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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister Citiies Committee NOVEMBER 17, 2005K 3 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 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, Vice -Chair John Marman Rose Mary Ortega Gilbert Slagel Mark Talboys, Chair Frank Villar Gary Walker Members Absent Jean Whitney Staff/Others Present: Buford Crites, Mayor Stephen Aryan, Assistant to the City Manager Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Villar introduced Mr. Eddie Martinez, the co-founder of the "CHARROS LOS COMPADRES of Palm Springs" and "LOS CHARROS de COACHELLA." Mr. Martinez's group will ride in the Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade as the color guard carrying the flags of the country, the state, and flags of Palm Desert Sister Cities, Gisborne, and Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. EDDIE MARTINEZ stated that his riding group, "Los Compadres," was founded in the late 1950s. He was instrumental in the movement to re -constitute a Youth Group Organization through intervention and character building. He focused especially on keeping children off drugs and helping them make the right choices. Mr. Martinez was very appreciative for the opportunity to kick-off the "CHARROS LOS COMPADRES" revival by joining the Sister Cities Committee in the 2006 Golf Cart Parade. Upon question by Mr. Talboys, Ms. McIntosh responded that a separate check would be sent to the Chamber of Commerce for the cost of the color guard, which would be held until the Marines acknowledge its attendance at the Parade. If the Marines do not attend the Parade, the "Los Compadres will be the Parade's official color guard; if the Marines accept the Chamber's offer to be color guard, then "Los Compadres" would be Sister Cities' color guard. APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 17, 2005 Upon question by Mr. Hoehn, Mr. Villar responded that the involvement with Mr. Martinez's group would not be long-term. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD OCTOBER 20, 2005 Rec: By Minute Motion, approve as presented. B. LIFEGUARD TRAINING PROGRAM REPORT Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file. C. IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES STATUS Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the recommendation of Committee Chair. D. SCI LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP CIRCLE NOMINEES (Added item by unanimous vote.) Rec: By Minute Motion, approve the recommendation of Committee Chair. Ms. Ortega asked that Item B be removed for separate discussion under Section V, Consent Items Held Over. Mr. Hoehn moved to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar. Motion was seconded by Mr. Walker and carried 11-0 by a show of hands. V. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER B. LIFEGUARD TRAINING PROGRAM REPORT Mr. Hoehn moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the report on the Lifeguard Training Program. Motion was seconded by Ms. McIntosh and carried 11-0 by a show of hands. Mr. Walker left the meeting at 3:45 p.m. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. MAYORAL INVITATION TO MAYOR OF IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO TO ATTEND THE 2006 GOLF TOURNAMENT FESTIVITIES Ms. Ortega moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the recommendation that Mayor Crites extend an offer to the Mayor of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, designated delegation, and Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo Sister Cities Board members to attend the Palm Desert Sister Cities Golf Tournament in April, 2006. Motion was seconded by Ms. Bannon and carried 10-1 by a show of hands with Mr. Walker absent. 2 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 17, 2005 B. IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO ECOLOGY PROJECT PROPOSAL Mr. Hoehn moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the recommendation that Mayor Crites send a letter to Dr. Cantu expressing support of the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Ecology Project Proposal concept and request that further information such as plans, cost, and timeline, be submitted to the Committee. Motion was seconded by Mr. Harris and carried 10-1 by a show of hands. Mr. Walker was absent. C. REVIEW OF PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES FINANCES Mr. Marman moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the Committee Chair's request to review and clarify the financial status of the Sister Cities Committee Program. Motion was seconded by Mr. Hoehn and carried 9-2 by a show of hands. Mr. Walker was absent. Mr. Harris voted no. Ms. Darby left the meeting at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Harris left the meeting at 5:30 p.m. D. CONSIDERATION OF AMBULANCE DONATION. (Added item by unanimous vote.) Mr. Hoehn moved to, by Minute Motion, approve that the HUM Subcommittee recommend to City Council the donation of a surplus ambulance to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo to be used in the area of greatest need, preferably in the rural area of Vallecitos. Motion was seconded by Mr. Villar and carried 8-3 by a show of hands. Mr. Walker, Ms. Darby, and Mr. Harris were absent. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. MEXICAN CHEFS EVENT UPDATE Mr. Hoehn moved to, by Minute Motion, approve options a, c, or d of the staff report to be presented to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Sister Cities Committee members with regard to the Mexican Chefs Event: a) Evening reception (Friday, January 6, 2006 or Saturday, January 7, 2006) invitation only event; c) Evening "Pairing Party" the night before the Sister Cities Golf Tournament (Thursday, April 20, 2006); d) Delay the Mexican Chefs Event until a more appropriate time could be determined. Motion was carried 10-1 by a show of hands. Mr. Walker was absent. Vill. OLD BUSINESS A. REQUEST THAT CITY COUNCIL CONSIDER OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON, DC FOR THE SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE, JUNE 2006. Mr. Hoehn moved to, by Minute Motion, approve the following: 1) Request City Council to approve out-of-state travel for Ms. Darby and Ms. Ortega to attend the Sister Cities International 50'h Anniversary Conference in Washington, D.C. on July 12-16, 2006, to be paid by Sister Cities budget; 2) request City Council to approve the Committee's recommendation that a contribution of $500 per person be paid by the Sister Cities budget for any other 3 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 17, 2005 Committee member who wishes to attend the Conference; 3) ratify Ms. Gilligan's commitment to pay the $525 registration fee for any other Committee member who wishes to attend the Conference. Motion was seconded by Mr. Harris and carried 10-1 by a show of hands. Mr. Walker was absent. IX. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. CITY COUNCIL Mayor Crites gave a detailed description of his trip to Gisborne's 50ch Anniversary celebration. He said the trip was excellent and thanked Mr. Talboys for his participation. The Gisborne School Principal was happy to receive the donated funds raised from the Golf Tournament and had projects lined up for their use. Gisborne's sister city from Japan and sister Port of Japan attended the 50'h Anniversary celebration as well. Mayor Crites said they spoke about the golf tournament, the golf cart parade, economic issues, and employee issues. He stated that Gisborne was currently working on a public art program that was modeled from Palm Desert's ordinance. He believed that Palm Desert and Gisborne could develop a long-term relationship in the area of economics. Upon question by Ms. Darby, Mayor Crites responded that he believed there would be four different groups visiting from Gisborne next spring. He expressed sincere appreciation to the Committee members, for everything they do. B. COMMITTEE CHAIR Mr. Talboys asked that the nomination of Chair and Co -Chair be placed on the December 15, 2005, agenda. Upon question by Ms. McIntosh, Mr. Talboys responded that the non-profit board would include the following officers: President, Vice -President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Immediate Past President. He added that the position of Committee Chair would terminate once the Committee became non-profit. Mr. Talboys suggested that the Committee send holiday cards to individuals on its mailing list. He also wanted the Committee to have a group photograph taken at its December meeting. C. COMMITTEE MEMBERS Upon question by Ms. McIntosh, Mr. Aryan responded that he would ask Kristy Kneiding, Marketing Manager, to contact her regarding the Golf Cart Parade. D. SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS Art, Culture & Education 1. Artist in Residence Wrap-up Summary 2. Golf Cart Parade Status Report it APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 17, 2005 3. Los Compadres Tourism & Economic Development 1. Sister Cities Delegation Please see City Council remarks. Mr. Talboys distributed information about the Golf Tournament, which listed items that were still needed. He said further details would be available in December. Humanitarian Ms. Ortega spoke about the Firefighters Recognition Event. The subcommittee met and discussed the possibility of a date in February 2006. She asked that the Firefighters Recognition Event be placed on the City Council agenda and that organization for that event begin. Mr. Hoehn stated that there was a certain amount of coordination that must take place between the Committee, City staff, and the City Council. Mr. Talboys suggested that the TED Subcommittee review the Fire Department Recognition Event, speak with staff and the City Council, and return to the Committee with a revised date. Ms. Ortega would like the TED Subcommittee to contact Mr. Otero with that information. Ms. Ortega stated that another part of the Bombero Program was the firefighters visit in February. The Committee approved supporting that project. She noted that with the transition of the new Presidente in January 2006, the project was put on hold. She said it was uncertain as to whether the current Fire Department Chief would be in that position in January after the elections. Ms. Ortega thanked the Mayor for the letter to Robert Burnside and Dr. Zavala regarding the Lifeguard Training Program. She gave an overview of the status report received from Dr. Zavala. Ms. Ortega requested that the ambulance donation item be placed on the agenda so the Committee could vote on the item. (Please see New Business Item D.) Ms. Ortega reported that the subcommittee continued to seek and confirm Rotary Club partnerships, and Mr. Slagel was doing a fantastic job with keeping local Rotary Clubs apprised of the progress. Public Relations & Promotions Mr. Hoehn reported that the Committee would have a space to display art pieces at the Visitor Center and City Hall. He said the next step was to determine what the two displays would look like. He said more information would be available as the process progresses. A discussion ensued about the displays in the Palm Desert Library. 5 APPROVED MINUTES PALM DESERT SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE E. STAFF NOVEMBER 17, 2005 Mr. Hoehn said the Golf Tournament information sheet that was distributed earlier would now enable the Committee to begin selling sponsorships. As a point of information, he was working with Morris Desert Media Group on a radio package deal for sponsors at the $2,000 level. The package would include additional radio announcements for the sponsor. He would let the Committee know when the deal was finalized. A discussion ensued about the budget for the Golf Tournament. Mr. Hoehn said detailed information regarding the Golf Tournament would be available at the December meeting. Mr. Aryan spoke to the Committee about its budget. He had hoped to include all areas of the Committee's budget so that both the Committee and staff would be able to assess that information. X. ADJOURNMENT With Committee concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Lori Wimbish, Recording Secretary *Reminder: Our next meeting will be held December 15, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. 0