ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
2004-02-16
Meeting No. 1
Attendance
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J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
M. F. Turner, Commissioner, Strategy,
Innovation
& Partnerships
S. Chait, Director, Economic Development
T. Northcott, Senior Business Development Officer
D. Ciastko, Business Development Officer
S. Tam, Manager, Markham Small Business Enterprise Centre
C. Raynor, Committee Clerk
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The Economic Development Committee convened at the hour of 11:00 a.m.
with Councillor J. Virgilio in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS
Councillor
J. Webster disclosed an interest with respect to Item No. 2,
"International & Economic Alliance Program", by nature of him
being involved in the visit to Cary as the Official Town Crier for the Town of
Markham, and did not take part in the
consideration or discussion of or vote on the question of the approval of such
matter.
1. 2004 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MARKETING PROGRAM (10.16) Weblink1 2
Mr. S. Chait, Director, Economic Development, outlined the program of
events for 2004. There was considerable discussion on some of the items, and
possible alternatives were suggested. It was stated that a delegation may go to
China to reinforce a partnership but that the details had not yet been
finalized. If it were pursued, resources for the delegation would only be
available in September 2004, and a report requesting Council approval would be
brought forward in advance.
Mr. S. Chait clarified that the 2004 budget would only allow one
Economic Development member and the Mayor or one Councillor to attend the
various delegations. In the event that more Councillors wished to attend, the
expense would have to be funded elsewhere.
Moved by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the report entitled “2004 Economic
Development Marketing Program” be received,
And that Economic Development staff implement
the projects described in this report that are funded through the Business Development
operating budget (equal in total to 27% of the base 2004 budget for Business
Development account #610-9985808), those projects being: sponsored/hosted
events to a maximum of $38,500; business conferences and industry/trade shows
to a maximum of $7,750; and the production and purchase of advertising and
promotional materials to a maximum of $34,500;
And that Economic Development staff implement
the projects described in this report that are funded through the Business
Travel operating budget (equal in total to 50% of the base 2004 budget for
Business Travel account #610-9985201), those projects being: business
conferences and industry/trade shows to a maximum of $12,500;
And further that the projects described in
this report be funded from within the Economic Development Business Development
account #610-9985808 and Business Travel acct. #610-9985201;
And where, in the report, “the Mayor or one Member of Council” is
stated as an additional attendee to various delegations, that this be widened
to “the Mayor and/or the Chair of the Economic Development Committee, and/or a
Member of Council”.
CARRIED
2. INTERNATIONAL AND ECONOMIC
ALLIANCE
PROGRAM (10.16) Weblink1 2 3
Mr. S. Chait, Director, Economic Development was in attendance and
spoke to this issue.
There was considerable discussion on this
matter. Mr. S. Chait stated that the plan for 2004 was to limit the
international alliances to the two or three that bore most potential for return
on investment. It was felt that the Markham business community needs to be
involved in the pursuit and development of these opportunities and their input
would be welcomed.
It was stated that a further report on the
alliance with China would be forthcoming once more detailed discussions had
been completed with Chinese representatives and experienced advisors.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
That the report entitled “International &
Economic Alliance Program” be received;
And that approval be given to Economic
Development staff to implement a 3-year economic cooperation plan with Laval
(Quebec), contingent upon receipt of budget approval for 2004 capital account
funding;
And further that approval be given to
Economic Development staff to implement a 3-year economic cooperation plan with
Cary (North Carolina), contingent upon receipt of budget approval for 2004
capital account funding;
And that Economic Development staff be
directed to present Council with a recommendation prior to the end of 2004 for
a 3-year economic alliance program with an appropriate business community in
China;
And that staff be directed to initiate a forum involving the York
Technology Association, Markham Board of Trade and other relevant business
leaders, in order to gather input on these and other Economic Development
initiatives.
CARRIED
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Other matters
considered by the Economic Development Committee at its meeting on February 17,
2004
3. MARKHAM
SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
CENTRE FIRST QUARTER UPDATE
(10.16) Weblink
Ms. S. Tam invited the Committee to attend the official opening of the
Markham Small Business Enterprise Centre on February 18, 2004.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
That the report entitled “Markham Small Business Enterprise Centre
First Quarter Update” be received.
CARRIED
4. INNOVATION SYNERGY CENTRE IN MARKHAM
STATUS UPDATE (10.16) Weblink1 2
Mr. B. Glandfield, gave a brief presentation outlining the function and
activities of the Innovation Synergy Centre in Markham. He advised that a financial report
will be forthcoming at the next Economic Development Committee meeting. He also
invited the Committee to visit the Centre.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That the report entitled “Innovation Synergy
Centre in Markham Status Update” be received.
CARRIED
5. KNOWLEDGE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE
TERMS OF REFERENCE
(10.16) Weblink
Mr. S. Chait, Director, Economic Development requested that meeting
dates be set for the Knowledge Community Task Force. He proposed that a meeting
be set up for the Co-Chairs to meet and discuss the next steps.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the report entitled “Knowledge Community
Task Force Terms of Reference” be received;
And that the Task Force Co-Chairs adopt a
Terms of Reference for the Task Force;
And that the Task Force Co-Chairs advise
staff on the next steps for establishing the Task Force and the objectives for
2004 (year one).
CARRIED
6. INTRODUCTION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
TEAM
AND PRESENTATION OF 2004
BUSINESS PLAN (10.16)
Mr. S. Chait, Director, Economic Development was in attendance and
spoke to this issue. He briefly introduced the Economic Development team and
outlined the key performance indicators for 2004. A principal target was to
maintain a 3% annual growth rate of new high-tech businesses.
Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the presentation by Mr. S. Chait,
Director, Economic Development, introducing the Economic Development team, and
outlining the 2004 Business Plan, be received.
CARRIED
7. FUTURE MEETING DATES (10.16)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
That the following dates be
confirmed as the future meeting dates of the Economic Development Committee in
2004, with a start time of 11:00 a.m.:
April 5, 2004
May 3, 2004
June 7, 2004
August 9, 2004
September 13, 2004
October 4, 2004
November 8, 2004
December 6, 2004
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Economic Development Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of
12:50 p.m.