Town of Markham
Advisory Committee on
Accessibility
Minutes
Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 1:00
p.m.
Canada Room
|
Committee members present: Jaqueline Bell Carl Bodnar Councillor Valerie Burke Prescott Harrison Allan Ho Jocelyn Horsford Robert Hunn Sidney Polak - Chair Prabhu Rajan Carole Robertson |
Regrets: Rhonda
Jacobson Joan Jenkyn Regional Councillor Gord Landon |
Staff present:
Don Taylor, Manager, Executive Operations
Warren Ruparain, Accessibility Coordinator
Kitty Bavington, Committee Clerk
The meeting of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility
convened at 1:12 pm with Sidney Polak presiding as Chair.
1. Minutes
– April 21, 2010
Moved by: Carl Bodner
Seconded by: Robert Hunn
That the minutes of the April 21, 2010 meeting of the
Town of Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility be approved.
CARRIED
2. Business Arising from the Minutes
The Committee reviewed the discussion
from the previous meeting with respect to an evacuation procedure for disabled persons.
Warren advised that it is being prepared and gave a brief summary of the plan.
Councillor Valerie Burke gave an update
on the discussion of accessible parking at Longo’s supermarket on Bayview
Avenue.
3. Accessibility
and Diversity Plans - Presentation
Andrew
Brouwer, Deputy Clerk, gave a presentation on the Town’s Diversity and
Accessibility Plans, and provided a handout with an outline of initiatives that
will be used in the Municipal Election this year. A defined plan will be
presented at a later date.
Mr.
Brouwer provided background regarding the statutory framework of the Municipal
Elections Act, 1996, and the requirements for fair, non-biased and accessible
elections and fair and equal treatment of voters. Considerations include the
requirement to ensure the voting process is accessible to persons with
disabilities. The Town’s strategic direction reflects engagement, diversity and
accessibility. Mr. Brouwer reviewed a case situation that had been before the
Canadian Human Right Tribunal (Hughes v. Elections Canada) to ensure equal treatment.
A copy of the decision will be circulated to the Committee.
The
Town will be consulting with the Accessibility Advisory Committee, the Accessibility
Coordinator, the Seniors Advisory Committee, and other groups. Issues that will
be addressed include: voting place inspections; providing online voting; use of
accessible voting technology for in-person voting that allows an individual to
mark their ballot independently; outreach to CNIB, YRT, and Mobility Plus among
others; partnership with YRT for early voting; and recruitment of persons with
disabilities as temporary election officials.
The
Committee discussed difficulties experienced in past elections, the unsuitability
of some voting locations, and staff training.
Mr.
Brouwer will make a presentation at a future meeting and demonstrate the voting
equipment.
4. Main
Street Markham Environmental Assessment - Presentation
Dale
MacKenzie, Senior Capital Works Engineer, gave a presentation on the Main
Street Markham Environmental Assessment (EA), and provided an information
handout.
Mr.
MacKenzie explained the purpose of the EA and the study location being Highway
48 from 407 to Major Mackenzie Drive. He discussed the values of natural
environment, heritage, transportation and social environment. Discussions
included the recommended options for one, two, three, or four lanes; reversing
lanes on different sections of the road; traffic; accessibility issues; and pathway
opportunities. Typical cross-sections of the proposed road configuration were
displayed.
Comments
and discussions involved the following:
-
minimize
parking for non-retail/commercial uses
-
buses
will likely continue
-
parking
opportunities
-
gateway
feature
-
handicapped
parking will be provided on the street
-
expedite
completion of Donald Cousens Parkway to divert traffic from Hwy 48
-
could
traffic be diverted to McCowan Road
-
treatment
of railway crossing
The
Committee thanked Mr. MacKenzie for the presentation and expressed an interest
in an update presentation on design details.
5. Fire
Alarm
The
Meeting was interrupted for 30 minutes for a Fire Alarm. When the meeting
resumed,
Nancy
Myles, Health and Safety Specialist for the Town of Markham, addressed the
Committee regarding evacuation procedures. As required by the Fire Code, all
Town facilities have a fire plan specific for the building that includes
evacuation of disabled persons, and deals with elevators and stairwells.
Ms.
Myles advised that a custom-made evacuation program cannot be tailor-designed for
any individual, that could be cumbersome to the individual or that requires
another person to be in danger.
6. Markham
Accessibility Plan
Warren
Ruparain advised that comments on the draft
Accessibility Plan have been received from three members, and other comments
are anticipated. The comments will be incorporated into the plan and forwarded
to the Committee in a few weeks, then will be forwarded to Corporate Communications
for alignment with the Diversity Plan. The Plan will be officially endorsed by
Council in September.
A
Committee member noted a concern regarding elections with respect to
accessibility requirements for debates by candidates. The concern was noted for
consideration in the plan. It was suggested that candidates, ratepayers and other
groups be approached with a recommendation to have consideration for
accessibility issues when choosing a location. Don Taylor agreed to pursue this
issue.
7. Accessibility
Week
The
Committee was advised that the following Proclamation was made by Markham
Council on May 25, 2010:
“PROCLAMATION
- NATIONAL ACCESS AWARENESS WEEK
Whereas in 1985,
Canadian athlete Rick Hansen, began a two year, 40,000 km trek through 34
countries in his wheelchair to raise awareness about the need for accessibility
for persons with disabilities;
Whereas National
Access Awareness Week was initiated in 1988 following Rick Hansen’s campaign,
to be held the first week of June annually;
Whereas National
Access Awareness Week is an opportunity for the Town of Markham and its
Accessibility Advisory Committee to demonstrate its support and commitment to
improving the lives of persons with disabilities;
Now therefore, the
Council of the Corporation of the Town of Markham enacts as follows:
1)
That the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Markham hereby proclaims the
week of June 1, 2010 as National Access Awareness Week in the Town of Markham;
and
2) That the
Communications and Community Relations Department be requested to publish the
proclamation in the local newspapers.
CARRIED”
8. Promotions
Subcommittee
Warren
Ruparain informed the Committee that the Diversity
Action Plan is being launched June 30, 2010, at Markville Mall. It is an
opportunity for AAC members to share the community booth free of charge, to hand
out brochures and promote the Committee. The draft brochure is being refined
and will be ready for June 30. The Chair requested that the final draft of the
brochure be submitted to him.
Members
of Committee are welcome to join staff and participate. Carole, Alan, and Sidney
volunteered.
9. Business
Initiatives Subcommittee
The
Committee was advised of the status of the Markham Board of Trade awards. The
deadline for nominations is June 18, and five nominations have been received so
far. The Board of Trade will evaluate the nominations.
10. AODA standards update - Change to Built Environment
Warren
Ruparain reported that the OADA Standards have
been submitted to the Ministry. Once approved, it will be harmonized with other
standards. Retrofits are not subject to the Standards although the Town of
Markham strongly encourages it. The Committee considered making a follow-up
submission encouraging retrofit.
11. Update on Canadian Hearing Society
Celebration of Accessibility Champions
Deferred
12. Discussion on Success of Subcommittees
Deferred
13. Mandates
for 2011
- identify focus and areas to work
on
- form Opportunities Subcommittee
- use expertise of committee members
- consider
something similar to Whitchurch-Stouffville Breakfast Meeting
Deferred
14. Accessibility
Infrastructure Grant Update - Presentation
Glen
Taylor, Manager, Community Centre Operations, gave an update on the retrofits
under the Accessibility Infrastructure Grant program, and provided a handout from SPH Ltd.
Planning and Consulting. Glen reviewed the design packages and three phases of
the project. He noted that there has been a lot of progress and that elevators
are being provided at various locations.
The
second phase, scheduled to begin July 8, includes the Civic Centre and other
facilities, and will address washrooms. Projects involving curbcuts, parking
stalls, and door openers are being handled internally. A further presentation
will be made to AAC in the fall, with visuals.
The
goal is to have the work completed by the end of the year, as the deadline for
the funding is March 2011.
The
Committee commented on the need to bring taxis and other transportation
vehicles closer to the front door, as the designated handicapped parking spaces
are quite a distance from the entrance. Glen agreed to look into this matter.
15. Site
Plan Policies - Presentation
Biju
Karumanchery, Acting Director of Planning, was in attendance to explain the site
plan approval process with respect to accessibility issues. He advised that several
hundred applications are received each year. The Committee noted that its
mandate includes the review of site plans, but would appropriately be limited
to major or significant projects involving public use areas.
The
Urban Design Department uses OADA and 2007 Markham Guidelines to review
applications. These documents are not user-friendly for site plan review
purposes, but staff are working on this aspect. Developers
are aware of the Guidelines, and must comply with the Building Code, however Guideline requirements beyond Building Code
standards are optional. Most repeat developers are aware of the Town’s
expectations, and will try to accommodate the higher standards.
Biju
explained that although the quantity and location of barrier-free parking spaces,
at a ratio of 1:15,
and curbcuts are included in the site plan, they don’t always get built exactly
the way they are approved. Examples are the Swiss Chalet and LazyBoy locations.
A problem was identified with respect to front doors that face
the street, but the parking is located at the side of the building. The
Committee commented that these issues have often been brought to the Town’s
attention without effect.
It
was suggested that a list of accessibility requirements could be attached to
application forms, and Biju and Warren were requested to work together on
developing a list. It was also suggested that the Council members on AAC bring
attention to accessibility aspects at Development Services meetings. The
Developers Round Table meetings may provide an opportunity to develop a culture
of accessibility with the developers, as well.
The
Committee expressed interest in getting involved in the review of significant
applications, and
site audits following construction. Biju was agreeable to a suggestion that a
subcommittee of one to three members, plus Warren, participate in reviews.
“Significant” will need to be defined and the method of review will have to be
determined so that it does not impact the approval timelines. A site plan subcommittee
and details will be discussed at the next meeting.
The
Committee thanked Mr. Karumanchery for his presentation and assistance.
16. Correspondence
The
Committee received correspondence from the Minister responsible for Seniors, requesting nominations for the 2010 Senior
Achievement Award Program.
17. Other
Business
a) Joining the Coalition of Ontario
Accessibility Advisory Committees
b) Number of AAC meetings – a meeting was
added in August.
c) AAC membership renewal of terms – Clerk
to provide update and forms.
d) Success of subcommittees will be
discussed at the next meeting.
e) Memo from Alan Ho, Regarding working
with other organizations.
Alan gave a brief
explanation of the memo with particular concern for mental health issues, and
advised that most residents do not know where or how to get help. The AAC and other
organizations can assist the underprivileged and uneducated by providing
outreach and awareness initiatives in multiple languages.
The Committee
suggested that this may be a project for York Region or the United Way, and
agreed to discuss this further at the next meeting.
f) ACRA nomination for Markham’s
achievement
Similar to the
Board of Trade Awards, nominations can be made for businesses to receive an ACRA
award for public service. Gord Landon is the Chair of the ACRA program. The
Committee received the information and will consider action in the future.
g) York Region Accessibility Advisory
Committee
Although the AAC had been advised by
York Region’s AAC that recruitment for membership would occur in the summer and
that notice would be provided, Jocelyn reported that she has recently been
appointed to the YR ACC. The Committee requested an update on recruitment for
the next meeting.
18. Next
Meeting
Wednesday,
August 18, 2010, in the Canada Room
The
Committee adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Attachment: Outstanding Items List
1.
Comments are being incorporated and it
will be before Council in September for endorsement.
2. Accessible Business Initiatives
a) Brochure:
Promotions Subcommittee
b) Insert in
c) Board of
Trade: Business Awards
d) ACRA
nomination for Markham business achievement in public service
3.
Watch for York Region’s recruitment campaign and call for
membership.
Committee requested an update at the August meeting.
4. Lack
of accessible parking on Main Streets in Unionville and Markham.
The Markham BIA has attended
the
Unionville
BIA will attend in
September, 2010.
5. 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.
6.
Heritage
Funding
Warren will check into funding for accessibility
improvements in Heritage buildings.
7. Operating Budget and Travel Expenses
Don will check on sources of funding and report back.
8. Standards for Heritage buildings.
The Unionville Arms has been rebuilt without
consideration for accessibility. The Ontario
Trillium Foundation could provide some solutions.
9. Bench Installation
Investigate or arrange a presentation in April or May on
practices regarding the installation
of benches along sidewalks, in malls, and other locations, and what funding is available.
10. Outreach
-Raise the profile of the Committee with outreach
opportunities. i.e.
- Memo from Alan Ho, regarding working
with other organizations.
11. Opportunities
A subcommittee may be formed in the fall for this issue.
12. Site Plan Policies
- Warren and Biju will prepare a list
of accessibility requirements to be attached to site plan application forms.
- AAC will consider forming a subcommittee to review site
plans
13. Retrofit Audit
- Accessibility Infrastructure Grant
A presentation was made in June. Glen
Taylor will provide an update in the fall. Glen will investigate parking
vehicles closer to the main entrance. (see item below)
14. Disabled Parking at Civic Centre
Staff
and departments will be notified and made aware of the issue regarding blocking
disabled parking spots at the Civic Centre. A copy of the notification will be
provided at the next meeting. The current location is a considerable distance
from the entrance, and this issue is being addressed by staff.
15. Toronto Parking Regulations
Handicapped parking is permitted in
any “no parking” areas in Toronto. Regional Councillor Landon offered to bring
this matter forward at the next Parking Advisory Committee meeting.
16. Election Issues
- Andrew Brouwer will do a follow-up presentation and
demonstrate election equipment.
- It was suggested that candidates,
ratepayers and other groups be approached with a recommendation to have
consideration for accessibility issues when choosing a location for debates.
Don Taylor agreed to pursue this issue.
17. Evacuation Plan
Warren
to provide information on the Town’s evacuation plan.
18. AAC membership renewal
of terms
Clerk
to provide update and forms at a future meeting.