Minutes_Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission 4 16 14Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission
DATE: Wednesday, April 16, 2014
TIME: 4:00 PM
PLACE: City Hall — Conference Room A, 50 W. 13th Street, Dubuque
Minutes
Present: Sheila Casteneda, Joyce Connors, Bob Felderman, Jeff Jochum, Dick Landis, Phyllis Lee,
Kevin Lynch, Pat McNamara, Betty Phillips, Nancy Rhomberg, Louise Thurn, Dick Van Iten, Annalee
Ward
1. Approval of Minutes from the March 26, 2014 meeting: Motion by Lee. Second by Thurn.
Motion carried 10-0 (Castenda, Jochum and Iten arriving after the vote)
2. Oaths of Office for Richard Van Iten and Annalee Ward were administered.
Upon Commission concurrence, the agenda order was changed.
3. Handan, China: Update Photo Exhibit and Humanities Iowa Grant: Landis described the grant
and provided a draft. The concept of the grant is to mount the remaining photos, provide
descriptive information for a selection of photos, and create a traveling exhibit in libraries
and/or educational institutions within several counties along the river. Funding would be
provided to allow exhibitor to package and ship the photos to the next location. Consideration
will be given to a publishing a take -away brochure for each exhibit location. Landis and
Firnstahl will review the final draft of the grant with the Assistant City Manager for submission
for the City Council's approval. Motion by Thurn to proceed with submitting the grant.
Seconded by Phillip. Motion carried 13-0.
4. Pyatigorsk, Russia: Update: Open World Grant and Young Professionals Delegation, June
2014: Lanids reported that Damien Waid of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce has
taken over the grant and will facilitate the visit. Commissioner Jochum has volunteered to
assist where needed. Commissioners can still be involved at the Chamber's request. The
delegation will be from the state of Stavrapol, Russia, and not from Pyatigorsk specifically. The
program will tie into existing Leadership Dubuque and Young Professionals programs with a
focus on non-governmental organizations.
5. Library Archive and Display — Update: Firnstahl reported that the Dornbirn display can be
installed anytime and can remain until the end of June. A press release should accompany the
installation with another release timed with the opening of the Library's art exhibit in June.
6. Dornbirn, Austria Planning Delegation visit to Dubuque - May 16-19, 2014: The Commission
reviewed and discussed the draft itinerary. Landis suggested providing brochures of area
services and target information of interest to the delegation. Firnstahl will compile a packet.
Commissioners are asked to provide their attendance, ability to provide transportation, and
potluck menu items to Firnstahl. He will confirm counts for the meal functions. Firnstahl will
explore gift ideas as suggested for Mayor Kaufmann. A list of delegates will accompany the
final itinerary when distributed to the Commission.
7. Items from Commission:
a. Landis reported that the University of Dubuque's choir trip to Trois Rivieres, Canada, is
confirmed for May 25.
b. Thurn reported that the Bryant School exchange package has been received in Handan.
The next project will see 43 students providing their photos of Dubuque with
accompanying text. There is discussion about a possible visit of student from Handan in
2015.
8. Items from Staff: Firnstahl reminded the commission of pending election of officers and
scheduling a commission goal setting session for an agenda in the near future.
9. Next Meeting: TBA in June following the Dornbirn visit. Firnstahl will communicate information
related to the visit via e-mail.
10.Adjournment: Motion by Casteneda to adjourn at 5:06 p.m. Seconded by Lee. Motion carried
12-0 with Commissioner Felderman having left the meeting at 4:50 p.m.
Prepared and submitted by Kevin S. Firnstahl, City Clerk