Corporation of the Town of Huntsville

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Meeting held on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the Huntsville Civic Centre, Partners Hall

_________________________________________________________________

Chair:     

Debbie Kirwin

Members:           

Councillor John Davis                 

Donna Glashan      

John Kenny (Arrived at 2:10 p.m.)                  

Bruce Liddle                

Rod Mundy                  

Laurel Shaw                         

Agatha West                          

Deb Willows

Staff:      

Tanya Calleja, Administrative Assistant - Clerks

Denise Corry, Director of Corporate Services

1.  CONVENE

Moved by Laurel Shaw  AAC20-09

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT:  We do now convene as the Accessibility Advisory Committee at 2:02 p.m.

Carried.

2.  ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Moved by Deb Willows  AAC21-09

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT:  The Accessibility Advisory Committee Agenda dated Tuesday, June 16, 2009 be adopted as printed and circulated.

Carried.  

3.  DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

- Nil -

4.  MINUTES

Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – May 19, 2009

The Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes dated May 19, 2009, were received and reviewed.

5.  BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

Paralympics Legacy Motion

Chair Kirwin noted that Resolution AAC18-09, regarding the Paralympic Legacy Fund was ratified by Council on June 15th, and as stated in the motion, would be forwarded to the Parks & Recreation Committee for consideration.

b) Fire Exit Signs

Chair Kirwin noted the Building Code dictates what style and colour signs should be.

2006 Building Code, Section 3.4.5.1 (3) states:

Exit signs shall consist of red letters on a contrasting background or a red background with contrasting letters, with the letters having a 19 mm stroke and a height not less than:

• 114 mm when internally illuminated, and
• 150 mm when externally illuminated

6.  ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

a)    “Draft” Accessibility Customer Service Policies

Chair Kirwin noted that the Draft had yet to be reviewed by Staff and was being circulated for information only at this time.

Denise Corry briefly outlined the Draft and noted that the Policy itself is only 4 pages long.

It was noted that Committee would review the Draft Policy and bring back their comments in August.

7.  REPORTS

Seniors Report

Bruce Liddle noted he attended a seniors’ conference in Burlington last year and learned of a “Senior Friendly” Program.

Mr. Liddle further noted that businesses trained in the program were given “Senior Friendly” decals to display in their store fronts.

Chair Kirwin asked Mr. Liddle to research the Program and bring back further information to the Committee.

b)   Accessibility Advisory Committees Forums Ottawa and Toronto

Chair Kirwin presented the PowerPoint Presentation she depicted at the AAC Forums in Ottawa and Toronto.  (Schedule “A” attached)

Chair Kirwin also noted the following information she learned from attending the Forums:

• Flex Housing;
• Federal Enabling Fund Small Projects;
• Access On – Ontario Government Website;
• Moxie Foundation – Non Profit Organization;
• Making Accessibility Happen – Handbook for AACs.

A discussion took place regarding the matter as well as the driving force behind accessibility awareness.

It was noted that Chair Kirwin would contact:

• The Huntsville / Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce and the BIA regarding available private sector funding and the Moxie Foundation;
• Mike Gooch, Chief Building Official regarding Flex Housing;
• The Moxie Group to provide further information and ask if they have presented their presentation to other municipalities.

c)  Site Plan – Huntsville Gospel Hall – Southwest side of West Road and Iris Street

Chair Kirwin noted the following comments were provided:

• Relocated parking spots;
• Parking spots needed hatched area;
• Sidewalk curb needed to be indicated;
• Automatic door, threshold, door width;
• Elevator and washroom needed to be accessible;
• If pews were stationary, allow room for wheelchairs.

8.  UPDATES

a)  2010 G8 Summit     

Chair Kirwin provided members with a copy of the G8 Security Pamphlet.  (Currently available on the Town website)

Chair Kirwin noted that a question was raised at a public information G8 security meeting whether the G8 website would be accessible.  It was not known, but it was an issue that would be dealt with.

Chair Kirwin further noted that the RCMP visited her residence thereafter to discuss accessibility.  (i.e. website)

It was suggested that RCMP Paul Stevens or a security personnel member, be asked to attend an August or September AAC Meeting.

It was noted that Chair Kirwin would invite the VIPS to attend the meeting.

It was noted that the VIPS had invited Kelly Pender CAO Huntsville to attend their next meeting to discuss issues pertaining to persons with visual disabilities and the G8.  Chair Kirwin will be attending the meeting to learn firsthand what the issues are will report back at the next meeting.  

b)  River Mill Park Playground

Chair Kirwin noted that the Sway Fun would be installed tomorrow. As a result of the new ramp and safety, the playground area will need to be extended out and filled with fibar.

Discussions took place regarding:

Concrete ramp versus extension of current ramp;

Swings on the swing set;

Lack of Fibar maintenance.

c)  Medical Building Parking Update

Chair Kirwin noted:

• They have raised the entry gate terminals;
• They have just received a proposal from the manufacturer to place some of the controls lower on the pay machines;
• They are waiting for remote controls;
• They are not in favour of opening the lower gates.

9.  NEW BUSINESS

Membership

Chair Kirwin noted the current AAC leave of absences in effect.  (Donna Glashan, John Krochak, Grant Wager)

10.  ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Deb Willows  AAC22-09

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT:  We do now adjourn at 3:45 p.m. to meet again on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the Huntsville Civic Centre, Partner’s Hall.                                   

Carried.