Sister Cities Commission

City of Naperville 400 S. Eagle Street Naperville, IL 60540 Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, April 10, 2024 6:30 PM NEU Sister Cities Commission Sister Cities Commission Meeting Minutes - Final April 10, 2024 A. CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Lowe called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. B. ROLL CALL: Present 7- Tony Chamberlain, Allison Longenbaugh, James Alan Lowe, Arun Mani, Becky Rudolph, Neelam Saboo, and Yugin Wang Absent 1- Lance Fuhrer C. PUBLIC FORUM: Patty Gustin from Sister Cities Foundation addressed the Commission on its upcoming events and activities. The Foundation and Commission have collaborated on several events including, Hispanic Fest, Music Around the World, Student Art Competitions, and other programs led by the Foundation, that include the Student Exchange Programs with Nitra. The Foundation has fostered and continues to support a strong relationship between 2 different entities for a common cause. Patty asked Commissioners to mark their calendars for the next Hispanic Fest on September 15th from 6 to 9 p.m. The Foundation plans to have YNS perform and the same mariachi band from last year. If Commissioners would like to volunteer, they may reach out Tina Cui from the Foundation. Patty stated that in the past, the Commission has discussed ideas such as, a pen pal program with our Sister Cities, presentations with our Elected Officials, student to student zoom meetings, and cultural music exchanges between Nitra and Naperville to advance the Sister Cities mission. Patty said that she has sent a list of its Foundation members to Vice Chair, Alan Lowe. The Foundation is working on a new website and updating its social media that will provide a clear difference between the Foundation and the Commission for the public. D. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Receive update on the City Council direction regarding the Sister Cities Commission Marcie reported that the key points to this report is to talk about the role of the Foundation and the role of the Commission. Adding that we are going to talk a lot about the commission and the activities of the commission moving forward. A specific request of the Council is to clearly delineate the roles, its something we all heard at the Council meeting and from speakers during public forum. Marcie stated that this needs to put in writing. Understanding that the roles may look a little different in specificity but from year to year they will look similar. We know that the Foundation can raise money and host special events; but creating a simple table that shows what the Foundation is doing and what the City of Naperville Page 1 Printed on 6/6/2024 Sister Cities Commission Meeting Minutes - Final April 10, 2024 Commission is doing is the goal. From a schedule standpoint, the recommendation is that the Commission meets quarterly. The scope of the Commission is defined in the code. We lost some connection from our current Sister Cities and have an opportunity to build and re-establish those relationships. At the end of the year, we are required to present a report on what we did this year and what challenges we faced. Marcie is requesting that the roles report be added to the next agenda. Commissioner Mani moved, seconded by Commissioner Saboo to receive the update on the City Council direction regarding the Sister Cities Commission. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6- Chamberlain, Lowe, Mani, Rudolph, Saboo, and Wang Absent: 1- Fuhrer E. REPORTS: 1. Approve the Sister Cities Commission meeting minutes of November 15, 2023 A motion was made by Chamberlain, seconded by Wang.to approve the minutes of November 15, 2023. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6- Chamberlain, Lowe, Mani, Rudolph, Saboo, and Wang Absent: 1- Fuhrer 2. Discuss Commissioner Lowe’s report on Sister Cities Commission plan and activities moving forward This discussion was focused on a plan to move forward. Commissioner Lowe suggested that 2 Commissioners work with our current Sister Cities, Nitra and Cancun to re-establish those relationships. After discussion between the Commissioners, the following roles were assigned: Commissioners Mani & Wang: Assigned to Cancun Commissioners Chamberlain & Saboo: Assigned to Nitra Becky Rudolph will connect with Dave Della Terza at the Library Councilwoman Longenbaugh will ask for feedback from Council on our Sister Cities program Marcie will continue to work with the Commission. Ideas and discussion included the following: City of Naperville Page 2 Printed on 6/6/2024 Sister Cities Commission Meeting Minutes - Final April 10, 2024 Commissioners suggested using the library for cultural exchanges; Councilwoman Longenbaugh suggested looking at the Library's agenda and speaking at an upcoming meeting under their public forum and connecting with Dave Della Terza to present some ideas. Marcie offerred to make the connection between Becky and Dave. Some of the ideas that were shared include, education, activities for arts and student exchanges, cultural activities, library presentations, having a display case at the library, connecting Naperville businesses with our Sister Cities, connecting with Naperville Downtown Alliance and collaborating with the Chamber of Commerce. A motion was made by Commissioner Rudolph, seconded by Commissioner Chamberlain to accept the roles discussed at today's meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6- Chamberlain, Lowe, Mani, Rudolph, Saboo, and Wang Absent: 1- Fuhrer 3. Approve the 2024 Sister Cities Commission meeting schedule After some discussion about meeting dates and times, it was determined that the Sister Cities Commission meetings will continue to meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. There will be 4 meetings per year. A motion was made by Commissioner Rudolph, seconded by Commissioner Chamberlain to approve the meeting schedule as presented. Motion passed by voice vote. 4. Receive response letter to Cancun’s invitation to Cancun World Fest Receive and file the response letter to Cancun. F. NEW BUSINESS: Rachel Pruneda will register both Commissioners for the Conference. Becky recommended creating a calendar related to Sister Cities Commission events and activities. Motion was made by Commissioner Rudolph, seconded by Commissioner Mani to approve the cost of registration ($65 per person) for Commissioners Chamberlain and Saboo to attend the Illinois Sister Cities Conference on June 7th & 8th in Hoffman Estates. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6- Chamberlain, Lowe, Mani, Rudolph, Saboo, and Wang Absent: 1- Fuhrer City of Naperville Page 3 Printed on 6/6/2024 Sister Cities Commission Meeting Minutes - Final April 10, 2024 G. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Rudolph, seconded by Mani to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 pm. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6- Chamberlain, Lowe, Mani, Rudolph, Saboo, and Wang Absent: 1- Fuhrer City of Naperville Page 4 Printed on 6/6/2024