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
Sidney Polak - Chair

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
Laura Gold, Council/Committee Coordinator



Regrets:

Alan Ho
Don Taylor, Manager, Executive Operations

 

 

 

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.