Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOut-of-State Travel - Sister Cities International Annual ConferenceCITY OF PALM DESERT STAFF REPORT TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: DONNA GOMEZ, VISITOR CENTER MANAGER DATE: JUNE 10, 2004 SUBJECT: OUT OF STATE TRAVEL REQUEST Recommendation: By Minute Motion, authorize out-of-state travel for two Sister Cities Committee representatives to attend the Sister Cities International Annual Conference, July 14-18, 2004, in Fort Worth, Texas. Executive Summary: Attendance at this conference will provide one of the newer committee members an opportunity to attend the annual conference for the first time. This will allow her to become better acquainted with the process, programs and procedures of Sister Cities International. The two attendees will learn from and network with hundreds of other dedicated sister city professionals and international colleagues. Additionally, they will take this opportunity to acquire information that will serve to enhance our already successful programs with both Gisborne and Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. Background: Over the last four years the Palm Desert Sister Cities program has been very active and has just recently formalized a second relationship. Due to our active participation, it is important that committee members keep informed of current trends and directions of Sister Cities activities. Committee representatives attending this event will return with new tools and techniques for establishing partnerships, ideas for strengthening Palm Desert's program, and strategies for becoming a community -based program. Expenses are estimated at $1,600.00 per person with adequate funds having been budgeted in the Sister Cities account (110-4416-414-3126). Therefore, staff recommends the City Council approve this expenditure to further enhance its Sister Cities program. ER SHEILA R. ILLI PAUL S. GIBSON DIRECTOR OF FINANCE CARLOS L. EGA ASSISTANT CIT ` ANAGER CITY MANAGER