Feedback from Community Survey was organized into potential action item categories and forwarded to staff for referral comments. The action items and staff comments were reviewed. The Committee reflected on the actions and decided how to incorporate them into the Plan.
Brent Magnan, Director of Development Approvals provided a brief introduction and thanked the members for their time on this Committee. It was suggested that recommendations to Council be realistic and specific with consideration to budget and staffing constraints.
Staff were taking notes on the Committee's recommendations and suggestions for changes which will be implemented into a revised version and sent back to the Committee for their review.
Infrastructure
- Recommendation that the Snow Clearing Policy use an accessibility lens;
- In item #1 remove the word ensure and change to prioritize;
- It was asked if it is possible to add an audit to consult with the disability community;
- Item #3 is currently being done on a 5 year cycle. It was suggested to add in incorporating accessibility lens into the current audit;
- It was suggested for item #4 to change the word communities to neighbourhoods;
- Recommendation to combine items 2-6 into 1 category for audits and develop an action list out of these audits;
- In item #7 remove word adopt and change to review existing.
The Committee decided to further itemize the priorities into short term action items and long term action items.
Facilities
- For item #1 some of the facilities listed were out of our jurisdiction. Recommendation to change locations to only be City owned properties;
- For item #2 it was suggested that the old City Hall/Community Centre have a quiet room instead of the arena;
- For item #2 safety concerns for railings at Royal LePage Arena were listed as a short term priority;
- For item #4 it was suggested that when staff update the existing Sign Bylaw that these considerations be included. This was listed as a short term priority;
- It was recommended that the AIC be added to the referral list of the City for comments, review and feedback;
- Immediate action items included railings in Royal LePage Place, improving access and improve walking to Westside Seniors Activity Centre, community railings in stairways, updating signage bylaws, completing accessibility audit of other community owned facilities.
Parks and Trails
- Recommendation to combine items #3 and 5 for Julia's Junction improvements;
- It was suggested that awareness needs to be brought to the accessible beaches in West Kelowna;
- Safety concerns should be top priority;
- Suggestion for a sign to keep you shoes on at Julia's Junction;
- A community feedback process where people can share their accessibility comments is a legislated requirement that will need to be created by the Committee;
- Items #1, 2, 4 and 7 can be combined as short term priorities;
- Items #3, 5 and 6 are long term priorities;
- It was suggested to clarify item #6 to improve the hard surface pathway to Annette Beaudreau Amphitheatre is the part by the skate park that goes down to the lower field from the existing pathway.
Service Delivery
- Item #1 emergency planning action should be a priority. Recommendation to work with community partners to ensure accessibility lens in emergency planning;
- Items #1, 2 and 3 can be combined as high priority emergency procedures;
- ASL should be a focus for emergency procedures;
- Items #2, 4, 5 and 6 are mid to long term goals (repeating #2 as it's not just for emergencies but the remaining community communications);
- Staff commented that emergency operations come from the Regional Operations Centre;
- Recommendation that this is referred to the social service sector. Social service providers can be responsible for creating/maintaining their own emergency plan lists.
Policy
- Template for City Procurement - recommendation is actionable;
- Items #1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are priority for current and future projects with an accessibility lens;
- Items #6 and 7 are mid to long term priorities.
Attitudes
- Recommendation to change the word attitude to culture;
- For item #3 remove the word checklist and change to lens. Collaboration with organizations is important because they know their clients best;
- Items #1, 2, 3 and 7 are high priority;
- Items # 4, 5, 6 and 8 are mid to long term priorities.