Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission_EstablishedMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor Buol and City Council Members
FROM: Kevin Lynch, City Council Member
Dirk Voetberg, City Council Member
SUBJECT: Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission Proposal
DATE: October 26, 2010
INTRODUCTION
At the September 7, 2010 City Council meeting, you requested discussion of the current
status of the City of Dubuque Sister City Committee specifying a review of its structure,
membership and goals. On September 13, Council Member Lynch met with you and
Assistant City Clerk Kevin Firnstahl to gather information and provide a proposal to
address these issues.
DISCUSSION
Dubuque
Ibtrif
All-America City
2007
As a result of that meeting, we propose the following membership structure noted
below. Assistant City Clerk Kevin Firnstahl and Assistant City Attorney Crenna Brumwell
have discussed the process of formally adding a Sister City board /commission to the list
of current boards and commissions and the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances, and
have drafted the attached ordinance.
Proposed Sister City Structure
City Council Representatives 2 Or more - depending upon the level of interest
among Council Members
Staff Liaison
1 Selected by the City Council to act as
secretary with oversight by Public Information
Officer and /or Assistant City Manager
Membership Application by city residents with appointment
by the City Council
At -Large Facilitators 2 Annually elected by the Commission from the
membership; e.g. chair, vice chair
Subcommittee Members 8 Based upon the potential for 4 Sister City
relationships with 2 members per
subcommittee
• Pyatigorsk, Russia
• Handan, China
• Dornbirn Austria
• Trois Rivieres, Quebec
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend a title of Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission, approval of
the proposed membership structure and the drafting of an ordinance creating the
commission. We further recommend that the Assistant City Clerk be selected as staff
liaison /secretary for the Commission assisted by the Public Information Officer.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
Approve the proposed membership structure and passage of the proposed ordinance.
cc: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Crenna Brumwell, Assistant City Attorney
Kevin Firnstahl, Assistant City Clerk
Attachment
Draft Ordinance
Prepared by: Crenna M. Brumwell, Esq. 300 Main Street Suite 330 Dubuque IA 52001 563 589 -4381
ORDINANCE NO. 59-10
AMENDING TITLE 2 OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY
ADOPTING A NEW CHAPTER 10 CREATING THE SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIPS
ADVISORY COMMISSION
Whereas, the City Council of the City of Dubuque established its first Sister City
relationship with Pyatigorsk, Russia, and later added Handan, China as a Sister City;
and
Whereas, the City Council believes strengthening and maintaining Sister City
relationships and exploring new partnerships is valuable and necessary to the on -going
economic and cultural growth of the City of Dubuque; and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque will benefit from the continued international
exchange of information facilitated through the creation of a Sister City Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Title 2 of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances is hereby amended
by adding the following:
Chapter 10
SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIPS ADVISORY COMMISSION
2 -10 -1: Commission Created: There is hereby created the Sister City Relationships
Advisory Commission to have such powers and responsibilities as hereinafter provided.
2 -10 -2: Purpose: The purposes of the Commission shall be to facilitate and maintain
economic and cultural exchanges with the City's officially recognized international Sister
Cities; to explore potential relationships with cities where a Sister City relationship may
be mutually beneficial; and to engage partnerships with the business community and
education institutions that will enhance Sister City relationships.
2 -10 -3: Internal Organization and Rules: The Commission may adopt rules and
regulations to govern its organizational procedures as may be necessary and which are
not in conflict with City or State Code.
2 -10 -4: Procedures for Operation: All administrative, personnel, accounting, budgetary,
and procurement policies of the City shall govern the Commission in all its operations.
2 -10 -5: Membership: The Commission shall consist of twelve (12) members appointed
by the City Council.
1. Two (2) members shall be representatives of the City Council.
2. Ten (10) members shall be at -large residents of the City, appointed by the
City Council.
2 -10 -6: Terms: 2 -10 -6: The initial terms of Commissioners will be as follows: four
Commissioners for terms ending February 1, 2012, four Commissioners for terms
ending February 1, 2013, and four Commissioners for terms ending February 1, 2014.
Thereafter, each member of the Commission shall hold office for three (3) years or until
such member's successor is appointed and qualified.
2 -10 -7: Vacancies: Vacancies caused by death, resignation, or otherwise shall be
promptly filled by the City Council for the unexpired term of office.
2 -10 -8: Officers; Organization: The Commission shall choose annually, from its own
membership, two (2) persons to serve as facilitators, each to serve a term of one (1)
year. The City Manager shall appoint a City staff person to serve as secretary. The
Commission shall fill vacancies among its officers for the remainder of the unexpired
term.
2 -10 -9: Meetings:
1. Regular Meetings. The Commission shall meet quarterly.
2. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the facilitators or at
the written request of three (3) members.
3. Open Meetings. All meetings shall be called and held in conformance with
the Iowa Open Meetings Law.
4. Attendance.
a. In the event a member of the Commission, created by this Chapter,
has been absent for three (3) or more consecutive meetings of the
Commission, without being excused by the facilitator, it shall be grounds
for the Commission to recommend to the City Council that the position be
declared vacant and a replacement appointed.
b. Attendance shall be entered upon the minutes of all meetings.
5. Minutes. A copy of the minutes of all regular and special meetings of the
Commission shall be filed with the City Council within ten (10) working days after
each meeting.
6. Quorum. Six (6) members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business. The affirmative vote of a simple majority of the
members present shall be necessary for the adoption of any resolution.
2- 10 -10: Compensation: The members of the Commission shall serve without
compensation, provided that they may receive reimbursement for necessary travel and
other expenses while on official Commission business within the limits established in
the City administrative policies and the City budget.
2- 10 -11: Removal: The City Council may remove any member of any board or
commission which it has established.
2- 10 -12: Powers: The Commission shall have the following powers, duties, and
responsibilities:
1. To recommend to the City Council the official acknowledgement of or
absolving of a Sister City relationship.
2. To facilitate and maintain the exchange of information by and between the
City and its Sister Cities through, but not limited to correspondence, delegation
visits, and event planning.
Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect upon publication.
Passed, approved and adopted the 1st day of November , 2010.
,crede:2_Y
eanne F. SCM1neiaer. City Clerk
eanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
oy D. Buol, Mayor