MINUTES - Accessiblity Advisory Committee - 20150603
TOWN OF AURORA
ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Time and Location: 7 p.m., Leksand Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Tyler Barker (Chair), Gordon Barnes, James Hoyes, Councillor
Sandra Humfryes (arrived 7:50 p.m.), and David Newton
Member(s) Absent: John Lenchak (Vice Chair)
Other Attendees: Councillor Tom Mrakas, Chris Catania, Accessibility Advisor,
and Gloria Hardychuk, Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Moved by James Hoyes
Seconded by Gordon Barnes
THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services be approved.
CARRIED
3. RECEIPT OF THE MINUTES
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2015
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, June 3, 2015 Page 2 of 6
Moved by James Hoyes
Seconded by Gordon Barnes
THAT the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of May 6, 2015, be
received for information.
CARRIED
4. DELEGATIONS
None
5. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION
1. Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor
Re: Accessibility Considerations for Parks in 2C Development
Staff provided an on-screen presentation of the accessibility considerations for
Parks in the 2C Development, and concept plans for each of the four sites. The
Parks were reviewed and discussed individually and the Committee provided
feedback.
Mattamy Phase 3 Parkette (Attachment #1)
The Committee identified the need for designated parking on the road at the
entrance to the Parkette on Degraff Crescent and also suggested a curb cut to
improve connectivity to the Parkette.
Moved by Gordon Barnes
Seconded by James Hoyes
THAT the memorandum regarding Accessibility Considerations for Parks in 2C
Developments be received; and
THAT the following Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding the
Mattamy Phase 3 Parkette be considered by staff:
1. Include two (2) accessible parking spaces on the road at the entrance to the
Parkette;
2. Include proper curb cut at the entrance to the Parkette; and
3. Include bicycle stands.
CARRIED
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, June 3, 2015 Page 3 of 6
Metrus Parkette (Attachment #3)
Staff reviewed the plans for the Metrus Parkette at Hartwell Way and Joseph
Hartman Crescent along with the parking lot design. The Committee identified
concerns with the location of the first single parking space at the corner of the
parking lot off of Joseph Hartman Crescent and suggested that the elimination of
this parking space would ease any potential bottlenecking of traffic, especially in
light of the foot traffic accessing the trails system pathway, and to consider
improving the connectivity of the sidewalk to the pathway trailhead.
Moved by Gordon Barnes
Seconded by David Newton
THAT the following Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding the
Metrus Parkette be considered by staff:
1. Remove one parking space at the entrance of the parking lot off of Joseph
Hartman Crescent; and
2. Include a connection from the sidewalk to the pathway trailhead.
CARRIED
TACC Phase 2 Neighbourhood Park (Attachment #4)
Staff reviewed the design features for the TACC Phase 2 Neighbourhood Park
located at Roy Harper Avenue and William Graham Drive. The Committee
discussed various elements of the site and provided feedback.
Moved by James Hoyes
Seconded by Gordon Barnes
THAT the following Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding TACC
Phase 2 Neighbourhood Park be considered by staff:
1. Include proper curb cutting and delineation in the parking lot (in addition to
those used as access aisles for the accessible parking spaces) to provide
access for other transportation/mobility devices; and
2. Include a water damming feature in the water play/splash pad.
CARRIED
Brookfield Parkette
Staff reviewed the various features for the Brookfield Parkette at Radial Drive and
noted that a description and detailed drawings for the playground structure,
features, and apparatus elements would be requested for future review by the
Committee. The Committee suggested that including an additional access point
at the bottom end or south end of the park with a trail would be helpful.
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, June 3, 2015 Page 4 of 6
Moved by Gordon Barnes
Seconded by David Newton
THAT the following Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding
Brookfield Parkette be considered by staff:
1. Include an additional access point to the trail;
2. Include sufficient access features throughout the Parkette; and
3. Ensure enough spacing, fixed seating, and/or accessible space for mobility
devices to use the chess tables.
CARRIED
2. Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor
Re: Accessible Playground Design for Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Park
Staff provided a brief overview of the proposed accessible playground design for
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Park. The Committee commented on the lack of
accessible parking and requested better connectivity and improvements for the
park walkways. It was also noted that the Committee had previously requested a
fitness or health component pathway around the perimeter of the park with
activity stations. Staff indicated that they would investigate further and provide
comments at a future meeting.
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by James Hoyes
THAT the memorandum regarding Accessible Playground Design for Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee Park be received; and
THAT the following Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Park be considered by staff:
1. Include a sufficient number of accessible parking spaces;
2. Include park and pathway connectivity improvements; and
3. Include the use of a fitness or health component on the footpath around the
perimeter of the park complete with activity stations along the pathway.
CARRIED
6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, June 3, 2015 Page 5 of 6
3. Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor
Re: AODA 10th Anniversary Champion Award
Staff provided a brief overview of the AODA 10th Anniversary Champion Award
program. It was noted that nominations must be received by the AMCTO Awards
Evaluation Committee no later than 4 p.m. on June 30, 2015. Members were
encouraged to submit their nominations to the Accessibility Advisor by email or
phone as soon as possible.
Moved by James Hoyes
Seconded by Gordon Barnes
THAT the memorandum regarding AODA 10th Anniversary Champion Award be
received for information.
CARRIED
4. Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor
Re: Garbage/Recycling for People with Disabilities
Staff provided a brief recap of a previous delegation by an Aurora resident
regarding garbage/recycling for people with disabilities. The current process in
place was briefly reviewed. It was explained that Town staff are currently looking
into a more formal process similar to that of the City of Markham and a sample
application form was provided and reviewed.
Moved by James Hoyes
Seconded by Gordon Barnes
THAT the memorandum regarding Garbage/Recycling for People with Disabilities
be received for information.
CARRIED
5. Extract from Council Meeting of April 28, 2015
Re: Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 2, 2015
Moved by Councillor Humfryes
Seconded by Gordon Barnes
THAT the Extract from Council Meeting of April 28, 2015, regarding the
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 2, 2015, be received
for information.
CARRIED
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, June 3, 2015 Page 6 of 6
7. NEW BUSINESS
The Committee acknowledged its support of the Town’s Community Recognition
Awards program and requested that consideration be given to include a new category,
similar to the AODA Champion Award, to recognize and highlight individuals for their
commitment within the community and encouraging inclusivity. It was noted that
Councillor Mrakas would proceed with a motion to Council in this regard. The
Committee suggested that consideration be given to naming the accessibility award in
honour of the late Mr. Leonard Fox, or that Mr. Fox be honoured in some other way.
The Committee inquired about the possibility of reviewing the Terms of Reference for
the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) regarding the its composition to determine
whether options exist to eliminate the challenges in achieving quorum during the winter
months and inclement weather.
The Committee requested consideration of options for people with disabilities to
participate at meetings, without physically attending, by utilizing various electronic and
technical alternatives. Councillor Humfryes indicated that she would proceed with a
motion to Council requesting consideration and support of this request.
Councillor Mrakas inquired about whether the Committee would be interested in
providing feedback on accessibility issues through a review of the plans for the
proposed placement of Canada Post community mailboxes. Committee Members
recognized the time sensitivity of this issue and requested that a special AAC meeting
be scheduled in July 2015.
The Committee informed of a special event, tentatively being planned for September
2015, by the York Region school boards, to which all Accessibility Advisory
Committees throughout the Region would be invited, and advised that further
information would be available in July 2015.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Gordon Barnes
Seconded by David Newton
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
CARRIED
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE TOWN UNLESS
ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT A LATER MEETING.