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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSister Cities Committee MIN 9-15-05IV PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE APPROVED MINUTES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 - 3:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM CALL TO ORDER Chairman Talboys called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Patricia Bannon Donna Jean Darby Rolf Hoehn Nancy Jo McIntosh, Vice -Chair John Marman Rose Mary Ortega Mark Talboys, Chair Frank Villar Gary Walker Jean Whitney Staff/Others Present: Donna Gomez, Visitor Center Manager Sheila Gilligan, Assistant City Manager Stephen Aryan, Asst. to the City Manager Ignacio Otero, Ex-Officio Member Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None Members Absent: Bill Harris Briana Kirkwood Gilbert Slagel CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD JULY 21, 2005 Mr. Walker moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the minutes of the July 21, 2005, meeting. Motion was seconded by Ms. McIntosh and carried 10-0 by a show of hands. PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE V. NEW BUSINESS SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 A. CONSIDERATION OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION FOR SISTER CITIES STEPHEN ARYAN, Assistant to the City Manager, gave a brief overview of the Articles of Incorporation. A discussion ensued between the Committee members and Mr. Aryan. Mr. Aryan noted that it would take between three and four months to approve the Articles by the State. In the meantime, staff would assist the Committee with the contractual agreement and the by-laws. The Committee discussed changing its name for the purposes of becoming non-profit. Chairman Talboys stated that the Committee currently had a "Mission Statement" and that he preferred that it remain a separate entity from the Bylaws. Mr. Hoehn was in agreement with Mr. Talboys. Chairman Talboys proposed that Ms. Darby and Ms. Ortega assist him in working with Mr. Aryan to development the Bylaws. They both accepted his proposal. Mr. Walker moved to, by Minute Motion; 1) Approve the Articles of Incorporation with the following amendments: a) Article II, D - ...the people of Palm Desert and its designated Sister Cities; b) change name to "Palm Desert Sister Cities, Inc.;" 2) Appoint Mr. Talboys, Ms. Darby, and Ms. Ortega to serve on an ad -hoc Committee to move the process forward. Motion was seconded by Mr. Hoehn and carried 10-0 by a show of hands. B. CONSIDERATION OF MAYOR'S TRIP TO GISBORNE, NEW ZEALAND Mr. Talboys suggested that a memo be written to Mayor Crites outlining the items, which the Committee felt were important for him to know or take with him to Gisborne. The Committee members were in agreement with that suggestion. The following was a list of ideas from the Committee during its discussion: Palm Desert Coffee Table Book, Sister Cities information, Palm Desert's video of the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Documentary, an artist's rendition of the new Visitor Information Center, host a reception and update Gisborne's Sister Cities Committee on the progress of the Palm Desert Sister Cities Committee. Ms. Gomez stated that there was a new video that chronicled the Table Top Book, which would be a nice gift to take as well. Mr. Hoehn said he would like Mayor Crites economic and tourism development. Mr. Subcommittee could meet to consider a list Crites. 0� o explore the prospect of Talboys said the TED of suggestions for Mayor PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 Chairman Talboys advised that a second invitation was extended to Mayor Foon of Gisborne, by Mayor Crites to visit Palm Desert to coincide with the Sister Cities Golf Tournament in 2006. Ms. McIntosh noted that Mayor Crites could present the donated funds of $3,300 from the Sister Cities Golf Tournament to Gisborne's District Council. Mr. Hoehn felt that a press release would be in order to let the community know of the Mayor's trip to Gisborne. Ms. Gilligan said that would have to come from the Mayor's office, and she would be happy to take the idea to the Mayor. Ms. Ortega stated that all of the Sister Cities accomplishments should be highlighted. Chairman Talboys advised that he would send a letter to Mayor Crites incorporating these suggestions. No action was taken. C. CONSIDERATION OF FIRE FIGHTER TRAINING PROGRAM There was no discussion on this item. Mr. Walker moved to, by Minute Motion, approve $1,500 to provide for the training and equipment for ten fire fighters from Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, February 18-25, 2006. Motion was seconded by Mr. Hoehn and carried 10-0 by a show of hands. D. DISCUSSION OF TRAVELING NEW ZEALAND NATIVE ART EXHIBIT Ms. Gomez spoke to an article written in the Press Enterprise on August 7, 2005, about a traveling Maori art exhibit. She stated that Mr. Slagel would be attending the exhibit at the Willamette University's Hallie Ford Museum of Art in Salem, Oregon. The Committee discussed how it could learn about those types of exhibits in advance. No action was taken. E. CONSIDERATION OF REGISTERING TEE'D 2 READ LOGO Mr. Talboys discussed the merits of having the Tee'd 2 Read logo registered for future tournaments. However, he also referred to the comments in the staff report with regard to the cost and timeframe to register the logo, as well as the fact that the Tee'd 2 Read logo could restrict funding sources for future golf tournaments. 3 PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 Ms. Darby moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the copyrighting of the Tee'd 2 Read logo at an estimated cost of $2,000. Motion died for lack of a second. F. CONSIDERATION OF COMMUNITY DAY TO BE HELD JANUARY 7, 2006 Mr. Talboys gave a report to the Committee regarding the Community Day. The date was moved to January 7, 2006, due to the Maori Concert Party not being able to perform on Sundays. Mr. Hoehn stated that the date change to January 7, 2006, from January 8, 2006, the day of the Golf Cart Parade, was significant in that it was now a stand-alone event. Mr. Walker suggested that the TED Subcommittee meet and discuss the date for the event. He said the Committee was not tied to the date and if it appeared that there was not enough time to plan the kind of Community Day the Committee envisioned, then the date could be changed. Mr. Marman moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the Community Day concept, with the Subcommittee to return to the Committee with the date of the Community Day. Motion was seconded by Mr. Walker and carried 9-1 by a show of hands. Ms. Darby opposed the motion. G. CONSIDERATION OF ATTENDANCE AT SOCAL SISTER CITIES CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 22 IN TORRANCE Mr. Talboys gave a brief overview of the email sent to the Committee from William Gavitt, Sister Cities International, and SoCal State Coordinator, regarding its conference on October 22, 2005. Mr. Talboys stated that since the Committee won an award, it would be nice to be represented at the conference. Mr. Walker moved to, by Minute Motion, approve up to three Committee members to attend the SoCal Sister Cities Conference in Torrance. Motion was seconded by Ms. McIntosh and carried 10-0 by a show of hands. H. CONSIDERATION OF VACATED VISITOR CENTER BUILDING Mr. Talboys stated that this item was a moot point, as the City Council gave the Palm Desert Police Department the vacated Visitor Center building for use as its sub -station. Item was pulled. 0 PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 CONSIDERATION OF 2006 SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, WASHINGTON, D.C. Mr. Talboys stated that due to the limited space available at the conference, it was important to finalize which Committee members would be attending the conference. Ms. Gomez stated that the cost of registration is $525 and would begin on October 1, 2005. Ms. Ortega stated that there were some concerns by Committee members, not present, who felt that any Committee member should be able to attend if he/she so chooses. Mr. Talboys felt that the two nominated Distinguished Volunteers, if confirmed, should take precedence as per his report to the Committee. He agreed that the conference should be open to all other Committee members if they choose to finance their own way. Ms. Gilligan advised that she might be able to assist with registration for those Committee members who want to attend and said she would look into that possibility. Mr. Talboys stated that the cost of registration was $525 until February 1, 2006. Registration would begin on October 1, 2005. Mr. Walker moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the cost of two Committee members with precedence being given to the two Distinguished Volunteer nominees, and any other Committee member wishing to attend the 2006 Sister Cities International Conference could do so at his/her own expense. Motion was seconded by Ms. McIntosh and carried 10-0 by a show of hands. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF DONATION OF GOLF TOURNAMENT PROCEEDS No discussion was held. Mr. Marman moved to, by Minute Motion, approve a donation of $3,300 each to Lincoln School in Palm Desert, Gisborne District Council, and Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico, for the implementation of educational programs and purchase of school supplies and equipment. Motion was carried by Ms. McIntosh and carried 10-0 by a show of hands. B. CONSIDERATION OF LIFEGUARD TRAINING PROGRAM FOR IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO BOB BURNSIDE addressed the Committee. He briefly went over the Lifeguard Training Program and answered questions by the Committee. 5 PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 Mr. Walker moved to, by Minute Motion, approve a Lifeguard Training program with Sister City Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and authorize the expenditure of $2,000 for implementation of said program by the U.S. Lifesaving Association -Club Tortuga and its affiliate, Huntington Beach Lifesaving Association. Motion was seconded by Mr. Marman and carried 10-0 by a show of hands. VIII. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. CITY COUNCIL None B. COMMITTEE CHAIR Mr. Talboys announced that he received a letter of resignation from Briana Kirkwood. Mr. Talboys advised the Committee of a Fundraising Workshop at CSUSB Palm Desert campus on September 24, 2005. The cost of the Workshop was $125. Mr. Talboys announced that he had nominated Gisborne as a global member of Sister Cities International for one year at no charge. The Palm Desert Sister Cities was awarded the opportunity to nominate Gisborne because they were winners at the 2005 Sister Cities International Conference. Mr. Talboys requested that the chairs of each subcommittee prepare a list of its members and its current and future programs. He asked that the lists be delivered at the October 20 meeting. C. COMMITTEE MEMBERS None D. SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS Art, Culture & Education Mr. Marman gave a report on the Artist in Residence Program. He said Ms. Cameron would be arriving on October 20. He said the subcommittee was trying to arrange space for her to work at The Living Desert. Ms. McIntosh would be home hosting Ms. Cameron, and the subcommittee would share the responsibility of transportation. He added that they were hoping to schedule a closing reception at City Hall on November 1, wherein Ms. Cameron could present her completed artwork to the Sister Cities Committee. R PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 Mr. Marman reported that the College of the Desert Library could not accommodate the Maori Artwork. He said he met with Bill Kohl, and he believed the artwork could be displayed in the Mark's Gallery. Tourism & Economic Development Mr. Talboys distributed staff assignment sheets for the 2006 Golf Tournament. He stated that he would go over the assignments in greater detail at the October meeting. He encouraged Committee members to begin thinking about sponsorships, silent auction items, gift bag items (tee prizes), and new players. Humanitarian Ms. Ortega asked Mr. Otero to speak to the Committee about his trip to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo in August. She also distributed photographs from an Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo newspaper reporting on Mr. Otero's visit. Mr. Otero said the weather was a challenge, but they completed their training. He distributed the Bombero Training schedule for February 2006. He attended the Sister Cities meeting and was asked by Dr. Cantu if Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo firefighters could attend training in Palm Desert next year. Ms. Ortega stated that Sister Cities International could help with getting the firefighters visas to enter the United States. She said a letter from the Palm Desert Sister Cities Committee listing the names of the firefighters and the purpose of their visit would be very helpful. Ms. Ortega gave an update on the Wheelchair Program. She said that Mr. Slagel was partnering Rotary International with an arm of Sister Cities International. She said they could possibly reduce the cost of shipping as well as the cost of the wheelchairs with matching funds. Public Relations & Promotions Mr. Hoehn mentioned that he had not seen his press release about Palm Desert Sister Cities receiving the Humanitarian Award at the 2005 Sister Cities International Conference. He wondered if Colin Atagi was reporting for cities other than Palm Desert. Mr. Hoehn reported that he, Mr. Talboys, and Ms. Gomez met at the new Visitor Information Center (VIC) to discuss the traveling art display. He said they need to decide what types of display cases would be appropriate for the space, and eventually there would be a permanent display and a traveling display of Sister Cities' artwork. 7 PRELIMINARY MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 E. STAFF Ms. Gomez distributed an article from the Gisborne Herald. The Herald published an interview with Fiona Cameron and Dinah Marr regarding the Aesthetic Education Program. Ms. Cameron and Ms. Marr attended the Aesthetic Education Program in June. Ms. Gomez announced that she would no longer be the staff liaison to the Sister Cities Committee. She said she had enjoyed working with each one of the members and thanked them for the wonderful experience. IX. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary 0