Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

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Council Chambers, 2nd Floor
360 Fairview Avenue West
Essex, Ontario N8M 1Y6
https://video.isilive.ca/countyofessex/live.html
Committee Members:
  • Debbie Alexander
  • Sherri Currie
  • Rachel Jewell
  • Diana Kirkbride
  • Julie Miles
  • Dennis Sanson
Absent:
  • Sherry Bondy, Mayor - Town of Essex, Essex County Council Member
Administration:
  • Katherine Hebert, Manager, Records and Accessibility/Deputy Clerk
  • Crystal Sylvestre, Administrative Assistant - Legislative and Community Services

1.
Call to Order

 

Katherine Hebert, Manager, Records and Accessibility/Deputy Clerk called the meeting to order at 5:12 PM, and acted as the Chairperson until the conclusion of the election of a Chair and Vice Chair.

2.
Land Acknowledgement Statement

 

We begin by acknowledging that the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, comprised of the Ojibway, Odawa and Potawatomie Peoples.


To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude to those whose territory you reside on, and a way of honouring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial.


We value the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations and all the Original Peoples of Turtle Island.

3.
Recording of Attendance

 

All members of the ECAAC were in attendance in the Council Chambers, with the exception of Mayor Sherry Bondy who was absent.

4.
Introduction of Committee Members and Administration

 

Katherine Hebert welcomed the 2023-2026 Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee (ECAAC) members to the meeting.

Each member introduced themselves and provided a brief introduction on their background and their intentions for the committee.

5.
Election of the Chair and Vice Chair for 2023

 

Katherine Hebert explained that the position of Chair and Vice Chair would be for a one-year term per the Terms of Reference.

Debbie Alexander nominated Dennis Sanson to the position of Chair.

Dennis Sanson nominated Debbie Alexander to the position of Vice Chair.

Both agreed to stand.

  • Moved ByRachel Jewell
    Seconded ByDiana Kirkbride

    That Dennis Sanson be appointed as Chair of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee for the year 2023.


    And that Debbie Alexander be appointed as Vice Chair of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee for the year 2023.

    Carried

6.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

 

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest raised.

7.
Adoption of the Minutes

This item has attachments. 
1.Post-Meeting Minutes - ECAAC Meeting_Oct13_2022_Final_UA.pdf

Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 13, 2022.

  • Moved ByDebbie Alexander
    Seconded BySherri Currie

    That the minutes of the October 13, 2022 meeting of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee be adopted as presented.

    Carried

8.
Delegations and Presentations

 

There were no delegations scheduled for February 9, 2023.

9.
Communications

 
  • Moved ByRachel Jewell
    Seconded ByJulie Miles

    That the items listed under Communications, in the ECAAC agenda for February 9, 2023 be received, and any noted action taken.

    Carried

10.
Orientation

 
  • Moved BySherri Currie
    Seconded ByJulie Miles

    That the items listed under item 10. Orientation, of the February 9, 2023 ECAAC agenda be received as information. 

    Carried

10.1
ECAAC Terms of Reference

 

Terms of Reference for the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee - As Approved by Essex County Council, June 6, 2007

10.2
County of Essex, Committee and Board Meeting Stipends

This item has attachments. 
1.2023 Committee Meeting Remuneration Summary_UA.pdf

An overview of Committee/Board Meeting Stipends, Mileage Policy and Outline of Payment of Remuneration for County Council and Committees was provided.

It was noted that mileage was calculated based on their home address to and from the meeting location.

10.3
County of Essex Council - Code of Conduct

 

Members were provided with Code of Conduct - Council, Local Boards and Committee Members Appendix C: Statement of Commitment to review and sign.

10.4
County of Essex - Procedure By-law

This item has attachments. 
1.2022-31 Procedural By-law Amendment_UA.pdf

By-law Number 2022-31, A By-law to Provide Rules Governing the Order and Proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Essex

Discussion included the merits of in-person, virtual and hybrid meeting arrangements.

  • Moved ByDebbie Alexander
    Seconded BySherri Currie

    That the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee will stream their meetings live via Facebook Live for the 2023 calendar year.

    Carried
  • Moved ByDebbie Alexander
    Seconded BySherri Currie

    That the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee will permit members occasional virtual attendance according to the County of Essex Procedural By-law.

    Carried

10.5
County of Essex Accessibility Policies

 

10.6
Social Media

This item has attachments. 
1.ECAAC Facebook Terms of Use.pdf

The ECAAC social media accounts are:

Members were encouraged to promote Accessibility related activities through the standing social media outlets.

Sherri Currie volunteered to provide support to the ECAAC Facebook page and post on behalf of the ECAAC.

10.7
Ontario Provincial Guidelines

 

10.8
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

 

10.9
County of Essex - General

 

Overview of the County of Essex services - Council and Departmental Summary

Discussion included the differences between lower and upper tier accessibility advisory committees and the opportunities provided through collaboration.

11.
Unfinished Business

 

There were no items of unfinished business to consider.

12.
New Business

 

12.1
ECAAC 2023 Meeting Schedule

This item has attachments. 
1.2023 Meeting Schedule ECAAC_UA.pdf

Discussion included moving the March 9, 2023 meeting to March 2, 2023.

The ECAAC agreed to maintain the 5:00 PM start time.

  • Moved ByJulie Miles
    Seconded BySherri Currie

    That the 2023 ECAAC proposed meeting schedule be received.

    Carried

12.2
2023 ECAAC Initiatives for 2023

 

Discussion took place regarding previous ECAAC initiatives prior to and during pandemic restrictions including:

  • Advocacy: Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP): This report includes a list of accessibility initiatives developed through consultation with stakeholders and County departments to achieve accessibility goals. Discussion included the ongoing design features of the Civic Centre renovations.
  • Advocacy: The ECAAC and local advisory committees collaborated on the development of a flag that was raised at all municipal offices to highlight and bring awareness to the start of National AccessAbility Week.
  • Participation: WE Check the Trails: A collaborative initiative between Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), County Wide Active Transportation Systems (CWATS) and the ECAAC that provided for the independent virtual gathering of information through an online platform to report accessibility concerns in the trail systems throughout the County. Monthly reports were generated and reviewed by the ECAAC.
  • Participation: The ECAAC hosted a walk in a newly developed community pathway to highlight the benefits of accessible design.
  • Education: The ECAAC hosted an Accessibility Workshop that included speakers and information sessions in an in-person format.

 

  • Education: The ECAAC hosted a virtual Speaker’s Forum with Julie Sawchuk and Michael Jacques to learn of their lived experiences; is event was open to the public via Zoom.

Brainstorming ideas for the coming term included:

  • Advocacy: Continue and enhance the MYAP goals.
  • Advocacy: Connect with established businesses about built environments and accessible customer service.
  • Advocacy: Continue to participate in National AccessAbility Week flag raising activities.
  • Participation: Maintain and support events with community partners including:
    • Local tier advisory committees
    • Seniors groups
    • Local club activities
  • Participation: Continue the WE Check the Trails program.
  • Education: Host a speaker’s event that includes accessibility subjects including invisible disabilities and mental health.
  • Education: Encouraging the implementation of accessible spaces for off-path outdoor activities such as hunting and angling.
  • Education: Attend planning meetings and openings of new public spaces to increase awareness of accessible amenities.

ECAAC would present their 2023 initiatives to Essex County Council as a delegation at a May meeting and then report back to Council at a December meeting.

ECAAC agreed to consider other options available to advance the committee objectives and develop a focused list at the March 2, 2023 meeting.

13.
Next Meeting Date

 

The next meeting of the ECAAC was scheduled for March 2, 2023 at 5:00PM in Council Chambers.

14.
Adjournment

 
  • Moved ByDiana Kirkbride
    Seconded BySherri Currie

    That the February 9, 2023 meeting of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee be adjourned at 7:00 PM.

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