Town of Markham

Advisory Committee on Accessibility

Minutes

Wednesday, December 15, 2010, 3:30 p.m.

Ontario Room

Committee members present:

Carl Bodnar

Councillor Valerie Burke

Prescott Harrison

Jocelyn Horsford

Robert Hunn

Joan Jenkyn

Sidney Polak - Chair

Carole Robertson

Regrets:

Jaqueline Bell

Allan Ho

Rhonda Jacobson

Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Staff present:

Don Taylor, Manager, Executive Operations

Warren Ruparain, Accessibility Coordinator

Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee Coordinator

The meeting of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility convened at 3:35 pm with Sidney Polak presiding as Chair.

1. Minutes – November 17, 2010

Moved by: Carl Bodnar

Seconded by: Carole Robertson

That the minutes of the November 17, 2010 meeting of the Town of Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility be approved.

CARRIED

2. Presentation – Contact Centre

Rhonda Bosch, Manger, Contact Centre, explained the Town’s windrow snow removal program, with respect to making a request, eligibility, and the service provided. Approximately 1740 houses are currently on the program, and application forms are available on-line. The Committee discussed the level of service that is provided by contractors, and the qualifications for eligibility. It was noted that the service is also available through high school student programs. The Committee suggested that this service be advertised to residents groups, particularly seniors groups.

3. Challenges and Best Practices

Site Plans & Accessible Parking

Sydney reported his disappointment at the accessible parking provisions for the new development on Hwy 48 south of Major Mackenzie, and advised that the accessible parking spaces for a main building are at the extreme end of the parking lot, 300 yards away from the door. Other accessible spaces were located by the rear loading docks with no curb cuts and with snow piles accumulating on them. He noted that the banks, however, had the accessible parking spots perfectly positioned.

The Committee discussed their concerns about the site plan process. Since the Mayor is promoting disability initiatives, the committee considered making a delegation to Council.

Sydney advised that he has been working with Planning staff to identify standards for future applications. It was suggested that the Site Plan Subcommittee continue to work with staff to resolve issues on this site, and to identify and prevent the gap that allows development to deviate from approved plans. Parking issues are a complaint-driven issues, since they are not regulated in the Building Code. Council could be approached in order to reinforce and bring awareness of this problem to the Town, the development industry, and the media.

Moved by: Carl Bodnar

Seconded by: Prescott Harrison

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.

CARRIED

4. Outreach

Outreach Strategy

The Committee agreed to continue to liaise with the groups that had made a presentation at the November 17 meeting, and considered that there would be a mutual advantage to both sides. There is a common interest in disability issues.

Brochure

Warren asked interested members to identify dates that they are available to promote brochures at Markville Mall. The days suggested are Friday or Saturday, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (two shifts).

5. 2011 Focus

The Committee considered priorities for 2011, and discussed suggestions and the status of ongoing projects:

- Site plans drawings – work is ongoing

- Municipal parking spots – proper signage, curb cuts, etc.

- More involvement with the Board of Trade initiatives

- Work with the BIAs – tied to Markham Board of Trade and business initiatives

- Heritage restrictions

- Implementing $3m accessibility grant projects

- Budget preparation

Carole requested promotion of alternate document formats being made available for sight-impaired persons. Warren advised that it is a Town policy that all Town documents are available in a variety of accessible formats.

Other items discussed were the accessible trail systems being developed in the Town’s public realm strategy; the Town’s website is difficult to navigate to find accessibility information; and retrofit of the main front door openers at the Civic Centre.

A refined list will be presented at the next meeting

6. VIVA Bus

As a follow-up to an issue identified at the November meeting regarding accessibility for visually-impaired persons on VIVA busses, staff has contacted VIVA and they are requesting specifics about the concern. Councillor Burke will contact the resident in question for more details.

7. Next Meeting - Wednesday, January 19, 2010, in the Canada Room

The Committee adjourned at 5:00 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:

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

Accessibility issues to be addressed. Valerie will contact resident that complained, for more details.

13. Focus for 2011

A list of items will be presented at the January, 2011 meeting.