HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2006-04-27Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday April 27, 2006 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT: Taposhi Batabyal (Co-Chair), Ian Ardill (Co-Chair), Brad Ullner, James
Hunsberger, Sharon Ward-Zeller, Saul Herzog, Susan Harkins, Frank Groenestege, Carol
Moogk-Soulis, Laura Fiorilla, Gail Brunsdon, Chris Douglas, Karen Panchaud (Interpreter),
Councillor Barry Vrbanovic, Councillor Ruby Weber, Margaret Sanderson, Lori Ludwig, Deb
Bergey, Bart Toby.
REGRETS (MEMBERS): Sharon Giles
REGRETS (OTHERS): Sparrow Rose, Councillor Jane Mitchell, Councillor Ian McLean,
Councillor Ron Hackett, Marvin Bosetti, Val Hummel
ABSENT WITHOUT REGRETS: Allan Strong
1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Taposhi welcomed everyone to the April meeting.
2.0 APPROVAL OF MARCH MINUTES AND REVIEW OF APRIL AGENDA
• A motion was made by Brad, seconded by Susan, that the minutes of the March
meeting be accepted. All were in favour; carried.
• A motion was made by Laura, seconded by Sharon, to adopt the agenda for the
April meeting. All were in favour; carried.
3.0 PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE TO LAURA FIORILLA
Councillors Vrbanovic and Weber thanked Laura for her commitment to GRAAC and
to accessibility issues over the past few years and presented her with a Certificate of
Appreciation. Laura then left the meeting.
4.0 DELEGATION: Thomas Kaufman, Canadian Recreation Excursions and
Peter Wetherup, Parks Planner with the City of Kitchener
Thomas attended the meeting to provide details about his business and to request
support and input from GRAAC. He reviewed a PowerPoint Presentation about his
company which ~~allows individuals with a disability to enjoy safe and comfortable
outdoor experiences" through transportation in a tram.
The tram/coach is pulled by a modified golf cart and can travel on community trails.
Canadian Recreation Excursions is based at Freeport Hospital and has a workshop
which custom-builds the trams. Grand Valley Trail across from Freeport is being
used as the ~~test trail". Thomas is currently asking for input to see where the needs
are and to advise municipalities of the service and ask for their support in this
venture.
April 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 1
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday April 27, 2006
During the question/answer period, responses included the following:
• PAL (Personal Attendant for Leisure) cards will be accepted. This card is provided
by the City of Kitchener and the City of Waterloo to support individuals with a
disability to attend recreation programs by allowing their attendant admission at
no-charge.
• Peter Wetherup noted that motorized vehicles are not allowed on municipal trails,
but that Thomas intends to go to area municipal councils, present a business plan
and ask for permission to use motorized vehicles. He has been granted interim
permission to use the trail.
• At present, this service is being offered only at the Grand Valley Trail, but the
plan is to branch out within this region, and then throughout Ontario and Canada.
• As the vehicles travel very slowly, it is possible for people who would prefer to
walk, to walk alongside the tram when they want. The tram also provides
transportation to and from the preferred area.
• Due to insurance issues, only employees can drive the coaches.
• Adult wheelchairs cannot be accommodated now, but there are plans in the
future to have drive-in trams.
• This venture is incorporated and for-profit.
• Plans include making the service fully accessible.
ACTION
A motion was made by Frank, seconded by Susan, that GRAAC endorse the
Canadian Recreation Excursions proposal with the proviso that although
not all accessibility requirements are currently being met, GRAAC would
support the concept in principle provided that all persons with a disability
are treated equally. All were in favour; carried. This motion will appear in
Peter Wetherup's report.
5.0 BUSINESS ARISING
5.1 Code of Conduct -Taposhi
• Taposhi reviewed the Code of Conduct that was sent out to members prior to the
meeting.
• It was noted that this is a set of guidelines only.
ACTION
• Final decisions are up to the discretion of the Chair.
• Section 8 will be taken out of the document.
• In the current Section 8, the length of time will be changed to five
minutes.
• A motion was made by Brad, seconded by Sharon Ward-Zeller, to accept
the Code of Conduct with suggested changes. All were in favour;
carried.
• Taposhi will make the changes and resend to members.
April 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 2
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday April 27, 2006
6.0 OTHER BUSINESS
6.1 Updates from Councillors
Councillor Vrbanovic
• A contribution of $15,000,000 was approved at the April 26 Regional Council
meeting to the medical school to be built in downtown Kitchener as part of the
School of Pharmacy. The school of Pharmacy will open in late 2007 and the
medical school after that.
• Staff from the Compass Kitchener Committee will take a report to Council on the
~~Who Are You, Kitchener" project in late June.
• On May 23 and May 30, a citizen's forum on Centre Block/KPL development will
take place at City Hall. Timelines are being finalized and will be sent to GRAAC
members once confirmed.
Councillor Weber
• Woolwich is building a new recreation complex including an arena, a pool and
both a fitness and community centre in Elmira. GRAAC is invited to review the
design which is currently being drafted.
• Designs will soon be developed for community centres to be built in Maryhill,
Breslau and Conestogo.
• A totally accessible website is almost done (www.woolwich.ca).
• Councillor Weber will ensure that drawings of new buildings will be sent to Carol
for review. A process for the Built Environment Review Committee is being
established.
6.2 Co-Chairs Report -Ian and Taposhi
• As this week is Volunteer Recognition Week, congratulations were extended to
GRAAC members.
• Due to increased responsibilities at work, Kathy Glasser has resigned from
GRAAC. GRAAC now has thirteen members which falls within the mandate of the
Terms of Reference.
• A reminder was made that information for the Canadian census is due May 16.
Taposhi will send out a link for people who want more information about the
accessibility of the census.
• Asub-committee of GRAAC will be set up for the orientation of new members.
The plan is to hold a separate meeting with the sub-committee and new
members rather than take up an entire GRAAC meeting. The group will also look
at training opportunities for all members.
• Taposhi is working on a template for delegations and will send it out to members
when drafted.
April 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 3
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday April 27, 2006
~~Correspondence Received" will be a new standing item on the agenda each
month. This month two letters were distributed. One relating to taxi licensing
and one from Sharon Giles regarding the Charcoal Steakhouse. In both cases,
GRAAC was ~~cc'd"and no response is required. It was noted that if members are
sending letters of concern to private businesses, it is acceptable to ~~cc" GRAAC.
ACTION
Taposhi, Ian, James and Brad volunteered to form the new sub-committee.
6.3 Updates on Accessibility Plans: Region of Waterloo
• Deb requested GRAAC volunteers to participate in a panel presentation to
Regional staff to launch the Accessibility Survey Tool. Sharon Giles, Ian and
James volunteered to attend the meetings on June 2 and/or June 23.
• Deb will bring back the GRAAC recommendations developed yesterday to the May
meeting and Taposhi and Ian will take them to staff in June.
• Deb produces newsletters for staff three times per year. These may be of
interest to GRAAC members. In future, Deb will bring copies for GRAAC members
if they wish.
• On June iit", GRT and ILCWR are partnering to provide a session to let people
try out the low floor buses. Deb distributed flyers.
7.0 OTHER BUSINESS
• James noted that the Attorney General introduced the Bill regarding the Ontario
Human Rights Commission Code as discussed at the March GRAAC meeting (Item
5.2) and the first reading was held on April 26.
8.0 ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Sharon, seconded by Chris to adjourn the April GRAAC
meeting. All were in favour; carried.
9.0 NEXT MEETING
May 25 at Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room, Main Floor from 1:30-
3:30 p.m. Parking and bus passes will be available.
April 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 4