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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-26 Workshop Meeting Agenda and Reports.pdfDistrict of Maple Ridge COUNCIL WORKSHOP AGENDA April 26, 2010 9:00 a.m. Blaney Room, 1st Floor, Municipal Hall The purpose of the Council Workshop is to review and discuss policies and other items of interest to Council. Although resolutions may be passed at this meeting, the intent is to make a consensus decision to send an item to Council for debate and vote or refer the item back to staff for more information or clarification. REMINDERS April 26, 2010 Airport Tour 12:30 p.m. April_27, 20 Council Meeting 7:00 p.m. 1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA 2. MINUTES - April 19, 2010 3. PRESENTATIONS AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCIL 4. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS 4.1 Universal Design Guidelines Progress Report Staff report dated April 26, 2010 providing an update on how the universal design guidelines are being used by the District, outlining next steps in the implementation of the guidelines and recommending that the report be received. 4.2 Family Friendly Recreation Activity - Wild Play Element Park Verbal presentation by the Director of Parks and Facilities Council Workshop April 26, 2010 Page 2 of 3 4.3 Traffic Improvement Projects - Abernethy Way Improvements Update - 124 Avenue Traffic Concerns - Traffic Signal at 128 Avenue and 216 Street Presentation by A. Wood, Municipal Engineer 4.4 Financial Update Verbal Report by the General Manager, Corporate and Financial Services 4.5 Fraser Health Authority Update Verbal report by Councillor Dueck 4.6 Water Act Report Update by Councillor Ashlie and Councillor Speirs 5. CORRESPONDENCE 5.1 The following correspondence has been received and requires a response. Staff is seeking direction from Council on each item. Options that Council may consider include: a) Acknowledge receipt of correspondence and advise that no further action will be taken. b) Direct staff to prepare a report and recommendation regarding the subject matter. c) Forward the correspondence to a regular Council meeting for further discussion. d) Other. Once direction is given the appropriate response will be sent. Recommendation: 6. BRIEFING ON OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST/QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL 7. MATTERS DEEMED EXPEDIENT 8. ADJOURNMENT Checked b : Date: Council Workshop April 26, 2010 Page 3 of 3 Rules for Holding a Closed Meeting A part of a council meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to one or more of the following: (a) personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality; (b) personal information about an identifiable individual who is being considered for a municipal award or honour, or who has offered to provide a gift to the municipality on condition of anonymity; (c) labour relations or employee negotiations; (d) the security of property of the municipality; (e) the acquisition, disposition or eVropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure might reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality; (f) law enforcement, if the council considers that disclosure might reasonably be expected to harm the conduct of an investigation under or enforcement of an enactment; (g) litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality; (h) an administrative tribunal hearing or potential administrative tribunal hearing affecting the municipality, other than a hearing to be conducted by the council or a delegate of council (i) the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor -client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; Q) information that is prohibited or information that if it were presented in a document would be prohibited from disclosure under section 21 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act; (k) negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public; (1) discussions with municipal officers and employees respecting municipal objectives, measures and progress reports for the purposes of nreaaring an annual report under section 98 [annual municipal report] (m) a matter that, under another enactment, is such that the public may be excluded from the meeting; (n) the consideration of whether a council meeting should be closed under a provision of this subsection of subsection (2) (o) the consideration of whether the authority under section 91(other persons attending closed meetings) should be exercised in relation to a council meeting. (p) information relating to local government participation in provincial negotiations with First Nations, where an agreement provides that the information is to be kept confidential. Deep Roots Greater Heights TO: FROM: SUBJECT: District of Maple Ridge His Worship Mayor Ernie Daykin and Members of Council Chief Administrative Officer DATE: April 26, 2010 FILE NO: ATTN: Council Workshop Universal Design Guidelines Progress Report EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Universal Design Guidelines for Outdoor Spaces (UDGOS) have been used by various District of Maple Ridge departments to address improving accessibility in outdoor design. The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on how the guidelines are being used by the District of Maple Ridge, and outlines what the District anticipates the next steps to implementation will be. In early 2010, staff met to discuss how the UDGOS was being implemented, and to determine what the successes and challenges of this implementation has been. Based on the information shared, staff have developed a number of initiatives to implement the guide beyond the level of implementation already achieved. These initiatives will ensure a more consistent application of some of the principles outlined in the guide, and will help to increase the use of the guide in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. RECOMMENDATION: That the staff report "Universal Design Guidelines progress report" dated April 13, 2010 be received. DISCUSSION: a) Background Context: In 2009, the Universal Design Guidelines were completed by Donna Rodman on behalf of the Municipal Advisory Committee on Accessibility Issues. Three hundred copies of the guide were printed and distributed to a variety of sources, and an electronic version of the guide can also be found on the District of Maple Ridge and City of Pitt Meadows websites. Copies were also provided to departments such as Engineering, Planning, and Parks and Leisure Services. A review with all departments was conducted to assess how the guide is being implemented internally; and what the successes and challenges of this implementation have been. Implementation: The Engineering Department has specifically focused on the implementation of Section 3.1 Pedestrian Circulation 3.1.1 Crossings, Intersections, Walkways & Curbs. The tactile surface diagrams in the handbook have been used to implement tactile surface installation in retrofit U n ive rsa l_Des i gn_G u id e I in es_Progress-4. 1 projects, and will be used for other capital projects such as the downtown rehabilitation project. Please refer to Appendix A for additional information. The Parks and Leisure Services Department has used the accessible bench guidelines in section 3.4 Park Services. Several guidelines within the booklet have been used with respect to providing wheelchair accessible fountains, picnic tables and playground surfaces. All new play equipment incorporates some degree of accessibility. Modifications are also underway to improve accessibility within the core development (Memorial Park). Please refer to Appendix B for additional information. Trail Signage & Campgrounds guidelines are to be used when new park development takes place. The Planning Department have arranged a presentation to the Advisory Design Panel and provided copies of the UDGOS to staff and the Advisory Design Panel for reference where applicable. The guidelines focus primarily on outdoor spaces. Applicants for strata developments with outdoor common areas are being encouraged to use the guidelines. Successes: Tactile surfaces have been installed at 210th Street and Wicklund Avenue; and at Spirit Square on 224th Street. Tactile surfaces are also scheduled to be installed on Edge Street and McIntosh crossings near the Haney Place bus exchange and as part of the Downtown Revitalization project. Work crews were certified April 16, 2010 for future installation projects. Accessible benches that have back and arm support will be installed as part of the Westminster Savings bank development at 224th Street and Lougheed Highway. Of course several other installations have occurred as outlined above. Challenges: The application of tactile surfaces has required some modification to best serve residents. As a result, some of the UDGOS schematic drawings are not representative of the desired arrangement and will be updated to accurately convey the desired result. The principles of the Universal Design Guidelines handbook are not enforceable by staff, and as a result it is challenging to require use of the guidelines by others. Municipal departments on the other hand have made the commitment and are making every effort to comply in municipal projects to lead by example. As a result, staff have identified a number of next steps to further implement the design guidelines. Next Steps: In order to better implement accessible design in Maple Ridge's outdoor spaces, staff will: continue to use the Universal Design Guidelines for Outdoor Spaces as a reference when completing the detailed design of municipally initiated projects. include the tactile surfaces recommended in the Universal Design Guidelines for Outdoor Spaces in the design guidelines of the Town Centre Development Permit Area. provide UDG checklists as handouts at the District of Maple Ridge customer service centre to encourage their use in the development process. Universal_Design_Gu idel ines_Progress_Rpt b) Desired Outcomes: The desired outcome is that the design guidelines for outdoor spaces be incorporated into existing policy to ensure that outdoor spaces are accessible throughout Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. c) Strategic Alignment: Implementation of the Universal Design Guidelines for Outdoor Spaces will contribute to a safe and livable community by reducing barriers to citizens and ensuring that our public spaces are inclusive. d) Customer Implications: The application of the guidelines will result in improved accessibility in the community and greater inclusivity. e) Business Plan/Financial Implications: This report responds to the requirement in the MACAI business plan to report out on this subject. Funding for improvement projects are budgeted within each specific project or department. CONCLUSION: The Universal Design Guidelines for Outdoor Spaces have been well received by the Engineering, Planning, and Parks and Leisure Services departments. They are being used by all thee departments and the next steps will increase the profile of the handbook, and incorporate some of the handbook's principles into policy and/or bylaws. n Pre pa reill b : Amelia Bowden Recreation Access Coordinator Approved by: Mike Murray General Manager, Community Development Parks and Recreation-1 7- F IK--1 Concurren Vie: J. L. (Jim) Rule Chief Administrative Officer /ab Un iversal_Design_Gu id el ines_Progress_Rpt Appendix A - Engineering Department Implementation Update The Engineering department has focused on section 3.1 of the Guidelines and incorporated the concepts into recent capital projects to pilot the designs and obtain feedback from the public and the Municipal Advisory Committee on Accessibility Issues (MACAI). These projects include Spirit Square, the design of the Downtown Enhancement Project, and a retrofit test site located at 210 Street at Wicklund. As a result of the installations, design revisions to the original template have been made and been reviewed with the Municipal Advisory Committee on Accessibility Issues (MACAI) with the intent to develop a standard that can be implemented by the department. Using the experience gained, the Engineering department will be incorporating a revised version of Section 3.1 into the Design Criteria. The Design Criteria will provide clear guidance for accessibility improvements to the development community and the Engineering capital projects. The Engineering department will be installing the Armor Tile tactile product in the Downtown Enhancement Project on 224 Street and Lougheed Highway between 222 Street and 224 Street. Recently, (as of April 16, 2010) three District Operations staff have been certified for the installation of Armor Tile tactile products. With this training, staff will now be able to install Armor Tile products at locations as identified by the (MACAI). Appendix B Memorandum TO: Amelia Bowden FROM: Parks and Leisure Services DATE: April 18, 2010 SUBJECT: Universal Design Guidelines for Outdoor Spaces Handbook Implementation Accessible design has always been a consideration for Parks and Leisure Services during the creation of new parks and open spaces. However, the Universal Design Guidelines for Outdoors Spaces handbook has increased the importance of accessible design and provide helpful guidelines for the department. Prior to the publication of the UDGOS, an example of accessible best practice are the accessible washrooms at Harris Landing. These outdoor washroom facilities were designed with flush entry thresholds and easy to use handles, and were featured in the UDGOS. Accessible design was a focus in the Maple Ridge Spirit Square project, as well as in improvements to Memorial Peace Park. The UDGOS was a resource for these initiatives. In Memorial Peace Park, stairs were painted yellow to increase the visibility for persons with visual impairments. Also, garbage cans in Spirit Square are located along pathways to allow for persons with mobility impairments to pull up close to reach the garbage can. Similarly, the new drinking fountain in Spirit Square is along a paved pathway and allows for a person using a wheelchair to pull up close to it. The let down area in front of Leisure Centre was also painted yellow, which allows patrons with mobility impairments to enter and exit without being blocked by vehicles. Lastly, accessibility was further improved in the park when a gentler let down was created adjacent from the office tower, and cement pads were added next to lamp posts to increase the width of useable pathway space for persons with mobility impairments. The Parks and Leisure Services Department has also used the accessible bench guidelines in section 3.4 Park Services, Trail Signage & Campgrounds guidelines when new park development takes place. Benches with back and arm support will be used in the credit union development at Lougheed Highway and 224th Street. Additionally, accessible design is incorporated in playground design as well. The playground at Pitt Meadows Elementary was designed to include wheelchair access to the play structures from the adjacent pathway. In closing, the UDGOS has been used by the Parks and Leisure Services department for new park and open space development, as well as improvements to existing parks and open spaces.