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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Sister Cities Committee 03/18/2004e"--- 0-/Lf CITY OF PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES 3:00 P.M. March 18, 2004 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 Nancy Jo McIntosh Rose Mary Ortega Gilbert Slagel Peggy Steen Mark Talboys, Chairman Also Present: Jan Goff, Ex-Officio Member Susie Harvey, Ex-Officio Member John Marman, Visitor Donna Gomez, Visitor Center Manager Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Absent: A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 19, 2004 and the SPECIAL MEETING HELD JANUARY 29, 2004. Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 19, 2004, and the Special Meeting of January 29, 2004 by William Harris, seconded by Nancy Jo McIntosh, carried unanimously by a show of hands. SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 18, 2004 V. NEW BUSINESS A. REPORT ON EDUCATIONAL PROJECT PROPOSAL FROM IXTAPA- ZIHUATANEJO — PEGGY STEEN Peggy Steen summarized the Educational Project proposal from Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo and expressed some concern regarding setting a precedent that all programs with this community be humanitarian. Donna Gomez explained that at the committee retreat the entire group agreed to have three subcommittees, one of which was humanitarian. Therefore, humanitarian efforts are appropriate but should not necessarily be the entire relationship. The committee can serve as a facilitator and work to connect the various agencies that can help accomplish the goals as outlined by Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. Terry Green agreed with Ms. Gomez and made the suggestion that the requests for donations in the proposal from Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo could be given to those organizations that would be compatible with each request. Some of those suggested included the Braille Institute, Foundation for the Retarded, local service clubs, local doctors, etc. It was suggested that the Educational Subcommittee draft a letter that would be sent out to the appropriate organizations requesting their input and participation in the requests outlined in the proposal. Chairman Talboys said that the Committee needs to be mindful that they work in concert with both cities, and each program does not necessarily need to be equal giving each and every time. Ms. Steen said she would take the proposal and Committee's comments back to the Education Subcommittee and let them work on drafting a letter. B. REPORT ON RECYCLING/ECOLOGY PROJECT PROPOSAL FROM IXTAPA- ZIHUATANEJO — MARK TALBOYS Chairman Talboys, Ms. Gomez, and Rosemary Ortega met with Waste Management to review the proposal for the Installation of Storage Facilities for Recyclables in the City of Zihuatanejo. Waste Management was amenable to their discussion and was going to proceed with an inventory of surplus equipment that might available as a donation. Donna Jean Darby said there was a recycling program in Gisborne wherein they used a mascot of sorts to send the recycling message to students. She thought this may be the three -tiered subject matter the Committee has been researching and hoping to find. Sample materials from that program could be shared with Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. Ms. Gomez said the materials for that campaign may be in the Committee's files. G:\CltyClrk\Lori Wimbish\Sister Ci ies\Minutes\Minutes 03.18.04.doc 2 SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 18, 2004 Mr. Harris suggested that Ixtapa could possibly help Zihuatanejo, because Ixtapa has recycling programs in place at the hotels. Mr. Harris said he could help with solicitation for donations. It was noted that the discussion also included sending experts from Waste Management to analze their situation and make recommendations. Chairman Talboys said once they get things Tined up with Waste Management it will then allow them to identify any other needs and decide whether other parties need to be brought into the project. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS None. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON DONATION PROJECT Rosemary Ortega reported that the fire truck and ambulance were sent and arrived on March 5, 2004. The equipment to be included was held in Calexico, and is waiting for a date to be shipped. Mrs. Ortega said Carlos Ortega would need to contact customs to find out the fee for the remaining shipment. Mr. Ortega stated that they could take the equipment that has already been approved in the front or the back of the truck and the equipment that is not approved, pay customs on the value. Most of the equipment is used and value could be placed on it at the border. Mr. Ortega will recommend to the City Council that money be advanced from the proceeds of the donated items to the golf tournament to pay for the transportation of the equipment. Ms. Gomez said there is money remaining in the 2003/04 fiscal year's budget to cover one additional shipment and noted that this could be utilized if the committee so desired. The Committee members discussed the proposal of using the Revenue Account funds for transportation. Motion was made by Ms. McIntosh to use Revenue Account monies for the medical equipment transportation; Gilbert Slagel seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously by a show of hands. B. REPORT ON TRANSPACIFIC GOLF CHALLENGE Chairman Talboys said the Committee has a window of about two weeks to sign up people for the golf tournament. He said there are several Tee Sponsorships available in the amount of $275.00. A list of companies that have signed up to be Tee Sponsors was read. Chairman Talboys asked again if any member knew of an auctioneer who would be interested in donating their talent to this event. He encouraged all of the members to participate as much as possible and asked what Committee members G:\CityClrk\Lori Wimbish\Sister Cities\ Minutes\Minutes 03.18.04.doc 3 SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 18, 2004 were going to be able to help that day. Everyone will be able to make it. Registration starts at 11:00 a.m. and everyone should try to be at Desert Willow between 8:30 a.m. — 9:00 a.m. Chairman Talboys said it would be a good idea to have the Sister Cities display at Desert Willow. C. REPORT ON AESTHETIC EDUCATION PROGRAM Ms. Darby said 15 packets of information have been sent to Gisborne, New Zealand. She met with Kajsa Thureson-Frary who reported that they were hoping to add the Mexican Ballet Folkloric to the program this year. She felt it was going quite well and will keep everyone posted as soon as she had anything to report. The dates of the program are June 14 — June 19, 2004. Ms. Darby said that the invitation will be extended to Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo even though they are on summer break during those dates. D. REVIEW OF FINAL BUDGET SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION Ms. Gomez said the budget was sent with the agenda packet for the Committee's review. The proposed budget was also sent to Executive Management and City Council. Ms. Gomez said there is every indication that the 28% decrease will not happen. If cuts are to be made, they will be minimal. VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. CITY COUNCIL Mayor Pro-tem Buford Crites sent his apologies for not being able to attend the meeting. B. COMMITTEE CHAIR None. C. COMMITTEE MEMBERS None. D. SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS Art, Culture & Education Tourism & Economic Development Humanitarian None. G:\CityClrMlori Wimbish\Sister Cities\Minutes\Minutes 03.18.04.doc 4 SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 18, 2004 E. STAFF Ms. Gomez said the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce is considering moving the Golf Cart Parade to the month of January. The November 2004 would remain the same and the next Parade would then occur in January of 2006. The Committee members discussed this item briefly and agreed that the January date would be much preferred. IX. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Talboys adjourned the meeting at 4:50 p.m. (,/ te/tC Lori IWimbish, Recording Secretary *Reminder: Our next meeting will be held April 15th at 3:OOp.m. G:\CityClrk\Lori Wirrbish\Sister Cities\Minutes\Minutes 03.18.04.doc 5