Ethnic Community Committee

City of Sterling Heights ETHNIC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE Official minutes of the Thursday, September 8, 2016 regular meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharron Allen Kozetta Elzhenni Stephanie Guran Robert Lulgjuraj Dr. Steve Naumovski Iqbal Singh MEMBERS ABSENT: Mohammed Alomari Omie Brooks William Dechavez Susan Kattula Shawn Taylor OFFICIALS PRESENT: Citizen Services Specialist Sue Giallombardo Community Relations Director Bridgett Doyle 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda: MOTION by Singh, SECONDED by Lulgjuraj. Approved 6-0 4. Approval of Minutes: MOTION by Allen, SECONDED by Singh. Approved 6-0. 5. Communication from Citizens  Giallombardo extended an invitation to Committee members to attend the Welcoming Michigan Convening, to be held on Sept. 18 in Lansing, Michigan. Giallombardo added that she will be going and has attended this event the past two years, and it's a great event. Guran asked that Giallombardo forward her the information, she may be able to attend. 6. Communications from the Sterling Heights Police Dept.-Sgt. Kevin Reese  None 7. Agenda A. Approval of Meeting Dates for Fiscal Year 2016/2017  The meeting dates for the upcoming fiscal year were reviewed; Allen made a motion to approve the Notice of Ethnic Community Committee Regular Meeting schedule, Seconded by Elzhenni, Motion Passed: 6-0.  B. Sister City Relationships  Giallombardo stated that at the present time, the city has six Sister City relationships, including Tetovo, Macedonia; Legazpi City, Philippines; Cassino, Italy; Sorsogon, Philippines; Sant' Elia Fiumerapido, Italy and Shengjin, Albania. During the summer, Community Relations received three requests for Sister City relationship consideration.  Doyle stated that committee members should decide if they want to take recommendations from residents or should they only come from members. Doyle asked if the committee should continue the current relationships as is, or make them more meaningful.  Allen stated that residents requesting a sister city relationship could be given a questionaire to fill out, stating the reason for the request, level of involvement, connection to Sterling Heights, history of the city, etc., and then present the information to the committee.  Naumovski referred to the Sister City International organization, stating that the committee is a model example for sister city relationships. He added that members could act as liaisons to the city that they are affiliated with.  Allen suggested creating an art exchange with cities or starting a pen pal program.  Singh ageed that there should be guidelines along with the questions to present to the person making the request.  Lulgjuraj asked what the status is with current sister cities. Doyle stated that there is very little activity going on with current relationships and suggested letting a few of them fade off and concentrate on cities that members would be affiliated with.  Giallombardo stated that she would create a questionaire form and send it to the residents making the requests. Giallombardo added that Jaffna, Sri Lanka will be considered for a resolution to city council at the October meeting. C. 2016 Diversity Distinction Award Dinner  Singh stated that he met with sub-committee members Dechavez and Alomari, to discuss the return of the Diversity Award dinner for 2017. (Naumovski is also on the sub-committee but was unable to attend the meeting). Doyle stated that she is in support of bringing back the dinner and has brought the subject up to city management. Singh stated that the sub-committee would like to invite Doyle to their next planning meeting.  Giallombardo stated that for 2016, the diversity awards will be presented at the Dec. 6 City Council meeting; she asked members to begin thinking about nominations. D. Welcoming Michigan - National Welcoming Week  Giallombardo reminded members that National Welcoming Week begins Sept. 17; there is a display at the library highlighting the event. Giallombardo asked if members could take a picture holding the Welcoming Week banner, which will be shared on the city's social media. 8. Receipt of Correspondence:  Naumovski stated that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the vote on Macedonia's succession from Yugoslavia. 9. Old Business   Allen inquired about the Getting to Know Your Neighbor brochures and added that she would like to have items to distribute and put on display on the Sterlingfest table, such as brochures, Cultural Exchange posters, etc.  Giallombardo stated that she would prepare some sort of brochures soon, with updated information. Giallombardo added that she would also have posters and other items available for Sterlingfest 2017. 10. New Business:  Naumovski stated that his medical condition is stable, he is doing better and running for State House of Representatives; he appreciates being on the committee and there is no conflict of interest should he get elected. Naumovski thanked everyone for their prayers and concerns. Singh extended a thank you and wished him luck. 11. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.