Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda

Thursday, January 08, 2026 at 1:00 P.m. - 3:00 P.m.

West Thunder Community Centre

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1.

Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting 01-2026

Chair: To be determined

2.

Members

Lyric Allin, Caregiver to a Person with a Disability
John Gobeil, Developmental Disability Representative
Councillor Brian Hamilton, Council Representative
Todd Kennedy, Service Agency Representative
Tara Lennox, Learning Disability Representative
Ulysses Patola, Citizen Representative
Robert Tinsley, Citizen Representative
George Saarinen, Hard of Hearing/Late Deafened Representative
Tessa Soderberg, Citizen Representative
John (Rob) Wheeler, Mobility Disability Representative
Samantha Zrobin, Brain Injury Representative
Vacant, Speech Impairment Representative
Vacant, Parent to a Child with a Disability
Vacant, Visually Impaired or Blind Representative
Vacant, Senior with a Disability Representative
Vacant, Mental Health and Addiction Representative

3.

Officials

Krista Power, City Clerk
Jeff Walters, Deputy City Clerk
Flo-Ann Track, Council & Committee Clerk

4.

Guests

Jessy Bogacki, Program Supervisor - Adult Fitness, Wellness & Inclusion Services

5.

Welcome and Introductions

Meeting called to order and a roundtable of introductions to follow.

New Member, appointed to the Accessibility Advisory Committee by City Council at the November 4, 2025 City Council meeting, will be welcomed to the Committee:

• Lyric Allin - Caregiver to a Person with a Disability Representative - remainder of a 4 year term expiring November 14, 2028;

Members Todd Kennedy and Tara Lennox were also re-appointed to the Accessibility Advisory Committee at the November 4, 2025 City Council meeting for the following terms:

• Todd Kennedy - Service Agency Representative - for a 4 year term expiring November 14, 2029;
• Tara Lennox - Learning Disability Representative - for the remainder of a 4 year term expiring November 14, 2028.

6.

Communication Process

7.

Disclosures

8.

Agenda Approval

WITH respect to the January 8, 2025 meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, we recommend that the Agenda as printed, including any additional information and new business, to be confirmed.

9.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The Minutes of Meeting 06-2025 Accessibility Advisory Committee, held on November 12, 2025 to be confirmed.

10.

Presentations

10.1

Community Safety & Well Being Plan Survey - Workshop

Purpose: Follow-up, Discussion and Feedback

At the September 10, 2025 meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Manager - Community Safety and Well-Being Louisa Costanzo provided a presentation regarding the development of the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, including the on-going engagement process, and a Motion was passed requesting that the Recreation and Culture Division work with the Accessibility Advisory Committee to schedule a facilitated session to further discuss the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.

Louisa Costanzo to provide follow up information and facilitate a workshop relative to the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.

The following questions provided for your consideration and input:

1. What are the most urgent social issues in our community right now?
2. What helps people meet their basic needs in the community
3. What is working well in the Community when it comes to making people feel supported, respected, or included?
4. Where do you see overlap, confusion, or gaps in how services or supports are delivered in our community?
5. What ideas or changes would help make the community a more inclusive and supportive space , especially for people who face barriers or feel left out?
6. What changes would you recommend for the next Community Safety & Well Being Plan to make it more effective, inclusive, and responsive to real needs?
7. Is there anything else you want us to know about your experience, your work, or your community?
8. What would you like us to know about you? (you can tell us about your identity, background, lived experience or community role-whatever feels important to share

 

11.

Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair

Purpose: Required Annually

Election process for Chair and Vice Chair for the 2025 calendar year, and until such time as a replacement has been appointed, as required annually.

12.

Terms of Reference

Purpose: Required Annually

Under Section 3.17, Procedural By-law 51/2021, A By-law to govern the proceedings of Council and its Committees - Purpose and Responsibilities, requires an annual review of the Terms of Reference.

At the March 12, 2025 AAC meeting of the AAC, Administration advised that the review of the Terms of Reference for all 19 Advisory Committees of Council had been completed, and that no fundamental changes to the Terms of Reference for the AAC were made; and a recommendation was passed by the AAC to accept the Draft Terms of Reference dated March 12, 2025 as presented; and subsequently ratified by City Council on May 5, 2025.

Document entitled "Accessibility Advisory Committee - Terms of Reference - April 9, 2025 - ratified May 5, 2025" attached, for information.

 

13.

Roundtable of Accessibility Issues

Members to report on accessibility issues encountered in the community.

13.1

Blocked Sidewalk

Purpose: Follow up

At the October 8, 2025 and November 12, 2025 AAC meeting, Members advised that the sidewalk running West to East on the South Side of Brock Street in front of George Jeffrey's Children's Centre is blocked by a fence and a pile of dirt around the Hydro Pole, with no alternate path of travel or barrier around the dirt pile.

Synergy North has completed the repairs at this location, replacing the sidewalk, removing the fence and dirt. 

13.2

Taxi Services

Purpose: Follow up

At the November 12, 2025 meeting of the AAC, a Member shared concerns raised to them by a citizen after they had used a local taxi company’s service, where the Fee Meter was started by the Operator before the citizens mobility device was secured in the vehicle and the ride commenced. The citizen would like to know who to contact to make a complaint and to request the additional fare that was charged to be refunded.

Our city by-laws regulates the licensing and operation of Vehicle For Hire Services and their Drivers in the city but do not serve as a complaint portal for fare disputes.

The customer should be contacting the company directly for fare disputes. If that does not resolve the issue, my suggestion would be to contact an avenue such as the Ontario Better Business Bureau to report the issue.

13.3

First Layer Paving at Curb Cuts during Construction

Purpose: Follow-Up

At the November 12, 2025 meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee discussion was held relative to First Layer Paving at Curb Cuts during construction.

Correspondence was received on November 26, 2025 advising that Administration has shared this information with their team and will take this into consideration for future projects.

14.

Working Group Updates

14.1

Built Environment Working Group

Purpose: Follow up

At the November 12, 2025 meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee Matthew Lawrence, Mobility Coordinator provided an overview relative to requests that have been received from Businesses to change the current acceptable location of Pop-Up Patios from next to the street to adjacent to the building, and responded to questions. It was requested that a site visit be scheduled with the Built Environment Working Group.

Administration will work with the Members of the BEWG to schedule a site visit in the Spring 2026, prior to the Pop up Patio season.

 

15.

New Business

16.

2026 Meeting Schedule

Meetings of the Accessibility Advisory Committee will be scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the West Thunder Community Centre, 915 Edward Street.

Thursday, February 12, 2026
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Thursday June 11, 2026
Thursday, September 10, 2026

Committees of Council will not meet in October and November due to the 2026 Municipal Election. A meeting may be scheduled if Administration needs to review projects or provide information.

17.

Adjournment