Burlington Seniors' Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:	Monday, November 29, 2021
Time:	10:00 A.m. - 12:00 P.m.
Location:	Virtual

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1.

Members Present:

Jim Young (Chair), Deepti Mahajan, John Kalbfleisch, Nancy Gilbert

2.

Member Regrets:

Wendy Moraghan

3.

Others Present:

Jim Thurston (Halton Older Adults Advisory Committee), Councillor Shawna Stolte, Denise Beard (Manager of Community Development),  Kristin Sprukulis (Clerk)

4.

Land Acknowledgement:

Kristin read the Land Acknowledgement. 

5.

Declarations of Interest:

None. 

6.

Approval of Minutes:

6.1

Approval of minutes from the meeting held October 25, 2021

On motion, the minutes from the meeting held October 25, 2021 were approved as presented.

6.2

Approve the minutes from the special meeting held November 1, 2021

On motion, the minutes from the meeting held November 1, 2021 were approved as presented.

7.

Delegation(s):

7.1

Updates from Halton Older Adults Advisory Committee

Jim provided BSAC with the following updates:

• OAAC will not be going back to in person meetings because the terms of reference are up in June due to the municipal election. Once the election is complete the committee will be re-populated through a recruitment process and approval at Regional Council.
• There was a delegation at the past OAAC meeting regarding the solid waste management strategy in Halton. This would mean that there would be a decrease in the number of garbage bags per pick up and for a push to use the blue and green bins. There is also a study regarding the cart system. These would be large bins instead of the current bags/smaller bins. This is part of a movement to unify all of the blue box pick ups in Ontario. 
• Ontario Senior Dental Care Program. This has now been approved and is open to residents 65 years of age and older. Applications are made through the province, and once approved residents will receive a card that can then be applied through the health networks in the community they live in. Dentists that use this program must be approved and there are currently seven in Halton. The program is applicable for one year, and then must be re-applied for. 

8.

Regular Items:

8.1

Updates from Recreation, Community and Culture

Denise Beard, Manager of Community Development) provided the following updates:

• This will be Denise's last meeting with BSAC and Emilie Cote will be joining us next meeting. 

Current Engagements

• Ryerson Naming update: Council has directed staff to rename the park. There was an initial ideation phase where names were suggested from the community. There were over 500 names and the committee came out with four names to be officially voted on. 1600 residents votes on this final name. The report regarding the re-naming will go to council in January. 
  • In addition to the naming, we are also looking to have educational pieces in the park to talk about why the name is being changed. We are also looking to have plantings and built structures that bring Indigenous culture to the park.
• Budget 2022 Key meetings: there was a virtual town hall on Nov 22, 2021 and there will be committee meetings on Nov 30 and Dec 2: Council begins the budget process on November 30th and will begin by hearing delegations from the community. Staff will be at the meeting to provide feedback and information regarding their budget items. 
  • Councillor Stolte noted that the increase will be largely due to HR budgets as in order for the city to build and grow, we need more staff in Planning and Building in order to manage the growth. 
• Rural Active Transportation Strategy Pin Map open until Dec 6, 2021: Engagement is currently going on where residents can pin on a map if they use rural areas to walk, run, cycle, etc. This shows where residents believe investment needs to happen. 
• Housing Strategy Virtual Open House: Nov 29 at 7:00 PM: This meeting dealt with housing affordability in Burlington. Councillor Stolte informed that they are not trying to duplicate the work of the Region. Burlington is looking to make housing attainable in the city- those who have the income that should allow you to buy property. There needs to be a variety of options and condos are not the only model to look at. Burlington is missing the middle as young families, seniors, etc. cannot buy here and therefore the city loses out on this expertise that could be brought into Burlington. 

Recent Reports of interest

• Interest in Robert Bateman High School: This will be made formal in December. 
• Asset Management and Financing Plan: This was passed on November 23, 2021. 
• Rates and Fees Amendment: This was amended at council related to the Bistro at the Seniors' center. The document originally advised that the breakfast at the Bistro was discontinuing that rate because the cost of food is escalating. The change allows staff the flexibility to keep running the bistro with the cost of the day. 
• Extension of the COVID-19 Mask By-Law and Physical Distancing By-Law until June 30, 2022
• Paid hourly parking back in the downtown effective Nov. 23, 2021
• Reduction of speed limits in school zones to 30km/hr
• Public Appointment Policy and committee review update: This was approved by Council on November 10, 2021.
• 2022 election planning and advocacy
• Pride benches

Recent Press Releases

• Removal of the downtown from the Major Transit Station Area in the City’s Urban Growth Centre: Downtown Burlington is no longer an MTSA. this allows the focus to be at the three GO Stations vs. the Downtown. Hoping this will take pressure off of the downtown and at the GO stations where it is needed. 
• Community Matching Fund launched deadline Feb 28, 2022. The city will provide money up to $10,000 to build what is wanted on city land as long as the community puts in the sweat equity/time/volunteer hours. ex. Sitting areas in parks, butterfly gardens, etc. 

8.2

November 30th Budget meeting delegation

Jim spoke about the delegation to Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability Budget Committee on November 30, 2021. The following motions were approved:

Approve Jim Young to delegate on behalf of the Burlington Seniors’ Advisory Committee at the November 30, 2021 Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability Budget Committee meeting in support of the budget consideration of permanent off-peak free transit for seniors.

Approve the circulated and attached speaking notes for Jim Young’s delegation at the November 30, 2021 Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability Budget Committee meeting in support of the budget consideration of permanent off-peak free transit for seniors.

Action: Jim to submit delegation registration form

8.3

Input regarding December BSAC meeting

Kristin discussed the options for the December BSAC meeting scheduled to take place on December 20, 2021.

The following motion was approved:

Approve the cancellation of the December 20, 2021, Burlington Seniors’ Advisory Committee.

8.4

Approval of the 2022 BSAC Meeting Schedule

The following motion was approved:

Approve the Burlington Seniors’ Advisory Committee 2022 meeting schedule.

8.5

Roundtable Updates

a.

Burlington Public Library

Deepti informed that the library is fully operational just with limited numbers on capacity. There is a new change in software in the library, therefore there have been some glitches. If there are any questions or concerns about accounts please call the library for assistance. 

b.

Burlington Inclusivity Advisory Committee 

Jim informed that there was discussion around speed limits on Plains Road, especially around schools. A concern being that if there is a change in speed limits, other roads may become unsafe as residents take a detour. 

BIAC will not be meeting in December, and will return in January 2022

c.

Burlington Integrated Transportation Advisory Committee

Jim discussed that the need to improve transit is important especially as the population ages. An example of this is that handivan services have improved over the recent years. 

ITAC will not be meeting in December, and will return in January 2022. 

d.

Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee

John provided the following updates from BAAC:

•  City Clerk, Kevin Arjoon, attended to discuss elections policies.
• On December 2, 2021 the committee hosted a flag raising and proclamation with Mayor Meed Ward to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities. For photos please visit this page. 
• Accessibility updates are consistently provided regarding new technologies such as gaming system updates and vehicle updates. 
• Canada Post is making mail deliveries more accessible to all customers. The delivery accommodation program is being offered and residents can look into this and apply for it. 

BAAC will not be meeting in December, and will return in January 2022.

9.

Other Business:

9.1

Burlington Taxi

Councillor Stolte discussed the closure of Burlington Taxi and that her office released a statement on this. Discussed the demand, amount of vehicles currently on the road, insurance rates and city staff involved with the by-laws associated with this. Currently trying to find an alternative service for taxis and to make those changes as soon as possible. 

Note: After this meeting this was discussed at the December 7, Community, Planning, Regulation and Mobility Committee. Please find the update here. 

9.2

Committee Updates

As this would be the last meeting of 2021, Kristin thanked everyone for their involvement in the committee this year. 

Jim thanked everyone for their commitment and for being a part of BSAC this year. This is Jim and Wendy's last meeting with BSAC as their terms are over.

10.

Adjournment: 11:28 a.m.