Minutes_Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission 3 21 12Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission
DATE: Wednesday, March 21, 2012
TIME: 4:00 PM
PLACE: City Hall — Conference Room A, 50 W. 13th Street, Dubuque
Minutes
Present: Sheila Castaneda, Michael Coty, Joyce Connors, Larissa Filimonenko, Jeff
Jochum, Dick Landis, Phyllis Lee, Kevin Lynch, Pat McNamara, Betty Phillips, Louise
Thurn
Absent: Jill Connors, Annalee Ward
Upon Commission concurrence, Chairperson Landis changed the order of the agenda
to accommodate time constraints with some Commissioners.
Monthly Newsletters & Correspondence:
Landis reported on the visit of and correspondence from Mayor Gao Hongzhi of
Handan, China. Landis will continue to keep communication going.
Pyatigorsk Park Signage / Voetberg Memorial:
Landis and Jochum reported on the discussion they have had with Acting Parks
Manager Gil Spence regarding interpretive signage at Pyatigorsk Park in conjunction
with the Leisure Services parking signing program. Jochum provided draft text for the
sign. Connors suggested correspondence to the City Manager requesting approval of
the proposed expenditure from the Sister City budget to Leisure Services. Motion by
McNamara to authorize Landis to offer an amount of $600 toward the interpretive
portion of the sign with a 10% margin pending actual costs and City Manager approval.
Seconded by Phillips. Motion carried 11 -0.
Items from Commission:
Landis reported on corporate and educational sponsorships of Sister City activities as is
done in Des Moines and suggested that the Commission explore the concept for
Dubuque. The Commission discussed issued relating to what benefit the sponsors
would receive, participation in tours and /or activities, developing levels of sponsorship
and for what the contributions are going toward, and developing a target list of sponsors
as they relate to a specific Sister City activity or delegation topic such as banking, etc.
Landis asked that the Commission think of community contacts that each member might
be able to approach for sponsorship.
Landis also shared information from Wendy Walser about a possible relationship with a
Japanese Sister City and stated that we'll see how things progress. He also noted that
the City of Trois - Rivieres, Quebec, Canada, is interested in corresponding but not
anything official at this point.
Phillips shared a member recruitment pamphlet from the Friendship Force.
Coty shared information about the upcoming Julien Dubuque Film Festival. For more
information visit www.iiffd.com
Items from Staff: Archive and Library Display
Firnstahl asked for commission assistance in revisiting a Sister City display at the
Carnegie -Stout Public Library and taking a look at current and archived memorabilia.
Firnstahl suggested contacting the Library for information on display space, arranging
time to look at archived items, and considering the purchase of a display case for items
pending the City Manager's approval. Firnstahl will contact the library to begin the
process. Commissioners Landis, Phillips and Thurn volunteered to take on the project.
Dornbirn, Austria — Dubuque Delegation Visit, June 4 -9, 2012.
(Commissioner Castaneda left the meeting at 4:23 p.m.)
Dornbirn, Austria, - Dubuque Delegation Visit June 4 -9, 2012
Firnstahl stated that due to a significant and important change in Mayor Buol's
schedule, the delegation trip to Dornbirn, Austria, must be postponed. Firnstahl will
correspond with coordinate with Dornbirn and Mayor Buol for possible dates in October
2012. Firnstahl relayed correspondence from the City Manager, which stated that
budgeted Sister City funds are intended for expenses related to delegations visiting
Dubuque or for City staff traveling as part of an approved official visit. Firnstahl will
confirm with the City Manager about other expenses related to local Sister City projects.
Approval of Minutes for February 8, Meeting:
Motion by Thurn to approve the February 8, 2012 minutes as submitted. Seconded by
Lee. Motion carried 10 -0.
Next Meeting
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. in Conference Room A
Adjournment:
Motion by Phillips to adjourn at 4:56 p.m. Seconded by Lee. Motion carried 10 -0.
Submitted by Kevin S. Firnstahl, City Clerk.