Town of Markham
Advisory Committee on Accessibility
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 3:30 p.m.
Canada Room
Minutes
|
Committee
members present: Regional
Councillor Gord Landon Councillor
Valerie Burke Carl
Bodnar Jaqueline
Bell Prescott
Harrison Jocelyn
Horsford Robert
Hunn Joan Jenkyn Rhonda Jacobson Carole
Robertson |
Staff present: Warren Rupnarain, Accessibility Coordinator Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee Coordinator
Alan
Ho |
The Advisory Committee on Accessibility
convened at 3:36 p.m. with Sidney Polak presiding as Chair.
1.
OPENING REMARKS
The Chair advised that Ms. Kitty Bavington,
Council/Committee Coordinator, had been reassigned to another Committee. The Committee thanked for her excellent
minute taking and wished her well in her future endeavors. Ms. Laura Gold will be taking over the role
of Council/Committee Coordinator of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility.
Regional Councillor Gord Landon advised
that he also would be leaving the Committee.
The Committee thanked him for serving the Committee and wished him best
in his future endeavors.
The Chair advised that Lorne Black, By-Law
Enforcement Officer, had past away. The
Committee provided its condolences.
2. APPROVAL
OF MINUTES
Moved
by Prescott Harrison
Seconded
by Joan Jenkyn
That the Minutes
of the December 15, 2010 Advisory Committee on Accessibility be adopted.
CARRIED.
3. PRESENTATION
PATHWAYS AND TRAILS
Mr. Lorenzo Mele, Transportation
Coordinator, provided a presentation on Markham’s pathways and trials. The policy objectives at both the provincial
and local levels were discussed; noting one of the objectives is to create
interconnected pathways and trails throughout Markham. Members thought the pathways and trails should
be accessible to individuals with mobility issues and that the policy statement
should include individuals with mobility issues in its description of pathway and
trail users. Markham is currently in the
process of updating its Official Plan, which would include changing some of its
language to include residents with mobility issues (e.g. wheelchairs and
scooters).
Currently,
Markham has a number of excellent pathways and trails, but they do not go
anywhere. Additionally, most of the pathways
and trails have a crushed lime stone surface, which is not accessible for all. Staff are working on establishing a preferred pathways
and trails option. Consideration will be
given to the environmental sensitivity of an area, the slope of the land and
whether the pathway will be used by a broad group of residents.
All decisions regarding the surface type for
trails or pathways will consider both accessibility and environmental concerns. It may not be feasible to make all trails and
pathways accessible, but where feasible trials and pathways will be made
accessible. The pathways would include
appropriate signage and will be approximately three meters wide.
A Member questioned if boardwalks were
being considered as a surface type for trials and pathways, as they are
ecologically sound and accessible for all.
This type of surface was being considered for certain areas. It was
noted that the less accessible crushed limestone is initially cheaper than
creating a hard surface, but it has been found to be more expensive to maintain
overtime.
Mr. Mele advised that there is a hard
surface pathway that goes from South Unionville to the commercial area on McCowan
Road, noting the pathway is not cleared in the winter months. The decision to clear a pathway during the
winter months was based on the budget, community need and the surface type of
the pathway.
4. CULTURE
AND ACCESSIBILITY
Ms. Joan Jenkyn discussed culture and
accessibility, advising she is being interviewed by the Director of Culture, as
part of research being conducted in the formulation of Markham’s first Cultural
Plan. It was noted that the Director of
Culture will be coming to a future meeting to discuss the Culture Plan. One of the aims of the Cultural Plan is to
create “new opportunities for active participation….for seniors and persons
with physical and mental challenges”.
Culture was defined to include: society’s values and assumptions;
processes and mediums to communicate; and expressions.
The composition of the Building a Creative
Markham Advisory Committee was discussed.
Some Members felt its composition should include a representative from
the Advisory Committee on Accessibility in order to effectively address
accessibility and culture in the new Cultural Plan. The issue of being able to participate in all
aspect of culture was discussed (e.g. art, dance, heritage, literature, films
and television, and photography).
The Committee felt youth with disabilities are
generally being well served in York Region.
Although there was some concern
that disabled children under the age of four from diverse communities in
Markham are not being reached due to cultural barriers. An information pamphlet regarding the
“Inclusive Recreation Summer Information Fair” being held on February 24 at
3:30p.m. at Markham Civic Centre was distributed.
5. DISCUSSION
OF AAC DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL IN MARCH, 2011
Mr. Warren Rupnarain, Accessibility
Coordinator, and Mr. Sidney Polak, Chair, will make a deputation to the
Development Services Committee in March suggesting ways to make the site plan
process more effective. A memorandum to
staff will be distributed with the agenda outlining the accessibility issues
and the next steps. The Committee believed
that accessibility should be recognized in Site Plans and that the first step
to improving the site plan process is recognizing where the gaps are occurring.
It was clarified that the new development
on Highway 48, south of Major Mackenzie Drive, will have retail stores on both
sides of the complex, explaining that some of the retail stores will be located
near the accessible parking spaces.
Although they are still positioned a long ways from the other side of retail
development.
There was a discussion regarding having two
classes of accessible parking spaces, which would include a class for individuals
with mobility issues, and a class for individuals with heart conditions or
similar types of conditions. The
Province’s Building and Environment Committee is recommending to the Provincial
Legislature that two classes of accessible parking spaces be created.
It was explained that accessible parking
spaces are randomly monitored and are complaint driven. Enforcement of
accessible parking spaces on private property is permitted through cost sharing
agreements between the landowners and the municipality. Municipal by-laws regarding accessible
parking spaces are applicable to private landowners.
6. MARKHAM ADVISORY BOARD AND COMMITTEE
APPOINTMENTS
Ms. Bavington advised that appointments to
Markham Advisory Boards and Committees may not occur for another few months,
noting Members will be advised when they will be able to reapply to serve on
the Committee
7. CHALLENGES AND BEST PRACTICES
This item was discussed at the previous
meeting.
8. 2011
FOCUS
The Committee noted it would continue to
work on its initiatives with the Business Improvement Areas and the Board of
Trade in 2011. Further discussion on
this item was deferred to the next meeting.
The need to identify areas where
efforts can and should be focused in 2011, the purpose of the AAC, the use of
sub-committees as a vehicle for working items at a more detailed level and the
availability and opportunity of AAC members to provide additional effort
will be reviewed at the next meeting.
9. OTHER
BUSINESS
Correspondence Regarding Accessibility
Concerns with York Region Transit
An email from Piragal Thiru, Planner
Accessible Services, York Region, responding to a concern regarding the
accessibility of VIVA buses was discussed.
The response stated that buses are equipped with an automatic system,
which announces the next stop. When the
system is down the bus driver is supposed to announce the stop. Members noted the system is frequently down
and that the drivers do not always announce the stops. The email also noted that all signs are based
on CNIB guidelines. It was noted that
guidelines were up to interpretations.
The GO buses were thought to be better equipped to meet the needs of
individuals with accessibility issues.
Mr. Rupnarain was requested to email Mr. Thiru and invite him to an
upcoming meeting to discuss accessibility issues with VIVA buses.
Door Openers
Mr. Rupnarain reported that the automatic
door openers at Civic Centre are being updated.
The automatic door opener will now be placed on a tower rather than
having a large button on the doorway. The Tower will open one door at time,
noting there will be a separate button for each door. The Canada Room, York Room and Ontario Room
will also be equipped with automatic door openers. There are also plans to have an accessible
washroom on both the lower and upper levels of Civic Centre.
Booth at Markville Mall
Mr. Rupnarain reported that he will book a community
booth at Markville Mall for a Saturday in February. It was recommended that Members be assigned
to work two hour shifts.
10. NEXT
MEETING
The next meeting of the Advisory Committee
on Accessibility will be held on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at 3: 30 p.m. in
the Canada Room.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The Advisory Committee on Accessibility
adjourned at 5:33 p.m.
Attachment:
Outstanding Items List (updated on December 15, 2010)
1. Promotions and Business Initiatives
Subcommittee
a)
Brochure: Interested
Committee members will arrange to distribute the brochures at the community booth in Markville Mall. Warren will
coordinate.
b)
Insert in Markham Life Magazine
c) ACRA
nomination for Markham business achievement in public service
d) Board
of Trade Awards: invite winner to AAC meeting to celebrate the
achievement.
2. Outreach
Subcommittee
a) Alan Ho to liaise
with other organizations in such events as roundtable meetings and
breakfast meetings
b) Joining
the Coalition of Ontario Accessibility Advisory Committees. Warren will provide
more information regarding the benefits of joining.
3. Site
Plan Review Subcommittee
a) Subcommittee developing a
checklist of principles and features including the Markham Accessibility Guidelines,
to provide consistency in the reviews.
b) Motion at November, 2010 meeting:
That
representatives of the Advisory Committee of Accessibility work with Town staff
to rectify the current situation at the new development on Highway 48, south of
Major Mackenzie Drive, and prepare for a deputation to the Development Services
Committee by the end of March, 2011, to present the Committee’s concerns
regarding development that ignores accessibility issues.
4. Opportunities
Subcommittee
a)
Compile a list of opportunities for
consideration.
5. AAC
membership renewal of terms
Clerk to provide
forms at a future meeting. Recruitment will begin in February or later.
6. Lack
of accessible parking on Main Streets in Unionville and Markham.
Markham BIA has attended to discuss parking issues. AAC
members were encouraged to attend a future BIA meeting and submit an article
for their newsletter. (Rhonda, Jaqueline and Sidney to attend)
Unionville BIA attended in September, 2010 and encouraged AAC to
work on parking and washroom issues with the Town.
7. Main
Street Environmental Assessment
Warren and Markham BIA to coordinate efforts to
ensure accessibility issues are not missed. A presentation was made in June,
and Dale MacKenzie will make a further presentation with design details.
8. Bench
Installation
Investigate/arrange presentation in April/May on
practices regarding installation of benches along sidewalks, in malls, and
other locations, and what funding is available.
9. Toronto Parking Regulations
Handicapped parking is permitted in any “no parking”
areas in Toronto. Gord Landon offered to bring this matter forward at the next
Parking Advisory Committee meeting.
10. Heritage/BIA
- Staff to provide info
on coordination of accessibility and heritage in the Niagara-on-the- Lake area (Warren)
- Update on the BIA mandate to be
provided following Council/BIA workshops
11. Staff presentations
Committee
members to indicate to staff the department heads/managers they wish to have a
presentation from.
12. VIVA Buses
Warren,
will invite Piragal Thiru, Accessible Services, York Region, to an upcoming
Advisory Committee on Accessibility Committee meeting to discuss accessibility
issues with VIVA.
13. Focus for 2011
A list of items will be presented at
the January, 2011 meeting.