Town of
Advisory Committee on Accessibility
Minutes
Ontario Room
Committee
members present:
Jaqueline Bell
Councillor Valerie Burke
Jocelyn Horsford
Joan Jenkyn
Sidney Polak - Chair
Carole Robertson
Regrets:
Carl Bodnar
Ted Chivers
Robert Hunn
Rhonda Jacobson
Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Staff present:
Warren Rupnarain,
Henry Tse, Asset Management
Glen Taylor, Director of Recreation
Services
Rob Bell, Thornhill Community Centre
Kitty Bavington, Committee Clerk
The meeting of the Advisory Committee on
1. Minutes –
The minutes were deferred to the next meeting.
The Chair requested that a list of pending or outstanding items arising from the minutes, be kept for the Committee’s review.
2. Infrastructure Grant for Accessibility
Henry Tse, Asset Management, and Glen Taylor, Director of Recreation Services, provided an update on the $3 million of infrastructure funding. The funding is one-third from each of the provincial, federal, and municipal governments, and the projects must be completed by March, 2011.
Shane
Holton, Consultant, and Paul Cheng of MHPM, advised that the architect and
staff will prepare recommendations on the scope of work and priority of action
items. Ten facilities involved include the Civic Centre, Milliken Mills
Community Centre, Crosby Arena,
The Committee thanked staff and the consultants for the presentation.
3. Thornhill Community Centre Expansion and Accessibility
Glen Taylor and Rob
Bell gave a brief overview of the recent (2006) expansion of the Thornhill
Community centre, and the new renovations planned for the fitness centre,
entrance, and library, as a result of the stimulus funding.
Robert Penner, Supervisor, Business System Improvement, Wesley Lim and Nicholas Tryphos give a presentation, displaying plans and explaining the renovation details. Discussions included the replacement of the trees, architectural features, and energy efficiencies. The library will include an elevator to the second floor, for barrier-free accessibility. A report will be presented to Council in early December.
The Committee had comments regarding
washroom locations and insufficient lighting in the library. The members were
interested in touring the facility, and Warren Rupnarian will try to coordinate
a visit for the members.
The Committee thanked staff and the
consultants for the presentation.
4. Accessible Business Initiative
Warren Rupnarain provided an e-mail with an
update on the accessible business initiative. The first meeting of the Business
Initiative Sub-committee went well, and a strategy was developed for the accessibility
awards and recognition.
5.
The Markham Mobility Foundation is donating an accessibility van to a suitable organization, and is requesting input from the ACA. The Committee considered several candidates, but did not arrive at a recommendation.
6. Accessibility Plan Letters of Appreciation
The Chair advised that the draft letters of
appreciation to federal & provincial governments have been finalized, with
minor changes.
7. Resignation of Scott
Labbett
The Committee agreed that another member is needed, and requested that the position be filled.
8. Sustainability Fair
Joan Jenkyn and Jacqueline Bell were scheduled to make a presentation regarding their attendance at the Accessibility Fair, but due to time constraints, this item was deferred tot eh next meeting. Joan provide a written summary and a handout on Hybrid vehicles, that will be circulated for the next meeting.
9. Questionnaire
Deferred to next meeting.
10. Opportunities
The Committee discussed the draft pamphlet that had been sent to Corporate Communications requesting they review and prepare a finished document for general purpose information to the public. Corporate Communications continue to work on the draft Accessibility Information pamphlet previously submitted. Corporate Communications also be requested to draft a smaller version of the pamphlet, for insertion into the Markham Life magazine.
This is an example of an opportunity the Markham AAC is working on. Further discussion was deferred to the next meeting.
11.
12. New Business
c) Accessibility Customer Service
As part of the provincially-mandated
accessibility customer service program, the committee members were provided
with copies of the Town of
b) Local Businesses
A Committee member reported that the Food
Basics store in Thornhill does not have an accessibility automatic door opener
at the exterior entrance, and the owner has been approached, but refuses to
have one installed. It was suggested that the devise may be eligible as a tax
deduction, and
It was reported that the entrance and the
accessible parking at the Boston Pizza restaurant are not facing the parking
lot, and it is difficult to manoeuvre. The Committee questioned if the Town or
the owner decided on this site plan layout, and
The Committee noted that the current construction at the Civic Centre is obstructing the accessible parking space area.
c) 2010 Animal Care Calendar
Joan Jenkyn presented the 2010 Animal care Calendar that is being sold to raise funds. A supply will be brought to the next meeting for anyone who would like to purchase one.
d) Olympic Torch Flag-raising
Councillor Valerie Burke advised that an
Olympic Torch media launch and flag-raising ceremony had been held earlier that
day, and that
13. Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for
The Committee adjourned at