Minutes Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC)

Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 3:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Hybrid in-person and virtual meeting

Members:

• L. Root, Chair
• A. Cameron, Vice-Chair
• M. Ashkewe
• S. Ferguson Prior
• E. Lowenger
• J. Popkey
• D. Stienstra
• J.Svehla

Members Absent

• K.Beitz
• S. Cooper-Webb
• C.Lytle

Staff:

• M. Alain, Park Planner
• A. Jaworiwsky, Manager, Tourism and Destination Development
• A. Miller, Project Engineer
• B. van Miltenburg, Project Manager, Transportation Planning
• C. Vannelli, Park Planner
• L. Warren, Supervisor, Accessibility Services
• K. Beese, Accessibility Services Coordinator
• G. Meades, Acting Manager, Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk
• W. Chan, Board and Committee Coordinator
• J. Tang, Legislative Coordinator

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1.

Call to Order

The Chair called the meeting to order (3:05 p.m.).

1.1

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 Cameron
  Seconded by: Member Stienstra
  
  That the April 15, 2025 Accessibility Advisory Committee Agenda, be approved.

  Carried

1.4

Approval of Minutes

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

  That the February 18, 2025 meeting minutes of the following, be approved.

  Carried

2.

Consent Agenda

2.1

October 17th, 2024 Accessibility Advisory Committee Resolution Follow-up – Orientation Materials

This item was acknowledge by Chair Root and no comments were received.

3.

Committee Items

3.1

Exhibition Park Accessible Zipline Play Feature Project

Christina Vannelli, Park Planner, Park and Trail Development, presented the Exhibition Park Accessible Zipline Play Feature Project.

• Moved by: Member Cameron
  Seconded by: Member Stienstra

  1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee approves the Exhibition Park Zipline Play Feature Project.
  Carried

3.2

Wyndham Street North – Barrier-Free Street Design and Accessible Parking

Andrew Miller, Project Engineer, Engineering and Transportation Services, presented on the Wyndham Street North – Barrier-Free Street Design and Accessible Parking.

• Moved by: Member Lowenger
  Seconded by: Member Cameron

  1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee suggested that the addition of tactile, looking into options for tactile feedback for blind and low vision communities.
  Carried
• Moved by: Member Cameron
  Seconded by: Member Ashkewe

  1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee suggested that the overall parking space reduction could impact accessible parking spaces, recommend keeping the number as four. 
  Carried

3.3

Park Trail and Open Space Manual

Mathieu Alain, Park Planner, Park and Trail Development, presented on Park Trail and Open Space Manual.

• Moved by: Member Stienstra
  Seconded by: Member Cameron

  1. That the AAC received the information of Park Trail and Open Space Manual, eager to continue to work with staff as they develop accessible parks and trails and open spaces.
  Carried

3.4

Funding Request by Red Top Taxi for Vehicle Accessibility Modifications

Leanne Warren, Supervisor, Accessibility Services, presented on Funding Request by Red Top Taxi for Vehicle Accessibility Modifications.

The following delegates spoke - 

Mohammed Iqbal, President, Red Top Taxi
Christopher Wilson, Accessible Van Manager, Red Top Taxi

• Moved by: Member Cameron
  Seconded by: Member Lowenger

  1. The Accessibility Advisory Committee does not support the request from Red Top Taxi to use these funds, intended for the TaxiScrip program, to purchase or modify an accessible taxi. This budget is meant to subsidize transportation access for disabled residents—not to fund capital costs for a private, for-profit company that will charge full fare to the disabled community for those services. The AAC has already called for a review of the TaxiScrip and Mobility Transit application processes due to significant barriers to accessing both programs, and until those issues are resolved, we do not believe it is appropriate to consider new funding requests related to this budget.
  Carried

3.5

Protected Intersection at College and Gordon

Benita van Miltenburg, Project Manager, Transportation Planning, presented on Protected Intersection at College and Gordon. 

• Moved by: Member Stienstra
  Seconded by: Member Cameron
  

  1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend proceeding with the protected intersection at College Ave and Gordon Street, following the design principles of the intersection at College Ave and Edinburgh Road, with minor adjustments as needed and with considerations of the committee’s recommendations, ensuring it’s 24 hours no right turns on red, and that there's early and ongoing monitoring and enforcement by law enforcement.
     
  Carried

3.6

City-Wide Wayfinding Strategy

Alex Jaworiwsky, Manager, Tourism and Destination Development, presented on the City-Wide Wayfinding Strategy.

• Moved by: Member Svehla
  Seconded by: Member Cameron

  1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee receives the information on Finding Your Way: A City-Wide Wayfinding Strategy for Guelph, dated April 15, 2025.
  2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that staff return to provide an update and receive feedback on the Wayfinding Strategy prior to presenting to City Council.
  Carried

3.7

Follow-up on AAC Membership

Lorelei Root, AAC Chair, presented on Follow-up on AAC Membership.

Chair Root stepped down from their position as Chair and resigned from the Accessibility Advisory effective immediately and noted they will not be seeking reappointment.

Member Cameron resigned from the Accessibility Advisory Committee effective immediately.

Member Ashkewe resigned from the Accessibility Advisory Committee effective immediately.

Member Stienstra resigned from the Accessibility Advisory Committee effective immediately and noted they will not be seeking reappointment.

 

4.

Announcements

There is no announcement. 

5.

Adjournment

The Accessibility Advisory Committee adjourned (4:41 p.m.).

6.

Next Meetings and Future Topics

Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 from 3-5 p.m.