Minutes - Accessibility Advisory Committee - 20231011
Town of Aurora
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
7 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Harold Kim (Chair)
Peter Angelo (Vice Chair)
Lois Davies
Alison Hughes*
Hailey Reiss*
Jo-anne Spitzer
Members Absent: John Lenchak
Jeffrey Preston
Other Attendees: Martin Stefanczyk, Manager, Project Management Office and
Business Transformation
Rahul Varadharajulu, Project Management Office Consultant*
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
Emily Freitas, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
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
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 2
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 Alison Hughes
Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer
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
5.1 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 6, 2023
Moved by Peter Angelo
Seconded by Lois Davies
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
September 6, 2023, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor; Re: Site Plan Application SP-
2022-07 (Submission #2) 25 Mavrinac Boulevard
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
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 3
made regarding consideration for: demographics and population of
development in relation to number of barrier-free parking spaces needed
over and above AODA requirements; clarification on requirements for the
number of underground and above-ground barrier-free parking spaces;
clarification on the dimensions of barrier-free parking spaces and whether
the Electric Vehicle (EV) parking spaces are accessible; clarification on the
path of travel from barrier-free parking spaces to the main and side
entrances; and clarification on whether passcodes or other types of locks
will be in use at access points.
Moved by Peter Angelo
Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer
1. That the memorandum regarding Site Plan Application SP-2022-07
(Submission #2) 25 Mavrinac Boulevard be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding Site
Plan Application SP-2022-07 (Submission #2) be received and referred
to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.2 Round Table Discussion; Re: Town of Aurora Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
2022-2026
(Link to Multi-Year Accessibility Plan)
Staff provided background and invited feedback from the Committee. The
Committee and staff discussed various matters including: accessibility of
the Town’s website and planned improvements for better compliance and
responsiveness; outreach and citizen feedback on accessibility initiatives
and other possible approaches to increase civic engagement; ensuring all
community spaces and events are as universally accessible as possible
as a standard; suggestion to include in the document an offer for readers
to provide feedback/suggestions on the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan; and
the installation plan status for audible pedestrian crossing signals.
Moved by Alison Hughes
Seconded by Hailey Reiss
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 4
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 action as appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
9. New Business
The Committee suggested they develop a wish list of minimum standards for all
parks for use by Town staff when constructing new parks and upgrading existing
parks. It was further noted that such guidelines would also be useful for schools
and private businesses.
The Committee inquired about whether they will have an opportunity to review
the planned upgrades at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex and whether
any elements of the Accessibility Plan are being applied to those changes.
The Committee remarked on the lack of demographic information on the Town’s
disabled community members, their needs, and any accessibility gaps. Staff and
the Committee discussed the broad census statistics available from the federal,
provincial, and regional levels, and the challenges and limitations on gathering
personal information.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Peter Angelo
Seconded by Lois Davies
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Carried