SIXTH MEETING OF THE
JUNE 18, 2008 – 3:35 P.M.
MINUTES
PRESENT:
Robert Hunn
Regional Councillor G. Landon
Ted Chivers, Chair
Bill Broger
Carl Bodnar
Joan Jenkyn
REGRETS:
Councillor V. Burke
Carole Robertson
Michael Kahn
STAFF:
Don Taylor, Director, Strategic Initiatives
Eardley Adams, Project Manager, Asset Management
Judy Kee, Committee Clerk
The Sixth Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility convened at 3:35 p.m. with Mr. Ted Chivers in the Chair.
1. MINUTES OF THE
MEETING HELD ON MAY 21, 2008
THE
That the minutes of the Town of
CARRIED
2. REQUEST FOR FEE RELIEF
FOR ON STREET PARKING - APPEAL
The Chair reminded members that Committee previously considered a request for fee relief from a resident, however, a recommendation that no relief be granted was subsequently adopted by Council.
The resident had advised staff that they would be in attendance this date to appeal the decision of Council. As the resident did not appear by the end of the meeting, the matter was not dealt with at this time.
AP 6.1 Committee Clerk to place item on next meeting agenda, and to invite resident
to attend.
3. ACCESSIBILITY AUDIT
PROCESS
Mr. E. Adams, Project Manager, was in attendance and reviewed the audit process that is being followed with respect to the accessibility of existing facilities, new building construction and major renovations to bring them into compliance with the new Accessibility Guidelines. He advised that this will be a gigantic task and noted that the upgrades required for the Civic Centre alone have been estimated to be between $400,000 -$500,000.
It was pointed out that the Ontarians with Disabilities Act does not impose any strict implementation/compliance deadlines, and that staff has taken the approach that financial affordability will dictate the pace in which existing facilities can be retrofitted. Mr. Adams advised that in 2006, accessibility audits were conducted on the Markham Civic Centre and the Milliken Mills Community Centre, and since that time, funds have been set aside in the annual Capital Budget for audits on other existing facilities.
He provided details of the current priority lists that staff are working from, noting that priority has been given to the largest and busiest facilities. Members were advised that every item identified will be assigned a Budget amount, and depending on the scope of the work required, may be either a “quick fix” item or a “multi-year” program.
Committee expressed great concern with respect to the accessibility of the York Room in the Markham Civic Centre, noting that the room would be very difficult to evacuate in the case of an emergency. In addition, Members noted that the washrooms located on the Main Level of the Civic Centre, between the Ontario Room and the Canada Room are not very accessible. Mr. Adams advised that he would follow-up on both concerns. In addition, the Committee Clerk was directed to ensure that future meetings of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility are not held in the York Room.
It was suggested that the identification of accessibility projects within Town facilities should be added to the position description of the Town’s Accessibility Coordinator, and Mr. Taylor,
Director, Strategic Initiatives, advised that he would follow this up with Mr. Steve Andrews, the Director of Asset Management.
Members queried the
accessibility status of other facilities, including: the seniors’ component of
the Thornhill Community Centre; the Markham Seniors’ Centre at
The Chair thanked Mr. Adams for attending the meeting and providing this information.
AP 6.2 Mr. Adams to follow-up on accessibility concerns relating to the York Room
and the washrooms located on the Main Level between the Ontario Room and
the Canada Room.
AP 6.3 Mr. Taylor to follow-up with Director of Asset Management regarding adding
the identification of accessibility projects to the position description of the
Accessibility Coordinator.
4. OUTSTANDING AGENDA
ITEMS / CTTE PRIORITIES
The Chair advised that he
and Robert Hunn had prioritized the list of outstanding issues into two
categories: “Must Do’s” and “Nice To Do’s”, keeping in mind that the Committee’s
first obligation is to reduce and/or eliminate barriers regarding accessibility
to
AP 6.4 Mr. Taylor to provide Outstanding Issues list to the new Accessibility
Coordinator.
5. GARAGE WIDTHS IN NEW
HOMES
Members had before them a memorandum from Mr. David Miller, Senior Project Coordinator, with the Town’s Development Services Commission regarding garage dimensions. The memorandum stated that the smallest maximum garage width, for lots not accessed by a lane, is 3.5 metres.
Concern was raised that garages are not able to accommodate wheel chair vans, not only due to width, but also to height. It was suggested that changes should be made to the Building Code to provide for this need. Alternatively, it was suggested that there may be a Federal or Provincial program available that would provide funding for retrofitting a garage.
The feasibility of approaching developers to offer a certain percentage of the homes in a development with extra large driveways was raised. Regional Councillor G. Landon suggested that builders be approached regarding the possibility of making a certain percentage of their homes available with large garages, so that they would be capable of handling wheelchair vans.
The following resolution was put forward:
“That builders within the Town of
AP 6.5 Committee Clerk to forward proposed resolution to Chair and Regional
Councillor G. Landon for their review and place on next meeting agenda for
consideration of Committee.
6. UPDATE ON ACCESSIBILITY COORDINATOR
POSITION
The Chair provided a brief update on the status of the Accessibility Coordinator position. He noted that the position is at the interview stage at this time, and it is expected that an offer will be made to the most qualified candidate within the next week. He will provide Members of Committee with a further update during the summer.
AP 6.6 Chair to provide update during the summer on the status of the Accessibility
Coordinator.
7. DISABILITY TRIVIA CHALLENGE
Mr. Bob Hunn distributed copies of a Trivia Challenge and answer page listing with respect to some well-known people that have been diagnosed with a disability.
8. COMMUNICATIONS
a) Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration –
Committee had before it a letter from the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration requesting nominations for the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship. Following some discussion, it was agreed that the name of Mrs. Marian Matthias would be put forward.
THE
That Mrs. Marian Matthias be nominated for the Ontario Medal for Good
Citizenship.
CARRIED
AP 6.7 Committee Clerk will work with Mrs. Joan Jenkyn to document Mrs.
Matthias’ accomplishments prior to the deadline of August 17, 2008.
b) Ministry of Community and Social Services – Update on Accessibility
Initiatives
Committee had before it a letter dated May 21, 2008 from the Minister of Community and Social Services congratulating all municipal accessibility advisory committees for their efforts and contributions to the local communities with respect to reducing barriers to accessibility. The letter asked that municipalities forward details to the Ministry of local initiatives, and any unique approaches to accessibility awareness.
AP 6.8 Mr. Taylor to forward letter to the new Accessibility Coordinator to provide
information to the Ministry of Community and Social Services on an annual
basis.
9. BUSINESS ARISING FROM
THE MINUTES
a)
A resolution dated February
11, 2008 from the Town of
Members discussed this
resolution which recommends that action be taken to eliminate the misuse in
various ways. Parking spaces designated
with a “wheelchair” symbol are reserved for persons with a registered disabled
parking permit. It was noted that
AP 6.9 Committee Clerk to forward the Town of
Wiles, Manager of By-law Enforcement and Licensing requesting comments.
b) Parking at
Regional Councillor G. Landon
advised Members that
In addition, the concern regarding a large construction trailer being located on a number of the accessible parking spaces has been forwarded to the Hospital staff. Committee will be kept updated on both of these concerns.
NEXT MEETING
September 17, 2008 at 3.30
p.m. in the Canada Room at the
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5.05
p.m.