Minutes Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 3:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Hybrid in-person and virtual meeting

Members:

• L. Root, Chair
• M. Ashkewe
• K. Beitz
• A. Cameron, Vice-Chair
• S. Cooper-Webb
• S. Ferguson Prior
• E. Lowenger
• C. Lytle
• D. McMurdo
• J. Popkey
• T. Stevens
• D. Stienstra
• J. Svehla

Members Absent

• Z. Jacobs
• B. McPherson

Staff:

• L. Warren, Project Specialist, Accessibility
• S. Boghossian, Accessibility Services Coordinator
• E. Barber, Board and Committee Coordinator
• J. Tang, Legislative Coordinator
• S. O'Brien, General Manager, Human Resources
• J. Slater, Manager, Information, Privacy and Elections/Deputy City Clerk
• C. Murray-Sprague, Council and Committee Coordinator
• R. Reid, Project Manager, Solid Waste Resources, Environmental Services
• L. Catalano-Bragues, Supervisor, Scheduling and Service Planning, Guelph Transit
• J. Mallon, Heritage Planner, Planning Services

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1.

Call to Order

Chair Root called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m.

1.1

Indigenous Territorial Acknowledgement

Chair Root provided the Indigenous Territorial Acknowledgement. 

1.2

Disclosure of Conflict of Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures or conflicts declared. 

1.3

Approval of Agenda

• Moved by: Member Ashkewe
  Seconded by: Member Stevens

  That the April 16, 2024 Accessibility Advisory Committee Agenda be approved.

  Carried

1.4

Approval of Minutes

• Moved by: Member Ashkewe
  Seconded by: Member Stevens

  That the February 20, 2024 meeting minutes be approved.

  Carried

2.

Consent Agenda

• Moved by: Member Cameron
  Seconded by: Member Ashkewe

  That the April 16, 2024 AAC Consent Agenda identified below be adopted. 

  Carried

3.

Committee Items

3.1

Municipal Election Follow-Up

Member Cameron assumed the position of the Chair.

Stephen O'Brien, General Manager, Human Resources, presented the 2026 Municipal Election: Staff recommendation and next steps. Stephen O'Brien, General Manager, Human Resources, Jennifer Slater, Manager Information, Privacy and Elections/Deputy City Clerk and Carrie Murray-Sprague, Council Committee Coordinator were present to receive committee comments, feedback and answer any questions. 

• Moved by: Member Root
  Seconded by: Member Ashkewe

  1. The AAC does not support the staff recommendation that vote from home and vote by mail be offered as the only alternative voting methods for the 2026 election. We believe that this leaves insurmountable barriers to accessibility and denies many members of the community access to a confidential, independent, and verifiable voting method. Failure to provide a voting method to disabled individuals serves to disenfranchise a vulnerable population.

  The AAC recommends that council move forward with online voting and remote accessible vote by mail as the main alternative voting options, with vote from home and vote by mail remaining available as supplementary accessible options.

  Carried

• Moved by: Member Root
  Seconded by: Member Svehla

  2.The AAC recommends that Chair Root present their opinions on accessible voting options to council at the May 7, 2024 council meeting.

  Carried

3.2

Downtown Waste Project - Design Guideline

Rob Reid, Project Manager, presented and received committee comments on the Downtown Waste Project Design Guideline. 

• Moved by: Member Root 
  Seconded by: Member Lowenger

  1.That Staff proceed with the Downtown Waste Project Design Guideline using the universal design and accessibility considerations summarized in this report.

  Carried

3.3

Guelph Transit: Introduction of Chime Sound on Conventional Buses

Member Root assumed the position of the Chair. 

Laura Catalano-Bragues, Supervisor, Scheduling and Service Planning, presented and received committee comments on the Guelph Transit Introduction of Chime Sound on Conventional Buses. 

• Moved by: Member Ashkewe
  Seconded by: Member Lowenger

  1.That the Accessibility Advisory Committee receive the report named “Introduction of Chime Sound on Conventional Buses” provided by Laura Catalano-Bragues. And, that the Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend that staff do further investigation into more variety of accessible tones, looking across the spectrum of hearing related disabilities and neurodivergence.

  Carried

3.4

Heritage Conservation District Boundaries

Jack Mallon, Heritage Planner, presented and received committee comments on the Heritage Conservation District Boundaries. 

• Moved by: Member Cameron
  Seconded by: Member Lytle

  1.That the Accessibility Advisory Committee receive the staff report titled “Introduction to Downtown Guelph Heritage Conservation District Study” dated April 16, 2024.

  Carried

3.5

Tuesday, May 21 - AAC Special Meeting

Sarah Boghossian, Accessibility Coordinator, spoke to this item. 

4.

Adjournment

• Moved by: Member Stevens
  Seconded by: Member Ashkewe

  That the Accessibility Advisory Committee be adjourned at 4:41 p.m.

  Carried

5.

Next Meetings and Future Topics

Tuesday, May 21 from 3-5 p.m.

Tuesday, June 18 from 3-5 p.m.

Tuesday, August 20 from 3-5 p.m.

Tuesday, October 15 from 3-5 p.m.

Tuesday, December 17 from 3-5 p.m.

Future Topics:

• Recreation Inclusion Programming
• Playground Replacement Project
• Heritage Conservation District Project plan and guideline