Accessibility Advisory Committee

0:05It's everybody.

0:08How's everyone this evening?

0:10I guess afternoon's still listening.

0:12I will be translating to Jill to be able to make it.

0:18So I will apologize now in advance of any mistakes I made and

0:22I'll be a freaking off.

0:25That will be happy.

0:30Everybody has their link for the meeting.

0:33The first point on here is delegations to

0:373.4, 2026 municipal school board election accessibility plan.

0:4326397 members of the public wish to delegate to this item.

0:523.4, 2026 municipal school board election assembly plan.

0:592026 that's 397.

1:02May register up until, oh, I don't need to be reading this.

1:06They're my first mistake.

1:08Follow the word.

1:12We will start off by reading the statement of acknowledgement.

1:17As we gather, as we gather, let us take time to reflect on our

1:22privilege to live and work in growth, a city built over rich

1:26and dangerous histories.

1:28We are guests here and we should reflect upon the responsibility

1:32of the people who care for this land and the people who live here

1:36today and the generations to come.

1:38If our actions today can move us forward towards the

1:42reconciliation, we should take pause and make those decisions

1:46with intention and gratitude.

1:49This place we call a quote has served as traditional lands

1:54and a place of refuge for many people over time, but more

1:58specifically, the anti-wonderdog, and I apologize for my

2:06pronunciations, and the Chaudhary.

2:14This land has held as a treaty lands and territory for the

2:20Mississauga, the first nations, both allies directly

2:26adjacent to Hell May Tract and is part of the longest established

2:30traditional hunting grounds for the six nations of the

2:34Grand River.

2:36Many first nations, anyone and many team peoples who have come

2:40across the Turtle Islands called World Home Today.

2:45I apologize for any mispronunciations.

2:51Do we have any disclosure of conflict of interest and general

2:55nature thereof?

2:59We will take as silence as known.

3:09Is anybody against the approval of minutes as they stand

3:15out through you, Chaudhary?

3:18Sorry, you are heard.

3:22Approval of minutes.

3:25Is anybody calling to approve?

3:29Call to approve.

3:32Anybody second?

3:35Any opposed?

3:39Seeing none, Chair, through you, that motion has carried.

3:43Just so everybody is aware, there has been a change to the

3:50agenda.

3:52So item 3.3 for the transit network design plan,

4:10and engagement date is the first committee item that we will

4:15hear because they have a hard spot at 4.15.

4:21Do we need to do a motion for that?

4:25No.

4:28Laura, you are first up.

4:36Can you hear me?

4:38We can.

4:40Okay, thank you.

4:42Sorry about that.

4:44Hello, everybody.

4:46Jordan, are you able or Liz to share our slide deck for today

4:50and I will give you a little bit of some history on how we got

4:55here and what we are coming to talk to you about today.

4:59So for our transit network design, we have come previously,

5:04we have talked about initial engagement with you folks on

5:08what are some key takeaways that we should take in our

5:11consideration as we go forward, and what can we do for the

5:17transit network design?

5:19The transit network design refresh that we are looking at.

5:23So we are looking at our current network, we are looking at our

5:26future network for our ten-year plan, the remaining five years of

5:30that plan, and we are looking at what we can do for mobility

5:36service and on-demand service as we move forward.

5:39So we have completed at least our first round of phase one

5:45engagement, which is not only with Transportation Advisory

5:49Committee and Accessibility Advisory Committee, but with the

5:53public through a have-your-say public engagement.

5:56We have done platform days talking to customers and operators

6:00at the terminal.

6:02We have done operator engagement directly with our group for

6:06around two months, one month for the first part portion and two

6:10months, one month for the second portion for a total of two

6:13months.

6:15We have gone to Youth Council and also the Multicultural

6:19Festival to gather feedback from all types of users, non-users,

6:23and so this is to talk about specifically our have-your-say

6:27survey today and the results.

6:29Guelph Transit has successfully completed phase one of the

6:33have-your-say public engagement.

6:35This phase included and invited users and non-users to share

6:39their thoughts through our online survey, an interactive

6:42mapping tool, and a comment board on the current bus system.

6:46So we had a total of 310 people who participated in the survey.

6:50However, after reviewing the responses, 11 of them were

6:53considered incomplete surveys.

6:55So we're able to use 299 within our analysis.

6:59We have 31 that participated on the mapping tool and 25 that

7:04created entries on the comment board.

7:07So our survey was a series of questions, not only in the

7:11survey, but also in the survey.

7:13Not only how do you plan with us, how often do you ride, how

7:17many people in your household, but then, you know, in terms of

7:21our budget and what we can create, we can't do it all.

7:24So it was questions to figure out what would be the best and

7:28biggest priority for users or non-users within the survey.

7:32So for example, would you like hourly fixed service or on-demand

7:38service between a choice of two and so on?

7:42And so the mapping tool was a tool where people could trip

7:47plan for themselves.

7:49What was their ideal route?

7:51How do they want to get around our city in transit that we might

7:55not be doing now?

7:56And what are some of the positives and the negatives about the

7:59current network for them as well as a positive of what this could

8:02do for their lives?

8:04So we have a visual along with some comments of what those

8:08visuals look like and throughout the city, the traveling

8:12patterns for those 31 folks that actually engaged on the mapping

8:15tool.

8:16And the comment board, a user or non-user was able to post a

8:21comment.

8:22You could like a comment.

8:23You could add more onto the comment board.

8:26And so today what I'm doing for you folks is providing you an

8:29overall summary of what we heard from people where you have the

8:33opportunity to layer on more if you think maybe it didn't touch on

8:37the right things or we didn't hear on the right things.

8:41And I've also included the accessibility comments that were

8:45pulled out from the survey or the tools of the mapping or the

8:50comment board.

8:52So our next slide, if we can move to Liz, thank you, are our

8:56general themes across all three of those types of engagements on

8:59our platform.

9:00So generally we heard from folks we're looking for faster and

9:04more convenient transit travel, a higher service frequency, so

9:08buses that come more often and improve schedule reliability, so

9:12buses that come on time, more direct routes and crosstown

9:16connections, creating a grid style network design, express

9:21service options.

9:22We've heard from a lot of folks how long it can take to get around

9:26the city and experience it.

9:28How long it can take to get around the city and express options

9:32allow faster travel.

9:34Improved regional connectivity, which we also saw within the

9:38mapping tool of connecting into Ellora, Fergus, the region of

9:42Waterloo, and better transfers and schedule coordination, so

9:47whether it's at a hub or between different routes in different

9:51areas, reduced overcrowding on vehicles, improving accessibility

9:57service capacity, enhancing bus stop amenities like shelters and

10:02seating, which we've also heard from you folks at AAC as a

10:07recommendation, better customer information and real-time updates,

10:12improved transit coverage and access to key destinations, and a

10:16transit network that is easy to understand and use.

10:20And so when we look at some of our routes currently, we have

10:23different outbound from the terminal patterns.

10:26Let's say you go out on London Road, but you come in on Paisley or

10:30you go out on Macdonnell, but you come in on Fountain.

10:34That's what we, I think, you know, when we've read through these,

10:37the feedback from folks, when we've read through feedback from

10:42folks, oh, he got it.

10:44Sorry, I thought he was locked out, is making a network that's

10:47easier to understand.

10:49It's inherent to be able to go out onto the road and kind of know

10:52generally where your bus is going to go, when it's going to come

10:55and feel confident about the service that they're getting.

10:58I think a lot of the themes that we're seeing here were pulled out

11:01in the initial engagement with AAC for you folks, as well as our

11:05Transportation Advisory Committee.

11:07So we see some really good alignment between what we've heard

11:11from our, you know, 330 or 360 respondents here, along with

11:18platform days from you folks, the multicultural festival and more,

11:23and our operators.

11:25And so our next slide is related to our accessibility related

11:30feedback.

11:31So feedback that we received related to our accessibility requests,

11:35opportunities to improve the customer experience through

11:38investments in bus stop amenities, such as additional shelters

11:42and seating to support accessibility and comfort for all users,

11:47our improved mobility service capacity.

11:50So right now we're not meeting the demand of all of the users in

11:53our mobility service and providing more room to expand it to a big

11:58group of new users and assurance that transit remains accessible

12:03and convenient for all users.

12:05Those were our general themes.

12:07Items outside of the plan scope.

12:09So these were items that aren't within the scope of our project

12:13and plan.

12:14However, we will forward on to city staff, meaning our operations

12:18and fleet services mostly.

12:20So mobility vehicles were requested for improvements.

12:23We recently, last week, received two new vehicles, which are

12:27supposed to limit noise and bumpy rides.

12:30So we're waiting to hear from folks what that experience on those

12:35two new vehicles will be like.

12:37I think it'll be a really great improvement.

12:39That means we get to retire two of our oldest vehicles,

12:42which have some of the bumpiest rides within the city.

12:46So very exciting.

12:48But that one will be forwarded on to our fleet services partners,

12:53having seats facing the direction of travel.

12:56All of our new electric vehicles have harder, firmer plastic seats,

13:01and they actually, in order to create greater accessibility,

13:05meaning ability to fit more mobility devices inside,

13:09the vehicle seating has turned to face into the bus instead

13:14of facing forward in the bus.

13:16So it's hard to sit sideways.

13:18And I need to hold on as the bus stops, starts and turns,

13:22because it's naturally you're working against the flow of the

13:25vehicle side by side.

13:27And so that one will be bringing forward for fleet service

13:30improvements and consideration, as well as advertisements on bus

13:36windows, which we do not, which do not allow us to see outside.

13:41So those are some of the ones we've heard historically from folks.

13:46But that one will bring forward to our business services who works

13:50with our advertising to talk about what we can do in terms of the

13:54ridership experience inside of the vehicle when you're with us.

13:58So that brings me to my final slide and opens up conversation with

14:03all of you folks.

14:05Our recommendation is that the accessibility advisory committee

14:08received the staff report, transit network design plan,

14:11engagement update.

14:13And really from here, I think what we'd like our next take away

14:18in phase, we have some time in the summer where we won't see you

14:22folks, we have an election coming up in the fall that may,

14:26we might not be able to come back and engage with you as early

14:30or as often as we had hoped.

14:32And so I think our takeaway today in conversation is, is there

14:36something else that the accessibility advisory committee feels

14:40transit should look into or consider as we move forward in

14:45developing what our recommendations look like.

14:49And my last parting piece for everybody as we go into conversation,

14:54we are still looking to create an accessibility engagement

14:59experience.

15:01And so we're working with our community engagement group in,

15:05at City Hall to develop what that looks like so we can have a

15:08bit more of a hands-on experience with our people throughout the

15:13city who, you know, are going to help inform that experience a

15:18little more robustly than what we've heard in our survey.

15:21And so the format of that is still to be decided.

15:24It could look like a workshop or a focus group.

15:28Really, our community engagement partners are going to help us

15:31with what that could look like.

15:34But I think that's a great topic to discuss.

15:37If you have feedback on, you know, anything to do with that.

15:41And I think on top of that, then we're also looking,

15:45when we come out throughout the rest of the summer and into early

15:49fall, we'll be developing recommendations for mobility services

15:54to not only meet demand, but to also expand to meet growth of

15:59just population growth within the city, as well as continue to

16:03expand the service to more categories and provide greater

16:07subscriptions to a lot of our users as well.

16:10So those are some of our goals that we're going to try and come out

16:13in the fall.

16:15If for some reason we do not get back to the AAC, we're aiming for

16:20October, November engagement.

16:22Once we develop our recommendations to come out and validate

16:25with the public their thoughts.

16:27So we'd love to hear if we can't hear from you officially in an AAC

16:31capacity for you to come out and engage on those platforms in the fall

16:35with us so that we can hear if all of the feedback and the resources

16:39that we've gathered and data leading us into our recommendations

16:43actually came through with something that makes sense to our users

16:47and to attract non-users into our ridership pool.

16:51So I will leave you with that.

16:53Let's open the floor for any questions that you might have.

16:56I'm happy to answer that.

17:01Colin, do you have a question?

17:03Hi, Laura. It's Colin.

17:05I use mobility and the last five times I haven't been able to use it

17:11because it's been so overbought.

17:13Now, I want to understand you're getting two new ones,

17:18but you're retiring too.

17:20So you're not going to have more buses on the road.

17:26Correct.

17:27So in terms of our life cycle replacement, we have different budgets.

17:34So we've talked about it.

17:37I'm not sure in AAC if I've spoken directly about it,

17:40but we have our capital budget and we have our operating budget.

17:44So capital is related to purchasing of vehicles

17:49and the life cycle replacement of those vehicles.

17:52And separated from that is our operating budget,

17:55which is the number of employees that we use and the kilometers that we drive

17:59and the fuel costs to actually operate that service.

18:02So in terms of the vehicles that we've received,

18:05we're talking pure capital budget.

18:07So the vehicle cost of two new replaces two old and that goes out.

18:13Now, when we're looking at what we're planning in the expansion,

18:16if I'm adding more operators, I naturally need to add vehicles to pair with those operators

18:22that I'm proposing in a recommendation.

18:24And so as we move forward in order to increase demand for the public,

18:28that also means increasing the size of our fleet,

18:31possibly in different types of vehicles, accessibility vans.

18:35If we look at Darts Hamilton, they have four or five different vehicle options

18:40for all of their accessibility services.

18:42So looking at diversifying our fleet, well, also that has to come with expanding

18:47the number of operators so that we can do that and continue to grow.

18:51So part of what our plan is looking to tackle Colleen is to bring more operators into the fold

18:58so that we can get more trips out for people.

19:00And with that also comes our purchasing of new vehicles,

19:03where we do not have to retire old ones.

19:05They would be net new on top of what we have.

19:08Thank you for explaining that.

19:10I appreciate it.

19:11You're very welcome.

19:13Let's see.

19:15I can't read it.

19:17Jen.

19:18Jen.

19:19Yes, hi.

19:22I thank you so much for the thorough description of everything that you've done to date

19:27and the different groups that you've reached out to,

19:30to really get a great lens on what our community members are asking for.

19:35Really appreciate that effort.

19:37I don't take it for granted.

19:39A couple of things were coming to mind.

19:41You talked about the election coming up absolutely and it might impact your frequency,

19:47your department's team to meet with us at the same frequency.

19:51I don't know and open to group conversation on this.

19:55I'd like to see is there a way that we can advocate?

20:00Because I would say I would greatly appreciate it if we can advocate for your team and the city

20:08to continue to support accessibility and transportation and transit,

20:13including keeping the same frequency of meetings with us or even increasing them when needed going forward.

20:21I'm wondering if you could help us with that, Liz?

20:28Oh, for you, chair.

20:31Yes.

20:32Laura, this is Jordan.

20:34I'm the clerk for this meeting.

20:37Jen, thank you for your suggestion.

20:40This is something we can incorporate into emotion if you would like.

20:44We could request that transit staff maintain or increase their frequency of reporting to this committee.

20:52We could also look at our current schedule to see what items we're bringing forward.

20:58We can have this discussion among staff or we can make this a formalized recommendation.

21:05Whatever works best for you.

21:08And just to pipe in there, I would greatly appreciate that.

21:13And I think I was writing some little bit of a note down here.

21:17I can put it in the chat if that helps, Jordan.

21:20I was also thinking I'd like to have it if the committee is agreeable to say that we would ask that the transportation and I apologize, Laura,

21:33the exact name of your department or team that you and the city continue to support accessibility.

21:40I would like that for our new mayor, whomever that may be to see that there are a number of us that with very strong vested interests to keep this as a focus because usually I'm not saying this of Guelph,

21:53but in workspaces and what have you, if it's not advocated for or written down or shared as a commitment, it can unfortunately become an extra item that couldn't be seen as an efficiency or synergy or something like that later and

22:10I'm a deep prioritized. So I'd like to share that we really want to keep the focus and we would love to keep the frequency of meeting with your team.

22:23Thank you, Jen. And for reference, we are within city of Guelph, Guelph Transit separately there is a transportation and traffic department.

22:32So transit is in its own branch within the city of Guelph.

22:35Perfect, perfect.

22:36Sorry.

22:37Yeah, that's okay.

22:38All good.

22:40There was one other thing. I don't know.

22:44Personal reference with this if my husband and I were ever on the bus, he has to sit forward otherwise he becomes basically car sick or nauseous.

22:53And when you don't have another alternative, it really sucks where I actually anyway, I'm fine with sitting on a side so there'd be times where he has to sit in one and I and I me in another space.

23:04But if somebody doesn't have that opportunity, or to have another option besides transit, that can make it really discouraging every time you need to travel.

23:15So I, if it's not already written in there as a feedback line, can I add that as a comment here to you for the your survey info or additional feedback to it?

23:28Yeah, I think that can definitely be, I mean, Jordan correct me if I'm wrong, but a recommendation that we would be able to add into the motion at the end for recommendations.

23:38Yes.

23:39Okay, awesome.

23:42I would love to also find out about the accessibility engagement experience as that develops because I think it would be fantastic to hear about what public is saying obviously already coming to the meeting if there's additional avenues to find out that information that would be great.

24:00In fact, like that would also help. If we meet folks in the public who are struggling with the thing or finding information, we can advocate and give them the right resources to say actually that's recently been fixed.

24:14Right. Okay.

24:16Sorry, I'll let somebody else talk. Thanks.

24:24I don't see any other hands up.

24:26Any further questions.

24:28Oh, I'll get again.

24:31Another question for you.

24:34I'm talking about the city buses changing to an hour or all the things you were talking about changes. Does that mean there's not going to be regular like it is now.

24:46It's going to be all on demand.

24:49No, so I think really when we're looking at our network design and we're also valuing how tough sometimes our budget can can be.

24:58We're really trying to examine where we're putting our resources and how effective they're helping our network and our users.

25:06What are we doing in terms of providing coverage across the city versus, you know, actually moving high volumes of people feedback that we do here is, you know, I see this bus and it drives around all day and it's empty.

25:19So those optics, how we can kind of right size, because on the other half of that we hear from people, I have an overcrowded bus. I can't get on.

25:29I literally got left at the stop today because the bus was full. In those instances, there's not enough resources in that area.

25:37Whereas in other areas, we have resources that are empty.

25:41And so when we look at moving and reallocating resources, that might mean do we take an area and when you lower the frequency, let's say, because there's very low ridership.

25:54Would we be supplementing hourly fixed route service still? Or would we be putting in on demand?

26:02Now, when we heard from our respondents in our survey, it was glaringly, hourly fixed service over on demand.

26:11Whereas some of our other questions were quite balanced. I want frequency and coverage quite balanced. I want to transfer in a hub.

26:19I want to transfer on the road quite balanced. But when we got that back for on demand portion, it flags for us.

26:27There's something broken in our on demand. If people would rather travel at an hourly frequency than booking into our on demand service.

26:35Maybe there's a barrier of access. Maybe there's a barrier of understanding. Maybe the service doesn't have the demand it's needed, whatever that happens to be.

26:43And so part of this, we are digging into our on demand service to figure out how can we adjust our model so that it functions better for folks.

26:52And so I don't think you'll see blanketed across the city hourly services. I think it's, you know, focused on core hours of the day.

27:02Where can we reallocate resources to the highest needs and in replace of those resources, you know, we don't want to provide no access.

27:11So what does that access look like? And I think part of our have your say survey was to help us inform what should we target?

27:18Should we look and say when we reduce service, you can use on demand or would you rather see a bus just at a very larger frequency of showing up?

27:28But you know that you don't have to book a ride. You can walk out to it. It's still reliable in terms of on time performance and getting you where you need to go.

27:36That's the balance. You know, not we want to take coverage way, not that we want to reduce service anywhere in the city. It's really, if we were to reduce, how do we supplement what that looks like for users?

27:48Right. See, like the number 10, for example, the Paisley Road.

27:53Yes.

27:54September to the school year. It's insanely busy with the school kids and everything else and the university.

28:05But during the summer, it's not as busy. So that's where you would consider maybe lessening the times that it comes.

28:15That's a possibility. But even when we look, like if we look at scale, when we look at a 10 in the summer, it's still a better performer than let's say the nine or the three.

28:26So part of what we're doing in our consideration of our network, there's a series of things that we want to ask.

28:33Should we be substituting routes for other areas? Should we be combining routes to provide better coverage and increase ridership based on better access to points of interest like grocery or school or leisure or church?

28:47Should we be adapting a service so that it fits a population a little bit better in a certain area? Should we be putting some resources to better use in other places?

28:58Should we be eliminating maybe coverage in an area and supplementing it with a community route service?

29:04Should we be rearranging what we see in our network? And so unfortunately, it's not as kind of cut and dry. But when we look at the 10, the 10 is still outperforming some of our lowest performers all times of the year.

29:19And so really what we might use as an example, let's say for the nine, maybe we combine the nine with another area because right now it doesn't really access grocery or school and it has long walk distance and etc.

29:36Maybe we can provide better food access by adjusting that route. And so maybe in some cases when we see really low ridership, let's say in an industrial area, maybe the industrial area during key shift changes has high frequencies and what we see today.

29:55And then in the off period where we only have about three to seven people per hour, that would convert into an hourly service or an on-demand type model. And so really I think passenger loads are definitely part of what we would be looking at in consideration.

30:12Maybe not even just summer, like we'd look at the whole scope of our current kind of network and how it's performing.

30:19Thank you so much.

30:21No problem, Colleen.

30:25Jen has her hand up.

30:27Jen?

30:29Hi, we're probably past time so I will be quick.

30:34You mentioned in one of the recommendations I believe in the feedback that there were updates, improvements for communication and real-time updates.

30:46If I don't know if this has already happened in the past, but working with people, developers to follow WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 standards where possible to make sure that there is accessible as possible.

31:04And then in color contrast, you can grow or shrink it, clear a language, all those things, and an opportunity to also include in there a contact number with somebody who will answer versus a chat because we'll have a lot of folks where

31:20written English may feel uncomfortable, where they feel that there's seen, I'm thinking as I've worked with people who are deaf and hard of hearing for a long time and people for English as a second language, intellectual disabilities, other ways than just defaulting to chat chat chat all the time.

31:38Yeah.

31:39I think that's good.

31:40If there is a way to, if we can recommend that that someone with expertise and WCAG knowledge, if it's not already in place or review of that work with somebody else as well as the one developer that could be doing all the work.

31:59I think that could make it a streamlined experience for your users as well.

32:02Thank you, Jen.

32:04I will say we onboarded Transit app September of last year.

32:12Yeah, around September, October of last year.

32:16And with the onboarding of Transit app, we want to make sure any new product we kind of bring on, we're meeting all accessibility standards that are part, you know, through AODA.

32:26Now, in terms of 2.1 or 2.2, I'm not sure.

32:29I know in terms of our mobility platform, they're at the best standard that you can be in for the RideCo app.

32:36We've made sure of that and they're very on top of their product.

32:40Anytime they come out with something new, a multimodal trip tool, a new segment, it always kind of meets those standards.

32:46I believe Transit app did already.

32:49But I think a recommendation to keep that in clarity as we go forward, I think is a great opportunity.

32:55Okay, thank you.

32:57Yeah, I was using it with my son in the fall and it was a little wonky then, but it sounds like it's been updated since then. That's great.

33:05Keg 2.2 is basically from mobile.

33:09Mobile versions of the app. 2.1 is your desktop stuff.

33:13Okay, awesome. Thank you for that clarity.

33:15Yeah, no worries.

33:17Thank you for all of this. It's been a great conversation. Really appreciate it.

33:21I agree. Thank you.

33:27Anybody else?

33:32We want to create a motion that we want to keep in constant contact.

33:41And we would love to see you every month, but it might be a little much for your schedule.

33:46Specify every two months or at your request.

33:54If you want to talk to sooner or later.

33:58I think we would need to look.

34:00I would think that if we don't have anything to update on, it may not be as productive for us in order to come back.

34:16And I would want to make sure we have something.

34:19Especially because some of the months at least ahead were formulating.

34:23I think if you have a problem, quote unquote today, call us.

34:28I think we can make it work.

34:30I think that's a one on one. I can help you anytime with any of those from our accessibility advisory committee lens.

34:38I'd be happy as a recommendation we can take. And if we can make it work, then great.

34:44And if we can't, then we would let you know.

34:48Okay.

34:50I have attempted to capture some of the comments and recommended motions from the committee.

34:55Okay.

34:56I can display them on screen and read them out loud.

34:58Yes, please.

34:59And if the committee, if I've captured anything incorrectly, if there's anything to add, please let me know and I will do that.

35:06Okay.

35:07So the recommendation is that the accessibility advisory committee provide the following feedback on the report and presentation.

35:15Transit network design plan engagement update.

35:19Comments are that the accessibility advisory committee request and advocate that the transit department and city of Guelph continue to support accessibility and public transit, including with including meeting with the AC with the same or increased frequency.

35:36Guelph transit increase the number of forward facing seats and that developers follow WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 standards where possible and conduct a review of web and application communication.

35:56And do you feel that captures yours with Colleen? Do you feel like after some of the things that you have?

36:03Yeah.

36:05Yeah, it, this is great for the 2.2 second bullet that Guelph transit increase the number of forward facing seats.

36:13Do we want, Laura, would it help if we specified that's for the standard buses or standard and or new buses versus the on demand or mobility transit?

36:22Sure. Yes, we can.

36:24Just for clarity.

36:25Yeah, because those vehicles have a necessity of doing side facing based on providing more accessible seating in our mobility vehicles. Yes.

36:33Right.

36:34Thank you.

36:41So you shared to confirm, Jen, was the wording then that Guelph transit increase the number of forward facing seats for standard and new vehicles?

36:52Yes.

36:54I will share that on the screen again.

36:57Sure. Thank you for doing this, Jordan.

37:01Happy to.

37:02We talk a million miles an hour.

37:05He does a really great job capturing it.

37:08I was going to say Jordan, Jordan does fantastic.

37:11Yeah, thank you.

37:13Well, yeah, I will turn it back over to you to see if there's any more discussion and call from move or second. They'd like to move this.

37:23Anyway, you have any final comments they want to make.

37:27If not, then we'll move forward with a mover colleague move and seconder.

37:38Oh, it was a tie.

37:40We'll get the grease.

37:42Oh, 10 put our hand down.

37:44Melissa, thank you.

37:48Just call for any opposed. Any opposed.

37:54Most in tears.

37:56Laura, thank you so much for your time.

37:58I think you have you underneath your four o'clock time out.

38:05Thank you, everybody.

38:07We look forward to seeing you again.

38:09Me as well. Me as well. Thank you so much. And I really appreciate you moving me in the agenda camp is a it can be a hard one in the summertime.

38:17So that was very helpful to me. Thank you, everybody. And we will be back in the fall. Hopefully you'll hear more from us along the way.

38:25And we hope you hear from you too. Okay.

38:27All right.

38:29Thank you. You too. Bye bye.

38:33Next item on the agenda is the hand them underpass trail connection improvements.

38:39Daniel.

38:41Well,

38:43thank you so much. Hi, everyone. I hope you're all doing well.

38:46I'll just share my screen. Hopefully my presentations will be brief and keep us on track for a for a shorter meeting tonight or I'm though I'm not familiar with the rest of the agenda.

38:59So let me just share this.

39:02Here we go.

39:04So I'm here today to talk about the hand them under underpass trail connection improvement project that the city of golf parks and trails department is working on.

39:14The project is located in preservation park between old Hanlon road, which is kind of where my cursor falls on the screen and between the handlin expressway.

39:27The project is located on city property as well as ministry of transportation property and there is a hydro one easement on these lands as well.

39:37The existing trail, which is more or less aware path is very challenging to travel.

39:45So this is something that has been identified to us through the trail trail master plan process and also through through residents, including a resident who uses a hand cycle in this area frequently.

39:58The trail conditions are very uneven and rocky.

40:02They can be unstable. They have with loose aggregate on it on them.

40:07The trail is less than 1.2 meters wide with tall grasses kind of falling inwards onto the trail and the maximum slope of the trail is very steep at 17.7%.

40:19So through this project, we're hoping to make this a more accessible route.

40:26Our proposed improvements include smoothing the trail to make the slope less steep.

40:31This will be through to two different kind of legs of the trail or segments, a main segment, which will be universally accessible and connect directly between the underpass and the main trail is 31.8 meters long.

40:48It will be a maximum 3.9% slope, more or less depending on how construction realities versus drawing realities, and it will have a 2% maximum cross slope.

41:00The shorter segment, which is more of an alternate connector is going to have a maximum slope of 8% and a maximum cross slope of 2%.

41:10And the project will also include resurfacing the trail with a firm stable granular surface widening it so that is 2.4 meters wide.

41:20Installing a safety barrier fence required through the Ontario Building Code and improving drainage at the area to prevent erosion and stabilizing slopes adjacent to the trail with planting.

41:33The next slide is an excerpt from the drawing package we have from our consultant right now.

41:40You'll notice a call-out area in the lower part of the screen which connects to the dotted center line.

41:48This is the main trail, which is that 3.9% slope and connects directly to the very flat old Hanlon roadbed.

41:56So this would be that main trail and then the alternate trail is an 8% slope, is the 8% slope and connects to the call-out area and more in the top part of the drawing.

42:09The connection for the alternate trail is envisioned to be located where we expect a wear path will form.

42:20And this will allow us to ensure that we can maintain predictable water flow in this area and then also provide more stable access through that area for folks that are taking more of a shortcut.

42:38But there will be, regardless, there will be a 3.9% slope, which is really important to ensuring that there's a smooth graduals from access point to and from the underpass.

42:52Our last slide is the motion slide.

42:56The motion is being that the Accessibility Advisory Committee received the report and endorsed implementation of the Hanlon underpass trail connection improvement project.

43:05And that the AC provide feedback on the proposed underpass trail connection improvement.

43:12Would we like to stop and take comments at this point? I'll stop sharing my screen so that I can see you all more clearly.

43:21Any questions at this point in time?

43:23Our comments?

43:30Jen?

43:31Yes, I'm a chatterbox today.

43:33Daniel, thank you so much for this. I've used that path and on a bike and I find myself using a bell constantly as I'm going into it because you can't see across to the other side.

43:43And I think if somebody else's weapon around coming in the opposite direction, keep thinking I'm going to be hit.

43:48So I make myself known. I practically sing on my way through just so people will know because it is narrow sketchy and it doesn't feel, it doesn't inspire confidence to go through frequently.

44:00Love the idea of improving it.

44:02The one that I was wondering about it was, I wrote it down here, a granular surface. So it's a stable. So I'm guessing that means not paved. What does granular surface actually look like when you order it somewhere?

44:18So granular surface is like a crushed limestone product that includes kind of like a quarter inch down to like clay like material. So it's like all the different separation of fines.

44:34It's what we would see for like a limestone trail would be another term for it or a screenings trail. And so this mixture of coarser and fine aggregates can be compacted and then with weathering stabilizes over time because the really fine aggregates act as a binding agent between all those larger particles.

44:57So this is more or less a standard park trail that's not paved.

45:03Okay. The reason I ask, is there an opportunity to perhaps we can recommend that it be reviewed to see if it has developed little divots, rivets, pathways, what have you.

45:19Just last week I was biking along over by preservation park up towards Stone Road Mall area and it sounds like the similar kind of granular surface there. And I almost took it spill because one part had clearly been washed away a bit.

45:37So just thinking for balance and accessibility for people for this path, if, if, do we need to ask for a specification that it gets checked and remediated?

45:50So this is something that we, that is part of our maintenance program.

45:55Our maintenance team is very small and it has been a very wet season. Typically granular trails that are a very long run and or steeper than, steeper than the percentages, 5% are more prone to erosion.

46:13So the 8% segment is not something of concern for this based on its, you know, it's short, how short it is. And we'll also be looking at doing some regrading of the road bed, like the old hill and road bed.

46:26So that the water, less water is flowing into that trail area. But this is definitely something that we can note to keep an eye on in the early years of the trail to address any of the drainage issues that we might be seeing.

46:37And then we will continue to address through our existing maintenance program.

46:42Okay. Last question for anyone with vision issues or anyone looking for safety concerns. Is there a consideration? Do you need lighting in there for evenings?

46:55This is a great question. So the underpass itself is owned by Metrolinx.

47:01No, not Metrolinx. I apologize. It's owned by the Ministry of Transportation. And so we technically can't make any changes in there without permissions.

47:12This said, there are rehabilitation projects that are associated with this one. We are in conversation with MTO about how about facing of this construction project and ensuring that the works that we put in aren't impacting impacted by the works that are anticipated by MTO.

47:32And the opposite as well. And so there is opportunity for, for, I do have a communication channel right now with MTO and would be happy to let them know that lighting is a concern to residents if this is something that can be considered through their project.

47:48And also, I know the number of concerns people have about that blind corner as well and attaching a curved mirror is not something that the city can do on the underpass, but it could be something that is considered through that project as well.

48:05Okay.

48:07Sure. The MTO project that is.

48:09Yeah, of course.

48:11Sorry, not of course. That makes sense. Last but then, would it help if there was some kind of recommendation from the AAC to help give voice to what, when, sorry, when you're in conversation with MTO?

48:25I don't think it could harm the conversation. I think yeah, definitely.

48:30So, the words of recommendation from the AAC would be helpful in conversations and moving forward items of concern to this community on provincial infrastructure.

48:42Right. Okay. I'll put that out to the committee that if people think they'd be interested in writing it in as a recommendation because it's, I'm one person with some ideas over here, but if it's not something that everybody would like to take part in, we can skip it.

48:59I just wanted to offer it up for conversation.

49:03Absolutely. This is really great conversation, Jen, and I really appreciate it.

49:07It's all good. You're making really good stuff happen. Like honestly, I've been nervous to go through that tunnel a number of times and have avoided seeing frankly relatives that live on the west side of the Hanlon because of that.

49:19So, yeah, not everybody drives. This could be a great way to get across, especially when you hear about things in the news happening on the Hanlon.

49:27Absolutely.

49:28Yeah. Okay.

49:29I think those are great recommendations, Jen, especially with the lighting in the curb mirror.

49:37You to do a motion that we are in support of that being included in discussions with the MTO and encouraged.

49:49Hopefully widening it will help visibility also, but I don't think that's enough.

49:58Absolutely. I also like frankly the lighting I'll say as a female going through once the sun sets, which happens pretty early as the year goes on. That would be great to have as well.

50:10Okay.

50:16Jordan, let us know if you need anything from us on that.

50:19If anybody else have anything they think needs to be put into the motion or questions.

50:28Jordan, do you have a second?

50:30I will share that.

50:38Oh, thank you, Sharon. And once again, I have attempted to capture all comments. If I have captured it incorrectly, or if there's something you would like to add, please let me know.

50:48I'll now read out the comments.

50:51The emotion is that the AC provide the following feedback for staff consideration on the proposed Hanlon underpass trail connection improvements.

51:01That staff review the granular path for damage, example, dip it's in holes that impact balance and accessibility and remediate any issues that may develop.

51:11And that staff consult with MTO to add lights and a curved mirror to the underpass to improve accessibility specifically to aid those with low vision and promote safety.

51:25And we shall also add in to have Jordan's, our Daniel's team to come back with updates at their discretion, especially on the feedback from MTO on our recommendation.

51:45Yeah, I'm so glad. So I've added the point.

52:19Request that staff return with updates on this project specifically relating to updates from their discussion with MTO.

52:33I'm also happy to specific time if you would like.

52:37I think it's busy times kind of hard considering you don't know when you can hear back from the MTO.

52:45And am I safe to assume that.

52:55I guess I just assume that it may be hard to predict a timeline.

53:04I can't remember you see if there's any final discussion and then pass the motion.

53:08Any more discussion or amendments to what we've done here so far.

53:16At this point in time I'll assume that everybody's in favor or ready to move forward on this.

53:23So do we have a chair chair.

53:26I'm sorry to interrupt you. I just wanted to know there was another motion as well.

53:31I don't know if I should have that on screen as well.

53:36It's a motion to proceed. Let me pull up the exact word and start from delay here.

53:43Oh, right. Yes.

53:45And my screen seems to be stuck on displaying this one.

53:52If it's okay, I'll just read it out then.

53:55Yeah.

53:57So that the accessibility advisory committee received the report and endorsed the

54:05implementations of the Hanlon underpass connection improvements.

54:11So let's start with that motion first.

54:26Do we have a rule or Jen?

54:28Thank you, check.

54:30Do we have a seconder?

54:37Yeah, sure. Can I second? No, no, sure. Okay. Um, however, Colleen, thank you. You and Jen are just in team today. We are. And sure, we can look at these separately to see if there's any discussion.

54:59Yeah, this, uh, do you separate? Okay, separately. So do we have a mover for this motion currently on screen?

55:10Uh, sure. We noted members Jen as the mover and Colleen as the second. Right.

55:16Right.

55:16So, Colleen, you posed.

55:18And any opposed?

55:20Don't give me trade yet.

55:21Yes.

55:21You're doing great.

55:22We're doing excellent.

55:23Yes.

55:24Uh, being a hero opposed, most curious.

55:29So moving on to the next one.

55:35Do we have a mover for the motion currently on screen?

55:46Colleen.

55:48Colleen.

55:49And Jen has her, uh, thumb up again. So who put you a seconder this time?

55:54Sir.

55:55Received your names up there, I think. Um, do we still have enough for warm?

56:03Yes.

56:04Um, we have, uh, exceeded the minimum number.

56:08Okay. Just wanted to double check. I think we have a person to drop off. That's all I was wondering.

56:13Because I think there was eight names up there before and another seven.

56:16That's right. That's just staff.

56:17Two staff dropped off and then came in person.

56:20All right.

56:20Yeah.

56:21Perfect. Just wanted to confirm.

56:27Any opposed for the current motion?

56:32Three, two, one.

56:35No opposed.

56:39And various.

56:42Uh, Daniel, thank you for your time.

56:44My pleasure.

56:45I have one more item.

56:47You can forward to hearing your updates.

56:48He has one more item.

56:49Oh, sorry.

56:50Yeah.

56:52Here, here, your 20.

56:53Daniel, welcome to the meeting.

56:54Thank you.

56:57Uh, Jen.

56:58Sorry. I put it in the chat. My sincere apologies and to Daniel.

57:02Um, I actually was, uh, I have to go to a meeting here shortly.

57:06So, uh, you do have enough for quorum?

57:12I will double check now. I believe we do.

57:19Yes, we do have enough.

57:21Okay. Perfect.

57:22I just didn't want, I wanted the meeting to keep going.

57:24My apologies.

57:26I have a great meeting.

57:27Thank you, Daniel.

57:28It's been great chatting with you.

57:30Thank you so much.

57:30Thank you so much.

57:31All right. Take care.

57:32Bye-bye.

57:33Thanks, thanks, Jennifer, for your input tonight.

57:35Oh, good. Thank you.

57:36Appreciate it.

57:36You're doing a great job, by the way, Dean.

57:38Chatting.

57:39Thanks.

57:39Bye.

57:42Uh, Daniel, you're back.

57:44I'm back.

57:45Um,

57:46Silver Creek Trail Improvements.

57:48Absolutely.

57:49So this product, this is a very similar format presentation.

57:53Let me just share that on my screen.

57:55Um, so the second project I'm here to discuss this afternoon

57:59is the Silver Creek Trail Improvements.

58:01The Silver Creek Trail site is located near

58:06Edinburgh, or approaching Edinburgh Road South,

58:10just south of the, uh, of the Speed River,

58:15the Edinburgh Bridge.

58:17This is the location where the crosslights are,

58:19the signalized crossing is.

58:22The project includes 40 meters of approach to Edinburgh Road South,

58:29and the trail is located within the natural heritage system.

58:34This may limit some aspects of construction that are,

58:36are, um, possible.

58:40And which, which, and other limiting factors also include

58:45existing trees on site and a conservation authority owned

58:48watering, water monitoring station, monitoring station,

58:51my apologies, where it's getting big, our bolts.

58:54Um, the existing conditions of the trail are also not favorable to accessibility.

59:00The trail is a Nashville surface, which is great.

59:03But the maximum slope of this trail on both sides of the road is close to 13,

59:08is 13.3%.

59:10Um, and the maximum cross slope is not listed on, on my slide,

59:16but it is close to compliant to that 2% slope.

59:20If you're following the main area of travel,

59:22there are not currently any rest stations, um, at the bottom or top of this slope.

59:28So through our project, um, we're hoping to improve this within the best of our

59:33ability and the constraints on site.

59:36Our proposed improvements include smoothing the trail to make this slope less steep.

59:40This would be approximately a 9% slope maximum.

59:44Um, ensuring that the cross slope is 2% maximum in alignment with the FADM.

59:51Uh, widening the trail to be 3 meters wide, uh, and repaving it with Asheville,

59:56um, returning it to the, the existing surface type, uh, adding retaining walls and safety

1:00:02barriers to accommodate great differences that will be created through the project.

1:00:06Um, and placing as FADM compliant rest stations with benches and wheelchair spaces at the top

1:00:13and bottom slopes.

1:00:14And these benches would be the one with the center armrest,

1:00:18or the armrest, about 30 inches from one end so that you can push yourself into an

1:00:25upright position, um, should you need that assistance.

1:00:29Um, the sub-recreate trail improvement plan is here on the screen.

1:00:34So, um, you can see, uh, the darker colored, uh, wide surface is the new trail area.

1:00:42We're kind of accentuating the curves to allow for a little bit more distance,

1:00:47uh, so that we can mitigate that slope, uh, at 2-6%.

1:00:51The thinner dark lines are retaining walls that we'll have that are offset about a meter

1:00:57from the edge of trail with, uh, with, uh, non-climable barrier as required through,

1:01:04um, through the Ontario Building Code.

1:01:07Uh, and you'll also note that there are call-out area, uh, arrows at the top,

1:01:11um, or near the center for the proposed benches that are not yet in our consultant drawings,

1:01:17but will be added through design process.

1:01:19Um, yeah, I can give folks a moment to, uh, to take that in.

1:01:26You can see that we've added benches at the bottom of the slope a little bit outside of

1:01:30where the asphalt improvements are, um, on the left side of the drawing and on the far right

1:01:36of the side of the drawing.

1:01:38Um, and that we'll be adding some turf stone paving to help accommodate access for maintenance

1:01:44to that GRCA structure.

1:01:47Um, and so our motions for this project are that the Accessibility Advisory Committee

1:01:55receive the report and endorse the project, the Silver Creek Trail Improvement Project,

1:02:00and that the AAC provide feedback on the proposed Silver Creek Trail Improvement Project.

1:02:05All right, thank you Daniel.

1:02:10Um, seeing anybody can't not read in here.

1:02:14I saw you in the room in the laptop.

1:02:18So who's on hand now?

1:02:19I've got Christian.

1:02:20Following on the question.

1:02:22All right, the question.

1:02:23I'm very confused of what part of Silver Creek you're talking about.

1:02:27I live near Silver Creek in Westwood.

1:02:30It stops at Paisley, Silver Creek, and then there's the train tracks.

1:02:35And then the other side of the train tracks all the way down to, um,

1:02:42am I talking to run part of Silver Creek?

1:02:45You are.

1:02:47But this is understandable and I'm laughing because it kind of correlates to other aspects

1:02:51of the Trail Master Plan, which indicate that we have great trails in the city of Guelph,

1:02:56but people just call them different things and, uh, they, you know, they, so this trail itself is,

1:03:05is known in city plans and to city staff as Silver Creek Trail, but it's located in.

1:03:12Silver Creek Park.

1:03:14Thank you.

1:03:15Yeah, absolutely.

1:03:16Not to worry.

1:03:17Brain freeze there.

1:03:19Not to worry at all.

1:03:20So it's, um, yeah, it's near Edinburgh Bridge in Silver Creek Park.

1:03:26Yes.

1:03:26Now I, I, uh, I say that they call me and I was kind of scratching my head.

1:03:31I was asking the same question.

1:03:32Oh, really?

1:03:33They, I, I live up in Paisley too.

1:03:34So, yeah.

1:03:37It makes me smile because, uh, it, I mean, it just highlights our consultant

1:03:41recommendations and other master plans and other works that we're doing very well.

1:03:45And curtail to, uh, to the Wayfinding project that's come to AAC as well.

1:03:51You know that I understand it.

1:03:53I can back it.

1:04:00Dad, you said the current rest stations are the top of the, uh, the top of the slopes?

1:04:09Currently, there's no rest stations.

1:04:11So there's just, it's just trail.

1:04:13Right.

1:04:13The proposed ones are at the top of the slopes.

1:04:17We'll be putting one at the top and one at the bottom on each side of Edinburgh.

1:04:21And then so that way, if someone's descending the slope and needs to rest, they can, um,

1:04:26take a moment, um, in the shade, uh, you know, at the bottom and then at the top, they'll be in pair

1:04:33with the right of way.

1:04:34Um, so if, you know, if you're ascending and you need to take a moment to rest, uh,

1:04:39there'll be a spot for you there too.

1:04:42Colleen has a question.

1:04:43Well, there'd be houses along the trail.

1:04:47Um, not as a part of this project.

1:04:50There is a, uh, an existing washroom building that was just updated on the north side of the river.

1:04:56Um, uh, and there are, uh, I believe there's portable washrooms, um, in, uh, on other areas

1:05:06of the same park, but nothing will be placed in proximity to these trail improvements.

1:05:13Thank you.

1:05:16Daniel, is this, this is going to be a multi-use trail, correct?

1:05:20Correct.

1:05:21It's, um, it would be for, but you either pedestrian, cyclist, or other micro-mobility users.

1:05:28Um, yeah, but it will be, so it'll be a three meter wide trail to accommodate those varying uses.

1:05:36And the top hill slope will remain asphalt, correct?

1:05:40Correct.

1:05:47Does anybody have any motions they want to make in regards to this?

1:05:54I'll take Salas as no, so go ahead with the, uh, the original model.

1:06:01Yes, chair.

1:06:02I will share that on screen now.

1:06:03One moment.

1:06:08Okay.

1:06:09Um, so the recommendation provided by staff is, oh, I should make this full screen.

1:06:16So it's a bit easier for everybody to read.

1:06:18Um, the recommendation is that the accessibility advisory committee receive the report and endorse

1:06:34the proposed Silver Creek Trail improvements.

1:06:38I did capture one comment from a member, um, Harper, and it would be, um, that staff clarified

1:06:45communication and naming regarding the Silver Creek Trail.

1:06:48If that's something you'd like to include, we can keep it.

1:06:51If not, I will remove it now.

1:06:52Yeah.

1:06:54Um, Daniel, what would be involved in doing something like that?

1:06:59Is that even really possible?

1:07:02Um, I don't think that's possible through this project.

1:07:05One of our, uh, the parks, um, staff parks, park and trail development staff,

1:07:11team members is currently working on a naming strategy, um, which reviews our naming processes

1:07:18and how things gain names, why they have names, if names are possible to update, add, change,

1:07:25so on.

1:07:27But this project would be strict, strictly capital and capital improvement in nature and scope just

1:07:33to the site.

1:07:35It's not really within your realm of responsibilities or case, right?

1:07:41Not responsibilities, capabilities can do so that would be a different compartment.

1:07:45Uh, not for this project.

1:07:47I mean, whenever I make a map in the future or whenever I work on communications in future,

1:07:51I can do my best to make sure it's pairing everything together, but, um, not, not with this project.

1:07:59Harper, are you okay if you don't add this to the motion?

1:08:05Harper, yeah.

1:08:07Oh geez, I was gonna look it up for, for his name Harper.

1:08:11And the reason, yeah, I'm fine with that.

1:08:13Oh, sorry, Reggie, that's my last thing.

1:08:17Okay.

1:08:17I'll resame this.

1:08:18I will get this straight yet.

1:08:19That's what we need.

1:08:20You don't want to add nine?

1:08:22Not within either.

1:08:23I was looking for a first name.

1:08:29Are you okay if we don't put this in the slow-motion?

1:08:31We're okay with that.

1:08:32Yes.

1:08:32Could we do another motion, Jordan, where maybe, uh, can address that?

1:08:41Hang on.

1:08:41I'm kind of thinking of the way to word this.

1:08:43Sure.

1:08:43And, um, Jeremy, you can identify that, um, where Mary, Cheryl, Stacy, and Esther,

1:08:48Stas, so, uh, Stacy, no, Cheryl, I really need to be my laptop.

1:08:57Hi.

1:08:58Sorry, Daniel, I just wanted to ask, I know with the improvements and I know, um, that it had been

1:09:04asked to, you know, it's the multi-use, um, trail, um, are there any accessibility features that

1:09:15have been added, um, with the ask, like with the asphalt, if it's going to be widened,

1:09:19such as like the tactile features for people who are low vision?

1:09:25This is a great question.

1:09:27So there will be, um, there will be a project, a coinciding project, which makes this improvement

1:09:34very opportune, um, or this, which makes this, this project, um, more feasible.

1:09:40The engineering department is currently looking at, or currently, um, going through the design

1:09:46process for improvements of the Edinburgh Bridge itself, which will include review and design of

1:09:54multi-use path on either one or both sides of the street.

1:09:58Um, this would also include, uh, improvements to the concrete, um, the, to the curb cut that

1:10:06provides access to that crosswalk. And so there would be a tactile strip added to, to that.

1:10:12And through that design project, we could also look at, uh, yeah.

1:10:17So through that project, we'll be looking at adding tactile strip to add that warning to,

1:10:21about entering the right of way.

1:10:24Um, but I think, yeah, if that answers your question, hopefully.

1:10:28Yes. Thank you.

1:10:33All right. So there's, uh, I guess we're back to the original mode from them.

1:10:40Unless anybody has anything they want to add at this point in time.

1:10:48So, okay. Just go back to the original motion.

1:10:57For the one on the screen, do we have a mover?

1:11:01Colleen?

1:11:03Uh, seconder?

1:11:11Melissa?

1:11:12Melissa?

1:11:13Melissa?

1:11:15Yeah.

1:11:16Melissa?

1:11:16And second?

1:11:19Any, uh, opposed?

1:11:25Hi, Cheryl. Sorry.

1:11:26Could I, um, would it be possible to just, um, add in a note of what Daniel was speaking to,

1:11:33just to say that, you know, um, we, um, receive and endorse this, that, you know, we are in agreement

1:11:41that, um, some of these other projects that are looking to ensure that there are accessible,

1:11:47um, you know, measures implemented to assist people with, um, entering and exiting the trail.

1:12:01Does that make sense?

1:12:03Um,

1:12:04Motion or we can set the motion?

1:12:07Chair, uh, the vote was not concluded on that motion.

1:12:11Right.

1:12:12So we can change that, provided the mover and seconder are, uh, comfortable with changes being made.

1:12:20Okay.

1:12:21Okay.

1:12:21Melissa, are you comfortable with this, uh, updating this motion and kind of taking a step back?

1:12:31Yes, that's good.

1:12:34Okay.

1:12:35In that case, Chair, I'm going to share the wording and just make sure that I've, uh,

1:12:41captured my member Cheryl's comments correctly.

1:12:45Um, so this is feedback from the committee.

1:12:52So it will be that the AAC provide the following feedback for staff's consideration on the proposed

1:12:57silver Creek trail improvements that staff ensure there are accessibility features,

1:13:03entrances, slash exits incorporated in this trail.

1:13:07For example, tactile strips for those with vision impairment.

1:13:11Uh, I will fix the typo in the wording.

1:13:15But other than that has it been accurately captured.

1:13:22Cheryl, do you, do you like how it is now?

1:13:25Yes.

1:13:25Thank you.

1:13:26Thank you to everyone.

1:13:27I appreciate it.

1:13:28All right.

1:13:29So we will go back to, uh, uh, a mover.

1:13:34Oh, I'm sure we can keep the same, uh, movers and seconders.

1:13:37Okay.

1:13:37So the mover is member Colleen seconded member Melissa and we can conduct the vote.

1:13:43Excellent.

1:13:44Any opposed?

1:13:48I see no opposed.

1:13:50The Lord and curious.

1:13:56Daniel, thank you very much.

1:13:59Thank you so much, everyone.

1:14:00If you have any more updates, you can share with us later time.

1:14:04We would love to see it.

1:14:05Absolutely.

1:14:06Have a lovely rest of your meeting and a lovely evening when that rolls around.

1:14:11Thank you.

1:14:13That brings us to the next topic.

1:14:15Uh, 2026 is simple and school board lectures accessibility plan 2026-397.

1:14:24I'm assuming, uh, you're the one who just came inside me here.

1:14:28Sure.

1:14:29Yeah.

1:14:29Oh, thank you.

1:14:31I will let you two take over.

1:14:32Excellent.

1:14:33Thanks.

1:14:34Jordan, are you able to share?

1:14:36Yes.

1:14:37Thank you.

1:14:39So, uh, thanks for having us start there.

1:14:43My name is Carrie Marie and this is Kayla.

1:14:46Um, so I am the election coordinator.

1:14:49Kayla is our council committee assistant.

1:14:52She is also, uh, helping us out with kind of the accessibility features when it comes to

1:14:58the election this year.

1:15:01Um, we have been engaging with the AAC many times over the past four years,

1:15:06but, um, y'all had a switchover, so we kind of met most of you.

1:15:11But I have worked with some of you, uh, along the way.

1:15:15Um, so we were engaging up with the AAC specifically or usually around voting methods.

1:15:23Um, but we have taken advice along those, along the path about other options, um, for accessibility.

1:15:30Council has the authority when it comes to council or to comes to voting methods and

1:15:35all of that was squared away last, actually in 2025.

1:15:39Um, so we have no ability to change voting methods at this point.

1:15:44But the other accessibility features is kind of in the hands of the clerks.

1:15:49And so it is our duty to publish a report, um, that goes to public prior to the election.

1:15:56We just thought we would, because we've been engaging with you guys for so long, we would

1:16:00bring it to you first before we posted it publicly, just so that you have

1:16:04first glance, first look at it, um, and then we'll post it,

1:16:09so, publicly, but it has been kind of an accumulation of the work that we've done

1:16:13with you guys over the past four years.

1:16:15So it's been pretty fantastic.

1:16:17Um, if you want to see, perfect.

1:16:20So in 2022, things that worked and will continue in 2026 is a set free and masked location.

1:16:29So that location will be here at City Hall.

1:16:32It will be one room, um, that will have no sense used, particularly the cleaners.

1:16:38Um, and also like any workers that will be in there will have no sense on them

1:16:44and will be required to wear a mask.

1:16:47Um, Braille sleeves, we did technically have them in 2022, however, they didn't arrive long time,

1:16:54which was just a kick in the pants.

1:16:57Um, this year we have spoken to a new vendor who seems to have the impression that he will

1:17:06be able to meet the deadlines in a more appropriate manner.

1:17:11So we're kind of in the works of finalizing that deal, but it's looking very promising,

1:17:16which is very exciting.

1:17:18We had on demand language translation, so that's a phone line.

1:17:22I think there was over 140 languages, which will continue again in 2022.

1:17:29And there was an accessibility inspection at every location.

1:17:33Again, that inspection, all of these things will be offered again in 2026.

1:17:38The inspection was a checklist that was put together by our delightful accessibility folks over

1:17:45sitting at the table here, which is great.

1:17:47And so if you want to switch to the next slide, we have what's new for 2026.

1:17:53So we have these great new accessible ballot marketing devices.

1:17:58So for previous elections, if you voted with any kind of accessibility devices

1:18:05on in-person at a location, it's been something that's plugged into a tabulator,

1:18:10a little bit cumbersome, not very user friendly.

1:18:13They are great, we're being perfectly honest.

1:18:17So this year, we have new devices that are actually kind of like an iPad, larger iPad,

1:18:24that will have its own separate voting place behind a screen, similar to how you would mark

1:18:30a paper ballot, but it's on a screen.

1:18:33You can increase the spot size, you can change the contrast color.

1:18:38And with that, you can also plug in the usual ballot marketing things.

1:18:43So your textile pads, sip and puff devices, etc.

1:18:49You can also have it read to you, so auditory as well.

1:18:54We're hoping that they seem so far with what we've tested, way more user friendly,

1:19:00and actually feels somewhat accessible in comparison to the previous years.

1:19:06So that's a really exciting new step for us.

1:19:09Another big excitement is the we will have American Sign Language on-demand interpretation

1:19:16at all of our locations.

1:19:18So this will be through a computer screen, so it's a video, kind of like a video call.

1:19:24So with ASL interpretation.

1:19:27So that will be at all locations, and we will have some free transit for everybody on election day.

1:19:34You don't have to prove that you're voting, you don't have to show that you've gone to vote.

1:19:38There's none of that.

1:19:39It's just free transit, which will be fantastic.

1:19:43There will also be free parking at the parking next to City Hall on election day.

1:19:51Not exactly an accessibility thing, but nice to have.

1:19:54Can't accessible parking space be there?

1:19:56Can't accessible parking space be, sorry to chime in, but it is a taller ceiling on that

1:20:02first floor where there's accessible parking.

1:20:03Yes, I mean there is accessible parking in there.

1:20:06Yes, so it will be fantastic.

1:20:10So those are kind of the new things that we have for this year.

1:20:14We will be starting to, it's hard to believe this,

1:20:19but we're already going to start looking at the 2030 election,

1:20:21which will be your next funeral election.

1:20:24So we will be starting that in 2027, and we'll be coming back to you guys

1:20:28then to start talking about voting methods at that point in time.

1:20:32We also have to do a report after the election.

1:20:35So similar to like how we have a plan going into it,

1:20:37we do a report, it's legislatively required, that we say how things went,

1:20:43and what worked well, what didn't work well,

1:20:45how we're going to improve on it next time.

1:20:48So we have to do that report within 90 days of voting, the voting day.

1:20:53So we'll kind of start working on that and we'll look at where we went wrong

1:20:57and how we can fix it.

1:20:58And back with you guys next year, we're talking about 2030,

1:21:02if you can believe it.

1:21:03You want to hit the next slide.

1:21:07So that's more or less our accessibility plan.

1:21:09We've attached it to your report as well.

1:21:11So if you want to look at it in detail, that's what we'll be posting online.

1:21:17It often feels, I think, for us that we do our best to communicate this

1:21:22to the community partners that can best communicate this out to the people who need it.

1:21:28It sometimes feels like we aren't hitting the mark.

1:21:32And so if at any point in time, you for starters, please tell people,

1:21:37if you know people that would benefit from these things, please tell them.

1:21:43If you have people that you would like us to reach out to,

1:21:48or if you have contacts in the community, please feel free to reach out to us.

1:21:53Our information is there, phone number and email is in the slide deck.

1:21:58We would love to hear.

1:21:59Like if you do have somebody that you think, oh, this group would be great,

1:22:03and they can definitely get this information out to people that would use it.

1:22:07We would love to hear from you.

1:22:09No pressure.

1:22:11It feels silly sometimes to have all of these great options and people are using them.

1:22:17Yes, and we're happy to answer any questions.

1:22:19We don't have a motion for you today simply because we're just here to let you know what things are.

1:22:24Yeah.

1:22:25Sounds good.

1:22:26Colleen.

1:22:26I have a question.

1:22:28You know how when you go to vote, you've got to show a driver's license?

1:22:32What if somebody doesn't have a driver's license?

1:22:35You can show any form of ID, so it doesn't have to be a driver's license.

1:22:39So you hold it again?

1:22:40Yeah.

1:22:42It has to show your wealth address.

1:22:45So usually your O-Hip doesn't show your wealth address, but it could be like a bill.

1:22:50It could be a rent lease agreement.

1:22:52Oh, okay.

1:22:53It doesn't have to be a photo ID.

1:22:54Okay, it kind of had to be photo ID.

1:22:56No.

1:22:57Okay, thank you.

1:22:58Yeah, no problem.

1:23:02Cheryl?

1:23:04Hi.

1:23:05I just wanted to start off by saying I had a look at the plan and it looks fantastic.

1:23:10I mean, all of these options, the wide array of accessibility options, it's honestly, it's commendable.

1:23:20It looks like a very inclusive and comprehensive plan that you have laid out.

1:23:26And I just wanted to note that and congratulate you on that.

1:23:33And it looks quite good.

1:23:38Just two questions, actually.

1:23:40One is on, I noticed that it's mentioning about the options if you're doing it from home.

1:23:50If you want to vote by mail or doing it at home.

1:23:59And I just wanted to ask, because it doesn't mention this in the plan, but is there information that you

1:24:09mark it or post to let people know what the deadlines are on that?

1:24:14Because I know, like I have that in on focus groups with elections Canada.

1:24:19And I know there's usually a lot of confusion with people on this, knowing when they have to

1:24:26advise that they want that option, when they, the deadlines are in first submitting that,

1:24:30if they're choosing, you know, the mail option and those types of things.

1:24:34If that's going to be properly communicated or if you have a plan of how to communicate that

1:24:39information on deadlines for the public for that.

1:24:43And the other question was on, I noticed as well in the plan,

1:24:49for people that are have sensory sensitivities for those who are neurodivergent,

1:24:56are you able to provide some information on low traffic times in which times of day that

1:25:04would be more accessible for people that are looking for to avoid the crowds, quieter times to vote?

1:25:14Absolutely. Those are great questions.

1:25:16And also thanks for the compliments.

1:25:20We've put a lot of blood, sweat and tears in this report.

1:25:24Yes, so first off for timelines for vote from home and vote by mail.

1:25:30We have yet to decide those specific timelines.

1:25:34We're kind of working with Canada Post specifically around the vote by mail and fingers crossed,

1:25:39they stay afloat.

1:25:41We will advertise for sure the deadlines for that.

1:25:47Absolutely.

1:25:50In the vote from home will be similar timelines.

1:25:55And again, we will do everything we can.

1:25:57So we'll advertise not only through our websites, but through social media and other media outlets,

1:26:04for sure.

1:26:05The second question in regards to somebody with sensitivities,

1:26:13that's a really great point, not something we had considered.

1:26:18I can say off the top of my head, probably the sent free mask to location is probably going

1:26:23to be one of the quieter locations because it is kind of more isolated.

1:26:27However, I think you've got a great point of mentioning like specific times of day that would be

1:26:34quieter.

1:26:37I think we can look at how we advertise that for sure.

1:26:40I think that's a great point.

1:26:43Especially for people that are using the both transit because there's a crowd of buses and

1:26:49they were planning to come in at 6 and it's crowded, but they were able to come out one

1:26:55when there's a law on the buses.

1:26:59That would encourage them more to come out for voting.

1:27:02Absolutely.

1:27:03Yeah.

1:27:03That is a great idea, Cheryl.

1:27:07Thank you.

1:27:08We don't have specific data on advanced, but I would say advanced voting is generally quieter

1:27:15than election day, but that's more anecdotal.

1:27:20But yeah, we will definitely take a look at that.

1:27:22I love that screen question.

1:27:23Thank you.

1:27:28Just a comment.

1:27:29Do you see the current and the new ways of accessibility morning?

1:27:38Do you share that with Mary and Fremont?

1:27:43Yes, I believe they're one of our contacts.

1:27:47The committee, right?

1:27:48Yeah.

1:27:49Yeah.

1:27:50Yeah.

1:27:51And that's just the first one because of mine for me.

1:27:55That's all.

1:27:55No, that's great.

1:27:57We'll take all of that.

1:27:58So if you have more, feel free to email us.

1:28:01Happy to.

1:28:02Thank you.

1:28:03Cheryl, did you hand up again or?

1:28:06Sorry.

1:28:07No, that's the legacy handle.

1:28:08I'll take that down.

1:28:09My apologies.

1:28:10It's fine.

1:28:10I wanted to make sure we did miss you if it was.

1:28:14Anybody else with any more questions or comments?

1:28:22I guess, Jordan, you missed some notes there.

1:28:30As with the previous one, I've attempted to capture your comments.

1:28:33If I have missed anything or you would like to change the wording, please let me know.

1:28:37We'll now read out the recommendations.

1:28:40The recommendation from staff was that the accessibility, oh, sorry, there was,

1:28:45there wasn't a recommendation, but I can create this.

1:28:48That the accessibility advisory committee received the report and, oh, I'm sharing the wrong.

1:28:54That's the wrong one.

1:28:57I was just saying.

1:28:58Okay.

1:29:03That's why I'd like to revisit Silver Creek.

1:29:05We can't.

1:29:07What angle is gone so we can.

1:29:08Yes.

1:29:13Now I should have the correct one.

1:29:15I apologize for that.

1:29:20Recommendation is that the accessibility advisory committee provide the following feedback on the

1:29:27presentation 2026 municipal and school board election accessibility plan.

1:29:34That staff provide information on low traffic times of day to provide a more accessible

1:29:39experience for those that require lower stimulation environments.

1:29:48Was there any, uh, anything else that we missed?

1:29:52Cheryl?

1:29:55Yes.

1:29:55Sorry, Jordan.

1:29:56Did you please add in, um, just the point of the recommendation to provide advance notice, um,

1:30:03of timelines and deadlines for those looking to, um, use the, um, the mail option, the accessible

1:30:12voting by mail option?

1:30:16Yes, I will add that now.

1:30:18Thank you.

1:30:22Thank you.

1:30:22Cheryl.

1:30:23No problem.

1:30:23Oh, sorry.

1:30:24And I think it was for the accessible voting home option as well.

1:30:28I know those timelines might be a little different, but, um, if we could include the

1:30:34recommendation for both.

1:30:36Cheryl, um, just to confirm then the, um, recommendation is that staff provide advance

1:30:44notice of timelines and deadlines for those using the accessible voting via mail and home options.

1:30:51Perfect.

1:30:51Yes.

1:30:52Thank you.

1:30:53I will share that on the screen again.

1:31:04Sharon, turn your back over to you to see if there's any more points.

1:31:08Great.

1:31:09Okay.

1:31:09Uh, anybody want to have any more points added or are we good to move forward?

1:31:18I'm not hearing a response, so we will move to the mover.

1:31:23Do we have a mover?

1:31:28Oh, Cheryl, for you.

1:31:30So Cheryl will move seconding Colleen.

1:31:35Any opposed?

1:31:38I'm not hearing a response, so the motion carries.

1:31:49So, all right.

1:31:51Thank you very much.

1:31:52Thank you.

1:31:52I appreciate your input.

1:31:53And, uh, I guess we'll see you sometime over the next four years.

1:31:57Yes, yes.

1:32:00Thank you.

1:32:00All right.

1:32:01I'm going to thank you.

1:32:02You too.

1:32:06For you, chair.

1:32:07Yes.

1:32:08I noticed that for the first item that we heard, item 3.3, um, you weren't as clear as we could

1:32:16be on approving of the motions.

1:32:19Oh, and I was wondering if it's possible to revisit that one.

1:32:22Um, would you be okay with that?

1:32:24We certainly can't.

1:32:26So, if you will allow me, I will share my screen.

1:32:36Okay.

1:32:37So, the motion we passed, um, was the second recommendation created by staff,

1:32:44which was that the AAC provide feedback.

1:32:47So, we voted on that.

1:32:48It's passed.

1:32:49We have no issues there.

1:32:51Yes.

1:32:51What we did miss is that the Accessibility Advisory Committee received the report and

1:32:56endorsed the implementation of the Handlin underpass trail connection improvements.

1:33:01You are 100% correct.

1:33:05So, on this, we're taking two steps back here.

1:33:08Do we have a mover for this?

1:33:13Oh, be shy.

1:33:15Colleen, do we have a seconder?

1:33:29Be shy.

1:33:30Someone.

1:33:33Melissa, is that your hand up?

1:33:35No.

1:33:40Very sorry.

1:33:41If we do not receive a seconder, if nobody wants to second this, then we do not vote on the motion

1:33:47and it does not get recorded as carried or defeated.

1:33:52Okay.

1:33:53One last request for a seconder.

1:33:58Sorry, I just wanted to ask, and Cheryl, I didn't know if I had to refrain because I wasn't here for

1:34:03this section, like this part of the meeting I was, I joined later in the meeting.

1:34:11So, I was absent during this section.

1:34:13So, that's why I haven't put my hand up because I thought I would have to.

1:34:20Melissa, I decided to second, but that is a good question for future reference.

1:34:23As long as they had the materials reviewed before the meeting, can they still second?

1:34:29Yes, Chair.

1:34:29That's correct.

1:34:30Okay.

1:34:31Okay.

1:34:31So, thank you.

1:34:34So, if this already knows from future, if you show up properly through the meeting,

1:34:39and we had to go back to a point that was earlier before you arrived, you can

1:34:50motion and second because you have the materials in advance to review.

1:34:58Thank you, Chair, for clarifying.

1:35:00I appreciate it.

1:35:03Any announcements?

1:35:05Oh, sorry, Chair.

1:35:06We've got the mover now.

1:35:07We've got the seconder.

1:35:08Yes.

1:35:08Just any opposed.

1:35:09He'll give me a trade, get your.

1:35:11Any opposed?

1:35:16I see no one in opposition.

1:35:19So, the motion carries.

1:35:22And now you may move on to the next.

1:35:24Okay.

1:35:24Any announcements?

1:35:27Any announcements to share from staff?

1:35:30Any announcements, Chair?

1:35:35Any announcements?

1:35:38So, adjourned.

1:35:42We're already to go house to supper.

1:35:45Do I have the mover?

1:35:48What was the point?

1:35:51Last seconder.

1:35:53Listen, any opposed?

1:35:59Your turn.

1:36:01Everybody, thank you for coming up tonight.

1:36:03There's a new and provide your input at this time.

1:36:06And have a good evening.

1:36:09Have a good evening, everybody.

1:36:11Thank you, everyone.