03 - November 7, 2023 JAAC MinutesElgin/Central Elgin Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee
Minutes
November 7, 2023, 3:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
450 Sunset Drive
St. Thomas ON
Members Present: Tom Marks, Chair
Dave Baughman, Municipality of Central Elgin Councillor
Jenn Salverda
Members Absent: Todd Noble, Elgin County Councillor
Staff Present: Sarah Savoie, Accessibility Coordinator
Jenna Fentie, Manager of Administrative Services/Deputy Clerk
Delany Leitch, Deputy Clerk/Record Management Coordinator,
Municipality of Central Elgin
Stefanie Heide, Legislative Services Coordinator
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 3:36 p.m. with Tom Marks in the chair.
2. Approval of Agenda
Moved by: Dave Baughman
Seconded by: Jenn Salverda
RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the November 7, 2023 meeting of the Joint
Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved as presented.
Motion Carried.
3. Adoption of Minutes
Moved by: Jenn Salverda
Seconded by: Dave Baughman
RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the meeting held on June 1, 2023 be adopted.
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Motion Carried.
4. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
None.
5. Delegations
5.1 Sylvia Baliko, Regional Coordinator - Central Region, Tetra Society of
North America - Tetra Society of North America Presentation
The Regional Coordinator - Central Region, Tetra Society of North
America provided a presentation to the Committee.
Moved by: Dave Baughman
Seconded by: Jenn Salverda
RESOLVED THAT the presentation from the Tetra Society of North
America be received and filed.
Motion Carried.
6. Reports/Briefings
6.1 Accessibility Coordinator - Elgin County and its LMPs Joint Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion Plan 2024-2026
The Accessibility Coordinator presented the report titled "Elgin County and
its LMPs Joint Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan 2024-2026" to the
Committee.
Moved by: Dave Baughman
Seconded by: Jenn Salverda
RESOLVED THAT the report titled "Elgin County and its LMPs Joint
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan 2024-2026" dated November 7, 2023
from the Accessibility Coordinator be reviewed and forwarded to Council
for approval.
Motion Carried.
6.2 Accessibility Coordinator - Review of Policies
The Accessibility Coordinator presented the report titled "Updates to the
Accessibility Policy, Emergency Response Policy, and Accommodations
Policy" to the Committee.
Moved by: Jenn Salverda
Seconded by: Dave Baughman
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RESOLVED THAT the report titled "Updates to the Accessibility Policy,
Emergency Response Policy, and Accommodations Policy" dated
November 7, 2023 from the Accessibility Coordinator be reviewed and
forwarded to Council for approval.
Motion Carried.
6.2.1 2.130 Elgin County Accessibility Policy
6.2.2 2.130.1 Emergency Workplace Response for Employees with
Disabilities
6.2.3 2.80.2 Accommodations in the Workplace
6.3 Accessibility Coordinator - Updates on Accessibility Initiatives
(verbal)
6.3.1 Joint Annual Accessibility Status Report
The Accessibility Coordinator provided a verbal update on the status of
the Joint Annual Accessibility Status Report. The Accessibility
Coordinator stated that this report is an annual requirement to
demonstrate that the County and its Local Municipal Partners are
committed to the goals that are set out in the Joint Multi -Year
Accessibility Plan. The draft of the report has been completed for 2023,
and expects that the report will be presented to the Committee in early
2024 for approval.
6.3.2 Accessibility Compliance Report
The Accessibility Coordinator noted that the Accessibility Compliance
Report is a bi-annual report that must be submitted to the Ministry for
Seniors and Accessibilities by December 31. The Accessibility
Coordinator stated that the County has submitted their report, and has
extended an offer of support to Elgin's Local Municipal Partners to
ensure reports are submitted by the deadline.
6.3.3 General Updates
6.3.3.1 Accessibility Coordinator Position
The Accessibility Coordinator provided an update that the
Accessibility Coordinator Position is coming to an end on
November 30, 2024. She advised that the County's Human
Resources department will provide support to the Committee
until further notice.
6.3.3.2 Upcoming Initiatives
The Accessibility Coordinator advised that County staff will
begin advertising for the vacant position on the Committee.
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The Accessibility Coordinator advised the Committee that
the north elevator in the County Administration Building is
now open, and construction on the new south elevator is still
underway.
The Accessibility Coordinator advised the Committee that
the County is currently redeveloping the County's website
and refreshing the County logo.
7. Other Business
None.
8. Correspondence
None.
9. Closed Meeting Items
None.
10. Motion to Rise and Report
None.
11. Date of Next Meeting
The Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee will meet again at the call of the
Chair.
12. Adjournment
Moved by: Dave Baughman
Seconded by: Jenn Salverda
RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 4:16 p.m. to meet again at the call of
the Chair.
Katherine Thompson,
Manager of Administrative
Services/Deputy Clerk.
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Tom Marks,
Chair.