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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Sister Cities Committee 10/21/2004CITY OF PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES October 21, 2004 — 3:00 p.m. Administrative Conference Room CALL TO ORDER Chairman Talboys called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Patricia Bannon Donna Jean Darby Nancy Jo McIntosh John Marman Gilbert Slagel Mark Talboys, Chairman Also Present: Buford Crites, Mayor Pro Tern Alibaba Farzaneh, Ex-Officio Member Donna Gomez, Visitor Center Manager Terry Green, Ex-Officio Member Sarah Healy, Ex-Officio Member Briana Kirkwood, Ex-Officio Member Ignacio Otero, Ex-Officio Member O'Jay Vanegas, Ex-Officio Member Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary Frank Viccar, Guest Rolf Hoehn, Guest Carol Orendy, Guest Gary Walker, Guest Debra Bamber, Guest Absent Bill Harris Rose Mary Ortega III. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 16, 2004 Motion was made by John Marman to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 16, 2004, seconded by Nancy Jo McIntosh, motion carried by a show of hands 6-0. SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES October 21, 2004 Page 2 IV. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF A COMMITTEE RETREAT There was discussion about holding a Committee retreat in 2005. Chairman Talboys mentioned that the last retreat held at Desert Willow was well attended, and he suggested the committee consider scheduling another for January or February 2005 for the next retreat. The agenda would include past performance, budget matters, and future programs and business. Motion was made by Ms. McIntosh to approve a retreat date of Friday, February 4, 2005, seconded by Gil Slagel. Motion carried by a show of hands 6-0. B. CONSIDERATION OF SCHOLARSHIP The City Council approved a two-year scholarship in the amount of $1,000 for a student attending University Technological near Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. The study will revolve around tourism and tourism management. Funds for this scholarship are available, and the committee is being asked to ratify its approval. Terry Green volunteered to be the committee's liaison between the universities. Motion was made by Ms. McIntosh to ratify the motion for the $1,000 2- year scholarship focusing on tourism, seconded by Mr. Slagel. Motion carried by a show of hands 4-0-2. Ms. Darby and Mr. Marman abstained. C. APPOINTMENT OF NEW ACE SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR The current chair of the subcommittee, Ms. Darby, is relinquishing her position after a successful tenure. Mr. Marman expressed an interest in being considered for appointment as co-chair, and Ms. McIntosh also volunteered to co-chair the subcommittee. Motion was made by Ms. Darby to appoint Ms. McIntosh and Mr. Marman as co-chairs to the ACE Subcommittee, seconded by Patricia Bannon. Motion carried by a show of hands 6-0. D. NOMINATION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR 2005 Motion was made by Mr. Marman that the nomination of Chair and Vice Chair carry-over to another year retaining Mr. Talboys as Chair and Ms. McIntosh as Vice Chair, seconded by Mr. Slagel. Motion carried by a show of hands 5-0-1. Mr. Talboys abstained. E. RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL TO EXECUTE THE APPOINTMENT OF ONE PERSON TO THE SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE TO FILL THE EXISTING VACANCY. (Added item with a unanimous vote.) SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES October 21, 2004 Page 3 The committee discussed the importance of having the current vacancy filled as soon as possible. In addition, it will be considering making a recommendation to the City Council regarding the number of members appointed to the Sister Cities Committee. Motion was made by Ms. McIntosh to request the City Council to expedite the appointment of a new Sister Cities Committee member before December 2004, seconded by Mr. Slagel. Motion carried by a show of hands 6-0. V. CONTINUED BUSINESS None. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON GOLF CART PARADE Mr. Talboys gave an update on the status of the Golf Cart Parade. Mr. Marman summarized where he was with regard to locating and securing individuals to perform at the parade. Mr. Talboys asked for assistance on Friday, November 51h and Saturday, November 6th to help with decorating the carts. Ms. Gomez said Rolf Hoehn has secured sponsorship from Aero Mexico. Volunteers for November 5th are: Mr. Talboys, Ms. Gomez, Ms. McIntosh, Mr. Marman, Mr. Slagel, and Ms. Darby. Volunteers for November 6th are: Mr. Talboys, Ms. Gomez, Ms. Ortega, Mr. Marman, Mr. Harris, Ms. McIntosh, Ms. Bannon, and Mr. Green. Frank Viccar a visitor at the Sister Cities Committee meeting volunteered himself and his wife to help with the decorating of the golf carts for the parade. A discussion ensued regarding compensation for the performers. Motion was made by Ms. McIntosh to include a nice presentation of gifts and a monetary sum of $50.00 to each performer at the parade, seconded by Mr. Slagel. Motion carried by a show of hands 6-0. B. CONSIDERATION OF MAORI ARTWORK Mr. Talboys said the artwork has been removed from the lobby of City Hall and that three or four have been sold, however, there are pieces remaining that are unsold. He reported the possibility of one of the members coming in January specifically to retrieve the remaining pieces. O'Jay Vanegas said he may be able to work something out with his SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES October 21, 2004 Page ,4 employer wherein they could create a temporary exhibit at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. The story of the Sister Cities connection to the artwork could be a part of the exhibit with labels describing each depiction. Ms. Gomez said she would check on the liability of having the artwork out of Palm Desert. Mr. Talboys responded favorably to Mr. Vanegas' idea and asked that he explore the possibility and bring it back to the committee. C. STATE FARM GRANT Mr. Slagel, who retired from State Farm after 40 years of service, informed the committee that State Farm has a Foundation that recognizes retired folks and agents who do volunteer work in their communities. An application could be completed and submitted, and if approved, the Committee would receive $500 to be used for one of its programs. The requirements stipulate that the receiving organization is tax exempt and the person doing the volunteer work puts in at least 40 hours per year. The State Farm Foundation has awarded 355 grants in California totaling $175, 000. Motion was made by Mr. Slagel to use the State Farm Grant money for Children's Programs in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, seconded by Ms. McIntosh. Motion carried by a show of hands 6-0. D. CONSIDERATION OF' FORMATION OF A COMMUNITY OUTREACH SUBCOMMITTEE Mr. Talboys asked the committee if the would like to have a formal discussion regarding the formation of this subcommittee. Ms. McIntosh asked if the committee could discuss the item at the retreat. She thought it was a good idea but felt the committee would need more time for development and to make it a part of the discussion regarding projects and objectives. This item was deferred to the February 4, 2005, Sister Cities Committee Retreat. VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. CITY COUNCIL Mayor Pro Tern Crites mentioned that he is awaiting a letter from the Mayor of Gisborne regarding joint meetings with the Ambassador who is a part-time resident of Palm Desert. He thanked the Committee for all its hard work in making Sister Cities a success. B. COMMITTEE CHAIR Mr. Talboys reported that Mr. Raul Chavez, Chair of the Sister Cities Committee in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, was contacted to get an update on their plans. He has not heard from him yet as the lines have been down in SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES October 21, 2004 Page 5 Mexico. Gisborne was also contacted and their committee will be meeting by the end of this month, after which time they will be forwarding an update on the status of their plans. C. COMMITTEE MEMBERS None. D. SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS Art, Culture & Education Tourism & Economic Development Humanitarian Sarah Healy said she has completed the research on the Student Exchange Program. Mr. Talboys said new co-chairs have been selected for the Art, Culture & Education subcommittee. Mr. Marman said a meeting could be arranged to discuss the research that Ms. Healy has completed. Ms. McIntosh asked Ms. Healy to see her and Mr. Marman at the end of meeting so they could schedule a date to meet. Ms. Bannon reported that she, Mr. Marman and Rose Mary Ortega completed the separation of equipment to be donated to Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. She said there were items remaining that need to be recycled and/or thrown away. Mr. Marman said Carlos Ortega said he would look into getting the debris thrown away and the equipment that can be recycled taken care of. He said things are moving slow but sure. Ms. Bannon said Mexico is flooding because of the rain and there is no communicating with them right now. E. STAFF Ms. Gomez reported on the status of the raffle for the hotel certificates from Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. She is working with the hotels to extend the expiration dates of the certificates. Ms. Bannon will not be able to use the certificate packet she won from Via Del Sol, which will be included with the other certificates for the raffle. IX. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Talboys adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m. Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary *Reminder: Our next meeting will be held November 18th at 3:00p.m.