MINUTES
SENIORS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
November 9, 2010
4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.

Attendance: Deputy Mayor Jack Heath, Councillor Valerie Burke, Angela Morris, Chair, Ramma Chabra, Jaswant Dhanjal, Katy Kwan, Susan Leppington, Sandra Donin, Jeyasakthy Thayaparan, Manickampillai Velauthapillai, Lori Wells, Manager of Programs, Susan Watts, Seniors Coordinator, and Laura Gold, Committee Clerk. Regrets: Councillor Carolina Moretti, Warren Carroll, and Ivy NG
1. Call to Order	The Seniors Advisory Committee convened at 4:07 p.m. with Ms. Angela Morris presiding as Chair.
2. Approval of the Minutes from the October 10, 2010 Seniors Advisory Committee	The Seniors Advisory Committee Recommended: That the Minutes from the October 10, 2010 Seniors Advisory Committee be approved as presented. CARRIED
3. Additions or Changes to the Agenda	The following item was added to the November 10, 2010 Agenda under New Business: 5. B. York Region Transit discussion The Seniors Advisory Committee Recommended: That the Agenda be adopted as amended. CARRIED
4. Business Arising from the Minutes	There were no items arising from the Minutes.
5. New Business 5. A. Revisiting Committee Priorities 5.B.York Region Transit Discussion	The Committee revisited the strategic priorities selected at the July 2010 meeting to ensure the Committee was still committed to these priorities. Transit There was discussion regarding using volunteers to drive seniors to their destinations. Members felt the transit system was not flexible enough to depend on volunteer drivers. They also thought there were issues with insuring volunteer drivers. The Committee questioned if there was anything they could do to make it easier for volunteer drivers. The Committee thought it could look at feasible transit systems for seniors, noting that there are many seniors who are able bodies, but who are unable to drive and depend on a reliable transit system. The Committee discussed a transit system that involves a minivan taking passengers directly from their home to their destination. This was Members preferred transit option, as they were concerned in regards to the cost of having to pay for a private driver to get to a specified destination, such as an important medical appointment, especially for those least able to pay. The Committee felt it was important to note that not all seniors need subsidized transportation and that only those who need it should be subsidized. The Committee thought the shuttle bus services that operate at the seniors homes, where everyone pays $5 dollars to go to a specified destination were well run services that should continue to operate. Members discussed using less utilized bus routes to take seniors directly from finch station to their homes. They thought this type of service should take a regular bus fare. It was felt that the next generation of seniors will need reliable transportation services and that they are willing to pay for these services. The Committee felt it was important to make the community aware of underutilized bus routes before cancelling them. A Member noted that is difficult to use York Region Transit (YRT), as the schedule is not posted at all bus stops and the drivers are not always helpful. A Member thought there was a YRT bus running that does not have any destination stops. The Committee Clerk was requested to email Mr. Chui, York Region Transit, to find out if there is a YRT bus that runs without destination stops. The Committee wondered if York Region had plans to adapt its transportation system to the aging population. Deputy Mayor Heath explained that York Region’s aim is to get more seniors to take regular transportation rather than to expand specialized services, noting it is cheaper to provide specialized services as part of a regular bus service. It was explained that York Region could not remove all mobility buses, as some people are unable to get to a bus stop. The Committee thought about ways to reduce the cost of transit. There was a discussion about establishing a bus system that worked similar to the ambulance system. Deputy Mayor Heath explained that the Caribbean has a bus system that works similar to the ambulance system, where a minivan picks passengers up from their homes and takes them directly to their destinations. The Committee reviewed the letter that was sent to Mr. Chui. It was recommended that the letter be sent to all of the Regional Councillors. Affordable Housing The Committee felt it was discouraging that government would never meet Markham’s social housing needs. It was noted that most people that are on the list are not living on the street. The Committee hoped that all applicants were screened heavily before being provided with social housing. Deputy Mayor Heath was going to make sure the Committee got the current waitlist numbers for social housing in Markham. There was a discussion regarding developers devoting a percentage of new developments to social housing. The issue that residents have a positive feeling about social housing, but do not want social housing in their own neighborhood/ subdivision was noted. The Committee was advised that one way of increasing the supply of affordable housing is by intensification. It was noted that in theory it may seem ideal to mix different groups of individuals, but in application most people are not crazy about having mixed groups of people living in close vicinity. A Member noted that additional seniors units have been added to the supply of affordable housing through non-profit groups raising money through fundraising. The example of the “Voice of Vedas” was provided. The project created affordable housing for South Asian seniors living in Richmond Hill. The Committee Clerk was requested to send an email to Ms. Patterson thanking her for her presentation and requesting suggestions with respect to what Markham can do to increase the supply of affordable housing in Markham. Suggestions may include a suitable motion that Council could bring forward. The Committee questioned what the objections were to having basement apartments (second suites) in Markham. It was explained that parking is an issue due to provisions outlined in the Extended Driveway By-law. Another issue is that many residents do not want strangers living in their community. Social Participation The Committee felt it was important for the community to know about the various clubs offered for seniors in Markham. Ms. Lori Wells, Manager of Programs, advised she would do a presentation on the different clubs/services available to seniors in Markham at the next meeting. The Committee Clerk was requested to add this item to the next agenda. A Member questioned if there were any plans to expand Armadale Community Center. He was advised that there are currently no plans to expand Armadale Community Center. It was noted that there have been discussions about expanding other Community Centers in the area. A Member felt more dedicated space for the seniors was required at Armadale Community Center. Staff explained that they would like to provide Seniors’ with more space, but they need to balance the use of the space with other stakeholder groups. The Committee thanked Lori Wells and Susan Watts for all of their efforts to accommodate the Committee’s needs. The Committee felt Markham could improve its communication to seniors in regards to what services already exists for seniors in Markham. They discussed creating a brochure communicating services available to seniors. Ms. Wells advised that this already exists, as the services available to seniors are published in the Markham Life Magazine. Ms. Watts advised that she gets lots of phone calls from seniors who recently moved to Markham looking for information on seniors’ services and activities in Markham. Note section 5.B was discussed under section 5.A.	Email Mr. Chui and ask him if there is a bus running without destination. Also ask him if schedules are located every bus stop – Laura Gold Email letter to Mr. Chui to Regional Councillors – Laura Gold Provide Committee with current wait list numbers for affordable housing in Markham – Deputy Mayor Heath Email Ms. Patterson thanking her for her presentation and asking her for suggestions with respect to what Markham can do to increase the supply of affordable housing in Markham (suggestions possibly regarding Council making a motion) – Laura Gold Provide a presentation at the next meeting regarding which services exist for seniors’ in Markham – Lori Wells
6. Next Meeting Date	The next meeting of the Seniors Advisory Committee will be held on Tuesday, January 11 at 4:00 p.m. in the Canada Room.
7. Adjournment	The Seniors Advisory Committee adjourned at 5:54 p.m.