths, as well as a revised and resurfaced parking lot and front entrance area. New site components will include a concrete ping pong table, new seating, a custom extended picnic table, accessible shaded tables, and a controlled access gate. This project aims to set new standards for community centre site design in Kitchener. Comments/Feedback • Large slides, can you get up only by climbing, only climbing but with a net for stability— loop 360 can accommodate children with mobility issues but not quite ready yet • Surface is going to be rubber surfacing • Communication Board? Not on this design at the moment but can be incorporated • What is the swing material — accessible for users by transfer— level of mobility device for transfer— combine belting material — no age limit — no strapping as per CSA compliance • End user having independence is the goal • Spring of next year to implement 5. Waterloo Region Housing, Mooregate Redevelopment • CHMC Co-Investment Fund technical criteria for accessible dwelling units pulls design requirements from the CMHC National Housing Strategy (NHS) and CSA 8651: Accessible Design for the Built Environment • Design is also driven by the Region of Waterloo Accessibility Design Guidelines, which are guided by AODA. Accessible Unit Design focused on: • Entrances and landings • Illumination • Doorways • Floor Surfaces • Washrooms • Medicine Cabinets • Shower Stalls • Door Hardware • Counter • Sinks • Cooktops • Laundry • Windows • Storage • Closets Barrier-Free Common Areas focused on: • Parking • Pick-up/Drop-off • Exterior Routes • Ramps • Stairs • Elevators • Entrances • Doorways • Signage • Doorbells and Intercoms • Corridors • Signage • Floor and Wall Finishes • Washrooms • Operating Controls • Amenity Spaces • Outdoor Spaces Timelines: • Site Plan and Building Permit processes ongoing with lead architect (SvN Architects + Planners) and the City of Kitchener • Planning to advertise the construction tender in Q3 of 2025, with award in Q3/Q4 of 2025 • Construction to start in Q4, 2025. • Expecting a 40 —45-month construction schedule, with Occupancy in Q2, 2029. Comments/Feedback • Will these units be rent controlled? They cannot be increased beyond the RTA yearly percentage allowance. 1/3 geared to income, 1/3 below median market price, 1/3 median price • Kitchen sink taps, I find are way too low to get the dishes under, so that is something to consider, because it's not something you think about • Sound proofing between units and the ability to dim the lights for people who have neurodivergent • New communities in the City of Calgary begin with a park and grow the community around it • Fluorescent lighting not neurodivergent friendly. Only Icd lighting will be used. • Electric appliances should not just be touch screen, consider a combination of both dials and touch screen to accommodate people with low/no vision and people with limited hand movement BREAK 6. City of Waterloo, Cooper Street Leash Free Dog Park The City of Waterloo is building a new leash-free dog park on Copper Street, located on the west side of the city, near Columbia St W and Platinum Dr. The dog park will be within Generation Park (previously known as the westside employment lands). The Copper Street off-leash dog park will be one large 7,000 square metre area, about the size of a high school soccer field. It will be completely fenced and on a mostly grass surface, with seating nearby, lighting, signage, garbage bins and a puppy poop power unit. There will be two accessible parking spots on site, plus on-street parallel parking along Copper Street. Once completed, this will be the second leash-free dog park in Waterloo, complementing the leash free dog park in Bechtel Park. The target opening date for the Copper Street dog park is Spring 2025. Comments/Feedback • Possibility of a walking path along the side of the parking lot 7. GRAAC, 20th Anniversary Celebration • Going big — inviting everyone from conception, including dignitaries, appetizers • Going medium - 7-year retention invite • Going intimate - Existing committee only with sit down meal and +1 guest • End of November, December, or January— Committee wants January after the holidays 8. Councillor Reports • Councillor Chantal Huinink (Region of Waterloo) o No report 9. Co-chair/Staff Reports • Lolita Paroski, City of Kitchener o Looking for sizing for zip up hoodies for 20th anniversary— unisex o GRAAC recruitment application is open, and we are receiving applications o Will send email with link to the application • Emily Moore, Region of Waterloo o Engagement on public art policy over the summer— committee members involved o Self serve kiosk for trip planning has been updated —committee members involved o The Region of Waterloo's Waste Management Team will attend both GRAAC and the Cambridge AAC meetings to discuss waste collection changes once they reach the appropriate phase of this project. • Amy Ross, City of Waterloo Get READI plan Draft plan presented to council on September 23rd for feedback 1. Improve Indigenous relations and foster reconciliation 2. Enhance the Built Environment 3. Cultivate a culture of belonging 4. Reflect diversity in staff and leadership 5. Focus on equitable distribution of resources 6. Build trust through systems of accountability TTY update 0 2020— system update from TextNet 0 2021 —Analysis of use minimal 0 2024— Discovered service not working, verified with vendor, determined system has not been active since 2020 system update, 1-866-786-3941 was reassigned o Remove old TTY number from business cards, reprints of materials, digital spaces o Consultation — Deaf community, some older members of deaf community still utilizing o Canadian Hearing services —video relay a good alternative Tools available to interact with residents and visitors including: in person service, counters, email, social media, website feedback form, Bell Relay service, Video Relay service, Video Remote interpreting • Kaitlin Bos, Township of Wilmot o Township of Wilmot has capital budget funding in 2024 for a facilities accessibility audit of all our public spaces. We currently have our request for proposal out to firms and have included in the proposal requirements a presentation to GRAAC. GRAAC should see a presentation on our priorities, and number of recommendations by the end of year or early next. o Include Built Environment in the auditing process Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie — ianis.mckenzie(a)kitchener.ca Next Regular Meeting —Thursday October 24, 2024, at 1:30pm, ZOOM