The Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes

Minutes

Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting

Meeting #:	KLAAC2018-003
Date:	Thursday, April 19, 2018
Time:	1:30 P.m. - 3:30 P.m.
Location:	Lindsay Library Meeting Room Lindsay Library 190 Kent Street West, Lindsay, Ontario

Members:

• Councillor Stephen Strangway, Councillor
• Cathy Bell
• Donald Brown
• Sharon Coupland
• Lynda DaSilva
• Mary Ann Fitzpatrick
• Dick Foster
• Bill Huskinson
• Jane McLean
• Crystal Morrissey
• Elizabeth Peeters
• Norm Price
• Joan Skelton
• Scott Howard
• Ken Van Den Oetelaar

Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request.

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1.

Call to Order

N. Price called the meeting to order at 1:28 p.m. Committee Members C. Bell, D. Brown, L. DaSilva, M.A. Fitzpatrick, D. Foster, B. Huskinson, J. McLean, C. Morrissey, N. Price, S. Howard, K. Van Den Oetelaar and Councillor Stephen Strangway were in attendance.

Staff present: B. Condie, Accessibility Officer and N. Sinopoli, Recording Secretary

Absent: S. Coupland, E. Peeters and J. Skelton

Early Departure: Councillor S. Strangway at 2:30 p.m.

1.1

Welcome and Introductions

Scott Howard, New Member
Ken Van Den Oetelaar, New Member

N. Price introduced the two new members, Scott Howard and Ken Van Den Oetelaar, each of whom delivered a brief summary of their background and experiences.

2.

Administrative Business

2.1

Adoption of Agenda

• KLAAC2018-013
  Moved By L. DaSilva
  Seconded By J. McLean

  That the agenda for the April 19, 2018 Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting be adopted as circulated with the following amendments:

  Additions:

  Item 5.3.1 - Additional LIMO Service - M.A. Fitpatrick

  Item 6.1 - Sidewalks - J. McLean

  Item 6.2 - Accessibility for Elections - B. Condie

  Carried

2.2

Declaration of Pecuniary Interest

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest.

2.3

Adoption of Minutes from Previous Meeting

• KLAAC2018-014
  Moved By D. Foster
  Seconded By L. DaSilva

  That the minutes of the Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting held on February 15, 2018 be adopted as circulated. 

  Carried

3.

Deputations/Presentations

4.

Correspondence

There was no correspondence received.

5.

News/Updates from Working Groups, Staff and Council

5.1

Accessibility Officer Update

5.1.1

Terms of Reference

This item was brought forward from the February 15, 2018 meeting.

This item was deferred for further discussion to the next scheduled meeting.

5.1.2

Presentation of the Draft Review of the City of Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Policy

B. Condie noted that all the members previously had an opportunity to review the Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Policy.  Any additional comments or concerns need to be forwarded to B. Condie by Wednesday, April 25, 2018.

• KLAAC2018-015
  Moved By L. DaSilva
  Seconded By D. Foster

  That the Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee receive the draft City of Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Policy; and

  That the Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend that Staff forward the Draft City of Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Policy to Council for consideration and adoption.

  Carried

5.1.3

Presentation of the Draft City of Kawartha Lakes Municipal Accessibility Master Plan 2018-23

B. Condie expressed her appreciation for all the comments that were received regarding the City of Kawartha Lakes Municipal Accessibility Master Plan. She advised the members that the task force has reviewed the Plan and Senior Management Team has approved it in principle, pending confirmation by the Committee.

• KLAAC2018-016
  Moved By J. McLean
  Seconded By C. Bell

  That the Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee receive the draft of the City of Kawartha Lakes Municipal Five Year (2018-23) Accessibility Master Plan; and

  That Staff forward the City of Kawartha Lakes Municipal Five Year (2018-23) Accessibility Master Plan to Council for consideration and adoption.

  Carried

5.2

Public Awareness (Public Education/Employment/Information&Communication)

This item was deferred to the Closed Session.

5.3

Public Spaces (Parks, Built Environment and Transportation (Transit))

N. Price advised that Councillor Strangway would provide an update on Parks in Item 5.4.

N. Price reported that Transit has begun providing improved, larger signage for bus stops. The plan is to complete one route per year. In addition, two more concrete pads will be installed this year.  He also noted that there are no plans for any major changes and that the Master Plan will soon be brought forward to Council.

5.3.1

Additional LIMO Service

M.A. Fitzgerald inquired if there was any consideration to add a second LIMO bus on Saturdays.  She noted that the tight schedule negatively impacts the number of clients who can access the service.

N. Price commented that due to budget constraints, it would be difficult to add another bus at this time but that he would pass along the concerns to T. Bryant, Manager of Fleet and Transit Services.  He suggested that customer education sessions might help with the problem. J. McLean noted that rather than in-person sessions, it would be preferable to educate every user with printed information.  K. Van Den Oetelaar suggested that information could be included in new user welcome packages.

5.4

Councillor's Update

Councillor Strangway expressed his appreciation to B. Condie and all members in attendance for their valuable input and productive discussion in the development of the Master Plan and Accessibility Policy.

He reported on a recent article in the Toronto Star that was critical of the slow progress being made regarding accessibility in the province, particularly in relation to small businesses.  He expressed hope that this type of exposure will increase awareness of the issue.

Councillor Strangway informed the members that at the April 10th Council meeting, a tender was awarded to retrofit eight playgrounds throughout the City. He raised concerns that the wood chip playground surfaces being installed would not be the best option for accessibility purposes and hoped that the City could apply for an Enabling Grant in order to upgrade to foam surfaces. Unfortunately it was too late in the purchasing process to change the tender specifications and a final motion was passed to explore the use of a matting surface for future playground projects.

Discussion followed and there was general agreement that short-term cost savings do not always produce long term financial benefits.  B. Condie suggested that the Committee should make a recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Department to complete a study of maintaining wood chips versus other surfaces.  Councillor Strangway agreed and advised that he would bring in samples of the surface products available for the Committee to review.

• KLAAC2018-017
  Moved By L. DaSilva
  Seconded By D. Brown

  That the reports provided under agenda items 5.1, 5.3, and 5.4 be received by the Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee for information purposes.

  Carried

6.

New or Other Business

6.1

Sidewalks

J. McLean expressed her concern that the City is marking locations where the interlocking brick sidewalks are hazardous but that the repairs are not being completed.

Councillor Strangway advised that the sidewalks have been marked for liability purposes.  He also noted that the Public Works Department is following a set schedule and making the repairs as quickly as possible.

6.2

Accessibility for Elections

B. Condie reported that the 2018 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan is being presented to Council on April 24th. She advised the members that she will share the document electronically and any comments must be received prior to the Council meeting.

The Plan includes an election site accessibility checklist as well as a customer service feedback form for any person who visits the voting location at City Hall.

6.3

Closed Session Item

Accessibility Awards
Personal Matters about Identifiable Individuals
Municipal Act, 2001 S.239(b)

• KLAAC2018-018
  Moved By L. DaSilva
  Seconded By J. McLean

  That the Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee convene into closed session at 2:20 p.m. in order to consider matters that are permitted to be discussed in a session closed to the public pursuant to Section 239(2) of the Municipal Act, S.O.2001 c.25.

  Carried

7.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in the Lower Level Boardroom at the Lindsay Public Library.

8.

Adjournment

• KLAAC2018-021
  Moved By L. DaSilva
  Seconded By C. Morrissey

  That the Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting adjourn at 2:35 p.m.