Loading...
8/2/2023 - Meeting Minutes MINUTES FOR THE Sister Cities ADVISORY BOARD Date:August 2nd, 2023 Time:5:OOPM-6.30PM 1. Roll Call The following members of the Sister Cities Advisory Board were present: • Ross Chambless • John Wilson • Matilyn Mortensen • Ahimara Suarez • Annie Quan • Joe Zeidner(First Hour) • Nicole Pessetto • Olga Efimova • Ricardo Becerra The following members of the Sister Cities Advisory Board were absent: • Sheri Sorenson • Missy Greis Also Present: • Sean Huang- Public • Steven Lemmon - Public • Katie Matheson - Economic Development • Joshua Paluh - Economic Development 2. A1212roval of the Minutes Ross Chambless approved the meeting minutes from 7/5/23.John Wilson seconds approval of minutes. 3. Briefings by the Staff a. Updates on Sister Cities: i. Chernivtsi, Ukraine: No Updates from Matheson. ii. Izhevsk, Russia: No Updates from Efimova. iii. Keelung,Taiwan: Matheson said Keelung is looking to travel to adjacent countries prior to visiting Salt Lake City.Their visit to SLC may take place in 2024/25. iv. Matsumoto,Japan: Chambless said the delegation was impressed by how much we have grown as a city as well as our diversity. City staff reiterates how positive responses have been from both Salt lake City staff and delegation members. Matheson discusses artifacts. Sister wooden bowl and gifts from Matsumoto are on display in Mayor's office V. Torino, Italy: No Update from Pessetto vi. Trujillo, Peru: Becerra connected with Juanita.West Valley mall to practice and perform. Farmers market not going to work.Cultural interchanges with Peru are possible in the future. b. Events: Matsumoto delegation visit took place two weeks ago. 4. Business • Becerra would like a formal email address to interact with Sister Cities as well as business cards to make connections. Becerra states that he can not approach government officials with his personal email address. Chambless states that maybe a formal introduction from city employees would help. Pessetto agrees with Becerra that we need something to be official.Otherwise, officials ignore their emails. Beccerra mentions maybe we can have our photos on the sister city website. Matheson states she will check with attorneys to see what is possible. • Matheson brings up policy discussion and the board needs to decide how they decide who joins the board, the process in which this is done, timeframe for applicants, etc. It is decided by board that Matheson will meet with Chambless and Wilson to brainstorm ideas.The board also decides that they need "working documents"on the drive.There will be 2 documents added.The first document will include a strategic plan document that will be used to add input about each of the cities.The second document will be the policies document that will be used as a baseline for the city attorneys official outline. • Matheson and Quan will meet to bring forth new member application recommendations to the next board meeting.They will meet via zoom to discuss. Two spots for district 2 and 7 are available. • Chambless starts discussion about what happens next with Matsumoto after their visit has been completed. Mayor Gaun was interested in our city scooter policy and Mayor Mendenhall promised to follow up.Japan would love a reciprocating visit from SLC. Chambless says we can learn from their aging population.Wilson mentions it would be good to reach out if board members receive business cards to keep contacts and connections alive Public Comment: • Huang is visiting Keelung,Taiwan and will be meeting sister city staff. Huang wants to give gifts and greeting cards from the city. He is leaving August 10th and needs an answer from the city. • Lemmon would like historical photos from Chambless of past visits. Lemmon had technical issues with the Climate Change Panel live stream recording. Chambless will get him recording. Lemon shows frustration with the lack of involvement he had in the delegation visit. S. Adiournment Chambless motions to adjourn.Wilson second. There being no further business,the meeting was adjourned. e 6 L3 Ross Chambless, Chairperson This document and the recording constitute the official minutes of the Economic Development Sister Cities Advisory Board meeting held on August 2nd, 2023.