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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Sister Cities Committee 01/20/2005APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JANUARY 20, 2005 — 3:00 p.m. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Talboys called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Patricia Bannon Donna Jean Darby Bill Harris Rolf Hoehn Nancy Jo McIntosh — Arrived approximately at 3:30 p.m. John Marman — Arrived approximately at 4:00 p.m. Rose Mary Ortega Gilbert Slagel Mark Talboys, Chairman Staff/Others Present: 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 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD DECEMBER 16, 2004 Motion made by Gil Slagel to approve the December 16, 2004 meeting minutes, seconded by Patricia Bannon. Motion carried APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JANUARY 20, 2005 unanimously by a show of hands 7-0. Neither John Marman nor Nancy Jo McIntosh was present during this motion. V. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF DONATION OF A FLAT BED TRUCK TO IXTAPA ZIHUATENEJO FOR RECYCLING COLLECTION PROGRAM. Donna Gomez reported that through the City's budget process they would be replacing some of their vehicles. One of those vehicles is a 1994 Chevy flatbed truck and it was thought that Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo could utilize the truck for their Recycling Program. The truck could be driven to the border, and received by a driver from Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, which would eliminate the cost of transportation. Terry Green asked if there was communication with Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo regarding the truck and the transportation costs of getting it there. Ms. Gomez said she wanted to bring the proposal to the committee for consideration before contacting them. Donna Jean Darby asked about insurance coverage. Ms. Gomez said the City holds ownership of the truck and it is insured until it crosses the border. Rose Mary Ortega suggested that a photograph and a detailed description of the truck be presented to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo for their consideration. Mr. Talboys said the first step would be to ascertain whether they want the vehicle. Mr. Green expressed concern about what assurances the committee would have regarding the vehicle being used for the Recycling Program. Motion made by Ms. Ortega to communicate the proposal to our Sister City in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and then take the necessary steps to begin the process, seconded by Rolf Hoehn. Motion carried unanimously by a show of hands 7-0. Neither John Marman nor Nancy Jo McIntosh was present during this motion. 2 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JANUARY 20, 2005 VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF SCI ANNUAL FUND DONATION TOWARD 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP Mr. Talboys received correspondence from Phyllis Warren -Briggs, Director of Development for Sister Cities International, containing detailed information about the 50th Anniversary Community Partnership. He gave a brief presentation on that information. He asked the committee to consider a contribution of $1,000, which would entitle the committee to become a Community Partner. Motion made by Ms. Darby to support the International Sister Cities Project in the amount of $1,000 for 2004 - 2005, which would be for the 2006 Conference, seconded by Mr. Hoehn. Motion carried unanimously by a show of hands 7-0. Neither John Marman nor Nancy Jo McIntosh was present during this motion. VII. OLD BUSINESS None VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. CITY COUNCIL Ms. Gomez reported that City Council approved the addition of four new committee members increasing the recommendation of the Sister Cities Committee by two members. Ms. Gomez added that the City Council is currently reviewing the applications and believed appointments would be made within the next two months. Mr. Hoehn asked if the committee could make a recommendation as to the number of members the committee would like City Council to appoint. Mr. Talboys believed City Council would appoint two individuals. Ms. Ortega asked if there was anything in place that would provide an opportunity for the committee to give input to the City Council with regard to appointments. Ms. Darby felt that input might be helpful, but did not want to interfere with City Council's process. 3 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JANUARY 20, 2005 Ms. Gomez said she did not think there was a procedure in place, and reminded the Committee that Mayor Crites had asked that individual comments be directed to him. Motion made by Mr. Hoehn to appoint a subcommittee to review the applications being considered by City Council subject to Ms. Gomez obtaining approval by the City Council, seconded by Ms. Bannon. Motion carried by a show of hands 7-1. Ms. McIntosh voted no. Mr. Marman was not present. B. COMMITTEE CHAIR Mr. Talboys reported that Mayor Crites sent a letter to the Mayor of Gisborne inviting a delegation to visit Palm Desert, suggesting that the visit coincide with the Golf Tournament. Mr. Talboys reminded the committee about the Sister Cities Retreat on February 4th from 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at Club Intrawest. Information regarding the retreat will be sent to committee members. Mr. Talboys thanked Ms. Gomez for all her hard work on the retreat. Mr. Talboys shared with the committee an article from The Desert Sun entitled, "City Seeks Unique Trade Union." The article is about the City of Palm Springs and their overtures to China. Palm Desert and Cathedral City were also mentioned in the article as being the only two Valley cities that have associations with Sister Cities. C. COMMITTEE MEMBERS None. D. SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS Art, Culture & Education 1. Student Exchange Ms. McIntosh reported on their meeting of January 19th. The subcommittee reviewed forms from Sister Cities International and other Sister Cities that have been involved in Student Exchange programs. Once the forms are completed, they will bring them back to the committee for review. The forms will be given to Ms. Gomez to be reviewed for legal purposes. 4 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JANUARY 20, 2005 Ms. McIntosh said the Student Exchange proposal was sent to Gisborne. They acknowledged the correspondence, but they did not give any indication as to their thoughts about the proposal. Mr. Vanegas and Ms. Darby requested that they be informed about the meeting dates, as they would like to attend in the future. 2. Artist in Residence Ms. Darby said Ms. Gomez communicated with Gisborne about the Aesthetic Education Program concept, but they did not feel comfortable pursuing the concept at this time. They talked about Kerry Fox, a photographic artist, and felt she would be ideal for the Artist in Residence program. Ms. Darby said the McCallum Theatre Education Embassadors is forming a subcommittee to identify people who would provide housing for the Aesthetic Education Program. Tourism & Economic Development 1. Golf Challenge Mr. Talboys said the Golf Challenge is scheduled for April 8th at Desert Willow. He and Ms. Gomez have continued to meet with Ms. Bamber and her team at Club Intrawest. All aspects of the event are progressing nicely. Ms. Gomez said drafts of materials would be available next week. 2. Community Trip Mr. Talboys reported that the Guitar Festival in Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo is April 3 - 10. He also received confirmation of the Sister Cities Conference in Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo and those dates are June 1 - 5. Mr. Talboys asked Pat Crawford to proceed with the community trip. He anticipated having firm details and prices at February's meeting. They are looking at a late April early May departure. Mr. Talboys reported that the subcommittee spoke in very broad terms about a community day, and that the earliest date might be in November. 5 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JANUARY 20, 2005 Humanitarian 1. Ladder Fire Truck Mr. Otero reported that Dr. Cantu is waiting for one additional legal document to be processed before the fire truck can be delivered. He said everything should be in order within the next couple of months. Mr. Otero reported that the training program for Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo's firemen is scheduled for March 18 - 27. The Fire Department is sponsoring four firemen. He said another trip is planned for August 16 — 23. They will be celebrating the Day of the Fireman. Flyers were passed out to city staff and they were hoping to have 50 to 75 people. The trip is open to everyone. Mr. Otero submitted a memo to Carlos Ortega's office informing him of two ambulances that were surpluses. He suggested to Mr. Ortega that they could be sent to Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo. A discussion ensued regarding the difficulty in getting parts for the fire truck and ambulances once they are in Mexico. Ms. Ortega suggested that the committee have budget expenditure to cover those types of costs. Mr. Otero passed out publications from Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo's Fire Chief. The publication was the "Year in Review" from the Presidente's Office. Ms. Ortega gave a presentation on her trip to Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo. She said there was interest in participating in the Golf Tournament. The U.S/Mexico Sister Cities Conference is scheduled for June 1 — 5. She said that the Palm Desert Sister Cities collaboration was requested through attendance and support during the event. They also felt it would be an excellent time for the joint committee meeting. Discussion of ideas ensued as to what Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo could do to make the conference a success. Ms. Ortega also reported that Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo's Executive Board would like to send an individual to meet with the Palm Desert Sister Cities Committee. She would be representing Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo's Sister Cities Committee as well as the 6 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JANUARY 20, 2005 Hotel Association, and the Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo's committee would like the Palm Desert Committee members to introduce her to various key individuals and organizations in the community. Mr. Hoehn was supportive of the above proposal. He felt it would be beneficial to both committees. Ms. Ortega translated a detailed report from Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo's Sister Cities Committee regarding the donated medical equipment, fire engine, and ambulance. Ms. Ortega passed around photographs, publications, and articles about the animal wildlife preserve. She was also introduced to the Student Scholarship recipient, who was very quiet, and appreciative of the scholarship. She added that Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo requested from their city a $25,000 budget for the 2005 fiscal year. She said they believed that they would have a good chance of receiving the money. E. STAFF 1. U.S./Mexico Conference Ms. Gomez reported that she sent additional information via e-mail to the committee members regarding the U.S./Mexico Conference. Three responses were received all indicating that they were not interested in attending. Therefore, the committee would pass on the conference this year. 2. Agua Caliente Cultural Museum exhibit Ms. Gomez reported that a reception is scheduled for the opening night of the exhibit, which will take place on February 16th Mr. Vanegas reported that transferring of the artwork would be the 7th or 8th of February. He noted that the Museum's Curator, Ginger Ridgway, would be attending the American Anthropology Association's annual meeting in Tongo, North Island, New Zealand in November. Ms. Gomez reported that she received information from Aero Mexico and they are offering the $345 rate to Sister Cities for any trips related to Sister Cities to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. 7 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE JANUARY 20, 2005 Ms. Gomez received an email from Rebecca Payne from the Wildlife Animal Preserve thanking the Sister Cities Committee for the donation of $750. She was very appreciative. Ms. Gomez mentioned that Elizabeth Williams, from the Consulates Office in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, was very helpful and very supportive of the Wildlife Animal Preserve. She was also very happy that Sister Cities was helping out. Ms. Ortega responded that the Wildlife Animal Preserve already has the property, but they have not been moved. Ms. Gomez passed around samples of the newly designed letterhead and envelopes for Palm Desert Sister Cities Committee. The committee responded favorably to the design. 3. Raffle Ms. Gomez said the committee raised over $2,500 on raffle tickets. The money raised will go into the budget for the Fire Department's training program of the firemen from Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo. The winners were: April Costello - Pat Slagel - IX. ADJOURNMENT Bungalows Pacifico Presidente Intercontinental Chairman Talboys adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m., and then convened to the Sister Cities Retreat at Club Intrawest on February 4, 2005 at 8:45 a.m., and then to the regular meeting on February 17, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary *Reminder: Our next meeting will be held February 17, 2005 at 3:00p.m. 8