Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

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John R. Park Homestead
915 Essex County Rd 50, Essex
Committee Members:
  • Christine Easterbrook, Chair
  • Brad Frenette
  • Rachel Jewell
  • Gord Queen, Vice Chair
Absent:
  • Debbie Alexander
  • Diana Kirkbride
  • Stephanie Olewski
Administration:
  • Katherine Hebert, Deputy Clerk
  • Crystal Sylvestre, Administrative Assistant, Legislative and Community Services

1.
Tour of Facilities - John R. Park Homestead

 

Committee members toured the buildings at the John R Park Homestead led by Kevin Money, Director of Conservation Services and Kris Ives, Curator, provided the interpretation of the historic site.

The group was provided with a list of updates that had been completed at John R Park Homestead to improve accessibility for all visitors.  The following was highlighted:

  • tar and chip walkways and accessible parking spaces were installed recently with the remainder of the parking lot to be completed before the end of 2022 construction year.
  • the newly erected visitors centre provided the site with accessible meeting spaces, gift shop and restroom facilities.

Also noted was that an elevator for the visitors centre and pathways throughout the site are planned to be completed in 2023.

The committee agreed that the redevelopment of trails throughout the site would allow people to safely and easily move from one building to the next.  They also discussed the new visitors centre's bathroom design and applauded ERCA on their solution for assistive bars and other accessible amenities that have improved the visitor experience.

2.
Call to Order

 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:59 PM.

3.
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.

4.
Recording of Attendance

 

Christine Easterbrook, Gord Queen, Brad Frenette and Rachel Jewell attended the meeting in person.  Katherine Hebert and Crystal Sylvestre were also in attendance from the County of Essex.

Debbie Alexander, Diana Kirkbride and Stephanie Olewski were absent.

5.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

 

There were no conflicts of pecuniary interest declared.

6.
Adoption of the Minutes

This item has attachments. 
1.Post-Meeting Minutes - ECAAC Meeting_Jul14_2022 - English.pdf

Minutes of the July 14, 2022 Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting. 

  • Moved ByGord Queen
    Seconded ByBrad Frenette

    That the minutes of the July 14, 2022 meeting of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee be adopted as presented.

    Carried

7.
Delegations and Presentations

 

There were no delegations for September 8, 2022.

8.
Communications

 

8.1
Application for Committees

 

Advertisements for all Committees of Council will be released in early October 2022.  The link to the online form will be circulated to existing members. The Essex County Striking Committee would meet early December 2022 where it would determine the successful candidates. Members of each committee will be announced following the Striking Committee meeting.

8.2
Ontario Municipal Elections 2022

 

Have you checked to make sure you are on the Municipal Voters' List?  Municipal Elections are fast approaching and voting day is October 24th. Check with your local municipality for advanced poll dates. Candidates for the Essex County municipalities are listed on local municipal websites:

The committee discussed the importance of checking the voters list for your name and also confirming you are familiar with voting polls and amenities available.  Gord Queen suggested taking advantage of mail-in ballots if needed.

9.
Unfinished Business

 

9.1
Bench Installation

This item has attachments. 
1.Bench 1.pdf
2.Bench 2.pdf

Courtesy of the ECAAC, two benches installed were installed on ERCA trails this summer. One additional bench is pending installation later in the year, in the Kingsville area trails.

The Committee discussed and agreed that the benches that had been installed were well constructed and placed properly.

Kevin Money will guide the decision towards the appropriate placement of the Kingsville bench once the bench is available from the vendor.

10.
Reports from Administration

 

10.1
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

This item has attachments. 
1.Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023-2027_Final_2022-10-05(1).pdf

Essex County Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

The Committee agreed to endorse the 2023-2028 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan as drafted.  The ECAAC would provide Administration with a letter of support to accompany the Plan when presented to Council.

  • Moved ByGord Queen
    Seconded ByRachel Jewell

    That the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee endorse the 2023-2028 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan for County of Essex Council approval, and that a letter be forwarded to the Warden and Council outlining the endorsement by the Committee. 

    Carried

10.2
2022 ECAAC Activities

This item has attachments. 
1.2022_ECAAC Activities_Rev20220908.pdf

Update report regarding the status of the 2022 ECAAC activities and work plan. 

Discussion included the numerous accomplishments that the Committee had achieved this term despite the pandemic hindering their usual activities. There was emphasis placed on their ability to achieve accessibility goals in creative and alternative ways.

11.
New Business

 

11.1
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Increase

 

The Chair notified the committee that ODSP will increase by 5 percent beginning the end of September 2022.

11.2
Windsor Transit Visit

 

The Chair visited the Transit Windsor bus depot with the Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee, to tour the buses that will be dedicated to the new route between Windsor and Amherstburg. The new buses feature accessible amenities such as different audible tones in the stop notifier to alert the driver that the person exiting may require assistance.  Ms. Easterbrook explained that the lift on the bus was reasonable to operate and there was a different area in the bus for strollers to prevent them from occupying the wheelchair spaces. She also reported that the bus drivers have received accessible customer service training including having discussions with riders that require assistance about their destinations to ensure the rider gets off at the right stop.  Drivers are also allowed discretionary flexibility to go off route to accommodate drop offs for people with disabilities, where practical.  The buses are scheduled to make stops in Amherstburg in the morning, 1 PM and 6 PM. More information regarding the new buses and their routes will be shared on the ECAAC Facebook page.

12.
Next Meeting Date

 
  1. The final meeting of the term, for the ECAAC is scheduled for October 13, 2022 at 5:00PM. This will be a dinner meeting, to take place at the Michigan Tavern in Essex. 
  2. October 19, 2022 is the final meeting of Essex County Council for this term. ECAAC Members are invited to attend. Meeting time is 7:00PM.

13.
Adjournment

 
  • Moved ByBrad Frenette
    Seconded ByGord Queen

    That the September 8, 2022 meeting of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee be adjourned at 3:42 PM.

    Carried
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