Minutes_Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission 5 28 14Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission
DATE: Wednesday, May 28, 2014
TIME: 4:00 PM
PLACE: City Hall — Conference Room B, 50 W. 13th Street, Dubuque
Minutes
Present: Sheila Castaneda, Joyce Connors, Jeffrey Jochum (4:05), Dick Landis, Phyllis Lee, Pat
McNamara, Betty Phillips, Dick Van !ten, Louise Thurn (4:05) Annalee Ward
Excused: Bob Felderman, Kevin Lynch, Nancy Rhomberg
1. Approval of Minutes from the April 16, 2014 meeting: Motion by Phillips. Second by Ward.
Motion carried 8-0.
2. Dornbirn, Austria, Review of delegation visit, May 17-18, 2014 and follow up: Discussion was
given to providing thank -you notes to the persons who facilitate guided tours of St. Mary's
Church, the Caradco Building, Mt. Calvary Cemetery, and to Mayors Kaufmann and Rummele.
The commission discussed the conversations they had with the delegation around arts and
culture events, educational institutions, and city programs. Commissioners were encouraged to
follow up with information to the delegates. Discussion was given to publicity around the
vintage print of Dubuque provided to Mayor Buol by Mayor Kaufamnn through the newspaper
or via the City's Facebook account and web page. Ideas offered for a future delegation visit
included the Field of Dreams movie site, campus tours, and the Civil War series at the Library.
3. Handan, China: Photo Exhibit and Humanities Iowa Grant: Landis and Firnstahl reported that
the grant has been submitted.
4. Pyatigorsk, Russia: Open World Grant and Young Professionals Delegation: Landis and
Jochum reported on the delegation visit facilitated by Damian Waid and the Chamber of
Commerce June 6-19. Three of the delegates are from the Stavrapol region of Russia where
the Sister City of Pyatigorsk is located. Commissioner Jochum is arranging a reception on the
evening of June 9. Commissioners should RSVP to Damian Waid at the Chamber of
Commerce if interested in attending. Jochum will forward an itinerary of the visit by e-mail as
soon as it is finalized. It was suggested that the delegation be shown Pyatigorsk Park.
5. Iowa Sister States Annual Meeting June 1, 2014. Landis reported that he will attend the
meeting to be held in Fort Dodge from 1-3 p.m., and invited up to three commissioners to join.
6. Goal Setting Session: Council Member Joyce Connors reported that she and Council Member
Kevin Lynch would like the Commission to schedule a goal setting session to assess and
update the Commission's mission, purpose, and establish future goals. They suggest one or
two sessions facilitated by internal personnel. Firnstahl will explore potential dates with the
selected facilitator and forward to the Commission. It was suggested to include Sister City
Committee history and budget in the session.
7. Pen Pal Student Exchanges: Commissioner Louise Thurn reported on the continuation of the
artifact exchanges with students in Handan, China, and Dornbirn, Austria. She has had
correspondence regarding Handan's exuberance for student and teacher exchanges and the
difficulties involved in facilitating that. The exchange with Dornbirn, Austria, will continue
another year with a different teacher. Landis suggested going through a college board or
accredited organization.
8. Library Archive and Display: Landis reported that the Dornbirn, Austria, display will remain at
the Library through June. Firnstahl reported that two copies of Miron Pichler's book, Portrait:
From Dornbirn to the New World, are now available for check out through the Library.
9. Schedule Election of Officers: Pending goal setting date(s).
10. Items from Commission: Commissioner Van !ten reported on a delegation of 36 German
agricultural students who will visit Iowa July 1 to learn about small farm technology vs.
consolidation stating that this type of topic is relevant to the Commission's interests.
11. Items from Staff: Firnstahl distributed a report from Ann Gieger of Sister Cities International
regarding her visits to local programs throughout the state.
12. Next Meeting: Pending goal setting date(s)
13.Adjournment: Motion by Castenade to adjourn at 5:15 p.m. Seconded by Thurn. Motion carried
9-0 with Ward having left the meeting at 4:45 p.m.
Prepared and submitted by Kevin S. Firnstahl, City Clerk