5th MEETING

CANADA DAY COMMITTEE

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM

York Room, Markham Civic Centre

May 15, 2006

 

MINUTES

 

Attendance:

James Bush

Jeanne Bowman

Everest D’Souza

Javaid Khan

Adam Poon

Sam Sahoy

Charlene Woron

Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

Councillor Khalid Usman

 

Staff:

Bob Walter, Manager, Street Services

Steve Matunin, Supervisor, Operations

Rob Hinks, Working Foreperson (Milne)

Joanne Olson, Council Assistant

Olivia Bella, Event Management & Outdoor Sport Coordinator

Matt Vetere, Financial Analyst

Lilian Pagnanelli, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Canada Day Committee meeting convened at 6:06 p.m. with Councillor Usman presiding.

 

 

1.         ADOPTION OF AGENDA

 

Moved by J. Bush

Seconded by J. Bowman

 

That the agenda, as presented, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

2.         MINUTES OF MAY 1, 2006 MEETING

 

Moved by J. Khan

Seconded by E. D’Sousa

 

That the Minutes of the Canada Day Committee meeting held on May 1, 2006, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

3.         BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

 

a)      Entertainer for Seniors’ Luncheon – E. D’Souza reported that he contacted Arthur Betreo and unfortunately the singer/entertainer has already been booked for July 1st.

 

b)      Security – O. Bella advised that the Police officers and the officers on bicycles are to be followed up.  Councillor K. Usman indicated that he would contact Wayne Khalinski of the York Regional Police within this week.  Subsequently, O. Bella will send a follow-up e-mail confirming the security arrangements.

 

 

4.         CONFIRMATION OF CHAIR FOR 2006

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by J. Khan

 

That the appointment of Councillor K. Usman as Committee Chair for 2006 be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

5.         2006 BUDGET

 

The Committee was provided with a copy of the financial statement as at May 15, 2006, and M. Vetere noted the increase in the Entertainment – Equipment expenses by $2,736.

 

A discussion took place regarding the current deficit, the shortage of revenues through sponsorships from private industry, and the need to approach more sponsors.  Councillor Usman requested staff to provide him with 3 or 4 sponsorship packages.

 

 

 

 

6.         COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

a)      Food Vendors – S. Sahoy reported that he submitted two cheques from vendors, and noted his concern about too many ice cream vendors.  Councillor Usman commented that 4 ice cream vendors would be sufficient, and also noted that Kisko would be again providing free ice cream for children.

 

J, Khan asked regarding the possibility of placing an advertisement in the Town Page for food vendors and other goods.  B. Walters advised that there is a By-law against selling financial services and other goods.  B. Walter agreed that the details of the by-law will be provided to S. Sahoy.

 

The committee discussed the vendors’ layout and the flow of traffic and made a comparison with other events held, i.e. Children’s Festival.  Following a general discussion on the matter, staff was requested to present a layout for review and discussion at the next meeting.

 

b)      Sponsorships – Deputy Mayor Scarpitti noted the urgency to raise more revenues and indicated that sponsorship packages will be sent out with a letter to prospective sponsors.

 

c)      Advertising/Posters/Invitations – O. Bella advised that the poster presented to the committee last week is now posted in the website.  Ms. Bella reiterated the distribution locations, i.e. Markham libraries, fire halls, community centres, and senior’s homes, and the number of posters that will be supplied to each of these locations.

 

Councillor Usman advised that a letter of invitation would again be sent to MP’s, MPP’s, Minister of Citizenship, Police and Fire Chiefs of York Region for 2006. Councillor Usman indicated that he will review the 2005 letter and forward the revised letter, along with other names to be added to the list.  O. Bella agreed to process the work as soon as the revised letter and list of invited guests are forwarded to her.

 

d)      Mayor and Members of Council Seniors Luncheon – C. Woron mentioned that balloons with Canadian Flags are available with a minimum order of 300 pieces.  She noted that $371.37 is the total cost for balloons which includes:  300 pieces of balloons for the centre tables, two balloon pillars for the stage, helium rental, and extra balloon decorations for the food stations.

 

The question with respect to entertainment was discussed.  J. Olson indicated that she will contact the following entertainers and report back to the next meeting:  Syd Simpkins, Tony Murphy, the Suburbanaires, and Jim Tracy.  E. D’Souza indicated that he will contact another entertainer and present a report at the next meeting.

 

 

e)      Parade – J. Olson confirmed the following parade participants:

 

·                Town Crier

·                Markville Chev Olds

·                Communities In Bloom

·                Governor General's Horse Guards Band

·                Veterans

·                Air Cadets

·                Athletes, and

·                One VIVA bus

·                Fire Department

·                Wagons

·                Town Hybrid Cars

·                Chinese Folk Dance

·                Army Cadets

·                Sandra Amodeo

 

J. Olson noted that she is waiting to hear from the YMCA, Patricia Christianson, the Jazz Festival, the Lion Dancers, the Seventh Day Adventist, the Scarborough Pipe Bands, and the Markham Concert Band. Patricia Christianson’s daughter would like to be in the parade, so we could either put her with the other children or on a float.

 

J. Olson noted that Ms. Teen Markham wished to participate (part of the Sandra Amodeo group), and that the Veterans would be riding in the float.  She further advised that the Olympians are not available to attend.

 

Adam Poon advised that he would contact the Mercedes Benz to determine whether they wish to participate.  Mr. Poon will provide an update on this matter at the next meeting.

 

B. Walter advised that the road closure document is to be signed by the Town Clerk.

 

 

f)        Parking – S. Matunin proposed that the entrance towards McCowan Road be left open, and suggested that the vendors be moved away from the back.  Deputy Mayor Scarpitti requested staff to review the plan/layout used in the Children’s Festival and present comments/suggestions for discussion at the next meeting.

 

g)   Transit Arrangements – J. Olson reported that 6 buses would be used for transporting the seniors to and from the luncheon and from 6:00pm and additional 4 buses would be used for transporting the public from Markville Mall to Milne Park (and vice versa) for the evening event.

 

h)      Stage & Sound – Photos of the stage were circulated to members for perusal.  B. Walters noted his concern that the stage extends forward.  J. Olson noted that this is the stage/size that was used for the “Taste of Asia” event, and would provide the cellular phone number of the contact person.

 

J. Khan suggested a sports stage used by the City of Brampton and would provide J. Olson with the information by Wednesday, May 18th.

 

S. Matunin advised that the quote received from Signature includes the sound, lighting, stage and tent.

 

 

i)        Children’s Activities – J. Bowman inquired if the issue regarding reimbursement of supplies to the Shapiro’s had been settled.  The Chair (K. Usman) agreed that the Shapero’s be reimbursed for the supplies provided.

 

O. Bella reported on the matter regarding placing an ad in the Stouffville newspaper.  Corporate Corporations advised that there is cost involved in this request.

 

With regard to the volunteers in the Children’s Activities, J. Olson reported that Pastor Brian Gilroy Parish would provide a list of volunteers. J. Olson further noted that the volunteers will be contacted as soon as she receives the list. 

 

j)        Entertainment – J. Olson confirmed the participation of the following entertainers:

 

a.                   MC from CHUM Radio Tom Jokic

b.                  Hawaiian Dancers

c.                   Sandra Amodeo Dance Group,

d.                  Markham Filipino/Canadian Group

e.                   Viva Dance Group

f.                    Tamil Dance Group

g.                   Chinese Folk Dance

h.                   Flamenco Dance Group

 

J. Olson is waiting for a response from the Lion Dancers, and will be contacting other performers such as:  Dan the Music Man, Santina, Big Band (for before and after the fireworks).

                                                                             

k)      Signage – members were advised to submit their request for signage to B. Walter by the deadline date of June 16th.

 

l)        Security – O. Bella noted the security personnel as follows:  five (5) police with vehicles, including one sergeant; four (4) By-law Enforcement Officers (for crowd control at night and held in loading buses), and four (4) officers on bicycles.

 

J. Olson requested for the name of the honour guard for the flag raising ceremony so that the time and location could be forwarded to him.

 

 

m)    Volunteers – J. Olson advised that she is in the process of creating a list of volunteers and a schedule of itinerary for the day. A core of volunteers per activity were mentioned as follows:

 

Ø          Children’s activities  - 10

Ø          Balloon/Table Decorations – 10

Ø          Buses for seniors – 12 (1 committee member and 1 volunteer)

 

Adam Poon volunteered his own children to help J. Olson with creating a volunteer list (data base), as well as telephone canvassing of volunteers.

 

 

7.         OTHER

 

a)         Heritage Grant Request – No new information was reported.

 

b)         Media Launch – is scheduled for Wednesday, June 21 at 2:00 p.m. 

 

O. Bella reported that the T.L.C. Daycare Centre declined the participation of children in the Media Launch, and that Corporate Communications has invited all members of the media.

 

Councillor Usman suggested to invite other daycare centres in the area.  J. Olson suggested the participation of the Unionville High School choir.

 

Councillor Usman advised that with the Media Launch fast approaching, that a member of the Corporate Communications be requested to attend the next meeting of the Canada Day Committee.

 

d)      Radio Station Involvement

 

A. Poon advised that a certain radio station has shown an interest in sponsoring a live interactive telecast of the Canada Day event.  Following a question and answer period, Councillor Usman provided some suggestions and requested A. Poon to discuss the matter further with the interested party and bring back a concrete proposal at the next meeting.

 

e)      Expansion of Canada Day Committee Membership

 

Deputy Mayor Scarpitti voiced his concern regarding the enormous amount of extra work being assigned to staff on this committee.  In order to relieve staff so that the load is spread out for 2007, he proposed that an additional number of new members be appointed in the Fall.

 

 

9.         DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

 

The following future meeting dates were confirmed:

 

May 29

June 12

June 21 - Media Launch 2:00 p.m., Markham Civic Centre. 

June 26

 

 

10.       ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.