Accessibility Advisory Committee Minutes

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Virtual Meeting
Present:
  • Larry Brual
  • Victoria Formusa
  • Liam Lacy
  • Adam Lamplugh
  • Mike Moraites
  • Michael Richards
  • Paul Scott
  • Marta Swirydowicz
Also Present:
  • Councillor Shahid, Mayor's Designate
  • Michele Cotton, Staff Liaison, Accessibility Coordinator
  • Heather Ellis, Council and Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary)

1.
Call to Order

 

2.
Declarations of Conflict of Interest

 

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

3.
Approval of Previous Minutes

 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byLiam Lacy

    That the Accessibility Advisory Committee minutes of February 6, 2024 be approved.

    Carried

4.
Presentations

 

4.1
Christy Chrus, Manager, Creative Communities, Town of Whitby, Sara Taylor, Project Manager, AECOM, and Nayer Daher, Traffic Analyst, AECOM

 

Re: Brock Street Re-design Project

Sara Taylor provided a presentation regarding the Brock Street Re-design Project. Highlights of the presentation included:

  • an overview of the Brock Street Re-design Project;
  • the scope of the project being the Brock Street corridor between Highway 401 and the CP Railway overpass;
  • details of the three phases of the project being the Concept Phase, the Design Phase, and the Construction Phase;
  • an overview of the project work plan and timelines;
  • a pedestrian-oriented design that focuses on accessibility and providing barrier-free spaces;
  • recommended provisions for an accessibility and wayfinding sign system;
  • recommended improvements to active transportation; and,
  • next steps for the Brock Street Re-design Project including a virtual Open House, survey launch, and presentation of the concept design.

A question and answer period ensued regarding:

  • the timeline for the recommended design improvements;
  • considerations related to the Metrolinx Bus Rapid Transit project;
  • the timeline for finalizing the locations of the accessible parking spaces along Brock Street; and,
  • whether the final report would include a ranking system that would prioritize design elements from a costing perspective.

It was the consensus of the Committee to hear Item 8, Council Update, at this time.

5.
Delegations

 

There were no delegations.

6.
General Business and Reports

 

6.1
National Access Awareness Week

 

Michele Cotton advised that May 28 to June 3, 2024 was National AccessAbility Week. Ms. Cotton stated that several events were planned for National AccessAbility Week including:

  • a Disability Flag Raising event;
  • a viewing of the movie ‘Unsyncable’ at the Whitby 55+ Recreation Centre; and,
  • a staff accessibility awareness event.

A brief question and answer period ensued regarding designing and raising a flag with the Accessible Whitby logo.

6.2
Accessibility Plan Update

 

Michele Cotton advised that she was reformatting the Accessibility Plan and would present it to the Committee for review at a later date. Ms. Cotton stated that the revisions listed a maximum of five statements under each of the standards.

6.3
Regional Accessibility Update

 

Michele Cotton provided an update regarding regional accessibility initiatives which included:

  • the Accessible Taxi Project; and,
  • submissions for the Accessibility Awards.

6.4
Subcommittee Updates

 

Site Plans and Built Environment Subcommittee 

Michele Cotton advised that the Site Plans and Built Environment Subcommittee reviewed a trail plan for the Lynde Creek area, and was continuing to develop the Playground Park Audit Tool.

Communication and Customer Service Subcommittee

Michael Richards advised that the Communication and Customer Service Subcommittee was working to update information on the Town’s website regarding the Accessibility Improvement Grant Program.

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byMichael Richards

    That the Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends extending the Lead Project Grant Application deadline for the Accessibility Improvement Grant Program to April 30, 2024 as a one-time extension due to technical issues with the application form.

    Carried

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byAdam Lamplugh

    That the Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends providing a second Lead Project Grant for 2024, which would provide matching dollars up to $10,000 as a one-time addition.

    Carried

7.
Correspondence

 

There was no correspondence.

8.
Council Update

 

Councillor Shahid provided an update regarding:

  • a future Traffic Calming Policy that would guide traffic calming within the Town of Whitby; and,
  • attending the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Accessibility Workshop.

It was the consensus of the Committee to hear Item 5, Delegations, at this time.

9.
Other Business

 

9.1
Assistive Boat Launch

 

Mike Moraites advised that the Township of Selwyn received a $60,000 grant to install an assistive canoe and kayak launch at Isabel Morris Park. Mr. Moraites requested that the Committee recommend installing an assistive boat launch at Shirley Scott Park.

9.2
World Autism Awareness Day

 

Liam Lacy advised that April 2, 2024 was World Autism Awareness Day and that the month of April was National Autism Acceptance Month.

10.
Next Meeting

 

Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 7:00 p.m.

11.
Adjournment

 

  • Recommendation:

    Moved byLiam Lacy

    That the meeting adjourn.

    Carried

    The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

    Note: These minutes were approved by the Accessibility Advisory Committee on May 7, 2024. 


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