Minutes_Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission 12 7 11DRAFT
Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission
DATE: Wednesday, December 7, 2011
TIME: 4:30 p.m.
PLACE: City Hall — Conference Room A, 50 W. 13th Street, Dubuque
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Landis, Commissioners Joyce Connors, Larissa Filimonenko, Jeff
Jochum, Pat McNamara, Louise Thurn, Annlee Ward
Approval of Minutes for October 5, 2011 Meeting
Motion by Connors to approve the minutes of October 5, 2011. Seconded by Ward.
Motion carried 7 -0.
Discussion of Different Meeting Date and Time
Firnstahl was directed to check on availability for Wednesdays other than the first
Wednesday of the month and schedule a meeting in February. To give all members a
chance to attend by alternating meetings, it was suggested to alternate earlier and later
times.
Monthly Newsletters & Correspondence to Sister City Contacts
Landis suggested sending season's greeting to Sister City contacts as a way of
reconnecting. Communication can be done via e-mail with the message in their native
language and attachments in English. Suggestions for attachments included information
on the commission, City newsletters, advance information on educational symposiums
and local events, links to the City's webpage or other related sites. Landis will
correspond with Handan and Trois Riviere, Jochum, Filimoneko, and McNamara will
work on something for Pyatigorsk, and Firnstahl will follow up with Dornbirn.
Communication Plan to Establish and Maintain Connections
Landis stated that he spoke with Jordan DeGree of the Dubuque Art Center about
possible display and sale of Sister City merchandise. Connors suggested other venues
such as the Dubuque Museum of Art, the Airport Terminal building and Art on the River
entries. Landis asked commissioners to look for information worthy of relaying to our
Sister City contact that also might facilitate and exchange.
Dornbirn, Austria — Future Dubuque Delegation Visit
Firnstahl reported that Mayor and Mrs. Buol are available for a delegation to Dornbirn
the week of June 4 -9. This timeframe is best for our hosts in Dornbirn due to Austria's
Conference of Mayors the previous week. He will check with Mr. Hammerle in Dornbirn
about the best size of the delegation.
Pyatigorsk Park Signage / Voetberg Memorial
Landis will follow up after the holidays.
Items from Commission
2012 Visit by Incoming President Xi Jinping of China: Landis reported on the upcoming
visit by President Xi Jinping and look at a possible Dubuque connection by checking on
his background and who the former President stayed with the last time he visited
Other: Landis reported on making a connection with a former friend from China who is
in the wine distribution business and suggested encouragement of trade possibilities or
another Sister City relationship.
Items from Staff
Reminder: Annual Conference, Jacksonville, Florida, July 12 -14, 2012
Sister City International Conference 2015: Firnstahl reported that the Dubuque
Convention and Visitors Bureau has been made aware of the conference and will watch
for when the Request for Proposals comes open for a submission by Dubuque.
Adjournment
Motion by Thurn to adjourn at 5:20 p. m. Seconded by Ward. Motion carried 7 -0.
DRAFT
Richard Landis, Chairperson
Submitted by Kevin S. Firnstahl, City Clerk