THE SECOND MEETING OF THE

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUB-COMMITTEE

CANADA ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

MARCH 29, 2005

 

 

MINUTES

 

 

Attendance

 

Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell

Regional Councillor J. Jones

Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti (3:40 p.m.)

 

Staff:

Andy Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services

Don McClean, Fire Chief

James Allen, Chief Information Officer

Shayne Mintz, Deputy Fire Chief

John Swan, Client Advisor, Client Delivery

Mike Gottlieb, Alarm Room Supervisor

Judy Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Information Technology Sub-Committee convened at the hour of 3:05 a.m. with Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell in the Chair.

 

 

 

1.         PAPERLESS AGENDA (16.23)

 

John Swan, Client Advisor, Client Delivery, gave a presentation on the status of the “Paperless Agenda” initiative.  He provided background information; objective parameters; planned approach; and findings to date.  He reviewed the next steps and a proposed schedule for 2005, based on feedback received.

 

Committee discussed the following issues: stakeholder identification and requirements; the importance of training; printing cost reduction; initial stage of an enterprise-wide electronic document management system (EDMS); document requirements by legislation; request for proposal process vs RFQ or RFI; and the feasibility of piloting.

 

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell

 

That the presentation by the Client Advisor, Client Delivery, respecting the status of the paperless agenda initiative be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

2.         ONEYORK (7.13)

 

James Allen, Chief Information Officer, provided an update on the OneYork concept and distributed copies of a draft report relating to the Town of Markham’s role in the start-up activities of OneYork, which will be presented to General Committee on April 4, 2005 for consideration.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell

 

That the presentation of the Chief Information Officer regarding the status of the OneYork concept be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

3.         PORTAL BUSINESS VALUE ASSESSMENT (7.13)

 

James Allen, Chief Information Officer, provided an update on the potential of the Portal

initiative.  He noted that as some concern had been expressed regarding costs and benefits, it was being recommended that a business value assessment be carried out.

 

Committee raised the matter of carrying out a concurrent proof of technology concept, and also suggested that staff from various Commissions across the Town be invited to take part in an information session on Portals to gain some familiarity of the system.  After some discussion, it was agreed that staff would raise these discussion points with IBM.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

 

That IBM be engaged to conduct a business value assessment to provide a rapid analysis of the value of a business portal solution for the Town at a cost of $25,000 (includes $20,000 discount).

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

4.         FIRE DISPATCH MAPPING MODULE  (7.15)

 

Shayne Mintz, Deputy Fire Chief, gave a presentation on the recently acquired GEAC Fire Dispatch Mapping Module which provides Town of Markham Fire & Emergency Services dispatchers with immediate access to accurate geographical and site-specific data, eliminating the need to look-up locations on printed maps. This exciting new tool has improved service and is expected to reduce crew response times by 12%.

 

A short video was also presented demonstrating the current system, which is the only system of its kind in York Region and one of only five communications centres in the GTA.

 

The Deputy Fire Chief recognized the following IT, GIS and Fire Department staff for their outstanding efforts in this project: 

            James Allen, Chief Information Officer

            Ikori Wogar, Client Advisor

            Nasir Kenea, Manager, Applications & GIS

            Chris Burr, Client Advisor

            Matt Miller, GIS Analyst

            Ewan Burke, Senior GIS Analyst

            Brian Ha, former IT staff

            Biju Misra, former IT staff

            Mike Gottlieb, Alarm Room Supervisor

            Joy Cinq-Mars, Administration Supervisor

 

Committee briefly discussed the types of calls received by the dispatchers, including regular (or analog) phone lines, cell phones, and VoIP, (Voice Over internet Protocol), which is a new technology for telephone calls through a broadband Internet connection.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones

 

That the presentation of the Deputy Fire Chief regarding the GEAC Fire Dispatch Mapping Module be received;

 

And that appreciation be extended to all of the IT, GIS and Fire Department staff for their work on this project

CARRIED

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Information Technology Sub-Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 4:15 p.m.