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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Sister Cities Committee 06/16/2005APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2005 - 3:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Talboys called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. if. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent Donna Jean Darby Patricia Bannon Bill Harris Briana Kirkwood Rolf Hoehn Jean Whitney Nancy Jo McIntosh, Vice -Chair John Marman Rose Mary Ortega Gilbert Slagel Mark Talboys, Chair Frank Villar Gary Walker Staff/Others Present: Donna Gomez, Visitor Center Manager Buford Crites, Mayor Ignacio Otero, Ex-Officio Member O'Jay Vanegas, Ex-Officio Member Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Talboys encouraged the Committee members to concentrate on building the Committee's database. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD MAY 19, 2005 Mr. Hoehn moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the minutes of the May 19, 2005, meeting. Motion was seconded by Mr. Walker and carried 10-0 by a show of hands. APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JUNE 16, 2005 V. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF SUMMER SCHEDULE Mr. Talboys stated that while there were preliminary discussions about the Committee going dark in July and August, he felt, based on last year's schedule, two months was too long to go without a meeting. Upon question by Mr. Harris, Ms. Gomez responded that the City Council meetings would be dark on July 28 and August 11. The Committee discussed the necessity of meeting in July. Ms. McIntosh moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the Committee going dark in the month of August. Motion was seconded by Mr. Hoehn and carried 10-0 by a show of hands. B. REPORT ON U.S./MEXICO SISTER CITIES CONFERENCE AND JOINT MEETING Mr. Talboys reported on the Conference. He said Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo was a wonderful host. He was disappointed in the low number of attendees, but the workshops were very good. He believed Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo appreciated Palm Desert being there to support it. Mr. Talboys announced that Mexicali was awarded the U.S./Mexico International Conference in 2006. Mr. Talboys said the notes from the Joint Meeting in Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo were sent to the Committee members. He suggested that they review the report and discuss the various issues with their respective subcommittees. He added that the Joint Meeting was a success. Mr. Talboys announced that Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo would be designating a street to Palm Desert Cities. DAVID PEREZ-TEJADA, the International Relations Director for the City of Mexicali, addressed the Committee. He said the Mayor of Mexicali was eager to have a stronger relationship with his friends in the Coachella Valley. He stated that the Mayor wanted to create a Sister Cities Committee in Mexicali. He asked for Palm Desert's support in helping to promote participation at the 2006 U.S./Mexico International Conference. Mr. Perez-Tejada gave his impressions 2 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JUNE 16, 2005 of the Conference, stating that it was wonderful, and the support given by Palm Desert was evident. Ms. Ortega thought the workshop concepts were excellent. She said they were a little difficult to maneuver because they were held at the same time but applauded the effort. She too believed that context and networking were important aspects to a conference. She said she was almost sheepish about the amount of times that Palm Desert was mentioned, but she felt it was the reflection of the community's commitment and the importance placed on the relationship. She added that Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo was very proud of its collaboration with Palm Desert and its program accomplishments. The Committee members further discussed other aspects of the Conference and how they might help promote the 2006 International Conference for Mexicali. Mr. Slagel reported that he and Mrs. Slagel visited an elementary school in Zihuatanejo. He said 431 children attend the school and share one bathroom. He thought it was a rewarding experience. No action was taken on this item. C. CONSIDERATION OF PARTICIPATION IN "BEST PRACTICES SHOWCASE RECOGNITION" AT SCI CONFERENCE Mr. Talboys announced that the Committee received a letter from Sister Cities International requesting that it participate and showcase one of its best practices at the SCI Conference. He said five cities from around the country were asked to participate, and he hoped that the Committee would support participation. He said he would prepare a PowerPoint presentation showcasing the Golf Tournament. Mr. Villar moved to, by Minute Motion, approve participation in the "Best Practices Showcase Recognition" at the Sister Cities International Conference. Motion was seconded by Mr. Hoehn and carried 10-0 by a show of hands. D. CONSIDERATION OF RECOGNITION OF FIRE DEPARTMENT Ms. Ortega spoke with Mr. Talboys and Ms. Gomez about the possibility of publicly recognizing Ignacio Otero for taking the lead on the Bombero Program, which was an integral part of the Humanitarian Program. She said Ms. Gomez had suggested presenting a Proclamation to Mr. Otero at a City Council meeting. 3 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JUNE 16, 2005 Ms. Ortega thought it might also be appropriate to show the video of the Bombero Program at the Cove Commission dinner because firefighters will be honored at that dinner. She asked for comments or suggestions from Committee members. Mayor Crites suggested that the recognition be held at a Citywide event. Mr. Talboys suggested that Ms. Ortega and Mr. Hoehn work together to plan the recognition. Ms. Ortega said she would speak with Mr. Hoehn, Mr. Otero, and the members of the Humanitarian Subcommittee. The Subcommittee would then bring its proposal back to the Committee. Ms. McIntosh moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the organization of a recognition event for Ignacio Otero. Motion was seconded by Mr. Marman and carried 10-0 by a show of hands. E. CONSIDERATION OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS RAISED THROUGH TEE'D 2 READ GOLF TOURNAMENT Ms. McIntosh said the proceeds from the Golf Tournament were $10,000. She said the ACE Subcommittee met and determined that distribution should be 1/3 to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, 1/3 to Gisborne, and 1/3 to Palm Desert. She said the funds were initially earmarked for school supplies, and the Subcommittee felt that was how the money should be applied. Mr. Hoehn asked Ms. McIntosh for the distribution list once it was prepared so that he could send out a press release. Mr. Walker moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the Subcommittee recommendations for disbursement of funds raised through the Tee'd 2 Read Golf Tournament. Motion was seconded by Ms. Darby and carried 10-0 by a show of hands. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF LIFEGUARD PROGRAM Mr. Otero distributed information to the Committee, and he reported on the current status of lifeguard safety in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. He said the hoteliers were very interested in the Lifeguard Program, which could begin in September, October, or November. Ms. McIntosh stated that Mr. Burnside proposed traveling to Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo twice, one trip to assess the need for a lifeguard 4 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JUNE 16, 2005 program and the second for training. She said the Subcommittee wanted to recommend to Mr. Burnside that it would assess the need, and Mr. Burnside would travel once to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo for the training. Ms. Ortega stated that based on the information brought back by Mr. Otero, the Subcommittee decided to place the Lifeguard Program as #1 priority on its project list. She said that the hotels would provide food and lodging for Mr. Burnside and his crew, and Sister Cities would be responsible for their transportation. She added that this was perfect timing for a Lifeguard Program because Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo was building two towers on its public beaches. Mr. Otero showed a video of the firefighters' training trip to Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo. Ms. Ortega moved to, by Minute Motion, proceed with the Lifeguard Program and to collaborate with individuals in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. Motion was seconded by Mr. Villar and carried 10-0 by a show of hands. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. DISCUSSION OF GOLF CART PARADE PARTICIPATION Ms. McIntosh said the consensus of the members was to enter two golf carts in the Parade. She gave an overview of what was discussed, including the design. Upon question by Ms. Ortega, Ms. McIntosh responded that the two golf carts would be for the Palm Desert Sister Cities Committee. Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Committee members were given an application for the Golf Cart Parade and told that they would need to complete the application and pay the entry fee. She said the Committee would provide some assistance, but Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo's entry would ultimately be its responsibility. Mr. Marman added that the two golf cart entries by Palm Desert would include both sister cities. Mr. Talboys expressed some concern about the poster design in that it would not be very visible. Upon question by Ms. Gomez, Ms. McIntosh responded that the design would reflect the message of tourism; however, the posters would read, "Sister Cities Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico, and "Sister Cities Gisbome, New Zealand." 5 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JUNE 16, 2005 Mr. Harris stated that the design ideas were a work in progress. He said since Mr. Talboys wanted to team the Community Day with the Golf Cart Parade, the Committee might want to promote an invitation for people to attend the Community Day event after the Parade. He said the Golf Cart Parade Task Force scheduled its next meeting on July 20 at 2:00 p.m. He said they would finalize the design plans and review any new information pertaining to the Parade at that meeting. Ms. McIntosh said they would be getting together some photos from Gisbome to see if it were possible to blow them up to the size of a poster. Mr. Walker moved to, by Minute Motion, approve participation in the Golf Cart Parade with the entry of two golf carts. Motion was seconded by Mr. Marman and carried 10-0 by a show of hands. Vill. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. CITY COUNCIL Mr. Talboys read correspondence from Mayor Meng Foon of Gisborne to Mayor Crites inviting Mayor Crites to Gisborne's 50t' Anniversary celebration in October 2005. B. COMMITTEE CHAIR 1) Database Building Mr. Talboys reiterated the importance of building the Committee's database. He mentioned that there were difficulties in securing home hosts for the Aesthetic Education Program this year, and it would have been advantageous to have a larger contingent of volunteers to draw from. 2) Sister Cities Art Exhibit Ms. McIntosh said the original idea behind the Art Exhibit currently housed at City Hall was that it would travel from one location to another. The Committee discussed ideas regarding the types of venues and the length of time the Exhibit would remain at each venue. Ms. Darby said security may be an issue and suggested that the artifacts be inventoried. Mr. Hoehn, Ms. Gomez, and Mr. Talboys spoke about the 6 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JUNE 16, 2005 space at the new Palm Desert Visitor Information Center but wanted to defer any decisions about the Art Exhibit until the building was completed and the space could be evaluated. Mr. Talboys announced that Esthela Buenaventura had resigned her position as Manager for Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo's Sister Cities Committee. He added that he would forward new contact information to the Committee once it was received. C. COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mr. Walker announced that he met representatives from Collingwood, Ontario Canada, at the Conference. He believed that Palm Desert and Collingwood would complement each other in their respective roles as Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo's Sister Cities. D. SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS Art, Culture & Education 1) Sister Cities Art & Artifacts Exhibit See Section VIII, Item B for comments. Tourism & Economic Development Mr. Talboys stated that planning for the April 21, 2006, golf tournament was underway. He said sponsor letters would be prepared and mailed out shortly. Mr. Talboys reported that he spoke with Denise Roberge from Augusta about securing her restaurant as the location for Community Day. He said that Augusta was typically closed on the day of the Golf Cart Parade, but he was awaiting word about obtaining its use. - Humanitarian Ms. Ortega distributed a memo that included projects and programs discussed at the Joint Committee meeting of June 0' in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. (See attached.) Ms. Ortega spoke briefly on each project listed on the memo. 7 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JUNE 16, 2005 - Public Relations & Promotions Mr. Hoehn said he spoke with Colin Atagi from the Desert Sun about the Aesthetic Education Program and referred him to Ms. Darby for more detailed information. Mr. Hoehn reported that he met with the Director of Tourism in Los Angeles. The Director promised financial support to the Sister Cities Committee on a program basis. He added that he would engage him to become a sponsor for the Sister Cities Golf Tournament in 2006. Mr. Hoehn stated that he was awaiting information from the Humanitarian Subcommittee about its Innovation Award so he could put together a news release. He also requested a copy of the video presented by Ignacio Otero for promotional purposes. Mr. Hoehn said he would be meeting with Morris Desert Media, through Club IntraWest, to discuss its participation for radio coverage of the Golf Tournament. Mr. Walker reported that he spoke with Bonnie Gillgalin with CNEWS2 radio. He discussed the Sister Cities Committee with her, and she asked to be kept up to date on the Committee's programs. E. STAFF Ms. Gomez distributed Sister Cities' current budget to Committee members. Ms. Gomez spoke with Sandra from the Press Enterprise and informed her of the Aesthetic Education Program dinner at the Town Center Fire Department on Monday, June 20t'. Ms. Gomez asked for volunteers to help with the Concert in the Park event on Thursday, June 23Id. Several Committee members offered time and help with the Concert. 0 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JUNE 16, 2005 IX. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Y/�' 'z� Lori Wimbish, Recording 8'ecretary *Reminder: Our next meeting will be held July 21, 2005 at 3:00p.m. 9