Minutes_Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission 1 18 17 Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission
DATE: Wednesday, January 18, 2017
TIME: 4:00 PM
PLACE: City Hall — Conference Room A, 50 W. 13th Street
Minutes
Present: Sheila Castandeda, Joyce Connors, Robert Felderman, Jeff Jochum, Dick Landis, Phyllis
Lee, Kevin Lynch, Rachel McDermott (left at 4:55 p.m.), Louise Thum, Dik Van Iten, Annalee Ward.
Also present: Debra Alleyne, Arts and Cultural Affairs Coordinator, joined at 4:10 p.m.
Excused: Pat McNamara
1 . Approval of Minutes from November, 16, 2016: Motion by Felderman to approve the minutes
as submitted. Seconded by Thum. Motion carried 11-0.
2. Correspondence with Dornbirn, Austria: Firnstahl shared the holiday greeting card received
from Dornbirn Mayor Andrea Kaufmann and noted that Mayor Buol received one as well.
3. Financial Report — Firnstahl reported a balance of$4,716.75 including anticipated expenses
for Sister City International dues of$765. This balance does not include anticipated expenses
for additional framing for the Handan display translation or wayfinding signage being
considered.
4. Sister City Commission Restructuring Status: Firnstahl reported that he met with the City
Manager, Budget Director and City Attorney. A draft agreement with the Convention and
Visitors Bureau is being developed by the City Attorney for review by the City Manager and
CVB. Firnstahl will provide a draft of the agreement for commission input. Once finalized, the
agreement will go before Council for approval prior to the CVB taking over and the Council
sunsetting the commission. Of interest by the commission was retaining the current city
funding to the CVB once the agreement becomes effective.
5. Handan, China Update and Potential 2017 Delegation Status: Landis reported on
correspondence and holiday greetings he received from Mr. Li and the likelihood of a
delegation from Handan in 2017. Landis indicated that it would be preferable to tie a delegation
visit into specific events such as the October Growing Sustainable Communities conference.
Discussion centered around the status of educational exchanges and/or formalizing a
consortium between Handan, University of Dubuque, NICC, Clarke University and Loras
College. Landis will communicate with Dr. Wee of NICC to specify a local point person to help
facilitate the exchange and follow up on any communication Dr. Wee is planning with Handan.
Commissioners discussed how programs and recruitment each educational institution may
have are dependent upon the institution itself, the social/cultural needs of international
students and the degree of involvement commission may or may not have in the educational
component.
6. Sister City Street Signage Status: Firnstahl reported on several options that might be available
for budget, design, placement, and installation of public signage denoting Dubuque's three
sister cities. Options include budgeting from the Sister City Budget, wayfinding signage funds,
or submitting as an improvement package. Firnstahl noted that the improvement package
option for FY18 has passed and that any request would require review and approval by the
City Manager and possibly approval by Leisure Services or the Park and Recreation
Commission. The commissioners concurred that Firnstahl should continue to explore the
process for design, budget, and installation and provide the information at the next commission
meeting. Sites preferred by the commission are the Port of Dubuque / Riverwalk and/or
Pyatigorsk Park.
7. Items from Commission: Dik Van Iten, whose term on the commission is ending, informed
everyone that he is not reapplying to the commission. He thanked the commission for their
work and professionalism. Firnstahl presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation signed by
the Mayor and City Council.
8. Items from Staff:
a. Library Display Status: Firnstahl advised that the Sister City Library display should come
down and that the Library informed him that they can continue to alternate displays with
other events. Lands will follow up.
b. Arts and Cultural Connections: Arts and Cultural Affairs Coordinator Debra Alleyne, who
joined the meeting at 4:10 p.m., introduced herself to the commission and provided
some background on her desire to create an arts and sciences alliance. This program
would bring together other commissions, students, artists, designers, technicians, etc.,
around sustainable art and create exhibits, internships and cultural exchanges to help
market Dubuque's diversity and tourism. Existing alliances would be considered and
referrals made through the Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission.
9. Next Meeting: Firnstahl will poll the commission for a March date.
10.Adjournment: Motion by Felderman to adjourn at 5:10 p.m. Seconded by Ward. Motion carried
10-0.
Submitted by Kevin Firnstahl, City Clerk