HomeMy WebLinkAboutOut-of-State Travel for Sister Cities Conference June 1-5, 2005g4
REQUEST:
CITY OF PALM DESERT
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER
STAFF REPORT
City Council approve of out-of-state travel for up to ten people to
attend the U.S./Mexico Sister Cities Conference in Ixtapa-
Zihuatanejo, Mexico, June 1-5, 2005.
SUBMITTED BY: Donna Gomez, Visitor Information Center Manager
DATE: May 12, 2005
Recommendation:
By Minute Motion;
1) Approve out-of-state travel for up to ten Sister Cities Committee members and/or
staff to attend the U.S./Mexico Sister Cities Conference in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo,
Mexico, May 30 - June 7, 2005.
2) Authorize the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $6,000 from account
#110-4416-414-3126. Funds are available in this account and no additional
appropriation is required.
Discussion:
Palm Desert's Sister City of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo (Ix-Zi) is sponsoring the annual
U.S./Mexico Sister Cities Conference in June of this year. Ix-Zi has requested Palm
Desert's attendance and participation in this event and has specifically requested that
we sponsor a workshop and present a program on our humanitarian efforts.
Additionally, Ix-Zi Sister Cities has recommended that a joint meeting between the two
Sister Cities Committees be held immediately following the conference for the purpose
of setting direction and establishing goals and objectives for future programs between
our communities.
At its meeting of April 21, 2005, the Palm Desert Sister Cities Committee approved the
expenditure of not to exceed $500 per person for Committee members and staff to
attend the U.S./Mexico Sister Cities Conference in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. This amount will
cover the cost of flights only ($432.00 per person). Interested Committee members
have committed to covering the expenses related to accommodations and meals. After
further consideration, staff is recommending City Council approve an additional amount
to include conference registration fees for participants at $150 each for a total of
$582.00 per person.
Palm Desert's Sister Cities Committee has worked diligently this year to raise additional
funds for this program. Their combined fund-raising efforts have raised over $20,000 in
revenue during FY 04-05.
Attendance at this conference and the joint meeting will demonstrate Palm Desert's
commitment to this relationship and allow for further development of future programs.
The personal commitment of Committee members is evident and should continue to be
encouraged.
Submitted by:
Cfonna Gomez
Visitor Center Manager
Approval:
Carlos Ortega1. ity Manager
men +lead:
Sheila Gilligan
Assistant City Manager/ • • munity Services
Paul Gibson, Director of Finance