HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinute - Sister Cities Committe 04/15/2004CITY OF PALM DESERT
SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE
MINUTES
3:00 P.M. April 15, 2004
Administrative Conference Room
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Talboys called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present:
Patricia Bannon
Donna Jean Darby
Bill Harris
John Marman
Nancy Jo McIntosh
Rose Mary Ortega
Gilbert Slagel
Peggy Steen
Mark Talboys, Chairman
Also Present:
Jan Goff, Ex-Officio Member
Terry Green, Ex-Officio Member
Briana Kirkwood, Ex-Officio Member
O'Jay Vanegas, Ex-Officio Member
Buford Crites, Councilmember
Donna Gomez, Visitor Center Manager
Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary
Ivette Osorio, Student at COD, Visitor
Clara Newton, Visitor
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Absent:
Chairman Talboys welcomed John Marman as a new member of the Sister Cities
Committee.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD
MARCH 18, 2004.
SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE
MINUTES
APRIL 15, 2004
Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 18,
2004, made by Ms. Bannon, seconded by Mr. Harris, carried by a show of
hands vote of 9-0.
V. NEW BUSINESS
None.
VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS
None.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A. UPDATE ON TRANSPACIFIC GOLF CHALLENGE
Chairman Talboys said they have 84 registrations and 105 people at the
reception. He felt they have done well; numbers are slightly Tess than last
year, but not by much. He said there are a number of new sponsors from
last year. The donations have also been plentiful. He thanked all of the
Committee members for their commitment to the golf event.
Rosemary Ortega reported that Carlos Ortega, City Manager, received a
fax from Felipe Filhol, General Manager of Hotel Riviera, stating that they
are donating four hotel packages in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, including Villa del
Sol, to the Sister Cities Golf Tournament. The Committee members
discussed whether the donations should be included for auction at the
golf tournament. Mrs. Ortega said the certificates for the hotels have a
one-year expiration. Mr. Talboys said this is a very generous offer and it
suggests to him that the exchange with our cities is working. John
Marman suggested that the Committee use the donated hotel packages
for a separate fundraiser. Mayor Pro-tem Crites said that Alaska Airlines
has inexpensive flights to Mexico that could be purchased to go along
with the hotel packages. The idea to save these donations for a separate
fundraiser was well received.
Mr. Talboys said the program for the golf tournament would be very
similar to last year. He passed out a handout with a list of tasks and the
delegation of each. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. Tables will be set
up for the raffle tickets and mulligan sales. Chrysler will be on hand
giving test drives and $5 for each test drive will be given to Sister Cities.
Live auction display, museum display from the Palm Desert City Library,
brochures from Air Mexico and New Zealand, a couple of videotapes and
a Power Point presentation which will run silently. Hole -in -ones at holes
14 and 17 for Club Car and Chrysler. He said there would be a need for
witnesses at those holes. He has two people scheduled but hoped there
would be a couple more volunteers so that they could switch throughout
the day. He suggested bringing a hat and/or umbrella. There is a closest
to the pin, which will not require witnesses. New Zealand wine will be
G:\CityClrk\Lori Wlmbish\Sister Cities\Minutes\ Minutes 04.15.04.doc
2
SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE
MINUTES
APRIL 15, 2004
served with a cheeseboard provided by Jensens. Jensens has also
donated a cake.
There are a number of celebrities playing including, Michael Dante, Jerry
Vale, Trini Lopez, James MacArthur, and Graeme Baxter.
There will be various promotional boards displaying information about
Sister Cities and acknowledging the sponsors. Nancy Jo McIntosh asked
Mr. Talboys what time the golfers are expected to finish. Mr. Talboys said
Desert Willow told him around 6:00 p.m.; however, he would like to have
things in order by 5:00 p.m. In addition to the cheese board there will be
pasta stations, Ceaser salad station, and antipasto selection. The no
host bar will also be available.
Donna Gomez mentioned that the Committee members were not
excluded from bidding on the auction items so please do if you see
something you like. There are a lot of great prizes this year. Also, she
received a telephone call from Bruce Fessier who will be sending a
photographer out to Desert Willow so the golf tournament will get some
great press from the Desert Sun. He has asked us to arrange some
photo opportunities with the celebrities.
Mr. Talboys suggested arriving at Desert Willow at 9:00 a.m., but if
anyone could be there earlier that would be great. Jan Goff said she
would not be able to get to Desert Willow until after 9:00 a.m., but would
like to be scheduled for the wine serving and raffle ticket sales. Mr.
Marman offered his help at the tournament as well. Ms. Gomez thanked
Mr. Marman for getting the West Coast Turf sponsorship.
B. UPDATE ON TRIP TO IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO
Ms. Gomez handed out an itinerary for the trip to the Committee. She
said 23 people would be going to Ixtapa. She discussed the itinerary with
the Committee. Ms. Gomez worked with Raul Chavez on the planning of
events. She said she asked Mr. Chavez to arrange a tour of the hospital
for the Committee. Mrs. Ortega suggested a tour of the Child Care
Center. Ms. Gomez asked Carmen Huras to arrange a trip to the
Recycling Center. If the trip were not possible Carmen Huras said she
could arrange a Power Point presentation of the Recycling Center. Mr.
Villanueva has offered his home for the final evening. Mr. Chavez is
open to any further suggestions any Committee member may have he
would entertain. Ms. Gomez said if there are any problems with the
itinerary or the trip itself, she needs to know.
G1CityClrk\Lori Wimbish\Sister Cldes\Minutes\Minutes 04.15.04.doc
3
SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE
MINUTES
APRIL 15, 2004
VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS
A. CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Pro-tem Crites said the City Council approved a Resolution on
April 8, 2004, that approved coverage for Workers' Compensation for the
Sister Cities Committee members.
B. COMMITTEE CHAIR
None
C. COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Patricia Bannon said she received the papers for the fire engine
equipment that has yet to go to Ixtapa. She said the ambulance
equipment transportation costs are still too expensive. Ms. Bannon
suggested that she could carry the equipment with her to Ixtapa during
this upcoming trip. Mayor Pro-tem Crites said this could be discussed
after the meeting.
Ms. Ortega introduced Ivette Osorio who is a student at College of the
Desert. When she learned of this program she wanted to participate in
some manner. She is donating a silver jewelry set designed by her father
who is a jeweler.
D. SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS
- Art, Culture & Education
Donna Jean Darby said they would have a detailed report at next
month's meeting.
O'Jay Vanegas discussed the lecture series that is offered to
the public. The last segment of this series is scheduled for
April 21st at the Spa Resort Casino from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00
p.m. He passed out brochures regarding this series. Ms.
Darby said she would try to attend.
Tourism & Economic Development
None
Humanitarian
Mrs. Ortega said they are still waiting for the paperwork covering
the second stage of the Humanitarian Project. She said it was her
understanding that all of the equipment is now there and if the
G:1CityClrk\Lori Wimbish1Sister Cities 1Minutes\Minutes 04.15.04.doc
4
SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE
MINUTES
APRIL 15, 2004
Committee would like to go see it before it is shipped, please do
so.
E. STAFF
Ms. Gomez spoke with Raul Chavez about the donation project as well
and their intentions are very good and he apologized over and over again
because of the delays. Mr. Chavez said this has been a learning process
for them.
Ms. Gomez passed out Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo's magazine "Another Day In
Paradise." She copied the December 2003 issues specifically because of
the article on their visit to Palm Desert. She said she always has copies
available. She also said that the City's Newsletter would be sent to them
in return.
Ms. Gomez said her contacts in Zihuatanejo have encouraged the
Committee to bring a guitarist for the Guitar Festival. She has spoken
with Kal David about going to Zihuatanejo. The following are the things
he would require to go on this trip. He would need transportation for two
people. The Guitar Festival organizers provide accommodations and
food. He also wants per diem and a couple of other things. She said
there is no money in this year's budget. We could possibly take proceeds
out of the golf tournament to make this happen. Bill Harris asked what
the total cost would be? Mr. Talboys asked what per diem was he talking
about? Ms. Gomez said he did not give her an exact amount. She said
airfare would be around $1,000.00 for two people. She suggested if the
Guitar Festival were going to be an annual event, maybe they would
budget for this next year. If the Committee feels strongly about our
having representation this year we can discuss this further. She added
that the intention of this trip was for the Donation Project. The fact the
Guitar Festival is at this time is strictly a coincidence. Mr. Marman said
the Committee seeks things that can be exchanged, possibly next year
during the Dance Choreography Festival in November the Committee
could include a dance troop or individual from Zihuatanejo and then in
turn send a guitarist from here to perform at their Guitar Festival in April.
The consensus of the Committee was to attend this year's Guitar Festival
and should they feel that it would be appropriate to have an entertainer
attend next year, they would discuss it at that time.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was at 4:05 p.m.
Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary
G:\CityCtrk\Lori Wimbish\Sister Cities\Minutes\Minutes 04.15.04.doc
5