ATTENDANCE

Committee:

Deputy Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Regional Councillor Tony Wong

Councillor Alex Councillor Chiu

Outside Representatives

Ellen Ma, York Region Tourism (4.25pm)

Ken Ng, Federation of Chinese Canadians in Markham (FCCM)

Daisy Wai, Richmond Hill & Markham Chinese Business Association

Greg McCormick, Chairman, Unionville BIA

Steve Tonner, Unionville resident (4.15pm)

Town of Markham Staff:

Paul Wealleans – Director of Taxation

Ted Northcott – Senior Economic Development Officer

Andy Taylor – Commissioner of Corporate Services (4.30pm)

Stephen Chait – Director of Economic Development

Marjorie Rebane – Manager, Corporate Communications

Chris Raynor – Committee Clerk

The sixth SARS Task Force meeting convened at 4:05am with Deputy Mayor Scarpitti as acting Chair.

1. Updates

(a) Retail trading holiday exemption

Stephen Chait outlined the steps necessary to formalize the exemptions to retail trading on the remaining holidays of 2003. The Town of Markham must declare the holidays as “Special Events”, and apply to the Region of York for an exemption to retail trading. There is a 30-day waiting period for applications, and then the Region must sit and approve a by-law accepting the exemption. This will satisfy the Provincial requirements.

Since the summer recess may affect the timing of this process, the Committee recommended that Regional Councillors table this issue at the next Regional Council meeting in order to ensure that Regional Council will convene to pass the necessary by-law at the appropriate time. It also recommended that the Town of Markham take the necessary steps to declare the August 4^th (Simcoe Day) , September 1^st (Labour Day) and October 13 (Thanksgiving) holidays as “Special Events”.

(b) Air Rally

Stephen Chait offered a brief recap of the nature of the event of 18 July. It was also confirmed that the Hilton Suites had agreed to act as host hotel, and that Angus Glen was hosting a reception for the participants on 19 July. It was suggested that after the reception, the participants could be taken to Unionville BIA.

Ellen Ma recapped the Region’s plans and discussed the latest results. It was stated that forty businesses had thus far signed up to the “Stay n Play” discount brochure, and that the Region was still accepting applications. The plan is for the brochure to be completed in June with a view to distributing to all households in the region in July.
Also, the Region has thirty-eight 10-second slots broadcasting on CFTO from June 16 to August, and is hoping to partner with Rogers Cable “Living in York Region” show, with live broadcasts and promotions for participating businesses. It was noted that there is $100,000 allocated to external advertising, but that is currently on hold due to the second outbreak.
Ellen Ma stated that some other options were also being considered, for example, a deal with New VR, and a fishing promotion in association with the Ministry of Natural Resources to appeal to GTA residents.
Deputy Mayor Scarpitti suggested it could be advantageous to re-allocate some of those funds to the internal campaign.

2. Ken Ng – FCCM proposal

Ken Ng gave an outline of the FCCM proposal, planned for the July 6 Weekend in the Kennedy and Steeles area. A full day event is planned, in the style of the “Taste of Danforth” to take place at Pacific Mall. It will be promoted in mainstream and multi-cultural media, with the purpose of showing that SARS is under control and promoting York Region in general.
Daisy Wai suggested that this type of event is supported at the Federal level but it was clarified that any funding from the Federal level would be limited to promotional expenses only. Stephen Chait added that the Federal government is focusing on events aimed at encouraging outside visitors; they’re emphasis is on helping the hotel industry, not retail.
Marjorie Rebane confirmed there were no major events already scheduled for July 6
Regional Councillor Wong reminded the Committee that there were a number of events coming up and that the Committee should be prepared to deal with these too.
The Committee was advised that the FCCM was seeking $35,000 in grants, and looking at the possibility of extended road closures for the event.
Regional Councillor Wong advised Ken Ng to submit a written application regarding the closures.

3. Greg McCormick, Chair, Unionville BIA

Greg McCormick was present to outline the Unionville BIA proposal. It was stated that Unionville BIA was the premier tourist attraction in Markham and second in York Region, behind Canada’s Wonderland. The holiday trading exemption may have had a negative impact on the BIA since it already has an exemption as a tourist area, and usually sees an upswing in trade on those days. The Committee was advised that a flourishing BIA would benefit hotels, and real estate values, and that the BIA employed 750 permanent employees.
The BIA was seeking $25,000 in grants and ‘in-kind’ services in order to implement a medium-term strategy. This would include an outdoors promotion on Canada Day, and a Summer Concert package, as well as ensuring that the lead-up to next year’s sesquicentennial of the BIA is a success.
The BIA was also seeking extended road closures for the next three public holidays. Regional Councillor Wong advised the BIA to submit a written application regarding the road closures.

4. Daisy Wai, Update on “Business Recovery Campaign”

Daisy Wai stated that the Mother’s Day and Victoria Day initiatives had been a success, and that now the campaign was widening its scope. There is a promotional event taking place at Markville Mall this weekend that will be attended by some Committee members, and other significant politicians. There will be a variety of prizes on offer, with the top prize being a lease on a Mini Cooper automobile. Phases two and three of the campaign are temporarily on hold due to the second outbreak of SARS.

5. Next Steps

Stephen Chait encouraged the applicants to get the buy-in of hoteliers and transit providers in order to give their proposals a greater reach. This may encourage the Federal government to provide assistance.

Moved by Regional Councillor Wong

Seconded by Councillor Councillor Chiu

THAT the SARS Economic Recovery Task Force recommends to the Town of Markham that it provides $12,500 each to the FCCM and Unionville BIA proposals, conditional on that figure being matched by the Region of York, and/or other levels of government.

CARRIED

6. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 5.40pm.