OPEN FORUM 6:45 P

The meeting of the Newmarket Economic Development Advisory Committee was held on Monday, July 21, 2014 in the Cane Room, 395 Mulock Drive, Newmarket.

 

Members Present:

Mayor Van Bynen       

Regional Councillor Taylor 

Jim Gragtmans (Chair)

Jim Alexander

Beric Farmer

Rick Henry

Paul Montador

Jackie Playter 

Gary Ryan

David White

 

 

Members Absent:

Barbara Bartlett

Donna Fevreau

Michael Croxon

Jim Lotimer

Ian Proudfoot

 

 

Staff Present:

R.N. Shelton, Chief Administrative Officer

I. McDougall, Commissioner of Community Services

C. Kallio, Economic Development Officer

C. Finnerty, Council/Committee Coordinator

T. Horton, AMCTO Intern

 

 

Guests:

Karen Dubeau, Vice-President, Newmarket Chamber of Commerce

Ron Gordon, Cisco

Debra Scott, President & CEO, Newmarket Chamber of Commerce

Tracy Walter, Business Development Manager, Newmarket Chamber of Commerce

 

The meeting was called to order at 5:04 p.m.

 

Jim Gragtmans in the Chair.

 

 

Declarations of Interest

 

None.

 

Additions & Corrections to the Agenda

 

None.

 

Items

 

1.

Welcome and Introduction of Guests

 

 

 

The Commissioner of Community Services introduced Ted Horton, AMCTO Intern who will be working with the Town for the next year.

 

2.

Gigabit Corridor Draft Report

 

 

 

David Sandel, President, Sandel and Associates LLC, and Patrick McKeehan, President, PMcK Consulting LLC addressed the Committee via teleconference with a PowerPoint presentation regarding the draft report.  Summarized in the presentation were the gigabit pilot areas of interest, business case for the corridor, economic impacts, general recommendations, estimated cost projections and a high level overview of the next steps.

 

Discussion ensued regarding performance differences between wireless and fiber installations, business cases and examples of economic benefits in other pilot areas, future network flexibility, links to the Economic Development Strategy, what is proposed in the estimated costs and the community engagement component of the corridor pilot.  

 

 

Moved by:       Paul Montador

Seconded by: Jackie Playter

 

 

WHEREAS the Newmarket Economic Development Advisory Committee reaffirms that broadband is a key economic driver;

 

AND WHEREAS the Newmarket Economic Development Advisory Committee endorses the Sandel & Associates report in principle;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council implement a gigabit corridor pilot project in early 2015.

 

 

Carried

 

 

3.

Next Steps - Preparing for the August 25 Committee of the Whole Meeting

 

 

 

The Economic Development Officer encouraged Committee members to attend the Committee of the Whole meeting on August 25.  Discussion ensued regarding a presentation from the Chair and members of the innovation team at the Committee of the Whole meeting. 

 

New Business

 

None.

 

Adjournment

 

Moved by:       Rick Henry

Seconded by:  Mayor Van Bynen

 

THAT the meeting adjourn.

 

Carried

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

Jim Gragtmans, Chair

 

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