Town of Newmarket

Minutes

Accessibility Advisory Committee

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Electronic VIA ZOOM
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Members Present:
  • Steve Foglia, Chair
  • Jeffrey Fabian
  • Martha Jez (10:30 AM - 10:47 AM)
  • Linda Jones
  • Allen Matrosov
  • Patricia Monteath
  • Councillor Simon
  • Huma Tahir
Members Absent:
  • Felim Greene
Staff Present:
  • C. Kallio, Economic Development Officer
  • K. Saini, Deputy Town Clerk
  • J. Grossi, Legislative Coordinator

​​The meeting was called to order at 10:30 AM.
Steve Foglia in the Chair.

1.
Notice
 

Steve Foglia advised that all Town facilities were closed to the public, and that members of the public were encouraged to attend an electronic Advisory Committee or Board Meeting by joining through the ZOOM information provided with the agenda.

The Legislative Coordinator reviewed the process for members of the public to join an electronic Advisory Committee or Board Meeting and how to view all in attendance via ZOOM. 

2.
Additions & Corrections to the Agenda
 

None.

3.
Conflict of Interest Declarations
 

None.

4.
Presentations & Deputations
 

None.

5.
Approval of Minutes
 

5.1
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 20, 2021
This item has attachments. 

1.Post-Meeting Minutes - AAC_May20_2021 - English.pdf
  • Moved by:Allen Matrosov
    Seconded by:Linda Jones
    1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 20, 2021 be approved. 


    Carried

6.
Items
 

6.1
Chair Updates
 

Presentation to Council at their Workshop on June 7, 2021

  • Steve Foglia provided an overview of the presentation to Council, thanked the Committee for their work in preparing the slides, and echoed the acclamations expressed by Council regarding the work of the Committee thus far. 

Presentation to the Main Street District Business Improvement Area Board of Management (BIA) on July 7, 2021

  • Steve Foglia advised that the BIA received the accessibility information well, that an email was to be drafted for broader distribution to businesses, and that in-person visits would be scheduled to increase awareness. He further advised that next steps would continue to be discussed. 

York Region meeting during National AccessAbility Awareness Week

  • Steve Foglia provided an overview of the meeting and encouraged the Committee to look at the Easter Seals campaign entitled Leave No One Behind. He further expressed his pride in the Town staff and Accessibility Advisory Committee for their work and efforts in making Newmarket so successful when increasing accessibility. 

Canadian Accessibility Standards Meeting

  • Steve Foglia advised that he attended the meeting which included various presentations, and he provided feedback for enhancing the meeting experience for attendees. He also advised that he had been recently appointed to the Federal technical committee for a model standard for the built environment - accessibility.

6.2
Main Street Accessibility Next Steps
 

Steve Foglia provided some next step ideas to increase the awareness of accessibility issues on Main Street Newmarket including various newspaper articles, social media posts and door to door visits. He also reminded Members that free accessibility audits were offered to all businesses, based on availability. Members further discussed options for video advertising, creating a hashtag, and providing professional opinions on accessibility enhancements. 

6.3
Public Awareness of Accessibility Discussion
 

Members discussed options for increasing public awareness regarding accessibility in Newmarket through inclusion on the weekly Town Page in the Era Banner, Town social media sites, and the development of a sticker or window sign for businesses. They further discussed options for high school students to create a logo. The Legislative Coordinator advised that all ideas would be vetted by Corporate Communications to ensure continuity between all platforms. 

6.4
Provincial Funding Update
 

The Legislative Coordinator advised that the small project stream of the Enabling Accessibility Fund was not open yet for applications and staff would continue to monitor. She further advised that the Town was preparing an application for the mid-size project stream and that once a project had been selected, additional information would be provided.

Members expressed their support for the Fairy Lake washrooms to be used as the mid-size project of choice as they have been identified by the Committee as inaccessible. 

6.5
Newmarket Financial Incentive Program (FIP) Accessibility Funding Update
 

The Economic Development Officer provided an update regarding the Town's Financial Incentive Program (FIP) and the inclusion of an accessibility project stream. He reviewed the current funding program, its boundaries, and the requirements. He further advised that the guidelines for the new stream were currently being written in consultation with the Chief Building Officer and heritage staff.

Members discussed possible accessibility enhancements that could be completed with this funding, the heritage considerations Downtown, and advertising the availability of funding. 

  • Moved by:Allen Matrosov
    Seconded by:Patricia Monteath
    1. That the Newmarket Financial Incentive Program (FIP) Accessibility Funding Update provided by the Economic Development Officer be received. 


    Carried

7.
New Business
 

7.1
Accessible Transportation for COVID-19 Vaccinations
 

Members discussed the availability of accessible transportation for individuals wishing to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations in York Region, and some Members advised that York Region Paramedics were offering free home visits.  

8.
Adjournment
 

  • Moved by:Huma Tahir
    Seconded by:Linda Jones
    1. That the meeting be adjourned at 11:43 AM. 


    Carried
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