Committee Members Present. Drew Kennedy; Chair Councillor Neill Andrew Ashby Robert Baird Lorraine Farrar Enam-ul Hoque Jana Mareckova Donald Mitchell

Transcription

1 City Of Kingston Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Number Confirmed Minutes Thursday, November at 1:00 p.m. Front Lounge, Portsmouth Olympic Harbour Committee Members Present Drew Kennedy; Chair Councillor Neill Andrew Ashby Robert Baird Lorraine Farrar Enam-ul Hoque Jana Mareckova Donald Mitchell Regrets Aimee Burtch Dinah Jansen Samantha Knapp Robert McKay Sheri Scott David Williams Staff Members Present Derek Ochej, Committee Clerk Julie Salter-Keane, Community Projects Manager Ian Semple, Manager, Service Development Colin Wiginton, Cultural Director Heather Woodland, Administrative Assistant, Recreation & Leisure/Cultural Services Meeting to Order Mr. Kennedy, Chair, called the meeting to order at 1:06 p.m.

2 Approval of the Agenda Moved by Councillor Neill Seconded by Ms. Mareckova Page 2 of 6 That the agenda be amended by removing Business Item 7. c) ii., and as amended, be approved. Confirmation of Minutes Moved by Ms. Farrar Seconded by Councillor Neill Carried That the Minutes of Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Number held Thursday October 5, 2017 be approved. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest Delegations Briefings Carried a) Mr. Colin Wiginton, Cultural Director, was present and spoke to the Committee regarding the removal of barriers to municipally sponsored and supported arts and culture life in Kingston Mr. Wiginton conducted a PowerPoint presentation regarding the removal of barriers to municipally sponsored and supported arts and culture life in Kingston, a copy of which may be obtained by contacting the City Clerk s Department. Councillor Neill discussed the process undertaken by the City of Kingston Heritage Fund and the inclusion of accessibility as a consideration, adding that virtual tours are frequently used as a method for increasing accessibility at museums. Mr. Wiginton responded that virtual tours are sometimes used as an alternate experience, and that they can be used as a tool to involve all visitors to a museum. He added that in the future, virtual components will be incorporated into City Hall tours.

3 Page 3 of 6 Mr. Mitchell inquired as to how Kingston compares to other municipalities with respect to accessibility and cultural services, how youth have been engaged in terms of accessibility, and what progress has been made with respect to accessible employment. Mr. Wiginton discussed departmental hiring practices, citing as an example the recent hiring of a student with a visual impairment. Regarding youth engagement, Mr. Wiginton spoke to the advancements of the youth strategy and the work of Youth 2 Kingston regarding youth and cultural accessibility. Regarding comparators to other municipalities, Mr. Wiginton stated that staff is working to develop guidelines that partner standard practices with accessibility requirements. Councillor Neill spoke to youth events at the Grand Theatre and improvements to accessibility. Mr. Wiginton responded that efforts have been made to reduce financial barriers to participation in events at the Grand Theatre for youth, families, and other groups. Mr. Kennedy stated that the Cultural Services Department had made great progress over the years regarding accessibility. He expressed support for the customer service and accessibility group being led by Ms. Woodland b) Mr. Ian Semple, Manager, Service Development was present and spoke to the Committee regarding update on 2017 accessibility initiatives for transportation services. Mr. Semple conducted a PowerPoint presentation regarding an update on 2017 accessibility initiatives for transportation services, a copy of which may be obtained by contacting the City Clerk s Department. Ms. Mareckova sought clarity on the costs of the Honk Mobile app and whether or not a similar app would be considered for Kingston Transit fare. Mr. Semple clarified that the Honk Mobile app is free for users, with some fees paid for by the City. Regarding similar apps for Kingston Transit fare, he stated that new fare boxes which would allow for different payment options are being examined as part of the five-year business plan. Mr. Hoque sought further details on the confirmation of payment for parking using the Honk Mobile app. Mr. Semple described the manner in which parking enforcement officers receive data from the Honk Mobile app, including time, license plate and parking location information. Mr. Mitchell inquired about snow removal at transit stops and the process for placing transit stop infrastructure on private property. Regarding snow removal at transit stops, Mr. Semple stated that Kingston Transit staff work with Public Works staff to ensure

4 Page 4 of 6 stops are cleared and to prioritize snow removal at higher traffic stops. He added that there are timing issues with on-street and sidewalk snow removal, and that troublesome areas have been identified by staff for further monitoring. Regarding transit stop infrastructure on private property, Mr. Semple responded that staff are limited in what they can have private property owners do to improve infrastructure on private property, and that staff consider pedestrian and pathway connectivity when locating transit stops. Councillor Neill sought clarity on the parking lots include in the Honk Mobile pilot. Mr. Semple displayed a map illustrating the nine off-street parking lots included in the oneyear pilot. Mr. Semple added that the pilot is scheduled for one-year to allow for the upgrading of parking enforcement officer equipment. Councillor Neill inquired if the pilot could include the off-street parking lot in Williamsville. Mr. Semple stated that staff would like to keep the pilot contained, but that additional parking lots could be included in the pilot. Mr. Baird inquired as to why tactile warning strips have not been installed at all transit stops. Mr. Semple responded that different installation methods for warning strips are been tested at the downtown transfer point, and that after the winter warning strips will be installed at additional transit stops. Mr. Mitchell commented that he has witnessed strollers getting caught in the warning strips. Mr. Semple responded that he has received similar comments, and that these comments are why the strips are being tested before widespread installation. Mr. Kennedy inquired if misuse of accessible parking permits is an issue in Kingston, and further inquired if a review of the fine for parking in an accessible parking space without a permit is being considered. Mr. Semple stated that in his experience the misuse of accessible parking permits is not an issue in Kingston, and that a review of parking fines was conducted in 2016, with a recommendation that fines be maintained at their current level. He added that parking enforcement officers have a zero tolerance approach to illegal parking in accessible spaces and that the current fine is typically upheld in court, if appealed. Mr. Mitchell suggested that users should be able to enter their accessible parking permit number into the Honk Mobile app in order to ensure compliance. Mr. Semple commented that this may be technically possible with the app. Business a) Accessibility Office Report Ms. Salter-Keane provided the Committee with an overview of the report.

5 Page 5 of 6 Mr. Kennedy sought clarity regarding the provision of goods and services category in the ContactUs statistics. Ms. Salter-Keane clarified that work orders where a resident cannot access a service are included in the provision of goods and services category. Mr. Hoque inquired about the process for reporting sidewalk obstructions. Ms. Salter- Keane responded that any known sidewalk obstructions are report through the City s accessibility listserv and website, as well as signage on the street. She added that any obstructed sidewalks without proper on-street signage should be reported through the City s ContactUs portal. Councillor Neill discussed accessibility concerns with the gates at off-leash dog parks and the effort staff has undertaken to improve their accessibility. Mr. Baird stated that in his experience the majority of sidewalk obstructions that lack appropriate signage have been associated with work by private contractors or subcontractors. Mr. Mitchell discussed the inclusion of accessibility standards in municipal contracts and the enforcement of those standards. Mr. Kennedy discussed the accessibility improvements at The Screening Room and suggested that the accessible parking video be shown as part of the previews at the theatre. b) Working Group Updates i. Awareness and Education Working Group ii. Built Environment Working Group Mr. Baird provided the Committee with an overview of the working group report and commended Mr. Greg Newman and Mr. Chris Wicke for their work on integrating accessibility in the City of Kingston Planning Department s processes. c) Appointment of Project Teams i. Kingston East Community Centre (Two Representatives) The Committee consented to Mr. Hoque being appointed to the Kingston East Community Centre project team.

6 d) Discussion and Questions regarding upcoming briefing groups Page 6 of 6 Ms. Salter-Keane provided the Committee with an overview of the upcoming briefing from the Office of the City Clerk. She encouraged Committee members to send questions, in advance of the briefings, to the Committee Clerk. Motions Notices Of Motion Other Business There was none. Correspondence There was none. Date and time of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee is scheduled for Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 1:00 p.m., Front Lounge, Portsmouth Olympic Harbour. Adjournment Moved by Mr. Mitchell Seconded by Mr. Hoque That the meeting of the Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee adjourn at 2:43 p.m. Carried