Accessibility Advisory Committee

0:02For coming today, welcome to the 20th, yeah, the February 20th accessibility advisory committee meeting.

0:12I'm going to start with the Indigenous Territory Acknowledgement.

0:19As we gather, let us take time to reflect on our privilege to live and work in Guelph, a city built over rich Indigenous histories.

0:26We are guests here and we should reflect upon the responsibility to care for this land, the people who live here today and the generations to come.

0:33If our actions today can move us towards reconciliation, we should take pause and make those decisions with intention and gratitude.

0:40This place we call Guelph has served as traditional lands and a place of refuge for many peoples over time, but more specifically the Atawanda Rock and the Haudenosaunee.

0:49This land is held as the Treaty Lands and Territory with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

0:55Guelph lies directly adjacent to the Haldemand Tract and is part of a long-established traditional hunting ground for the six nations of the Grand River.

1:03Many First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples who have come from across Turtle Island call Guelph home today.

1:10And you can learn more about the Indigenous Territory Acknowledgement in a link in our agenda.

1:17So the first item is a disclosure of conflicts of interest.

1:21Does anyone have a disclosure of conflict of interest?

1:25I don't see or hear any.

1:31So moving along to the approval of the minutes from the December 19th meeting, would somebody like to move to approve those minutes?

1:38I'll move those.

1:40Perfect. Do we have a seconder?

1:44Perfect. I saw Donna. I don't know who was first. I saw a few.

1:49Great. And is anyone opposed to the approval of those minutes?

1:53Perfect.

1:58Moving right along.

2:00So the agenda, I actually asked to have something shifted around on the agenda and the last item on the agenda moved to the beginning just because I think it's really important.

2:12A member of the committee has come forward with a motion they'd like to put out and it's just a 10-minute item.

2:18I'm really worried that it would get bumped if we left it to the end.

2:22So I don't know if I have to do a vote to do that or if I can just as chair.

2:29No vote required, Laura.

2:31Okay. Perfect. So we're actually going to do the last item. I'm really sorry for any issues that causes anyone, but we're just going to do the 2.9, the recommendation for the engagement process regarding public space use first.

2:44And then we'll go back to the agenda as written today just so that that doesn't end up getting bumped.

2:50I think we have some staff here to just give us a really quick overview of there was a meeting last week at council where a potential bylaw was discussed.

3:02That bylaw is no longer going to move forward, but they're here to talk to us about the engagement process.

3:07And then we have a motion from a member as well.

3:12So I don't know if that's Liz. Are you the one who's going to speak to that?

3:16It'll actually be me, Chair Root.

3:18Oh, hi Dylan. I didn't even see you there. Go ahead.

3:21Thank you. No, thank you so much. Yeah, so I'm just going to talk very briefly about the public space use bylaw that went forward to last that went forward to council last week.

3:30And then the next steps and I'm certainly happy to answer any questions that may that may that may come up.

3:36So the public space use bylaw was presented to city council last week as chair Root pointed out.

3:41It was deferred at this time so there's no set timetable for the bylaw to come back nor will it come back in the exact same shape or form that it was presented to council last week.

3:53The reason that it was presented to council last week without going to the AC for engagement and I know that there were some questions about why that may have happened and that was strictly because of the timelines.

4:06The timelines for the completion of this work when council directed staff to do it. So when council directed staff earlier in the year to bring forward this bylaw staff indicated at the time that the direction would give them about 11 business days in order to complete the bylaw.

4:20And then that wouldn't allow time for any of the city's normal engagement processes to take place. City council was aware of that directed staff to produce the bylaw and bring it forward, which of course staff did.

4:31And then ultimately council decided to defer that bylaw. Not only did they defer the bylaw, they also directed staff in the coming months before the bylaw potentially be brought back to go out and complete engagement consistent with our community engagement framework and our standard principles for community engagement, which will explicitly include the accessibility advisory committee.

4:55I have some indication from staff in public services that that engagement will be taking place closer toward the summer. So day three of the county's housing symposium is going to be held in early April.

5:08There's sort of going to be a pause in this work, I think between now and when the housing symposium day three takes place.

5:15Following that, so mid to end of April, there'll be discussions and planning on the staff side. And then ultimately in the spring, I think some public direction regarding an outline of the plan regarding the engagement for a future space use bylaw.

5:30There was also an indication from council that they didn't want a bylaw or a similar bylaw coming forward until a court case having to do with the city of Kingston was resolved.

5:40Like all things before the courts, there's no explicit timeframe on that. I don't think it's going to be a number of days or weeks. I think we're talking months, but that is just dill insane that and they don't really have any indication of exactly when that when that may be resolved.

5:56So ultimately, once the court case is resolved and that engagement has taken place, then and only then would an item be going back to city council formally for from staff for review.

6:08So I just wanted to give that little outline of how we got here and what the next steps are on the staff side. I'm happy to answer any questions if there are any.

6:16Awesome. Thank you so much Dylan. I know that in Nardle sent through a motion in order. Did you still want to do you want to speak to that? I think that Leanne and Sarah have it ready to put up on screen and then we can maybe discuss it a bit before voting on it or seeing if anyone wants to second.

6:37Yeah, I can pull up the motion for you.

6:44Yes, that would be great.

6:51So do you want me to read it or.

6:55That'd be great. Yeah, if you'd like to.

6:59Okay.

7:02So recommendation for the engagement process regarding public space use.

7:08The AC, the AC does not support the implementation of a bylaw or process that limits the use of public spaces by individuals experiencing lack of shelter.

7:20Instead, we urge the city to focus on supportive solutions that will create permanent shelter and are not reliant on punitive measures evictions or the city determining which areas are permissible to creating campments.

7:37There are always laws in place guiding behavior and public spaces and any further limitations opposed on under housed people will create unnecessary and insurmountable barriers to accessibility in community that experiences disability at a disproportionately high rate compared to other communities.

8:04Also that the AC respectfully requests to be involved in engagement moving forward regarding any processes or bylaws that might impact residents who are unhoused or living in poverty.

8:20Awesome. Thanks so much in order. Thanks for sending that through to that streamlines things when staff have it in advance and can put it on the screen.

8:33So I don't know if anyone has any discussion around this. I was I'll speak because there are no hands up yet. I was at this meeting I sat through the entire 12 hours it was a very long meeting because there was so much public discourse there were so many delegations people were really passionate about this topic.

8:51And I love this this motion. I can't second it but I would if I could. I think it's very in line with what we heard from the delegations that day.

9:01I think it's empathy driven. I think it is in line with the comprehensive report that just came out from the Ontario Human Rights Commission on unhoused people and accessibility and like how to handle that.

9:15I think it's in line with current research into accessibility for unhoused individuals. And I think that they're definitely I like the piece about how there are already laws in place guiding behavior in public spaces because I know the only people who kind of spoke against this type of thing at the meeting.

9:37We're talking about things like you know open drug use which there's already laws against that the bylaw that was up for debate which is no longer but I imagine something similar is likely to come back if not this exact bylaw.

9:55So I think that you know there are already laws in place for things like don't block a sidewalk there are laws in place for things like don't use drugs openly in public crime violence things like that that were brought up that may or may not actually have to do with the unhoused population.

10:11But things like asking unhoused individuals to tear their tent down and carry it around with them all day.

10:17Things like limiting the groups that people can can gather in setting aside specific grassy and maybe hilly areas without accessible surfaces. Overall, it was not a good bylaw and I think that this is great focusing on the solutions that are already moving forward at council they're already looking into things like better tent city and tiny homes and things like that.

10:40So thank you for bringing this forward and thank you to everybody who spoke up and contacted the city about this. There were a AC members who were very involved in this conversation.

10:50And I appreciate that. Jen go ahead.

10:53This is the brain.

10:58Go ahead. Sorry.

11:00I don't see who's who's first they see you first and your hand lower life. Okay. Yeah, it's Jen.

11:07It's Jen first and then you'll be next.

11:10I guess I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion. I'm wondering about those who the additional users of parks and forgive me if I if I am their own comfort level of being able to use the public space.

11:29How it's it's that balance. I'm just wondering about and you may have heard this multiple times throughout the 12 hours.

11:37And I apologize. I'm just trying to think of somebody who goes to the park for their own respite or to reduce their own anxiety or to get the exercise in a place that they feel safe.

11:50Is how is is that balance being discussed here as well.

11:58Yeah, just to quickly touch on that. I think the majority opinion of the delegates and the opinion that I would share is that the public spaces should be open to public use absolutely.

12:11But that if we're kind of weighing out if somebody goes to a park and would like to set up a picnic for example or go and reduce their anxiety, walk around enjoy the space and they feel like someone having a tent there is prohibiting them from enjoying the space.

12:26Perhaps someone who's last resort for shelter in the winter is that space should take precedence over someone who is there to enjoy the park for now until there are other places for people to go right now we don't have beds there are no solutions there's

12:43nowhere for for people to safely and and accessibly go.

12:48So I think that that was kind of the main idea was that it's the middle of winter and people are trying to live and survive the night.

12:55And then other people are maybe this was also specifically about downtown I don't think anybody's talking about parks.

13:01It was specifically about flower beds and things downtown.

13:05And it's mostly business owners who don't like the look of the tents basically that were if I could summarize it seemed like there were three delegates who didn't like the tents downtown and it was mostly about like customers coming to their businesses which I feel should not take precedence over shelter, but I don't know if in order to

13:23totally get that and I still want to give the next person opportunity.

13:27So I guess my this one doesn't talk about those specific locations then I'm wondering like.

13:35I'm not trying to personalize it.

13:38My my son has significant generalized anxiety disorder panic disorder and agoraphobia.

13:44So one of his few safe spaces is still in the home.

13:50If he no longer feels his home is safe because we back on to a park.

13:54I'm just trying to find a balance and this isn't all about my son.

13:58But I'm just trying to.

14:01I'm just curious.

14:08I like I totally I support the idea people need a place to be.

14:13And I get that.

14:16Just thinking this one through a bit.

14:20That's a great that's a great piece of feedback.

14:23I don't know.

14:25It's not my motion so we could see what in order things after Jen or after Jeanette speaks as well.

14:31If I may pardon me, chair root, if I could just add one one quick comment, I think the debate is is very valid.

14:38I would just remind the committee that because whatever bylaw might be proposed in the future explicitly will come back to the advisory committee for feedback that when it comes to debating the specifics,

14:52there will probably be more time allocated for you at that point to dig into it.

14:56And I think I don't have a magic eight ball that lets me see into the future.

15:03I expect there'll probably be some pretty significant differences between what was proposed to council and what will be coming back for engagement.

15:09So I just want to remind the AC that there will be an opportunity to get into the, you know, the very specifics of what may or may not be included at a later meeting as well.

15:18It doesn't mean you can't craft this motion or amend it as you like.

15:21But just from a timing perspective for this agenda to note that there will be opportunities to talk about those specifics coming up.

15:29Okay, so yeah, things like the current implementation of the bylaw of its current locations to me is more specific.

15:36I sorry, and I'll let somebody else speak. Thank you.

15:39Yeah, sorry. Just we only have 10 minutes for this item.

15:42So I want to make sure that Jeanette gets a chance to speak as well.

15:45And then the in order has a chance to like say whether or not they want to amend their motion.

15:51Thank you.

15:52As Dylan suggested, there's going to be a whole host of conflicting opinions and something else that will be coming forward.

16:03I love the motion myself.

16:05I don't think that everyone can agree to it as is.

16:07So I just make a suggestion to the author.

16:11Perhaps we can amend it to just leave it at number two.

16:15But I was going to ask Dylan, tell us more about this Kingston.

16:20Is it are they looking to use this as tell me more about the Kingston case and how it's relative?

16:29Sure. Thank you.

16:30So I don't want to claim to be an expert on the case regarding the city of Kingston, nor am I a lawyer.

16:36That being said, the city of Kingston passed a bylaw that in some ways restricted the ability of folks to shelter intense in land on land owned by the city of Kingston.

16:47There was a court challenge to that bylaw and that challenge is now making its way through the courts.

16:53So I don't want to I don't want to offer too many specifics because it's not something I'm overly familiar in other than to say it's it's a bylaw that was similar in some ways to the one that was proposed to our city council.

17:05So city council's thinking, I think when they passed the resolution to defer bylaw was to see what we want to see from a legal perspective, what ends up happening to the similar bylaw passed in the city of Kingston before we would decide what sort of bylaw if any staff might look to present the council in the future.

17:22And yeah, it doesn't necessarily need to be precedent setting.

17:26When the previous speaker was talking about different uses, it made me think of the upset when medicinal or marijuana was legalized and how I can't use a park because this and that.

17:38I just want to say personally, I believe human rights Trump the use of recreation and or business use. It is about human rights and survival. Thank you.

17:49We have a hand up in the room. That's why my hand was up.

17:52Okay, awesome. Go ahead. And then in the interest of time, we should probably move back to in order and see if we have a seconder for the motion.

18:00Okay, so the only thing is about the second piece of road asking to be involved in the process for it. Are we able to consult with other outside agencies as well with the AC because like I would love to talk to other community partners that we can maybe come up with some better ideas like I support the motion as written but I'd like to make a friendly amendment to

18:21the process and to consult other outside agencies and get their perspectives as well because since we're talking about accessible services, maybe there's something else we can do there maybe bring in some more experts who know better than us.

18:35But I would just like I think this is great. I like the idea that we're supporting empathy first helping people and there are already our laws in place. So that's just kind of my two cents on that.

18:48Yeah, yeah, I'd like to add a third or friendly amendment. I think it's the term that we would like to be able to consult with outside community agencies in order to have a more informed opinion during the engagement process.

19:04That could get a little tricky with our time and our agendas and stuff for us to bring in outside people. But as if if I mean it's not my motion so in order can can speak to whether they want to do that.

19:17But but you can also just a reminder you can sign up to delegate about this topic when it comes back around the city hall again and you can definitely reach out to other organizations and do as much background work as you want.

19:30But we have such a wealth of knowledge at the AC here already. But yeah, let's move back to an order and let them speak to this really quickly.

19:41As it stands, I'm not interested in changing the motion.

19:50A lot of the it's just the things that people are criticizing or concerned about are already against the law in general behavior in public.

20:07And so I just I don't like the idea of penalizing people further for the mirror right to exist.

20:20So I guess do we have a seconder for the motion as it stands.

20:24I do.

20:25Sorry, can, can, is there a process?

20:27Don't have a ton of time so if you can keep it like under.

20:30I understand that.

20:32I'm just saying friendly amendment to number one.

20:37Second, the AC does not support the implementation of a bylaw or process that limits the use of the current public spaces or noted or mentioned public spaces.

20:48I don't know if this is going to can then be broadcast to all locations. That's all. Can we say current public spaces or mentioned.

20:59I think that a normal has been pretty clear. They don't want to amend it. And I think we should move on and just to respect everyone's time for this meeting. I'm so sorry.

21:08It's in the procedural bylaws that everyone has a right to an efficient meeting and I just I'm supposed to keep us on.

21:14So in order, do you want to quickly yes or no whether you're interested in that amendment and then we can move on to whether we have a seconder and keep moving.

21:30No, I don't. I don't think I want to leave it open that we begin trying to restrict areas of the city for specific individuals.

21:50That is a dangerously slippery slope.

21:55Thank you chair route. I'll second the motion.

21:58Okay. And then Ted also was seconding it looked like.

22:03I think we can go to now we go to vote if anyone is opposed. It sounds like there may be some people opposed. But if I could just see hands only of those opposed.

22:18I'm not seeing any hands. I don't know if there's.

22:21Oh, yes, one hand only due to the current wording. Thank you. Yeah, I understand. I'm sorry to push it through so fast. I know I know I hear it.

22:33I think we have more discussion on this topic too. So it looks like that motion carries and we move on to the next item on the agenda. Is that right? Yes.

22:47If we can do the election chair next. Yeah, cool. Yeah, election of the chair should happen next.

22:56I wasn't ready to, to move my screen reader around for that, but I will do my best. Hang on one second.

23:06Sorry, what are we doing? What are we moving now? We're moving.

23:11So we're not. So are we scrapping the agenda agenda item or.

23:17Oh, it's just that it's the order should be the vote first for the chair and vice chair and then move on to the consent agenda item.

23:25It wasn't in the in the in the in the agenda. It was the consent agenda first.

23:31That's fine. I'm going to get an agenda. Laura Lyon consent agenda is up for you next and go ahead. Yeah, am I looking at the wrong agenda?

23:41It's just that that's easier. Yeah, go ahead. Yeah.

23:53Okay, so yeah, we have Dylan here to speak about the consent agenda. That's all I have to say. Anyway.

24:00Perfect. Thanks chair route. I will keep this as expeditious as possible. This is simply a note to the AC and I suppose a little bit of an educational moment on the use of consent agendas on future accessibility advisory committee agendas.

24:17So a consent agenda is something that is included in the city's procedural bylaw. It's something used at other advisory committee meetings, not all, but there are others and then it's used widely if folks have watched city council meetings.

24:28Essentially, all a consent agenda is is a listing of what would be sort of fairly routine or not contentious items going before a particular legislative body in this case the advisory committee, which can be approved in a single motion instead of individually.

24:45It doesn't in any way prohibit or prevent members of the committee from discussing each and every item on a consent agenda if that's if that's what they wish, but it does for items that are fairly routine.

24:56Just save a couple minutes by voting on them at once, approving them all in one in one single motion. So on an agenda, it would simply say at the as one of the first items on an agenda you'd have a consent agenda listing.

25:09You'd have report a report B report C. The chair at the beginning of the meeting would say okay we have a consent agenda with three items. We have item a B and C. Are there any members of the committee which would like to pull one of those items off of the consent agenda for discussion.

25:25If there were no request to pull any items, then there's no debate on those the chair would simply look for a mover and a seconder and a vote to approve the whole consent agenda. If a member had said, yes, through the chair I would like to remove item B for discussion, the chair would say okay, we've added that to the agenda for discussion.

25:43I'll look for a mover and a seconder to vote on item a and item C or whatever else was remaining on the consent agenda so simply a way to try and speed things up a little bit for routine items without in any way impinging on the committee's ability to discuss each and every item if that is their desire.

26:05Are there any questions for Dylan before we move on.

26:11It's Kathy.

26:13Is that okay.

26:15I just pop in.

26:17I'm just curious.

26:19What type of topics.

26:21If there's going to be some sort of guidelines with topics of what would be on the consent agenda because if it's something that sort of wants to be pushed but really quite needs an opinion.

26:32I think that's what's difficult in terms of accessibility.

26:35I think that the issues aren't simple and the discussion really brings out that piece of accessibility so it's equitable. So I'm just concerned that a yes or no answer might not apply to everything and who makes those decisions and places it in those guidelines to accept a yes or no.

26:55I think Leanne can probably provide some very specific examples of the types of things we would see included or not.

27:01The first thing I would say is that when staff and the chair who's meeting to review agendas with staff before they're published.

27:09If we believe that there is either a need for discussion on a certain topic, or it's just obvious that there is going to be discussion and debate, it's never going to be listed on a consent agenda.

27:19So that's part of the sort of common sense test. Is there likely to be debate? Yes, well then it's not going to be on consent.

27:26The second piece is that because agendas are reviewed with the chair, the chair has a role to play in reviewing to say, hey, you know, I think item A is on consent.

27:34I think that probably would benefit from a staff presentation and discussion at the committee, at which point before it's published, it could be moved to a regular committee item.

27:41But perhaps Leanne can talk more specifically about individual items we might see on consent for the AAC.

27:48I'll go through you, Chair Ruth. Just the letter that was sent to the federal government about the straws and the two handles on the plastic bags.

28:02We sent the letter off, like it was drafted, sent off. But we'd like to close the loop if we hear back from that ministry.

28:10So something like that, like a letter back from the ministry, there's no action, no anything to happen other than the committee to receive it.

28:17Like, yeah, we got the letter. That's it. But like so it would be something like that where we're closing the loop on just finishing off something.

28:27I hope that that helps.

28:31An additional piece of background information is that a lot of these items are items that aren't required to come before the AAC and would often not come before the AAC at all, because they can't fit into an agenda.

28:42And we've been trying to figure out ways to make sure absolutely everything possible can come to the AAC and fit in.

28:47So if you're reviewing an agenda and you see an item that you're like, that isn't as simple as yes or no.

28:52If you email Leanne and Sarah, you can have it pulled, and then it will become more of a discussion, I believe it'll be separated out from the consent agenda.

29:00So there's a lot of checks and balances in place, but it's basically so we can fit more information into the meetings rather than less.

29:08Thank you.

29:14There is no.

29:15Oh, go ahead. Yeah.

29:17Sorry, chair. I was just going to say there is no there is no motion required. So this is something that will appear on future agendas and then certainly by all means, if any members have questions in advance of a meeting, you can reach out to me, Liz Barber, chair,

29:29route, Leanne, Sarah, we're happy to help walk you through it.

29:32And as was just mentioned, an item can be pulled off consent in advance. So if you see an agenda and you go, Nope, I definitely want to discuss that by all means reach out to staff.

29:40We'll ensure that the chair is aware that that item has been pulled. At the same time, it can be done verbally at the beginning of the meeting as well.

29:47Either option is perfectly fine.

29:50Awesome. I think we can move to the election now.

29:56If everyone's good with that. Okay, perfect. I think that Sarah and Leanne take that or is that Dylan again?

30:04It's Liz.

30:05I mean, the room was the first time I'm doing this. So there would be.

30:12But yes, in accordance to our policies, every year we elect a chair and vice chair on the advisory committees. So is that time of the year, new year, new chair and vice chair election.

30:25So I'll call the election to order.

30:29We'll start with me nominating the chair first.

30:33Now members can either self nominate or they may wish to nominate somebody on the committee.

30:40We will give you a moment or two to speak to the nomination. If you are nominated by a committee member, you have every right to accept the nomination or respectfully decline the nomination.

30:54So with that said, I will now ask for nominations from the members for the position of chair and open up to the board.

31:04So you have a hand up.

31:06Perfect.

31:07And I end up in the room as well. Hey, so I think Deborah, I saw you first. So you may go ahead.

31:13Great. Thanks. And Max. Max is here too.

31:18So I'd like to nominate Lorelai Root. I think she's been doing a fabulous job as chair and would like her to continue that good work.

31:30Thank you.

31:34I'd like to second the nomination and just add the note Lorelai is showing tremendous leadership in the role. Definitely someone I look to whenever I need help.

31:44And I think she's doing a really good job in leading the community here in Guelph.

31:48Lorelai, do you wish to be nominated for the position?

31:53Yeah, thank you. That's very sweet. I would love to keep doing this work if it suits the committee and we'll see what everyone thinks. Yeah, thanks.

32:03Perfect. And with that, are there any other nominations?

32:09Okay, well, that being said, we can move right into a motion to appoint Solonium Mover and a seconder to appoint chair Root as the chair for the AAC for 2024.

32:22Okay.

32:23I have Mover Elizabeth. Elizabeth, yeah. And seconder Ted.

32:30Yes.

32:32Anybody opposed?

32:35Hearing into being none. Perfect.

32:38All right. So I will now open it up to the nomination for the vice chair.

32:46And so if anybody wishes to be nominated or to nominate somebody for vice chair, please go ahead.

32:54Mike, I saw your hand here first.

32:56Okay.

32:57I'd like to self nominate for vice chair.

33:01I like the position that I've been working with kind of Lorelai over the course of the last year. I'm very actively involved in the disability community.

33:10I am the disability rep for the local NDP Riding Association. I've spoken at the University of Guelph, Upper Grand District School Board.

33:20I was a former reporter at the Guelph Mercury Tribune talking about disability issues and I do get approached on the street quite a bit by members of the disability community.

33:29The main reason I want to continue doing this work is to continue to learn to help make Guelph the best possible place it can be for all ranges of abilities and just make this place the best it possibly can be moving forward.

33:42We have a saying in Indigenous culture talking about seven generations and the actions we take today will move forward through seven generations.

33:52I want the actions of working with this committee to reflect my personal beliefs of making Guelph better over the next seven generations.

34:00Lorelai, go ahead.

34:17Oh, sorry. I didn't realize. Is that a re-asking for other nominations as well? I had another nomination too.

34:25Yeah.

34:26Yeah, I wanted to nominate in Ortle. They reached out over the past year and been very involved in trying to meet with staff, trying to make sure that they understand the process, learning things about how to craft motions and put them forward,

34:40learning what it would take to be chair in terms of the time commitment and the making sure that they're available for all the meetings and the extra required work of the vice chair.

34:54And I think that they're really well suited to that.

34:57And they expressed an interest and I think that they would be a really phenomenal addition. I don't, and I think that they offer a unique perspective from my own in the executive planning meetings, being a member of the non-binary community,

35:11and being so engaged in their work in the community for the past like 15 years with their accessibility ventures in the community and their adaptive work that they do with game controllers and things like that.

35:26So, yeah, I wanted to nominate in Ortle as well for vice chair.

35:32Thank you.

35:35Annal, do you accept or refuse the nomination?

35:39I accept. I'll just say that my work in advocacy for disability and raising awareness goes back very, very, very long time.

35:55I've been disabled my entire life with numerous disabilities.

36:01I've got a lot of contacts and friends with disabilities from all over the world.

36:06I've been working with this from my sister and I run a business working for people with disabilities been doing that for seven years now.

36:14And at 15, I received the Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award for my work in advocacy for disabilities.

36:28Thank you.

36:30Just one last call for nominations for vice chair.

36:37Okay.

36:38So with that, we have a member of Mike and member in Ortle who have been nominated as vice chair.

36:46So we will call the vote and I'll do it enough for medical order, but just for the members, you get one vote and majority will move on as vice chair.

36:59So I will call the vote and please feel free to raise your hand if you can use a raise hand feature in teams.

37:08If not, you can verbally speak out on your vote as well.

37:12So may I see a vote for all those in favor for appointing Mike as vice chair to the AAC?

37:23Wow, I got crushed.

37:33And I'll move on to a member at Nortle.

37:36All those in favor to appoint Nortle as vice chair to the AAC?

37:41Just a second.

37:54I'm just counting hands right now.

37:59For members who may not have been able to raise their hand, you can always speak out.

38:05We have six votes in favor, seven votes in favor to appoint a Nortle as vice chair and that is majority vote.

38:21We have ten members present.

38:23So with that, I'll get a mover and a seconder to appoint member in Ortle as vice chair to the AAC for 2024.

38:32Can I get a mover please?

38:34Ted, thank you.

38:37And the seconder.

38:40Elizabeth, thank you.

38:42Anyone opposed?

38:44Hearing and seeing none.

38:49Okay.

38:51Well, chair rooked and Nortle, congratulations.

38:56You may continue chairing the rest of the meeting chair.

39:01Okay.

39:04All right, thank you everyone so much for that and thanks for all the engagement.

39:08Some years nobody wants to do any of it.

39:10So that's great to see so many people interested.

39:14So the next item on the agenda is the ACOC governance framework, which Dylan is here to speak to us about.

39:19Go ahead Dylan.

39:21Thank you very much chair root and thanks for letting me occupy the first three or four items on your agenda.

39:26I appreciate that too.

39:27I know we're a little bit behind in time, so I'm going to do my best to move very quickly through the presentation perhaps a little bit more quickly than I'd originally planned.

39:34But by all means, if it feels like I've missed something or you want more detail at the end, we'll have lots of time for questions.

39:41So you can pop into slide two, please.

39:47Perfect.

39:48So there is a project underway called the redesigning advisory committees of council project.

39:52I know members of the AC are well aware of this because you were excellent and participated quite a bit in phase one of this work.

39:58The result of freight.

40:00of the committee.

40:02So the first phase of phase one

40:04was council's approval of an

40:06advisory committee of council

40:08governance framework in November

40:102023. Now that that framework is

40:12approved, we moved on to phase two

40:14of this project, excuse me, which

40:16is a review of our existing

40:18advisory committees in Guelph to

40:20ensure they're aligned with the

40:22framework. So the framework

40:24outlined why we have advisory

40:26committees in what situations

40:28we're aligned with what we're

40:30actually doing with our current

40:32group of advisory committees. As

40:34part of this project, all sorts of

40:36changes are on the table. We've made

40:38no decisions. We have no suggested

40:40policy outcomes at this point. We're

40:42very much upstream in the policy

40:44process. We could see across all of

40:46our advisory committees, expansion

40:48or reduction of mandates, mergers,

40:50dissolutions, the creation of new

40:52advisory committees. All of this is

40:54possible to be as open as possible.

40:56We have a number of advisory

40:58committees, including the 14 of

41:00our current advisory committees.

41:02There is going to need to be a

41:04reduction in the number of

41:06advisory committees we have to

41:08align with the framework. One of

41:10the key commitments in the framework

41:12is that advisory committees in order

41:14to be successful need to be

41:16resourced properly. That includes

41:18from departments in this case,

41:20having Leanne and Sarah as the

41:22departmental supports, but also from

41:24departments in the council as

41:26allocated resources that would

41:28enable us collectively as an

41:30organization to support 7 to 10

41:32advisory committees. So I'll be up

41:34front to say there are significant

41:36changes coming at the end of this

41:40review. If we could just go to the

41:42next slide, please. You've

41:44got in front of you here a list of

41:46the 14 current advisory committees

41:48in Guelph with a little asterisk

41:50next to the ones that are

41:52statutory. Obviously the

41:54first version of this review that

41:56yields a dissolution of the

41:58accessibility advisory committee. Obviously

42:00that's not on the table for required to

42:02have one and there are several

42:04legislative and regulatory requirements

42:06outlining as you well know what comes

42:08before the accessibility advisory

42:10committee and that kind of thing. So none

42:12of that is on the table, but there's

42:14always the ability to expand a mandate

42:16perhaps beyond what is legislated

42:18or to merge the work of a statutory

42:20committee and include the mandate of

42:22the advisory committee. All of those

42:24sorts of changes would still be

42:26possible as it relates to the

42:28accessibility advisory committee.

42:30We can go to next slide, please.

42:34So as part of phase two of this project,

42:36the city clerk's office and the Guelph

42:38lab who's delivering this project with

42:40us are meeting with every advisory

42:42committee at least twice. So this is

42:44the first meeting. There'll be another

42:46meeting in late summer with a little

42:48bit more detail about what is actually

42:50being proposed to be changed. Like I

42:52said, this point in between those two

42:54meetings with the advisory committees, there

42:56will be a meeting of chairs and vice chairs.

42:58And like I said, no specific decisions

43:00about any sort of changes to advisory

43:02committees have been contemplated at this point.

43:04We're just collecting information.

43:06So we're meeting with each advisory committee.

43:08We're meeting with the city's leadership team

43:10and staff that support, excuse

43:12me, advisory committees will be

43:14working with council and small group

43:16sessions as well to get their feedback.

43:18Coming out of that first round of

43:20engagement, we will then in the summer

43:22with chairs and vice chairs look at the

43:24sort of trends that are emerging out of

43:26that feedback. So we'll look at what we heard

43:28from staff, from advisory committee members,

43:30from council and say, okay, it looks like

43:32there's agreement that, you know, we might

43:34be missing an advisory committee on this

43:36topic or that perhaps is a volume of work

43:38that these two committees deal

43:40with is relatively low and they could

43:42be merged into one committee and maybe

43:44meet a little bit more frequently or

43:46something like that. That's the type of

43:48discussion that we're having. We're

43:50going to be talking about the trends

43:52that are emerging in the next few weeks

43:54at that meeting with chairs and vice

43:56chairs and then ultimately coming

43:58into late summer, we'll want to go back

44:00to each and every advisory committee

44:02to say, here are the changes that were

44:04contemplating related to your advisory

44:06committee, whatever that might be, as

44:08well as an analysis of what we heard

44:10the trends and themes that emerged out

44:13of the engagement that we're

44:15participating in right now. Next slide.

44:17I'm going to go into detail, so I won't do

44:19that here now, but today what we're

44:21focusing on is number two, the second

44:23commitment in the advisory committee

44:25governance framework that advisory

44:27committees of council should help shape

44:29the city's strategic goals. So really

44:31what I'm about to be asking you is in

44:33what ways is the accessibility

44:35advisory committee currently helping to

44:37shape the city's strategic goals and

44:39what types of changes might we make

44:41to enable it to better shape

44:43the city's strategic goals or perhaps

44:45the scope of influence

44:47as the committee members may see fit.

44:49So if you can go to the next slide

44:51and then actually the one

44:55after this, if you don't mind.

44:57Perfect. So you've got

45:03in front of you

45:05a quick outline of what's currently included

45:07in the city's strategic plan, the themes

45:09and then the objectives, and then you've

45:11got a couple of questions on the

45:13left side there as well.

45:15So this is the part where I will turn it over

45:17to the committee. What we are wondering

45:19about today is what strategic goals

45:21do we currently see the accessibility

45:23advisory committee contributing to

45:25or helping to shape, and then

45:27after that, what goals could it

45:29potentially contribute to? Perhaps there's

45:31an area where you think you may have

45:33some value to add as a committee, but

45:35that hasn't been the case traditionally

45:37for whatever reason.

45:39And I will add that what we're really looking

45:41to hone in on here are sort of the

45:43primary means

45:45of contribution. So I think in the case

45:47of the city's strategic plan,

45:49I think that's a good point.

45:51And then I'll add that to the

45:53advisory committees, for example,

45:55I'll pick on support community well-being

45:57under the people and economy theme.

45:59We were speaking to the transit advisory

46:01committee recently, and we went, you know,

46:03absolutely or tourism advisory committee

46:05as well. Absolutely effective tourism

46:07or effective transit has an impact

46:09on community well-being.

46:11But is it the role of the transit advisory

46:13committee to provide

46:15a better transit? That may be a bad example.

46:17It may be that supporting community well-being

46:19very well is a primary

46:21role of the transit advisory committee,

46:23but I'll use it as an example to suggest that we

46:25do want to try and hone in on what are the

46:27what are the primary contributions.

46:29So with that, I will turn it over to

46:31the committee. We're not looking for a motion

46:33today. We're going to be recording the meeting

46:35like normal and taking notes to get feedback

46:37from individual members on

46:39your view at this point. Like I say, we will

46:41be back later this year to actually get

46:43a committee position on specific

46:45changes. Thank you so much, Dylan.

46:49Does anyone have any feedback on this

46:51for Dylan?

47:03So I will just maybe just give as an example

47:05because we were just at transit.

47:07I think initially at transit the conversation

47:09started on, well, it seems like city building

47:11make it easier to get around is probably

47:13a foundational piece of the

47:15strategic plan that the transit advisory

47:17committee is supporting. So some of them

47:19sort of jump off the page like that and

47:21are obvious, but then we talked with transit a lot

47:23about how transit is actually also connected

47:25to housing supply. So

47:27in some cases it's easy to sort of start

47:29with what feels like the

47:31obvious choice and then let the

47:33discussion spin a little bit from there.

47:38Anordo, I saw your hand up.

47:40Did you want to start things off?

47:42Yeah.

47:47I have some

47:49concerns about the idea

47:51of

47:53the accessibility advisory

47:55committee merging with

47:57some of the other committees

47:59that I feel it may

48:01impact

48:03the ability of

48:05the accessibility advisory committee

48:07to actually advise on accessibility

48:09if

48:11we are often

48:13running short on time as it is

48:15because of the number of issues

48:17and it is very important

48:19to speak out to these issues because

48:23the pattern that I've seen over the years

48:25is if you don't live with it

48:27and you don't have experience with it

48:29you will not think of it.

48:31And so it is very

48:33important that we still be able to

48:35speak to

48:37matters of accessibility.

48:41Thanks, Anordo. So I've got that comment noted

48:43just to make sure I got it right that

48:45generally

48:47the AAC merging with another advisory

48:49committee of council wasn't viewed

48:51positively considering the mandate of

48:53the current accessibility advisory committee

48:55means that

48:57agendas are already fairly

48:59full

49:01and that we want to make sure that the focus of the AAC

49:03stays on accessibility.

49:05Is that a fair summary?

49:07Perfect. Thank you so much.

49:09I don't see any other hands right now.

49:16So I just wanted to note that

49:18I would

49:20hate for anybody to feel like

49:22we should speak on less topics

49:24because there are so many topics on the agenda.

49:26If it ever reaches a point

49:28that

49:30important discussions aren't able to fit

49:32onto an agenda, the staff

49:34would figure out a solution to that, I think.

49:36Leanne

49:38and Sarah are very committed to making sure

49:40that everything possible

49:42that can possibly touch the AAC gets our

49:44opinions. And I know

49:46myself and all the vice chairs and chairs that I've worked

49:48with in the past, we've always been very

49:50good with the creative solutions

49:52if it means having extra meetings and things.

49:54So please don't let

49:56the AAC

49:58impact agendas

50:00in any way

50:02impact whether you want to discuss certain things

50:04because if

50:06it has to do with accessibility or the disabled

50:08community, we should be able

50:10to speak to it if we want. So we'll make time

50:12always.

50:15Go ahead, Jeanette.

50:17Thank you.

50:19I think

50:21my comments will be sort of in sync

50:23with what Anordle had just mentioned.

50:25I think that's one of the main objectives of this

50:27exercise

50:29and what outcomes you're looking for.

50:31I

50:33would not attach us to anything

50:35rather

50:37when I first started the committee asked if we had an

50:39annual report

50:41because I had been on other committees of

50:43council

50:45for other municipalities, we developed an annual report

50:47of results.

50:49And that's a place where I believe if you want

50:51to attach

50:53to strategic goals and objectives

50:55for the city, that's fine.

50:57I don't want this exercise

50:59to hinder

51:01or attach us to

51:03some

51:05ideas of where we fit

51:07because as Anordle said

51:09if you don't have experience or know about it

51:11or feel it or are impacted by it,

51:13we will miss it.

51:15Thank you.

51:22Maybe I will ask

51:24because I want to make sure I'm capturing it correctly

51:26and there is some nuance because accessibility

51:28is a statutory committee

51:30so it changes the nature of this conversation

51:32compared to a committee that is discretionary.

51:34I think

51:36what City Council has asked us to do

51:38through these exercises is to identify

51:40okay, City Council has said

51:42these are the strategic goals for the organization.

51:44There are elected representatives.

51:46They obviously have the right to set our strategic direction

51:48and they want to make sure

51:50that our advisory committees writ large

51:52so the whole group that we have

51:54is helping to give them advice

51:56on what they have set as a strategic

51:58objective.

52:00I don't want to

52:02I definitely on the staff side don't want to

52:04guess how I think

52:06the accessibility advisory committee

52:08is contributing to these goals. I think you absolutely are.

52:10But it's much more important to me

52:12and I think this is in line with the previous comments

52:14that I hear from members of the committee

52:16about the areas that you are

52:18so that's what we're trying to get at today.

52:20I'm not sure if that helps at all

52:22but

52:29we have 15 minutes to talk about this still

52:31so we have about 10 minutes left

52:33to talk about this so if people have thoughts

52:35please raise your hand. I have a slightly different

52:37opinion than Inortal

52:39and Jeanette just because

52:41I feel like

52:43honestly currently

52:45our strategic goals we mostly contribute

52:47to things like parks

52:49voting

52:51parks and voting and parks and voting

52:53and traffic calming and you know the same

52:55similar things over and over which are great.

52:57We have a lot of feedback about those but as we've

52:59seen even just this past week we have

53:01impact and we have opinions

53:03about other things as well. So one of

53:05the things

53:07that stressed me out about the council

53:09meeting last week was why wasn't

53:11the AAC

53:13approached about this

53:15by-law that impacts unhoused

53:17individuals and initially

53:19my thinking was before now I understand that it's

53:21because staff was given an 11 day timeline

53:23to write a huge by-law but

53:25at the time I assumed it was that

53:27I mean it's not something that's

53:29legislated that we have to be consulted about

53:31it's not something that

53:33typically people would think oh yeah that's an accessibility

53:35issue but realistically

53:37a lot of the people living downtown

53:39right now have accessibility needs

53:41and are experiencing accessibility barriers

53:43and the by-law brought forward a lot of those

53:45so there are time and in discussions

53:47with environment and the plastic

53:49straws we've had a lot of discussions about plastic straws

53:51that I think took a while

53:53to get to the AAC because

53:55it doesn't initially clue people in like oh that's

53:57an accessibility issue but for

53:59those of us living with disabilities everything

54:01is an accessibility issue. Being

54:03an employer of choice and

54:05the foundations piece I think

54:07that's an accessibility issue making sure

54:09that employment opportunities are equal

54:11for disabled individuals.

54:13I think that under city building

54:15housing supply and things like that obviously we have

54:17an issue with accessible housing

54:19availability as much as we have one just with housing.

54:21Being a leader in climate

54:23action the straw conversation

54:25is a big one the only people speaking

54:27up about straws saying we want

54:29to keep plastic straws where the disabled community

54:31and then the last piece

54:33I think unhoused individuals fit in there

54:35so I think from in my

54:37perspective we currently are

54:39kind of pigeonholed into a certain

54:41few issues and I would like to see

54:43us thought of as like

54:45able to

54:47contribute to more than just

54:49parking and housing.

54:51Thank you so much.

54:53Go ahead Deborah and then Jeanette's next.

54:55Sorry Laura.

54:57Go ahead.

54:59Just because I want to make sure

55:01the way I'm taking notes here reflect what you say.

55:03So I think what I heard there

55:05was it feels like

55:07as things stand right now

55:09there's a lot of some of the sort of

55:11I'll call it repetitive and routine

55:13although maybe that's not the best word

55:15things come forward so you mentioned voting

55:17traffic calming parks these are things

55:19that we're good at bringing forward

55:21to the AAC for feedback each and every

55:23time there's a lot of them that that system

55:25is working but that there's an opportunity

55:27for the AAC to contribute

55:29to if not every single

55:31one on screen then a large

55:33number of them not necessarily

55:35in a direct way but from an accessibility

55:37perspective so that almost every

55:39one of these if not all of them has an

55:41accessibility dimension

55:43or lens to it and that the AAC

55:45could help

55:47could help provide that lens or that

55:49feedback on all of these and that

55:51maybe none of them is actually the primary

55:53so it's not it's not the primary role

55:55of the AAC to improve housing supply

55:57just to pick one example but it should

55:59be the role of the AAC

56:01to provide input on how we improve

56:03housing supply as it relates

56:05specifically to folks with disabilities

56:07so it's almost like none of them

56:09are a primary

56:11target for the AAC

56:13but they are all targets in which the

56:15accessibility lens is relevant

56:17important and should be considered

56:19is that

56:21thank you I appreciate

56:23you letting me confirm that

56:25sorry about that Deborah you're next

56:27go ahead and then Jeanette's up next

56:29after

56:31so I don't want to repeat what you said Lorelai but I agree

56:33with everything and Dylan your summary

56:35was great the only thing I would add

56:37to it is that it's

56:39not just an accessibility

56:41lens it's also an inclusion

56:43lens

56:45so it's both so accessibility

56:47provides some pieces

56:49of the picture but

56:51inclusion

56:53helps us think

56:55for example

56:57if you're going to think about growing

56:59wealth's economy

57:01accessibility won't necessarily

57:03an accessibility lens won't

57:05necessarily get you there

57:07first but an inclusion lens

57:09might help

57:11you wonder why are you not

57:13seeing so many

57:15entrepreneurs with disabilities

57:17who are advocating

57:19for particular bylaws

57:21right like so

57:23for me it's a both and we're named

57:25the accessibility committee but I think

57:27we do accessibility and inclusion

57:31thanks Deborah I wonder if that kind of touches

57:33on the second question

57:35there which is sort of to say

57:37the current name of the committee

57:39and the current terms of reference focus on

57:41accessibility

57:43but there might be a room for the AAC

57:45to contribute more regarding

57:47inclusion as well

57:49that if we were to update terms of reference

57:51and that kind of thing

57:53so I'm just going to say that I don't think

57:55you can

57:57I think that the intent of the AODA

57:59which is where we get our mandate

58:01from is accessibility

58:03and inclusion it just uses

58:05the language of accessibility

58:07but I don't think they're two separate things

58:09I think they're inherent in our mandate

58:13got it okay and perhaps that could be more

58:15obviously communicated

58:17in the mandate

58:19I'm seeing a nod even had

58:21perfect thank you so much

58:26awesome Jeanette the floor is yours

58:28brilliant I love the discussion

58:30and actually chair root I was

58:32totally trying to agree with what you were saying

58:34if it didn't come out that way

58:36I meant not to limit it us

58:38and sort of in a nutshell

58:40what Dylan had just said

58:42that we have the ability

58:44to provide input

58:46to anything outside of our mandate

58:48just like when we do

58:50class environmental assessments

58:52we're not just looking at

58:54natural environment

58:56we're looking at cultural, indigenous, etc

58:58I love the fact

59:00that you brought up that we need

59:02to be more explicit

59:04talking about diversity

59:06equity and inclusion as we

59:08look forward and bring that out

59:10because I think you're absolutely right

59:12we don't capture everything

59:14as it's explicitly stated or we do

59:16but it just doesn't come

59:18out

59:20it should come to the top

59:22and it's rather a living document

59:24much like diversity, equity, and inclusion

59:26as we grow and learn more

59:28we adjust, we adapt, and we change

59:30I had a question for Dylan

59:32for the strategic planning

59:34for the plan, does each department

59:36that's responsible for that bit

59:38are they and have they set up

59:40key performance

59:42indicators or performance measures

59:44that we could look at as well?

59:46Yes

59:48there are KPIs associated with each objective

59:50I won't claim to

59:52know them all or be able to communicate them now

59:54but there is reporting that's done to council

59:56I forget off hand if it's quarterly

59:58or twice a year annually

1:00:00but I can certainly share that

1:00:02with the committee so you can take a peek

1:00:04That'd be great, thank you

1:00:06No problem at all

1:00:11so maybe we can flip to the next slide

1:00:13it is effectively

1:00:15the same conversation but instead of

1:00:17looking at the

1:00:19strategic plan we have

1:00:21the community plan it's a little bit longer

1:00:23so it is split between two slides here

1:00:25it's the same thing there are sort of themes

1:00:27and objectives

1:00:29the community plan is a little bit higher level

1:00:31than the strategic plan

1:00:33so if there are

1:00:35specific areas where you're like

1:00:37that's absolutely an area we're currently contributing

1:00:39or hey that's an area I think we should

1:00:41be contributing by all means mention them

1:00:43but I think some of the notes I've captured earlier

1:00:45about the idea of

1:00:47the AAC may be different than some of our

1:00:49discretionary advisory committees

1:00:51in that their primary focus

1:00:53isn't necessarily pegged to one of these

1:00:55but it's inputs from

1:00:57an accessibility inclusion diversity lens

1:00:59on all of them so I've got

1:01:01that I think that applies here but if there are

1:01:03specifics by all means please mention them

1:01:12If anyone has any further

1:01:14comments past what we've said on the last slide

1:01:16feel free to raise your hand

1:01:18I don't see any

1:01:20Is there any in the room there?

1:01:22No

1:01:27Maybe just to make sure folks can see it

1:01:34we can go to the next slide which does include

1:01:36more of the

1:01:38community plan themes just in case

1:01:40there is something that really pops out

1:01:42beyond the comments

1:01:44we've had so far

1:02:01Maybe I'll just add while folks are thinking

1:02:03I think some of the comments we've heard

1:02:05so far are really good you know the comment

1:02:07about inclusion and diversity

1:02:09sort of being you know

1:02:11the language that the AODA Act uses

1:02:13is accessibility

1:02:15but really it's talking about all of these things

1:02:17I think there's value when we get lower level

1:02:19in the sort of policy pyramid with

1:02:21provincial legislation up here

1:02:23and AAC terms of reference for Guelph

1:02:25down here there's power in making sure

1:02:27that we're using specific language

1:02:29it means something to staff I think and to council

1:02:31when we use those words specifically

1:02:33so that's the type of content

1:02:35that we're trying to capture and

1:02:37what would be a revised terms of reference

1:02:39for the AAC at some point later this year

1:02:41to council to say you know we want to be very

1:02:43clear about the types of things that we are

1:02:45going to be consulting the AAC on

1:02:47or not consulting the AAC on

1:02:49and we'll look to be very specific in the language

1:02:51that we're using so these

1:02:53that specific type of feedback for us

1:02:55about the type of language that is helpful

1:02:57in making sure your mandate

1:02:59that you can be effective in working

1:03:01toward your mandate is very helpful

1:03:08so if there's no other comments

1:03:10we can just go to my

1:03:12last slide simply a note

1:03:14again about next steps so

1:03:16the chair and vice chair which are just elected

1:03:18you'll at some point over the next couple of months

1:03:20receive an invite to a session

1:03:22to be held with the chairs and vice chairs

1:03:24of all of our other advisory committees

1:03:26this summer to take a look at the feedback

1:03:28that we've collected from these sessions

1:03:30as well as the similar sessions that we're running

1:03:32with staff and then ultimately

1:03:34Liz and I will be back before the committee

1:03:36at some point in Q3 to talk about

1:03:38actual specific changes to

1:03:40terms of reference for example

1:03:42for the AAC

1:03:44and that's the end of the presentation

1:03:46so certainly if there is anything that

1:03:48comes up that folks have

1:03:50thought oh I wish I had mentioned that

1:03:52by all means reach out to me

1:03:54reach out to Liz we may do

1:03:56a survey at the end of all of our advisory

1:03:58committee meetings as well to give folks another

1:04:00opportunity to provide feedback but if you've got

1:04:02any questions about the process

1:04:04or the project we are always available

1:04:06Does anyone have any

1:04:14comments? I have a question for Dylan about something

1:04:16but I was just going to ask that

1:04:18AOC chair workshop

1:04:20that's happening do we know when that is

1:04:22because if it's

1:04:24if there's time for a 7AAC

1:04:26meeting before then I'd love for us to figure out

1:04:28a way for me to get some direct feedback

1:04:30from people of what they'd like represented

1:04:32there but if not people can

1:04:34always email Leanne and Sarah if they have

1:04:36specific things they want me to represent

1:04:38just so that I'm making sure

1:04:40I'm getting the whole group's

1:04:42opinions represented at those meetings

1:04:46Yeah so I don't have a specific date yet

1:04:48we're targeting probably in the sort of

1:04:50May timeframe so we'll

1:04:52spend March and hopefully

1:04:54just early April finishing up

1:04:56this round of engagement with all of our advisory

1:04:58committees obviously then we need to review and analyze

1:05:00the data and bring it forward

1:05:02absolutely there will be

1:05:04opportunities if you want chair root

1:05:06to share materials

1:05:08or ask members of the AAC

1:05:10for feedback based on those materials and that kind

1:05:12of thing I don't we're too early

1:05:14in the process for me to give you sort of specifics about

1:05:16how that might look but I've got that

1:05:18noted here and we can consider that as we move

1:05:20forward in the project

1:05:23Thank you I don't see

1:05:27any other hands up

1:05:29give it another second

1:05:31because there was a lot of stuff there if anyone has any thoughts

1:05:33but if not we'll move on to the next item

1:05:35okay I don't see or hear

1:05:40any hands so thank you so much

1:05:42Dylan for that

1:05:44appreciate you coming and helping us out

1:05:46with so many items today

1:05:48Thank you I appreciate the feedback

1:05:50thank you so much

1:05:52Thanks the next item we have

1:05:54is about a playground accessibility

1:05:56special meeting I don't think

1:05:58we're going to even take the full amount of time because

1:06:00Mallory is here

1:06:02to request a special meeting

1:06:04to discuss some things in more detail than we have

1:06:06time for at AAC meetings

1:06:08so go ahead Mallory

1:06:10Yep great thank you

1:06:12for having me here today

1:06:14and my parks colleagues

1:06:16Loryley your comment made me laugh earlier

1:06:18it's saying parks, parks, parks on the agenda

1:06:20we're about to hit you with

1:06:22parks, parks, three in a row

1:06:24I'm so sorry I didn't mean that

1:06:26we don't love it we want to be

1:06:28I understood

1:06:30I just thought it was funny that we're about to hit you with three in a row

1:06:32so I will be the quickest one

1:06:34I think and then yeah we'll flip it over

1:06:36to the others on my team

1:06:38so as Loryley mentioned we're here to

1:06:40request a special meeting with the AAC

1:06:42the reason being

1:06:44just for a bit of background

1:06:46Parks staff presented the Parks and Recreation Master Plan

1:06:48to Council in October

1:06:502023 so just a few months ago

1:06:52and Council referred

1:06:54a few motions back to staff

1:06:56to discuss with the AAC

1:06:58and don't mind me

1:07:00I'm going to read them out just so that we're all clear on what the topics are

1:07:02so it's

1:07:04focused on playground accessibility

1:07:06and so the five

1:07:08topics that were tasked

1:07:10with discussing with the AAC are

1:07:12that the final Parks and Rec

1:07:14Parks and Recreation Master Plan

1:07:16include a requirement that all new playgrounds

1:07:18and guelphs include at least one play

1:07:20structure that is wheelchair

1:07:22accessible to the lowest deck

1:07:24number three

1:07:26this is very specific to a particular

1:07:28recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan

1:07:30so recommendation 33

1:07:32in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan

1:07:34be revised to read

1:07:36apply a service level target of one

1:07:38rubber, six-foot,

1:07:40six-foot,

1:07:42six-foot,

1:07:44six-foot,

1:07:46and a service level target of one rubber

1:07:48surface playground within 2.5 kilometers

1:07:50of residential areas until

1:07:522025

1:07:54moving to a target of one rubber

1:07:56surface playground within 1.5 kilometers

1:07:58of residential areas starting in

1:08:002026

1:08:02number four

1:08:04that the final Parks and Recreation Master Plan

1:08:06include a recommendation that areas of

1:08:08economic need will be a factor

1:08:10in determining the location of playgrounds

1:08:12with rubber safety surfacing

1:08:14and the

1:08:16the final Parks and Recreation Master Plan

1:08:18include a recommendation to work with

1:08:20the Accessibility Advisory Committee

1:08:22to establish a target ratio of

1:08:24playgrounds that have rubber safety surface

1:08:26so those are the topics

1:08:28that we've been tasked

1:08:30with discussing with the AAC

1:08:32as you were mentioning earlier in your meeting

1:08:34today time is limited for topics on

1:08:36the AAC agendas typically so

1:08:38what we're recommending is a special

1:08:40meaning it would be in addition

1:08:42to your regular AAC meetings

1:08:44and so we're seeking

1:08:46a special meeting

1:08:48on May 21st

1:08:50from 3 to 5pm

1:08:54that's pretty much it for me

1:08:56so you're just basically

1:08:58looking for a motion from us

1:09:00to because we can't just book a meeting

1:09:02we have to actually have an official motion that we would like

1:09:04an extra meeting to talk about this stuff

1:09:06is that right?

1:09:08okay perfect so would anyone like to put forward a

1:09:10motion to

1:09:12that Leanne and Sarah can work with staff

1:09:14and us to schedule a

1:09:16special meeting to discuss these?

1:09:18Jen go ahead

1:09:20simply that

1:09:25we would like to go ahead with a motion to have

1:09:27a meeting on May 21st

1:09:29to discuss playground accessibility

1:09:31I'm not sure if there's anything to

1:09:33augment for wording

1:09:36the recommended motion is up on the screen here

1:09:38and just includes everything that Mallory

1:09:40touched on there as well as

1:09:42that piece about the May 21st meeting

1:09:44so if you'd like to adopt that

1:09:46go for it if not

1:09:48go for it

1:09:50I would recommend that we adopt the motion

1:09:52as it's showing on screen

1:09:57would anyone like to second that motion?

1:10:04Inortal has their hand up

1:10:06thank you Inortal

1:10:08and is anyone opposed to that motion passing?

1:10:10Deborah go ahead

1:10:13no I wasn't opposed I had a question

1:10:15okay go ahead with your question

1:10:17so it's quite

1:10:19it's quite a complicated

1:10:21motion and so

1:10:23it's the

1:10:25second bullet point

1:10:27that I kind of

1:10:29wondered about

1:10:31like

1:10:33that the final include a requirement

1:10:35that all new playgrounds include at least

1:10:37one play structure that is wheelchair accessible

1:10:39to the lowest deck I don't actually know

1:10:41what that means so this level

1:10:43of detail may be more than we need

1:10:45it's rushing

1:10:47us it feels to me

1:10:49to make a series of guidelines

1:10:51when

1:10:53I'm not ready to do that yet

1:10:55we haven't even had a discussion

1:10:57about it yet and so

1:10:59I understand these are things that

1:11:01council has decided

1:11:03but we haven't yet decided

1:11:05and I need some more time to think

1:11:07about these sorts of things

1:11:09so I

1:11:11am happy to say they

1:11:13recommend a special meeting

1:11:15to discuss the ideas

1:11:17raised by council

1:11:19as that's it

1:11:21leave the content

1:11:23out or

1:11:25I don't know maybe other people don't have the same thing

1:11:27I just found it

1:11:29helpful but overly detailed

1:11:31for a motion

1:11:38Jen would you like to

1:11:40amend your motion or would you like to keep it as is

1:11:42I have you to amend the motion

1:11:46with the

1:11:48recent addition

1:12:00of the meeting

1:12:02I think staff just need a second

1:12:04to

1:12:06cut and paste some stuff

1:12:08I think that wording came from a council meeting

1:12:10where councillor Kaden and a couple other councillors

1:12:12brought forward those specific things

1:12:14so I see where it's coming from

1:12:16but I would agree

1:12:25go ahead Leanne

1:12:27the hope was that we would keep

1:12:29the meeting focused

1:12:31on answering those

1:12:33or responding to those items

1:12:35that's the only reason they were included

1:12:37in that list

1:12:39so everybody understood what the focus of the meeting

1:12:41was

1:12:46is this meeting going to be

1:12:48I think you've already told me this but I just want to double check

1:12:50because now I'm second guessing

1:12:52is this one being facilitated by staff

1:12:54directly or are we having another external

1:12:56facilitator

1:12:58staff directly

1:13:02go ahead Deborah

1:13:04I appreciate the desire

1:13:06to keep us focused

1:13:08also

1:13:10while council may have thought of lots of

1:13:12things we may have some other things that come up

1:13:14as this percolates through us

1:13:16and I don't want to become limited

1:13:18so I appreciate

1:13:20thank you

1:13:22I would agree with

1:13:24Deborah's comment there

1:13:26and that we would get a package

1:13:28to discuss for the upcoming meeting

1:13:30I would second Deborah's motion

1:13:33perfect

1:13:35is anyone opposed to the motion then

1:13:37I think it's Jen's motion

1:13:39seconded by Jeanette

1:13:41I see Jeanette's hand

1:13:46was that an opposed hand

1:13:48I'm assuming not because you seconded it

1:13:50not an opposing hand

1:13:52no opposed

1:13:54so that motion passes thank you so much

1:13:56for coming Mallory we look forward to

1:13:58talking to you on May 21

1:14:00so the next item is the playground

1:14:13equipment life cycle project

1:14:15we have

1:14:17I don't know who's speaking to it

1:14:19right Jude sorry about that

1:14:21is here to discuss the

1:14:232024 to 25 play

1:14:25equipment life cycle 5 minute staff presentation

1:14:27and 10 minutes for us to discuss

1:14:29sorry to be so tight on time

1:14:31and Jude is in the room

1:14:33just so we're aware

1:14:35go ahead Jude

1:14:37good afternoon everyone

1:14:39nice to meet all of you thank you very much for having me

1:14:41my name is Jude Kubore

1:14:43I'm a project manager working with Mallory's team

1:14:45and

1:14:47Parks and Trail Development section

1:14:49so as you mentioned I'm here to talk about the report

1:14:51that I set for the 2024

1:14:532025 playground

1:14:55it played a play equipment

1:14:57replacement project so I'm here just to give you

1:14:59an overview of what the expectation is for the project

1:15:01and how we see the AAC being

1:15:03involved providing recommendations for that

1:15:05and then kind of

1:15:07yeah we'd like to be today is really

1:15:09to focus on kind of what preliminary recommendations

1:15:11the AAC may have based on what we put in the report

1:15:13so we can take that forward

1:15:15with what we hear from the public

1:15:17and then kind of take that into towards design

1:15:19so just to give you a brief overview

1:15:21the project

1:15:23is broken out into two-year phases

1:15:25to be two years so through

1:15:272024 we'll be working on consultation

1:15:29and engagement as well as design

1:15:31going into 2025 we'll be working through

1:15:33the construction of and replacement of the

1:15:35actual playground replacements

1:15:37for this project through 2024-2025

1:15:39we'll be looking at Colonial Drive Park

1:15:41Holland Press Park and Hyatt View Parks

1:15:43so as I mentioned

1:15:45currently

1:15:47we are, well I haven't mentioned that now actually

1:15:49so currently we're out for Phase 1

1:15:51Community Engagement

1:15:53which closes on March 3rd

1:15:55so that's through our online let's

1:15:57pardon me

1:15:59how you say engagement page

1:16:01so we are currently

1:16:03out to the public right now asking them

1:16:05what they like about their existing playgrounds

1:16:07what they don't like, what they might want to have

1:16:09changed and then also are there any

1:16:11specific inclusion or accessibility

1:16:13items that they may like us to

1:16:15have included or consider as part of the design

1:16:17so that brings us to where we are

1:16:19now with the AAC

1:16:21we're at this point we're really looking

1:16:23to get feedback from the residents

1:16:25from stakeholders which would be

1:16:27you

1:16:29the AAC as well as

1:16:31our operation side

1:16:33just to get as much feedback as we can

1:16:35in terms of what

1:16:37should be included as we work

1:16:39through the design for these

1:16:41three parks and their spaces

1:16:43so going through the design process

1:16:45we would like to

1:16:47focus on all the standards that

1:16:49are outlined in the report but we would also like

1:16:51to focus specifically on

1:16:53using the three lenses that are

1:16:55outlined or guidelines that are outlined in the

1:16:57Creating Inclusive Playgrounds playbook

1:16:59so that would be

1:17:01looking at parks and play spaces

1:17:03from the three lenses of can I get there

1:17:05can I play and can I stay

1:17:07so really trying to

1:17:09look at those three lenses

1:17:11and then how to look at

1:17:13how can we inform or

1:17:15improve the design or these parks

1:17:17through those lenses

1:17:19so for example if we're looking at

1:17:21can I get there

1:17:23that's looking at the accessible roof

1:17:25from the municipal side of the park and the play space

1:17:27is there an accessible

1:17:29ran into the play space could somebody actually get

1:17:31in there

1:17:33then when we look at can I play it's making sure

1:17:35that we're creating play spaces that

1:17:37that are inclusive and accessible so we

1:17:39have spaces that

1:17:43that most social

1:17:45inclusion that are accessible

1:17:47that allow for people to use the space

1:17:49and that it is designed

1:17:51cohesively so it is meant to be

1:17:53an inclusive play space

1:17:55an accessible play space but then also

1:17:57making sure that we're providing spaces for

1:17:59you know children that potentially have sensory

1:18:01needs that you know need a space for

1:18:03isolation so looking at that at broad

1:18:05scale and then the final

1:18:07when you said the final element and it's really looking at

1:18:09can I stay so looking

1:18:11at do we have benches or seating

1:18:13on site that's comfortable that meets

1:18:15an FADM standards

1:18:17and you know that

1:18:19that has shade looking at that

1:18:21more holistically as we

1:18:23work through these three projects

1:18:25so that's really where

1:18:27we are right now and that's kind of the feedback

1:18:29that I'm looking for from the AAC what

1:18:31those types of elements should

1:18:33we be considering and then we can take forward

1:18:35into the design so once we get all of

1:18:37that our next phase of the project will be

1:18:39basically to work with playground vendors

1:18:41to go out for an RFP procurement process to try

1:18:43and get designs for each one of the sites

1:18:45then we would go back up to the

1:18:47public with two designs for each of the three

1:18:49sites for playground

1:18:51and then get more

1:18:53feedback at that point

1:18:55once we we had that feedback along

1:18:57with some kind of more refined designs

1:18:59for each of the three sites

1:19:01we would like to come back to the AAC

1:19:03and review and discuss those to see what we've

1:19:05got at the mark, what adjustments might be able

1:19:07to be made and that would likely

1:19:09happen I think based on the next AAC

1:19:11meeting that would work for our time and would be

1:19:13the June meeting and then from there

1:19:15we would make any adjustments

1:19:17as we were able

1:19:19to based on recommendations that came out of that meeting

1:19:21and then we would work towards getting our

1:19:23drawings and our package ready

1:19:25for construction, we're a part of tender at the end

1:19:27of this year and then be ready for construction

1:19:29into 2025

1:19:31so in terms of recommendations based

1:19:33on this meeting it's really just

1:19:35on the AAC

1:19:37kind of

1:19:39accept so I guess or

1:19:41receive the information that we've brought up to this point

1:19:43that the AAC share

1:19:45and yet recommendations they may have

1:19:47based on what we've outlined in the report

1:19:49kind of what I've spoken to

1:19:51and then if possible that any members

1:19:53that are interested

1:19:55are able to provide

1:19:57their feedback through the current

1:19:59how you're seeing public engagement

1:20:00page that we have out right now for from these three sites which close on March 3rd.

1:20:06Yeah that's it I think. Thank you. Does anyone have any questions or comments or want to put forward

1:20:18any motions? We have a question or a hand up in the room. I have a couple of questions. Looking at

1:20:24your accessible bench will there be other types of benches there because like I'm looking at that

1:20:29from a wheelchair user. Sure yeah point of view that would be kind of hard to transfer to.

1:20:35Yeah I mean definitely there's potential for that. We haven't made any sort of kind of

1:20:42fine work. Yeah that's right exactly. But I believe again so I should have given some context so I'm

1:20:48relatively new to this role. I haven't been in the city for five months. I have done parks and

1:20:51playground design for the last seven years from the town of Paul Pills so I'm still getting up

1:20:55speed in terms of what our current standards are for benches and seating and that sort of thing

1:20:59and play design as well. So I feel like there has been some conversations in terms of what

1:21:05our standards would be for accessible and inclusive benches but yeah if there is a specific style or

1:21:12something that you'd like us to look at. And then as a follow-up to that lighting would be

1:21:18considered as part of accessibility correct? Yes but the scope of the project would not include

1:21:25lighting. Oh okay really it's yeah it's a really playground for placement and play space.

1:21:29Leigh Ann go ahead. So benches need to meet the FADM so maybe if you want to have a chat with me

1:21:40what your expectations are that would be very helpful because we're going to update the FADM

1:21:44this year too. Excellent. So in terms of a motion it looks like the first piece of this recommended

1:21:55motion to me makes a lot of sense that we receive this information as we have. The second piece

1:22:01asking for our recommendations. One piece that I would love to see happen with this engagement

1:22:10is sometime I know you're coming back in a later meeting but what has sometimes happened is we're

1:22:19asked for our engagement on a playground and then we don't hear back about whether our feedback

1:22:25was implemented or why there was a meeting in October where there was a playground that I think

1:22:30we pretty unanimously were very unhappy with the design and was that October? I believe it was in

1:22:36October I can't remember but we expressed that and then we haven't heard back about that playground

1:22:41in particular. There was kind of a feeling of well we're pretty far on our way with this design

1:22:47and we're so I just would ask that when you return to discuss this with us in a future meeting

1:22:56regardless of how much public engagement has happened or how many designers have been

1:23:00contracted to do sketches and things that our feedback still be taken very seriously and

1:23:06followed up on with us because we'd like to know like if our feedback is not being implemented

1:23:12why that's happening. That's totally fair yeah and that's really is the intent of coming in

1:23:17early is really to try and get anything that can be addressed early on so that we're working towards

1:23:22it and then yeah if there are things that you know okay I'm sorry we cannot do this that we have

1:23:25good reason and we're able to rationalize why it can't be included or why it can't be included

1:23:30so it's clear. Jeanette go ahead. Just based on that that is a real lessons learned opportunity

1:23:38for this committee is anytime we provide formal feedback that you guys close the loop and provide

1:23:45how our feedback was utilized and or not utilized in the rationale thank you.

1:23:54Jeanette are you wanting to add that to number two like at the end of that motion as it's written?

1:24:00Yeah please. Yeah please. That in general like it yeah I don't know how you want to propose the

1:24:10wording there. I'm sure they work my way. Is this in general or parks? Let's let's just stick with

1:24:17this one but yes and in general so we can amend the motion to say and the city will

1:24:23come back to this committee to demonstrate how their recommendations were utilized and or not

1:24:34utilized and the rationale therein because that helps us learn for future you know input and reviews.

1:24:49Jeanette would you like to move all three motions that way then that we receive the information

1:24:54that we would like to participate in the public engagement and and the piece that you just said?

1:25:00Yeah about the city being incumbent on them returning yes please I'll move that.

1:25:12Could we see that motion before people vote on it just so I don't know if you can type it up that

1:25:16fast though. Yeah that's that's something I think this this committee can use is anytime there's

1:25:23you're actively redrafting that you put the new draft of any motion on the screen for everybody

1:25:29to read. Yeah more just that. It's a bit of a wizard with the typing she always does

1:25:35she always does it just I just wanted to make sure. Appreciate it thank you.

1:25:39I'm sorry to I think I was number two. I think I'm number four. Oh that's number four and I heard

1:25:46that the city come back. Yeah yeah just getting it edited here and then we'll get it up on the screen.

1:25:56Sounds great. And can I just mention while she's doing that that in general yes that's what that

1:26:10consent agenda is also about right is that's part of the closing the loop

1:26:16but there's also will be closing the loop for common and for education as well.

1:26:23Information sharing would be a better way to say it. Yeah I see this closing the loop on consultation

1:26:29rather than yeah I see the standing agenda something separate that's gaining efficiencies and stuff.

1:26:36Could someone read out this because my screen reader doesn't work with the

1:26:41I can read it out for life. Okay perfect and then see if Jeanette still wants to move.

1:26:46Yep so the recommendation is that the accessibility advisory committee receive the

1:26:52information provided regarding the 2024 25 play equipment life cycle project. Number two that

1:26:59the accessibility advisory committee share their recommendations regarding the proposed scope

1:27:03outlined within the report. Number three that the accessibility advisory committee participate

1:27:09in the have you have your say public engagement that is currently available until March 3rd 2024

1:27:16and number four and that the city will come back to this committee to demonstrate how their

1:27:21recommendations were utilized or not utilized and the rationale therein. Thank you and do we need

1:27:30to say in writing like I'm just I'm sure this wouldn't be anything that was just verbally provided

1:27:38but I would expect that to be in writing just to be explicit. We can certainly add that to number four.

1:27:46Thank you and then once that's amended I'm fine with moving that forward. Just in the interest

1:27:54of time would anyone like to second that. Mallory I see your hand up can you keep it really brief.

1:28:02Oh I think you have a second there there Laura line sorry. Okay but Mallory go ahead let's let

1:28:07Mallory speak real quick but then we really should keep this moving. Mallory you're on mute.

1:28:14Sorry I'm on mute I'm on mute. The only thing I wanted to say was you know quick suggestion could

1:28:19it be that staff report back to the AAC as Leanne mentioned it could come back on consent agenda with

1:28:27like a quick report that's just a suggestion I leave it to the committee to word speak.

1:28:32Yeah that's that's good and it and where we need to split hairs we need to be very careful about

1:28:37doing that so a proper report back outside of the consent agenda. That's a see a make some report back

1:28:44rather than come back. I'll ask the staff I mean you guys are the wordsmiths on this and how it

1:28:50should and shouldn't be written based on practices and procedures right. Just in the interest of time

1:28:58I'm just going to rein this in really quickly Jeanette are you going are you saying you would

1:29:02like to add maybe report back rather than come back and then we really have to keep moving I'm

1:29:08so sorry guys. No I appreciate it because I was a little antsy on the words come back we should be

1:29:12explicit it should be like we'll report back as per the next whatever we should be more explicit

1:29:18wherever we can. Yep so that's okay let's see if we have a second to refer them as written report back.

1:29:25Yes thank you. So that we're not having too much more back and forth. You brought it. It is our

1:29:31motion it's not staff's motion you know what I mean staff is great but all right so do we have a

1:29:35seconder for that motion and then let's vote on it. Elizabeth is seconding perfect and is anyone

1:29:45opposed to those four items. Sorry can we clarify who is the mover on that one? That's Jeanette.

1:29:52Yes Jeanette. And no one is opposed. Perfect thank you so much. I'm so sorry but we have to

1:30:05keep moving because we have quite a bit still to cover in this meeting but thank you so much for coming.

1:30:11Thank you very much for your time. Thank you. The next item is the sports field court strategy.

1:30:20We have Tiffany here five-minute staff overview I'll let you know when you get close to the

1:30:25end of the five minutes there because we really need to make sure we have time for the municipal

1:30:29election follow-up. I don't think I will need five minutes to talk. Thanks for having me this

1:30:37afternoon I've met a number of you before. So we're developing an outdoor sports field and

1:30:46court strategy so our park plan and parks recreation master plan identified that we need to look more

1:30:52closely at how we develop manage and maintain our sport facilities so these plans also recommended

1:30:58we undertake the sports facility strategy specifically. So our strategy will include

1:31:03waltz owned and operated sports fields and courts so more specifically rectangular fields for things

1:31:09like soccer football rugby ultimate frisbee diamonds basketball courts tennis courts pickle

1:31:15ball courts and volleyball courts. To help us understand what's most important to your group

1:31:21we're looking for input on the following right now. So how do you use sports fields and surfaces

1:31:26what improvements are needed to improve user experiences are there any specific accessibility

1:31:32needs for sports fields and courts for users and spectators or spectators that we should be aware of

1:31:38what emerging trends or sports we need to consider in our strategy so example wheelchair baseball

1:31:45so we can skip to the next slide and then you guys can go back and answer the questions

1:31:51afterwards. Development of the strategy started this year and will continue through 2026.

1:31:58The first phase of the project is to explore our current state community desires and needs.

1:32:03The second phase will be to draft strategies and recommendations for review. Finally we'll present a

1:32:09draft of the strategy to council in early 2026. There will be further citywide public engagement

1:32:16later this year and we will share this with the AAC when we go out for citywide engagement.

1:32:24I also welcome you to provide comments or your stories as an individual with me

1:32:28and I'm happy to chat or email with you. So I also have a recommended motion so my motion says that

1:32:34staff continue to engage the AAC through the outdoor sport field and surface strategy at key

1:32:40milestones and this is up for your consideration. Open the floor to questions, comments on my

1:32:46proposed questions or comments. Laura? I want to see if anyone else has anything first because I'm

1:32:56the chair I want to take a back seat. Does anyone else have any questions first? I have a hand up in

1:33:02the room. Okay perfect you go ahead first. I've actually met with someone who actually this is

1:33:07rather Saren Dippenis. They want to explore the idea of maybe doing an accessible skate park

1:33:16here in the city and I know they've had several conversations with the city

1:33:20to date so I just want to put that on your kind of radar. There is wheelchair, I don't know what

1:33:26the proper term is but there's like wheelchair extreme sports like skateboards biking BMX that

1:33:32sort of thing and they are looking for space so just FYI. That's great feedback it's outside of

1:33:40the scope of the work that I'm doing but the good news is that you're telling it to the right person

1:33:46that can help with that and Mallory is also listening in as the manager of our group so

1:33:52yeah so that won't be the focus of our sports field strategy it's mostly just like sports that don't

1:33:59include extreme sports like bike parks or skateboard facilities but still good feedback.

1:34:10Anyone else have any? Just for now I'll speak up and say that I would love to see an addition to

1:34:17that recommended motion not just that staff continue to engage the AAC but there are a lot

1:34:22of people with specifically experience in wheelchair sports and Guelph. There are other

1:34:27stakeholders so specifically reaching out to stakeholders and not just doing talk to the AAC

1:34:33and do broad public engagement but talk to the AAC do broad public engagement also do specifically

1:34:39targeted public engagement to people who are doing wheelchair sports. I know the previous chair

1:34:44of the AAC Mike Greer not to volunteer him at all but he would be a great person to reach out to

1:34:50and see if he but there are probably some clubs and groups at the university as well. I would

1:34:55love to see some targeted engagement with people who have specific experience in this.

1:35:00That's great feedback definitely something that was on my radar to do more specific follow-up to

1:35:10understand what those stories are like I think earlier in the meetings when it said you know

1:35:16unless you live it then you don't understand it so like that to me is pretty important so

1:35:21yeah I welcome that additional recommended motion. Does anyone else have anything else?

1:35:29I'm also happy like if you have individual stories or individual requests outside of the AAC as a

1:35:38committee I'm also happy to meet or discuss those with people as as you choose to participate so.

1:35:52So would anyone like to move that recommended motion and maybe adding that piece on the end

1:35:57about as well as targeted engagement with community stakeholders or as well as targeted

1:36:03engagement or something I don't know or just the motion as is or another motion if anyone would

1:36:09like to put that forward I can't because I'm in the chair. Was it just typing up that potential

1:36:15edit there as well? While we're waiting does anyone else have any other feedback about

1:36:53potential improvements that they'd like to see or

1:36:57or any specific accessibility needs for sports fields and courts that you've noticed

1:37:04as you participate in those sports? In order to go ahead I only have about three more minutes for

1:37:15this topic just letting you know. Thank you Lorelei. But you will be coming back for more engagement

1:37:19right? Of course yeah. Okay perfect so if we don't have time to fully get everyone's thoughts on this

1:37:24it's cool. Oh I think I need it yeah. What's happening? In order were you wanting to move this

1:37:38motion or did you have a question or feedback and is it feedback that could be followed up with

1:37:44when we're engaged with on this topic later just in the interest of time that we could get a motion

1:37:49instead? I will send an email with a thought that reigned through my mind so. Love it. Thank you.

1:37:55Sorry Tiffany not to cry. No no no. I just don't want another conversation to open up if we're so

1:38:00close to getting a motion. Would anyone like to move? Perfect. Do you need a rent out? Do you need

1:38:05a rent out? I can do that. Okay the recommendation on the screen right now is that staff continue to

1:38:13engage the AAC as well as additional targeted engagement with stakeholders slash clubs slash

1:38:20groups that have specific experience with wheelchair sports throughout the outdoor sports field and

1:38:26surface strategy at key milestones. Would anyone like to put that motion forward? Just a reminder

1:38:39that if we don't have motions for items we don't have anything in the minutes for those items so

1:38:44nothing gets recorded. So if not that maybe someone wants to move something else. Enortal are you

1:38:51moving this? Okay perfect. Do we have a seconder? Ten. And is anyone opposed to that motion?

1:39:06All right I see no hands. Perfect. Thank you so much Tiffany. I'm sorry to have rushed that through.

1:39:12Thank you for coming. Thank you. Bye bye. All right so now we have 20 minutes remaining for the

1:39:2020-ish minutes, about 15 minutes for the municipal election follow-up. Jennifer Slater is here.

1:39:27It doesn't say on the agenda how much time we've slated for each but I know we were

1:39:31leaning toward trying to make sure the AAC had a lot of time. So is it five minutes staff

1:39:36presentation Leanne? Is that what we... This one has a little bit longer because there was no report

1:39:43attached to it so 10-15 type of thing and then committee conversation but I think Jen can maybe

1:39:52you know bring it a little bit closer to 10 hopefully. Yeah in the in the spirit of the

1:39:58creation of the agenda where we're always pushing for the AAC to have at least equal time

1:40:03and that we only have like 15 minutes left we're going to need we're going to need it to either be

1:40:09under 10 minutes or maybe we move to add it add time to the meeting. I just want to make sure that

1:40:16the 13 of us aren't splitting five minutes or two minutes at the end of the meeting that's not fair

1:40:20when there's a lot going on with this topic so I'm going to whatever you think Leanne.

1:40:28That's right Lorela. Now would be the time if you feel we might need more time to motion.

1:40:33Berk can be member to motion for more time or to sorry proceed past five o'clock on the agenda.

1:40:38We don't have to indicate a number of minutes just say proceed later than five o'clock.

1:40:46Would anyone like to move to to proceed later than five o'clock because I'm not comfortable

1:40:52with the remainder of the time being a staff presentation with no AAC discussion time in

1:40:57order. Yes and Deborah is seconding. Do we have a specific time anyone wants or

1:41:06yeah you don't have to indicate that Lorela because then we're kind of tied to that so this

1:41:09way we'll just finish up the item and go from there. I got a book soon. But for accessibility I

1:41:16know some people have transit that they have booked so I just want to make sure that

1:41:19it.

1:41:22Did Mike just say there's a certain time that he has to I I can stay a few minutes after five but

1:41:27not more than like five ten than I got it yet. That's fine so we'll just proceed with the extending

1:41:33and past five and that okay and would we still have quorum if Mike had to leave it. I just want

1:41:39to make sure we're not just giving 15 minutes to staff until we're absolutely sure we're going to

1:41:43have equal amount of time for us. I'm so sorry to be sorry I can't stay past five either so

1:41:48I think you'll have to collect hands for who can stay and you'll still have quorum.

1:41:52But I agree with you Lorela, original statement. We've had a lot of presentations from staff on

1:41:58this topic so and we've had a chance to review the items as well but

1:42:07so somebody wanted to move it did anyone want to move to stay past and then we have to figure

1:42:11out whether we would have quorum if we do that and if not we might need to move to book a special

1:42:16meeting to have this discussion or figure out what else we could do. Sorry Lorela I think we

1:42:23did already motion for that with the NORDAL as the motioner and then Deborah as the seconder.

1:42:28Okay perfect and we have any opposed.

1:42:34I just want to make sure we would have quorum I don't know how to do this procedurally

1:42:38maybe staff can advise because I don't want us to. I think we will have quorum but if we lose

1:42:43another member then we will not have quorum. So we can lose one at five, one at five, ten

1:42:50and then that's and then if someone else leaves we're out. Can you confirm the people who are

1:42:55leaving? Me. Mike. Mike at five, and that at five. So you're saying we could lose Jeanette and Mike

1:43:04and still have quorum or that would be the end of the discussion. You're saying right? Yeah. We can lose two.

1:43:11Okay so five, ten we have to call and when Mike leaves. Yeah.

1:43:17I sorry, Jen's here. I had a commitment I'd have to leave at five as well. My apologies.

1:43:24Okay so then five. It's like we can't motion to move. So this question is to quorum. Yeah.

1:43:31Would anyone like to motion to try to I don't know the timeline for this but I know that we

1:43:37would someone like to motion for us to have an additional meeting to discuss this or I don't know

1:43:42what to set up an additional meeting to discuss this agenda item. Do you want to okay do we want

1:43:58to proceed and see where we get with this item and it sounds like staff going through the stack right?

1:44:05Sorry, Jenette one second. I'm just going to speak to that. In the executive planning meetings

1:44:09I've been fighting really really really hard for us to even have equal time to staff to speak

1:44:14between the 13 of us. I'm not comfortable moving forward as the chair and chairing the meeting.

1:44:19Like I'm not comfortable with what was discussed in the executive planning meeting being that we

1:44:23would have more time than staff to speak and that now not happening. So I personally I don't think

1:44:30can we even do that? Can we even just flip the the agenda on its head that happened in the executive

1:44:35planning meeting? Go ahead. You can defer this item if you wanted to that also is potentially an

1:44:42option. Could I suggest that we just open it up to discussion at this point in time? I'm

1:44:50we've gotten the I don't know what the staff will tell us that isn't in the deck that they've given

1:44:56us and frankly I'm kind of disappointed and I'd like to get my chance to say this rather than

1:45:04like I'm I just went immediately to like I've gone through the deck and I don't see anything here

1:45:12that tells me that the issues that we raised have been addressed. So my understanding is that the

1:45:22next vote in 2026 is going to include in-person voting and voting enhancement options as the two

1:45:32possible pieces with vote from mail and vote from home. But that status quo as far as I can tell

1:45:41so I'm I'm just saying that this is an example to me of a huge amount of engagement with very little

1:45:51change as a result of it. So I just need to put that on the record that I found this a very

1:45:58frustrating deck to read. Yeah I'm not really sure procedurally what we have to do here. I want to

1:46:11make sure that staff have a have a chance to be heard but I also really want to make sure we have

1:46:16a chance to be heard. I have similar feelings but I think a lot of people have a lot of feelings on

1:46:20this topic and jamming it into three minutes at the end of a meeting isn't fair to us. So if anyone

1:46:26would like to make a motion we can't move fast time. Would anyone like to put forward a motion

1:46:31to schedule an additional meeting to discuss this in a time sensitive because I believe this is time

1:46:36sensitive. So would anyone like to put forward a motion to have an additional meeting just for

1:46:42this topic could be a pretty short meeting I'm assuming. I would I would forward I would propose

1:46:48that motion. I think there was a motion on the table that needs to be defeated though that was to

1:46:53extend past five but I think this needs to be given its due time and due regard by this committee.

1:47:02Just another option is you can also defer this item to the April meeting and it would be at the

1:47:08top of the agenda if that's part of the motion as well. Would we miss anything wasn't there something

1:47:14they wanted a delegation on. I don't I don't want to do that. It's in May. We're going to miss

1:47:19opportunities. That meeting's in May so we would essentially have some more time there and the April

1:47:24agenda and again we can make sure this goes to the top of the agenda so that it won't get bumped.

1:47:29That's just another option instead of having a special meeting. I'm just thinking of members time

1:47:34and the fact that we'll already have another special meeting in May for the the parks item that

1:47:41Mallory brought forward. So perhaps I'll leave it to the group to to put their hands up whether

1:47:48or not this is valuable enough to be a special meeting and worth people's time because I think

1:47:54as construction season begins we're going to be jam packed with our agenda on construction projects.

1:48:03So Jeanette's put forward a motion to have an additional meeting. A short additional meeting.

1:48:08Do we have a seconder? Are you seconding that in order? I will second an additional meeting

1:48:14to discuss this. Is anyone opposed to the scheduling of an additional meeting to discuss this?

1:48:31I don't see any. So I'm not sure what that would look like procedurally. Sorry, what was that Leanne?

1:48:37I didn't hear you. I'm just concerned. I'm just wondering when is the meeting. I don't know what

1:48:41expectations are. Yeah, would we like to I mean we do still now have 10 minutes to this meeting.

1:48:47Would we like to discuss a time and figure out a time that would work for people?

1:48:51Usually I don't know if you could email. Yeah, go ahead Deborah. So my sense is we've already

1:48:58scheduled the second meeting a special meeting in May. We have a meeting in April. I between now

1:49:05and April it seems like a lot to ask us to do one a month rather than for the next four.

1:49:13Like this would be four months in a row. We'd have a meeting and I would suggest either add it to

1:49:20the April agenda or add it to yeah add it to the April agenda and move the rest of the stuff that

1:49:26needs to on the May agenda that that can be delayed because I don't have the capacity for more meetings

1:49:35and I think this needs a real discussion. I'm as I said I I'm dispirited by this item.

1:49:47So Deborah is it fair to say that's a friendly amendment to defer this item to the April agenda

1:49:54and add it to the top of the agenda to ensure it doesn't get buffed? Yeah with sufficient time.

1:50:00So do we essentially have two motions on the floor right now that I would accept the amendment

1:50:08voted for because one thing that I will add is that I am not convinced that I have been

1:50:15everyone in here I think knows that this is probably the most important issue to me personally

1:50:20and I've been fighting so hard to make sure that it gets due time on an agenda and then this

1:50:25has still happened so I'm concerned about moving it to another agenda where it may once again get

1:50:29squashed into a very small because it's only a small portion of another meeting. That's just my

1:50:36thoughts from the executive planning meetings I've been in. Can we go back to the original motion

1:50:41before and I'm sorry Deborah that you can't make that I understand that that this is a

1:50:46disappointing report for you. I'm wondering how many people can attend that and if you could

1:50:51provide your your comments in writing or otherwise if I can also put a request to staff I haven't

1:50:58gone through this deck with any any a fine-tuned comb and based on what our colleague member has

1:51:06said I would like this city to develop if it's not here already our recommendations and how they

1:51:14were implemented or how they weren't and the rationale. And I know this is also a very important

1:51:24topic to Deborah who's already had to miss out on meetings that were extra meetings about this

1:51:29so I'm just I'm not sure what the right move is between the two but I just want everyone to be

1:51:35aware that it is a real I will fight very hard to make sure we have a lot of time to talk about it but

1:51:40it does come at the expense of other items so. How much time sorry my hand up how much you could

1:51:47put into the motion how much time you want dedicated to this at the roll agenda. The problem is when

1:51:55we discussed it at the executive planning meeting it was broken down by time how much time staff

1:51:59would get how much time we would get and now I'm seeing on the agenda that we were all sent it's not

1:52:04there that time breakdown didn't happen so I need to make sure that between the 13 of us we have

1:52:10enough time splitting five minutes between 13 people is not appropriate when this is the accessibility

1:52:16advisory committee not the staff does PowerPoint presentations committee with all due respect I

1:52:23don't mean that disrespectfully at all but it's it's frustrating to have to keep having this

1:52:27conversation and usually it happens behind closed doors in our meetings and then we come out with

1:52:31an agenda that's a bit more equitable but I feel like I'm constantly fighting staff to give us time

1:52:35to speak so I don't know how much time we need for the overall topic if staff are going to show up

1:52:41and say we have a 15 minute PowerPoint presentation on the day of do you want 45 minutes let's do

1:52:4845 don't know because then at the expense of what what else will get pushed off of our two hour meeting

1:52:53for 45 minutes we have the meeting is only one hour maybe we have that have a second hour to that

1:53:01meeting and whatever gets pushed off from April we do in May as an option just as options here

1:53:09we always have options we could also hopefully people would be confident in my

1:53:16ability to try and fight for us to have enough time without us like pigeonholing that it must

1:53:20be exactly 45 minutes when we see the agenda and we're actually building it if something else really

1:53:25important comes up that we would have to defer because we've said in stone that it's going to be 45

1:53:30minutes of an item you know what I mean I don't know why we would do that that's basically doing the

1:53:34executive planning meeting now so the blocking out 45 minutes in an agenda I haven't seen doesn't

1:53:43make sense to me sorry go ahead and then Deborah what would be helpful for you

1:53:53is like what would be helpful for you to know that time when we have the executive meeting how

1:53:59does that sound like is that is that a like is more information needed because it sounded like

1:54:07there was a request for an actual report from staff on this topic and then is there any

1:54:17additional information that would be helpful in deciding to do it Deborah why don't you go ahead and

1:54:25yeah I I just was going to suggest if you if you budget two minutes per person that's 25 minutes

1:54:33of discussion and 10 minutes for staff would be 35 minutes so I think that's a reasonable response

1:54:42to a topic that's already taken us a huge amount of time I know that staff have done a summary of

1:54:48of everything to date except for this one many many times for us so maybe just a quick chart of

1:55:00you know any changes that this I think it'd be pretty fast because there aren't so many

1:55:07changes from what we currently have to what's been recommended here to any other committee

1:55:20members have or anyone have any feedback I'm so sorry I've lost track of what motions we have on

1:55:35the on the floor right now in terms of what motions have been tabled in terms of what to do is there

1:55:41currently a motion to I think there's a motion to add 35 minutes to the agenda at the next meeting

1:55:46there's a separate motion to book a full dedicated meeting just for this topic not a full meeting like

1:55:52maybe a 35 minute meeting as well for this topic would somebody like to move one of those or something

1:55:59else in the next four minutes head has their hand up go ahead oh you are muted Ted you are still

1:56:13muted there what one means to even remember to start the mute and unmute button can be found

1:56:38next to the leave button it looks like a little microphone it says mic underneath it oh there we

1:56:47got it yes perfect yes I would suggest that we move it to the April meeting do the 35 minutes

1:56:57and before that maybe we could get an idea of what that agenda or what the whole

1:57:07presentation will be about in other words who has what time and from the city from the participants

1:57:20the whole thing and maybe we could just sort of move move move it along and then um in the and then

1:57:29in the uh if anything is kind of outstanding that doesn't fit on the April meeting Leanne and Sarah

1:57:35and I can figure out a way to make that fit into the next agenda or in the special meeting that Leanne

1:57:40just said I think that would work that would work for me okay so that was a motion to move the uh

1:57:48municipal election item to the April AAC meeting for a time frame of 35 minutes and the requests

1:57:57for staff to provide the agenda and presentation or reports about that item for the AAC to review

1:58:06ahead of the April meeting and I think Deborah was also explicit about the sorry Jeanette just

1:58:13we only had a couple minutes Deborah was also explicit about 10 minutes for staff presentation

1:58:17and the rest for AAC members I want to make sure that gets in there so we don't end up with a 30

1:58:22minute staff presentation in five minutes for AAC yes that's on that yeah that's kind of what I was

1:58:29going to mention because it gets down to the fact you need to distill it down for us as staff and

1:58:34bring up the things that we care about which was the suggestions and recommendations why are were

1:58:40why or why not were they used Jeanette I'm so sorry to cut you off but we have two minutes

1:58:46before we're ending this meeting now so would anybody like to second that motion I see a

1:58:51Nordle sand is that a second thing and Deborah okay and then is anyone opposed to that I see no

1:59:00one opposed okay perfect that carries so we're going to move this to the next meeting thank you

1:59:05to staff I don't feel I don't want anyone to feel like I'm trying to say that staff are trying to

1:59:10like strong arm the time away from us I think it's just a constant balance and it is a bit of a

1:59:16struggle sometimes to make sure that we're getting an equal amount of time for us to speak so

1:59:20thank you to staff I don't I'm not trying to suggest anything underhanded is happening

1:59:30all right so that is aside from there is a downtown waste design guidelines that's already

1:59:37been moved to the April 16th meeting because we didn't have time on this agenda so that will be

1:59:43discussed at the next meeting and other than that we can adjourn and our next meeting is Tuesday

1:59:48April 16th thank you everyone for coming sorry for the kerfuffle at the end there I just want

1:59:54to make sure everyone gets a chance to be heard thank you can we start can we get a move from

1:59:59center for a German

2:00:01Oh, a seconder for adjourning.

2:00:03We're not adjourning past five though.

2:00:05It's five.

2:00:06It's five o'clock, right?

2:00:07Sing it down, Lorelai.

2:00:08We're adjourning.

2:00:10Oh, we're adjourning.

2:00:11Yeah.

2:00:12We're good.

2:00:12It's five o'clock.

2:00:13OK, yeah.

2:00:13I was like, I don't think we need one.

2:00:15Thanks.

2:00:16Thanks for getting me here, Lorelai.

2:00:17Good.

2:00:18Thank you.

2:00:18Thank you.

2:00:23It's all in the timing.

2:00:25Just a couple of minutes.

2:00:28We'll probably come down for meetings afterwards.

2:00:33Yeah.