MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE DOWNTOWN PORT PERRY BIA
HELD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2009 AT 6:00 P.M.
IN THE SCUGOG BUSINESS CENTRE
PRESENT:
Vice Chair – Terri Venner Birgitta MacLeod
Susan Clearwater Lynn Hodgson
Julie Brock Michelle Belair
ALSO PRESENT: General Manager - Kenna Kozak
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Vice-Chair called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.
2. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
No member made a disclosure of pecuniary interest in any of the following matters.
3. DEPUTATIONS none.
4. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 13 MEETING
RESOLUTION NO: 09-34
Moved by: Susan Clearwater
Seconded by: Lynn Hodgson
THAT the minutes of October 13, 2009 meeting be approved.
Carried
5. REPORTS
i. Area Development
Brackets
The bolts and hooks that hold the planters were not installed on October 19th will now be installed on the evening of November 16th. There is an issue that some of the brackets were not installed the requested 9 inches below where the Christmas Wreaths are to be placed. Kenna is trying to resolve this problem.
Banners
Two emails were sent to the Heritage Committee requesting comments on the banners but no feedback has yet been received. Susan will inform the committee that the BIA is going ahead with the banners as designed.
Accessibility of Ontario Disability Act (AODA)
15.5% of the population has a disability. In Scugog that means over 3,250 people have disabilities. In 2026, 16% of people in Canada will have a disability. Wal-Mart has been tapping into this market for years by hiring disabled greeters.
It is estimated that disabled people have a spending power of between 21 to 25billion dollars a year in Canada.
People with temporary disabilities are also included under this Act. When asked how many people in the room knew someone with a disability, whether temporary or permanent, it was apparent that almost everyone knew someone with a disability.
In 1977, the Human Rights Code was put in place which identified a duty to accommodate people with disabilities.
In 2001 Ontario put in place the Disabilities Act. This improved Ontario by removing barriers for disabled people.
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) was passed into law. It hopes to achieve a fully accessible Ontario by 2025.
The Accessibility Advisory Committee was formed to assist in implementing the new Accessibility Act. Areas larger than 10,000 square feet will have to be made accessible for disabled people. A Director is assigned under the Act for any building that is over 50,000 square feet.
There are 5 standards under the Act as follows:
1. Customer Service Standard – Effective January 1st, 2010.
(a) Policies and Procedures – Written policies and procedures are required and training must provided for all staff. Documentation must be made of when the training was received and who received the training.
(b) Notice of Temporary Disruption – A reason must be indicated for disruption and anticipated duration must be documented – must make alternate service available.
(c) Service Anxiety Support Animals and Assistive Devices. For instance, if someone has MS, helping to push the button on an elevator, helping retrieve a wallet or assisting with epileptic seizures.
Rats, ferrets, rabbits and even snakes (service Boa) can be used to calm people with disabilities and may be allowed to enter businesses for this purpose.
Cats and rabbits have been used for anxiety. Animals are not allowed in stores where food is prepared, however Tim Horton’s and Coffee Culture have been known to allow service animals in their business. A comment was made that “even disabled people deserve to have a coffee”.
If stores are uncomfortable allowing certain animals to enter their premises, they may ask the person to provide a letter indicating that the animal is a service animal. It is reasonable, after a letter is provided, that you request the animal be under the control and care of the individual. A support person must also be allowed to stay with the disabled person.Assistive devices must be provided, for example recording a meeting.
(d) Feedback Process – A comment paper is required for positive/negative feedback indicating that comments are welcome. This is for anyone regardless of ability. The feedback must be self-monitored and then action has to be taken if required to avoid a fine.
(e) Training Requirements – customer service training is required for all staff,
including contractors. A copy of the training that is provided and a record of who was trained are required.
If you employ less than 20 people you will still have to provide the following:
1. Don’t have to provide policies and procedures but you still have to provide staff training.
2. You will have to allow people with assistive devices or support people into your place of business. (Disabled people must be able to read price tags which may mean increasing the font. If possible provide a pen and paper for deaf people. Provide a chair to allow people to sit down.)
3. Notification of service disruption will be required.
4. Must allow for positive/negative feedback.
2. Built Environment Standard :( 272 page document).
This standard will not be out for another 6 months. Any new build format will have to be in full compliance. It will take 5 years to implement the retrofit and this will apply initially to government ministries, hospitals, boards of education and municipalities. These retrofits will be done approximately 10% the first year, and it may take 2 years to affect the private sector. This means that it will take approximately 7 years to affect the private sector. “Heritage” has not been discussed at this time. It is important to note that Niagara on the Lake is already completely accessible since they ensured that store entranceways were on one level when redeveloping the town a number of years ago.
If stores and businesses on Queen Street are required to be in compliance with the Act, entrances could be from the rear and a suggestion was made to beautify this area. If stores or businesses do not have adequate isle space for wheelchairs, staff are encouraged to approach the disabled person and ask if they can help find an item or a particular size. Government will not be funding any retrofits in order to comply with the Act.
3. Employment Standard: Will be out in the next 2-3 months. When recruiting, the interview must be in accessible format and if needed, an interpreter must be hired.
4. Information and Communication Standard: Will be out in the next 2-3 months.
5. Transportation Standard: Disabled people must be able to access taxis and buses. Employment of Disabled. An example would be to provide employment for a paraplegic receptionist.
NOTE: Australia and the U.S. are way ahead of Canada in providing accessibility. This is considered “good old customer service”.
SUMMARY: What does this mean as a business?
If you provide accessible service you will tap into a whole new market and increase your sales. Most of the people in the meeting will be disabled in the future so these new regulations are just baby steps in the right direction. This is a shift in the way we think. Remember that smoking a number of years ago was allowed everywhere, i.e. in airplanes, offices, and all public buildings. Then regulations were put in place for smoking areas in airplanes and restaurants, glassed-in areas in doughnut shops and “no smoking rooms” in public buildings. Now you can’t smoke in a car if a child is present, doughnut shops and restaurants are now non-smoking, along with all public buildings. In 20 years there will also be a cultural shift in the way people think about accessibility. Accessible website design is also available. For instance, “contact us” should be on the left hand side of the page at the front of the website. Bell provides this service but an agency must be approached for online training.
A young married woman with a college degree who has two children and who was in a wheelchair provided a slide show of inaccessible entrances of stores on Queen Street. She indicated that it was easy to get into the banks on Queen Street, but it was difficult to get into the stores to spend her money. She indicated it is even difficult to get into corner convenience stores. She was turned down for 7 jobs because she couldn’t get into the buildings. She said “there is a need to educate people on how to interact with disabled people.” “Increasing accessibility should be looked at as an opportunity for inclusion and independence.” “It is an opportunity to increase revenue and make a better quality of life for disabled people.” “The government is giving you this opportunity so don’t waste it.”
There was no information regarding what influence or impact a Heritage Designation would have on accessibility issues. Kenna offered to research grants and send additional information.
RESOLUTION NO: 09-35
Moved by: Birgitta MacLeod
Seconded by: Julie Brock
THAT the Area Development report for November 2009 be received.
Carried
ii. Advertising Report: no report.
Kenna will distribute information about co-op advertising opportunities to members.
iii. Councillor’s Report
The barricade policy that has been an issue for the BIA will be discussed at the next General Purpose & Administration Committee meeting. No doubt if the BIA opts for the Township to put the barricades up and down there will be a fee.
The tree lighting will have to be changed because there is no power in Palmer Park due to construction. The parade route will also be changed as a result. The large tree at Reflection Park needs to be re-wired because the newer LED lights don’t work. The lights will probably only last 2 years but the tree is dying anyways.
Comments re the Heritage District Report are due to Council before Christmas. The BIA is supposed to have a copy for comment. Kenna will organize a sub-committee meeting to review the document and have comments submitted by Dec. 15, 2009.
Upcoming Winter Events include: Polar Bear Plunge on January 9th, Pond Hockey Tournament Jan. 30-31 (which attracts about 550 participants); Antique Show at the Recreation Centre Jan. 30-31; Port Perry Snowmobile Club world record drive at the Fairgrounds on February 21.
The Polar Bear Plunge organizers have asked if the BIA would organize a “soup-a-thon” for the day. The BIA declined as it is too close to Christmas and because of construction.
The Scugog Soccer Association is interested in hosting a World Cup Soccer party on July 10-11 featuring large viewing screens downtown and skills competitions. The BIA agreed to pursue the idea.
iv. Treasurer’s Report
Latest budget figures were presented. A draft of the 2010 budget has been submitted with an increase of $9500 over the 2009 budget. This covers increased costs for staffing, administration and rent. This translates to approximately $150 on your tax bill.
RESOLUTION NO: 09-36
Moved by: Lynn Hodgson
Seconded by: Susan Clearwater
THAT the Treasurer’s report for November be accepted.
Carried
7. NEW BUSINESS
HGTV will be in town to film for a show about holiday decorating. They plan to film the Tree Lighting and the Santa Claus Parade. Businesses should have their windows ready by Nov. 20th.
Members should advise Kenna of their Boxing Day hours.
9. ADJOURN 7:45 pm
Next Meeting: January 12, 2010 (no meeting in December)
