Accessibility Advisory Committee

0:02We have four members present.

0:21We're still waiting for a few more members to trickle in.

0:24How many do we need for the core group?

0:29We would need eight.

0:31Hello.

0:32It's Andrew from the city corp's office.

0:34How are you today?

0:35Good. Thank you. How are you, Andrew?

0:37Well, and I just wanted to update you as it's three o'clock.

0:40We do have four additional members in your cell phones.

0:42That's five total.

0:43We're just waiting for three more.

0:44Thank you so much.

0:45I wonder if people are just still recovering from the snowy weekend and the long weekend.

0:50And didn't remember there's a meeting.

3:24Someone else.

3:25This is the social event of February.

3:28We all have to come in.

3:29It's the top one on my calendar. I don't know.

3:32Yeah.

3:33But miss this one for the world.

3:35Sure.

3:36We have a member prior in meeting as well.

3:38So we're going to have a meeting as well.

3:40And then we're going to have a meeting as well.

3:42And then we're going to have a meeting as well.

3:44So you have a meeting as well.

3:50And then we're going to have a meeting as well.

3:52So I'm just going to give you a little bit of a summary.

4:03I'm going to give a little bit of a summary of what we have in the

4:04world.

4:05Sure.

4:06You have a member prior in meeting as well.

4:09So that gives us, that's right.

4:10Six.

4:44We still need to work.

6:04Elizabeth's here now too.

6:06That is seven shared.

6:07We're still waiting for one member.

6:09Yeah.

6:10I'm sorry.

6:11Chair.

6:12We do have seven in attendance at the moment.

6:13Okay.

6:14That's not quorum.

6:16I thought we had 11 AC members. Don't we?

6:17We had some resignation, so we are they number for forms should be low. Sure. We're just double-checked. I just give us okay

6:27Thank you

6:28Yep, it looks like that is correct and seen 11 on the current so with the recent

6:44Resonations that does give us 50% plus one so we are able to start when you're ready. Perfect. All right. I'm gonna jump right in everyone

6:53Welcome to the Thursday, February 18th accessibility advisory committee meeting

6:58As always we're gonna start with the indigenous territorial acknowledgement

7:04As we gather let us take time to reflect on our privilege to live and work in Guelph a city built over rich indigenous histories

7:12We're guests here and we should reflect upon the responsibility to take to care for this land

7:17The people who live here today and the generations to come if our actions today can move us toward reconciliation

7:23We should take pause and make those decisions with intention and gratitude

7:28This place we call Guelph has served as traditional lands and a place of refuge for many people over time

7:33But more specifically the adwander onk and the haudenosaunee

7:36This land is held as the treaty lands and territory with the Mississauga's of the credit First Nation

7:41Well flies directly adjacent to the Haldeman tract and is part of a long established

7:46Traditional hunting ground for the six nations of the Grand River

7:49Many First Nations Inuit and Métis peoples who have come from across Turtle Island to call Guelph home today

7:56There's a link in the agenda where you can learn more about the indigenous territorial acknowledgement

8:03First up we have disclosure of conflict of interest and general nature thereof does anybody wish to disclose conflict of interest?

8:11I see and hear none

8:17Now we need someone to move to approve the agenda

8:22That we see before us today, but anyone like to move. Oh, we've got Jeanette and Mike

8:29And is anyone opposed?

8:32To the approval of the agenda. I see and hear none. So moving along

8:40The same thing for the minutes from the December 17th meeting would anyone like to move to approve?

8:46The minutes from the last meeting

8:55Mike okay, cool. Thank you Mike and can we get a seconder?

9:00Jeanette thank you so much is anyone opposed

9:06Looks like not so

9:09Moving along we have the consent agenda

9:12Which was included?

9:14And we need a motion to accept the consent agenda or approve it

9:19So would anyone like to move to approve the consent agenda?

9:24We have a Nordle. Thank you a Nordle and we need a seconder

9:29Mike thank you so much member Esquire and then is anyone opposed I see and hear none

9:39So moving into committee items now

9:43The first item is an introduction to the downtown Guelph Heritage Conservation

9:48Plan and guidelines we have 10 minute staff presentation

9:51And we're probably gonna cut the AAC discussion a little short to stay on time

9:56But we will have time for discussion as well. So I think we have image in here today

10:02Yes

10:05Thanks go ahead

10:07All right

10:09Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for allowing me to join you. My name is image in Goldie

10:14I'm a recent addition to the city's heritage planning team

10:17I will try and keep my talking to a minimum and maybe we can have more discussion that way

10:22I know Jack was here last year to introduce the project more generally as a whole and the first phase

10:29But I'd still like to give a brief recap on what the downtown Heritage Conservation District project is

10:35What's been done to date what the next steps are and why we're chatting today?

10:39I'm gonna rely pretty heavily on my notes. I'm known to tangent. I'm known to ramble. So it keeps me keeps me on task

10:50Directed by the city's cultural heritage action plan the downtown core or what they were calling at the time old downtown

10:56Was identified as a valuable cultural heritage landscape

10:59The city would like to preserve and help manage as the city grows and changes

11:03To have this oversight and protection council directed staff to study downtown as a possible heritage conservation district

11:10Now heritage conservation district is a planning tool under the Ontario Heritage Act

11:14That allows cities to create a defined geographical area that protects significant buildings

11:21cultural landscapes landscape features

11:23And can help guide future development

11:26An HCD in Ontario is created in two phases phase one is the study phase

11:31Which will be a little more familiar with

11:34Through back rent research landscape surveys and public engagement the study identifies whether the district meets the criteria for protection and

11:42Broadly identifies the cultural heritage features to be protected that ran from June 2023 and was presented to council in September

11:512024 where it was unanimously approved and staff were directed to start phase two

11:58When I arrived in the city

12:01Now phase two of a heritage conservation district is the planning guideline phase

12:07What that phase must include as per the Ontario Heritage Act is a statement of district significance

12:13The objectives for the plan which often speak to a community's aspirations for the area or what's

12:21Increasingly called desired future to character

12:24The policies which are the shallow things the mandatory part of the plan for the district's management

12:29The guidelines which are the should things

12:33recommendations and friendly advice for work and projects being done in the core and

12:37Finally the plan has to cover permitting both permit activities and sort of the level of

12:43severity or the level of permit required

12:46In wealth we have minor minor heritage permits major heritage permits

12:51separate permits for demolition and construction and then exemptions everybody loves exemptions

12:58Phase two we started in October

13:01This started with the creation of the statement of significance and the objectives for this plan are

13:06Now that our first public open house is done as of January 29th and now February is this this rapid

13:14Rapid succession of meetings and workshops including this one

13:18We're ready to get started on the development of the plan and guidelines

13:23Which as mentioned all the shells and shoulds that go into the the district management

13:29I'm really happy to be here early early early in the development of phase two to help ensure that there's a broader understanding of

13:36Excuse me accessibility and

13:39Accounting for accessibility interventions included in the plan and the policies the guidelines and in the permitting

13:45It also feels like a good opportunity to get some input about the intersections between accessibility and the built environment

13:51After the meeting I'll make sure everyone has contact info for myself and for the project

13:56There is an online survey if anybody who was more comfortable leaving comments after the fact

14:02We do have another public open house coming up in April if anybody was interested in

14:08Later opportunities can to connect

14:12Now we expect a draft plan a

14:15Draft plan of the plan. No a draft plan to be available for review in May

14:19I'd really like to be able to share the draft with the committee then

14:24and I'd like to make plans to come back and can

14:28Hammer out an opportunity and the schedule with the with the team here and

14:33Thank you. That's that's the rapid the rapid presentation

14:38I'd be happy to answer any general questions specific questions philosophical questions

14:44I also have some guiding questions if we just wanted to get straight into a discussion

14:50But I'm new to the process so I defer to

14:54To you chair. I had muted my microphone on my microphone itself. I was trying to figure out how to unmute. Thank you so much

15:07It's nice to meet you image and and I think we look forward to having you back as this progresses for sure

15:14Does anyone have any questions or feedback right now? I know it's kind of early

15:19but I

15:27Don't see any hands for questions

15:30I think that makes sense though because it's so early. Thank you so much for coming to us so early

15:34I think the AAC is always excited for any opportunities to work with heritage on

15:40you know

15:41preserving things that need preserved while also making sure that

15:46Accessibility is kept in mind. So that's great

15:49At this point would anyone like to make a motion maybe to receive this information and we can get more into feedback

15:58Oh, sorry in order. I didn't see your hand. Go ahead. I

16:03Just raised my hand thinking we should move to receive

16:08Right, yeah, I think that makes sense because there's not a ton for us to give feedback on at this time

16:13But the next time that we see anyone from heritage, I assume there will be more for us to dig into so

16:20That first. Oh, yeah, go ahead. Go ahead

16:23Danger from the city works office and we do have a couple of motions actually in front not just received

16:28But there's a second piece to it as well. Would you like us to share those on the screen? Yeah, that'd be helpful

16:33I think the reason that I didn't offer the second one is because nobody raised their hand to give any preliminary feedback and insight

16:46So we can't make a motion about our preliminary insight and feedback

16:53So I was thinking maybe just the first mode

16:55But if anybody would like to give feedback and add it into the second motion, we can do that too

17:06Enortal was that first motion in line with what you were wanting to move or would you like to edit it at all before

17:14Putting it forward. I think that first one works for me. Okay

17:25So moved by Enortal Cameron. Can somebody read the first motion out loud? I'm sorry my screen reader can't do it on the presentation screen

17:34Sure, it's Andrew from the clerk's office. We're just gonna pull it up on screen and I'll read it out for you. Thank you so much

17:40So that's one moment sure. I'm sorry

17:45No, that's okay

17:46Right, we'll just use the first motion as indicated

17:51So that the accessibility advisory committee received review the staff report downtown while heritage conservation district update an introduction with the phase two

18:00Would anyone like to second that motion?

18:08Elizabeth thank you so much

18:10Is anyone opposed to that motion?

18:13It looks like there is no one opposed so we'll go ahead with that

18:23Thank you so much for coming today

18:26Sorry that we didn't have more to chat about but I'm sure we will in the future

18:30Yeah, I look forward to chatting once there's a report in hand and something we can dig into

18:36Awesome. Thank you so much image in thank you

18:39All right. Well moving along then item 3.2 on our agenda is

18:46Accessible on street parking and about and we're gonna talk about the downtown seasonal patios

18:51I think we have Paul here today to discuss this with us or Alex

18:57Yeah, we're both here both of us perfect. Oh, awesome. Okay. Well, you can go ahead then

19:02We've got a five-minute staff presentation and then a 20-minute a AC discussion

19:07Great, yeah, so I'm just gonna start us off from the context of the seasonal patio program

19:12So as you folks all know and have seen we have our patio program

19:17currently

19:19accepting applications February 1st to April 1st and

19:23part of the actual implementation of the program of course is moving on

19:30Street parking generally to accommodate the seasonal patios

19:35Through from May to the end of September

19:38Every year as a part of the permanent program

19:41Or at least the long-term program as we kind of look towards downtown

19:46Reconstruction in the future years there might be some changes

19:50But this what why we're here today is really to talk about there hasn't been a lot of changes in terms of businesses applying for the patios

19:58so patios that existed in the

20:01temporary program during the pandemic that 2021 to 2023

20:06project

20:09We didn't see any really new businesses a lot of businesses came offline so there was a drop in the

20:15hiding program from

20:1825 applying businesses in 2023 to 14 to 2024 so there was a reduction

20:24But now we're seeing some business change over in the downtown

20:27We thought it would be a good time to check in

20:30And touch base and kind of go over our process for how we move or adjust accessible spots

20:37When when a new businesses applies and what we will do once all applications have been received

20:49Very who has them? Oh, sorry Josh

20:53Okay, take away Paul. Yeah, so hi, my name is Paul Hutcherson. I'm surprised the traffic engineering team for the city

20:59and as

21:01As is noted when there are new patio

21:05applications that come in

21:06That have the potential to impact an accessible parking stall my team will review

21:12As part of the application review, we would look at, you know, whether or not there are accessible stalls that might need to be relocated

21:20We look at the current location

21:22We would determine the next closest available option for the

21:26Accessible stall to be relocated to and as part of the review

21:30We're looking to ensure that any relocation is as close as possible to the current location and that it meets

21:36AODA compliance in terms of curb drops

21:39the appropriate

21:40Dimensions for the stall just to ensure that we're meeting all the particular requirements that are necessary

21:47Once that location has been determined, we would then staff would create a work request for our operations team to

21:54Remove the existing signage

21:57relocate that to the new location and

22:00Ensure that you know the committee is advised of if any many movement or any adjustments to the placement of those stalls

22:08Yeah

22:13Yeah, so this kind of runs through the process

22:17review the current location and

22:20show that needs AODA wherever we're looking to move to and

22:24Then what happened through our ops team?

22:29Then the next one we just have some some visual elements, so I'm going to try and describe them as best as I can so

22:36Taking a look at this particular picture

22:39So this is what we call the on-street patio permission map

22:43So it was a map that was developed prior to the implementation of the patio program years ago

22:49That just shows businesses or anyone who's applying for an on-street patio

22:55Where they can potentially have a patio

22:57So right now what we're looking at is current state. So if you went out today

23:04Hopefully with the snow

23:07There would be two accessible spots on this

23:11Parking bank, I will call it

23:14Along Wyndham Street North if you're more familiar with businesses. So there's brothers brewing osmos, you know, athletics

23:22Score pizza so there's one on either end at this time. So this is the example when there is no patio installed

23:31Joey, can you flip over? So then the next installed patio?

23:35So now the image has changed

23:37So there is a block that shows a patio has now been installed

23:42In front of like brothers brewing and osmos and now the accessible parking spot

23:48That was at once on the south side of the bank has now been adjusted

23:53So there's actually two parking accessible parking spots now

23:57bunch together on the north end of this particular parking bank and

24:02Then so this okay, so like let's just say like this is when we have one patio that has had a

24:09Successful application installed. So we've adjusted this way and then I'm gonna show

24:14Joey if you can flip over when there's two installed patios. So now

24:18We are in a situation where two businesses have now applied one is at the

24:24The south end like as far as says as you can go in this particular parking bank and one

24:30Is like a current patio that had been installed previously

24:33And so now we have it showing that the two accessible parking spots, although still together so not separate

24:40But they're still together have been shifted just to the right of the second installed patio

24:47Which would be between both patios

24:51St. Patio a lot here. Sorry

24:54But yes, so that's that's an example of two installed patios

24:57Of course once again and and not to speak for Paul Steph

25:01But this is in the event that this is like the best spot for them to go

25:06Considering the aod like aod a requirements curb cuts that sort of thing

25:11So that would that's what it would look like with two installed patios

25:15And I think

25:18Yeah, so

25:20That's that's kind of the information. Oh, sorry, I should say that

25:27with

25:292025 likely having some maybe different patios on

25:34in play

25:36Similarly with last year

25:38We will be sending a note out through the

25:42Staff layers on for the accessibility advisory committee to let the committee know what spots have been moved

25:48So last year you will see in the report

25:51There was one on the east side of Wyndham Street that was in front of Brothers Brewing, which we just saw

25:57Got moved and then there was one on the south side of Mack Dennell Street

26:01Which which is in front of fat bastard burrito company that we got shifted to the next closest spot

26:07So we will send that out

26:09But different this year we will include so we always do a public notice when barriers are being dropped

26:15For for installation in that first week of May this year

26:19We will include the accessible parking spaces and where they are going to be moved once patios are installed

26:26And then yeah, so recommendations we have

26:32For the receipt of the information, but also we have provided a recommendation if the committee has

26:40Things that we should be considering as we

26:43Move through the process as outlined

26:46Make sure we make it standard from the city correct stops. I believe that's the end of the presentation. Sorry

27:03Are you sure you're muted?

27:06That's my microphone. I keep I keep muting on my microphone and then forgetting that I've done that. Okay. Awesome. Thank you so much

27:12Thank you both for coming today

27:15Do we have any questions or feedback for staff about this go ahead Mike?

27:20Just just out of curiosity looking at those two accessible parking spaces could the city's mobility bus get in there

27:31Into the skull into the parking. Yeah, it's all yeah

27:33Is that big enough if I want to get dropped off in a mobility bus is that possible?

27:40The end my time yeah, it would need to we could pull up to the corner where near where the pedestrian

27:47Access is and there's a mid block pedestrian in that case

27:51And that's where they would pull up to like saying they want to ramp instead of a curb right there

27:56So they would pull into wherever there's a closest

27:59I'm just saying like for example because there's some can I ride mobility transit a lot

28:03But if someone had really limited mobility they wanted right dropped right there. Is that possible?

28:10I don't know that that's part of the

28:13What the parking stall generally provides in terms of the dimensions of the stall it's typically for beautiful the park

28:20But it can certainly be something that would be considered as part of if there's a relocation of one that provides that level of

28:27Service yeah, and with those parking stalls

28:29You would be able to deploy a ramp from Sam mobility taxi either side or rear accent, correct?

28:35Okay, just make sure

28:42Does anyone else have any

28:44Questions or comments? I had just one question

28:53so in the event that there are no

28:57Available curb cuts near other spaces where you could

29:01I'm just thinking of last year when there were some patios

29:04Some of the trouble that I had as a wheelchair user being dropped off in accessible spots

29:09Was that often I was being dropped off in a spot that wasn't originally considered to be an accessible spot

29:16So it was pretty far from a curb cut

29:18And I saw that accounted for in your presentation

29:21So it sounds like that's not going to be an issue moving forward

29:23But it is really difficult as a wheelchair user to like go out into traffic and try to like get closer to a

29:30Curb cut that may now just have like patio tables and stuff blocking it

29:34And trying to figure out in the moment while you're trying to get out of a car like where you're supposed to go for the next

29:40Closest curb cut. It's kind of scary when you're like three feet tall in a wheelchair

29:44So and especially with all the hills downtown gulf and stuff

29:48It's just like not ideal to in the moment have to look around and find how do I now get on to the sidewalk

29:54so in the event that

29:56Knowing as I'm aware that there aren't very many curb cuts downtown

30:01So in the event that there isn't a curb cut for a very long distance

30:07How is that being accommodated? Are we?

30:10Are we just putting an accessible spot?

30:12Maybe a half a block away from where it was to get closer to a curb cut

30:17Or are we putting accessible spots still closer to the business and just saying like hopefully this person doesn't need a curb cut

30:24and is there any room for us to

30:29Somehow discourage people

30:32From needing their patio to be in you know, like is there a way we can have the the city try to encourage patios be placed

30:40Not on accessible parking spots or is it yeah, that was a bunch of questions. I'm sorry. I'll just let you answer

30:47Yeah, I think in terms of the relocation of the spot we would always be

30:51as a first

30:54Cursor you looking for a location that provides the curb cut so that you don't encounter that issue at all

30:59That would be our primary focus would be to ensure that the parking facility provides you everything you need to get

31:05from the road surface to the

31:07The boulevard of the sidewalk

31:10To ensure that those problems don't

31:12continue

31:14And then I think what I was trying to oh, yeah, I was just going to reword my second half of my question

31:19I think what I was really trying to ask is if there isn't an available curb cut for a very long distance

31:26Is there any way the city can just say unfortunately this spot can't be moved so you can't put a patio there

31:31um

31:32And I think as part as the part as part of the review that the team would be doing would be to evaluate

31:37Is there a viable location to relocate the stall?

31:40And if we did run into a scenario where there wasn't something that was feasible or reasonable

31:45Um, that would be part of the patio application review from a traffic standpoint

31:50Okay, thank you very much

31:55any other questions or would anyone like to

31:58Put forward one of the recommended motions or take a crack at writing our own motion

32:17Could we get the recommended motions back up on the screen for a minute and see if anyone would like to move either of those

32:23Um, and can someone read them out loud? Sorry

32:27I'll read it for you. Thank you. Mike. That would be great. All right. Cool. So the as it stands right now

32:34The accessibility advisory committee receives the information on the process of moving accessible spaces during the seasonal patio program dated February 18th

32:422025 the accessibility advisory committee recommends that staff refers to the meeting on February 18th 2025

32:48it consider

32:49In recommendation parentheses on the process of moving accessible spaces during the seasonal patio program

32:56That's two different motions. Yes

32:58For the second motion, I feel like in the parentheses we could just say and consider

33:04The feedback provided at that meeting on the process of moving accessible spaces

33:10um, but there wasn't too much feedback provided so

33:14Would anyone be comfortable putting forward one or both of those motions for us to?

33:22Pass so we can have something on the minutes for this meeting

33:27You want to put back up the thing? I'll go for the first one. I'm not comfortable doing the second one

33:31But I'll definitely do the first though. Okay

33:37And we have sue's hand up as well sue. Are you

33:40Seconding that motion that first motion or are you wanting to move a separate motion entirely? I'm seconding the first motion

33:48please

33:50Mike can I ask what about the second motion? You aren't comfortable if you're if you're okay saying?

33:55Yeah, it's like I want a little bit more information on the curb cut things because when you started mentioning about the wheelchair length

34:02distance I'm thinking that's something I never quite considered. So I'd like a little bit more

34:06information on that so

34:08Does I like how how many curb cuts are downtown for example? Yeah, if we don't move this second motion that's not going to change that

34:16thing that you're like they aren't uh

34:19If we would like more information you can email liane and we'll try to talk to them about coming back and talking at another meeting

34:25About curb cuts or something or we can get that information

34:28But the second motion is just asking the city to please not

34:33Go ahead and make any changes without reviewing the feedback. We've given them today. Okay. All right

34:37Yes, so I understand

34:40um

34:41Just that not moving that motion won't change you needing more information about curb cuts. Yeah

34:46So do I need to make these as two separate or can I just combine this into one?

34:51You can just say that you're moving both of them if you want to you and you don't have to move the second one

34:55I just wanted to make sure I understood

34:57Yeah, yeah same. Yeah, I just wanted to make sure you gave feedback. You should probably want the city to hear you

35:03Yeah, all right

35:05I want to like listen to the feedback I gave

35:08Okay, cool. So yeah, I will put forth both these motions in one thing

35:11So once again once we're feeling uh the accessibility advisory committee receives the information on the process for moving accessible spaces during the seasonal patio program dated february 18th

35:212025 the accessibility advisory committee recommends that the staff that staff refer to the meeting on february 18th

35:262025 and consider the feedback provided at the meeting on the process or moving accessible spaces during the seasonal patio program

35:34Okay, so those two motions are being moved by mike and sue. Are you seconding both of them now?

35:46Your mic's just muted there sue

35:49Oh, sorry. Yes. I will second both. It's more clarified to me. Oh perfect. Thank you. Thank you

35:57Is anyone opposed to these motions?

36:05None opposed so it looks like both of those motions pass

36:09Yes

36:11Thank you so much for uh coming to the meeting today. Alex and paul. We really appreciate it

36:17Thanks, y'all probably

36:24All right, uh moving along. We are quite ahead of schedule

36:28So that's nice

36:30The next item uh is the mobility transit application discussion and I'm actually going to present this one

36:38Just for a little bit of kind of background information

36:43the

36:45In the executive planning meeting for the december aac meeting we had asked if

36:51Wealth transit could come to our meeting to discuss these next two items mobility transit applications and the taxi script program

36:58and at that time they weren't ready to have that discussion and

37:02um

37:03In order and I the vice chair cameron and I kind of said well

37:07We could just go ahead and have that conversation as the aac

37:10Because this is kind of time sensitive. It's the winter and people are having trouble accessing mobility

37:14We need to talk about it and the city asked at that time like could you just wait until february?

37:20We will come to your february meeting, but we're not at a point in our work right now

37:24Where we're ready to present much to you so it would be beneficial to wait until february so we can give you more

37:29information

37:32So we did we said okay as long as you're coming in february. We can wait two more months to have this discussion

37:37unfortunately due to some staffing changes at the city of gulf

37:42staff are

37:43Not ready to discuss this again still at this time and weren't able to come to this meeting

37:50So an order and I vice chair cameron and I

37:53Decided that we were going to go ahead and have this discussion anyway at today's meeting with the aac

37:59And although staff can't be present to present any information

38:04We were sent an email by garret with some really good information about both of these items

38:10So we do have a little bit of staff input that i'll go over in my presentation here

38:15But that's why this is a little bit different and we don't have a staff person presenting and there's no one here to really answer our questions

38:21Um, we just felt like it was important to get some motions on the record and maybe have some discussion amongst us

38:28So that is why this is happening and it's not it's definitely not a situation where I feel like the city is trying to like

38:35Ignore us or avoid coming to our meetings. Uh, I want to make that really clear

38:40It just that there is some staff changes that are shifting things around I think

38:45Uh, I think I was told it was staff changes

38:47But something is happening on a staff end that they don't have the capacity right now to attend this meeting and aren't ready

38:53with answers for us so

38:56Um, but with that in mind that doesn't really dictate the kind of

39:01Flow at which we at the aac decide to discuss things. So we're going to talk about it anyway

39:05so for the mobility transit applications this discussion came about because

39:10Uh, some members were concerned with the length of the mobility transit application

39:15um, also the process for

39:17mobility transit

39:19customers having to apply and reapply and

39:23Applications expiring and things like that

39:26Uh, there were some concerns around the length of the application as well as kind of the invasive nature of the application

39:33And whether or not it is appropriate for the city to be asking individuals for that information to determine whether or not

39:40They need the mobility transit buses

39:42um

39:43the

39:45The first piece about the length of the application the city is actually on the same page as us

39:51They sent in garret's email. They sent some feedback letting us know that they had already looked

39:56At and are planning to in 2025 review the application because when they looked at comparator municipalities

40:03They are aware that the application is like very long compared to others

40:07um, and just for some feedback like just for

40:10Kind of anecdotally. I did go downtown to try to get an application for myself

40:15um, because mine has apparently expired and it is a longer application than

40:21To apply for od sp or to apply for the disability tax credit

40:26It requires a lot of very detailed health information that

40:31Nobody on staff at the city of gulf. I think

40:34Unless i'm unaware and we have nurses and doctors on staff reviewing people's medical files. I don't think it's appropriate

40:41Or

40:42Or that people working for the city for gulf transit

40:47Maybe have the ability to even look at that medical information and determine whether or not it means somebody should get

40:53A mobility transit pass or have access to the mobility transit program

40:58um, and just for uh anyone who's not aware the mobility transit that i'm talking about is a service where people with disabilities can call

41:07and have a

41:09mobility bus come

41:10closer to their door to come pick them up and take them closer to their

41:15destination, so it's a service for disabled users of gulf transit

41:19um, one of my main concerns with it is not only that it's long and invasive

41:25And that people like me, uh, i'm someone who sits in meetings with staff members for the city of gulf fairly regularly

41:31And i maybe don't want them having access to very detailed information about

41:35You know my health or the different symptoms i might have due to my disability

41:41There are a lot of things that are just private and i don't necessarily want some

41:45Staff member that i'm going to be sitting in a meeting with knowing all that information and they shouldn't really have to

41:50In my opinion, um

41:53But another issue that i have is that the final page of the application is a release where you're signing

41:58a release for the city of gulf to

42:01Access the entirety of your medical files from your doctor

42:05It says like i give permission for the city of gulf to contact my doctor and i release the entirety of my medical files to the city of

42:11gulf, which again is not

42:13appropriate to be requiring people to do that in order to access mobility transit

42:19um, i would much prefer personally a system where

42:23There are no doctors involved and where people can just self identify as disabled and access this service

42:29But if there is a requirement for doctors

42:32I think all of the private medical and health information can be discussed in a private

42:37appointment with a doctor and then a doctor can sign a one-page sheet saying i have discussed this

42:43With my patient and knowing their medical information. I believe they require a mobility transit

42:51bus pass

42:53And that's all that the city needs to know because the city is not doctors and like is doesn't have a medical staff

42:59And even if they did we shouldn't be required to consent to our medical information being reviewed by that staff in order to access buses

43:09um

43:10So with that in mind, I think oh and the the final piece sorry that we were going to discuss today is that um

43:17Is it necessary for?

43:19mobility transit applications to expire

43:22So I have multiple sclerosis. It is a permanent incurable degenerative illness

43:28It never gets better. It only

43:30Gets worse and progresses worse

43:33It will it will only increase its impact on my life and my needs for accessibility will only increase over time

43:39There's no cure

43:41so

43:41The fact that I didn't call a mobility bus for a few years during the pandemic and then now have to reapply with all of this medical information and this like

43:5125 page document

43:53Is just needless bureaucracy that we could probably cut out and when we were discussing pal card holders and

44:00cnib card bus passes

44:03We kind of came to the conclusion that like why are you making people keep reapplying?

44:07bureaucracy is not accessible

44:09um

44:10So yeah with that in mind. I was hopeful that today we could have some form of motion requesting that

44:18You know

44:19The the city review the bus pass the mobility transit application

44:24Due to length but also due to its invasive invasive nature and then perhaps a second motion asking that the city of gulf

44:34review whether or not these applications need to expire

44:38With that, uh, we have some time for

44:42Discussion so I see a few hands already jenette go ahead

44:46Hi, thank you. Um

44:48so, um, I I do

44:51Um have sort of the same thoughts and feelings about you our family has applied for

44:56um things such as the disability tax credit

44:59and having worked for government I think that the um

45:04The request to have access to your medical file is an overreach and um

45:11It is very intrusive. Um

45:14As a government employee, I would recommend that there would be an attestation by a medical practitioner

45:20Of course, you would identify and define a medical practitioner

45:25And they would sign off to say

45:28This patient of mine. I am basically attesting that they need the mobility

45:34bus period

45:37And I agree with you to remove the burden to reapply

45:42Um and that people would contact if they don't need it anymore. I think also

45:48Uh, like, you know

45:50For instance workman's comp or the DTC

45:52They talk about the difference between a permanent versus a temporary condition

45:58And I think that maybe in the, um applications

46:04Again attested by your doctor

46:06This would be something that is

46:09Permanent versus temporary and you know, like for instance, if you were in a car

46:15A car crash and so you may need it for some period of time

46:20I think that distinction should be made

46:22As well because it is burdensome on the disabled person who already has many issues in trying to

46:29Uh undertake just daily activities. Thank you

46:37Thank you, Jeanette. Um Kathy you're next and then Mike you're after Kathy

46:42Hi, thank you. Um been very similar to the accessibility. Um

46:50What is it called?

46:51I'm sorry. I supplied for it to put in my car. So I don't I've sight loss. I don't drive

46:56But our family car as like an accessibility pass that was uh, you know service Ontario government of canada

47:04Issued form of identification of accessibility needs and it was a one pager and it was a very simple

47:11Um, my doctor I went in my doctor was able to sign off because I've had my condition. It's lifelong disability

47:18Um, and it wasn't invasive by any means there was no extra information that was provided and I think if the government of canada and the

47:25Service Ontario are comfortable with that. I I think that it's inappropriate to gather information

47:33Just for the sake of having extra information

47:36I think that if the city wanted more information about their citizens and their medical needs and and that's the view

47:42What they need then it needs to be a methodical organized

47:46ask

47:47um, so people understand

47:50Why their information is being taken? I think it's completely unnecessary

47:54And then when you look at all the different types of registration that one needs

47:57So I have to register all my family information if they want to go swimming

48:01I have to register my children's birth not birth certificate, but my health cards of my children if they want to ride the bus

48:07I'm not capable with all of this very invasive information

48:11Um, where others, you know, aren't necessarily expected to give their personal information

48:17Not that I'm against it, but I think that

48:20In all of these wonder wonderful like registration pieces for organization

48:25um

48:26a vulnerable

48:27Population such as the disability community is constantly getting

48:32Pulled for more personal information, which isn't equitable when their neighbor doesn't have to

48:37Experience that so that's what I think the main issue is that's in my equity in my human rights and what I choose for myself

48:45So I think that's really important to remember and again

48:48so I work in research and

48:50Pulling from a vulnerable population constantly is exhausting to that population and that's where other inequities

48:58appear and then this is where the power imbalance comes from so Lorela when you were talking about or chair, sorry when you were talking about

49:08Sitting in a meeting someone knowing your personal information is someone going to hand me their

49:13prescriptions from their doctors so we can have an equitable power balance in our conversations or in a decision-making

49:20conversation

49:21A recommendation for the citizens of Guelph

49:25So I think that's really important to address to explain

49:29Why this is such an uncomfortable topic or or an uncomfortable ask from our

49:36community

49:39Yes, thanks so much Kathy. That's really helpful. Um

49:43Yeah, and the the questions that are being asked themselves are not just invasive, but there's also a

49:49Can you do this this thing? If not, please explain in detail why you can't

49:55And some of those questions the answer might be because I have

50:00Bladder and bowel incontinence, right or because I have and that might not be something we want people that are in a meeting with us to know about

50:06right

50:07and I also

50:09It shouldn't be subjective

50:11the doctor has decided or

50:14you have we have

50:16Conditions that have put us in this community and the situation

50:21I'm concerned that because this has happened to me where I've applied for something

50:25I have a genetic disease that is textbook and someone decided that I I don't need

50:31support because

50:32Their understanding of what a disability is doesn't match

50:36How I've articulated my lifestyle and that's not equitable either

50:40So I also don't think giving too much information for it to be turned down is okay because an application can be denied

50:47Absolutely

50:49Thank you so much Kathy

50:51Mike I misspoke earlier Jen is actually up next before you and then it's your turn

50:55So go ahead Jen

50:57Thank you a great conversation

51:02Um, I I do agree medical attestation from a doctor should be sufficient

51:08I would think the proof should be similar to the way accommodations are provided for

51:15Uh employees of organizations where the actual medical data is kept confidential

51:22partly for security of the information itself

51:26As well as taking away any of that possible conflict

51:30Of uh, one of our city of guelph

51:33Employees knowing something about a constituent member or one of our community members

51:40When it's not absolutely relevant the medical attestation would be enough

51:44The reason i'm giving the comparison to an accommodation

51:47I don't know the process for city of guelph employees, but it's my understanding in a lot of larger orcs

51:55If somebody needs an accommodation at their desk or to get to work

52:00The the nature of the disability is not actually written in someone's file

52:05It typically said like go get your medical attestation will work with

52:12Either insurance or with ergo person ergo rep

52:16They will and only the insurance provider will have that information

52:22The rest is kept confidential to keep everything to keep that separation and risk out of it

52:27It is considered confidential information like I say in a lot of large orcs

52:32Don't know but I think we should be letting our citizens and our community members have the same respect as our city of guelph employees

52:39Would have to have an accommodation at work

52:41um, and so I agree with all of it

52:45I think there was something of a conversation a few meetings back about the reason for having people fill out the forms

52:53And in part it was because they could have users who no longer live in guelph

52:59Or they're just trying to get an accurate number of the number of users who are looking for

53:05Access to the service

53:07Totally get that if there's a way to simply reach out to folks. Are you still interested in using this program?

53:14Check yes or no. That's all you need. There shouldn't be a 25 page doc

53:19um to prove it yet again

53:21um in in a

53:24Just as a work around because regular mobility isn't entirely accessible

53:32Those are great points gen and the discussion you're referring to is the pal card pal card holder and cnib card holder

53:39Discussion that we had I think three meetings ago. And yeah, that was my takeaway too. So thanks for bringing that up also

53:47Like we're happy to work with them to make sure that their data is accurate for the number of users

53:51But it shouldn't be a 25 page intrusive doc that has confidential information

53:57It'd be like asking everybody else. Okay. Let me know all of your visa balances right now

54:02Absolutely invasive. We wouldn't do it. So we shouldn't be doing that to this community as well

54:09Not to mention that the burden of filling out paperwork is often a lot harder for people with disabilities

54:14Some people have cognitive disabilities that make that harder

54:17I I use a screen reader which makes going downtown picking up a 25 page application bringing it to my doctor

54:24Scanning it into my computer to try to read it with my screen reader to see what like it's just a lot of work

54:30Yeah, yeah, awesome. Thanks so much. Uh, mike go ahead. Yeah, so

54:36so is the

54:38Like it's been a long time since I've had to fill this out. Is the document actually 25 pages?

54:43It's longer than 25 pages, but

54:46Yeah, a lot of that is like instruction for how to the the papers that I picked up there were 56 pieces of paper

54:52However, a lot of that when I took it out was just like this is instructions for how to fill out this form

54:57This is what we require for here's some information about Guelph transit. So

55:03Also, I should note though the reason that it is that many pages is partially I think because they have it larger print

55:10Um, it's not like super large print or anything. I think it's like 14 point

55:15Four 16. Yeah, but uh, so if it were smaller print it would probably but it's still still is more lengthy in questions

55:24than the disability tax credit application or the uh, you know

55:28The odsp application or any any it's the longest application. I've ever been asked to fill out about my physical disability

55:34I'd say yeah, because I I seem to remember when I filled my note like this is insane

55:39Uh, yeah, like honestly if this form can't be filled out in five to ten minutes. It's too long

55:44One of my concerns about having access to my private medical data. Does that is that kept anywhere?

55:50Can anybody's access that at like any time? Yeah, that's not cool

55:55You don't need to know all this stuff like if you can't fill this out in five ten minutes. It's too long

56:01Uh, yeah, so I'm on more like everybody's thoughts here. Um

56:05I can't spend the city does check in with people because I call them Guelph mobility transit at least a couple times a year

56:12Hey, are you still using the service? Yes, cool. That's all this should be a phone call once a year

56:17Do you still need this? Yes or no odds are like if it's for a temporary person the person says if they're not using it

56:23You'll know because when we have to book the bus via that program that data tracks

56:28So they already have the data points to tell us how often the service is being accessed

56:34So yeah, like I'm in agreement with like everybody's thoughts here. I don't want anybody having my personal medical data

56:40And I'd like to know if that data is even kept locally can I can anybody access it afterwards?

56:46So yeah, I've got some pretty big privacy concerns here

56:52Thanks mike

56:54Yeah, I just want to add on to what Mike said it makes me think about the election discussions and um

57:02you know just the collection of um

57:06personal information sorry if you hear my cat howling in the back, but um

57:11Yeah, it just really needs to be streamlined and um and make things equitable

57:17for everybody and

57:21Keep out of people's personal

57:25Confidential information because if the federal government isn't even asking for that level of data

57:32a municipality certainly certainly shouldn't be

57:36And all governments have red tape initiatives that they're

57:40Putting in place so hoping that you take these considerations

57:44moving forward and

57:46You know make it easier for yourselves to and and and get people to identify through their medical

57:52Practitioner if it is permanent or temporary. Thank you

57:58Thanks

57:59Yeah, the situation right now is that like even me with all of my connections with the city having been on the aac for

58:06like so long and having

58:09such

58:10Direct connections connections with so many city staff and i'm the chair of the accessibility advisory committee

58:15And even I cannot get a mobility transit bus pass as a wheelchair user

58:20And because i'm not willing to sign a paper saying the city of golf can have the entirety of my medical

58:26files

58:27so um

58:29That's a problem and I hope that it's something we can resolve really soon

58:32Um and also mike to your point about how you get these phone calls asking if you're still using the service

58:38That's good. Um, I never got those calls ever or maybe I missed them and was therefore removed from but

58:46Somehow I was removed from mobility transit and was never told I was removed or would have to reapply

58:51So like that's a problem. Yeah

58:54anyway

58:56Thanks everyone for the for the discussion tonight your hand is still up. Did you have another?

59:02Point before we move into crafting. So I go ahead asking

59:05I was just thinking based on our discussion. It almost would beg the end to end review

59:11of this

59:12um looking starting with you know the forms and what are your touch points and um

59:19You know, how do you collect data and just look at it in its entirety?

59:25My last point. Thanks. Um chair Cameron sent me a

59:35possible

59:36Motion and I would like to read it out now and see if people

59:41um

59:43Are you still is that still the motion you want to put forward?

59:47An order uh

59:53Yeah, with the amendment you suggested there. I think that's good just the extra sentence at the end. Okay, perfect

59:59So there are kind of two motions here. We may need to separate this. I'm not sure we'll ask for staff to let us know

1:00:06but the motion that

1:00:08Vice chair Cameron wanted to put forward says

1:00:12The AAC recommends that the city review the application program for the mobility transit program

1:00:19To address the length and invasive nature of the application

1:00:23And that they refer to the feedback given at the meeting on

1:00:27February 18th 2025

1:00:29In addition to this the AAC requests to be directly involved in a discussion with staff

1:00:35about

1:00:37reviewing this application process

1:00:40And then the second piece is the AAC recommends that mobility transit

1:00:46Passes should not expire for individuals with long term disability

1:00:55so

1:00:57an order is

1:00:59I'm gonna just quickly email this to staff so they have it if everyone could bear with me for a minute

1:01:03We're way ahead of schedule. So we have a minute for me to do that and then they can have it to put up on screen if they need to

1:01:12in case you

1:01:49Who should I email this to by the way?

1:01:51Garrett Andrew

1:01:53It's Andrew from the city clerk's office. If you can send it to clerksecweld.state. That would be wonderful. Thank you. Perfect

1:02:39All right, that's been sent

1:02:41um

1:02:42So we'll give a minute to yeah

1:02:44We'll give a minute to sort that out before we

1:02:47Go through with voting just so everyone can see it on the screen

1:02:50Now yes, sir. When we receive it, we will pull it up on the screen and uh, it just gives a few moments

1:02:55Thanks. Take your time

1:03:00In the meantime, I see Jen's hand up. Was that to second those motions or do you have more feedback to give?

1:03:05The only idea I had for the motion the first part was talking about

1:03:12reviewing

1:03:13The content with the committee forgive me. I'm paraphrasing terribly

1:03:16But just to say to review in 2025 if this has already been moved out twice

1:03:22Yes, I would just hope that we can confirm or recommend a year

1:03:28so that

1:03:29We can we won't have a number of months of more people trying to fill out 25 plus pages

1:03:35or their abouts uh to still gain access to the service

1:03:40That's a good point. In order would you be um

1:03:44Amenable to that amendment to your

1:03:48Uh, yeah, that sounds good to me

1:03:52That's a really good point Jen. Thank you

1:03:55Okay, sure. It's Andrew from the St. Clark's office

1:03:58We give up the motion ready to go and we'll pull it up on screen and we've attempted to add in that

1:04:022025 piece as suggested as well. So

1:04:06Give that a look

1:04:08And we can but we can always read that off screen if you like as well should read

1:04:11Yeah, if you could I can't do my screen reader doesn't like the the yeah, that would be great

1:04:17Sure. I will read it out loud. Um at the aac recommends that the city review the application process for the mobility program in 2025

1:04:24To address the length and invasive nature of the application and refer to the feedback given at the meeting on 2025

1:04:310218

1:04:33In addition, the aac requests to be involved in a direct discussion with staff about this process during that review

1:04:39The aac recommends that mobility transit passes should not expire for individuals with long-term disabilities

1:04:48Thank you so much. So in order you are

1:04:52Putting that forward. Do we have a seconder?

1:04:55All day

1:04:56Jeanette. Oh, yeah, and mic. Okay, cool

1:04:59I'm so sorry. Oh, sorry

1:05:02Is discussion over because if we're making a recommendation on something very specific

1:05:07Yeah

1:05:08Which is the last line did we also say shall not request private confidential medical information

1:05:19But rather an attestation see

1:05:22I know that you know, we said we'd refer back to our comments, but this specifically is one of the comments we've made

1:05:30So do we put it all in?

1:05:32Yeah, that's a good point

1:05:35I mean, it doesn't hurt to put it all in. I'm never

1:05:38I would

1:05:41Yeah in an official motion because these motions are really the only thing that are officially recorded in the cities

1:05:47So we could add that maybe to the first

1:05:50portion

1:05:51um

1:05:53Sorry, jeanette. Can you repeat that? I was when you were talking I was like, yes good point and I don't remember what you said

1:05:58the screen sorry

1:06:07On the screen, okay, my chair. It's andrew from the clerk's office. We're just working to add that into the motion right right now

1:06:21Go ahead, mike. Well, we're waiting

1:06:24Is it possible to maybe put something there to like have a hard cap on the length of it saying

1:06:31Shall not exceed say

1:06:33Five pages or something like that. Is that even?

1:06:37I don't know if I want to do that

1:06:39That often yeah, but I want to be able to fill this out as simply as walking in for a library card

1:06:45Honestly, it should be two pages. No good brief. I know this is more than two pages

1:06:50It could probably be one page. It could be just a doctor's signature saying I've refued your requirements for mobility transit and my patient

1:06:57meets those requirements, so basically

1:07:00Honestly, and I think we might as well wait for that to workshop that discussion more

1:07:05Um, also, I should point out that we are the process for this is that

1:07:12so we aren't

1:07:14um, we

1:07:15put forward a motion we then

1:07:18Get a seconder for the motion then we can have discussion and then we figure out

1:07:22So we're kind of doing this all over the place just so people know and don't think that this is the way it usually

1:07:28Would run down, but it seems like this is working really well today. So

1:07:32Um, we should be checking with an ordeal to make sure that an ordeal is still comfortable putting this motion forward with these amendments

1:07:39Um, how are you feeling about this in order?

1:07:44uh, yeah, I agree with including that

1:07:48Uh, the notes like we were discussing

1:07:51Did city staff say they're putting it up? Are you are you drafting it now?

1:07:55yeah

1:07:57Hi chair, we're did standard from the same purpose. Yes. We are just pulling it up right now. Okay, perfect. Thank you so much

1:08:02Also, nobody has to call me chair anything if you don't want you can all call me laura ly

1:08:06A few people have started calling me chair root because they hear staff doing it even staff. I don't care. You could call me laura ly

1:08:12I think you probably will still call me chair root even if I say that but

1:08:16No one has to do that

1:08:18um

1:08:20anyways

1:08:21Can we get someone to read this out and then?

1:08:25Perhaps any further feedback we could add when we actually have this discussion

1:08:29already

1:08:31Thanks, mike

1:08:34the aac recommends that the city review the application process for the mobility program in

1:08:402025 to address the length and invasive nature of the application and refer to the feedback given at the meeting on

1:08:472025

1:08:480218 in addition the aac request to be involved in a direct discussion with the staff

1:08:54About this process during that review the aac also recommends that the application form should not request private medical information

1:09:01The aac recommends that mobility transit passes should not expire for individuals with long-term disabilities

1:09:09Perfect. Um, so in ortle has put that forward and now we need a second in order. You are still putting that forward

1:09:17Just a check. Yes, perfect. And we need a seconder

1:09:23Jeanette perfect elizabeth sue. Okay

1:09:26Um, we've already had pretty lengthy discussion. So is anyone opposed to this?

1:09:32motion

1:09:35I don't see or hear any so that motion passes

1:09:39um, thank you all so much

1:09:41And we can move along to the next item on the agenda

1:09:45um, which is similar

1:09:48And it is about the taxiscript program

1:09:51so

1:09:53Just for some background information for everybody. This is the same thing mobility was going to come and discuss this with us

1:10:00Still can't come and discuss it because we keep getting pushed out. So we're just going to discuss it on our own and give our feedback without them here and

1:10:08Yeah, that's kind of what is happening right now

1:10:11so, um, the taxiscript program for anyone that's not aware

1:10:16A number of years ago

1:10:17It was a discussion at the aac that uber wanted to come and do business in guelph, but uber doesn't have any

1:10:24accessible

1:10:25cars

1:10:26And that means that people with walkers wheelchairs scooters can't use uber and so the city kind of put in a

1:10:33um

1:10:34A caveat saying if you would like to do business in guelph you have to give us a little bit of money

1:10:41I think it's like 14 cents per ride or something

1:10:43But I can't remember exactly but it's it's pretty small but it ends up being a large amount of money at the end of the year

1:10:49um

1:10:50For us to use to kind of supplement the existing

1:10:54accessible

1:10:57Transit options we have such as accessible cabs

1:11:01And so the taxiscript program is where people can go into city hall and if you are a mobility transit user

1:11:08Who specifically uses a wheelchair or scooter only?

1:11:12You are allowed to apply for I believe two coupon booklets. Basically it gives you half price cabs

1:11:19There are a certain amount of coupons you can use per month

1:11:22I can't remember exactly how many but in the past we've always had extra money in this budget at the end of the year

1:11:28And we go like why why aren't people not buying these taxiscripts?

1:11:32And I believe last year when we discussed it

1:11:35There was some discussion around maybe we need to be making people more aware

1:11:39That the taxiscript program exists like maybe that's the problem and maybe

1:11:44Maybe we should just increase the number of taxiscript booklets people are allowed to buy which we did we doubled it at that time

1:11:51And still we have some money in that quite a bit of money in that budget because the program isn't being used very heavily right now

1:11:57um

1:11:59Cut to

1:12:01Late last year like october ish

1:12:04I'm involved in a lot of work downtown with the unhoused community and

1:12:08And stuff like that and one thing that community members kept bringing to me was that they keep getting declined their applications for taxiscript

1:12:15coupons

1:12:17and

1:12:18These people are people who definitely would benefit from

1:12:22taxiscript program

1:12:25One of the reasons also sorry i'm kind of jumping around here, but

1:12:30One of the reasons that the taxiscript booklets exist is not just to like

1:12:34subsidize

1:12:36Taxis for disabled people in general, but it's specifically because the meter on a

1:12:41An accessible taxi in gulf keeps running when the driver is parked there

1:12:47Lower the ramp goes back has to get you on the

1:12:52Like into the cab has to buckle you in all of that the the meter keeps running

1:12:56So you're being charged for that time and that's not really

1:13:00Equitable right that's not fair for disabled people to have to take more expensive cab rides

1:13:04So we figured we'll use that money to solve that problem

1:13:07That would be great

1:13:09However, it has come to our attention that it's pretty rigid in that it's only for people who use wheelchairs or scooters

1:13:17And can't walk

1:13:19175 meters

1:13:21But there are also people like there's a gentleman who

1:13:25uses

1:13:28A tech device for his speech

1:13:31He doesn't speak but he has to sit there and type out what he's going to say to you

1:13:35And that takes extra time and so that also is time when the meter is running or for people like me who use a walker

1:13:41They also keep the meter running while they are getting your walker in

1:13:46For people who are blind or low vision

1:13:48They are also going to keep the meter running while they help you get to a safe location out of the cab

1:13:52If they have to get you to your front door or that sort of thing

1:13:55so

1:13:57There were kind of two things that we wanted to review about this one

1:14:01Does it make sense for it to be tied to the mobility transit application at all?

1:14:05Because currently you only can apply if you already have been approved for mobility transit

1:14:09Which as we've just discussed is a very lengthy

1:14:13An invasive process

1:14:15Also, not everybody who is going to want to use taxis is going to need or want

1:14:20the

1:14:21mobility transit

1:14:23So it doesn't make sense in my opinion for us to be forcing people to sign up for that program get approved for it and then

1:14:29Um, I do think it makes sense that if somebody is already approved for mobility transit

1:14:34They get automatic approval for taxi script. I think that would make sense

1:14:38Like let's not make them apply twice

1:14:40But if somebody doesn't want to sign up for mobility transit and just wants to sign up for the taxis script program

1:14:46I think we should allow them to do that

1:14:49and I also was hopeful that

1:14:51people might want to put forward a motion about

1:14:54the

1:14:55requirements for the taxi script program being reviewed

1:14:59and

1:15:00Possibly expanded to cover more people because I think the reason that it keeps coming back to the aac that like why is no one buying these coupons?

1:15:07Is that I think because it's impossible to get them. I would love to get them and I can't

1:15:12and I think a lot of

1:15:15disabled people that I'm getting feedback from are

1:15:18Experiencing the same thing and unfortunately it's a lot of people from low-income communities who are being most heavily impacted by this

1:15:25And unhoused people

1:15:26There was one person who requires a wheelchair but can't afford a wheelchair because as we know adp only covers

1:15:33You know 75 of a wheelchair you still have to pay for the rest yourself somehow

1:15:38and

1:15:39A lot of folks can't afford that so they are someone with uh cerebral palsy who probably need a wheelchair

1:15:44and just can't get one and we're then told by city hall when they went for the application that

1:15:51They don't qualify because they don't have a wheelchair

1:15:54So it just seems like this is another process

1:15:57involving wealth mobility transit that we need to possibly review

1:16:02and

1:16:03Have an in-depth review with the city about the

1:16:09Kind of whether or not people are eligible the eligibility and as well as the application process itself

1:16:18That's kind of all I had

1:16:20I see two hands up where we'll go with mike first and then jenette because I didn't see what order. I'm sorry

1:16:26so I'm

1:16:27So i'm a pretty heavy user of this program and you can buy three taxi books right now

1:16:33And this program allows me to get out of the city if I want to so this program absolutely needs to be expanded

1:16:41And you're right like having the requirement where you will be unable to walk 75

1:16:46175 meters well

1:16:48There are other conditions that you know people with heart conditions like I know my wife, for example suffers from long

1:16:53Covid having her walk that yeah, that's not happening

1:16:57So we need to lose some of those eligibility requirements to make it easier

1:17:01This should be just be a simple a check box on the application. Do you wish to use this program? Cool? Great check wonderful

1:17:07Um, and I know that redtop does a fantastic job like uh when I went to the hospital a couple years ago for gallbladder surgery

1:17:15Anecdotally that driver took me upstairs to make sure I got into my hospital room. All right

1:17:21There are some amazing drivers at redtop and they do their very best

1:17:25But you're right when it comes to running the meter not all drivers are

1:17:29Created equal but there's some really good people there

1:17:32But yeah, like having this program expanded to low income communities would be great

1:17:36It would really set a great precedent to show

1:17:40We care about the lower income people in this community and not all disabilities are visible

1:17:45Not all disabilities require a walker wheelchair or scooter. This should be great if we really want to expand the program

1:17:52You would see a lot more usage out of it like yeah, like absolutely like this

1:17:58This program needs to be expanded. We need to make sure people are aware of it

1:18:03And I think it would be beneficial for everybody to get more people on board

1:18:07Thanks, Mike. Um when you mentioned low income communities that reminded me of one more point I had as well

1:18:13Just as we continue this discussion

1:18:15Um, one of the main pieces of feedback I heard from people is I'm not going to fill out that big long application at my doctor

1:18:21Because either they don't have a doctor, which a lot of people don't the emergency room and the walking clinics do not fill out the

1:18:29Uh mobility transit application for you. So if you don't have a family doctor, you can't get mobility transit and you can't get taxi scripts

1:18:37Which yeah, so that's a lot of people don't

1:18:39And then the other the other feedback that I'm hearing a lot is that even the folks who do have access to a family doctor

1:18:46They charge for forms up to 10 pages and then they charge per page

1:18:51At least this is the feedback from the specific every every doctor's practice is different

1:18:55Um, but they charge a certain amount for these applications

1:18:59And if you're looking at a 20-something page application, you might be charging like 90 dollars

1:19:04To save some money on a taxi. You're going to be charged

1:19:09You know this massive amount of money to apply for it

1:19:12So that also doesn't make any sense and for most people is like insurmountable

1:19:16So yeah, like if we're really going to be the community that cares and show that we care about

1:19:23Individuals regardless of income. This needs to be more equitable. This needs to be more accessible and literally

1:19:29Again, I should be able to walk in fill this out. Maybe have a brief two minute meeting. Okay, cool

1:19:33You need this great here you go. We want to help you. So yeah, I would like to see this becoming a more equitable process

1:19:40less bureaucracy

1:19:43Thanks, Jeanette go ahead and then Kathy is up next. I thank you. Um, I think I um

1:19:50I do share a lot of the same comments and concerns you have. Um

1:19:56Just hearing everything I would look back at the root causes as to why the dollars are not getting spent because for me

1:20:01That's not successful. That is not a successful initiative

1:20:05um

1:20:06and

1:20:07You know at the beginning when you said maybe it's just not being marketed enough

1:20:11I think that if this is tied as you've said to the mobility pass, which is

1:20:17Crazy length

1:20:19Very intrusive asking for private information that a municipality should never have then why would you get this?

1:20:26You wouldn't so they need to be disconnected

1:20:29But I'm I think that we can make a motion and like to hear more discussion, of course

1:20:35But to review the eligibility requirements to expand the users, you know, our family is autistic

1:20:42um having sensory stimuli of a bus

1:20:46um, or even a small bus um

1:20:49Is not

1:20:50Going to happen

1:20:52Most days for for people who who are artistic or have these invisible disabilities. I think

1:20:58You know that the city needs needs to expand their knowledge and understanding of

1:21:02Disabilities, uh at a whole and just keep doing the good work you're doing and and we can make this so much better

1:21:09Thank you

1:21:12Thanks, jennet

1:21:14Kathy go ahead

1:21:16Hi, um

1:21:17So I think one of the the main issues and I I think it was placed in like the root cause as well

1:21:23um one of the bigger issues is that if people aren't using it because of eligibility we again

1:21:28We really need to look at eligibility

1:21:31In a sense of people in their intersectionalities

1:21:34This also suggests that

1:21:36People with disabilities are low income and it also puts a larger gap in those who have to spend money to conduct their lives

1:21:43And those that don't have to spend money who get to keep their money

1:21:46And put it towards their quality of life

1:21:49I think that if the city of guelph is really looking to not even towards caring for their

1:21:54citizens but in terms of inclusion for all

1:21:58And that space where of course they would want people to spend money

1:22:02This is set out in the budget take it buy it spend more money on taxis and mobility get out into the community

1:22:08Um, this is really going to reinforce

1:22:11All of the work we've been doing and all of the money that they're you know setting up for parks and

1:22:17other pieces of the community to be inclusive

1:22:20Would be to recognize that

1:22:23When we have something that is going to be productive in terms of your eligibility

1:22:27You're making a large

1:22:29assumption of an individual

1:22:31Placing them in a very gated

1:22:34Space under your low income. You're disabled. You can't do this. You can only do that

1:22:40And I mean who are the individuals who are giving the applications? Are they medical professionals?

1:22:48um, I think it would be in the city's best interest to actually remove that piece and make it

1:22:55Just as the other conversation that we were having an easier

1:23:00Objective this is what you need. You have a disability. You get access to that. I personally have sight loss

1:23:07My children. I don't drive my children have to go to camp. That is

1:23:11Very expensive. So right away to get into camp camps are not accessible for me to even apply for

1:23:17If they get in and then on top of that to get them home and back again two kids

1:23:23That's a really expensive cab ride every day. That's on an equitable parent experience in the community

1:23:29um

1:23:30it would

1:23:31I guess the messaging and this seems to be a trend

1:23:34Is this piece on we want it's not a matter of like caring for the citizens. This is a need and

1:23:42I'm feeling like there's a lot of inequity in what's going on and I have to work harder

1:23:48And the city needs to recognize

1:23:51Each person's intersectionality of their lifestyle

1:23:55With their disability or their intersectionality

1:23:59Or their adversity to be able to create these systems that are going to be easy to use and again

1:24:04I put it towards like service Canada when you're on ei

1:24:07It's quite a really like it's a simple form to fill out when you're on ei that you're still using the service

1:24:14So for something like a conversation where are we going to continue to use the service as this long-term disability short term?

1:24:20There's already mechanisms that are created used by governments that I think we can adopt and implement quite quickly

1:24:28So this doesn't have to be an ongoing

1:24:30um

1:24:31An ongoing conversation and if we have this money in the budget, let's use it. Let's get people out there and let's get people

1:24:39um

1:24:40In the community opposed to having you know multiple years of conversations

1:24:53Sorry, Lorela your own mute. Thank you

1:24:58I was just saying thank you so much. That's really good feedback

1:25:01Um, I've been sent a motion by an order that similarly requests that the city review this discussion

1:25:08And come back and talk to us. So we'll get into that in a minute when we're done discussing here

1:25:12Um, and I have already sent that along to clerks as well the motion that was sent to me by an order, but um

1:25:18So I think it's really important that we get some

1:25:21Discussion here and like all of the points that I'm hearing everyone make are so helpful and I appreciate people speaking up

1:25:27And adding to this. Thank you

1:25:30Um, mic go ahead. So there was something that

1:25:33Junett said and it's tangentially related

1:25:36It actually is in the email that was forwarded to us and you mentioned people that are

1:25:40Autistic who have sensory issues and it comes to writing in cabs

1:25:45The cabs provide like them having radios of that. It's a really

1:25:49Calm experience and as I ride gulf mobility transit

1:25:53They've recently removed the radios from

1:25:56Transit so people that are neuro divergent. They're having trouble and the only reason I tied us to the taxi program

1:26:02Is because that's comfort for them because rather than listening to them

1:26:08Rattle the entire time you can have a calming effect like I've got friends of mine who have

1:26:13Sensory issues and then being able to take a taxi

1:26:16That's really good for them. It's it's a calming thing and it's a good environment for them without having

1:26:22constant mechanical noise in their ears

1:26:24So I just wanted to say that I recognize and I'm really glad jenette brought that up because that's something that

1:26:30I'd never considered tying into the taxi program because a lot of the

1:26:33Gods are red top of really good taste of music and I know that helps people that maybe are not having such a good day. So

1:26:41Awesome mic. I know

1:26:43We have already discussed this but that item. I just want everyone to know we are going to discuss the removal of

1:26:50radios in

1:26:52In the in the buses and things like that

1:26:55That's an item that mic brought forward that he maybe wants to discuss at a future meeting

1:27:00So mic and I are going to connect and lian and accessibility services and transit and we're going to try and figure something out about that

1:27:06So that isn't as much needed in this discussion. Yeah, I'm just trying to make sure we're staying on. Yeah

1:27:12No, I understand what you're doing and that does make sense. I thank you for that

1:27:15I just wanted to make sure we don't go off on a tangent talking about that topic because it was included

1:27:21Like that some information about that was included in an email to all of us

1:27:25And I wanted to make sure that no one got confused and thought that we were passing motions about that today

1:27:29Because I think we should have a more fulsome discussion about it at some point

1:27:32All right, awesome

1:27:35Kathy your hand is up. Is it just still up from before or do you have something else?

1:27:46You're muted

1:27:49Yeah, Kathy you're muted

1:27:51But your hand is still up if you have more that's totally fine go for it, but

1:27:58Sorry, it was just a legacy hand

1:28:01Yeah, no worries

1:28:03All right, I don't see any more hands. So why don't we go ahead and clerks if if andrew or garret if one of you could

1:28:09Yeah, thank you so much

1:28:11we have a

1:28:14Motion that anordle wants to put forward and we'll see if we can get a seconder

1:28:18I can read this one because I'm the one who emailed it so

1:28:21um

1:28:22It says uh, the aac recommends that the city review the application process for the taxiscript program in 2025

1:28:30to expand eligibility and refer to feedback given at the meeting on february 18th

1:28:352025 in addition the aac request to be involved in a direct discussion with staff about this process during that review

1:28:42The aac recommends that approval for mobility transit service should not be a requirement in order to apply for the taxiscript program

1:28:51Uh, do we have a seconder for this and then we can discuss if anyone wants to change anything

1:28:57But we see mic. Okay. Perfect. Thank you mic

1:29:01um

1:29:03And does anybody want to discuss this before we

1:29:06Vote on it or add or change anything or are we comfortable with

1:29:10Staff reviewing this meeting and then coming to talk to us again about this

1:29:15Before making changes

1:29:21I don't see any so i'm going to go ahead and call a vote on this motion then

1:29:26Um, is anyone opposed to this motion passing?

1:29:35Looks like not it looks like that motion passes

1:29:38Um, thank you all very much for bearing with me through the like clunky

1:29:44I'm not very experienced in presenting things at at these meetings that way. So I appreciate you

1:29:50Bearing with me um

1:29:52Chair a vice chair Cameron and I just really felt like it was important to not keep putting this discussion off until staff were able to attend

1:29:59So thank you all

1:30:01And if you do have any more questions for staff, I bet you anything that if you email lienne she can get those

1:30:08Uh, probably past on yeah

1:30:11Passed on to staff. Thank you

1:30:15So lienne's nodding yes

1:30:17All right, so that brings us to the announcements

1:30:20um

1:30:22Which I don't know that we had any did we have any on this?

1:30:26agenda I

1:30:27Have the wrong one pulled up

1:30:29No, we do not

1:30:30Okay, so we do need to make a motion to adjourn early because we're adjourning

1:30:36Early right now half an hour early

1:30:38Would anyone like to move to adjourn this meeting early?

1:30:42I have mike. Do we have a secondary? Jeanette?

1:30:45And is anyone opposed?

1:30:49All right. Thank you all so much. We'll see you in a couple months. Hopefully sooner

1:30:54Thank you