Sixth Meeting of the Town of Markham

Advisory Committee on Accessibility

 

Minutes

Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 3:30 p.m.

Ontario Room

 

Committee members present:

Carl Bodnar

Jaqueline Bell

Councillor Valerie Burke

Ted Chivers, Co-Chair

Prescott Harrison

Jocelyn Horsford

Robert Hunn, Co-Chair

Rhonda Jacobson

Joan Jenkyn

Scott Labbett

Sidney Polak

Carole Robertson

 

Regrets:

Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

Staff present:

Don Taylor, Manager, Executive Operations

Warren Ruparain, Accessibility Coordinator

Kitty Bavington, Committee Clerk

 

 

The meeting of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility convened at 3:30 pm with Robert Hunn presiding as Chair. Ted Chivers assumed the Chair at 4:15 when Robert Hunn left the meeting.

 

 

1.                  Introduction of New Members

 

The Chair introduced and welcomed new Committee members, Jocelyn Horsford and Rhonda Jacobson. They each provided a brief outline of their background and experience in accessibility issues. Jocelyn has worked in the Ontario Government with the Human Rights Commission, and Rhonda is with the Children’s Treatment Network of Simcoe York.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.                  Approval of Minutes – May 20, 2009

 

Further discussion occurred arising from the minutes, regarding the Disabled Parking sign at the Second Cup located at Warden Avenue and Hwy 7. Warren Ruparain will pursue this matter with the property owner.

 

Moved by: Sidney Polak

Seconded by:  Rhonda Jacobson

 

That the minutes of the May 20, 2009 meeting of the Town of Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility be approved.

                                                            CARRIED

 

 

3.         Accessibility Plan Report Presentation

 

This item was deferred to the next meeting, due to delays in the project.

 

In related news, Warren Ruparain and Don Taylor announced that the Town of Markham has been given $3 million for accessibility upgrades to ten Town of Markham buildings, including the Civic Centre and Milliken Mills Community Centre. This is joint infrastructure funding from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments for Phase 1 and Phase 2 building projects, and includes all items identified in the SPH Planning & Consulting report. Slopes and sidewalk work will be included. All projects must be completed by 2011.

 

The Committee expressed great appreciation for the funding, and requested that Warren and Don draft a letter to the appropriate government offices.

 

Moved by: Ted Chivers

Seconded by:  Joan Jenkyn

 

That a letter of appreciation be sent to the federal and provincial governments, and the Town of Markham, for the accessibility project funding.

                                                            CARRIED

 

 

4.         Regional Forum

 

Ted, Robert, Sidney and Jaqueline reported on their attendance at the Regional Accessibility Forum held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on June 1, 2009. They agreed that it was an uplifting and positive day, well organized, and accommodating to those with disabilities. The key speaker was Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services, who strongly endorsed the work of Accessibility Committees.

 

 

 

 

Presentations included designs and case studies of the history of accessibility committees and the benefits to their communities. Their degree of impact was reflected in the strength of the partnerships with the stakeholders – volunteers, service clubs, civic staff, and the private sector.

 

Copies of the agenda, presentations, the Making Accessibility Happen handbook, and  About the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service booklet  were brought back, and staff will obtain copies for all the members. Sidney provided a highlight sheet and discussed the site checklist, the AAC effectiveness questionnaire, and the impressive accomplishment of the Town of Hunstville. Lengthy discussions included the things that were learned and the ways to move forward. A question was raised regarding representation on the York Region Accessibility Committee. Robert Hunn will find out more and report back at the next meeting, and will try to arrange for a presentation by the Region.

 

The Committee agreed to evaluate the effectiveness of Markham’s AAC by reading the documents that will be provided and completing the questionnaire in the workbook, over the summer. Sidney and Warren will assist the Clerk in preparing a covering letter and determining a timeframe and process for the (anonymous) questionnaire submissions. Ted and Jaqueline also offered to help with the document packages.

 

 

 

5.                              Other Business

 

a)         Correspondence was received from Chris Bird, regarding questions relating to his presentation to the Committee.

 

b)         Correspondence was received from York Region, an Update on Final Proposed Transportation Accessibility Standard.

 

c)                  Regarding deficiencies at the GO Station, Warren Ruparain advised that this property has been included in the Town’s infrastructure budget, and he will provide an update on the progress of improvements at the September meeting.

 

d)         Sidney Polak reported on the recent Public Meeting he had attended for Markham Centre. The project was considered premature, as the Precinct Plan is not in place yet. The Committee discussed intensification and increasingly taller buildings. It was noted that accessibility issues were not discussed at the Public Meeting, however, Councillor Valerie Burke noted that she is able to advocate for accessibility issues at Council. Sidney agreed to continue as liaison, and bring any issues back to this Committee.

 

 

 

 

 

d)         Ted Chivers reported on discussions from the Regional Forum on the inadequate accessibility at the Art Gallery of Ontario, despite recent, very expensive renovations. It was agreed that the best way to get the message across to the AGO is for people who attend to complain or publicize their concerns.

 

d)         Jaqueline Bell provided an update on the misplaced parking at Mandarin Restaurant, at 9th Line and 14th Avenue. The Members of the Committee acknowledged that complaints must be made to the proprietors, and the Town’s By-law Enforcement department should be alerted to any violations. Warren agreed to determine which Town staff or department the Committee should work with in this regard. The Town regulates the number of spaces, but the designated spots are usually identified prior to the tenants being established, and it is up to the business owners to pressure the property management into placing the parking spaces appropriately.

 

Other useful initiatives would be to get the local Town Councillor involved, and to prepare a pamphlet or communications to promote awareness. In this regard, the Committee endorsed proceeding with the publication project with Corporate Communications. It was requested that Denis Flaherty of Corporate Communications be invited to a future meeting.

 

Moved by: Carl Bodnar

Seconded by:  Carole Robertson

 

That the initiative to work with Corporate Communications on a publication to educate and raise awareness of accessibility issues to the residents of Markham, be endorsed.

                                                            CARRIED

 

           

 

6.                  Next Meeting

 

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2009, at 3:30 p.m. in the Ontario Room, Civic Centre.

 

 

The Committee adjourned at 5:25 p.m.