MINUTES
SENIORS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
August 10, 2010
4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.

Attendance:

Committee Members:
Angela Morris, Chair ,Warren Carroll, Vice-chair, Shirley Burchell, Jaswant Dhanjal, Sandra Donin, Deputy Mayor Jack Heath, Tazneem Karimjee, Ramma Chabra, Katy Dwan, Councillor Carolina Moretti, Ivy Ng, Manickampillai Velauthapillai, Susan Watts, Seniors Coordinator, Alida Tari, Committee Clerk

Regrets:
Councillor Burke, Susan Leppington, Dr. Jeyasakathy Thayaparan

Guests

Kim, Mobility Plus; William Choi, York Region Transit; Piragual Thiru, York Region Transit

Agenda Item	Description	Action Item
1. CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOMING REMARKS	The meeting of the Seniors Advisory Committee was called to order at 4:12PM with Angela Morris presiding as Chair.
2. YORK REGION TRANSIT	Mr. William Choi, York Region Transit delivered a PowerPoint presentation with respect to bus services provided to Seniors also known as Community Bus Routes. The following questions were asked and answered: · (Q) Is the senior’s service available on Sundays? (A) not currently · (Q) What areas in Markham currently have Community Bus Routes? (A) only the Cornell area is currently serviced. The Thornhill service was suspended approximately 4 years ago. · (Q) Will you provide this type of presentation at a senior’s facility if requested? Yes. · (Q) Will there be Community Bus routes south of the Highway 407 area? (A) The main challenge to obtaining a route there is lack of ridership demand and limited options for pick up areas. · (Q) What size buses are used for these Community Routes? (A) Smaller buses that are approximately 30’ in length and carries approximately 25-30 riders. The buses also include special features (eg. to accommodate wheelchairs) · (Q) Do you follow up on the reasons that cause a route to be cancelled? (A) Yes prior to a route being cancelled there is a route assessment completed and we try to address the issues. The cancelling of a route is the last option. · (Q) Could the two hour time limit on a bus transfer be extended to three hours (A) That request would require a report to the Regional Council. Mr. Piragual Thiru, York Region Transit pointed out that these Community Routes are funded 40% by the box fare and 60% comes from tax dollars. Ms. Kim, Mobility Plus addressed the Committee to provide a brief explanation of Mobility Services. She pointed out that this is an application process that if approved provides door to door service. Ms. Kim indicated that Mobility Plus uses different modes of transportation. The Committee inquired how carefully applicants are screened. She advised that Mobility Plus has a nurse on staff that reviews every application and determines whether or not the applicant qualifies for the service.	The Chair will draft up a letter to be forwarded to York Region Transit thanking them for coming to present to the Senior’s Advisory Committee. The letter will also include the following questions for comment: are all bus shelters covered; can the senior rates remain constant; can more stops be added at Senior Centres; how do you educate seniors about the services available; can the seniors’ transfer ticket be extended to a three hour period in place of the two hour; when new buses are being ordered can they look at smaller ones that can easily turn around in Community and/or Senior Centres.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE SENIOR’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES, JULY 13, 2010	The Committee identified the following corrections: Tazneem Karimjee should be listed under “Regrets”. It should be specified that the $5,000 grant was received from Celebrate Markham. Moved by Warren Carroll Seconded by Jaswant Dhanjal That the minutes from the July 13, 2010 Senior’s Advisory Committee be adopted, as amended. CARRIED
4. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA	There were no changes to the agenda
5. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES	There was discussion regarding whether it is necessary to have a representative from the Cycling and Pedestrian Committee come to a future meeting to provide a presentation. The Committee agreed they need to be specific on what they would like the presentation to include. Some of the items suggested included: if all light intersections can include count down; multi-use pathways; snow clearing on sidewalks and improvements on ramps. The Committee inquired if it is possible to have a staff representative come and make a presentation with respect to affordable housing.	Susan Watts will invite Murray Boyce to a future meeting to provide a presentation regarding affordable housing.
6. NEXT MEETING	The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday September 14, 2010 at 4:00 PM Location change – YORK ROOM
7. ADJOURNMENT	The meeting of the Seniors Advisory Committee adjourned at 5:54 PM