Minutes Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC)

Tuesday, May 21, 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. Ferguson Prior
• C. Lytle
• D. McMurdo
• J. Popkey
• J. Svehla

Members Absent

• S. Cooper-Webb
• Z. Jacobs
• E. Lowenger
• B. McPherson
• T. Stevens
• D. Stienstra

Staff:

• S. Boghossian, Accessibility Services Coordinator
• L. Warren, Project Specialist, Accessibility
• E. Barber, Board and Committee Coordinator
• M. Lemon, Manager Park and Trail Development

---

1.

Call to Order

Chair Root informed the Committee that the Vice Chair of the AAC will be chairing the meeting.

Member Cameron assumed the position of the Chair. Chair Cameron called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m.

1.1

Indigenous Territorial Acknowledgement

Chair Cameron provided the Indigenous Territorial Acknowledgment. 

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 Root
  Seconded by: Member Svehla

  That the May 21, 2024 Accessibility Advisory Committee Agenda be approved. 

  Carried

1.4

Approval of Minutes

• Moved by: Member Root 
  Seconded by: Member Ashkewe

  That the April 16, 2024 meeting minutes be approved.

  Carried

2.

Committee Item

Member Root raised a point of order. Member Root noted that the role of the AAC is not to comment or discuss city budget but rather provide advice on accessibility and disability. Chair Cameron confirmed that the budget related topics will be omitted during the presentation. 

2.1

Playground Accessibility

• Moved by: Member Root 
  Seconded by: Member Ashkewe

  That the AAC recommends that the final PRMP include a requirement for all new playgrounds in Guelph include a minimum of four wheelchair accessible play components with at least one of those being a wheelchair accessible play structure with a ramp or other method of full wheelchair access onto the structure. The AAC also recommends that the PRMP include a requirement that all play structures be connected to accessible pathways, and that all other play components be within 255 mm of an accessible pathway.

  Carried

• Moved by: Member Root
  Seconded by: Member Ashkewe

  The AAC recommends that recommendation 33 in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan be revised to read “Apply a service level target of one rubber surface playground within 2.5 km of residential areas until 2025, moving to a target of one rubber surface playground within 1.5 km of residential areas starting in 2026", and that this be considered a starting point for future growth, not an end goal.

  Carried

• Moved by: Member Root
  Seconded by: Member Ferguson Prior 

  The AAC recommends that the PRMP reflect that economic need will be a factor in determining the location of playgrounds with rubber surfaces, noting that city wide distribution gaps will be considered first with areas of economic need be identified within those gaps.  

  Carried

• Moved by: Member Root
  Seconded by: Member Ashkewe

  The AAC recommends that a target ratio of 100% of new playgrounds have rubber safety surfaces, which will be considered in addition to the AAC's recommended geographic distribution metric. 

  Carried

• Member Root raised a point of order. Member Root asked for clarification regarding the procedure to appoint a representative to attend Council meetings. Chair Cameron allowed Clerk's staff to respond to the question.

   

  Moved by: Member Ashkewe
  Seconded by: Member Popkey

  That the Chair of the AAC be listed as a presenter alongside staff for when the Playground Accessibility item goes to Council. 

  Carried

3.

Adjournment

• Moved by: Member Ashkewe
  Seconded by: Member Svehla

  That the Accessibility Advisory Committee be adjourned at 4:27 p.m. 

  Carried

4.

Next Meeting and Future Topics

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 Plan and Guideline
• Transit Services - Chime Sounds for Priority Messages
• New Guelph Junction Railroad Trail - Woolwich to Woodlawn