June 20, 2006 Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC)
Page Content:
1. Call to Order
2. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Approval of Agenda
5. Communication Items
6. Consultation Session for the Renewal of the Region of Peel and Town of Caledon Accessibility Plans
7. Reports
8. Report from the Accessibility Planning Coordinators
9. Report of the Accessibility Advisory Committee Chair
10. Other Business
11. Next Meeting
12. Adjournment

 

JOINT PEEL-CALEDON

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AAC)


MINUTES


AAC-2006-5

 

The Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee met on June 20, 2006 at 1:20 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Dr., Brampton.

Members Present: H. Bajwa; G. Barnes; G. Carlson¨; W. Goursky; M. Horn; N. Husain; M. Tymkow; W. Goss, designate for Councillor S. Hames; J. Elias Joukema, designate for E. Kolb
 
Members Absent: S. Hames, due to other municipal business; E. Kolb, due to other municipal business; R. Paterak, due to other municipal business; T. LeRoux
 
Also Present:

R.K. Gillespie, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Solicitor; J. Elias Joukema, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Executive Office; C. Grant, Town Prosecutor and Solicitor, Town of Caledon; A. Macintyre, Acting Regional Clerk and Director of Clerk's; C. Thomson, Acting Manager, Legislative Services; M. Sikand, Accessibility Planning Specialist, Corporate Services; S. Jurrius, Acting Legislative Co-ordinator, Legislative Services

   
_____________________________________
*See text for arrivals
¨See text for departures

Glenn Barnes, Chair, presided


1. CALL TO ORDER


2. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR

RECOMMENDATION AAC-12-2006:

That the term of appointment of Glenn Barnes as Chair of the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) be extended to November 30, 2006 or until a successor is appointed by Regional Council;

And further, that the term of appointment of William Goursky as Vice-Chair of the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) be extended to November 30, 2006 or until a successor is appointed by Regional Council.


3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

RECOMMENDATION AAC-13-2006:

That the minutes of the April 25, 2006 Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be approved.


4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION AAC-14-2006:

That the agenda for the June 20, 2006 Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be amended to include a motion regarding the attendance of Brampton City Councillor Hames at Committee meetings, to be dealt with under Other Business;

And further, that the agenda for the June 20, 2006 Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be amended to include a communication regarding the Ministry of Community and Social Services Initial Proposed Customer Service Standard, to be dealt with under Communications;

And further, that the agenda for the June 20, 2006 Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be approved, as amended.


Item 10a was dealt with.

10. OTHER BUSINESS

Additional Item - 10a:

a. Motion regarding the Absence of Councillor Sandra Hames

Glenn Barnes advised that a motion to permit Councillor Hames to extend the attendance requirement is required, in accordance with Section VIII-1(d) of Procedural By-law 54-1999, as amended, to allow the membership of Councillor Hames on the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) to continue. William Goursky, Citizen Member, expressed his concern that adopting such a motion may set a precedent for other members.

Ava Macintyre, Acting Regional Clerk and Director of Clerk's, informed the Committee that Councillor Hames has been unable to attend meetings of the AAC due to conflicting schedules with her responsibility as a Board Member for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). Ava Macintyre stated that Councillor Hames does not wish to give up her membership with AAC and, therefore, designated Wendy Goss, Accessibility Co-ordinator for the City of Brampton as a non-voting member to receive information on her behalf. Councillor Hames will be attending the next regular meeting of the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC).

RECOMMENDATION AAC-15-2006:

That Brampton City Councillor Hames be permitted to extend the attendance requirement under the Region of Peel Procedural By-law 54-1999, as amended, to maintain her membership on the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC).

Glenn Barnes suggested that the terms of reference for the Committee be reviewed, particularly with respect to attendance requirements and the appointment of members, in the next term of Council.

RECOMMENDATION AAC-16-2006:

That the terms of reference for the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) be reviewed during the next term of Regional Council with respect to attendance requirements and the role of members and their designated alternates.

Glenn Barnes informed the Committee that Chair Kolb advised that he designated Janine Elias Joukema, Director of Strategic Initiatives, as his alternate to the Committee in the event that he cannot attend a meeting. Glenn Barnes then requested that Janine Elias Joukema attend the June 20, 2006 AAC meeting in the absence of Chair Kolb.

Ava Macintyre reminded members that for all subcommittees of Regional Council are governed by the Procedural By-law. She stated that only a Regional Councillor can be designated as a voting member.


5. COMMUNICATION ITEMS

a. News Release: Ministry of Community and Social Services, dated May 2, 2006, Announcing the Historic Commitment to Stronger Services for People with a Developmental Disability

Received

William Goursky provided a brief summary regarding the consultation paper from the Ministry of Community and Social Services titled "Opportunities and Action - Transforming Supports in Ontario for People Who Have a Developmental Disability". William Goursky advised that the Provincial government is requesting feedback from the public on the white paper and encouraged Committee members to take some time to review the report. The consultation paper is available online at http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca.


b. Toronto Star, Article dated May 31, 2006, titled "Ombud: Pay Disabled $6M: Four Month Appeal Window for Process that Takes Eight Months"

Received


Additional Item - 5c:

c. Ministry of Community and Social Services Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, Standards Development Committee Customer Service Accessibility - Initial Proposed Customer Service Standard dated June 13, 2006

Received

Meenu Sikand undertook to send an electronic copy of the "Ministry of Community and Social Services Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, Standards Development Committee Customer Service Accessibility - Initial Proposed Customer Service Standard" to all AAC members. She requested that Committee members address feedback on the proposed customer service standard to her attention. All feedback will be compiled and submitted to the Standard Development Committee.

 

6. CONSULTATION SESSION FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE REGION OF PEEL AND TOWN OF CALEDON ACCESSIBILITY PLANS (ORAL)
Facilitated by Janine Elias Joukema, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Executive Office, Region of Peel and R. Kent Gillespie, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Solicitor

This item was dealt with later in the meeting


7. REPORTS


8. REPORT FROM THE ACCESSIBILITY PLANNING COORDINATORS

a. Colleen Grant, Town Prosecutor and Solicitor, Town of Caledon (Oral)

Received

Colleen Grant, Town Prosecutor and Solicitor, Town of Caledon provided an update on the following projects managed by the Town of Caledon:

Glenn Barnes requested that Colleen Grant invite Heather Savage, Manager of Programmes, Caledon Recreation Department, to present to a future AAC meeting regarding the Successful Integration in Recreational Programs based upon the Workshop she conducted at the Rainbow Program Conference. Colleen Grant undertook the direction from the Chair of the AAC.

Maureen Tymkow, Citizen Member, inquired about the status of the seniors' building on Walkers Road. Colleen Grant undertook to provide an update at the next AAC meeting.


b. Meenu Sikand, Accessibility Planning Specialist, Region of Peel

Received

Members of the Committee noted that the hard work of the AAC was recognized at the recent "Peel Children's Water Festival" hosted by the Region of Peel. The Committee members expressed that they were interested in more community involvement in the future.

Meenu Sikand informed the Committee that she will meet with the Peel Board of Education, as directed by the Committee, regarding the initiatives by the Board. At the request of the Committee, Meenu Sikand is currently organizing a tour of a long term care facility in Caledon. Meenu Sikand will try to schedule the tour for the end of July 2006.


9. REPORT OF THE ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIR (ORAL)

Received

Glenn Barnes provided an update on the recent community projects he was involved in.

The event had a good turnout and raised $10,000 for charity. The recipients of the event proceeds were Cruiser Sports, Erinoak and the Coalition for Disabilities.

Glenn Barnes provided a brief overview of what transpired at the meeting regarding accessibility and transportation across the Province. He informed the Committee that GO Transit estimated 91 per cent of its buses will be accessible next year, however, Glenn Barnes stated that only 26 per cent of this accessible capacity is forecast to be utilized.


10. OTHER BUSINESS

Additional Items - 10a and 10b:

a. Motion regarding the Absence of Councillor Sandra Hames

This item was dealt with earlier in the meeting

b. Update on the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion Events in the Town of Caledon and City of Brampton (Oral)

Received

Maureen Tymkow and Harvinder Bajwa, Citizen Members, informed the Committee that the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion event had a great turnout in their respective municipalities. Maureen Tymkow stated that the event raised about $6,000 in the Town of Caledon and that sensitivity training on wheelchairs was a successful part of the event. The amount raised in the City of Brampton was not available at the time of the meeting. Harvinder Bajwa will update the Committee once the figure is available.

Councillor Carlson departed at 3:00 p.m.



Item 6 was dealt with.

6. CONSULTATION SESSION FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE REGION OF PEEL AND TOWN OF CALEDON ACCESSIBILITY PLANS (ORAL)
Facilitated by Janine Elias Joukema, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Executive Office, Region of Peel and R. Kent Gillespie, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Solicitor

Received

R. Kent Gillespie, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Solicitor, provided a high-level overview of the Accessibility Plan Service Strategy Business Plan (SSBP) and a proposed organizational structure for the program which includes:

William Goursky requested that the link between AAC and the Accessibility Program (Clerk's Division) outlined on the organizational structure for Accessibility Planning SSBP to include a two-way reporting flow between the two groups. R. Kent Gillespie indicated that the connection between these two groups was explained in the roles and responsibilities of each group as shown in Appendix II of the presentation. He agreed to update the organization chart to reflect the interconnection between the AAC and Clerk's Division.

William Goursky expressed concerns that the Accessibility Planning SSBP Steering Committee only works or coordinates with the Sponsor and noted that the Steering Committee should have a direct link to the AAC and vice versa. R. Kent Gillespie explained that the Steering Committee acts in an advisory capacity to the Sponsor on the overall direction of the Accessibility Plan SSBP. It will advise on the capacity of the organization, helping to organize the projects and providing organizational input as to how the Region can move forward with its set priorities in accordance with the objectives and actions of the SSBP. The Sponsor is accountable for the SSBP but the Steering Committee is not. The AAC will have access to the Steering Committee.

Janine Elias Joukema reiterated that the Region is applying a rigorous project management philosophy to the SSBP. She noted that in the last update of the Accessibility Plan SSBP, R. Kent Gillespie clearly stated that the Committee is not optimizing its resources to move the agenda forward. As a result, R. Kent Gillespie was asked to use the corporate management methodology and framework to make sure that the Region has a proper organization structure in place to deliver the SSBP. Janine Elias Joukema stated that the challenge is to set priorities in the SSBP and suggested the Committee should focus on one action that will help management to develop and plan for the next year.

Meenu Sikand noted that the Executive Management Team (EMT) and all Regional departments are aware of the importance of accessibility in the Region and are doing everything to accommodate the request of the Committee to get involved in the program. Meenu Sikand noted that EMT is kept up to date with AAC activities through monthly activity reports or updates.


11. NEXT MEETING

Due to time constraints, the consultation session for the renewal of the Region of Peel and Town of Caledon Accessibility Plans with Janine Elias Joukema did not take place. Clerk's staff was requested to check the availability of the Peel Room and to poll the availability of the members for the morning of Tuesday, July 18, 2006. The purpose of the meeting will be for a consultation session for the renewal of the Region of Peel and Town of Caledon Accessibility Plans. Committee members requested that no other items be listed on the agenda.

The next meeting of the Committee is tentatively set for:

Tuesday, July 18, 2006
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Region of Peel Administrative Headquarters
Peel Room, 1st Floor
10 Peel Centre Dr.
Brampton, Ontario


12. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:08 p.m.