Second Meeting of the Town of Markham

Advisory Committee on Accessibility

Minutes

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

3:30 p.m.

Committee members present:

Carl Bodner

Jaqueline Bell

Councillor Valerie Burke

Ted Chivers, Co-Chair

Prescott Harrison

Robert Hunn, Co-Chair

Joan Jenkyn

Scott Labbett

Regional Councillor Gordon Landon

Sidney Polak

Regrets:

Carole Robertson

Staff present:

Kitty Bavington, Committee Clerk

Andrew Brouwer, Deputy Clerk

Shirley Marsh, Senior Planner, Urban Design

Warren Rupnarain, Accessibility Coordinator

Don Taylor, Acting Director, Strategic Initiatives

The meeting of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility convened at 3:30 PM with Robert Hunn presiding as Chair.

1. Approval of Minutes – January 21, 2009

Approval of the minutes of the January 21, 2009 meeting of the Town of Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility was deferred to the next meeting.

2. Update on Accessibility Guidelines

Shirley Marsh, Senior Planner, Urban Design, was in attendance to provide an update on the status of Markham’s Accessibility Guidelines. The draft document had been circulated to staff in early 2009 and will be presented to the Development Services Committee on February 24, for comments. Staff will be incorporating comments received and the new Accessibility to Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards into the document and it will then be circulated to the Advisory Committee on Accessibility. It is anticipated to be finalized within a few months.

It was outlined that although the Province has not included implementation policies in the AODA Standards, and is unclear on built-form requirements (retro-fitting), Markham intends to exceed the requirements and incorporate these policies in its guidelines, which will be a “living” document with constant updates. The minimum standards of the AODA (when it comes into effect) and the Building Code Act must be complied with; however, staff will strongly encourage builders to adhere to the higher standards in the Town’s guidelines.

The Committee identified incidents of buildings that have been re-built or renovated without including accessibility standards, including Heritage buildings. Discussions included new vs. retrofitted structures, privately-owned buildings, and legal issues relating to third-party tenants. The Committee requested that staff attend the next meeting to discuss the protocols with respect to the application of accessibility requirements for new and retrofit commercial construction, including heritage considerations. Shirley Marsh, Andrew Brouwer, and Ted Chivers agreed to follow up on this matter.

3. Outstanding Items and Issues

Warren Rupnarain, Accessibility Coordinator, reviewed an updated list of outstanding items and issues. The Committee questioned the target dates for completion and the amount of effort and resources required. Warren responded with particulars of the timeframes involved, and agreed to include this information at future meetings. He reported that due to the delays in finalizing the 2009 Accessibility Plan, a recommendation has been made to the consultants that they proceed to finalize it with the information available. The Committee suggested that the Plan be codified to track actions and outcomes in each department.

With respect to the “Nice To Do’s”, Warren advised that #1, Draft FAQs, was no longer required as a result of the customer service standards training program. Clarification was provided that # 2, Hosting a meeting of York Region Accessibility Advisory Committees, should encompass various disability-oriented organizations and diversity coordinators.

Warren confirmed that a staff member dealing with diversity issues will attend the next Accessibility meeting.

It was suggested that an initiative by a former co-op student to have a team of students compile a list of inappropriately located/identified/labelled handicap parking spaces throughout the Town, be reinstated in the To-Do list.

4. Response to Parking Enquiries

As a follow-up to discussions at the last meeting, the Committee had before it, written enquiries concerning accessible parking issues, and a response to the enquires from Bill Wiles, the Manager of By-law Enforcement and Licensing.

Jacqueline Bell reviewed accessibility issues at the Markham Train Station washroom, and displayed a diagram to illustrate obstacles at the entrance and walkway of the station. The staff memo noted that the parking lot and walkway were constructed to the standards at the time of construction, and that they are owned by GO Transit. Gord Landon advised that the washroom concerns would have to be addressed by the Train Station Board. The Chair agreed to write a letter to the Board on behalf of the Committee, and to copy the letter to Council members. The Clerk will provide contact information to the Chair.

With respect to the parking situation at the Mandarin Restaurant, it was noted that, through the site plan process, parking spot designations are often assigned prior to the tenants of the building being identified, and sometimes the designations or site design are not appropriate. This is an issue for planning staff, and may be addressed through the site plan process. Another concern that was identified was the location of the ramp to the curb being located in the middle of the parking spot, which makes access awkward.

The LCBO site at Highway 7 and Woodbine Avenue was also identified as a problem location. It was suggested that the planning process include a review by staff that are cognisant of accessibility constraints. It was also recognized that the role of the Accessibility Committee includes identifying such issues and concerns and ensuring that Council and staff are aware of them so that they can be more effective. The staff memo included two phone numbers for reporting infractions, and the Committee was encouraged to make use of them. Methods of promoting and advertising the phone numbers were discussed, including promotion on the Town’s weekly advertisements.

Staff advised that accessibility sensitivity training for all Town staff and members of all Town committees will be taking place in the coming months; which will hopefully have an impact on the community’s mindset. The first phase will focus on customer service and future training will deal with physical aspects. Public sector training is required by 2012. A private sector agency has been formed, and there will be an opportunity to coordinate the Town’s guidelines with the agency.

5. Other Business

Eat Smart

Valerie Burke introduced the possibility of teaming up with the Eat Smart program, a Regional initiative that provides a brochure of health conscious restaurants, and includes a symbol identifying establishments that are accessible. Valerie will provide contact information to Warren for follow up action.

Varley Art Gallery

The members were provided with an information sheet and were invited to attend the opening of the Legally Deafblind exhibit at the Varley Art Gallery on March 15, 2009. The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, is expected to be in attendance.

Communication and Information Standard

Warren read a letter from Markham’s Chief Administrative Officer in response to the Communication and Information Standard circulation, to the Minister of **____voicing several concerns.

Draft Accessibility Plan Presentation

The draft Accessibility Guidelines for 2009 will be presented to the Development Services Committee of Markham on Tuesday, February 24, at 9:00 a.m. in the Canada Room. Members of the Accessibility Advisory Committee were encouraged to attend, or to listen via webstream on the Town’s website. The Clerk was requested to provide the minutes from the February 24^th meeting to the Committee.

6. Adjournment

Moved by: Joan Jenkyn

Seconded by: Robert Hunn

That the February 18, 2009 meeting of the Town of Markham Committee on Accessibility be adjourned.

CARRIED

The Committee adjourned at 5:20 p.m.