Sister Cities Commission — Naperville, IL
Date: 2023-11-15

400 S. Eagle Street
 City of Naperville Naperville, IL 60540



 Meeting Agenda

 Sister Cities Commission

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 6:30 PM NEU




A. CALL TO ORDER:

B. ROLL CALL:

C. PUBLIC FORUM:

D. OLD BUSINESS:

E. REPORTS:
F. 23-1309 Approve the Sister Cities Commission meeting minutes of September 13,
 2023

G. 23-1318 Receive and file the year-to-date budget report for Sister Cities
 Commission

H. NEW BUSINESS:
I. 23-1317 Develop three options to present to City Council on the reorganization of
 the Sister Cities Commission

J. ADJOURNMENT:
 Any individual with a disability requesting a reasonable accommodation in order to
 participate in a public meeting should contact the Communications Department at least
 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting. The Communications Department can
 be reached in person at 400 S. Eagle Street, Naperville, IL., via telephone at
 630-420-6707 or 630-305-5205 (TDD) or via e-mail at info@naperville.il.us. Every effort
 will be made to allow for meeting participation.




City of Naperville Page 1 Printed on 11/13/2023

City of Naperville

 400 S. Eagle Street
 Naperville, IL 60540




Meeting Minutes - Final

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

 6:30 PM



 NEU



Sister Cities Commission
Sister Cities Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 15, 2023


A. CALL TO ORDER:

 Chairman Fuhrer called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.

B. ROLL CALL:
 Present 7- Tony Chamberlain, Lance Fuhrer, James Alan Lowe, Arun Mani, Becky Rudolph,
 Neelam Saboo, and Yugin Wang
 Excused 1- Allison Longenbaugh




 Also Present: Rachel Pruneda, Assistant to the Mayor

C. PUBLIC FORUM:

 The following speakers addressed the Commission:

 1. Marilyn Schweitzer would like the Commission to succeed, adding that
 there does seem to be confusion with roles and responsibilities between
 the Commission and Foundation. She stated that the Foundation should
 be able to handle any expenses incurred and no additional funding
 should be provided, other than what the City has already proposed
 combined with SECA funding. She feels that the Foundation could
 continue to exists without the Commission.

 2. Patty Gustin addressed the Commission on behalf of the Sister Cities
 Foundation. She does not support merging the Commission and
 Foundation. She stated that the Foundation Bylaws do not address
 absorbing the Commission. She also added that the Foundation would
 seek support from staff and funding from the City to provide an attorney
 to amend the current Bylaws. She stated that there is support from our
 Sister Cites in Nitra and Cancun and that they have sent letters to City
 Staff in support of keeping the Commission.

 3. Tom Altoff read aloud a statement prepared by Laurie Donahue. In
 summary, Laurie supports keeping the Commission and believes that by
 removing the Commission in Naperville will eliminate the ability to have
 this important and cultural connection.

 4. Rosemary Wisnosky addressed the Commission stating that she was
 on the initial Sister Cities Task Force. She stated that there was a
 vetting process to add a sister city and they had to meet 31 point criteria.
 She stated that Nitra has made attempts to reach out to members of the
 Commission and they would welcome a relationship.

 5. Greg Gustin addressed the Commission about the options presented at
 the meeting by Commissioner Lowe stating that the options should have
 been part of the meeting agenda.



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Sister Cities Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 15, 2023


D. OLD BUSINESS:

E. REPORTS:

 Approve the Sister Cities Commission meeting minutes of September 13, 2023

 Commissioner Lowe made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Mani to
 approve the Sister Commissioner minutes of September 13, 2023. Motion carried
 by voice vote.

 Receive and file the year-to-date budget report for Sister Cities Commission
 The Year-To-Date Budget Report was received and filed.

F. NEW BUSINESS:

 Develop three options to present to City Council on the reorganization of the Sister Cities
 Commission
 Chairman Lance Fuhrer provided some background on how we reached this
 point. The Commission is unique in the task that it's been given. Our
 commission engages in event planning and international outreach. We are
 faced with financial challenges and must adhere to strict OMA rules and we can
 no longer be involved in event planning. The Chairman stated that he met with
 City Staff and that the discussion led with questions rather than statements and
 that is the foundation for a good relationship. He further stated that this is not a
 rejection of Sister Cities or its mission to build bridges with other communities.
 When we think about changes to the Commission, we are not changing our
 objectives, all of which do not need to change. Our Foundation will still be a
 place of vibrant conversation. There has not been enough engagement with our
 Sister Cities. Some of our Sister Cities do not have a sitting commission. The
 Foundation may be a better match to carry out our mission.

 Commission Lowe stated that the City has proposed that the Commission be
 dissolved and that the Foundation take on the role of the Commission. At the
 City Council meeting he proposed that the City allow the Commission 30 days
 to offer some alternative suggestions. The Commission is tasked with providing
 3 options to present at the December 5, 2023 meeting.

 The 3 options that we are proposing are 1) Keeping the Commission and
 Foundation status quo, but with some improvements. 2) Proposing that the
 Commission become a Task Force and the Foundation remain the same. 3)
 Follow Staff's recommendation and dissolve the Commission into the
 Foundation.

 Commissioners discussed the pros and cons of the options. Pros included that
 the City has authority under the current agreement and a direct relationship
 between cities. Cons included, following the strict rules of the City and the OMA
 rules. The Commission cannot raise funds or spend money at their will. They
 agreed that there needs to be improvements made to the current process and
 structure. A couple of Commissioners stated that they did not sign up do
City of Naperville Page 2 Printed on 4/29/2024
Sister Cities Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 15, 2023

 special events and they would like the roles between the Commission and
 Foundation be better defined.

 After a lengthy discussion, it was decided by the Commission to change option
 3. Since the Staff's recommendation is already on the table, option 3 will be
 having an Advisory Board come back at a later time with some future options.

 Councilwoman Longenbaugh offered her support and stated that the Council
 would like the Commission to come back with alternatives and a report that
 outlines the pros and cons of each option. She further stated that the Council
 will vote on the item at the City Council meeting.




 Commissioner Lowe made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chamberlain to
 present the following options to City Council 1) Keeping the Commission and
 Foundation status quo, but with some improvements. 2) Proposing that the
 Commission become a Task Force and the Foundation remain the same. 3)
 Advisory Board with recommendations to look at future options with a longer
 time frame. Motion was approved.

 Aye: 7- Chamberlain, Fuhrer, Lowe, Mani, Rudolph, Saboo, and Wang

G. ADJOURNMENT:
 A motion was made by Commissioner Lowe, seconded by Commissioner Mani to
 adjourn the meeting at 8:33 p.m.




 /S/ Rachel Pruneda
 Rachel Pruneda
 Assistant to the Mayor




City of Naperville Page 3 Printed on 4/29/2024