Prescott Harrison

Carole Robertson

Staff

Blair Labelle, Committee Clerk

Alan Wolfe, Project Management Consultant

Bill Wiles, Manager, Enforcement &

Licensing

Rick Dominico, Manager, Corporate Strategy

& Quality

Regrets

Vito Bigioni (Vice-Chair)

Mike Kowalski

Leila Abboud

Regional Councillor Jack Heath

The meeting convened at the hour of 7:05 p.m. with Mr. R. Hunn in the Chair.

1. MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 25, 2006

THE TOWN OF MARKHAM ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the minutes of the Town of Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility held on January 25, 2006 be adopted.

CARRIED

2. TOWN OF MARKHAM 2006 DRAFT ACCESSIBILITY PLAN

Mr. Rick Dominico, Manager, Corporate Strategy & Quality, distributed the most recent Town of Markham 2006 Accessibility Plan noting that the Committee’s previous comments had been incorporated into the draft. He indicated that he will be posting the document to the Town’s website as soon as possible. Members recommended that more complete information be appended to the charts within the Plan such as the actual date on which objectives had been completed. Members agreed that this would allow for a more complete chronology of events. The Committee also discussed the possibility of adding codes to each objective in order to improve tracking. Mr. Dominico suggested that the document should be posted ‘as is’ to ensure compliance with statutory provisions and that the suggestions noted and others arising could be implemented on an ongoing basis. He also advised that a report supplementing the Accessibility Plan will be going forward to Council in the near future. The Committee recommended that staff report back to the Accessibility Committee any barriers that may occur with respect to the implementation of objectives noted within the Plan.

Mr. Alan Wolfe, Project Management Consultant, advised the Committee that a final set of Accessibility Standard Assessment Guidelines and Checklists will be forthcoming. He noted that the Guidelines were currently in development and that once the documents are completed they will be brought forward for review. Members confirmed that, once established, the Guidelines and Checklists could be amended on an ad hoc basis

2. ENFORCEMENT OF DISABLED PARKING SPACES

Mr. Bill Wiles, Manager, Enforcement & Licensing, was in attendance to present an update and overview of parking enforcement practices. He advised that two hundred and sixty five (265) tickets had been issued since the middle of February of 2006 for disabled parking infractions and noted details with regard to the procedures followed by the parking control unit. Mr. Wiles also noted that parking enforcement training is provided to firms and institutions to enhance parking surveillance in private areas such as Markham-Stouffville Hospital. He also presented details on “Project Check”, a Quality Initiative employed by the Town which focuses on disabled parking research and education programs.

The Committee discussed on-street and pay parking initiatives recognizing that the City of Toronto grants a fees exemption to disabled persons using on-street, and certain paid parking systems. It was noted that it is difficult to allow for on-street parking as it often results in an increase in traffic congestion. Members raised concerns regarding the Town not granting an exemption for disabled persons using paid parking systems.

The Committee discussed concerns regarding the obstruction of sidewalks, permit-only parking requirements and the high number of substandard curb cuts within commercial parking lots. First Markham Place, 3255 Highway 7 East, was noted to be a major problem area with respect to poorly planned curb cuts. Members also discussed the potential for coordinating an enforcement blitz with York Regional Police.

THE MARKHAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY RECOMMENDS:

That it be recommended to Council that persons with disabilities be exempt from the charging of fees under By-Law 28-97, A By-Law To Govern Parking Requirements and Standards in Town of Markham, for vehicles used to transport disabled persons which are identified by a valid and properly-displayed Provincial Accessible Parking Permit when parked in all spaces within pay-and-display areas in the Town of Markham;

And that the appropriate staff from the Town of Markham review First Markham Place, 3255 Highway 7 East, to asses any outstanding curb cut problems.

CARRIED

3. FULL SERVICE GAS STATIONS

This matter was deferred to the next meeting.

4. DISCUSSION OF PRIORITIES FOR 2006

This matter was deferred to the next meeting.

5. COMMUNICATIONS

All Communication items were deferred to the next meeting.

6. NEXT MEETING

March 15, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. in the Ontario Room.

7. ADJOURNMENT

The Advisory Committee on Accessibility adjourned at the hour of 8:52 p.m.