THIRD MEETING OF THE

MARKHAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY IN 2008

ONTARIO ROOM

                                                          MARCH 19, 2008 – 3:30 P.M.                    

 

MINUTES

 

Present:

Robert Hunn (Chair)

Councillor V. Burke

Regional Councillor G. Landon

Michael Kahn

Bill Broger

Sidney Pollack

Ted Chivers

Carole Robertson

 

Staff:

Don Taylor, Director, Strategic Initiatives

Tahmena Bokhari, Diversity Coordinator

Chris Raynor, Committee Clerk

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE
MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 20, 2008

 (Page 2)

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the minutes of the Town of Markham Accessibility Committee meeting held on February 20, 2008 be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR

Mr. R. Hunn and Mr. T. Chivers were nominated as Co-Chairs. It was stated that they will alternate in the role of Chair.

 

THE MARKHAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY RECOMMENDS:

 

That Mr. R. Hunn and Mr. T. Chivers be appointed as Co-Chairs of the Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility.

CARRIED

 

 

3.         UPDATE ON COMMITTEE COORDINATOR POSITION

Mr. D. Taylor, Director, Strategic Initiatives and Ms. T. Bokhari, Diversity Coordinator, were in attendance to discuss this matter. Mr. Taylor advised that with immediate effect his role will include accessibility issues and that the new Accessibility Coordinator position will report to him. It is hoped that the Coordinator will be in place by the start of May, 2008. Mr. Taylor agreed to report back on the status of the Town’s 2008 Accessibility Plan.

 

The Committee requested the opportunity to provide input on the job description and suggested that unsuccessful candidates might be engaged to work on related accessibility-oriented projects. It was also suggested that the Committee’s priorities might be introduced at the interview stage as a basis for discussion.

 

Ms. Bokhari briefly outlined the Town’s diversity initiative and the purpose of the focus group session in April, 2008.

 

 

4.         GARAGE WIDTHS IN NEW HOMES

Regional Councillor G. Landon advised that the matter has been forwarded to Council and the Commissioner, Development Services. An update will be provided in May, 2008. It was noted that narrower lots are being approved and so there is a limit to the maximum width of garages.

 

 

5.         PARKING ENFORCEMENT

            Mr. M. Kahn agreed to form a group to assess the condition of disabled parking spots in shopping plazas to determine whether they comply with the legislation regarding signage. It was stated that the Mayor’s Youth Task Force might also be engaged.

 

            It was also noted that the Town’s By-law Enforcement Officers will be notifying owners where it is found that there is an issue with signage.

 

 

6.         COMMITTEE ISSUES

It was agreed that at the May, 2008 there will be discussion of the Committee’s priorities and that the finalized list of priorities will become standing agenda items with regular updates.

 

 

7.         ISSUES AT TIM HORTON’S (WILLOWDALE)

There was brief discussion of this item and it was suggested that these types of complaints and issues should be forwarded to the Committee for consideration.

 

 

8.         DISABLED PARKING AT MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE HOSPITAL

It was noted that there is a construction trailer blocking several of the disabled parking spots at Markham Stouffville Hospital. It was also noted that it is often difficult to get to the pay and display machines due to piled snow. Mr. Taylor agreed to follow up with the Hospital and report back.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.