Sister Cities Commission — Naperville, IL
Date: 2024-04-10

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



 Meeting Agenda

 Sister Cities Commission

Wednesday, April 10, 2024 6:30 PM NEU




A. CALL TO ORDER:

B. ROLL CALL:

C. PUBLIC FORUM:

D. OLD BUSINESS:
1. 24-0409 Receive update on the City Council direction regarding the Sister Cities
 Commission

E. REPORTS:
1. 24-0410 Approve the Sister Cities Commission meeting minutes of November 15,
 2023

2. 24-0411 Discuss Commissioner Lowe’s report on Sister Cities Commission plan
 and activities moving forward
3. 24-0412 Approve the 2024 Sister Cities Commission meeting schedule

4. 24-0413 Receive response letter to Cancun’s invitation to Cancun World Fest


F. NEW BUSINESS:

G. 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 4/5/2024

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