HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2004-10-28
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday October 28, 2004 Catholic Family Counseling Centre
PRESENT: Susan Harkins (Chair), Valrie Hummel, Grace Niezen, Laura Fiorilla, Brad
Ullner, Taposhi Batabyal, Sharon Ward-Zeller, Gail Brunsden, James
Hunsberger, Karen Panchaud, Carol Moogk-Soulis, Councillor Jane
Mitchell, Councillor Ruby Weber, Lori Ludwig, Bart Toby, Deb Bergey, Lori
Fioze, , Lori Palubeski, Margaret Sanderson.
REGRETS: Councillor Christine Weylie, Councillor Ian McLean, Kathy Glasser, Sparrow
Rose, Daniel LaJoie
1.0 WELCOME – Susan Harkins
2.0 ADDITIONS/ ADOPTION OF AGENDA
A couple of additions were made to the agenda.
?Laura – Draft By-Laws Re Taxi Metering, Licensing And Regulations (under
“Other”)
?Brad – BFAC Update
With the changes noted, a motion was made by Sharon, seconded by Laura to
adopt the agenda. All were in favour; carried.
3.0 ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES (September 23, 2004)
A motion was made by Taposhi, seconded by Sharon to adopt the minutes from
the September meeting. All were in favour; carried.
4.0BUSINESS ARISING
4.1 Nominating Process - Margaret
?Margaret talked with staff in the Clerk’s Department regarding the nominating
process for Committees of Council and will send the info to (GRAAC)
Municipal Clerk’s prior to the next GRAAC meeting for their review.
?Clerk’s suggested that there is no need to advertise is there is only one
vacancy on the committee.
?Laura commented that a new person would finish the term should a member
resign from the committee, not start serving a whole new term.
?This issue will be discussed further at the November GRAAC meeting
following review and discussion with Municipal Clerks.
4.2 Facilitator for Workshop - Margaret
?Susan/ Marg met to discuss plans for the upcoming session on Monday
November 8 (from 10-12 at The Waterloo Recreation Complex, Hausen Hans
rd
3 Floor). Dean Waterfield has been recruited to facilitate the workshop.
Members were asked to RSVP to Linda.
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Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday October 28, 2004
?A motion was made by Taposhi, seconded by James, to proceed with the
planning workshop on November 8.
4.3 Building plans at GRT - Carol
?Carol met with Yannick on September 22 to review plans for GRT building.
Carol noted that many accessibility features had already been incorporated
and that the Draft Accessibility Plan had been used by the architect when
developing the plans. Some deficiencies had been identified and dealt with.
Carol recommended that, when available, shop drawings be reviewed for
details that were not on the building drawings, (e.g. signage & floor
coverings). Carol then made a motion, seconded by Sharon that
GRAAC attend the commissioning walkthrough with the architect
and owner to check for any construction completion deficiencies.
All were in favour; carried.
?Deb to check anticipated completion date for the GRT building and advise
GRAAC at the November meeting.
?Margaret talked with City Planners regarding the processes that the city has
to follow. Planners suggested that they attend a GRAAC meeting to advise
about the process.
?Lori asked whether the group wants to form working groups to work on
issues such as site plans. Carol agreed to co-ordinate members interested in
establishing a site plan working group. Carol will work with staff to
recommend a format and relationship for working groups to be established by
GRAAC.
ACTION:
Carol Moogk-Soulis will contact members interested in establishing a
site plan working group and will draft recommendations on the formal
structure and reporting format that will be made to the main GRAAC
group by the working group.
5.0 REWRITE OF ODA ACT - James
?Prior to this meeting, James had forwarded information regarding Bill 118 to
GRAAC members. This legislation will be a step forward for Ontarians and
will hopefully become law by Spring 2005. Bill 118 provides framework for
the future. If you have any interest on this topic, please speak with James.
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Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday October 28, 2004
6.0 REGIONAL PLAN - Deb
?Deb and Lori Fioze elicited feedback from the group on the Regional Plan and
were asked to contact Deb if there were further comments by November 5.
7.0 OTHER
?Laura distributed information from GRT (under Licensing and Regulation of
Taxi-cabs) advising of new procedures wherein taxis (i) may turn on the
meter before the passenger has occupied the cab when they are loading or
unloading personal items or (ii) if a taxi is requested at a specific time, may
charge starting at that time. Councillor Mitchell, who is a member of the
Licensing board, clarified that taxi’s often arrive and have to wait for
customers, thus will now charge starting from the time requested. Taxi
drivers may also charge when there are bags, etc., to unload/load. If drivers
take excessive time in unloading, complain to taxi company. Members were
asked to forward suggestions to Laura or to Councillor Mitchell. Councillor
Mitchell noted that the new Taxi by-law is already in effect and will be
reviewed after one year.
?Brad noted that the changing mandate of BFAC is a continuing process.
BFAC requested meeting with GRAAC Chairperson to see if linkage may be
developed. Susan suggested meeting in January as GRAAC won’t be meeting
in December.
?Carol noted that homes in the Victoria Park area can’t accessed while
roadwork is taking place – can anything be done about this? Margaret to
check with City Engineering.
?Susan asked whether the start time for the GRAAC meetings – 1-3:30 – check
with interpreter regarding time – now booked 1:30 Margaret to check will
investigate with CHS the protocol for interpreters with respect to time.
8.0 Adjournment
A motion was made by Laura, seconded by Taposhi, to adjourn the October
meeting. All were in favour; carried.
9.0Next Meeting
Thursday November 25, 1-3:30 p.m
Catholic Family counseling Centre
400 Queen St S, Kitchener
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