COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING
CANADA ROOM,
MINUTES
Attendance
Members:
Deputy Mayor F.
Scarpitti
Regional Councillor B.
O’Donnell
Councillor E. Shapero
Councillor A. Chiu
Staff:
Andy Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services
Janet Carnegie,
Director, Corporate Communications
Marjorie Rebane,
Manager, Corporate Communications
Grace Sanchez-MacCall,
Manager, Communications Services
Judy Kee, Committee
Clerk
The Communications
Committee meeting convened at the hour of
1. INTRODUCTION
AND WELCOME
MANAGER,
COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
The
Director of Corporate Communications welcomed Ms. Grace Sanchez-MacCall, the recently appointed
Manager of Communications Services.
2. 2006
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
PLAN REVIEW
Ms. Janet
Carnegie, Director of Corporate Communications, gave a presentation detailing
the 2006 Corporate Communications Plan.
There was
some discussion regarding the distribution of the 2006 Corporate Calendar, and
staff advised that, in previous years, the calendar has been produced and
distributed to
Committee
suggested that staff look into sponsorship and partnering for the calendar with
retailers such as Longos and banking institutions, and also look into having
the calendars available at their respective cash register locations. There was some discussion regarding delivering
the Calendar along with the Town’s Recreation Guide, but it was noted that the
timing would not be appropriate. Staff
will investigate various sponsorship and delivery options, and report back to
Committee on a variety of options available.
The
matter of including religious holidays and community festivals on the Calendar
was raised. The Director of
Committee
briefly reviewed the status of other publications, including “Water Watch” and
“About Markham”, relating to process, content and distribution. Staff was requested to email the proposed
list of topics for “About Markham” to Members of the Communications Committee
for their review.
Staff
advised that the “About Markham” publication is distributed with the local
newspapers on Tuesdays, with the special request that it be wrapped on the
outside of the paper to be more visible.
Some concern was expressed that not all residents receive delivery of
the local newspapers, and it was suggested that staff investigate other
distribution methods, such as mailing through Canada Post. Committee also suggested that staff poll
residents to determine how they would like to receive the publication in
future. It was agreed that staff would
conduct a trial delivery of “About Markham” by Canada Post in 2006.
It was also
felt that it would be beneficial to residents to have access to the “About
Markham” newsletter from stands in the community centres and libraries.
There was
some discussion regarding the enhancement of the newly purchased hybrid
vehicles, and it was requested that staff place this item on the next meeting
agenda of the Environmental Issues Committee for discussion.
Some
concern was expressed regarding the recent coverage in the media of the Town’s
success in winning the 2005 Communities in Bloom competition. Staff agreed that the coverage of the
Communities in Bloom win was disappointing, but pointed out that the Markham
Economist & Sun had provided excellent support throughout the months
leading up to the judging of the competition.
The
matter of advertising standards was raised relating to congratulatory ads
placed on behalf of the Mayor and Members of Council, and it was requested
that, in future, the format include a picture of all Members of Council and
that staff be reminded about using the correct template and closely following
the approved standards. Staff will review
the format, but it was pointed out that, in some cases, availability of space is
an issue.
Moved by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the presentation of the Director, Corporate Communications regarding the 2006 Corporate Communications Plan be received.
CARRIED
3. ABOUT
PROPOSED CONTENTS
The Director of Corporate
Communications reviewed the proposed list of items to be placed in the
December, 2005 issue of “About Markham”.
Members requested that the following items also be included:
- Town’s By-Law No. 436-86 Section 6 (Sewer Use By-Law), which bans the use of domestic food waste disposers (FWD’s & garbarators);
-
Town’s By-Law No. 2005-192
regarding prohibiting the unnecessary idling of vehicles;
-
add to Bullet 4 of staff list:
Town of
- Green Roof addition at Centennial Community Centre
- Remembrance Day highlight
- Holocaust Education Week – 25th Anniversary
- Fencing program – major success in Milliken (if room)
The following items suggested by Committee would be placed in the spring issue:
-
-
Members were asked to contact the Director of Corporate Communications as soon as possible with any additional items.
Moved by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the list of proposed items for the December, 2005 issue of “About Markham” be received.
CARRIED
4. PRESS RELEASE
PROTOCOL
Staff was requested to ensure that
Town protocol is closely followed when press releases are being prepared to
ensure that comments and/or photographs from the respective Committee Chairs
are included.
5. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was
agreed that scheduling the meeting immediately after General Committee was
convenient.
The next meeting of the Communications
Committee will be at the call of the Chair.
ADJOURNMENT
The Communications Committee meeting adjourned
at the hour of