Minutes_Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission 11 18 15 Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission
DATE: Wednesday, November 18, 2015
TIME: 4:00 PM
PLACE: City Hall ANNEX — Conference Room I, 1300 Main St., Dubuque
Minutes
Present: Vice Chairperson Kevin Lynch; Commissioners Sheila Castaneda, Jeff Jochum, Dick Landis
(via phone), Phyllis Lee, Betty Phillips, Louise Thum, Dik Van Iten; Council Member Joyce Connors.
1 . Iowa Sister States Proposed New Sister City Relationship: Conference call with Kim Heideman,
Executive Director of Iowa Sister States; Dennis Dietz, Iowa Sister States Kosovo Committee
Chair; and Lt. Michael Wunn, Director of the Iowa National Guard's State Partnership Program,
proposed relationship between Dubuque and Strpse, Kosovo. Ms. Heideman, Mr. Dietz and Mr.
Wunn provided background information on the Iowa Sister States' and National Guard's history,
and existing relationships and programs with cities in Kosovo. The Commission discussed needed
resources/funding, educational exchanges, and cultural issues. Motion by Connors to table the
discussion to the January 20, 2016 meeting. Seconded by Phillips. Motion carried 9-0.
2. Approval of Minutes from the September 16, 2015. Motion by Van Iten to approve the minutes as
submitted. Seconded by Thum. Motion carried 9-0.
3. Financial Report — Firnstahl reported a starting balance of$5,523.64 less expenses of$765 for
SCI dues (May 2016) and $279.73 (commission goal setting refreshments, and hosting the ICMA
Fellows visit in Oct./Nov.) for a closing balance of$4,758.64.
4. Sister City Commission Structure / Models Discussion: Follow up to survey and discussion with
Sister Cities International. Firnstahl distributed an informational packet on data collected from
selected U.S. sister city programs and Sister Cities International. The Commission will review the
information for discussion at the January 20, 2016 meeting.
5. Dornbirn, Austria: No update at this time.
6. Handan, China: Landis reported on continued discussions regarding educational exchanges with
Dr. Wee of NICC in the lead for an invitation to student in fall 2016. Firnstahl reported that the
Humanities Iowa grant is closed and payment received.
7. Pyatigorsk, Russia: Jochum reported no update at this time. Firnstahl reported that he has not
received needed details on Pyatigorsk's request for artwork in that city's new park.
8. Pen Pal Student Exchanges — Thum reported that the Handan photos are working as a good tool
for the program, and that she is working toward identifying local and foreign contacts for the
program. Motion by Van Iten to pay for postage for shipping artifacts to Handan or Dornbirn to
come from the Commission's budget as needed. Seconded by Castaneda. Motion carried 9-0.
9. Library Archive and Display: A display could be arranged for the December / January slot after the
Thanksgiving holiday or early December. Firnstahl will follow up with the Library.
10. Items from Commission: Jochum will provide Firnstahl with holiday cards to be sent to Sister
Cities from Mayor Buol
11 . Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 4:00 p.m. Conference Room A, City Hall.
12.Adjournment: Motion by Thum to adjourn at 5:15 p.m. Seconded by Phillips. Motion carried 9-0.
Submitted by Kevin S. Firnstahl, City Clerk.