Sister Cities Commission

AGENDA Sister Cities Commission Meeting 5:15 PM - Monday, March 3, 2025 City Hall Council Chambers Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. ELECTION OF OFFICERS 3.1. Election of 2025 Officers: Chair (Tom Schmitz 2025) Tom resigned from the commission to serve as City Councilor Ward 3 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4.1. Approve the February 3, 2025 Sister Cities Commission meeting minutes. 3-4 SCC minutes 02-03-2025 5. FINANCIAL REPORT 5.1. Approve the financial report for the date ending February 28, 2025. 5-6 SISTER CITIES 02.28.2025 General SISTER CITIES 02.28.2025 6. HANS JOOHS CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM 6.1. Outbound Hans Joohs Intern  Interviews were held on February 5, 2025  Hans Joohs Cultural Exchange committee will make a recommendation 6.2. Inbound Hans Joohs Intern  Three applications were submitted from Ulm, Germany for the 2025 Hans Joohs Cultural Exchange Program  Larry Mack and Kathleen Backer to report on local businesses interested in hosting the inbound intern  Select 2025 inbound intern 7. OLD BUSINESS 7.1. Recognition Award (John Vorwerk/Brian Filzen)  Reception is scheduled for Monday, April 7th at the Kegel Klub (regular meeting will be held in the council chamber; following meeting, travel to reception)  Plaque has been ordered 7.2. German Language Day Camp 2025 (Carolyn Smith/Ellie Sveine/Jayne Maday Hulke)  Select date(s)  Budget  Number of days  Location Page 1 of 6 8. ADJOURNMENT 8.1. The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. at City Hall Conference Room. Recognition Award reception to follow at the Kegel Klub. If someone would like an item discussed at an upcoming Sister Cities Commission meeting, please send an email to lisap@newulmmn.gov so the item can be added to the Agenda. The SCC meets the first Monday of the month. In order for an item to be added to the Agenda, please submit the information five (5) days prior to the meeting. Page 2 of 6 Minutes of the Sisters Cities Commission Monday, February 3, 2025, 5:15 pm 1. Called to Order by Larry Mack acting Chair. 2. Roll Call Members present: Carolyn Marti-Smith, John Vorwerk, Larry Mack, Jayne Maday- Hulke, Ron Wendinger, Brian Filzen and Kathleen Backer Absent: Dick Seeboth, Ellie Sveine, and Tony Beranek 3. Election of Officers Carolyn Marti-Smith made a motion to postpone until we have a full attendance. Brian Filzen seconded. Motion carried. 4. Approval of the Minutes of January 6, 2025 Jayne Maday-Hulke made a motion to accept the minutes, second by Carolyn Marti-Smith. Motion carried. 5. Financial Report ending January 31, 2025. Ron Wendinger made a motion to approve the financial report, second by Brian Filzen. Motion carried. 6. Hans Joohs Cultural Exchange Program. Interns were held on February 5, 2025 for the outbound intern. Reviewing the candidates and making the decision Larry Mack would check with Schells to inquire if there would host the intern. Other possibilities being considered are the County Administration to see if they would be interested in participating in the program. Kathleen Backer will check with the County Administrator. Both will report back at the next meeting. There was discussion around host families will return to this in March. 7. Recognition Award Reception will be held at the Kegel Klub on April 7, 2025. We have checked with Kim Hanson and that date will work for them. Will ask Lisa Pelzel to invite the Friends of Sister Cities. It will be potluck with appetizers from Kegel Klub. There was a discussion about meeting in the Chamber then moving to Kegel Klub. It was decided it was easier to just meet there at Kegel Klub, have our short meeting and then transition into the recognition award. Brian stated that he could record it from there. We will discuss it more at the March meeting. The plaque will be ordered by John Vorwerk. Page 3 of 6 8. New Business German Language Day Camp. New Ulm High School German teacher, Peter Engeldinger, was in attendance to discuss his interest in instruction along with possibly some of his students assisting. He stated that a small stipend for the students would help make it more appealing for them. Also, Tom Schmitz’s cousin will be here from Germany as well which would be a plus or both. We talked about the dates – the last week of July is not good for several. We will have further discussion in March and put a budget together, dates, place etc. Peter Engeldinger also asked the commission for assistance in helping with a trip to Germany for his German class, tentatively set for 2026. The Commission recommended to contact Joe Meyer or Wade Olson to assist with planning the Germany trip. The Commission commented that former Hans Joohs Exchange interns in Germany would possibly be interested in helping hosting. 9. The next meeting will be held on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 5:15 pm at City Hall Conference Room. Page 4 of 6  Sister Cities Commission General Fund For the Month Ended 2/28/25 Revenues: Budget 0.00 Revenues: 0.00 Budget remaining 0.00 Percent of budget remaining 0% Expenses: Budget 3,570.00 Expenses (440.00) Budget remaining 3,130.00 Percent of budget remaining 88% Total Budget Remaining 12/31/2025 3,130.00 Detailed Revenue and Expenses Revenue: TOTAL REVENUE $0.00 Expenses: January 2025 Sister Cities International Membership -$440.00 TOTAL EXPENSE -$440.00 Page 5 of 6  Sister Cities Commission Special Projects Fund For the Month Ended 2/28/25 Beginning Balance: 1/1/2025 8,166.23 Revenue: Interest 0.00 Other Contributions/Sales 0.00 0.00 Expenses: Other 0.00 0.00 Ending Balance: 12/31/2025 8,166.23 Detailed Revenue and Expenses Revenue: TOTAL REVENUE $0.00 Expenses: TOTAL EXPENSE $0.00 Page 6 of 6