INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUB-COMMITTEE

CANADA ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

JUNE 20, 2006

MINUTES

Attendance

Committee:

Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell, Chair

Regional Councillor J. Jones

Councillor S. Daurio

Staff:

James Allen, Chief Information Officer

John Swan, Manager, Client Delivery

Sugun Rao, Manager, Technology

Nasir Kenea, Manager, Applications and GIS

Judy Kee, Committee Clerk

The Information Technology Sub-Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. with Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell in the Chair.

1. WIRELESS NETWORK STRATEGY UPDATE

Mr. James Allen, Chief Information Officer, presented an update on the Town’s wireless network project, noting current status, benefits, possible risks involved, and various options available. Staff presented the following recommendation:

“that the deployment of a Wi-Fi public network for all York Region be considered as part of the OneYork initiative.”

Committee discussed various matters, including: measurement of potential utilization; vendors available; emerging technology vs changing technology; dark fibre network; potential costs involved; the importance of including municipal government requirements in RFP; establishment of business needs through Markham Board of Trade or York Technology Association; concerns regarding competition with private sector, expansion capabilities; the use of Wi-Fi during a state of emergency; and the importance of back-up plans.

Mr. Allen provided background information on Toronto’s “Wi-Fi” announcement, and distributed copies of the news release regarding its launch by Toronto Hydro Telecom. It was suggested that Mr. Dave Dobbin, President, Toronto Hydro Telecom Inc. be invited to attend a meeting either in Markham or at the Region offices.

In addition, Committee had before it a letter dated March 17, 2006 from Mr. Keith Bray, President and CEO of Markham Board of Trade, requesting Council to analyze the impacts of the Wi-Fi announcement, and solicited input from the members. Following some discussion, the CIO advised that he will speak to Mr. Bray prior to forwarding a response.

It was agreed that staff be requested to ask One York to include Wi-Fi in the RFP.

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio

That the presentation by the Chief Information Officer regarding the Wireless Network Strategy Update be received;

And that the deployment of a Wi-Fi public network for all York Region be considered as part of the OneYork initiative.”

CARRIED

2. UPDATE ON JOINT PORTAL INITIATIVE

Mr. James Allen, Chief Information Officer, provided a verbal update on the Joint Portal initiative with the Region of York, noting that the RFP closes on June 21^st, and it is expected that the Portal Business Plan will begin in July or August and should be completed early in 2007.

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio

That the update on the Joint Portal Initiative presented by the Chief Information Officer be received.

CARRIED

3. MUNICIPAL REFERENCE MODEL – VERSION 2

Mr. James Allen, Chief Information Officer, gave a presentation on a potential project regarding the Municipal Reference Model – Version 2, which is a tool that could build common data structures to enable the sharing of data among and between government organizations.

The CIO noted that this tool could also become a key component of the Town of Markham’s Enterprise Architecture, and advised that it would help municipalities better understand the business services provided to residents; create standards on how information flows; and better map and refine requirements.

He went on to provide details of the feedback that had been received when he presented this model at the Municipal Information Systems Association (MISA) Conference on June 5^th.

Committee briefly discussed the business consulting firm of Chartwell Inc.; municipal software requirements; and the possibility of the Town of Markham taking a leadership role in such a project.

Moved by Councillor S. Daurio

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones

That the presentation of the Chief Information Officer regarding the Municipal Reference Model be received.

CARRIED

4. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the IT Sub-Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, September 19, 2006.

ADJOURNMENT

The Information Technology Sub-Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 10:40 a.m.