HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRACC - 2024-12-19 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date: December 19th, 2024
Location: Hybrid Meeting
Present: Tamara Cooper (Co-Chair), Alyssa Clelland (Co-Chair), Amy Ross (City of Waterloo),
Emily Moore (Region of Waterloo), Trevor Tamlin (Canadian Hearing Services), Heather Harris,
Carrie Speers, LoriAnn Palubeski (City of Kitchener), Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Kaitlin Bos
(Township of Wilmot), Teresa McQuillin, Paula Saunders, Ashley Good (Township of North
Dumfries), Sarah Boghossian, Jolene MacDonald, Heather Gillespie, Alex Smyth (Township of
Woolwich), Councillor Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo), Farshid Sadatsharifi, Katherine Waybrant
Regrets: Robyn Jackson (Independent Living Centre), Councillor Jason Deneault (City of Kitchener),
Councillor Chantal Huinink (Region of Waterloo), Christine Nishiwaki, Amy Harron (Township of
Wellesley)
1. Commencement
1.1 Land Acknowledgement
We would like to begin by acknowledging the land on which we gather today, recognizing that
the land in which we gather today is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishnawbe
and Chonnonton peoples. We would also like to acknowledge the enduring knowledge, presence
and deep-rooted traditions of the First Nations, Metis and Inuit who continue to enrich our
community to this day.
2. Minutes for Approval
That the minutes of the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting held November
28, 2024, as circulated to the members, be accepted.
3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interests
None
4. Delegations
None
5. Discussion Items
5.1 Roll Call - Introductions
5.2 Recognition to outgoing committee members
Outgoing committee members were thanked for their time and service
o Thank you, Trevor, and Jolene.
Guide the improvement and expansion of Specialized Transit Services within Waterloo
Region
Strategic Priorities:
o Improve GRT's capacity to meet growing trip requests
o Continue to improve MobilityPLUS service and customer experience
o Investigate technology solutions to improve service
o Better understand customer needs and improve customer communication
o Improve coordination between MobilityPLUS and Kiwanis Transit
Conventional Bus and Train Plan
Project Purpose:
Guide transit investments to:
o Achieve the Region's commitment to community climate action;
o Respond to growth; and
o Align GRT services, policies, and programs to the Region's Strategic Plan
Strategic Priorities:
o Frequent transit network
o Strategic new coverage
o Consistent schedules
o Highway express
o Overnight network
Township Transit Strategy
Goals:
o Expand and/or enhance existing rural transit service to meet the needs of
Waterloo Region's rural residents effectively & efficiently
o Consult with Waterloo Region's townships to design & cost (not fund) improved
transit services, considering various options to meet the unique needs of each
township.
Comments/Feedback
o Snow Clearing is to happen by the contractors 48 hours after the end of a snow
event to get all of the bus pads cleared — down from 72 hours done previously
o Still not accessible
o Is training involved with the snow clearing contractors — sidewalk, bus pads, and
road snow removal done by separate
o Emergency ramps update —Two ready to be deployed —will be held by the fire
departments, still looking at a couple of spots where it would still need to be a
manual removal
5.4 Region of Waterloo - Multi-Year Accessible Plan Status Report Update
Jennifer Walker, Program Manager Resident Experience & Emily Moore, Resident
Experience Consultant, Region of Waterloo
2023-2027 plan — into the second year, as outlined in the status update attached to the
agenda, Region staff shared some of the highlights of 2024.
Comments/Feedback
o Improving mobility application — any update on the renewal process? Automatic
rPnPwal —trvinn tn qpp if that i.q nPP.dP.d_
Paula Saunders, Member, Built Environment Sub-Committee
City of Waterloo
o Food Area in City Hall
➢ No automatic doors to get inside
➢ Narrow hallway from City Hall to the eating area
➢ Recommendations to be sent to appropriate staff
o Harper Library Universal Washroom
➢ Funding has been cut
➢ Future plans will be to locate in the actual city facility
7.3 Woolwich Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Status Update
Alex Smyth, Deputy Clerk and Staff Rep on GRAAC from
the Township of Woolwich Township. As outlined in the status update attached to the
agenda, Township of Woolwich staff shared 2024 highlights
7.4 New Agenda Format Discussion
Alex Smyth, Deputy Clerk and Staff Rep on GRAAC
from the Township of Woolwich briefed the committee on the new agenda format
Comments/Feedback
o Would like the option at the end of the meeting for updates/roundtable discussions
where they can ask questions that don't come up through the meetings, provide
updates, etc.
Notice must be given for discussion items, and that was why it was removed as an
agenda item. Committee members could propose agenda items through their staff
reps or co-chairs and can always reach out to the staff reps if they have questions.
It was noted that further internal discussions between staff would need to happen
and that a further update could be provided to the committee once a decision was
made.
8. Information Items
8.1 None
9. Adjournment
Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie — janis.mckenzieCcD-kitchener.ca
Next Regular Meeting — Thursday January 23rd, 2025, at 1:30pm, ZOOM