Minutes_Sister City Relationship Advisory Commission 3 16 11MINUTES
Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission met at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday,
March 15, 2011 in Conference Room A at City Hall.
Present
Commissioners: Sheila Castenda, Jill Connors, Michael Coty, Larissa, Filimonenko, Jeff
Jochum, Dick Landis, Will Mclntee, Pat McNamara, Betty Phillips, Louise Thurn,
Annalee Ward; Council Representatives Joyce Connors and Kevin Lynch; Staff Member
Kevin Firnstahl
Call to Order by Kevin Lynch at 4:00 p.m.
Oaths of Office were administered by Assistant City Clerk Kevin Firnstahl
Commissioners introduced themselves and reviewed the contact list for updates.
Firnstahl will redistribute the updated list.
Open Meetings Law Review
Firnstahl briefly reviewed basic requirements for the posting of meeting notices,
obtaining a quorum, and submitting minutes to the City Council.
Election of Officers
Motion by Phillips to elect Dick Landis to the position of Chairperson. Seconded by
Mclntee. Motion carried unanimously.
The Commission agreed to postpone the election of vice chairperson until Firnstahl
checks on whether or not a Council representative can serve in the position. The
Commission further agreed that Firnstahl will act as the Commission's secretary.
Schedule of Future Meeting Dates, Time, Place
The Commission agreed to meet on April 6 at 4:00 p.m. in Conference Room A at City
Hall and agreed to schedule future meetings Firnstahl to confirm room.
Budget Review
The Sister City budget consists of $5,000 per fiscal year in addition to the membership
to the Sister Cities International ($680). Unused funds are generally not carried over to
the next fiscal year.
Sister Cities International Membership and Information
Information regarding web sites, tools CD, and Iowa contacts was distributed.
Review of Current & Potential Sister City Relationships
Landis, Lynch and Connors relayed information about the creation and past
experiences with Handan (China), Pyatigorsk (Russia), Dornbirn (Austria), and Trois-
Rivieres (Quebec). Firnstahl discussed the pending delegation visit from Dornbirn on
April 29 -May 30. He will follow up with Dornbirn and relay new information. There is a
pending visit by a few Chinese Fellows April 17 -30. Assistant City Manager Cindy
Steinhauser is working on it and might ask for assistance from the Commission.
Firnstahl will pass on details as they become available.
Communication Plan to Establish and Maintain Connections
Lynch requested that the Commission begin thinking about how to establish a
communication plan to work toward maintaining current Sister City connections.
Firnstahl stated that this now consists of correspondence between contacts and can
greatly expanded.
Volunteers & Partnerships
The Commission was asked to consider ways of involving community volunteers and
past committee members as well as creating partnership with local organizations.
Commission Phillips indicated that she will be the Commission's liaison to the local
chapter of Friendship Force.
Future Items
Firnstahl described current and future possibilities for a Sister City web page through
the City's current web page. He will do some follow up with the Information Services
Department and the Public Information Office as to the possibility of Commission
Member involvement. The archiving of Sister City materials and souvenirs has been
handled mostly by the Library and can become a duty of the Commission.
Adjournment
Motion by Jill Connors to adjourn at 5:15 p.m. Seconded by Ward. All in favor.
Submitted by Kevin S. Firnstahl, Assistant City Clerk