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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2006-02-23Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday February 23, 2006 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room Taposhi Batabyal (Co-Chair), Brad Ullner (Co-Chair), James Hunsberger, Sharon Ward- Zeller, Susan Harkins, Ian Ardill, Frank Groenestege, Carol Moogk-Soulis, Laura Fiorilla, Gail Brunsden, Chris Douglas, Sharon Giles, Saul Herzog, Karen Panchaud, Councillor Ruby Weber, Margaret Sanderson, Val Hummel, Lori Ludwig, Deb Bergey, Bart Toby. REGRETS (MEMBERS): Kathy Glasser, Allan Strong REGRETS (OTHERS) Sparrow Rose, Councillor Jane Mitchell, Councillor Ian McLean, and Councillor Barry Vrbanovic, North Dumfries representative, Councillor Ron Hackett ABSENT WITHOUT REGRETS: N/A 1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Brad welcomed everyone to the February meeting. 2.0 APPROVAL OF JANUARY MINUTES AND REVIEW OF FEBRUARY AGENDA • Sharon asked for an addition to be made to the agenda regarding her attendance at a Council meeting following which a motion was made by Susan, seconded by Gail, to adopt the agenda as amended. All were in favour; carried. • A motion was made by Susan, seconded by Ian, that the minutes of the January meeting be accepted. All were in favour; carried. Laura noted that her letter of resignation was not included with the last minutes. Anyone wishing to have a copy of Laura's letter can request one. 3.0 DELEGATIONS 3.1 Thomas Oates, Community Citizen and David Dirks, Director of Employment and Income Support re Request to GRT ~~TRIP" Pass (handout) • Mr. Oates circulated information and read from a letter addressed to Co-Chair, Brad Ullner regarding a request that he made to GRT and subsequently to Social Services. Mr. Oates' issue concerns his inability to obtain his monthly ~~TRIP" pass at locations other than the Charles Street Bus Terminal or the Ainslie Street Bus Terminal. The TRIP program is managed by Employment and Income Supports Division in Social Services. His request to have the pass available at other locations as is the regular bus pass is being reviewed. Mr. Dirks noted that a survey was completed with existing program participants. Results of that survey strongly indicated that individuals in the program didn't want to go to local stores (i.e. Zehs/ pharmacy) to get their passes for privacy issues. The survey indicated that participants wanted to go to agencies where they already had relationships. In order to respect the dignity of a person and his/her circumstances the February 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 1 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday February 23, 2006 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room locations where a pass could be purchased are limited. There is also a cost to selling tickets through the stores. Mr. Dirks indicated that he was willing to consider other locations, but would have to find a solution that maintained the dignity of participants and service delivery concerns of the program. The issue was discussed but no decision was made at this meeting as further information is needed. It was suggested that if members have comments they be forwarded to the Region. • Laura suggested that any written materials to be presented at GRAAC should be provided to members prior to a meeting so that they may become familiar with the subject. • Sharon noted that GRAAC is an advisory group only, whose mandate does not include making or changing policy. • A motion was made by Sharon, seconded by Ian to defer the discussion to a future meeting. 4.0 BUSINESS ARISING 4.1 Built Environment Review -Carol Moogk-Soulis • The name ~~Built Environment Review" was changed from ~~Site Plan Review" to reflect the need to include both the inside and outside of buildings in a review. • The review currently includes municipal structures only as there are no mandatory standards for private buildings. • The Province is in the process of changing standards. • Standards will apply for both inside and outside of public and private homes, with penalties for non-compliance. A motion was made by Carol, seconded by James, re motions 1-3 as per the attachement. A motion was made by Carol, seconded by Sharon re motion 4 as per the attachement. Laura abstained. All else were in favour; carried. 5.0 NEW BUSINESS 5.1 Election of GRAAC Co-Chairs -Valrie Hummel Taposhi and Brad were thanked for co-chairing GRAAC for the past year. The new Co-Chairs will start their positions at the March GRAAC meeting. Staff will contact Co-Chairs prior to the meeting to review items. Valrie outlined the nomination procedure and opened the floor for nominations: • It was again requested that if members wish to be nominated, that they have someone else nominate them -this is requested because at least one other person should agree with the nomination. • Members may nominate more than one person. February 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 2 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday February 23, 2006 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room Each voting member will be given one ballot and may vote for two candidates as Co-Chair. • Candidates may vote for themselves. Both Sharon and James nominated Taposhi as Co-Chair -Taposhi accepted Frank nominated Ian as Co-Chair -Ian accepted Taposhi nominated Brad as Co-Chair -Brad accepted The floor was closed to nominations. • Each candidate was given the opportunity to speak for up to five minutes. • Voting members were asked to stay in the room during voting, keep their vote confidential and make their choice, fold the ballot and return to Valrie. The meeting continued while votes were counted. * The outcome of the procedure was that Taposhi and Ian were voted in as the Co-Chairs for GRAAC for 2006. 5.2 Sub-Committee Appointments -Deb Bergey 5.2.1 Housing Implementation Sub-Committee It was suggested that two GRAAC members be nominated to attend the Housing Implementation Meetings -one primary representative and one alternate -which would allow shared responsibilities in attendance. A motion was made by Laura, seconded by Sharon, that two GRAAC members be appointed to the Housing Implementation Team. All were in favour; carried. When nominated, James declined. Action: Ian and Frank (alternate) accepted the nominations to be part of the Housing Implementation Sub-Committee. Laura noted that she was against the nomination. All else were in favour; carried. 5.2.2 Transit Sub-Committee Deb asked for two representatives from GRAAC willing to attend a meeting to discuss what a transit sub-group would look like. The meeting would be held with all people relevant to the discussion including GRT staff, Specialized Transit Advisory Committee members and GRAAC. Susan suggested that GRAAC form its own transit sub-committee apart from the Specialized Transit Committee. February 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 3 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday February 23, 2006 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room A motion was made by Frank to nominate Sharon Ward-Zeller, Sharon Giles, and Chris Douglas seconded by Chris, to the GRT Transit Sub-Committee. All were in favour; carried. 6.0 OTHER BUSINESS 6.1 Sharon Ward-Zeller • Sharon attended City of Kitchener Council meeting regarding the Joint Accessibility Plan approval as a member of the community, not to represent GRAAC. She spoke about her experiences as a resident. • Sharon asked if members from a music therapy group could attend GRAAC as a delegation to talk about Mobility Plus. As a result, a motion was made by Chris, seconded by Frank, that members from a music therapy group attend a GRAAC meeting. All were in favour; carried. Ian and Taposhi will talk with Sharon and the issue will be discussed at the Co-Chair meeting. • It was reiterated that all agenda items have to be approved by the Co-Chairs. 7.0 Next Meeting • March 23 at Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room, Main Floor from 1:30- 4:00 p.m. Parking and bus passes will be available. 8.0 Adjournment A motion was made by Laura, seconded by Sharon, to adjourn the February meeting. All were in favour; carried. February 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 4