Grey County Committee Meeting Transcript — April 17, 2026

00:02:20 Speaker 01: I believe we're good now. Okay. Thanks, Brittany. Okay, I will call the or the. Sorry, I will call the meeting to order. Welcome everyone, and thank you for attending today. Our first item on the agenda is declaration of interest. Does anyone have any declaration of interest? No. Okay.

00:02:50 Speaker 01: Next item on the agenda is delegation.

00:02:51 Speaker 01: The agenda is delegations, and there are no delegations today on the agenda.

00:02:52 Speaker 01: So the next item is items for direction and or discussion by the committee.

00:02:53 Speaker 01: So the first item is the regional transit study presentation.

00:02:54 Speaker 01: There is no motion required for this, just so the members know.

00:02:55 Speaker 01: And I am going to hand this over to Tara Warner to present.

00:02:56 Speaker 01: Thanks, Tara.

00:02:56 Speaker 01: Thank you, Chair Schultz, and good afternoon, everyone.

00:02:57 Speaker 01: Our manager of community transportation, Stephanie Stewart, had a conflict today for during this meeting, so she was unable to attend this afternoon to speak to you on the regional transit review.

00:03:56 Speaker 02: So I'm going to provide a high-level overview in her place. But I should note that transit is absolutely out of my realm, but I will do my best to answer any questions. But we're really looking for the committee's. feedback on on the possibility of regional transit in this area in the future. So I'm just going to share my screen for the presentation, and I'm hopeful you can see now the the first slide, the introductory slide. Yep, perfect.

00:04:13 Speaker 02: So in the fall of 2025, Gray County and a couple other partners collectively secured funding through the Ontario Transit Investment Funding Program to assist in developing and assessing the possibility of a unified regional transit network across Bruce, Grey, Dufferin, and Wellington counties.

00:05:18 Speaker 02: Some thoughts on why there should be consideration given to unifying transit: it makes it easier travel easier for riders by. simplifying items such as booking and planning trips, reducing the number of transfers that are needed in between areas, understanding who can use specialized transit, and then keeping fares consistent across the region.

00:05:40 Speaker 02: It also helps partners work together to use our resources more efficiently. There are a number of service providers in transit across those four counties and into the other. neighboring municipalities and counties, so just some economies of scale and in terms of leveraging some resources for the benefit of all.

00:06:25 Speaker 02: So Dylan Consulting was retained to complete this study, and they're partway through the study process and at the stage now of developing the draft plan, which is why this item is coming forward to this table today. So your feedback on regional transit and what you. feel is important to consider in the plan and its implementation is considered as the table that is representing the interests of those with disabilities.

00:06:33 Speaker 02: Some guiding principles to highlight: the idea that transit network should be equitable, accessible, and affordable for riders. It should be easy to use for customers. It supports growth and economic development. Is forward-thinking and innovative, and also fiscally responsible.

00:06:42 Speaker 02: This slide is showing some conceptual inter-community corridor options. So it connects communities through key travel corridors, such as having routes running from Waitemata and Sound, moving south to Guelph, with corridors along that route branching off to Mount Forest and down to Listowel, over to King Cardin, and south to.

00:07:17 Speaker 02: Lucknow.

00:07:17 Speaker 02: Possible other corridors to the east include a corridor running from Owen Sound along Highway 26 over to Collingwood.

00:07:19 Speaker 02: The concepts are built on the ideas that buses should run three to four times per day on weekdays to be useful to riders, and that Saturday services do help with the leisure time and the leisure trips and shopping.

00:07:23 Speaker 02: And another item of importance.

00:07:23 Speaker 02: is that for riders is that though those municipal boundaries exist, that riders, it's nice if they don't have to notice that there is actually a boundary there, and that the travel between boundaries can be seamless.

00:07:26 Speaker 02: In terms of the on-demand services to smart expanding service areas into different county to allow for connecting into the regional routes. Connecting into regional routes as well as into Orangeville's transit system.

00:07:44 Speaker 02: There's also opportunity to integrate with the private sector and update the rules across the participating municipalities, so that private providers can also operate within the network.

00:07:57 Speaker 02: Exploring the use of a tech provider to support an on-demand service or an app that allows riders to book trips and connect into regional routes and work with private bus and. companies so that all trips appear in one convenient place for the rider.

00:08:14 Speaker 02: Consideration may be given to lowering fares on regional transit when riders use a non-demand service to connect in, or offering subsidies for trips within the four counties.

00:08:23 Speaker 02: And then the slide is really speaking to integrating with local transit and Go Transit and other various providers around, just to provide those that. Just to provide those additional connections that span outside of Bruce Gray, Wellington, and Dufferin County areas.

00:08:43 Speaker 02: This last slide summarizes the opportunities that were noted throughout the presentation, and then provides a a map with the possible on-demand service network, and then the possible potential conceptual routes that branch off from across.

00:09:04 Speaker 02: the four counties—Bruce, Gray, Wellington, and Dufferin—in terms of next steps in the study, there is the service plan development, fare analysis, calculating the financial plan, reviewing the governance models, identifying steps for implementation, an additional round of public engagement, provider and fleet plan, and finalized recommendations.

00:09:33 Speaker 02: So the draft plan, in terms of Gray County, it's anticipated to come forward to the council table later on this late spring, early summer, is the anticipated timeline at this point.

00:09:48 Speaker 02: But at at this meeting, if there's any comments that the committee has to provide on regional transit or transit, that should be considered in the development of that that plan.

00:09:50 Speaker 02: We're certainly happy to.

00:09:51 Speaker 02: hear those.

00:09:51 Speaker 02: If nothing comes to mind for you today, but you would like to provide some additional insight, do feel free to reach out to myself or Brittany.

00:09:53 Speaker 02: She is actually this is her last official day in the clerks' department, but I'm sure she'll still respond to you enthusiastically as she does, and we can put you in touch with Stephanie Stewart as the manager of community transportation, and she will happily connect with you to.

00:09:57 Speaker 02: hear your comments and feedback.

00:10:35 Speaker 02: So that's all we have for the presentation, and happy to hear anything that the committee has to speak to today. Yes, anyone have any comments for for Tara or any input? Anyone on the committee?

00:10:56 Speaker 02: members, no. And I guess, as Tara said, you can, you know, forward any questions or comments if you like to either Brittany or Stephanie after today's meeting. Okay.

00:11:52 Speaker 02: I guess we'll move along to the next item on the agenda. Thank you, Tara. Thank you. So the next item on the agenda is the 2026. West Grey election accessibility report, and I will read the motion as follows: That, in consideration of staff report 2026 Municipal and School Board Election Accessibility Plan, the Grey County Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee receives the report for review and comment.

00:12:01 Speaker 02: Can I get a mover? Yes. And a second. Who? Who? Sorry, who moved it? Yes. Okay. Thank you, Andrew. And a seconder, please.

00:12:29 Speaker 02: I can do it, Asbrooke. Okay. Thanks, Brooke. Okay. And Jamie Atkins Willer, the clerk for West Gray, will be speaking to this item.

00:13:08 Speaker 03: So I will hand it over to Jamie. Actually, I'll be speaking to this one today. Sorry, hi. everyone. Jamie is unavailable today. He does send his regrets, so I will be delivering a high-level summary of the report on his behalf. So, our our report presents West Grey's draft 2026 municipal and school board election accessibility plan, prepared in accordance with Section 12.1 of the Municipal Elections Act 1996, and the accessibility for Ontarians with.

00:13:32 Speaker 03: Ability for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the 2026 election will be held on October 26, with voting open from October 16, and will be conducted using internet and telephone voting to support accessible, independent, and private participation.

00:13:34 Speaker 03: The plan outlines measures to remove and prevent barriers through accessible voting technologies, in-person election centers, staff training, accessible communications, and support for electors and candidates with disabilities.

00:13:35 Speaker 03: all guided by the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.

00:13:35 Speaker 03: In-person election centers will be available throughout the voting period for electors requesting assistance, and all locations have been reviewed for physical accessibility.

00:13:37 Speaker 03: Election staff will be trained in accessible customer service and voter assistance, and election information will be made available in alternative formats upon request.

00:13:38 Speaker 03: Feedback from electors.

00:13:38 Speaker 03: candidates, staff, and this committee will be used to finalize the plan and inform continuous improvement.

00:13:39 Speaker 03: We would also like to note that Westray's accessibility plan and the City of Owen Sound's plan are essentially identical.

00:13:40 Speaker 03: Owen Sound staff are in attendance today to respond to questions related to their municipality and will, like Westray, incorporate feedback received from this committee into the final accessibility plan.

00:13:41 Speaker 03: Thank you.

00:13:41 Speaker 03: Thank you, Krista.

00:14:26 Speaker 03: Does anyone have any questions or concerns for Krista?

00:14:30 Speaker 03: No. Anything from our members? Well, I have a concern. Okay, Andrew. Thank you. Um, when the the voting voting stuff comes in the mail. It's all in print, so a blind person cannot read it.

00:14:54 Speaker 03: At least that's what's happened with other elections that are, uh, like municipal elections or even like federal ones.

00:15:08 Speaker 03: I know we're talking about municipal municipal one right now, but, but, uh, but that's a barrier. for someone who's blind. If the stuff's coming in the mail, like the code and stuff, getting by phone. Yep that that is an excellent point. That's certainly something we can look into how we can address that barrier for sure. Okay. Yes, Brianna.

00:16:30 Speaker 03: Oh, Brianna, you had your hand up. Yes, thank you, sir. I was just unmuting myself. Thank you for that feedback. We do appreciate it. In extenuating circumstances, we can provide that voter information letter by email if that is an a way that somebody could access their letter alternatively. we could.

00:16:39 Speaker 04: We also have other options, such as in extenuating circumstances over the phone as well, to help provide some of that information. Okay, great. Thanks, Brianna. Can I? Can I ask? Yeah.

00:17:00 Speaker 04: Can I ask you a question? Like along with that, so you call it extenuating circumstances, but this is more like I don't know, kind of human rights being able to. access something, so it doesn't really, and not really. I don't know.

00:17:09 Speaker 04: It kind of makes me feel like a an afterthought that Andrew and I have to that we're considered extenuating circumstances, and it's not just something that we're that we're kind of informed that it's something that we can ask in whatever format works best for us instead of being called in extenuating circumstances, and it's.

00:17:36 Speaker 05: more just a language thing, Brianna.

00:17:37 Speaker 05: Again, appreciate the comments.

00:17:37 Speaker 05: Our procedures do speak to some extenuating circumstances, so that was some of the language that was coming to my mind.

00:17:39 Speaker 05: But certainly, that is not our intention.

00:17:39 Speaker 05: Out of curiosity, as a learning opportunity, how would?

00:17:40 Speaker 05: the if you received information by mail?

00:17:40 Speaker 05: How would you normally read that?

00:17:41 Speaker 05: Right now, there's apps you can do, or you can ask somebody to read it for you.

00:17:42 Speaker 05: But if it's something like an election where we know it's going to happen, if there's a way to have whether this the counties or whatever.

00:17:44 Speaker 05: send out emails to, or kind of somehow make it available to their like like their residents.

00:18:42 Speaker 04: That if we if you have a a situation where you can't read something, or you would prefer it not be in like via mail because maybe you don't you maybe have difficulty getting to your mailbox, then then you can whether you email the county or you call the county and say, "Like this is me, and this is the best way for me to get my information." I don't know if that's possible.

00:18:51 Speaker 04: Whether it be like I don't know if you spread the information via I don't know radio, or I don't know what other ways that are best to do. Yes, Brianna. Thank you.

00:19:47 Speaker 04: Our accessibility plan does.

00:19:47 Speaker 04: express that we are always here to help, and we have contact information both by email and phone, so individuals can reach out to us, and we can provide that information in in a format that would be best for that would suit their needs.

00:19:52 Speaker 04: So certainly, you could definitely reach out to us.

00:19:53 Speaker 04: We will be providing notice that those letters are going out.

00:19:54 Speaker 04: So if it will be.

00:19:54 Speaker 04: in the early October timeframe, so if people haven't received their notice, then they're welcome to reach out to us to make sure that we can assist them.

00:19:57 Speaker 04: Great, thanks, thanks, Brianna and Krista. Does anyone else from the committee have any questions or comments for either Brianna or Krista?

00:20:37 Speaker 06: No. Okay, so. thank you both for presenting today. Greatly appreciated, and I will ask that all in favor of the motion from the members. Everyone: Brooke, Andrew. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

00:21:19 Speaker 06: I saw Pamela's hand up. Okay. All right. Great. Thank you. Motion is carried. All right. We will move on to the next. item, which is the street furniture and sidewalk patio guidelines presentation. And there will be no motion required for this item, just for our members to be aware. Jacqueline Lazi and Sabina Robart from the City of Owen Sound will be our presenters. Thank you, Madam Chair.

00:21:58 Speaker 07: Sorry, I. This is my first time presenting here to the accessibility committee. I'm wondering if I share my PowerPoint presentation. Okay, I will attempt to do that then. That would be great. Yeah, yeah. Okay. Wondering if you can see that on the screen. Perfect. Great. So, thank you, Madam Chair.

00:22:17 Speaker 07: So, my name is Jackie. Jackie, I'm a senior planner here with the City of Owen Sound, and over the last few months, I've been working with other internal staff at the city to update the city's 2011 street furniture and. sidewalk patio guidelines. So I'm here this afternoon to present to you some of the highlights from the newly updated guidelines, and obtain input that will be considered in developing a final sidewalk patio bylaw that will be presented to City Council at its meeting on the 27th.

00:22:27 Speaker 07: As a bit of background on the purpose of this project, the policies of the city's official plan and the river. District Action Plan certainly support patios, particularly within the River District or downtown area, to maintain the attraction of the area and activation of the streetscape.

00:22:35 Speaker 07: Sidewalk patios at the city generally gained popularity during COVID in twenty twenty and twenty twenty one, and many operators wish to continue after this time.

00:23:06 Speaker 07: In twenty twenty one, our Community Services Committee.

00:23:07 Speaker 07: and City Council passed a resolution directing staff to update the street furniture and sidewalk patio guidelines.

00:23:09 Speaker 07: As I mentioned, they are a 2011 document, so given their age, certainly warrant review.

00:23:10 Speaker 07: As well, in spring of 2022, the Ontario Traffic Council, or the OTC, released restaurant patio guidelines for patios located within a road authority's right of way, and the OTC is an organization that serves as a leading voice in multimodal transportation in Ontario, and the guidance developed by them is generally considered to be the best practice.

00:23:26 Speaker 07: So, the the updated sidewalk patio guidelines generally implement the OTC guidance, particularly related to the provision of roadside barriers for patios that are within on-street parking spaces.

00:23:56 Speaker 07: That I'll discuss further in this presentation. So moving on to the sidewalk patio guidelines, the purpose of the guidelines is to ensure that universal accessibility, public safety, and the streetscape experience are enhanced and not negatively impacted by the introduction of a patio within the city's right of way.

00:24:42 Speaker 07: The guidelines generally apply on a citywide basis.

00:24:43 Speaker 07: However, patios are only permitted where the city's zoning bylaw would permit a commercial use, and there is area within.

00:24:44 Speaker 07: the right of way that can meet the requirements of the guidelines.

00:24:45 Speaker 07: So this would generally be the city's river district or downtown commercial area.

00:24:46 Speaker 07: Shown on, pictured on this slide, is an image of what we consider to be the area of the right of way within the river district.

00:24:48 Speaker 07: So shown is Second Avenue East, and the right of way is everything between.

00:24:49 Speaker 07: the buildings on either side of Second Avenue, so that includes the surface of the road, the on-street parking area, a utility or street furniture strip, as well as the sidewalk.

00:25:15 Speaker 07: So the design, the updated design guidelines for patios. This presentation will focus on those that are that have inherent accessibility considerations. Apparent accessibility considerations. So the updated guidelines do permit three types of patios that have been informed through the Ontario traffic guidance that I I mentioned previously. So the first is what's called a frontage patio, and that is one that's located immediately adjacent to a building, but extending beyond the front property line onto the city sidewalk.

00:26:07 Speaker 07: The second type of permitted patio is. a curbside patio, so that's one that's located adjacent to the curb and has a accessible pedestrian route located between the building and the area of the patio.

00:26:36 Speaker 07: The last type of patio defined by the updated guidelines is a curb lane patio, so that's one that's located on the street within a maximum of two parking spaces or a curb lane. and a curb lane patio is only permitted on roadways with a speed limit of 50 kilometers an hour or less, no more than two lanes of traffic, and on street parking.

00:26:46 Speaker 07: So the city's roadways within the River District, including Second Avenue East, Eighth Street East, and Ninth Street East, would meet these requirements. Some municipalities do have sidewalk patio guidelines that permit the use of the entire sidewalk for.

00:27:05 Speaker 07: Higher sidewalk for a patio, with a pedestrian walkway or clearway that that diverts pedestrians onto a boardwalk within the on-street parking area.

00:27:07 Speaker 07: An image of this type of patio is provided on the slide.

00:27:08 Speaker 07: This this type of patio is currently not being recommended for implementation within the city's sidewalk patio guidelines from an accessibility.

00:27:10 Speaker 07: perspective, the layout does not maintain sort of a straight path of for pedestrians along the sidewalk.

00:27:11 Speaker 07: So that's really our intent with the updated guidelines is to require along the sidewalk that an accessible pedestrian route be provided that's within a straight line within an entire block, so that pedestrians don't have to navigate.

00:27:52 Speaker 07: Around different obstacles, and I know from my personal experience, I'm a mom with two young kids. I'm often pushing a stroller downtown, and I, you know, can appreciate that it's not easy bearing that thing, you know, around different obstacles.

00:28:02 Speaker 07: So, related to the accessible route, the guidelines require that all patio layouts provide an accessible route. on the sidewalk for pedestrians.

00:28:04 Speaker 07: The required width of the accessible route differs between the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act or AODA requirements and the Ontario Traffic Council guidance.

00:28:17 Speaker 07: So, the AODA requires the accessible route to be a minimum of 1.5 meters wide, but the OTC guidelines recommend that the route be 1.8 meters in width.

00:28:53 Speaker 07: Planning staff are proposing that the the city's updated guidelines would require a accessible route of one point eight meters wide along Second Avenue East because the width of the right of way in this area is larger, so it can accommodate that that width of an accessible route.

00:29:02 Speaker 07: However, the side streets of Eighth and Ninth Street East, the right of way in those locations is much narrower, so we would require the width of one point five meters as required by AODA.

00:29:39 Speaker 07: The guidelines also require for a curb lane patio that is located within on street parking, a hard surface platform or wood decking be installed to bring the surface of the patio at grade with the sidewalk. So this is to ensure again, sort of. And sort of universal access for people who may be using mobility devices or strollers, that they don't have to navigate off of the curb into the patio area.

00:29:49 Speaker 07: The patio area is brought up to be level.

00:30:18 Speaker 07: Again, related to curb curb lane patios that are located within on street parking, the Ontario Traffic Council guidance requires that for these types of patios a a roadside barrier be installed to mitigate the risk of a vehicle striking either a pedestrian, a restaurant patron, or restaurant staff.

00:30:50 Speaker 07: So the city's new guidelines will implement the OTC guidance and require that where a curblain patio is proposed, roadside barriers be provided and installed in the city road allowance, at the expense of the of the patio operator, and this is consistent.

00:31:06 Speaker 07: with the approach of other municipalities in Ontario.

00:31:07 Speaker 07: I'm not sure if others are familiar with the municipality of Melford's patio program.

00:31:08 Speaker 07: For example, that you they do use these these types of roadside barriers.

00:31:10 Speaker 07: There are sort of three options, and photos of each are provided on the slide.

00:31:11 Speaker 07: But there, the first is a TL one urban barrier, which sort of looks like a metal gate.

00:31:13 Speaker 07: There are options for plastic, water, or sand-filled barriers, as well as concrete jersey barriers, and these would all meet the requirements of the OTC guidelines.

00:31:29 Speaker 07: The draft guidelines also include requirements around patio fencing. Generally, the guidelines serve to limit the use of fencing for smaller-sized patios to reduce visual clutter, but tactile tape is required to delineate the patio area for the benefit of persons who may be visually impaired. And this tactile tape, there, there is a photo shown on this slide of a of a storefront within the city's river district that has a small frontage patio, just consisting of a single table with chairs, and that patio.

00:32:21 Speaker 07: is delineated by this white tactile tape, so the intent is to provide like a visual as well as a touch cue to persons who may be walking with a cane or other other device that they would be able to detect the patio being there. So, in terms of the the process to date, this slide summarizes the consultation. that has been undertaken on the the draft sidewalk patio guidelines.

00:33:02 Speaker 07: We did present it to the city's River District Board of Management on March 11th, as well as the city's Community Services Committee on March 18th, and we circulated the draft guidelines to all River District businesses for review and comment on March 24th through the River District newsletter.

00:33:11 Speaker 07: In terms of next steps, planning staff are integrating the feedback received. from stakeholders, and that will include any comments or feedback received from this committee today, into a final sidewalk patio bylaw, which will be brought forward to City Council at its meeting on the twenty seventh for adoption.

00:33:13 Speaker 07: So that concludes my presentation, and I'm I'm happy to take any questions. Thank you. Thank you, Jacqueline.

00:33:15 Speaker 07: So, anyone from the committee have any questions or comments for Jacqueline? No, no concerns.

00:33:41 Speaker 07: We're a quiet group today. Thank you, Jacqueline. We greatly appreciate your presentation. Thank you very much. You're welcome. Okay, we'll move on to the next item on the agenda, and that is item CR dash twenty six dash zero one eight, the City of Owens Sounds, twenty twenty six Municipal Election Plan. And we've already heard from Brianna and Kristin. Sorry, Krista. Sorry. Earlier in item number four B, so we will have no discussion because it's already been discussed.

00:35:01 Speaker 07: And again, thank you, Brianna and Krista. So I will meet at this point in time. I'll just read the motion to you, and the motion is as follows: that in consideration of staff report CR dash twenty six dash zero. one eight, respecting the accessibility plan for the twenty twenty six municipal election, the Gray County Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee receives the report for information purposes.

00:35:10 Speaker 07: May I have a mover and a seconder? Pam, thank you. A seconder, Scott. Thank you. All in favor? Yes. Great, Brooke. Yes. Okay. Motion is carried. Thank you again. All right.

00:35:47 Speaker 07: The next item on the agenda is CS dash twenty six dash zero two four, the commemorative forest monument proposed design.

00:35:57 Speaker 07: The motion reads as follows: that in consideration of staff report. CS dash twenty six dash zero two four respecting the commemorative forest monument proposed design, the Gray County Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee receives the report for information purposes.

00:35:59 Speaker 07: May I have a mover and a seconder? Pamela, thank you. And a seconder? I can do it. It's Brooke. Okay.

00:36:34 Speaker 08: Thank you, Brooke. and I will hand this over to Pam Coulter at the City of Owen Sound. Great, thank you, Chair, and good afternoon, Committee. Would it be possible to share on the screen for the committee the attachment to the report?

00:37:12 Speaker 08: Yep, I can pull that up here. Just give me one moment, Brittany. Thanks, Brittany. Okay, so the city has been working to implement a change. to our commemorative forest program, and the program will allow a more even distribution of trees throughout parks, allow staff to select native species and the location where these trees would be planted to prevent overcrowding in sort of our favorite places.

00:37:22 Speaker 08: So the new program and the reason that we're here today is that the program provides for a central commemorative forest monument, so a new location for that monument has been selected, and it is on the west side, so between the building, the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Center, and the waterfront.

00:37:54 Speaker 08: So the location was chosen for a lot of reasons. The space is somewhat underutilized. It is proximate to an existing. paved trail, which was really attractive. There are a number of accessible parking spaces in the hard surfaced parking lot that exists. There's room for growth in the future if we need that space. So, as you can see on the screen, the monument would be in sort of the area between the hard paved path which exists and the semicircular. path would, which would be hard-packed limestone screenings.

00:38:04 Speaker 08: There would be three benches along the new path that would allow people to sit and enjoy some quiet, contemplative time, looking at the monument.

00:38:58 Speaker 08: So, in the semicircular space between the existing hard surfaced path on the right-hand side of the. On the right-hand side of your screen, on the semicircular path, there would be a planting bed, and in that planting bed would be the commemorative forest monument.

00:39:33 Speaker 08: It is a really simple-looking structure.

00:39:33 Speaker 08: Maybe if we could go to the next page of the attachment.

00:39:34 Speaker 08: Yep.

00:39:34 Speaker 08: Oh, sorry.

00:39:34 Speaker 08: Yep.

00:39:34 Speaker 08: You're there.

00:39:34 Speaker 08: So it uses natural.

00:39:34 Speaker 08: It has two posts.

00:39:34 Speaker 08: and then it has just a plain face.

00:39:35 Speaker 08: There would be a leaf on the front, on the back facing the water.

00:39:35 Speaker 08: There would be a bit of information about the commemorative forest plaque, but on the back would be a QR code.

00:39:36 Speaker 08: So anyone there could scan the code, go to the city's webpage, which is completely accessible, and get information about the commemorative forest program.

00:39:37 Speaker 08: And then, if you searched a name, so if you searched Pam Colter, it would come up with a tree that had been planted, and where it was, with information on the type of tree and the event or some someone or an event being commemorated.

00:39:39 Speaker 08: So, I think that sort of highlights all the information on on this proposal.

00:39:56 Speaker 08: One of the things that that our committee had said. That our committee had suggested at community services in reviewing it that, in the tender that we would include a provision, subject to price for hard surfacing of the semicircular path that would be added to the existing hard surface path.

00:40:15 Speaker 08: So, with that, I'm happy to take any questions. I have a question. Sure, Brooke. Okay.

00:41:06 Speaker 08: Is there, is there plans to make the code accessible for someone who might not be able to see to read it?

00:41:07 Speaker 08: I love the idea that it you can get all the information on the web.

00:41:07 Speaker 08: Yeah.

00:41:07 Speaker 08: I'm just wondering how I would access access that code.

00:41:08 Speaker 08: Um.

00:41:08 Speaker 08: Do so.

00:41:08 Speaker 08: Do you have um like a cell phone?

00:41:08 Speaker 08: Yeah.

00:41:08 Speaker 08: Okay.

00:41:08 Speaker 08: So your cell phone would be able to read the QR code, and it would take your cell phone to the accessible website.

00:41:09 Speaker 08: Is that would would that be accessible for you?

00:41:09 Speaker 08: I'm not sure.

00:41:09 Speaker 08: I've never actually done that, so I'm just not.

00:41:09 Speaker 08: Is is there so that I know exactly where that code is?

00:41:10 Speaker 04: Would there be like some sort of I don't know whether it be a bump or something that I would know that you know what I mean?

00:41:11 Speaker 04: Like it's just kind of making it a little bit.

00:41:11 Speaker 04: because I can't take a picture, right?

00:41:11 Speaker 04: So how do you know where to do it?

00:41:12 Speaker 04: Okay, that's a great question.

00:41:12 Speaker 04: So, I think I would, I don't have an an answer.

00:41:12 Speaker 04: I would just be guessing.

00:41:12 Speaker 04: So why don't I take that as feedback?

00:41:12 Speaker 04: And I think that's something that we can think about.

00:41:13 Speaker 04: How do we incorporate that into the sign?

00:41:13 Speaker 04: Because it can be even as simple as like, say, like a raised square around the code, or like a Or like I don't know a star I don't know something some sort of place to find it okay something got it thank you thank you anyone else in the committee yes Scott quick question Pam being familiar with the path north south from the inn on the bay as it goes past the Bayshore from the parking lot and you.

00:42:23 Speaker 04: acknowledged a couple accessible spaces in the parking lot.

00:42:26 Speaker 04: Is there presently a curb cut there to guide people from the parking lot to the path, or does a curb cut, is a curb cut required to be placed in there to make it accessible for individuals parking and then accessing the path? Yeah, great point. There aren't curbs along that parking lot, so we wouldn't need a curb cut. But I think. making sure there's a connection from the parking area to the pathway is a is a great idea. So, good point.

00:43:06 Speaker 04: Anyone else from the committee have any questions or comments for Pam?

00:43:14 Speaker 04: This isn't really an accessibility question, but will there be like garbage cans?

00:43:15 Speaker 04: because like I have a guide dog, so if my dog happens to need to go to the washroom and I want to go sit there, will they are there?

00:43:16 Speaker 04: I don't actually know the setup, so would there be garages that are easily found?

00:43:17 Speaker 04: Yeah, there are garages right now at different intervals along that path.

00:43:18 Speaker 04: Okay, perfect.

00:43:18 Speaker 04: I just wanted to sometimes when we have these kind of trails, we don't think about garages, and then it's kind of to to try to avoid the littering.

00:43:19 Speaker 04: I don't like.

00:43:20 Speaker 04: I wouldn't litter, but I'm saying in general to try to avoid it.

00:43:20 Speaker 04: I always try to encourage garbage cans.

00:43:21 Speaker 04: Yeah, that's great, Brooke.

00:43:21 Speaker 04: Thank you.

00:43:21 Speaker 04: Anyone else on the committee have any comments or questions for Pam?

00:43:22 Speaker 04: No.

00:43:22 Speaker 04: Okay.

00:43:22 Speaker 04: Thank you, Pam.

00:43:22 Speaker 04: We appreciate it.

00:43:22 Speaker 04: and I will ask all in favor of the motion.

00:43:23 Speaker 04: Yes.

00:43:23 Speaker 04: Yes.

00:43:23 Speaker 04: Okay.

00:43:23 Speaker 04: Great.

00:43:23 Speaker 04: Yes.

00:43:23 Speaker 04: Super.

00:43:23 Speaker 04: Thank you.

00:43:23 Speaker 04: Okay.

00:43:23 Speaker 04: Motion carry.

00:43:23 Speaker 04: All right.

00:44:15 Speaker 04: We are on to the next item on the agenda: Bruce Gray Catholic District School Board site plan, and the motion reads as follows: That, in consideration of staff report.

00:44:46 Speaker 06: CS dash twenty six dash zero two five, respecting the Bruce Gray Catholic District School Board site plan, the Gray County Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee receives the report for information purposes.

00:45:03 Speaker 06: Can I have a mover and a seconder, please? Yes. Okay. Thanks, Andrew and Pamela, seconder. Okay, and I will hand this over to. Margaret Potter and Sabine Robart from the City of Oceansound.

00:45:22 Speaker 09: Good afternoon, through you, Chair Schultz. Thank you. I'm a senior planner with the City of Oceansound, and I'm here because Bruce Gray Catholic District School Board seeks approval of a new secondary school, and we're looking for input into matters of accessibility into the site design, and if. it's okay, I'll share the site plan on my screen. Please do.

00:45:53 Speaker 09: Hopefully, you can see that it was also attached to the report, and there is a lot of description in the report, and it's quite a complex site plan.

00:45:56 Speaker 09: But for the purposes of this meeting, I'll scope my description to the aspects that relate to the recommendations.

00:45:57 Speaker 09: that we've suggested at the end of the report.

00:45:58 Speaker 09: So the site plan is before you.

00:45:59 Speaker 09: It's kind of broken into an east end and a west end.

00:46:00 Speaker 09: So the east end of the school is closer to 28th Avenue East, and it will the school will necessitate the construction of what's at the top of the screen, which is 15th Street East.

00:46:31 Speaker 09: So that's a new road yet to be constructed, and the school building will be close to those streets. Toward the east end of the site, there'll be a main three-story school building, which will include an elevator. It will have a shop building as well, and future portables are planned for, but not necessarily to be constructed at the outset of the construction.

00:46:58 Speaker 09: Around the school, there are paved pathways provided all around the perimeter of the building, generally wider than required in most cases, three meters at at least going to the main entrances, and they connect all of the building entrances to adjacent streets, the shop, future portables, patio seating, the bus loading and parking areas.

00:47:21 Speaker 09: The building and parking areas are separated from the west side of the property by a change in topography.

00:47:33 Speaker 09: So you'll see in the middle of the screen or the site plan. there's a pathway that looks like it's extra long and perhaps longer than it needs to be, and that's because of a change in topography. The to the west of that, or to the left of your screen, there are two athletic fields proposed, and there's a watercourse between them. The pedestrian pathway then, from the sidewalk that goes around the school building, crosses the parking lot and connects to this.

00:48:06 Speaker 09: longer asphalt pathway, which I'll refer to as the switchback, so that is a three-meter-wide pathway, and at the bend or the end of the pathway, it widens and provides a seating area, and that seating area has on the lower end of the slope some armor stones that are then continue.

00:48:09 Speaker 09: There are continuous lines of armor stones going down that slope to offer an option for seating and viewing the athletic events that might be happening.

00:48:11 Speaker 09: So, the the seating area that is wider and accessible is integrated with the seating area that is built right into the slope.

00:48:13 Speaker 09: That asphalt pathway continues north and rounds the northeast corner of the athletic field, connecting to a multi Field connecting to a multi-use pathway in the 15th Street East road allowance, but not on the street part.

00:49:07 Speaker 09: There's a portion between the open street and the rail trail that will be an accessible barrier-free pathway.

00:49:09 Speaker 09: There is a site lighting plan that was provided, and lighting of the on-site pathway that we were just discussing has not been confirmed.

00:49:11 Speaker 09: Generally, we find that the site design is attractive and functional.

00:49:12 Speaker 09: and has considered the human experience by providing those wider pathways wherever possible.

00:49:13 Speaker 09: It avoids crossing parking areas, and it includes a thoughtful location of outdoor gathering and seating areas that are further described in the report.

00:49:15 Speaker 09: We do recommend that two accessible parking spaces, sorry, additional parking spaces, be provided—one each of a type A and a type B—to achieve zoning compliance.

00:50:00 Speaker 09: the asphalt pathway from the school to the easterly athletic field, that switchback I was discussing, should be reviewed by the applicant against the built environment standards to identify any needs for guards or railings, or other edge protection, just based on the slope and cross slope.

00:50:04 Speaker 09: They provided some details of the slope, but not the cross slope at this time.

00:50:05 Speaker 09: And then that pedestrian level lighting of that area also would enhance.

00:50:06 Speaker 09: accessibility during seasons of low natural light, so that they consider lighting that pathway.

00:50:07 Speaker 09: It should be noted, though, that as this project is being managed by a designated public sector organization with funding from the government of Ontario, they are responsible to ensure AODA compliance.

00:50:48 Speaker 09: We would welcome any thoughts, as the site plan has not been approved yet by the city. If there are any questions or thoughts on the project. more broadly? We can share that with the applicant and consider it through our further review. Okay, thank you, Margaret. Any questions or concerns for Margaret from the members of the committee? Anyone? Okay. Thank you, Margaret. Appreciate your time. Thank you. Okay.

00:51:35 Speaker 06: All in favor of the motion? Yes. Yes. Okay. All right. Thank you. Motion carried. Next item on the agenda is the Fourth Avenue West Reconstruction Preliminary Design Option.

00:52:07 Speaker 06: Design options, and the motion reads as follows: That, in consideration of staff report OP-26-012 respecting the preliminary design options for the Fourth Avenue West reconstruction, in brackets, Fifteenth Street to Twentieth Street, the Gray County Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee receives the report for information purposes. can I please get a mover and a seconder for the motion?

00:53:11 Speaker 10: I can do this, Brooke. Okay, a mover, Brooke, and Scott, seconder. Thank you. Okay, and I will now hand this over to Laura Windfield from the City of Olmstead. Good afternoon, everyone. In absence of Laura, I will be presenting. So my name is Sophie Lalani, and I am I'm Lallani, and I am an engineering technologist at City of Omaha. So, I'm presenting staff report OP twenty-six O one twelve regarding Fourth Avenue West reconstruction from Fifteenth Street to Twenty Street.

00:53:46 Speaker 10: The recommendation is that the Gray County Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee receive this report for information and provide feedback on accessibility consideration. The project is currently in a design phase. and include a full reconstruction of underground and surface infrastructure.

00:53:55 Speaker 10: It provide it provides an important opportunity to improve accessibility along this key corridor, with a focus on creating safer, more inclusive space for all users.

00:54:19 Speaker 11: As a part of design, sidewalk and curb ramp will be updated to meet AODA standard as much as possible. The project is also considered to. of additional of, P X O crossing to improve pedestrian safety, along with the benches to improve resting opportunity along the corridor.

00:54:28 Speaker 11: Public engagement has been stronger, and feedback from this committee is essential to improve and help us to identify any gap and ensure the final design meet accessibility experience.

00:54:30 Speaker 11: So this is the my report and. This is my report, and I'm happy to take any question with the help of Mason. Okay, thank you, Sylvine. Anyone, any of the members have any questions or comments for Sylvine?

00:55:08 Speaker 06: No. No questions or comments from the members. Okay. Thank you, Sylvine. Greatly appreciate it. Okay.

00:55:17 Speaker 06: All in favor of the motion? Yes. Yes. Okay. I don't see Scott. Yes. Okay. Okay. All right. Motion is carried. All right.

00:56:04 Speaker 10: The next item on the agenda is the Sixteenth Street East. 16th Street East Pedestrian Tunnel Rehabilitation, and the motion reads as follows: That, in consideration of Staff Report OP-26-013 respecting the 16th Street East Pedestrian Tunnel Rehabilitation and Sidewalk Expansion, the Gray County Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee receives the report for information purposes.

00:56:36 Speaker 10: Can I have a mover and a secondary for the motion, please? Yes. Okay, Andrew. Thank you. And a seconder for the motion. I can do it. It's Brooke. Okay. Thank you, Brooke. All right, and I will hand this over to Sophine Lalani and Laura Windfield from the City of Owen Sound. Yep. Sophine again.

00:56:53 Speaker 10: Staff report OP twenty six dash O thirty regarding Sixteenth Street East Pedestrian Tunnel Rehabilitation and Sidewalk Expansion Project. The recommendation is that the Gray County Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee receive this report for information and provide feedback on accessibility consideration for the tunnel and sidewalk design.

00:57:02 Speaker 10: The project is currently in the design phase with a construction plan between May and August.

00:57:19 Speaker 10: In May and August 2026, the city is planning to rehabilitate the existing pedestrian tunnel on 16th Street East and construct a new sidewalk along the south side of the roadway. The goal of this project is to improve pedestrian safety, accessibility, and connectivity to future development in the area. The existing tunnel was constructed in 2005 and is currently experiencing water infiltration through concrete joints during. winter months, this leads to ice buildup, creating safety concern for users.

00:57:29 Speaker 10: There are also visible concrete deterioration due to ongoing moisture exposure, and the rehabilitation is required to extend the life of the structure and improve overall safety.

00:57:57 Speaker 11: As a part of the project, the tunnel will be rehabilitated, and a new 1.5 meter wide, AODA compliant sidewalk will be added, enhancing access. Enhancing accessibility and provide a safer and more reliable pedestrian route. So that was my report for this project. Thank you, and I am open for any questions or comments. Thank you, Sylvine. Thank you again for presenting. Any questions or comments for Sylvine from the from the members of the committee? No questions. or comments. Okay, Sylvine.

00:58:11 Speaker 11: Thank you again for your presentation. We greatly appreciate it. Okay, and can I all sorry all in favor of the motion? Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay. Great. Motion carried. Okay.

00:58:29 Speaker 11: The next item on the agenda is correspondence, and there is no correspondence at this. time.

00:58:50 Speaker 11: The next item is other business. Is there any other business? No, no other business. And our next meeting date will be Thursday, June the 18th, at 2 p.m. And I will now adjourn the meeting. And have a great weekend, everyone. Hey, Carol. thanks everyone. You, thank you. Bye bye.