HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2006-08-24Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday August 24, 2006 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT: Ian Ardill (Co-Chair), Taposhi Batabyal (Co-Chair), Brad Ullner, James
Hunsberger, Sharon Giles, Susan Harkins, Sharon Ward-Zeller, Saul Herzog, Frank
Groenestege, Margaret Sanderson, David Durant and Brooke Lambert (Region of Waterloo)
REGRETS (MEMBERS): Carol Moogk-Soulis, Chris Douglas, Gail Brunsdon
REGRETS (OTHERS): Sparrow Rose, Councillor Barry Vrbanovic, Councillor Ian McLean,
Councillor Ron Hackett, Councillor Jane Mitchell, Councillor Ruby Weber, Val Hummel,
Marvin Bosetti, Lori Ludwig, Deb Bergey
ABSENT WITHOUT REGRETS: Allan Strong
1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Ian welcomed everyone to the August meeting.
2.0 APPROVAL OF JULY MINUTES AND REVIEW OF AUGUST AGENDA
• A change was made to the July minutes, Item 3.1: change name to ~~Nadine
Lauren"; Sharon Ward-Zeller was asked to send a letter; motion to include ~~and
someone from Income Support". All were in favour; carried.
• All were in favour to adopt the August agenda as submitted; carried.
3.0 BUSINESS ARISING
3.1 Region of Waterloo Rapid Transit -David Durant/Brooke Lambert
David Durant, Engineer, and Brooke Lambert, Planner, attended to provide
information on the proposed rapid transit system for this region. They reviewed and
elaborated upon a PowerPoint Presentation, following which they answered questions
from GRAAC members.
• Communities which are ~~spread out" encourage use of cars.
• 86% of people drive to work, most alone.
• Staff is continuing to investigate available technology and agreed that future
plans for any transit system will ensure that it is universally accessible to
everyone.
• GRAAC members encouraged the use of the Region of Waterloo Accessibility
Survey Tool in future rapid transit plans.
Before they left the meeting, David and Brooke were thanked and were invited to
return to GRAAC as things progress.
August 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 1
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday August 24, 2006
4.0 BUSINESS ARISING
4.1 Joint Plan Barrier Survey Results -Marg
Marg distributed copies of the results of the web survey and asked for comments
from members.
With help from Brad Ullner, Marg will sub-divide the responses under the main
accessibility classifications to make it easier for the committee to vote on its
priorities.
It was suggested that the committee looks at things from a universal design
perspective.
ACTION
Marg will modify the results of the survey and it will be discussed at the
September meeting.
5.0 OTHER BUSINESS
5.1 Sub-Committee Reports
5.1.1 Built Environment Sub-Committee -Carol Moogk-Soulis
No report.
5.1.2 Transit Sub-Committee -Sharon Ward-Zeller/Sharon Giles
Sharon circulated and highlighted portions of the draft Terms of Reference which
was discussed at the last sub-committee meeting. The document is modeled on the
GRAAC Terms of Reference.
ACTION
Following discussion, it was decided that the document will be shared with
joint area staff who are asked to send comments to either Sharon Ward-
Zeller or Sharon Giles prior to the sub-committee meeting on September
12. GRAAC members will be asked to approve the Terms of Reference at
the September 28 meeting. James asked that any information that is to be
dealt with be sent out to members prior to the meeting so that everyone
has a chance to review.
5.2 Updates from Councillors
N/A
5.3 Co-Chair Reports
• Ian noted that he, Saul and Carol took part in a Housing Development
teleconference in July and that they will have the information available to
members at the next GRAAC meeting.
August 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 2
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday August 24, 2006
Kitchener City Hall Tour -deferred
Newmarket Resolution -Margaret is preparing a report that is scheduled to go to
City of Kitchener Council on September 11. GRAAC members are encouraged to
attend the Council meeting that day.
Winnipeg IT Conference - A conference is being held in Winnipeg on October
26/27 ~~Hardwire Inclusion". Ian will send out a link which members were asked
to look at and decide if they are interested in attending. A sign-up sheet was
circulated and Ian, James and Sharon Ward-Zeller indicated that they wished to
attend. The procedure outlined in the minutes of May 2005, Item 5.5 will be
followed.
5.4 Correspondence Received
N/A
5.5 Updates on Accessibility Plans
There were no updates, but Marg noted that Bart has resigned from GRAAC as he
has accepted employment with the City of Waterloo as a Senior Plans Examiner.
6.0 NEXT MEETING
September 28 at Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room, Main Floor from
1:30-3:30 p.m. Parking and bus passes will be available.
August 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 3