ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
2004-05-03 &
05-04
Meeting No. 2
Attendance
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J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services
S. Chait, Director, Economic Development
D. Ciastko, Business Development Officer
T. Northcott, Senior Business Development Officer
S. Tam, Manager, Markham Small Business Enterprise Centre
(Not
present May 4)
C. Raynor, Committee Clerk
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The Economic Development Committee convened at the hour of 12:10 p.m.
with Councillor J. Virgilio in the Chair.
……………………………
The Economic Development
Committee recessed at the hour of 1:15 p.m. on May 3, 2004 and reconvened on
May 4, 2004 at the hour of 2:00 p.m.
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DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. 2004
BIOTECH INITIATIVE (10.16) Weblink
Mr. T. Northcott, Senior Business Development
Officer, gave a brief outline of the aims and potential benefits of the North
Carolina Biotech Conference.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the report entitled “2004 Biotech Initiative” be received;
And that the Town authorize the Senior Business Development Officer to
participate in the 13th Annual North Carolina Biotech Conference,
and related business development initiatives, at a total cost not to exceed
$3,000 to be funded from within the 2004 base operating budget, Business Travel
account #610-9985201;
And further that the Town not participate in BIO 2004 in San Francisco.
CARRIED
2. 2004
MARKHAM-CARY, NC
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE PROGRAM (10.16) Weblink
Mr. S. Chait, Director, Economic Development, noted that Cary, NC had
recently been voted by Money Magazine as the number one place for Small to
Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to do business. He proposed that Councillor J.
Webster be invited to attend Cary’s annual community festival in order to
represent the Town in an economic development role.
Councillor J. Webster declared a conflict of interest as he is also attending
the event in his role as Town Crier. The Chair noted that Councillor J.
Webster’s activities at the event on behalf of the Town will be totally
separate from his duties as the Crier.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the report entitled “2004 Markham-Cary, NC Economic Alliance
Program” be received;
And that the Mayor and Regional Councillor O'Donnell be authorized to
participate in the Cary Chamber of Commerce Annual Planning Meeting at a cost
not to exceed $3,500 to be funded from within the approved Business Travel
account #610-9985201;
And that Councillor J. Webster and the Economic Development Director be
authorized to represent Markham as part of a community and business delegation
at a cost not to exceed $4,500 to be funded from within the approved Business
Travel account #610-9985201.
CARRIED
3. BUTTONVILLE
AIRPORT
COMMUNITY COMMITTEE APPOINTEES (10.16) Weblink
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the report entitled “Buttonville Airport Community Committee
Appointees” be received;
And that the following membership of the Buttonville Airport Community
Committee be confirmed by Council: Regional Councillor J. Jones, Councillor D.
Horchik, G. Semlyen, A. Sikorski, and J. Scholz.
CARRIED
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Other
items considered by the Economic Development Committee on May 3 - 4, 2004
4. OFFICE
MARKET AND MARKHAM’S
COMPETITIVE STATUS (10.16)
Mr. G. Crosby, J.J. Barnicke
Realtor, gave a brief presentation on the state of the office market and an
outline of Markham’s competitive status. He stated that the development
approval process within the Town of Markham should be streamlined in order to
increase its competitiveness in the market. There was some consensus that if
approval timescales are discouraging potential investors, then they should be
examined further.
Staff indicated that the
information would assist in developing a strategy of Economic Development over
the next few months.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor K. Usman
That the presentation by Mr. G. Crosby,
J.J. Barnicke Realtor, regarding the office market and Markham’s competitive
status, be received.
CARRIED
5. MARKET
FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE INDUSTRIAL SPACE
AND MARKHAM’S COMPETITIVE STATUS (10.16)
Mr. R. Goldberg, Emery Investments, gave a brief presentation about the
market for industrial space. He indicated that the larger companies prefer to
operate large campus-type facilities and suggested that Markham needs to ensure
that type of land is available.
The Committee advised that staff should examine how large tracts of
land can be maintained prior to their purchase by an end user.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the presentation by Mr. R. Goldberg, Emery Investments, regarding
the state of the market for high performance industrial space, and Markham’s
competitive status, be received.
CARRIED
6. ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT IMPACT OF
PROPOSED PICKERING AIRPORT (10.16)
Mr. S. Shaw, Greater Toronto Airports Authority, gave a brief outline
of the status of the Pickering Airport project. He advised that an
Environmental Assessment would not be complete before 2007. As part of the
development of the draft plan, a number of studies are underway to ascertain
the potential Economic Development opportunities for the surrounding
municipalities.
The Committee sought clarification on some minor points.
Moved by Councillor K. Usman
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the presentation by Mr. S. Shaw, Greater Toronto Airports
Authority, regarding the economic development impact of the proposed Pickering
Airport, be received.
CARRIED
7. YORK
UNIVERSITY – ACTIVITIES AT THE
INNOVATION SYNERGY CENTRE IN MARKHAM (ISCM) (10.16)
Mr. P. Ross, York University, and Mr. P. Rivett, ISCM Liaison to York
University, gave a brief outline of the activities of York University in the
ISCM. They advised that the University was working in conjunction with the ISCM
to develop education and research partnerships. It was stated that the
University has set aside $100,000 for strategic projects, and will also provide
in kind services.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the presentation by Mr. P. Ross, York University, regarding York
University’s activities at the Innovation Synergy Centre in Markham (ISCM), be
received.
CARRIED
8. MARKHAM’S
HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY (10.16) Weblink
Mr. D. Ciastko, Business Development Officer,
provided a brief analysis of Markham’s High-Tech industry based on the
preliminary findings of the 2003 York Region Business and Employment Survey.
The Committee requested that staff summarize
the findings and produce a prompt press release.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the information report entitled
“Markham’s High-Tech industry” be received.
CARRIED
9. EMPLOYMENT LANDS REVIEW (10.16)
Mr. D. Ciastko, Business
Development Officer, gave a brief summary of the distribution of Employment
Lands within the Town of Markham. The Committee was advised that staff will be
seeking to promote two (2) areas, one in the east end and one in the Hospital
district, attempting to leverage the forthcoming rapid transit corridors. It was
also suggested that the land surrounding Markville Mall could be better
utilized. It was noted that due to the preference among larger high-tech
companies for campus facilities, the Town has to develop larger pockets of
available land.
There was also considerable
discussion surrounding the development of Markham Centre. It was suggested that
a consultant may be required to assist in developing a central “attraction” in
order to entice developers and companies to the Centre. Staff advised that
existing plans focus on a central amenity feature, to be defined on May 11,
2004. Following this, more detail can be developed. Staff stated that they
would meet with key landowners in order to discuss their requirements.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor
J. Jones
That the presentation by Mr. D.
Ciastko, Business Development Officer, providing an Employment Lands Review, be
received;
And that staff invite Mr. R.
Bratty, or another representative from Remington Developments, to a future meeting
of the Economic Development Committee to discuss the Markham Centre project,
and its marketing;
And that staff
consider the appointment of a consultant to assist in enhancing interest in the
Markham Centre project.
CARRIED
10. LEVERAGING
CONTACTS IN CHINA
FOR MARKHAM BUSINESSES (10.16) Weblink
Mr. T. Northcott, Senior Business Development
Officer, gave a brief presentation regarding Town of Markham relations in
China.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That
the report entitled “Leveraging Contacts in China for Markham Businesses” be
received;
And that the Town authorize the Economic Development Department to
further develop a program with select partners for Markham businesses to
capitalize on trade and strategic alliance opportunities in China.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Economic Development Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 2:45
p.m.