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Home My WebLink AboutGRAAC - 2006-03-23Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday March 23, 2006 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room PRESENT: Ian Ardill (Co-Chair), Taposhi Batabyal (Co-Chair), Brad Ullner, James Hunsberger, Sharon Ward-Zeller, Susan Harkins, Frank Groenestege, Carol Moogk-Soulis, Laura Fiorilla, Gail Brunsdon, Chris Douglas, Sharon Giles, Allan Strong, Karen Panchaud, Councillor Jane Mitchell, Councillor Ian McLean, Margaret Sanderson, Martin Bosetti, Val Hummel, Lori Ludwig, Deb Bergey, Bart Toby. REGRETS (MEMBERS): N/A REGRETS (OTHERS): Sparrow Rose, Councillor Barry Vrbanovic, North Dumfries representative, Councillor Ruby Weber, Councillor Ron Hackett ABSENT WITHOUT REGRETS: Saul Herzog, Kathy Glasser 1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Ian welcomed everyone to the March meeting. 2.0 APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY MINUTES AND REVIEW OF MARCH AGENDA • A motion was made by James, seconded by Sharon, that the minutes of the February meeting be accepted. All were in favour; carried. • A motion was made by James, seconded by Sharon, to adopt the agenda for the March meeting. All were in favour; carried. 3.0 BUSINESS ARISING 3.1 GRAAC Budget -Ian • Ian distributed and reviewed copies of the GRAAC budget for 2006, whose purpose is primarily to facilitate education amongst all committee members. • The budget reflects an increase of just over $4000 this year. • Each municipality's contribution is less this year as there was a surplus from last year. Individual municipalities contribute approximately $1740/year. • Suggestions were made that the next budget should include both the previous year's budget for comparison and the percentage of each item. ACTION A motion was made by James, seconded by Allan, to accept the budget as presented. All were in favour; carried. 3.2 Code of Conduct -Ian Taposhi is working on an updated code of conduct which will be sent out to members shortly. March 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 1 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday March 23, 2006 3.3 Update re February Delegation -Ian • Refer to Item 3.1 in the February ACAC minutes. • David Dirks, Director of Employment and Income Support, has taken this issue to the Transit Committee for review. The passes will be available more widely, but locations are yet to be determined. • Chris recommended that GRAAC members keep focused on the issue being presented by a delegate and to not bring in individual issues specific to them nor to branch into other issues. It is not a mandate of GRAAC to provide an answer or a decision, but to listen to the issue. • Taposhi is working on a template to be used by potential delegates' to find out the nature of a delegates issue, what is required from GRAAC, etc. • Members also requested to have information provided beforehand and to ensure that interpreters have the information as well. ACTION A motion was made by Susan, seconded by Chris, that the Co-Chairs draft a letter to Thomas Oates to thank him for bringing his issue with the TRIP pass to the attention of GRAAC. Members recognized that issues brought before the committee are not within GRAAC's mandate to solve. A copy of the letter will be sent to David Dirks. All were in favour; carried. 4.0 NEW BUSINESS 4.1 Presentation of Certificate -Ian Ian thanked Brad for his commitment to accessibility issues and Councillor McLean and Councillor Mitchell presented Brad with a Certificate of Appreciation. 4.2 Revised Regrets Procedure -Ian ACTION Members are asked to call or a-mail either Taposhi or Ian should they be unable to attend a meeting. If their lack of attendance is weather-related, then they are asked to contact co-chairs far enough ahead so that a decision to cancel the meeting can be made. 5.0 OTHER BUSINESS 5.1 Update From Councillors Councillor McLean Councillor McLean said that he keeps up-to-date regarding GRAAC, but shared that GRAAC is only one of fourteen committees to which he was appointed. He is unable to attend all GRAAC meetings but will come to any meeting if there is a specific issue March 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 2 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday March 23, 2006 that he should address. Between Councillor McLean and the Waterloo staff representative, Lori Ludwig, any issues pertaining to Waterloo will be communicated. Councillor Mitchell • Councillor Mitchell noted that she is happy to have GRAAC reps on the Housing Implementation Sub-committee. • Transit continues to be an ongoing issue and a transit sub-group is being established. • New accessible buses were approved in the 2006 budget. Eventually all buses will be of the accessible type. 5.2 Co-Chairs Report -Ian and Taposhi • Frank was acknowledged in the March 4 issue of the K-W Record for his contribution to wheelchair rugby. • The Region of Waterloo is updating the Official Plan, projecting that the populations of area townships are increasing. Taposhi wanted to acknowledge the townships' attempt to address accessibility issues. Bart advised that the Township of Wellesley has earmarked $35,000 for review of existing buildings and staff training. This budget is expected to be passed by Wellesley Council. • The Ontario government is looking at reforming the outdated Human Rights Commission Code. One of the points of concern is that the complainant's right to legal counsel when filing a complaint will be eliminated, to be replaced with the requirement that the complainant go directly to a tribunal. As the other party will have legal representation, anyone not having it will be at a disadvantage, undermining the AODA. It was suggested that GRAAC members contact their MPP's to voice their concerns. Allan and Taposhi will forward background information on this subject to GRAAC members prior to the next meeting. ACTION A motion was made by Susan, seconded by Brad, that GRAAC draft a letter to be sent to area MPP's, copied to GRAAC Municipal Council representatives, to voice members' concern with certain changes in the Ontario Human Rights Commission Code. The letter will be circulated to GRAAC members for input prior to sending. All were in favour; carried. 5.3 Update on Region's Accessibility Plan -Deb • Deb distributed copies of the 2006 plan and advised that procedures for drafting the 2007 Accessibility Plan are underway. Input from GRAAC is needed to begin the process. • A summary of the year's actions is included with each new plan. • Margaret distributed copies of the 2006 Joint Accessibility Plan. March 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 3 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday March 23, 2006 ACTION GRAAC members will meet on Tuesday April 11 to take part in preliminary discussions regarding the 2007 Regional Accessibility Plan. Deb will arrange and advise members of details. 5.4 Council Presentation Working Group -Ian • Members agreed that it is extremely important that presentations be made by GRAAC to municipal councils with the object being to share information and provide feedback. Ian, therefore, asked for volunteers to form asub-committee to deal with Council presentations. ACTION Allan Strong, Chris Douglas, Taposhi Batabyal, Brad Ullner, Susan Harkins and Ian Ardill will form the Council Presentation Working Group. Once a presentation is drafted, members will consult with Councillor Jane Mitchell regarding content. 5.5 Laura's Resignation -Ian As this was Laura's last meeting with GRAAC, Ian thanked her for her contribution to the committee over the past few years. Copies of Laura's letter of resignation were circulated to members. A Certificate of Appreciation will be mailed to Laura. 5.6 Rapid Transit Environmental Assessment The Region of Waterloo is holding two public consultation sessions to give the public an opportunity to comment on Phase 1 of the Rapid Transit Environmental Assessment. Meeting times are as follows: Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2006 Open House: 4:30pm to 7pm Presentation and Discussion: 7:OOpm to 9:OOpm Location: Region of Waterloo Administration Building, 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener Date: Thursday, April 6, 2006 Open House: 4:30pm to 7pm Presentation and Discussion: 7:OOpm to 9:OOpm Location: The United Kingdom Club, 35 International Drive, Cambridge 5.7 Scheduled Organizations • Members voiced a concern that they haven't seen plans from the Scheduled Organizations linked with GRAAC and that the plans, if they are there, are very hard to access on the websites. The City of Cambridge and the Township of Wilmot have their own plans. March 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 4 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday March 23, 2006 ACTION A motion was made by Carol, seconded by Chris, that GRAAC obtain accessibility plans of all scheduled orgs, the City of Cambridge and the Township of Wilmot, for members review and information. All were in favour; carried. Margaret to follow up. 5.8 Housing Implementation Committee Ian attended the second Housing Implementation Committee meeting and will request copies of the Community Action Plan for Housing for GRAAC members. 6.0 Next Meeting • April 27 at Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room, Main Floor from 1:30- 3:30 p.m. Parking and bus passes will be available. March 2006 - GRAAC Minutes Jr