Town of Newmarket

Minutes

Accessibility Advisory Committee

Meeting #:
Date:	Thursday, January 16, 2020
Time:	10:30 A.m. - 12:30 P.m.
Location:	Council Chambers Municipal Offices 395 Mulock Drive Newmarket, ON L3Y 4X7

Members Present:

• Steve Foglia, Chair
• Linda Jones
• Patricia Monteath
• Lawrence Raifman
• Councillor Simon

Members Absent:

• Jeffrey Fabian

Staff Present:

• P. McIntosh, Recreation Programmer - Seniors & Special Needs
• S. Marcoux, Project Consultant Facility Maintenance
• Elizabeth Hawkins
• J. Grossi, Legislative Coordinator

​​The meeting was called to order at 10:37 AM.
Steve Foglia in the Chair.

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1.

Additions & Corrections to the Agenda

None.

2.

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest

None.

3.

Presentations & Deputations

None.

4.

Approval of Minutes

4.1

Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 21, 2019

• Moved by: Lawrence Raifman
  Seconded by: Linda Jones
  1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 21, 2019 be approved. 
  
  
  
  Carried

5.

Items

5.1

Financial Incentive Program Staff Working Group - Accessibility Inclusion

The Business Development Specialist provided an update regarding the Financial Incentive Program Staff Working Group focused on the inclusion of accessibility projects in the application process. She advised that Staff is currently working to allow funding for accessibility projects and conducting research regarding the AODA & Building Code requirements. 

5.2

Stickwood Walker Farmhouse Site Plan Update

The Business Development Specialist provided an update regarding the Stickwood Walker Farmhouse and advised that another site plan would be circulated to the Accessibility Advisory Committee when the proponent provided it to Staff. She answered questions regarding the accessible washroom, entrances to the building, and the parking lot. 

5.3

Main Street Accessibility Discussion

5.3.1

Stickers and Award Program for Accessible Stores Discussion

Steve Foglia discussed initiatives run by the Rick Hansen Foundation in Vancouver such as the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC), and discussed the possibility of a similar initiative for Main Street businesses.  

5.3.2

Deputation/Presentation to the Main Street District Business Improvement Area Board of Directors

The Members discussed various improvements that businesses on Main Street could implement to increase the accessibility of their stores. They discussed ways in which the Accessibility Advisory Committee could educate the Main Street District Business Improvement Area Board of Management through a deputation at a future meeting, providing handouts, and potential solutions to identified issues. 

5.4

2020 National Access Awareness Week 

The Recreation Programmer - Seniors & Special Needs provided an update on the 2020 National Access Awareness Week (NAAW) occurring from June 1, 2020 to June 8, 2020. The Members discussed ideas for the 2020 event including a Farmer's Market booth, Sports for Everyone events, guide dogs, social media presence, and closed captioning availability. 

The NAAW sub-committee agreed to meet with the Recreation Programmer - Seniors & Special Needs regarding the 2020 event prior to the March Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting.

• Moved by: Patricia Monteath
  Seconded by: Lawrence Raifman
  1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee form a National Access Awareness Week (NAAW) sub-committee composed of Steve Foglia and Pat McIntosh.
  
  
  
  Carried

5.5

Chair Updates

• Steve Foglia shared a story regarding his experience voting for the Federal election and the issues with the accessible voting location provided by Elections Canada.
• Steve Folgia discussed the need for an accessible washroom at Fairy Lake and asked Staff continue to look for improvements of the current structure and available grants. 

5.6

Accessibility Advisory Committee Member Recruitment Update

The Legislative Coordinator advised that the two vacancies on the Accessibility Advisory Committee had been advertised and numerous applications were received and reviewed. She advised that the two new Members would be appointment prior to the March 19, 2020 Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting. 

6.

New Business

6.1

Patterson Sidewalk Update

Steve Foglia provided an update on a capital project on Patterson that he attended to assist with an accessibility audit of the sidewalk. He asked Staff to provide an update on the project at the next meeting. 

6.2

Accessibility Advisory Committee Membership

The Members discussed amending their terms of reference to increase their membership by two due to the interest during the last recruitment and the current issues with achieving quorum. 

• Moved by: Patricia Monteath
  Seconded by: Lawrence Raifman
  1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend to Council that the Terms of Reference be amended to increase the membership to 10 members.
  
  
  
  Carried

6.3

Wheelchair Basketball

The Recreation Programmer, Inclusion & Leisure Services asked the Members to share with the residents that the Wheelchair Basketball program was currently running on Saturdays from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Recreation Youth Centre and Sk8Park (56 Charles Street).

7.

Adjournment

• ​​​

  Moved by: Patricia Monteath
  Seconded by: Lawrence Raifman
  1. That the meeting be adjourned at 11:38 AM. 
  
  
  
  Carried