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Home My WebLink AboutGRACC - 2025-09-25 JffHEoTE Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Committee Minutes September 25, 2025, 1:30 p.m. Waterloo City Hall - Erb Room - Hybrid City of Waterloo 100 Regina Street South, Waterloo, ON N2J 4P9 Present: T. Cooper, Co-Chair (Wat Rep) A. Clelland, Co-Chair (Kit Rep) H. Clark-Harris (Kit Rep) P. Saunders (Kit Rep) C. Speers (Kit Rep) T. McQuillin (Wat Rep) S. Boghossian (Wat Rep) H. Gillespie (Wat Rep) C. Nishiwaki (Wat Rep) F. Sadatsharifi (Kit Rep) F. Mahar (Wat Rep) K. Waybrant (Kit Rep) F. Saleh (Wat Rep) K. Hutcheson (Wilmot Rep) D. Fish (Wellesley Rep) R. Jackson (Agency Rep) Councillor S. Stretch, Non-Voting (Kit) Councillor S. Hanmer, Non-Voting (Wat) Councillor C. Huinink, Non-Voting (Region of Waterloo) Staff: A. Ross, Staff Rep (Waterloo) A. Smyth, Staff Rep (Woolwich) A. Harron, Staff Representative (Wellesley) M. Dykstra, Staff Rep (Wilmot) A. Good, Staff Rep (North Dumfries) E. Bell, Staff Rep (North Dumfries) J. Walker, Staff Rep (Region of Waterloo) 1 L. Paroski, Staff Rep (Kitchener) L. Palubeski, Staff Rep (Kitchener) H. Gienow-McConnell (Region of Waterloo) 1. Commencement The Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee held a meeting on this date commencing at 1:30 p.m. 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. Roll call - Introductions 3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interests None. 4. Minutes for Approval That the minutes of the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) meeting held June 26, 2025 , as circulated to the members, be accepted. 5. Discussion Items 5.1 Region of Waterloo - Mobility Plus day Ben Singer, Assistant Manager, Transit Operations presented regarding Mobility Plus Day. • The next Mobility Plus Day is on October 28, 2025 at 300 Northfield Drive from 10:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m. • GRAAC members are invited to join 5.2 Region of Waterloo - Rapid Transit Initial Business Case Results Matthew O'Neil, Manager, Rapid Transit Coordination presented on the Rapid Transit Initial Business Case Results. 2 • The options for Rapid Transit to Cambridge include the following: o LRT - Fairway to Downtown Cambridge, o LRT - Fairway to Pinebush, LRT - Fairway to Delta, o LRT - Preston to Downtown Cambridge, o B RT • The preliminary capital cost estimates were presented, with the LRT - Fairway to Downtown Cambridge costing the most • Operating and Maintenance Costs were discussed • It was noted the economic benefits include: increased ridership and time savings, improved reliability and reduced congestion, environmental and health benefits • As several route options are being considered for expansion of Rapid Transit to Cambridge, the Region of Waterloo invites you to complete the survey to submit feedback at the following link: engagewr.ca/stage2ion - fill out the survey • In November, staff will make a recommendation to Regional Council on the way forward to advance to the next phase of the project • The Committee noted additional feedback should be received from the Cambridge Accessibility Advisory Committee 5.3 Region of Waterloo - GRT Conestoga Mall Station Facility Update Howard Cheng, Supervisor, Transit Development and Michelle Pinto, Senior Engineer of Design and Construction presented on the GRT Conestoga Mall Station Facility Update. • The team is currently piloting new wayfinding signage for the GRT Conestoga Mall Station Facility • The anticipated re-opening day is scheduled for the latter half of October Feedback and Discussion • Concerns were raised regarding the potential to change the shelter design to a more open concept to permit easier access, particularly related to wind protection for everyone 3 • It was noted many components of the shelter had already been fabricated, which limited the ability to implement design changes at this stage • There was a request to explore how such issues can be mitigated in future projects, to ensure GRAAC feedback can be considered in advance of project construction 5.4 Region of Waterloo - GRT Conestoga College Station Facility Update Howard Cheng, Supervisor, Transit Development and Michelle Pinto, Senior Engineer of Design and Construction presented on the GRT Conestoga Mall Station Facility Update. • Construction start: Spring 2026 • Projected Construction Completion: Summer 2027 • The redevelopment of the Conestoga Mall Station Project will include the following components: o Nine new bus bays, o New canopies and shelters, o On-demand heating and scheduling display panels, o Covered bicycle parking, o Bus driver facilities, o Multi-use trail connection to doon valley drive, o Spaces allocated for future electronic bus charging stations Design Elements based on Previous GRAAC feedback received: • Minimum 2.0-metre-wide unobstructed pathway to all bus platforms • Yellow tactile plates at platform edges • Black tactile plates aligned with front doors of buses • Potential tactile wayfinding plates pending results of Fairway Station pilot project Additional Feedback and Considerations: • Proximity to washrooms noted as a concern; staff cited high costs, making it unfeasible at this station 4 • Interest in incorporating automatic sensors for heaters • Recommendation to make display panels auditory to enhance accessibility 6. Recess and Reconvene The meeting recessed at 2:40 p.m. and reconvened at 2:54 p.m., chaired by Alyssa with all members present. 7. Discussion Items (Cont'd) 7.1 Township of Wilmot - Update Regarding the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Morgan Dykstra, Supervisor, Legislated Services, presented an update to the committee on this matter. • An update was provided regarding ongoing sidewalk accessibility improvements in the Township of Wilmot o The Township encountered an issue with block segments of sidewalks requiring replacement due to disrepair o When replacing these segments, the Township is required to meet accessibility standards, which may involve replacing entire blocks of sidewalk to ensure compliance, even if only part of the segment is damaged to avoid variances in sidewalk width; or replacing to match existing damaged sidewalk block segments 7.2 City of Waterloo - Sacred Fires Protocol Brian Hill, Indigenous Initiatives Advocate presented regarding the City of Waterloo Sacred Fires Protocol. • It was noted indigenous communities use sacred fires for wellness, healing and gatherings, and can take place for several hours or days, depending on the reason for fire • The sacred fires procedure in Waterloo encompasses: o interested communities/organizations contact the City through the website at: Parks and Facilities/ Rentals/ Indigenous communities use of space o interested parties will be directed to contact indigenousbookings@waterloo.ca or calling indigenous initiatives advocate, Brian Hill at 226-750-3845 5 o advocate will assist in booking appropriate location, and internal notification process will be followed 7.3 The Built Environment Sub Committee Report Paula Saunders, Chairperson, provided an update to the committee regarding the following matters: • City of Waterloo • Lexington Road Complete Streets Study • Community Improvement Plan • City of Kitchener • Promotion for KIRC • Victoria Park Master Plan 8. Information Items 8.1 Terms of Reference Update 9. Adjournment Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie - man is.mckenzie(a)-kitchener.ca Next Regular Meeting - October 23rd, 2025 at 1:30pm, Hybrid 6