Sister Cities Commission

City of Naperville 400 S. Eagle Street Naperville, IL 60540 Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, May 8, 2024 6:30 PM NEU Sister Cities Commission Sister Cities Commission Meeting Minutes - Final May 8, 2024 A. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Fuhrer called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. B. ROLL CALL: Present 7- Tony Chamberlain, Becky Rudolph, Allison Longenbaugh, Yugin Wang, Neelam Saboo, Daniel Bukowski, and Lance Fuhrer Absent 3- Arun Mani, Ganesh Kar, and James Alan Lowe C. PUBLIC FORUM: None. D. OLD BUSINESS: E. REPORTS: 1. Welcome our new Commissioners to the Sister Cities Commission Chairman Fuhrer welcomes Sister Cities Commissioner Dan Bukowski who was appointed by the Council on April 16, 2024. 2. Approve the Sister Cities Commission meeting minutes of April 10, 2024 This Report was approved. Aye: 6- Chamberlain, Rudolph, Longenbaugh, Wang, Saboo, Bukowski, and Fuhrer Absent: 3- Mani, Kar, and Lowe 3. Begin discussion of the roles and responsibilities of the Sister Cities Commission and Sister Cities Foundation Commissioner Fuhrer stated that there needs to be some clear boundaries drawn between the Commission and Foundation. He further stated that the Commission serves at the behest of the City and our actions are governed by their guidelines, rules, suggestions and directions as a City Commission. We have a partner foundation and that relationship has varied in terms of its collaborative nature. The goal is to discuss the roles and responsibilities that have been drafted and start a conversation and bring a final version to the August meeting. Some key items from the discussion are that the Commission has to be the member of Sister Cities International, and any purchases made have to comply with city rules, adding some information about how money can be used, providing limits without being too restrictive. Chairman Fuhrer discussed adding that the Foundation applies for SECA funding each year. Tina Cui from the Foundation was present to provide her perspective and suggests adding language that says the Foundation supports City of Naperville Page 1 Printed on 10/25/2024 Sister Cities Commission Meeting Minutes - Final May 8, 2024 Sister Cities goals and missions. If Commissioners have suggestions for vendors for the Hispanic Fest, refer them to the Foundation. Councilwoman Longenbaugh suggested that maybe 2 Commissioners collaborate with the Foundation on the festival. Commissioner Rudolph asked how do we define an art exchange. Is that considered a special event? Marcie Schatz stated that there are funds in the city budget for the arts competition and this would not be considered a special event. Marcie Schatz stated that events are difficult, but we can work around some language. We understand that Commissioners want to be involved in these special events, but we need to clearly define their roles. When we look at other boards that have Foundations, these Foundations have been established so that people can donate money and the fundamental purpose of the foundation is to help fund some of the costs of fundraisers, etc. Marcie Schatz stated that the foundation exists to support the Commission. Commission should get to a point where they can let the Foundation know what they'd like to raise money for the City can fund smaller events. 4. Discuss opportunities to collaborate with the Naperville Public Library to bring awareness to the Sister Cities program Commissioner Rudolph met with Dave Della Terza and he shared that the weekend is the best time to plan events at the Library. Commissioner Rudolph shared some ideas on what she has in mind. 1) January 1 Celebrate Slovakia Day 2) Prior to Hispanic Fest, make a button 3) Read a story in Slovakian language We will reach out to Wisnoski to see if there's a date where she's available to speak at the library. Sister Cities Commission will provide a speaker for a program to be held at the Naperville Library in 2025 to promote awareness with our Sister City, Nitra Slovakia and Sister Cities will support National Hispanic Heritage Month by having a related craft project at the Library in September 2024. Aye: 6- Chamberlain, Rudolph, Longenbaugh, Wang, Saboo, Bukowski, and Fuhrer Absent: 3- Mani, Kar, and Lowe City of Naperville Page 2 Printed on 10/25/2024 Sister Cities Commission Meeting Minutes - Final May 8, 2024 5. Discuss ideas to bring awareness to our Sister City in Nitra, Slovakia Commissioner Chamberlain reported on some ideas he has to promote Nitra. He said that there is a Slovakian has a choir group performing and that maybe we could have them perform with the band. Councilwoman Longenbaugh inquired whether the group can perform at the band shell. Commissioner Chamberlain suggested hosting a Slovakian dinner and Chairman Fuhrer thought this may be hosted by the Foundation since it would include selling tickets and food. Commissioner Saboo suggested working with schools on the kids making posters for display. Chairman Fuhrer stated that they there are 40 schools and trying to integrate a special project like this into the school has not been successful in the past. It was suggested that Commissioner Saboo reach out to Jacque Clermont and/or Jeannie Dina to see if the schools would be interested. 6. Discuss calendar of events to include current and past events that we have participated in and to recognize National Days of celebration or holidays that tie into our Sister Cities program Becky Rudolph proposes having a calendar of events that include current and past events. Adding that its important to capture the things we have done. Marcie Schatz said staff will reach out to Nina Menis to see if she would like Sister Cities to participate in the Kite Festival in June. Councilwoman Longenbaugh stated that since January is Nitra Slovakia month, we could have the city highlight different items about Nitra and send out as a social media post as away to create awareness. Councilwoman Allison Longenbaugh discussed the future of Sister Cities and getting back to basics, having a quorum, starting with a clean slate moving forward. F. NEW BUSINESS: G. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Chamberlain, seconded by Rudolph, approved. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. City of Naperville Page 3 Printed on 10/25/2024 Sister Cities Commission Meeting Minutes - Final May 8, 2024 /s/ Rachel Pruneda Rachel Pruneda City of Naperville Page 4 Printed on 10/25/2024