Accessibility Advisory Committee

0:02So we'll just wait for more members to join and then I'll share my screen so that we have the agenda up there for you. Laura.

0:14Maybe it's also because I'm not in the desktop app. I didn't download anything.

0:56That could be it too. I don't know.

0:59I suspect that might be, but we can certainly.

1:03Do a couple of test meetings to make sure we get that fixed for next time.

1:07Thanks. Sorry, I didn't realize that.

1:10And we have 1 call in and I just wanted to maybe confirm is it Kathy?

1:17Yeah, Kathy. So we have 7.

1:29Waiting on 1 more member and then we'll be able to start.

1:34Just because we are 5 minutes after 3, just a reminder for folks, it is 15 minutes that we'll wait under the procedural wallet and make sure that we have corn before we would consider next steps.

3:52Thanks Dylan. Okay, and I think we have our.

4:008 member Donna awesome. Hi, Donna.

4:09Hi, Donna. Let me just get the agenda up here and then maybe you can go for it. Laura. Awesome.

4:15I'm going to dive in while you're getting the agenda up and welcome everyone to the meeting.

4:20I'm just going to remind everyone that this meeting is being recorded.

4:25And we're going to start off with a territorial acknowledgement.

4:29So as we gather, we're reminded that Guelph is situated on treaty land that is steeped in rich indigenous history and home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis people today.

4:39As a city, we have a responsibility for the stewardship of the land on which we live and work.

4:45And today we acknowledge the Mississauga's of the credit First Nation of the initial Nabe peoples on whose traditional territory we're meeting.

4:53There's a link in the agenda to learn more about the tradition, the territorial acknowledgement.

5:00So the first thing is a disclosure of conflict of interest. Does anybody have a conflict of interest?

5:12I don't see any hands though.

5:16I think we have a second to approval of the agenda for the June 20th AC meeting.

5:25Would anybody like to move to approve the agenda that was linked? I don't see any hands, but I might just be missing it.

5:39There we have soon.

5:41Oh, perfect.

5:43Thank you, Sue.

5:46Do we have to second the approval of the agenda? Or do we vote on that? I can't remember.

5:51Yep. We use seconder and then you can see if there's any opposed.

5:55Donna has seconded. Thank you Donna.

5:58And is anyone opposed?

6:03Don't see any hands. I still see Sue's hand up, but I'm assuming you're not opposed to your own motion. So let's keep going.

6:11Now we need approval of the minutes from the April 18th meeting and just a reminder, you have to have been at the April 18th meeting.

6:18Sorry, that's been changed. You do not have to have been at the end.

6:23I lied to all of you. You don't have to have been there.

6:26I saw Donna's hand and Deborah's hand.

6:34And any opposed?

6:38I see none. Okay, awesome.

6:41So now we move into the committee items and the first one is eight minute staff presentation on the downtown 12th parking master plan.

6:50We have Jamie Zettle here today.

6:53And we're hoping to get with the way that the meetings are working now we're hoping to get motions on all of the items today. So at the end of this, we'll have some time to discuss and craft emotion.

7:05Jamie, are you here?

7:09Okay, thank you for, thank you for having us today.

7:13We are returning to continue our conversation that we started with you in February, the downtown parking master plan work has been underway since last August and the consulting team that we've engaged.

7:27The B. A. group are here today to give us an update on some of the work we've done since and to solicit some of your feedback on recommendations we may take to counsel in September.

7:40So I will pass it over to Ralph Bond from the A group to do the presentation.

7:46Hello, everybody. Thanks for having us to provide our second presentation to this group on the downtown parking master plan.

7:55I'm sure and I also have with me suit coming our engagement consultant that's been helping us with the public consultation piece.

8:03I'm going to share my screen.

8:07It should be at the bottom realm.

8:10There it is. Yes.

8:12Is everybody seeing that?

8:15Yes.

8:16Thank you.

8:21So, as, as I mentioned, I have Jamie here from the city and suit coming our engagement consultant.

8:27We're here to provide an update on the downtown parking master plan and to provide further feedback on the input you provided from the February.

8:3721st meeting we had and to learn about priorities from the AAC to inform our study as it moves along.

8:46A bit of background again for people who may not have been on the 1st presentation in February. The master plan update is a long term study to plan for the right amount of parking and the right locations for the right price and the right reasons.

9:00It's taking into account a lot of other city studies and strategies such as the downtown transportation master plan.

9:09The transit plan and to also consider balancing the needs of often competing interests with respect to parking as many of you know everybody has an opinion on parking.

9:22It's sort of like the weather and they're all important and we're trying to make sure that we get everybody's feedback as we as we move forward to develop recommendations.

9:37The boundary of the study area it matches the downtown secondary plan in the city's official plan so on the map here.

9:45It will help you understand where the study is area is but it's essentially the traditional downtown north of the tracks and the future development area south of the tracks in the downtown area and then across the river.

10:00Over to the to the Arthur Street area.

10:04So far we've conducted data collection to assess how busy the parking facilities are that the city owns we've conducted.

10:15Several surveys also to to identify inventory such as the number of accessible parking spaces, bicycle parking spaces so on and so forth.

10:25We've we've consulted with over 30 stakeholder meetings and held a workshop in early May with some key stakeholders.

10:33With Sue's help we've done a public consultation survey, an online survey in April that had over 1300 responses, asking a variety of questions about what people what concerns people have about parking.

10:48We're continuing continuing to identify needs and opportunities into the future for the downtown parking system.

10:57And assess changes and drivers to the supply and demand of parking and review the financial models for the municipal parking program.

11:07The in the meeting that was held in February the AC.

11:13Ask the number of questions or sought some clarification.

11:17So for, for example, they asked to start some clarification on the number of existing accessible parking spaces.

11:26And we were continuing to refine this that oddly enough it's sometimes hard to actually nail down exactly where all the spaces are because they've changed over the years, but we think we think we're getting there and we will in the next week or so have an up to date inventory, but this.

11:44This represents what what we know at the moment so on street throughout the downtown there's 30 accessible parking spaces in the park a there's 44 parking spaces and in the surface lots.

11:56There's six for a total of 80 parking spaces throughout the downtown area.

12:06The committee asked what were the stats on the daily usage of accessible parking. So when we did our surveys last fall, October and November.

12:15Over five days.

12:17We observed a peak use of accessible parking spaces on a Saturday of 41% of the spaces that were available.

12:26That that demand is probably a little low because the generally parking activity in the downtown last October and November was still lower than it was pre-covid.

12:37Things are still catching up people are still coming back.

12:41There's less workers in the downtown than there used to be because people are working at home.

12:47But that's, you know, that's what we observed on those survey days and and as I just described it as long as you understand the picture you're looking at we'll keep that in, you know, take that into account as we.

13:00Continue through the study. The most consistently occupied spaces accessible spaces were on Wyndham North end of Wyndham Street and on Quebec Street throughout those five days that we surveyed.

13:13Another question the ACC asked AC asked is to the need to consider the right number on different streets. So.

13:25The total number, the parking spaces seems like a reasonable total number, but it may they may not necessarily be in the right place to meet people's needs depending on where the business and services are that people are visiting.

13:40So, we think the best way to sort this out into the future is for the ACC to work with the city to to constantly evaluate the reallocation of on street spaces or or maybe spaces in the garages and the surface lots as well to make sure they're in the right place.

14:00So, when we put the study report together will identify where they are. And if there's any obvious things to us will provide recommendations on on how the city can can work with the committee going forward to to maximize the location.

14:19Number four, challenge of knowing what accessible parking is available. So the suggestion was to was to look at an app to help identify in real time availability where accessible spaces are.

14:32So, one of the recommendations in the study will be to explore the feasibility of app based options for real time.

14:40Information on on accessible parking space available availability.

14:45Some of you might recall the city has installed sensors in about 300 parking spaces this year to start testing those sensors. So there's individual sensors in in 300 spaces, including the accessible spaces that were in that area.

15:03The plan is for the city to eventually extend those sensors throughout the downtown and and when that system is in place, they will be able to see at the city what spaces are being used, including accessible spaces, how often they're used what percentage of the time of the day they're used.

15:21So the the challenge is then to marry that system with an app that people that customers could see and use as well.

15:29And going forward, the city will will keep moving in that direction to try to make sure that that that can that can be done.

15:41Number five, there is a suggestion about covered and sheltered accessible parking.

15:48Availability and the and the recommendation in our study will be to ensure that there's a supply of weather protected spaces in the park. It looks like.

15:58There, there is enough, but it could be they're not necessarily in the right locations.

16:05One of the numbers, the sixth comment was access to to remind us that access to sidewalks is important.

16:13And a recommendation to improve continuity of access points and curves through coordination with on street works.

16:20We had some meetings with the city people responsible for looking at some of the downtown streetscape improvements that are going to occur and they certainly have this on their radar and and we'll reiterate that in our study to make sure that there's enough access points and curve coordination.

16:40As along the streets and certainly while street upgrades are being done over the next few years.

16:47Number is the 7th comment to provide accessible electric vehicles spaces and to include them in park aides or surface lots in the future. The new library garage that will open.

17:00The new library garage in 2026 says 2 spaces plan.

17:06So we'll, we'll continue to look at that in our study and make a recommendation on how to provide electric vehicle charging spaces and.

17:16Accessible electric vehicle charging spaces as well.

17:21And the committee reminded us it's important to communicate the following message about assumptions regarding accessible parking usage and.

17:30So, I'll just take a note when considering strategies about.

17:35Car free downtown and sustainability that a car is an important accessibility device.

17:42And we're certainly we've heard that in some of the comments we've received those that survey back in April and we've heard it in the workshops that people.

17:51We'll make sure that that we come up with a balanced approach that.

17:56Provides parking for people who need it in the right place in the downtown area. So these messages key messages will be.

18:04Included as as we move forward with the study.

18:09I think some some of the questions that we would have for the committee if they're able to provide input is.

18:17How would the committee like to prioritize recommendations or the recommendations that we just discussed.

18:25Establish such as establish a working group to determine if some existing spaces should be redistributed.

18:33Developing a mobile app, ensuring a supply of a sheltered accessible parking spaces.

18:39Improving access to sidewalks and providing accessible.

18:43Electric vehicles charging if if the committee has ideas on what.

18:48How to prioritize those and what order we should look at them in we appreciate receiving.

18:55The feedback and a suggestion for a motion the committee might make would be to to list those priorities.

19:04And also the bottom paragraph.

19:08Further that the accessibility committee supports the downtown parking master plan study and its goal of creating.

19:15System that ensures a safe and equitable access to parking for all users.

19:20And assists in identifying considerations for improving how accessible.

19:25Parking is is provided.

19:29There's opportunity for future public engagement.

19:34And in June, the 28th from 7 to 8 30 PM, we're holding a public webinar webinar for.

19:42For the, for everybody in the city to provide comments on on the master plan and also hear a presentation from us as to where we are and where we think we're going over the next month.

19:55We also have a second public survey that's available now. If you go to the city's website, have your say.

20:03We'll dot C a an invite to participate will be sent to the AAC through Sarah.

20:11And we encourage you to go online if you want to comment and and there's a series of questions that are asking people.

20:21And we'll be talking about their opinions about about the future of parking in.

20:26In the in the downtown.

20:29So that that public meeting will be June the 28th. The survey.

20:33Is available now and we'll run until a few days after that.

20:38And then the study will be making we will be presenting the.

20:44Master plan report at September the 6th committee of the council meeting.

20:51So you can participate at that meeting as well by you can be a delegate at the council by registering with the clerk's office and and.

21:00Instructions can be provided on how to do that. So, I think.

21:06I think that sums up what I wanted to say today, but we'd certainly like to hear any feedback you have and we'll, we'll as we move forward over the next month.

21:17And, and through to the end of the summer will be our time to finalize the parking strategy.

21:23Thank you.

21:24Thank you so much. Well, I appreciate that.

21:27So, yeah, now if we have some discussion, there were a few questions there posed and we can hopefully craft.

21:35A motion of recommendation.

21:38Maybe bro, you don't mind moving back a couple slides with the recommendation.

21:43Thank you.

21:47This is really helpful because this is a great kind of template for us to work off of.

21:52And as the chair, I can't make any motions myself, but if anybody would like to make a motion, we can kind of start discussing and then figure out what we would like to recommend to the city.

22:04So the recommendations or rather some of the information that Ralph reviewed from the February meeting are on some of the previous slides as well.

22:22Ralph, if you don't mind, and I think there's 5 pieces that they're really looking for the AC to help them prioritize in terms of and Ralph, if you can remind us or even sue.

22:36If you can remind us what those 5 kind of things to prioritize are. I know 1 of them is the app idea.

22:44Yes, and the app is 1 of them. The other 1 is to ensure.

22:51A supply of sheltered accessible parking spaces so that would be inside the parking garages that the city has.

22:59To improve access to sidewalks and to provide accessible of electric vehicle charging stations.

23:06And then last, but not least is to establish a working group to determine if some existing on street spaces should be redistributed from 1 street to another.

23:17So those were the 5 items that we had identified.

23:25Is there any AC members that would want to take a crack at prioritizing those 5 kind of items?

23:35Want to maybe spark some discussion on this from your perspective.

23:41What you think might be something that you would you would want the parking consultants to do 1st.

23:48And then what would be kind of like a can wait type of option.

24:01I don't see any hands. I'm not sure if I'm missing 1, but just a couple of thoughts.

24:09Are that, you know, establishing a working group with the AC would maybe be a good high priority.

24:16Because that would probably help with all of the following priorities that working group could help with those things so I would maybe say putting that pretty high.

24:26Also providing accessible electrical vehicle charging electric vehicle charging. I know that that's being discussed at provincial and federal levels right now so it might be good to prioritize that so that we can stay ahead of that curve and not have to redo a bunch of parking.

24:43Does anyone have any thoughts on that.

24:49Or on what order we should prioritize these 5 things.

24:57Just a reminder we're really trying to move towards motions because our minutes are only capturing motions.

25:07So how, how do I make a motion? How do I do that?

25:12Rob, if you want to go back to that page with the 5 listed.

25:19We would, you can use this 1 here and just maybe sparks some discussions. So Laura, I had mentioned, perhaps a working group as number 1 priority and number 2 potentially could be accessible parking spaces.

25:34But other.

25:36I.

25:37What, what wording do I need to make that emotion like.

25:42Yeah, so it's that you recommend number 1, be X number 2, be why, for example.

25:51Yeah, so I recommend that number 1, be what more like.

25:57Suggested and number 2, we would or I suggested and I think number 3 should be accessibility to.

26:05The sidewalks perhaps.

26:09I'm not sure about 4 and 5.

26:12And Lorela, Kathy also has their hand up.

26:15Sorry, who has their hand up.

26:21Oh, I thought that was speaking.

26:24Who was just speaking.

26:27It's Kathleen.

26:29Okay, sorry, go ahead.

26:34I'm a little lost with the way the names are, but go ahead. Sorry, Kathy.

26:39Nope, that's okay. I was just wondering.

26:42And I might have missed this. We're there.

26:45Can we repeat the 5 options to rank or is this just like 5 opinion.

26:52Pieces that that we're giving an opinion to prioritize.

26:56Yeah, for sure. The 5 questions, the 5 things that we're trying to prioritize right now.

27:01Are the city establishing a working group to determine.

27:05Some existing on street parking spaces if they need to be redistributed and such.

27:11And then the next one is developing a mobile app to identify available accessible spaces.

27:17Another one is ensuring that the supply of sheltered accessible accessible parking spaces is sufficient.

27:23Another one is improving access to sidewalks.

27:26And another one is providing accessible electrical vehicle charging.

27:31One thing that I can point out too is that the motion that is recommended by the city, we don't have to do that motion specifically.

27:39We can also choose to say we believe these 3 things have equal amounts of importance and should all be prioritized.

27:48We recommend following through with all of these things with equal if people are getting stressed out about prioritizing things.

27:55We don't have to prioritize, but we can just put our support behind these ideas if that's easier.

28:04Thank you for that. And off the top of my head, I would recommend that priority number 1 would be the working group.

28:12I would prioritize for number 2 to be the accessible like access to sidewalks.

28:22I am I'm curious is the option of electric cars. Is that for accessible electric cars or just electric car?

28:32Like any accessible, accessible electric vehicle parking spaces that are both accessible parking, but also for Evee.

28:42Okay, then I would definitely have that third recommend to rank that third.

28:49And then the last 2, I think would be like an equal last priority after after the first 3 were met.

28:58Okay, which is the app and sheltered parking.

29:02Or the last 2. Yeah.

29:06Alright, so having said that it's sorry.

29:11No, I was going to say I can't make a motion, but that sounds like you just made a motion and maybe Sarah put it into. Yeah.

29:18Okay, so do we want to make a motion as a group and I'll just kind of read it out here. And if it's good, then I'll ask if someone could raise their hand to be the motion or.

29:29And then the second person who raises their hand would be the second and then I'll have Laura check if there's any opposed.

29:36So, what I'm suggesting the motion may be from the AC is that the AC recommends the following prioritization of recommendations. Number 1 is a working group.

29:48Number 2 is sidewalk access from the accessible parking.

29:53Number 3 is the accessible parking spaces.

29:57Number 4 and number 5 or of equal prioritization and that would include development of an app and access to sheltered or covered parking spaces accessible parking spaces.

30:13And if anybody wants some motion for that you can raise your hand.

30:21We have Andrew.

30:23And then I see Kathleen fights as a seconder.

30:29Oh, Kathleen might have a thing to say.

30:33Thank you. I'm so sorry.

30:35It's okay. Yeah. Um, can I just rearrange that a little bit that the sheltered parking I misunderstood and I think that should be a higher on the priority list.

30:46I believe the app should be prioritized as number 5 and the sheltered parking for accessible parking, not just any parking, but for accessible parking would be third on the list and then the fourth would be the accessible electric.

31:07So I understood as working groups, sidewalk access sheltered.

31:13Then Evie then app.

31:16Yes, and I just want to be clear because I sort of understood it as sheltered parking for anybody, but this is sheltered parking for like accessible vehicles. Correct.

31:25Correct.

31:26Like underground parking spaces and stuff. Yeah, I think that's great.

31:30Okay, that's what I meant. Thank you.

31:33No problem.

31:35Thank you.

31:37Okay, so did we still want to go with Andrew and Sue as a seconder?

31:42Andrew, do you still motion with that change being made?

31:46Yeah, hands up again. Yep.

31:48And Sue is the seconder.

31:53And then is anyone opposed to that going through?

32:00All right, looks like none opposed. Perfect. Thank you so much for muddling through that.

32:04And then with the paragraph that's below the five items, would that also be included in your motion?

32:11I could read it out loud just to see if the AC would like to include that in the motion as well.

32:16Thank you.

32:17Thank you.

32:18I think that's a good question.

32:20Could I ask a question? Sorry, this is a succumbing.

32:23I would, would the paragraph that's below the five items, would that also be included in your motion?

32:31I could read it out loud just to see if the AC would like to include that in the motion as well.

32:37Thank you.

32:38So the AC Committee supports the downtown parking master plan study and its goal of creating a system that ensures safe and equitable access to parking for all users and assists in identifying considerations for improving how accessible parking is provided.

32:55Do we want to add that to the motion and if yes, could I get Andrew and Sue to raise their hands again on that?

33:01Okay.

33:09All right. I didn't did you see that Sarah? I didn't see if there were, yeah, we got both of their hands.

33:18Okay, perfect. So we're quite a bit behind schedule. So if everyone's all right, I'm going to move ahead to the next.

33:26Do you have everything you need from us, Sarah?

33:28Yeah, thank you.

33:30Awesome. Thank you so much to the folks from the downtown parking master plan, Jamie and Ralph.

33:38Thank you.

33:40Next on the agenda, we have wealth transit ride co-partnership. We have Lindsay Blanchard here and Leanne Warren, who we all know and love to discuss this.

33:54We've got a 12 minute staff presentation and in the interest of time, I'll probably give you a reminder when you're about two minutes from the end, if that's all right, Lindsay.

34:02It's quite all right. I probably won't need that much time to be honest with you, Laura. So can everyone see my screen?

34:11No, not yet. Oh yeah, I was going to say I can't.

34:14How's that?

34:16There you go.

34:17Perfect. Perfect.

34:20So first, thank the ACC for having me here today. I have some information to share about our ride co, our app and some things in mobility that I'd like to discuss with everyone.

34:32And then I have some discussion points that I'd like the ACC to come back to me with.

34:36And then we have some bus stops with shelter layouts and stuff that we can discuss that Leanne's going to help me with when we get to the end.

34:45So, first, let me tell you a little bit about myself. My name is Lindsay Blanchard. I've been a root supervisor here at 12 transit for about 15 years.

34:52I was tasked with supervising mobility transit back in June.

34:57And some of the things that we recognize when we came in here was availability of our mobility transit was getting a little bit scarce.

35:06So, part of that was our investigation determined that we have a standing order list.

35:13And our standing order list to explain it is basically a pre booking system where if you're on the list, your.

35:22Booking will come in automatically through the app. And then you will obviously have your.

35:27Your ride book before everyone else can book manually or call in or or those kind of things.

35:33And that's limited our availability.

35:36So, as you go through here, we're going to show you a little bit of thing. My first slide here is just a little bit about right going how we.

35:43How dynamic it is and there's a little map here that I can see the little blue map here is kind of like a shaded bus stop area of some of the stops that we have in the city.

35:53That we use quite often just to kind of show where we are.

35:57And then this is just a couple of data stuff like our on time performance.

36:03And some of our ride ratings, those kinds of things for everyone to look at.

36:08And then the 3rd screen here is our growth. So, as you can see, we've been growing quite dramatically since January of last year.

36:16More and more and more we seem to having more clients in using different.

36:24Community events and and things like dialysis and that stuff has really grown over the last year. So.

36:30We are now into a position where we're almost 7 days in advance for booking, which is where it comes to my standing order list.

36:38This is just a little snapshot about a week.

36:43Within our standing order list. So, if you do the numbers.

36:46It's about 40 close to 40 people that get booked pre.

36:51Before all other clients. So, so if you have a doctor's point, but you didn't.

36:58Book until a day of you're going to have to now wait with these 40 people and they may get your time.

37:05So then your time is not available and then you can't get your doctors on time. Those kind of things.

37:10So, back in August.

37:12I, I kind of decided that we should try to look at it. So, I've kind of limited how much.

37:17We add to this list currently as we have like about 140 people.

37:22Roughly on the list at different times during the week.

37:26To try to open up some availability.

37:29Coming to the committee, I have some discussion points I'd like to ask you guys to consider.

37:341 would be keeping the process as current.

37:38And just have the pre standing orders go in before everyone else can book a ride.

37:44Or possibly changing that to be medical only. So, for dialysis appointments or.

37:53You know, scan at the hospital or those kind of things, anything the hospital later or medical related those would be our priority and those would would be go on to a standing order lists.

38:02And community events, religious institutions.

38:06Community programs, they would all come off the list and they would have to book like everyone else.

38:11Call in or go on the app. That's 1 suggestion.

38:14Or if the committee had another suggestion, we'd be open to listening to it.

38:20Sorry, I just got somebody walked in here. Sorry. Yeah. So, if the committee had something where they were, they had a better suggestion of how we could do that. That would be great as well.

38:33So, my motion for the standing order list would be.

38:37What's the ACC recommend sorry, I just wanted to trigger you to go to the next slide because it's all lovely on your next slide. Sorry, there it is. I apologize.

38:48So, there's some of the discussion points that people can read through.

38:54And then our, our motion would be that the recommends what well transit.

39:00Possibly could do whether we just make it a medical list only.

39:03Whether there's a different outside the thinking way of handling these kind of situations.

39:11And then on further to that, when or a date that you feel we could come back and discuss it with you.

39:19And then let you know what we have decided.

39:26Is there any more information at this point that AC members feel they need to be able to make a motion.

39:34There is more to the presentation, but I think Lindsay's trying to go kind of section by section and ask for the AC's advice and recommendations just to kind of keep us organized here.

39:46Go ahead, Laura. I see Deborah's hand up.

39:51Thank you. Yes, Deborah. Go ahead.

39:54Thanks. And thanks for this presentation. I have a couple of questions and they're related.

40:00to how the standing order was created initially.

40:06So I'm kind of surprised to see a community bowling alley

40:12on the standing order list.

40:15And I'm also surprised that not more people

40:18related to work are on the list.

40:22So maybe you could give us a little bit of thinking

40:27about what happened there.

40:28Sure, Deborah.

40:29So basically, like I said,

40:31I took over in June of last year.

40:32So it was a little bit of a learning curve for me as well.

40:35But basically how it all started was we used to be

40:39kind of a pencil paper kind of Excel system,

40:43which is why we brought Ryco in 2019 to kind of put us on

40:48more of a computer-based app system.

40:51When that happened, a lot of our clientele

40:53have to call in every day and talk to a dispatcher

40:56and book their rights.

40:58And then of course those conversations would start.

41:00They'd say, for example,

41:02I'll use Peter has to go to his community group

41:07bowling event every Thursday at five o'clock.

41:09And I have to call you every day on Wednesdays and Tuesdays

41:12and I don't have time.

41:13So can we just put him on a standing order

41:15that we be booked automatically?

41:17And that's kind of how those conversations started.

41:20And then they got added to the list as they went through.

41:24When before I got in here,

41:26there wasn't a lot of management control

41:29in terms of who goes on that list

41:30and who comes off that list and those kinds of things.

41:32It was kind of just, the list kind of just grew,

41:35if that makes sense.

41:36As people called in and asked if they could have their

41:40trips pre-booked, the list kind of just got bigger

41:43and bigger and bigger and bigger.

41:48Thanks.

41:49So then my thinking is that if we were

41:55to help you prioritize this,

41:59what I think are most important

42:05are people that have medical appointments,

42:08people who have to work

42:11and people who are going to day programs.

42:14So it seems to me that those are often the ways

42:18in which people with disabilities

42:21engage with their communities.

42:24And I would hope we could support those.

42:31Thanks, Deborah.

42:32Oh, those are great examples.

42:33Thanks, Deborah.

42:36I don't see any other hands.

42:37Am I missing someone other than myself there, Sarah?

42:41Kathy, just put your hand up.

42:42Okay, go ahead, Kathy.

42:44Go and I'll speak after.

42:53She's gone.

42:54Oh, maybe.

42:56We lost her.

42:57Oh, okay.

42:58All right.

42:59I will just quickly say that I've been someone

43:01who's used mobility.

43:02And I think the standing order list is really helpful.

43:05I agree that people who need to book all the time

43:10rides to and from work are really important

43:12to be able to have access to that.

43:14To me, I would really love a situation

43:17where anyone can put themselves on a standing order list

43:20and anyone can book a standing for any reason

43:24because I don't think it makes sense for us

43:26to try to determine whose things are most important.

43:29Something that to me might seem like a hobby,

43:31not as important to someone else could be very vitally

43:34important for their mental health and wellness.

43:37So I would want to make sure that medical appointments

43:42are always prioritized and medical needs,

43:44including mental health, medical therapies

43:47and things like that.

43:48And then also medical appointments

43:50for dependents of people.

43:51So if someone needs to take their children

43:53to a medical appointment, things like that always,

43:55of course, prioritized, but that other than that,

43:59we just allow people to book standing orders.

44:02I'm not sure what the capacity would be for that,

44:04but that would be my recommendation.

44:06I can't crack emotion, but if I were,

44:10it would be something along those lines.

44:14Okay, and Kathy, just rejoin here.

44:16Oh, Kathy, go ahead, Kathy.

44:20Hi, I'm so sorry I hung up

44:21just as I was supposed to unmute.

44:24I think I heard the last little bit of that,

44:27but I'm not sure, because I had just joined in,

44:30but in terms of prioritizing people's needs

44:33and what they value for that,

44:35I think that that's a really challenging thing to do.

44:38I understand with the services that are provided

44:41and the importance of medical attention,

44:45there is an importance of mental health

44:47as well and socializing.

44:49And in terms of inclusive and equitable services

44:53that we're providing as a community,

44:55it's really challenging to decide

44:56what's more or less important for one person and another.

45:00However, you're faced with the challenge

45:02of meeting people's needs

45:06and making sure that people are accessing

45:10what they truly need and using the service

45:14so it's not cause a barrier and not create its own barrier.

45:18So I understand.

45:20In my line of work,

45:22I found some of the parts of the app really interesting

45:26that would have sort of made their lives easier.

45:28So I'm not sure if you can actually go into the app

45:31and the infrastructure or whoever is the app provider

45:34and create settings to maybe support this effort better.

45:38So one of my participants actually had issues.

45:42They had a program and they were at the program

45:45and they wanted to cancel and rebook

45:46and it was really a race to that

45:48and it was sort of competitive within the group.

45:51And they found the cancellation

45:53and rebooking process really difficult and challenging.

45:57And I'm curious if people have the option

46:00to with ease create and cancel appointments

46:04and then with a cancellation possibly set up a reminder,

46:07create another appointment.

46:08So let's say an individual has gone to the doctors

46:12and now they have a follow-up appointments coming.

46:16I can maybe anticipate that person might feel anxiety

46:19about needing a ride there,

46:23but knowing that if they don't get the call

46:26from the person that they refer to,

46:27then they won't be able to make the proper arrangements

46:30to get there because it's all a timing issue.

46:33But I'm curious if someone does have something standing

46:36and they know that they're not coming

46:38to that standing appointment,

46:40they can maybe keep the standing appointment

46:41and then cancel, which would free up space.

46:45And then a person that's in a position

46:47to cancel and rebook if the app has opportunities

46:52for personal reminders, did you book every month

46:56or do you have an upcoming appointment

46:59so that the individual can remember to do it

47:02or with ease navigate the app?

47:05So I'm wondering if the app itself has options

47:09to utilize that would support the user's calendar

47:14and support them having that flexibility

47:16because I'm sure a lot of anxiety goes with this

47:18and you never wanna let go of your appointment

47:21because you don't know if you need it

47:23and it's such a struggle to get the appointment

47:26with the transit.

47:28So I think that in my experience, I've heard a lot about that

47:32and that's just as stressful as not getting

47:39transportation is to navigating the app itself

47:44and it's being easily accessible

47:47for you to be flexible or not.

47:49So again, I'm wondering if there's a way

47:51that you can utilize how the app is,

47:55like what features it offers to make the user,

47:57to make it more user friendly.

47:59And then maybe like individuals

48:01who have standing appointments that don't need it

48:04can easily cancel and that will then free up appointments

48:10for others and then maybe they can also get notification

48:14that times are available so they can organize

48:16their appointments around that.

48:21Well, thanks, Kathy, that was great.

48:23A lot of that is stuff that we talk about regularly.

48:26So here in our office, the barrier part

48:30that you were speaking of is something

48:31that is brought up quite often

48:33and we've talked to the app creators.

48:36And the app is pretty good as far as easy use

48:39in terms of if I cancel an appointment,

48:41I can literally go on the app

48:43and it's three clicks, I go into my profile

48:48and I can just pick my bookings

48:49and I can easily just cancel my booking

48:51and it automatically cancels and opens up that time.

48:54In terms of letting others know that time's available,

48:58we're not quite there yet.

49:00I think we may be down the road, get to that level,

49:03but as of right now, there is no way of us

49:05to single out that trip to say that trip's now open.

49:11If you did call, it would be open if you booked it.

49:15As far as some of the other things that you mentioned,

49:19the standing order list, I don't wanna get confusing,

49:22but the standing order list basically,

49:25it's just a little bit of a limitation right now

49:27as we only have about 170 rides per day

49:31that we can, it's kind of our max

49:33in terms of we start to get into a little bit

49:37of availability issues.

49:39And we're mostly there most days.

49:41So if we were thinking that if there was a way to prioritize,

49:45so I really liked how Lorelai said earlier,

49:47like medical, those kind of thing,

49:49if that's what the ACC suggests, that's fantastic.

49:52We will look at that for sure.

49:54And then I think Debra said about work programs

49:58and community things so that people have the ability

50:01to get out to the community.

50:03Again, those are all great suggestions

50:04and I think that's what we're really looking at

50:06is how we prioritize those standard bookings.

50:09Not so much we wanna get rid of it.

50:11We'd actually like to have more of it, to be honest.

50:14I'd like to give people the ease of knowing

50:17that their stuff is booked and that they can get

50:19to these things and mentally don't have to stress

50:21or worry about it.

50:22Just unfortunately, we just don't have the capacity

50:24for that.

50:25So I do appreciate it.

50:27That's basically what I was looking for

50:28is kind of an outline of what the priorities would be.

50:32And I think that you guys have done a good job of that.

50:34So I appreciate that.

50:37And then just further to that, if anyone has a date

50:40where they'd like us to come back and discuss

50:42what we did decide to do, that would be helpful as well.

50:48Awesome, thank you.

50:50In the interest of time, because I know there's more still

50:52to come in this presentation, if we could keep the focus

50:57on this one motion and then move along

50:59and then any further questions outside of this,

51:02we can again have Lindsay come back.

51:04Thank you for saying that Lindsay,

51:06to discuss like more ideas that we have.

51:09But right now what we need to do is kind of craft a motion

51:12for do we recommend that Guelph Transit keep

51:15the standing order list and prioritize medical appointments,

51:19for example, and everyone else on the standing order list

51:21is first come, first serve.

51:24And that Guelph Transit return to the AAC

51:26at a future meeting and discuss further.

51:28That could be a motion if anyone would like to move that.

51:35I see Jen Popkey's hand up.

51:39Jen, go ahead.

51:42I, and I apologize, it's just before you're asking

51:45to go to motion.

51:49This may have been asked, my apologies,

51:51I've had to help with a few things with my son's school.

51:55Is there a way for users to be able to list their own

52:01priorities of what's most important to them?

52:04And it was because of what someone said a moment ago

52:06talking about medical appointments being priority.

52:09Absolutely, totally understand.

52:12If somebody feels actually the CMHA

52:15or the mental health appointments

52:17or something else is their own personal priority.

52:21And it's though for that person vital,

52:25even more so than medical appointments,

52:29could they put in that preference?

52:33I don't know if it's possible.

52:34I just, I hesitate to decree for everyone

52:40that medical is the one and only thing that comes first

52:44when say, I don't know if the mental health

52:47like CMHA appointments would go under medical.

52:53It was just, I wanted to throw that idea out.

52:59Really enjoying the conversation.

53:01Yeah, definitely mental health care is medical care.

53:05So I think it would, but we could definitely clarify that

53:08and say mental health care is also medical care in a motion.

53:13And it's not that other people wouldn't be able to then call

53:16in and say, this is a priority for me

53:18and I would still like to be on the list.

53:20It's just that like the city of Guelph would give first

53:23appointments to maybe someone who has to be there

53:25at a certain time for dialysis or chemotherapy

53:27or I get infusion treatments.

53:30Those are like really immovable appointments.

53:33Oh, absolutely.

53:33I just remember when there was a bus strike years

53:36and years ago, folks couldn't get to the grocery store.

53:41And there was a point where they're running out of food

53:43because medical was the only one getting through.

53:46That's all.

53:47So I was, mind you again, long time ago,

53:49I am not a direct user.

53:51So I defer to everyone here.

53:55Okay, thank you.

53:57That's a great point.

53:58Thanks.

54:01We do have to get moving along with emotion

54:03just in the interest of time or a bit far behind.

54:06So if there are any further questions about other things,

54:08if we could email them to Sarah and Leigh Ann maybe

54:11or bring them up when Lindsay comes back.

54:15But does anyone want to make a motion here?

54:20Oh, I see Sue, how do I end up?

54:23Sue, go ahead.

54:24I was going to try to make a motion.

54:26Correct me if I do this wrong.

54:28It's my first one.

54:29Awesome.

54:30Okay.

54:31So I'd like to make a motion that the Guelph Transit make the,

54:37oh, I've got it written here.

54:38The standing order, maintain the standing order list

54:41with medical, including mental health appointments,

54:44prioritized and other standing order appointments

54:49first come first serve.

54:53Okay.

54:54Is that?

54:55That's perfect.

54:56And then do you want to maybe just add on to that motion

54:59in terms of when you want Guelph Transit to return to the AAC.

55:02So for example, this time next year, every six months,

55:07those are some examples to talk about the standing order list.

55:12Could we put that we would like Guelph Transit to connect

55:15with the accessibility liaisons to come back

55:19at their earliest possible convenience?

55:21Is that allowed to go into a motion?

55:23Sure thing.

55:27Would you like me to add that?

55:29Sure.

55:30Okay.

55:31In addition, the Guelph Transit committee would liaise on

55:36with the AAC.

55:38That correct?

55:40Sure.

55:41That'll work.

55:42And return at their earliest convenience.

55:48At their earliest convenience, yes.

55:50Thank you.

55:51Sorry.

55:52Awesome.

55:53And then do we have a, we had a motion because that's two.

55:56So we just look for a seconder.

55:59Oh, and I see Sahaba.

56:03I'll second that.

56:05Okay.

56:06And then go ahead, Laura Lai, and finish this one off.

56:09Perfect.

56:10So does anyone oppose to that motion going through?

56:13And feel free to say if you are,

56:15just because we're in a rush doesn't mean you can't speak

56:17your piece too.

56:18So.

56:21Oh, Deborah, go ahead.

56:23Yeah, I just wanted to say that I find it a really

56:26restricted motion and I'm not very comfortable with it.

56:29So I'm actually going to abstain because I think that it

56:32doesn't really reflect the lives of people with disabilities.

56:36And so I'm quite uncomfortable with it,

56:39but I don't really want to oppose it either.

56:43And then I see Kathy's hand up,

56:44but it might just be a legacy hand.

56:47Deborah, can I ask, would you like to re,

56:50would you like to attempt a better motion

56:52or would you like us to maybe not move?

56:55Like is it your opinion?

56:56We should maybe not move at the moment

56:58and do this at a later time.

57:00I think it's a really complicated set of assumptions

57:04about the lives of people with disabilities

57:06that we're making and we're rushing it.

57:08So I actually think the better wisdom would be to just wait

57:13rather than rushing to get a motion out there.

57:16But I think you're the chair and you should lead on.

57:21We can also just make a motion to receive this information

57:24and touch base with the AAC after,

57:28with wealth transit after the next time they come

57:30or after a workshop or after further.

57:33And I think that's a really responsible take as well.

57:36I can also see that Dylan has his hand up.

57:39Go ahead, Dylan.

57:42Thank you.

57:43I just wanted to take the opportunity

57:45because I know there was a mention of abstaining from a vote

57:47that the municipal act specifically prohibits abstentions

57:51from members of advisory committees and votes.

57:54So when a vote is called, if a member doesn't vote

57:57or effectively abstains by not voting,

57:59it is recorded in the minutes as a vote against.

58:01That is a provincial rule,

58:03not something in the city procedures

58:05and it is a rule we're bound to follow

58:07in the clerk's office.

58:09And it's carried if there's majority, right Dylan?

58:13That's correct.

58:13Yeah, a simple majority, 50% plus one.

58:16Okay, so we had our motion or we had our seconder

58:18and I saw that there was one opposed.

58:22I'm also, am I allowed to,

58:24I don't know if I opposed or not,

58:25but I would also agree with the context Deborah added.

58:29So you can oppose as well.

58:32But I believe the motion still carries.

58:37Okay, thanks Lindsay.

58:39Go on, thank you much for the next part.

58:40Yeah.

58:43No, that's great discussion everyone.

58:46So the second part, Gulf transit,

58:50we've been looking at some stops

58:52and shelter accessibility.

58:54So just to give you a brief outline here,

59:01we have, as it says here,

59:02we have a total of 587 stops.

59:05The number of accessible bus stops currently is 442,

59:08which is 76% of our stops.

59:11The number of bus stops with no pad right now is 145,

59:1524% of our stops.

59:17And the number of shelters we have out there currently

59:20at our stops is 156.

59:23What we're looking at doing is

59:25there was a survey put out earlier in the year

59:28and we had some, again, we had some discussion points

59:32for the ACC to consider.

59:35And I'm just gonna read them out here for you.

59:38We're trying to understand which bus stops

59:40and shelters in Guelph should be prioritized

59:42for adding accessible features.

59:45Not all of our bus stops are accessible

59:47for people with disabilities, but we are working on it.

59:49And what we mean by what I'm working on it

59:51is that it's in our continuous budget process.

59:53So every year we ask for more and more

59:57to be able to bring those up to date.

1:00:00And then Guelph Transit has a budget available each year

1:00:02to upgrade bus stops that do not have yet concrete pads

1:00:05and some funds to add shelters where needed.

1:00:08And that's kind of where we'd like the committee

1:00:10to come back to us and give us some of their recommendations.

1:00:14And I'll just read it out to you here.

1:00:18Yeah, there it goes.

1:00:21Sorry, thank you, Sarah.

1:00:23So yeah, so the recommendation basically is

1:00:26what's the ACC recommend in terms of stop locations

1:00:32that should be made accessible,

1:00:33including things like a concrete pad, a bench or shelter.

1:00:37And then further to that again,

1:00:39when would they like us to return

1:00:42with what we have prioritized

1:00:45with the new list of bus stop locations

1:00:47that need those kind of upgrades or features?

1:00:52If this is something that the committee wants to think on more,

1:00:55that's totally not, or sorry, that's totally not an issue.

1:00:59If you wanted to email me with your feedback

1:01:01in terms of certain stop locations

1:01:04that you've come in to contact with

1:01:06that maybe don't have a concrete pad or a bench

1:01:09or shelter, for example,

1:01:10and you'd like to recommend Transit look

1:01:13into putting a concrete pad at those locations,

1:01:16for example, that is also an option.

1:01:19So if we want to move on to the next one,

1:01:21we just can motion to receive here and then move on.

1:01:25Especially in the interest of time as well.

1:01:29I would like to do that because I take the bus all the time,

1:01:32but I would like to go around and see the stops and stuff

1:01:36before I decide.

1:01:38OK, yeah, that'd be great.

1:01:39I would love for you to follow up with me

1:01:42with your advice on some stop locations

1:01:45that would be helpful in any other ACC members as well.

1:01:50And then do we want to do a motion to receive then?

1:01:53OK, Donna and Jen.

1:01:57So we'll do a motion to receive it.

1:01:59I wanted to say something.

1:02:01Oh, sorry.

1:02:03I noticed that the...

1:02:05I agree that we should think on this and see what's out there.

1:02:11But also it says further that Gwaltransit

1:02:14return to ACC next year.

1:02:17I would suggest that they return sooner than a year.

1:02:20Yes.

1:02:22OK, are you thinking by December, October?

1:02:27Yeah, October would be good.

1:02:30OK, so...

1:02:31I think...

1:02:34OK, so the motion would be a motion to receive

1:02:36and that Gwaltransit return to the ACC in October

1:02:41to prioritize a new list of bus stop locations.

1:02:44Yes.

1:02:45OK.

1:02:46And do you want to be the motioner there, Donna?

1:02:48Sure.

1:02:49OK, and Jen, your hand is up.

1:02:51Is it a seconder?

1:02:55That's fine.

1:02:56OK.

1:02:59Sorry, Laura.

1:03:00Is anyone opposed?

1:03:01No, it's OK.

1:03:02I'm sorry.

1:03:02I'm really having a hard time.

1:03:03I have to keep clicking and clicking and clicking

1:03:05to scroll through.

1:03:06And I've also got my screen reader yelling in my ear

1:03:08every time I do that.

1:03:09So I appreciate your help.

1:03:12OK, OK, good.

1:03:13Is anyone opposed to that motion?

1:03:18OK.

1:03:20OK, I see nothing.

1:03:22All right.

1:03:27All righty.

1:03:27And this is me.

1:03:29Can I just go ahead?

1:03:30You sure?

1:03:30Ken, Leanne, thanks for the help.

1:03:31We're done now.

1:03:32OK, I wasn't sure if the presentation was finished.

1:03:34Leanne, do you still have time?

1:03:35I know you have.

1:03:36Oh, Lindsay, Lindsay, can you put that back on again, please?

1:03:39Yeah, I don't know what I did.

1:03:40I one sec here.

1:03:41OK, thank you.

1:03:43So mine is a good news story, like 100%,

1:03:47because what happened was the we were finding that

1:03:52when the conventional buses were stopping,

1:03:55that they were aligning sometimes with the sign

1:03:59that marks the bus stop.

1:04:01And so that potentially was causing some accessibility issues

1:04:05at times if the driver kind of went a little bit too far ahead.

1:04:09And so what we did was we transit wanted to move the sign,

1:04:14but then that made for a bit of a narrowing.

1:04:17And so we had them add an extra half a meter of concrete

1:04:22so they could move the sign, create a full two meters

1:04:25between the sign and the bus shelter or when where the bus,

1:04:29the accessible bus pad out from the bus would be

1:04:34is two meters by two meters type of thing.

1:04:37So all we did was we extended the area.

1:04:39It's just that we're required to come to the AC

1:04:42to let you know about the change that happened.

1:04:46So I guess if we can just have a motion that the committee

1:04:50agree with the design, we review these designs annually.

1:04:56So as these if these change will be back again,

1:04:59if it should change for any reason.

1:05:04Great. Thank you.

1:05:07And then the next.

1:05:08I think Donna has a hand up. OK.

1:05:14You can go ahead, Donna. You're muted right now, though.

1:05:23Our legacy hand, Donna.

1:05:28Oh, you're on mute still.

1:05:31You're still muted.

1:05:33Sorry, I didn't have anything to say.

1:05:35I just have my hand up by mistake.

1:05:39Can I have the next slide because I think it has a motion on it.

1:05:42I think it does it.

1:05:44Did. Yes.

1:05:46Yeah. So maybe the motion could be

1:05:50that the AC recommend that staff return to the AC next year

1:05:54when the staff and the staff annual review of this design takes place.

1:06:00There probably won't be any changes, but we'll just bring it back each year

1:06:04just so you can have a look at it and let us know if you're still in agreement with it.

1:06:09Do we have a member who would want to.

1:06:12Could we ask that it happened before the staff annual review take place

1:06:16rather than letting us know what the design has chosen to be,

1:06:19maybe coming for some feedback or is that not really possible?

1:06:23Let's throw in during.

1:06:26So during the staff annual review.

1:06:28Yep, I like it.

1:06:29I think that was my intent, but yeah, good.

1:06:32Let's be clear.

1:06:33And so the motion would be that the AC recommend that staff return to the AC

1:06:38next year during the staff annual review of this design

1:06:42during when the staff annual review of this design takes place.

1:06:46All right. Do we want to have a motion?

1:06:48OK, Andrew.

1:06:50And a seconder.

1:06:54Oh, I saw Sue first.

1:07:02Thank you, Sarah.

1:07:03And is anyone opposed to that motion?

1:07:05And Sarah, if you could keep your eyes open for that.

1:07:09Yeah, no opposed.

1:07:11Perfect. Thank you so much.

1:07:14Great. All right.

1:07:16So does that conclude that portion of the?

1:07:18Yeah. OK, perfect.

1:07:20Thank you so much for coming.

1:07:21Thank you for working with us through those motions.

1:07:25The next piece is the multi-year accessibility plan.

1:07:29It's Lee Ann again.

1:07:30Do you still have time, Lee Ann, to do that?

1:07:32Yeah, I do. Thank you.

1:07:34Go ahead.

1:07:36So I'm trying to share it.

1:07:37I'm not sure. I don't think I am sharing it.

1:07:40It sounds like I didn't have permission.

1:07:41Sorry.

1:07:45Sarah, if you can share it, if that helps any.

1:07:47You have permission.

1:07:48I do now. Great.

1:07:54Great. Here we go.

1:07:55Can you see it?

1:07:57Yeah.

1:07:58Awesome. That's great. Thanks.

1:08:00Alrighty. So with this.

1:08:04The plan.

1:08:06Oh, my goodness, it's so small.

1:08:08So the plan is.

1:08:12Being developed right now and we are coming to you.

1:08:15We sent you out the draft plan.

1:08:19I'm trying to figure out how to advance it

1:08:21because the screen is so small.

1:08:23I don't know what's going on here.

1:08:26Sarah, is there any way that you can share it?

1:08:28Yeah, no problem.

1:08:29Great. Thank you. I'm going to stop sharing.

1:08:34The technology.

1:08:36Alrighty.

1:08:38The presentations.

1:08:43Alrighty.

1:08:43So with this.

1:08:46And you've seen this.

1:08:47This was sent out with your package last week.

1:08:49So we'll go through it, you know, quite quickly.

1:08:52The whole idea of the plan is to not confine us in my mind.

1:08:58I'm wanting to leave some flexibility within our work.

1:09:01And so we will be wanting to come back, you know,

1:09:05when there's emerging topics identified by the AAC,

1:09:10new projects from accessibility services,

1:09:14involving technology in projects as as, you know,

1:09:18those projects evolve as well.

1:09:21Trans-setting opportunities,

1:09:23newly identifying identified projects,

1:09:26so new ideas or things that we've seen successes elsewhere

1:09:30and flow with the budget decision as well.

1:09:35And so next next screen.

1:09:39And of course, we'll be coming back to the AAC

1:09:41when there are required things like the bus stop

1:09:44that we just talked about.

1:09:46So the things that I was like thinking that maybe we could put

1:09:51into the motion, but I just wanted to like pull them out

1:09:54and have them available for you separately.

1:09:57So move the internal compliance check from semi-annual,

1:10:03which is every two years,

1:10:04to doing an internal one in the years in between.

1:10:08So basically moving it to annually,

1:10:10just to make sure that we're checking for accessibility

1:10:13to the AOGA throughout.

1:10:15And if we go beyond it, that's even better.

1:10:17And there are lots of places where we do go beyond the AODA.

1:10:22Build on existing guiding materials that we have right now

1:10:26with updates and innovative projects.

1:10:30Any ideas that come forward,

1:10:31like we're kind of looking at Blind Square

1:10:34in one of our parks, maybe later on this year,

1:10:36just as a little teaser type of thing.

1:10:39So we want to have room for projects like that

1:10:42that come up to go ahead and happen.

1:10:45And then promote the benefit of engaging the AAC

1:10:48in the planning stage of projects.

1:10:51So like a formally promote that type of thing.

1:10:54So the motion could be

1:10:57that the Accessory Advisory Committee recommend

1:11:00that the draft multi-year plan with the following additions.

1:11:05And I don't know if the, so you've reviewed the plan.

1:11:08So are you okay with the plan?

1:11:10And then the additions that were on the previous screen

1:11:13to be adding those in as guiding principles more or less.

1:11:22I see Deborah's hand. Go ahead, Deborah.

1:11:26Thanks. Thank you.

1:11:28And thanks, Leanne, for this.

1:11:32You will not be surprised to hear this,

1:11:35but I wondered if the principles of universal design

1:11:42that you're using, I think are amazing.

1:11:46And they were created 20 or 30 years ago,

1:11:50but I don't think they've ever been reflected upon

1:11:53from an equity diversity and inclusion lens.

1:11:58For example, what would it look like

1:12:00from an indigenous worldview for these principles

1:12:06to be in place?

1:12:08Or what might be the future of the AAC?

1:12:12Be missing from these principles.

1:12:15So to me, I would love to include some sense

1:12:21of an intersectional reflection on the guiding principles

1:12:28initially and then sort of over time thinking

1:12:33about the implications to the specifics.

1:12:36So to me, it seems like this is the opportunity for us

1:12:41to do not just thinking about us as a constituted committee,

1:12:45but about our work and how is that reflecting

1:12:51some implicit inequities or could be, right?

1:13:05Are there any other hands up right now, Lorelai?

1:13:07Okay, that's what I was trying to find out.

1:13:09Thank you so much, Deborah. That's a really good point.

1:13:19Okay, so do we want to make a motion

1:13:22that the AAC recommends a,

1:13:28I don't know if you want to have a crack at it, Deborah,

1:13:30to include what your recommendation was just there?

1:13:35I'm happy with the one that's on the screen

1:13:39and then adding, using intersectionality

1:13:45to examine the guiding principles of this plan initially.

1:13:53Love it.

1:13:54Initially, right?

1:13:55Yeah, from the beginning.

1:13:57I love that, it's awesome.

1:14:01Okay, so if you're the motioner,

1:14:03then we're looking for a seconder.

1:14:05And so it's the entire motion, right?

1:14:11So the accessibility rights community recommend

1:14:13the draft multi-year accessibility plan

1:14:15with the following addition and then Deborah's addition.

1:14:18Great, thanks.

1:14:20Sorry, do we have a seconder?

1:14:26Sue, right?

1:14:27I'll hand it over to you, Lorelai.

1:14:32Yes, is anyone opposed?

1:14:34I can't see, sorry.

1:14:37Nothing a very effective change.

1:14:40I'm trying.

1:14:41You're doing great. You're doing great.

1:14:45There are no hands up.

1:14:46Okay, so carried.

1:14:50Great, thank you.

1:14:51Perfect.

1:14:54So the next item on the agenda then is the complete streets

1:14:58design guide project.

1:15:00We have a 10 minute staff presentation and then a 10 minute

1:15:03AAC discussion.

1:15:06So we have Jennifer here to discuss that and I'll give you a

1:15:09notice that that's okay when you have about two minutes left

1:15:12just in the interest of time.

1:15:15That sounds great. Thanks Lorelai.

1:15:17So thanks everyone for having me today.

1:15:20I'm Jennifer's used manager of transportation planning

1:15:23and I'm stepping in for the project manager on this project,

1:15:26Daniel DiPietro, who had to be away today.

1:15:29I'm just going to jump ahead real quick to the purpose of this

1:15:33presentation.

1:15:34So we have engaged with representatives of the accessibility

1:15:37community and the accessibility advisory committee.

1:15:41So today we do have a recommended motion that the AAC supports

1:15:45the draft vision objectives and recommendations of the complete

1:15:48street design guideline.

1:15:50And so I'm going to back it up and I'll give you a quick

1:15:52overview of what the complete streets design guidelines are

1:15:55and what the vision and objectives specifically are and see if

1:16:00there's any questions or feedback before we come back to this

1:16:03motion.

1:16:05So I'm not going to go through the agenda really quickly.

1:16:11What are complete streets?

1:16:12It's their streets for everybody.

1:16:14It's looking at reallocating the space between property lines

1:16:18on either side of the right-of-way to better and more

1:16:21equitably move people and goods through our community while also

1:16:25protecting for space for things like street trees and street

1:16:28furniture and our bus stops, our street lighting, our hydro and

1:16:33our underground utilities, as well as the parts of the network

1:16:37that move people.

1:16:38So it is all encompassing.

1:16:41We're looking at both the above ground and the underground pieces

1:16:45that have to fit in the public right-of-way.

1:16:48The purpose of this project is to provide an approach to how we

1:16:53design our roads that considers the location, the intended use,

1:16:57the context, the surrounding property, how accessible we want

1:17:02it.

1:17:03Is this part of a priority network in our transportation master

1:17:05plan where there's certain road users that we want to give a

1:17:08little bit more advantage to?

1:17:10And that will all inform the design of the surface of the right-of-way

1:17:15cross-section.

1:17:16In order to do that, we want to define street typologies.

1:17:21So a typology is a way of categorizing the streets and

1:17:25gulf.

1:17:26We know that we have a local street, a collector road and an

1:17:29arterial road, but within those we can also break it down even

1:17:32further.

1:17:33We can have commercial boulevards.

1:17:35We can have neighborhood roads.

1:17:36So we want to develop that street typology.

1:17:39And then those typologies would have their own objectives for how

1:17:42we want to design it and who we're prioritizing it for.

1:17:45Is it for place making?

1:17:47Is it a destination street like it is downtown?

1:17:50Or is it more of a through street where we want to move people

1:17:53through it efficiently and safely?

1:17:55So those are the kinds of street typologies that we want to

1:17:58consider.

1:17:59And then we'll use those typologies to create cross-sections for

1:18:02each of them.

1:18:03And that will inform our standards, such as the gulf linear

1:18:07infrastructure standards and the development engineering

1:18:10manual.

1:18:11And then the final tool that is part of this project is to

1:18:14adopt a multimodal level of service approach.

1:18:17And what does that mean?

1:18:19The MMLOS?

1:18:20Well, if you think about moving vehicles, we always have

1:18:23level of service targets of how efficiently we move traffic

1:18:27through a section of road or through an intersection.

1:18:30And historically it's been limited just to motorize traffic.

1:18:34We've never considered setting targets for other modes of

1:18:37transportation.

1:18:39So this is an emerging field in transportation planning where

1:18:42we're starting to say, well, if this is a cycling priority

1:18:45corridor, what's the target level of service for cyclists?

1:18:49And how do we design to achieve that?

1:18:51Or what's the, if it's a priority for pedestrians in like a

1:18:55downtown core or an emerging main street area, how can we make

1:19:00sure that the level of service for those pedestrians is

1:19:04improved?

1:19:05So shorter crossing times, more space at the intersections to

1:19:10wait away from vehicles, that sort of thing.

1:19:13So this is a decision making tool that helps us set a target

1:19:16and then identify how the design is helping us achieve that

1:19:20target.

1:19:21So as I mentioned, we have done a little bit of engagement to

1:19:24date.

1:19:25We have done two workshops and at both of those workshops, we

1:19:28had either representatives from this committee or from general

1:19:31members of the community who experienced accessibility

1:19:34challenges or barriers.

1:19:36And we heard from them a couple of key things, notably around

1:19:41sidewalks and how can we make improvements to sidewalk design

1:19:44and bus stop design to be more accessible as well as the

1:19:48operations?

1:19:49So how can we ensure that they're being cleared of snow in a

1:19:53prioritized way to maintain accessibility?

1:19:57So I'm not going to go in detail.

1:19:59It's all.

1:20:00in the notes here, the key takeaways that we heard from those two workshops. And the

1:20:07purpose of those workshops is the same as what I'm presenting to you today. So we want

1:20:11to get feedback on the vision for this project and the vision that we've drafted is that

1:20:17we want to provide policy and design guidance on the planning, design and operation of Guelph's

1:20:23Street Network to reflect the priorities of the Transportation Master Plan, which is to

1:20:27move people of all ages, abilities and modes of transportation anywhere in the city. And

1:20:33to do so, we've set our objectives, which is to prioritize accessibility for people

1:20:38of all ages and abilities, to develop a multimodal transportation system, to provide options

1:20:45that improve the attractiveness of sustainable modes, so that is primarily active transportation

1:20:50and transit, to create safe and welcoming streets and to ensure that transportation

1:20:56is efficient, convenient and connected for all modes of transportation. And that's already

1:21:05been kind of updated with some of the feedback we heard. So just moving into the draft recommendations

1:21:11that we've developed so far, really a lot of this is hopefully obvious that we should

1:21:18be moving towards this anyway. So number one, and of course is like, let's move towards

1:21:22sidewalks on both sides on all streets in Guelph. It still boggles my mind that we're

1:21:28trapped into development applications where we're being forced into new subdivisions with

1:21:34sidewalks on only one side and we're in 2023. So we really want to move away from that. Another

1:21:40big key change is that we want to set the design speed to the speed we actually want

1:21:46people to drive. Instead of the traditional approach, which is you set your target posted

1:21:51speed that's going to go on the side, and then you design for a minimum 10 kilometers per

1:21:55hour over that. And that's the engineer's mindset. But let's flip that equation. So we're going

1:22:00to be designing to the intended speed. We also want to identify a list of transit amenities

1:22:06and improve those transit stops, especially on where we've identified the road network for

1:22:11the quality transit network and the transportation master plan, which really means we're looking

1:22:16at transit priority measures, increased frequency and more convenient transit services. And we

1:22:21want to create new standards for cycling facilities, really moving away from just a painted bike

1:22:26lane into more physical protection off road bike lanes and protected bike lanes. Just moving

1:22:33on to the next slide. We really want to improve the design of roads that have sidewalks right up

1:22:40against the curb to make them feel more comfortable and feel safer. And then with regard to traffic

1:22:47calming, we're hoping that our new design standards can avoid the need for traffic calming

1:22:52by building them properly in the first place. But there still might be incidents where traffic

1:22:57calming is required, in which case we want to make sure we're taking advantage of emerging

1:23:02technologies and techniques in traffic calming. Now, it says here review and adapt vertical

1:23:09deflection because we are hearing from this community and others that we really want to

1:23:14move away from vertical deflection as much as possible and look at other methods of traffic

1:23:19calming. And similar to what we're going to let you know, you're at your two minutes.

1:23:23Perfect. Thank you. I'm doing well. I've got one more slide, so we're good. In terms of the

1:23:29equity piece, equity is becoming a huge priority for us in transportation planning. And so we

1:23:34want to look at ways that we can integrate an equity lens into how we evaluate and prioritize

1:23:41the design decision making that we do when we're developing new road designs.

1:23:47And of course, considering the needs of people with disabilities as we develop the design

1:23:51objectives, the cross sections, the intersections, and areas where streetscaping elements are

1:23:55desired. So that's built right in from this stage, the earliest stage we can get. So the

1:24:02questions we have are around whether the vision and objectives prioritize accessibility suitably

1:24:09in your perspective. We want to hear if there's anything missing in these objectives. And again,

1:24:15they're just listed here on the slide again to remind you. And then we want to know whether

1:24:20you support or agree with the drafted recommendations. So that is the end of my presentation. Again,

1:24:27the recommended motion is for your support. And I won't go through the next steps and

1:24:34all of that information is in the slide deck, so you're good there.

1:24:37Thank you so much. Does anyone have any thoughts on this last slide here?

1:24:46I have a couple thoughts, but I'd like to see if anyone else does first.

1:24:54No hands up yet. Oh, Jen Popkey has her hands up. Okay, perfect. Go ahead, Jen.

1:25:00Hello. Mainly it's thank you. I love the idea of the multimodal transportation and designing

1:25:08for the speed you want versus trying because people drive to the regardless of speed

1:25:16to their level of comfort on that road. So if you design the road to slow people down,

1:25:21you don't even have to worry so much about a speed limit on there.

1:25:24I really like all of the work that's going on here to show that roads are more than just

1:25:31transit options for cars. Yeah, I could go on, but I won't take up more time. I just

1:25:40thank you for your consideration and your accessibility considerations throughout.

1:25:49I'm going to quickly pop in because I still don't see any hands.

1:25:55One of the questions that you've asked the AC today is whether we feel like anything's missing

1:25:59and whether especially the draft recommendations that you showed us are missing anything. And I

1:26:04think there is a piece missing in my opinion that honestly when we talk about accessibility of

1:26:10streets, we do talk a lot about pedestrian needs and we do talk a lot about cyclist needs and things

1:26:16like that. And I would really like to see a recommendation added that recommends that the

1:26:24city prioritized the needs of people who need to use cars to access the city. There's been some

1:26:30talk in the city about having some pedestrian only areas and as someone who really needs to be

1:26:34dropped off close to locations, I need if there's an area of the city that doesn't have a street

1:26:39for cars too and they become just cycling and pedestrian streets, that's not accessible for

1:26:44people like me. So I would love to see that added so that we don't lose sight of the fact that yes,

1:26:51we need to prioritize pedestrians, yes we need to prioritize cyclists, but cars are accessibility

1:26:56devices for a lot of us, myself included. I need a car as much as I need my wheelchair. So

1:27:05definitely prioritizing car access as well is really important to me.

1:27:17Thanks. I wondered if this is a question maybe you've thought it through. I wondered if this

1:27:25had been imagined from the vantage point of folks who maybe low vision or blind who use echolocation

1:27:34and how much sound has been taken into account in this. So I'm imagining it's both presence of

1:27:44sound which might prohibit people from using echolocation but also the absence of sound in

1:27:51e-scooters and other vehicles that don't make a sound and therefore may present a barrier. So I

1:28:02wondered if that had been thought through. That's a great question. Not explicitly. We do take

1:28:13all of the best practices and guidance from Leanne and her team from a design standpoint.

1:28:21So she, her and her team members are involved in on the internal city stakeholder.

1:28:28We have input from the CNIB as well and then the piece about the electric vehicles is an

1:28:38interesting one. Where we're putting electric bikes and electric scooters would be in the

1:28:45cycling facilities and as much as possible we are trying to keep those separated from

1:28:49pedestrians and vehicles. There are going to be situations where it's constrained and it's a shared

1:28:55use facility so I'll take that back as feedback for the team. And I was going to say I'm not

1:29:03visually impaired or blind but when those electric scooters have come up behind me

1:29:14it's kind of a shocker. So I don't know if there's a requirement for them to have a bell like bikes

1:29:20have to have a bell. There will be. That's a separate issue. Because they clearly need to make

1:29:26some sound. They're not safe as it is. Yeah so just an aside that's going to counsel for decision on

1:29:33a traffic bylaw amendment on July 5th I believe from our operations team. So they're currently

1:29:40illegal to operate in Guelph but they do require a bell and a light under the proposed bylaw.

1:29:50Okay so does anybody want to try and make a motion? It could just be motion to receive. It could be

1:29:56to include some of the recommendations we've heard from Laura Lai, Deborah, and from Jen in

1:30:02terms of support for the Complete Streets Design Guide. Or we can just use the motion that is also

1:30:11up on the screen right now which is that the AAC supports the drop vision objectives and recommendations

1:30:18of the Complete Streets guideline or guide rather. We could use that to start and say with the addition

1:30:25of consideration for as Laura Lai mentioned. Yeah I was just going to say with the addition of

1:30:36cars being considered as accessibility as an accessibility feature. Or with the

1:30:46it's an addition of the prioritization of the needs of people who use cars for accessibility.

1:30:53The prioritization of car access or something along those lines yeah.

1:30:59Okay um sorry with the addition of sorry Laura Lai.

1:31:10That's fine are you asking me sorry I don't know what. One more time. Yeah so with uh supports the

1:31:18blah blah blah blah with the addition of the prioritization of the needs of disabled people

1:31:26who use cars as an accessibility device or who need cars for accessibility. Just prioritizing

1:31:33people who use cars also. And since Laura Lai's the chair and can't um motion for this would someone

1:31:41like to adopt the motion on the floor as their own. I'll do it I'll do it. Awesome okay so have

1:31:52that and then who is the seconder or who would like to be a seconder we have Sue and I'll hand it

1:31:58back over to you Laura Lai. Yes is anyone opposed? Hi I can't see anyone. Okay great thank you everyone.

1:32:15So normally it's David DiPietro as in contact information is on the slide and I appreciate

1:32:20your time this afternoon thanks so much. Thank you so much. All right the next uh thing that we

1:32:29have to speak about today is the draft parks and recreation master plan Mallory Lemon uh is here

1:32:35to speak about that. I'm probably going to do the same thing and give you a two minute warning if

1:32:39that's okay Mallory because we're quite a bit behind today. Uh yeah that's no problem and oh there's

1:32:44my camera finally working. I'm going to share my screen here quickly. I apologize I'm we we used to

1:32:53use WebEx and now um we've switched over we've switched over as a city to teams and now I'm going

1:33:00back to WebEx through web and trying to sort it all out so can everyone see this? Yes okay and I

1:33:06can't see you at the moment so let's speak up if you uh if there's anything you'd like to share with

1:33:11me as I present um so we're back again. We were here the last day AC meeting talking about the

1:33:18parks and rec master plan the focus of the last meeting was specifically on the rubber uh surfacing

1:33:23and playgrounds um and we just wanted to circle back one last time with the AAC before the draft

1:33:29master plan goes out to the public. Let's move on the slide here there we go so presentation overview

1:33:37so today we'll be sharing with you the master plan vision and core values a summary of previous

1:33:42feedback that we've received from the AAC previous motions received from the AAC and next steps and

1:33:49the recommended motion for today. So the vision for the master plan that we've crafted was based on

1:33:58community engagement and engagement with various committees of council like the AAC so the vision

1:34:05that we've come up with is parks and recreation are essential to everyday life in Guelph to be

1:34:10future ready Guelph needs parks facilities programs that are sustainable inclusive adaptable and have

1:34:16the built-in ability to respond to a growing and diverse community the city needs to connect people

1:34:21to each other healthy living and the environment and then the core values that feed into the rest of

1:34:26the master plan are one all people can participate in recreation two parks and recreation facilities

1:34:33are welcoming and meaningful places for all people three a healthy environment community is

1:34:38supported through parks and recreation four infrastructure is maintained sustainable and

1:34:44responsive to community changes five the natural environment is protected restored and responsibly

1:34:49managed oh and sorry I can't see my last

1:34:56item there I apologize sorry so the parks and recreation departments work with the community

1:35:07so we wanted to kind of go over a summary of previous feedback that we've received from the AAC

1:35:14on the parks and rec master plan it's been a project that's been on ongoing for a few years so

1:35:18we just wanted to circle back and let you know what we've heard so we asked the AAC what is working

1:35:24well in parks and recreation and what we heard was Riverside Park enabling gardens water therapy

1:35:30programming the royal recreation and trans-candidate trails are in good condition and Riverside Park

1:35:35playground um some feedback that we received that is not working well in parks and recreation are

1:35:42that we need an indoor walking track which if some playgrounds are difficult to navigate

1:35:47need more adult recreation programming and swimming opportunities need more accessible

1:35:52activities at the evergreen seniors community center some parks do not have accessible paths

1:35:57to amenities some park pathways are deteriorating and becoming difficult to navigate better signage

1:36:04is needed about the accessibility of trail segments before starting the trail and more rest areas

1:36:11along pathways are needed so previous motions received from the AAC for the parks and recreation

1:36:19master plan so we received a motion in February 2020 that park planning meets with the AAC site plan

1:36:25subcommittee regarding recommendations for the parks and recreation master plan these recommendations

1:36:30shall be made back to the AAC in June 2020 um as you are all aware the subcommittee does not

1:36:36operate anymore um and so we did go back and meet with the AAC in June 2020 um but no motion

1:36:46was received at that next meeting um and then in April 2023 so just at the last AAC meeting we

1:36:52received a motion that the AAC supports the adoption of a geographic distribution of playgrounds

1:36:57with rubber surface within 2.5 kilometers of residential areas further the AAC supports the

1:37:03implementation of two new rubber surface playgrounds to fill distribution gaps in the

1:37:07central and northwest areas of the city so currently the draft parks and recreation master

1:37:17plan is being reviewed by internal staff actually I think that wrapped up last week so we've got

1:37:22all of our internal staff comments so we're updating that now the draft master plan will be

1:37:28posted for public review next month in July and then we'll be taking that to committee of the whole

1:37:33in October 2023 um so we have a motion uh recommended motion for the AAC that the AAC

1:37:41received the draft parks and recreation master plan when it's posted for public review and provide

1:37:46feedback during the public review period so um we invite you to review and comment on the parks

1:37:54and recreation master plan when it's posted publicly in July 2023 um Sarah has kindly offered

1:38:02to help provide feedback for anyone that needs assistance providing their feedback

1:38:07myself Mallory Lemon and Eric Poole are the project managers for the Parks and Rec master

1:38:12plan and we're happy to answer any questions if you would like to reach out one thing I will say

1:38:18that you will notice we hope that you see all of the feedback addressed in the Parks and Rec master

1:38:26plan um and one comment that I would like to make very clear is that one of the recommendations

1:38:31of the Parks and Rec master plan is that we continue to meet with the AAC throughout the life of the

1:38:36master plan so um although we're yeah we we would like your feedback on the Parks and Rec master plan

1:38:42we will come back um as we usually do on our our park development projects um as usual thank you so

1:38:52much Mallory I was just going to let you know you had your two minutes but it sounds like you're done

1:38:59yes yes oh that was about six minutes no doubt does anyone have any um anything to add any feedback

1:39:08or questions do we want to do a motion to receive the information um or potentially a motion to

1:39:22there's a recommended motion that the AAC received the draft Parks and Rec recreation master plan

1:39:27when it is posted for public review and provide feedback during the public review period

1:39:32I don't know if we want to use this and add to it that um Parks planning returned to the AAC

1:39:39throughout the um Parks and Rec recreation master plan implementation potentially could be an added

1:39:47part to that motion for some way that we get directly notified during that public review period

1:39:54and that the Parks and Rec could directly reach out to us because not all of us are going to see

1:39:59the public engagement that happens sure I have the question um if that's okay I don't know if it's

1:40:07in here but would it be possible to add more shade structures along paths and at parks um

1:40:15because the sun for some of us is a very not nice thing yeah so I think you will see that that is

1:40:23a recommendation in the in the park okay okay thank you thank you okay so maybe I'll just quickly

1:40:31craft this recommend or this uh recommended motion and uh someone can or someone from the

1:40:38committee can um craft it with what's on the on the slide currently okay I'm gonna go ahead and

1:40:46propose that the AAC received the draft Parks and Rec recreation master plan when it is posted

1:40:51for public review and provide feedback during the public review period with assistance as needed

1:40:59from the liaison that would be myself and that Parks planning returned to the AAC throughout

1:41:07the implementation of the Parks and Rec recreation master plan could you add that during the public

1:41:15review portion they directly returned to the AAC or reach out directly to the AAC through email

1:41:22with we're doing public review here's a link something along those lines Sarah because I don't

1:41:26want it to be that we just have to keep our ear to the ground for this uh yes I see what you're

1:41:30saying there sorry um yes okay so that the AAC received the draft Parks and Rec recreation master

1:41:36plan when it is posted for public review and provide feedback during the public review period

1:41:42um that the liaison follow up with the AAC via email on the public review period

1:41:55and that Parks planning returned to the AAC as the Parks and Rec recreation master plan is

1:42:03implemented does anyone want to be the motioner and then we'll need a seconder for that I saw

1:42:11Andrew's hand go up for the motioner do we have a seconder okay Zahaba there we go and then I'll

1:42:24is anyone opposed to that it's okay if you are I don't see any all right thank you so much

1:42:37I think this is the most motions we've been able to do in a meeting in a while I love your how you

1:42:42guys are organizing your meeting is it's so great for staff just a quick bit of feedback we love

1:42:46getting the motions in the clear direction so kudos it's great thank you thank you it's actually

1:42:52kind of it's been a lot of planning between myself and and Leanne and Sarah to try and figure out

1:42:58how to do it I appreciate that and clerks have helped a lot yeah anyway okay thank you for your time

1:43:07thank you the uh next piece is um we're back on track for time and it's Sarah discussing the

1:43:17vehicle for hire higher program that we just got to share my screen awesome all right so

1:43:31um the vehicle for hire program is one that came to the AAC last year a little earlier in the year

1:43:38and the AAC did ask to revisit the program with a little bit more information in February of this

1:43:46year however with the other projects that became a little bit more of a priority in terms of timing

1:43:51and this project not really having a specific timing it did get pushed to our meeting today

1:44:01so here's a really brief agenda of this item scope so we'll start talking about the what the

1:44:06vehicle for hire program is and I'm going to review this at a high level because I provided

1:44:10quite a bit of information and so if you do have any questions about the program in terms of just

1:44:15the program as it exists currently please feel free to follow up with me um we'll talk about a

1:44:21summary of the AAC discussion to date on this topic uh the city of wealth taxiscript program

1:44:29the AAC motion that we received in October 2022 and then the research findings from the

1:44:36potential partnerships with march of dimes canada and wealth wish fund for kids and then I have a

1:44:42recommended motion on the last slide okay so the the vehicle for hire program was established in

1:44:492018 uh through bylaw that was passed to allow non-taxi vehicles for hire so this includes

1:44:56everything outside of a taxi vehicle so not red top none of those just uber or lift I don't actually

1:45:03think lift exists in our area but uber would be really the primary vehicle for hire company

1:45:09that we're talking about here and they will compensate the city of well when they do not

1:45:15have accessible vehicles and we know that they don't so they compensate the city which goes into

1:45:21a holding account seven cents for every trip that happens within the city of wealth there is a total

1:45:28of 18 cents that is collected per trip seven cents of which is uh held an accessibility fund

1:45:35the other goes towards administration of the program and licensing and so on so in these

1:45:42holding account as of december last year we had 170 thousand dollars

1:45:49and funds are currently being allocated as a grant program for accessibility modifications to

1:45:54vehicles and that includes taxis that can tap into this fund to make their vehicles accessible as

1:46:00well so to date between 2018 and 2022 the AAC proposed that the vehicle for hire program funds

1:46:11be allocated to accessible initiatives in the community accessible vehicle modifications including

1:46:18taxis and to allow registered mobility transit passengers to purchase one additional taxi script

1:46:25coupon book for 20 dollars each month making the maximum number of coupon books per passenger

1:46:31per month three so it's currently two and this would be one additional that that folks can purchase

1:46:37if they um have a mobility transit if they're a mobility transit registered then you have access

1:46:43to the taxi script program as well so here's again a description of the taxi script program as it

1:46:52exists right now it provides discounted coupons for red top taxi accessible vehicle service

1:46:58provided within the city of wealth limits to um passengers that have a permanent mobility service

1:47:04registration number um it's a 40 taxis for a coupon book that is purchased for 20 dollars each

1:47:12with the maximum currently being two books per passenger per month between june 1st and december

1:47:2031st last year so 2022 approximately 346 taxis for coupon books have been sold so i just wanted

1:47:29to give you an idea of you know how common and how popular these kind of books are in a six month

1:47:34period and then between january 1st and may 31st of this year so that's more of a five month period

1:47:41we're looking at approximately 243 taxis script coupon books have been sold so the motion we

1:47:51received from the aac last october was to receive the information provided regarding possible ways

1:47:58to allocate funds of the vehicle for hire program and to defer the motion to recommend how funds

1:48:05should be allocated to february 2023 to give time to explore a potential partnership and gather more

1:48:11information from march of dimes and wealth wish fund for children so the next information i'll

1:48:21present to you is what the findings were through exploring a potential partnership with march of

1:48:26dimes so they have it here i just want to hop in and say being mindful of time we've got only

1:48:3310 minutes left in the meeting and there's going to be a lot of discussion on this okay thank you

1:48:38there is an existing home and vehicle modification program or hbmp is also what it's called as an

1:48:44acronym that march of dimes has it is funded by the government um sorry the ontario government

1:48:51ministry of seniors and accessibility uh it's been around for about 22 years and they serve

1:48:57about 30 000 ontarians so this is a provincial wide service that they provide or program rather

1:49:05in the partnership potential uh they would march of dimes could potentially oversee the entire

1:49:10program delivery um in three streams or kind of through three ideas one being providing funding

1:49:17to individuals families and caregivers who require vehicle modification for members of their

1:49:22family who may have disabilities the second would be vehicle for hire drivers so uber drivers could

1:49:28apply to have their vehicles made accessible which would increase the number of uh accessible vehicles

1:49:34for hire we have within the city and then the last one is kind of from the approach of employment

1:49:40wealth residents with disabilities could apply for vehicle modification adaptation and devices

1:49:45to support personal employment opportunities through their own vehicle for hire businesses

1:49:51aside from that the wealth wish fund for children findings were that uh they provided wishes and

1:49:57support to children under the age of 19 residing in wealth or wellington county who are living

1:50:03with a significant illness life altering injury or rare or debilitating syndrome their wishes can

1:50:09be creating a memory or attending a to a physical needs of a child with help towards the purchase

1:50:16of specialized equipment so um the wealth wish fund for children currently refers families to

1:50:22march of dimes home and vehicle modification as requests are received for vehicle and home

1:50:27modifications generally and they do provide a top-up as needed in terms of financial top-up

1:50:35up to 10 000 per child to support the families so uh also in 2022 they only received one request

1:50:45for vehicle modification through the wealth wish fund for children so the last slide here is um

1:50:54i'm just looking for the a c2 kind of there's kind of three parts to the motion i'm looking for here

1:51:00um and that's to clearly describe your recommendation in terms of where you

1:51:04prefer to have the funds allocated and then outline how often the city should update the ac regarding

1:51:10the activities related to the funding and um the aids include the ac's recommendation of when the

1:51:16program and motion should be reviewed so for example annually every two years for example

1:51:23and then i'll open up for discussion are any questions i have some thoughts if no one else

1:51:33does um i've been here since the beginning of this whole thing and um my understanding of it i

1:51:39have some very strong opinions about this uh so i don't want to put anyone off i just want to warn

1:51:45you i have very strong opinions about this what originally happened was uber came to the city and

1:51:50said we would like to operate in your city and the aac and other advocates said no you don't have any

1:51:56accessible rides you can't do that and uber said okay we will then give you some money to put

1:52:02toward accessible rides for other people then can we do business in your city and we said that was

1:52:07okay at the time that's what this money is that we're discussing so i feel very strongly that the

1:52:13money should be used for that intended purpose as someone who can't access ubers and the taxis in

1:52:19the city that are accessible are so much more expensive than ubers i really like us using the

1:52:25taxiscript program and i personally feel that the march of dimes my personal experiences with them

1:52:32have been very homophobic and i've not been able to work with them due to my sexuality um i am not

1:52:39comfortable with us giving them the decision making power over this money i know the city of

1:52:43guelph has pretty firm standards on equity right now and i don't believe that the march of dimes

1:52:50does from my personal experience with guelph march of dimes make a wish again is very limited in the

1:52:56people that are able to apply for that and also the people it's grant based they get to decide

1:53:03if they i know that last year they had only one person apply but if next year they have

1:53:07six people apply they get to choose who gets that money whereas with the taxiscript program

1:53:14anyone who applies gets a taxiscript if you're disabled and need access so i i feel like we

1:53:20should leave that money with the taxiscript program and if we would like to if it's like we aren't

1:53:26using the full amount maybe we need to put some of that money toward marketing and letting people

1:53:31know about the taxiscript program but i very strongly feel that the march of dimes is a bad

1:53:37idea for us to give city money to and i also very strongly feel like we shouldn't be giving this

1:53:43money to guelph make a wish because it's limited people who will be able to access those services

1:53:51those are my thoughts i would like it to stay for the intended purpose of

1:53:55transportation within the city of guelph making it more equitable and deba just put her hand up

1:54:03go ahead deba and i just want to say larla you rock i hundred percent support you thank you

1:54:11okay so do you mind if i quickly dropped a motion so that the aac recommend funds of the vehicle

1:54:19for hire program be allocated to allow mobility registered participants to purchase an extra

1:54:31taxiscript booklet for 20 per month equaling a total of three taxiscript booklets per passenger

1:54:42per month and that the funds be used to promote the taxiscript program

1:54:56okay do we have a motion or deba and gen is that a seconder absolutely okay and then i'll throw

1:55:09it back to you larla all right is anyone opposed and it's okay to be opposed we have donna donna

1:55:19was that in a post oh you're still muted donna sorry it's not in a post to that um and and this

1:55:28would depend on funds but would none of those funds ever be proposed for helping uh vehicle

1:55:36modifications for um uber for example for people applying for that assistance do we want to maybe

1:55:45just add that we revisit this in a year because kind of give it time to kind of work and see

1:55:51how that works uber does have an existing like they are a private corporation and they do have

1:55:58an existing program for people to apply to have their vehicles made more accessible most people

1:56:05seem to feel like it's not worth it most of the drivers for example so i don't know that the city

1:56:10wants to come in and give a private corporation that's for profit our money to make more profit off

1:56:16of but i see and i guess i was wondering about maybe grant grant funds or something like that but

1:56:24i don't know because the the other issue which is a difficult one is is administration

1:56:29yes something like that which is another whole other topic yeah okay do you want to amend the

1:56:37motion at all donna i think perhaps we could review it in in a year and see if the those funds could be

1:56:48might be able to help accessibility in some other way for transportation okay um okay so we can

1:56:58tap onto the end of the motion that uh the aac review the funds being uh allocated by the vehicle

1:57:07for hire program in a year's time to see if there are our considerations for other accessibility

1:57:14needs okay and i see depra you've given a hands up or thought my brother and then we had jen who

1:57:23was the seconder there okay i had a question as well though oh just to put it out there i

1:57:32hesitate with providing funds to modify an uber vehicle because somebody could get the modification

1:57:38funded by guelph and then move to milton tomorrow yeah i so i i am concerned about the longevity

1:57:46to continue to support so i don't want to fund others that way respectfully somebody wants to

1:57:52make the investment they will get business um but uh it it's a i i don't think it well has to do it on

1:58:02our time for that um yeah thank you awesome and sarah we're at five p.m do we have to i have a

1:58:11question about process too because we made a motion someone did someone seconded it and there was only

1:58:16one opposed and then now we're making a second motion so did the other motion carry or not how

1:58:21does that work and also do we have to move to extend the meeting because it's five p.m um yeah i

1:58:28think we can move to extend the meeting by five minutes and we should be okay if is anyone able

1:58:34to move to extend the meeting by five minutes debora is moving would anyone like to second that

1:58:40jen or sue is perfect okay awesome so we have the five minutes oh yes is anyone opposed to that

1:58:47i don't think so a lot of people put their heads up okay perfect so can i just use two seconds for

1:58:54half for something um the canada disability benefit just passed so i just thought that was worth

1:59:02um going that's a momentous moment we can go back so currently existing business thank you debora

1:59:13oh gosh that makes me happy i live on disability and it is not enough like okay back to

1:59:20you perfect timing to join our meeting um that's awesome thank you debora uh okay so

1:59:28you'll visit we'll come back in in a year and we'll look at further consideration for accessibility

1:59:34needs through this program and the fund allocation and i didn't think we had any opposed because i

1:59:40think donna was just asking a question there so not opposed okay carry let's say that helps thank you

1:59:48sorry i was confused that's okay thank you for checking um i think the next item is me anyways

1:59:58it's just the site

2:00:00numbers so we'll be just a site plan internal review report so I'm just reporting that we have

2:00:05reviewed 17 site plans since we started looking at them under the new process in February as a group

2:00:13and I also wanted to mention that yes we do have a site plan review meeting this evening I know there

2:00:18were a couple of you that RSVP to attend so thank you I hope to see you at six o'clock online I don't

2:00:24think it'll be any longer than about a 30 minute 45 minute meeting and if I join that meeting just

2:00:32a tad late by 10 15 minutes at the most I apologize I'm trying to get home and get logged on to the

2:00:38six o'clock meeting so just to kind of a disclaimer there other than that I think that's it for my

2:00:46item there awesome thank you so much do we need a motion to adjourn because we went past the five

2:00:54o'clock yes we do need a motion to adjourn would someone like to make a motion to adjourn the meeting

2:01:01sue perfect and would anyone like to second I see Andrew and Jen is anyone opposed can people

2:01:09oppose adjourning the meeting I don't think so but yeah it doesn't look like anyone's opposed so

2:01:15thank you all very much thanks for the patience while I navigated the WebEx thing

2:01:20so thank you all so very much and we'll see you in about an hour

2:01:27bye I can't figure out how to hang up I don't know what's going on oh there it is

2:01:44I'm supposed to touch base with you to figure out a way that I think maybe it's because I didn't

2:01:48download but I need to figure out how to run this better we all certainly sorted out in the

2:01:53again the comments for sure Laura thank you Sarah all right take care thank you