Minutes

Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Corporation of the City of Brampton

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

6:30 P.m. - 8:30 P.m.

Hybrid Meeting - Virtual Option & In-Person in Council Chambers – 4th Floor – City Hall

Members Present:

• Franco Spadafora (Co-Chair)
• Paula Anderson
• Chamila Belleth
• Michelle Buckland
• Sherri Hopkins
• Nuno Alberto Peixoto
• Sukhbir Taank
• Vanessa Tantalo
• City Councillor Rod Power - Wards 7 and 8

Members Absent:

• Gurleen Garcha (Co-Chair)
• Kathia Johnson

Staff Present:

• Sylvia Ingham, Accessibility Coordinator
• Sabrina Cook, Accessibility Coordinator
• Nicola Dias, Digital Coordinator
• Chris Sensicle, Enforcement Officer
• Chandra Urquhart, Legislative Coordinator

---

1.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m. and adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

2.

Approval of Agenda

The following motion was considered:

• AAC013-2024

  That the agenda for the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting of December 10, 2024 be approved as published and circulated.

  Carried

3.

Declarations of Interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

Franco Spadafora, Co-Chair, declared a conflict of interest with respect to Item 7.2 as the matter pertained to his relocation.

4.

Minutes

4.1

Minutes - Accessibility Advisory Committee - September 10, 2024

The minutes were considered by Committee of Council on October 23, 2024, and approved by Council on October 30, 2024. The minutes were provided for Committee’s information.

5.

Presentations\Delegations

5.1

Delegation by Brandon Bortoluzzi and Ryan Stitt, Salter Pilon Architecture, re: Howden Recreation Centre 

Ryan Stitt, Salter Pilon Architecture, provided a presentation on Howden Recreation Centre highlighting the following:

• Key site circulation
• Facility interior - finishes, visibility and distribution of space
• Overall floor plan and reception sightlines
• Washrooms and changeroom locations
• Lower level access
• Main reception area
• Accessibility through staff area 

The following was also noted:

•  Proposed tenant daycare space - not operated by City 
• Tenant outdoor play space - not City operated
• Outdoor space connected to interior programs
• Outdoor multi-sport court
• Pedestrian rest seating areas
• Connection to City trails
• Public transit bus pad

Committee discussion included the following comments:

• Timelines for the submission of the building permit for the project given the Ontario Building Code updates that will be effective as of January 1, 2025
• Suggestion that updated code be considered when permit is submitted in December 2024 
• Request for rest areas near the basketball court area change rooms and also inside facility hallways
• Questions whether change rooms located off the interior courts are non-gendered, concerns about privacy and suggestion that those should be private stalls
• Lack of accessible dressing rooms in the non-gendered change rooms
• Doors that open in the path of travel, such as, the sports court area, should feature a door guard or be recessed
• Entry door clearance into tenant daycare space and the need for an auto door operator
• Consideration for a larger barrier free changeroom located off the group fitness area and a request for more clearance space between the lockers and change bench 
• Clearance of the door leading to the baby change room located off the inclusive washroom appears to be limited in space
• Request for a review of the universal shower in the staff space 
• Location of the tactile indicators 
• Positioning of the controls for auto door operators 
• Request for more color contrast for the doors of the barrier free stalls and a review of non-gender washroom stalls
• Request for adult change tables in washrooms
  • space is allocated for change tables
• Whether there will be directional signage throughout the facility
  • wayfinding signage will be provided
• Suggestion that more seating accommodations are required inside the building 
• Whether there is a need for an accessible ramp in the reception area
• Consideration of a sensory room within the facility 
• Location of the day care space and whether the same accessibility accommodation as the recreation centre will be offered for this space

Ryan Stitt provided clarification to some of the questions and comments and advised that the comments and feedback will be discussed and reviewed with City staff and stake-holders overseeing the project. 

Staff also advised that the feedback provided will be taken into consideration to determine how the requested suggestions and changes may be incorporated in the design.   

The following motion was considered:

• AAC014-2024

  1.  That the delegation by Ryan Stitt, Salter Pilon Architecture, to the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting of December 10, 2024, re: Howden Recreation Centre be received; and

  2.  That staff be requested to consider the suggestions and changes put forward by the Committee with a view to incorporate the changes in the design and provide a status update at the next meeting. 

  Carried

6.

Municipal Accessibility Plan Priorities

Nil

7.

Other/New Business

7.1

Discussion at the request of Vanessa Tantalo, Member, re: Accessibility Concerns at Rosalea Park Air Supported Structure Tennis Courts

Vanessa Tantalo, Member, provided an overview of her submission on Rosalea Park air supported tennis courts, and requested drawings and permits for the facility and follow-up regarding accessibility discrepancies observed. Details were provided on the building code and accessibility requirements for the site and a request that the site be revisited.

Staff advised that the drawings were reviewed by the accessibility team and outlined details that included the following:

• Structure is an extension of the tennis club that is temporary and winterized
• Washrooms are located inside the trailers and both the trailers and dome will be removed at the end of winter 
• Rosalea Park area is part of the City's Revitalization and the Riverwalk project

In response to questions from Committee, staff advised that efforts were made to meet the accessibility requirements of the temporary structure, while considering the constraints, limitations and the location site.

Committee was of the view that the request for permits and drawings should be dealt with by the Planning department and possibly brought to the attention of the Planning and Development Committee. 

A motion was put forward to refer the request to accessibility staff for discussion with Planning department staff and possibly to the Planning and Development Committee, to be followed by an update by accessibility staff at the next Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting.

The following motion was considered:

• AAC015-2024

  1.  That the discussion at the request of Vanessa Tantalo, Member, to the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting of December 10, 2024, re: Accessibility Concerns at Rosalea Park Air Supported Structure Tennis Courts be received; 

  2.  That the request for information regarding the building permit and drawings for the construction of Rosalea Park Air Supported Structure Tennis Courts be referred to accessibility staff for discussions with the Planning department staff and possibly be brought to the Planning and Development Committee; and, 

  3.  That an update be provided at the next Accessibility Advisory Committee on the status of the accessibility issues raised at the meeting.

  Carried

7.2

Discussion at the request of the City Clerk's Office, re: Franco Spadafora, Member, Relocation

Franco Spadafora exited the room for this item.

City Clerk's Office staff advised that Franco Spadafora has relocated to another City and has made a request to remain on the Committee as a member and attend meetings virtually. 

The City's Procedure By-law stipulates that members live in Brampton, however if Committee members are supportive, Franco has advised that he would step down as Co-Chair, and remain on the Committee as a member.  

Members were advised that the selection of a Co-Chair will be listed on the next agenda.

Committee considered the matter and put forward the following motion: 

• AAC016-2025

  1.  That the discussion at the request of the City Clerk's Office, re: Franco Spadafora, Member, Relocation be received; 

  1.  That Franco Spadafora, Co-Chair, be permitted to continue as a member of the Committee and attend meetings virtually; and,

  2.  That a Co-Chair be selected to fill the position for the remainder of the Term of Council.

  Carried

7.3

Update by City Clerk's Office, re: Resignation of Chris Mann, Member

City Clerk's Office staff advised that Chris Mann, Member, has submitted his resignation from the Committee. 

The following motion was considered:

• AAC017-2024

  That the update by City Clerk's Office, to the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting of December 10, 2024, re: Resignation of Chris Mann, Member be received.

  Carried

8.

Correspondence

Nil

9.

Information Items

Nil

10.

Question Period

Nil

11.

Public Question Period

Tracy Pepe, Brampton resident, referenced Rosalea Park air supported tennis courts, and inquired how the City was able to build a structure that does not meet accessibility requirements, such as parking, access ramps and fencing. 

Staff provided clarification and advised that the site is owned by the City and it is leased by Premier Raquet Club. There is an opportunity for users to note any accessibility concerns when booking a court.

A point of order was noted regarding questions on the budget for the site and Ms. Pepe was advised to submit a delegation request to a Committee of Council meeting to ask those types of questions. Committee also advised that a motion was put forward for staff to provide an update at the next meeting on the accessibility concerns at site.

12.

Adjournment

The following motion was considered:

• AAC018-2024

  That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting do now adjourn to meet again on February 25, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

  Carried