Tag Archives: amherstburg

Hear Deputy Mayor Gibb On Dalhousie Street No Parking Sign

Posted on by

Nancy Atkinson requested delegate status at the June 12 town council meeting, although she was not listed on the agenda. However, she was allowed to speak once council waived the rules, as it had already done for a pickle ball rep.

Ms. Atkinson, representing the Amherstburg Residents Forum mentioned three concerns, Deputy Mayor Gibb responded regarding the new no parking sign on Dalhousie Street.

Listen to part of the audio from the June 12, 2023 town council meeting.

Unofficial transcript:

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb  Thank you worship. I’m going to be angry at myself if I don’t say this. So later on I’m I’m as the deputant said, I can look in the mirror. I have a lot less faith in the fact that people are trying to suggest this is a parking issue. And I want council to know, I suspect this has everything to do with a hotel that was recently approved, and that’s why people want to get rid of that parking spot, or they want to make it physically impossible. I listened to you when you spoke.

Mayor Michael Prue  Please, please, please. 

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb  There’s your deputant. 

Mayor Michael Prue  Okay, no, no, please, please.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb  I just want council to know that’s what I suspect this is all about. And council needs to know that before they ask for more staff time on a report for later on.

Mayor Michael Prue  No, no, no, I’m not. No, I’m sorry. I’m not. No, you made your deputation. This is now the prerogative of Council. We have a motion on the floor. After after the motion was put on the floor. I can’t I can’t allow that. It belongs it belongs to council. Okay. Councillor Allaire.

Comparing Amherstburg To Other Municipalities: Inclusive Communities Grants

Posted on by

The Town of Amherstburg applied for, and received $60,000. from the provincial Inclusive Communities Grants Program that helps communities become more inclusive and accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

Ontario.ca:

“The Inclusive Community Grants Program helps ensure local governments and community organizations consider Ontarians of all ages and abilities at every stage of community planning and development. Inclusive communities respond to both the opportunities and challenges of an aging population by:

  • creating physical and social environments that support independent and active living
  • enabling older adults and people with disabilities to continue contributing to all aspects of community life

Ontario’s Inclusive Community Grants Program supports community projects that:

  • benefit local communities
  • promote accessibility, safety and active living for people of all ages and abilities
  • meet the needs of seniors and people with disabilities.”

In a report to council, then-Clerk Paula Parker stated, the primary purpose of this initiative is to help Amherstburg to become an age-friendly community by ensuring that the needs of the residents of all ages and abilities are considered in every stage of community planning and development. The Town will engage a consultant to complete a Needs Assessment and Action Plan which will involve obtaining direct input from those most affected, seniors 55+, older adults 65+ and persons with disabilities and disenfranchised populations in the immediate region, community stakeholders, including municipal officials, local businesses, and providers in the recreational and health sectors.

At the Regular Council Meeting Monday, April 12, 2021, Councillor McArthur congratulated town staff for getting up to $60,000 from the province to be spent on seniors’ initiatives and asked what are we going to spend the money on?

Then-CAO Miceli explained we are going to be spending money basically developing a Seniors Master Plan showing the services and the needs of seniors in our community, a more inclusive and welcoming community for our seniors. The work plan will develop a significant amount of public consultation with our seniors groups, throughout various locations in Amherstburg. At the end of it all we’re going to have a plan that’s going to be a guiding document for council on what our seniors would like to see in our community of Amherstburg.

McArthur said we’ve been after this seniors master plan for a while and asked what the timelines was. Miceli said the timeframe to complete the project would be spring 2022. 

A committee was formed, a consultant was hired and the Inclusive Community Program (ICP) Final Report and the 2022 03 23 ICP Needs Assessment and Action Plan were presented to council on March 28, 2022. At the same meeting, it was recommended that: The Seniors Advisory Committee composition BE REDUCED by one lay member.

OTHER MUNICIPALITIES USED THE GRANT for a variety of projects, including accessible kayak launch, beach access mats, inclusive picnic tables, accessible pathway,  several accessible washrooms, upgrade accessible trails to meet AODA standards, making outdoor spaces and public buildings more accessible, accessible charging stations in local parks, accessible (CNIB) approved signage and resting benches,

Read the full listing: A total of 55 projects received an Inclusive Community Grant.

Comparing Amherstburg To Other Municipalities: Ontario Land Tribunal Cases

Posted on by

Amherstburg currently has six cases listed at the OLT website:

  • Consent – Proposing to sever a new lot 69 North Street
  • Extension of the ICBL development of Howard Industrial Park District 7809 Howard
  • ZBA – six-storey, 28-unit condominium 639 Front Road N
  • Minor Variance – Construction of a Single Detached Dwelling 490 Dalhousie
  • Seminary of Sacred Knowledge, student residence 6101 County Road 20 W
  • ZBA – Dog breeding and boarding facility 6136 Concession Road N

Other local municipalities’ cases at the OLT:

Essex 0
Kingsville 0
Lakeshore 0
LaSalle 0
Leamington 0

    Windsor Police Comments – 256 Dalhousie ZBA Update

    Posted on by

    As mentioned in this post, Barry Horrobin, Windsor Police Service, was notified of the April 11 meeting on March 15, 2023 at 3:06 PM, was requested to provide any comments by March 22 and emailed his comments on March 17, 2023 at 9:32 AM. Read the emails.

    I requested a copy of the Windsor Police report by Barry Horrobin that formed the basis for his comments. Horrobin previously provided two reports following site assessments based on principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design:

    I requested all notes, measurements, photos and documents that Barry Horrobin relied on and referenced as the basis for his March 17 comments.

    On May 25, Windsor Police FOI Coordinator advised, “Responsive records were located, however, the disclosure of the records may affect the economic interests of a third party. The third party whose interests may be affected is being given the opportunity to make representations about the release of the record. A decision on whether or not the record will be disclosed will be made by June 27 2023 in accordance with section 27 of the Act.“

    We may just have to undergo another Appeal.

    Tell The Accessibility Advisory Committee To Select Hotel Site Plans For Review

    Posted on by

    I’ve suggested that committee members’ contact information be made available to receive input from the public regarding accessibility concerns. Committees may not always be representative of persons with a range of disabilities.

    Councillor McArthur is this term’s rep so I’ve emailed him the following and request you send him one at dmcarthur@amherstburg.ca and copy me at theburgwatch@gmail.com.

    as council’s new rep to the accessibility advisory committee, you may not be fully aware of the committee’s mandate. as i’ve mentioned before, i was not given the accessibility training materials that members of council received on november 29 but i’ve submitted an FOI request for them.

    given the controversy of the proposed hotel, and accessibility/safety concerns affecting persons with disabilities involving the back stairs, i would urge the committee to select the site plans and drawings for the project.

    also, as i’ve repeatedly raised the issue about the lack of reports included on the committee’s agenda, you should know that there are several empty links in tomorrow’s meeting agenda. I’ve also mentioned before that verbal reports, instead of attached reports, may pose a barrier. wouldn’t it be ironic if the committee that is supposed to remove barriers creates them?

    Agenda Accessibility Advisory Committee April 27

    Posted on by

    The agenda for the first meeting of this year/term is now posted on the town’s website and contains empty links which to me indicates a lack of transparency and accountability.

    I have suggested training in procedure and have raised the issue of empty agenda links with no attachments. I advised then-CAO Simmons of a recurring problem that i previously mentioned. The agenda contains links to no attachments; for those who are interested in observing the meetings, having to rely on audio without being able to read any documents is a barrier to participation and accountability.

    Simmons responded, thank you for bringing them to our attention and we will endeavour to make improvements including not leaving links devoid of information.

    And it continues with this agenda: I counted 14 empty links.

    Nomination of Chair and Nomination of Vice Chair contain two empty links.

    The presentation, Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committees (AAAC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is an empty link to 6.1  Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committees (AAAC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

    This item has no attachments.

    ORDER OF BUSINESS is an empty link to 7. ORDER OF BUSINESS.

    This item has no attachments.

    7.1 Accessibility Advisory Committee Work Plan is an empty link to 7.1  Accessibility Advisory Committee Work Plan.

    This item has no attachments.

    7.2 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is an empty link but the pop up link does work: 2022 07 04 – 2021 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.pdf

    7.3 Committee 2023 Meeting Schedule is an empty link; the pop up window contains a link that works but colours should be reviewed. 2023 Calendar of Committee Meetings.pdf

    7.4 Accessibility Audits of Town Property and Parkland is an empty link to 7.4  Accessibility Audits of Town Property and Parkland.

    This item has no attachments.

    8. NEW BUSINESS is an empty link to 8.  NEW BUSINESS.

    This item has no attachments.

    9. ADJOURNMENT is an empty link to Adjournment.

    This item has no attachments.

    Short Term Rental Meeting Post Review

    Posted on by

    It would be so much more enjoyable, and less time consuming, if council meetings were conducted with more decorum – less speeches, personal anecdotes and repetitive comments and my pet peeve – staff appreciation. I understand the importance of council/staff relations, but offering kudos and thanking staff for a report? applauding staff for reading comments into the record?

    As recently as the March 14 post, Open Air Post Review To Council, copied to council, I offered kudos to Councillor Pouget for consistently acknowledging the town’s legal obligation to comply with provincial legislation, specifically, the AODA and Human Rights Code.

    At the April 17 meeting, Short Term Rentals, Councillor Pouget raised a concern regarding the accessibility issues: According to the provincial government guidelines do mention accessibility legislation, including the Human Rights Code for short term rentals. Pouget asked Mr. Tetler has that been taken into consideration?

    Mr. Tetler said these properties would need to be brought into compliance with the Fire Code and the Ontario Building Code so he couldn’t speak to what each property would have at this time.

    Councillor Pouget said she was basically referring to the Accessibility Act, according to the provincial government,

    CAO Crtichley explained the Building Code has specifications for what has to be in properties to comply with AODA so these homes will need to be in compliance with the Building Code.

    As I mentioned on March 13, the Human Rights Code has primacy over all other Ontario legislation.

    I repeat today, kudos to Councillor Pouget for consistently acknowledging the town’s legal obligation to comply with provincial legislation, specifically, the AODA and Human Rights Code.

    On March 14, Deputy Mayor Gibb spoke about his in-laws, as he did yesterday, in reference to where family members live, in Blue Mountain, and when they come to Amherstburg to visit his in laws.

    As council’s rep on the Accessibility Advisory committee, Councillor McArthur should have advocated for the removal of barriers.

    Councillor McArthur offered kudos to the bylaw department while Councillor Crain wanted to thank staff for their work on this. A staff member listed about twelve municipalities that were looked at. Shouldn’t all of the research been included in a ‘fulsome’ report so council was more informed?

    Councillor Allaire shared her personal experience of what she prefers as a renter and was in favour of Option C.

    I counted four members of council who encouraged people to continue contacting authorities to report disturbances.

    Revised Agenda Short Term Rentals April 17

    Posted on by

    There are now six delegations for the 5:00 pm meeting listed on the revised agenda regarding the Administration Report, Appendix “B” OWNER OCCUPIED and Appendix “C” Not Owner Occupied. The pages are not numbered.

    The provincial guide for municipalities that are considering regulating home-sharing in their communities does mention accessibility and provincial legislation.

    Short Term Rentals On April 17 Council Agenda

    Posted on by

    There is one delegation, Peggy Thompson, to provide some well researched input on Short Term Rentals.

    Some Boblo Island residents have submitted a petition requesting any and all short term rentals be prohibited on the island.

    A committee is recommended ‘to address any appeals’ but the report continues that the committee would have full authority to make decisions on applications and appeals relating to licensing matters.

    I couldn’t find any mention of accessibility in the Administration Report or Appendix “B” –OWNER OCCUPIED and Appendix “C” – Not Owner Occupied.

    The provincial guide for municipalities that are considering regulating home-sharing in their communities does mention accessibility and provincial legislation.

    Provincial Act

    Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)

    Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR), O. Reg. 191/11

    Ontario has laws to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is a law that sets out a process for developing and enforcing accessibility standards.

    Accessibility standards are laws under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation that government, businesses, non-profits and public sector organizations must follow to become more accessible. They help organizations identify and remove barriers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in 5 areas of daily life in the areas of transportation, customer service, employment, information and communications and in the design of public spaces.

    Application

    The AODA and its related accessibility standards applies to every person or organization that provides goods, services or facilities to the public or other third parties and that has at least one employee in Ontario. Accessibility requirements and deadlines depend on the type and size of your organization.

    If an organization has one or more employees, the organization must adhere to the accessibility requirements under the AODA and its standards. Sole proprietors or self-employed individuals who do not have employees are exempt from having to comply with the AODA and its accessibility standards.