Minutes - Accessibility Advisory Committee - 20230412
Town of Aurora
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
7 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Harold Kim (Chair)
Peter Angelo (Vice Chair)*
Alison Hughes*
Max Le Moine*
Hailey Reiss*
Jo-anne Spitzer
Members Absent: John Lenchak
Other Attendees: Gregory Peri, Accessibility Advisor*
John Firman, Manager, Business Support
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
1.1 Appointment of Committee Vice Chair
Moved by Jo-anne Spitzer
Seconded by Max Le Moine
1. That Peter Angelo be elected as Vice Chair of the Accessibility
Advisory Committee for a two-year term (2023-2024).
Carried
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Wednesday, April 12, 2023 2
2. Land Acknowledgement
The Committee acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe lands,
the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island,
recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day,
the special relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this
territory, and that Aurora has shared responsibility for the stewardship of these
lands and waters. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Jo-anne Spitzer
Seconded by Max Le Moine
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
5. Receipt of the Minutes
None.
6. Delegations
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Manager, Business Support; Re: Parks and Recreation
Master Plan - Draft 1 Presentation
John Firman, Manager, Business Support, presented an overview of Draft
1 of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan including: scope; public
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Wednesday, April 12, 2023 3
engagement; community survey results and broad themes; other trends
and emerging influences; recommendations for indoor and outdoor
recreation facilities, parkland, service delivery and program support; how
the plan supports accessibility; and next steps. Committee members were
encouraged to provide feedback on the Master Plan by May 3, 2023,
directly to John via email, at the Open House on May 1, or through the
Engage Aurora digital platform at engageaurora.ca/parksandrec.
The Committee discussed and inquired about various aspects of the draft
Master Plan including the therapy pool program, potential to include public
recreational facilities in private condominium developments, status of
Highview Public School playground and funding, accessibility standards
for the retrofit or redevelopment of playgrounds, and the recommended
recreation needs assessment. Staff and the Chair provided clarification,
noting the Committee’s future opportunities for input, and staff agreed to
provide further information regarding Highview Public School playground.
Moved by Hailey Reiss
Seconded by Alison Hughes
1. That the memorandum regarding the Parks and Recreation Master
Plan – Draft 1 Presentation be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding the
Parks and Recreation Master Plan – Draft 1 Presentation be received
and referred to staff for consideration and further action as
appropriate.
Carried
7.2 Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor; Re: Site Plan Application SP-
2023-01 (Submission #1), 100 Goulding Avenue
Staff provided an overview of the site plan and comments submitted to
the Planner on behalf of the Committee. The Committee and staff
discussed various aspects of the site plan and a further suggestion was
made regarding consideration for: one to two additional barrier-free
parking spaces on the west side of the site.
Moved by Alison Hughes
Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer
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Wednesday, April 12, 2023 4
1. That the memorandum regarding Site Plan Application SP-2023-01
(Submission #1), 100 Goulding Avenue, be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding Site
Plan Application SP-2023-01 (Submission #1) be received and referred
to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.3 Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor; Re: Site Plan Application SP-
2023-03 (Submission #1), 175 Eric T Smith Way
Staff provided an overview of the site plan and comments submitted to
the Planner on behalf of the Committee. The Committee and staff
discussed various aspects of the site plan and further suggestions were
made regarding consideration for: accessible outdoor furniture and
pathways; accessible indoor furniture; accessible door operators on
barrier-free rooms; hoyer lift in barrier-free rooms; and out-swinging doors
for accessible washrooms.
Moved by Hailey Reiss
Seconded by Alison Hughes
1. That the memorandum regarding Site Plan Application SP-2023-03
(Submission #1), 175 Eric T Smith Way, be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding Site
Plan Application SP-2023-03 (Submission #1) be received and referred
to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.4 Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor; Re: Site Plan Application SP-
2020-09 (Submission #4), 1588 St. John's Sideroad
Staff provided an overview of the site plan and comments submitted to
the Planner on behalf of the Committee. The Committee and staff
discussed various aspects of the site plan and a further suggestion was
made regarding consideration for: larger accessible washrooms.
Moved by Alison Hughes
Seconded by Max Le Moine
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Wednesday, April 12, 2023 5
1. That the memorandum regarding Site Plan Application SP-2020-09
(Submission #4), 1588 St. John’s Sideroad (Block 1), be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding Site
Plan Application SP-2020-09 (Submission #4) be received and referred
to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.5 Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor; Re: National AccessAbility Week
2023 (May 28 to June 3)
Staff provided an overview of two Town initiatives planned for National
AccessAbility Week including: (1) a keynote speaker/paralympic athlete
will present to Town staff and Council members, with a focus on putting
accessibility first, and share their experiences and challenges; and (2)
Aurora is partnering with AccessNow, a web- and app-based resource for
accessibility information. Staff advised that phase 1 involves an audit of
the Town’s eight main facilities and once the verification process is
completed by the end of May, information will be available on the
AccessNow website; phase 2 will include other Town-owned facilities,
parks and trails; and phase 3 will include an analysis of the entire Town.
Moved by Jo-anne Spitzer
Seconded by Alison Hughes
1. That the memorandum regarding National AccessAbility Week 2023
(May 28 to June 3) be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding
National AccessAbility Week 2023 be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.6 Round Table Discussion; Re: Town of Aurora Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
2022-2026
(Link to Multi-Year Accessibility Plan)
Staff provided an update on completed items including the sensory path
at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex, ramps at the Aurora Seniors’ Centre
and Petch House, elections accessibility plan, accessible information
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Wednesday, April 12, 2023 6
formats on all Town platforms, and Council and staff training. Staff further
discussed ongoing projects including audible pedestrian signals at
intersections and automatic door openers at the Stronach Aurora
Recreation Complex.
Moved by Max Le Moine
Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding the
Town of Aurora Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2022-2026 be received
and referred to staff for consideration and further action as
appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
9. Adjournment
Moved by Hailey Reiss
Seconded by Alison Hughes
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:57 p.m.
Carried