Seventh Meeting of the Town of Markham

Advisory Committee on Accessibility

 

Minutes

Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 3:30 p.m.

Ontario Room

 

Committee members present:

Jaqueline Bell

Councillor Valerie Burke

Prescott Harrison

Jocelyn Horsford

Robert Hunn

Sidney Polak - Chair

Carole Robertson

 

Regrets:

Carl Bodnar

Ted Chivers

Rhonda Jacobson

Joan Jenkyn

Scott Labbett

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 3:35 pm with Sidney Polak presiding as Chair.

 

 

1.         Approval of Minutes – June 17, 2009

 

Items arising from the minutes were discussed later in the meeting.

 

Moved by: Robert Hunn

Seconded by: Jaqueline Bell

 

That the minutes of the June 17, 2009 meeting of the Town of Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility be approved.

                                    CARRIED

 

 

 

 

2.         East Markham Community Centre and Library

 

Henry Tse, Project Manager for the Town of Markham, Duff Balmer and Amin Ebrahim of Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners (STIP), and Garry Adamkowski of MHPH Project Managers, Inc., were in attendance to give a presentation on the new East Markham Community Centre and Library. This project is in conjunction with the expansion of the Markham-Stouffville Hospital at Bur Oak and 9th Line.

 

The consultants gave an overview of the proposal, and detailed the accessibility features.  

-     the design complies with Markham standards and stairs have been modified to Markham standards with a wider tread, exceeding Building Code standards

-         level grading so that no ramps are required at the front

-         eight accessible parking spaces are provided (7 are required), 9m wide with accessibility aisle, adjacent to the elevators

-         there is a canopy-covered walkway to the main building

-         there are four elevators and dual height receptions desks and work spaces, accessible washrooms, automatic sliding doors, adapted lighting and computers, barrier-free fitness equipment, accessible change rooms, showers, and seating

-         for access to the pools, there are ramps and a hydraulic lift

-         the therapy pool is a substantial size of 25 x 60, and the main pool depth is 1m to 3m deep with a gradual slope

-         the running track has one wider land to accommodate wheelchairs

 

Committee comments and suggestions:

-         ensure shower doors open appropriately and soap dispensers are provided in each stall – it was suggested that the shower cubicles in Centennial Fitness centre be viewed by the consultants, as a good example

-         a warning strip adjacent to the pool for visually-impaired

-         include lifts for all the pools

-         provide handrails along the open space corridors on the first floor (already included on second floor)

-         provide a privacy area for nursing mothers

-         ensure signs are clear and legible, with raised pictograms and Braille

-         parking garage should have 10 accessible spaces, and accommodate has to be provided for taller accessibility vehicles

-         elevators should include visually and hearing impaired assistance devises

 

The Committee expressed appreciation to staff and the consultants for the presentation.

 

 

3.         Cycling and Pedestrian Committee Initiatives

 

This item was deferred, as staff were not in attendance.

 

 

 

 

 

4.         Business Arising From The Minutes

 

Accessibility Plan Report Presentation

Warren advised that this report had been delayed to next year, due to recent infrastructure funding for accessibility projects. Warren is preparing a letter of appreciation to the federal and provincial governments, and will present them at the next meeting.

 

Go Station

Warren advised that the deficiencies at the GO Station have been addressed by the infrastructure grants noted previously.

 

Regional Presentation

Bob Hunn will arrange a presentation by the Region. Discussions included Committee representation at the Regional level. Bob and Sidney will follow up on the discussion.

 

Parking at Second Cup

Warren will report back at the next meeting.

 

Parking at the Mandarin

Jaqueline Bell has written to the local Councillor regarding this issue, and will report back when a response is received.

 

Communications

Denis Flaherty of Corporate Communications will be invited to a future meeting to discuss communications options to promote awareness, such as a pamphlet

 

Questionnaire

Only five responses have been received, and the discussion of this item was deferred to the next meeting to allow additional responses. Committee members were urged to respond, if they have not already done so. Warren will invite a representative from ODAO to analyse and discuss the results of the questionnaire.

 

 

5.         New Business

 

Opportunities

The Committee discussed focusing on opportunities in order to accomplish projects. It was suggested that reviewing Official Plans zoning by-laws and site plans may be a more effective direction. The members were requested to think about what they would like to achieve, and what they would like to focus on, for discussion at the next meeting.

 

Markham Board of Trade

Warren will be bringing forward a report at the next meeting regarding an accessible business initiative for accessibility awards and recognition.

 

 

 

Accessibility Customer Service

Warren provided copies of the brochure outlining the Accessibility Customer Service training that is given to all Town staff and committee members. Jaqueline requested a copy of the training presentation.

 

Toronto By-laws

Jaqueline has checked into Toronto’s parking by-laws with respect to allowing accessibility parking in no-parking zones, and requested that a similar initiative be provided in Markham. Warren will discuss this issue with the Bill Wiles, Manager of By-law Enforcement.

 

Civic Centre Accessible Parking

The Committee discussed the placement of the accessible parking spaces at the Markham Civic Centre, and suggested that a closer location could be provided, and at the side entrances.

 

Moved by: Sidney Polak

Seconded by: Carole Robertson

 

That the Town of Markham be requested to address the location of Civic Centre accessibility parking, including at the Milliken, Thornhill, and Unionville entrances,

as there are currently closer non-designated parking spaces that would be more appropriate for this purpose.

                                    CARRIED

 

 

6.                  Next Meeting

 

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at 3:30 p.m. in the Canada Room, Civic Centre.

 

 

The Committee adjourned at 5:25 p.m.