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Meeting date/time:
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9/27/2017
10:00 AM
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Minutes status:
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Final
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Meeting location:
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Room 301-B, 3rd Floor, City Hall
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| | | | Meeting convened at 10:01 a.m.
Minutes note: Present 4 - Stamper, Durtka, Barta, Vang
Excused 1 - Tovar
Mr. Vang left the committee at 11:20 a.m. during agenda item 6, e. | | | |
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| | 1. | | Review and approval of the previous meeting minutes from June 22, 2017.
Minutes note: Mr. Durtka requested that the City Clerk's Office send a letter of inquiry to the International Institute of Wisconsin as mentioned in the previous minutes.
Meeting minutes from June 22, 2017 were approved without objection. | | | |
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| | 2. | | Update on establishing a sister city relationship with Daegu Metropoiltan City, South Korea.
Minutes note: Elizabeth Hittman, Environmental Collaboration Office, gave an update. The Mayor’s Water Centric City Program helped initiated the efforts towards a sister city relationship with Daegu. The sister city agreement was remotely signed by both mayors, first in Milwaukee by Mayor Barrett who was not able to go to Daegu, and secondly in Daegu by Mayor Kwon who could not come to Milwaukee. Mayor Barrett had made comments in a recorded video. Amy Jensen from the Water Council represented Mayor Barrett at the signing in Daegu during the water conference there. Ms. Jensen sat on a water panel with other representatives from around the world. Some topics discussed at the Daegu conference included municipal challenges with drinking water and storm water management. Ms. Jensen was taken on a cultural tour and ate much Korean food. A beautiful hand-painted plate was sent back for Mayor Barrett as well as one set of the signed agreements glued to a presentation book. There will be a Daegu delegation attending a national water conference in Chicago next week. They will visit Mayor Barrett next Wednesday and the Global Water Center. Information can be forwarded to members.
Mr. Durtka commented. He attended Mayor Barrett’s signing. A concern is Milwaukee giving something in equal stature to Daegu and other sister cities in terms of gifts and agreement presentation. It appears that the relationship seems more important to the sister cities than the City based on past efforts. The City should increase its level of presentation.
Ms. Hittman commented. Ms. Jensen was given many gifts from Daegu. The City Clerk’s Office did give a nice framed photo and other gifts for Ms. Jensen to give to Daegu, but she did not take it due to concerns over the item being damaged during transport. A copy of the agreement documents was given to Daegu to keep.
Mr. Lee said that agreements are normally plagued and given to the sister cities when signing ceremonies would take place in Milwaukee. Paper agreements, and not plagued ones, were given to Daegu so that they would have the discretion to handle the agreements as they sought fit with the ceremony concluding there.
Ald. Stamper said that the gifts that were not taken to Daegu should be presented to the delegation in Milwaukee next week. | | | |
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| | 3. | | Update on Sister Cities International annual conference (July 13-15, 2017).
Minutes note: Mr. Durtka gave an update. He attended the conference in Virginia Beach. One major takeaway is the search for a new SCI president after the current one resigned. The mechanics of the conference went well including the election of new officers and board members. | | | |
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| | 4. | | Discussion on participation in the Holiday Folk Fair International (Nov. 17-19, 2017).
Minutes note: Mr. Durtka commented. The fair is from November 17th to 19th at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair grounds. The theme this year is “The Culture of Welcome”. A number of things could be done on a presentation on sister cities and sister city activities from the City. The City’s sister cities have been kept in the limelight and has a significant future. Welcomed to participate are the different sister cities to set up their own booths or join together with the City to set up one joint booth. There was Medan representation in the past, and they would be asked to participate again. There will be a performance group to represent Kenya and possibly a group from the Bahamas, Alaska, and other areas. The fair is a time for different cultures to get together to share similarities. The fair is an opportunity for the City to promote its sister cities and program. Forms have been shared with everyone with initial information. Booth rental costs $125 for three days with 27 passes. Every booth has to be staffed at all times. Times are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. both Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. He will be at the fair and can possibly assist in media coverage of sister cities.
Members said that they can commit to volunteering a few hours to staff a booth.
Ald. Stamper commented. He will work with Clerk staff, his own staff, and fundraising to apply for and staff a booth. The new position that is being sought by the committee would be key to support this kind of effort and promotion. Volunteers from the each local sponsoring sister city organization would be encouraged as well to staff the booth. Staff will e-mail everyone to solicit their volunteerism. There should be one banner and flags. The booth should look official with information and materials. | | | |
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| | 5. | | Discussion on establishing a sister city relationship with Irpin, Ukraine.
Minutes note: a. Review letter of intent
Boris Nayflish, Griffon Brands Inc., commented. The committee previously discussed with him the interest to establish a relationship with Irpin at its last meeting. He is a City resident, has a long-term relationship with Ukraine, and has a local liquor business with quality packaging. A letter of intent was submitted by St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, which will be the local nonprofit sponsor in the City. The mayor and officials of Irpin had recently come to Milwaukee to meet with Mayor Barrett, the City library, the Department of Public Works, police academy, and other departments. European books were gifted to the Milwaukee Library. There is great understanding of what Milwaukee is, and the City of Irpin is very interested to establish a relationship with Milwaukee.
Joseph Spolowicz, St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, commented. He is the parish counsel, vice president, and representing Father Vasyl Savchyn. Mr. Nayflish had approached the church, and the church is very much interested to be a part of the relationship.
Members said that they supported the establishment of a sister city relationship with Irpin.
Members questioned the municipal governance apprenticeship in Irpin, local Ukrainian community in Milwaukee, exchange opportunities, and sectors in Irpin.
Ms. Barta said that she looks forward to the public health and education components in terms of accomplishing goals and objectives as stated in the letter of intent. She and the City can assist in this area.
Mr. Nayflish replied. Irpin has a main objective of learning from others to establish educational programs. He is not familiar but can send more information regarding municipal governance apprenticeship. More Ukrainians are coming to Milwaukee. A desire is to create more student and professional exchanges to Milwaukee. Ukraine is open to receive student and professional exchanges there as well. There is a huge Ukrainian population in Chicago. Irpin has strong schools, a science and technology park, VA hospital, logistical businesses, and is a cultural and economic hub with the whole region.
Mr. Spolowicz added comments. The local Ukrainian community is small but strong. The church has about 50 active Ukrainian members.
Ms. Barta moved to extend a sister city relationship application to St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church as the local sponsor to establish a sister city relationship with Irpin, Ukraine. There were no objections.
Mr. Lee commented on the next process. Another committee meeting would be scheduled to review a submitted application. With committee approval the matter would then go through the Common Council approval process via a resolution before the Community and Economic Development Committee and Common Council respectively. Mayor Barrett would have to then sign the resolution. The process would conclude with both mayors from both cities coming together to sign a sister city relationship agreement, which has typically occurred through a signing ceremony in Milwaukee.
Mr. Durtka inquired about the limit and amount of current sister cities for the City.
Mr. Lee replied that the limit is 10, there are 7 current sister cities, and Irpin would become the 8th sister city. | | | |
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| | 6. | | Review of sister city relationship annual reports.
Minutes note: a. Galway, Ireland
Paige Prichard, Irish Festivals Inc., gave an overview of their annual report and update on activities. Irish Fest was successful with 4 days of fair days. There was an initial delegation reception at the Marcus Performing Arts Center with Mayor Barrett, Ald. Michael Murphy, Ald. Robert Donovan, and West Allis Mayor Dan Divine attending. Milwaukee and Galway are connected based on their proximity to water and their festivals. This year was the 20th anniversary of the relationship with Galway. Coming to Milwaukee were an Irish pop band, a large 12 person Galway delegation, main contact (Keith Finnegan) for Galway, Galway radio, various Galway officials, and Galway Mayor Pierce Flannery. Gifts and plagues were exchanged at the delegation reception. The delegation toured World Irish Music Archives, the largest collection of Irish music outside of a university and Dublin. Lastly there was a head school lecture on Brexit’s impact on international travel, visas, and passports. There was the launch of a travel app for Ireland to aid travel. Galway was selected as the European capital for culture for the year 2020. There will be talks to showcase and celebrate Galway and Ireland as a capital of culture for the 2019 Irish Fest in Milwaukee.
Ms. Barta said that she attended Irish Fest and the delegation reception.
Ald. Stamper questioned plans for next year and participation in the Holiday Folk Fair.
Mr. Durtka said that Irish Festivals should consider holding the boutique event at a different date from that of the Holiday Folk Fair for the future.
Ms. Prichard replied. Next year there are plans for the same things: Irish Fest, delegation reception, and lecture series. Irish Festivals would probably not be able to participate in the Holiday Folk Fair due to hosting their Holiday Celtic Boutique event during that time. The boutique has taken place for about at least a decade. December is full with other events where the boutique event cannot occur. Materials and possibly a volunteer can be sent for a City sister cities booth from Irish Festivals.
Mr. Durtka moved approval of the 2017 annual report for the sister city relationship with Galway, Ireland, as submitted. There were no objections.
b. uMhlahtuze, South Africa
Absent were an annual report and a representative from the local sponsoring organization, Pan-Africa Community Association (PACA).
Ald. Stamper said to contact PACA on the status of the annual report and relationship.
c. Medan, Indonesia
Khay Khong, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and on behalf of PACA, gave an overview of their annual report and update on activities. He is from Malaysia and is the main contact for the relationship. The Indonesian leadership behind the relationship has went through changes, which has been a factor to the lack of activity. The Indonesian consulate office in Chicago from 2014 was the main proponent for the relationship. A new Indonesian Consul General was appointed last year, and he will work with the new consul general. The Indonesian population in the City is very transient, made mostly of students who have left the area after working with him. Despite that, some events were achieved over the last year, such as participation in last year’s Holiday Folk Fair. The Indonesian community plans to participate again in the Holiday Folk Fair and may acquire their own booth. The relationship still needs time to develop but has a great prospect for the City. Perhaps the Asian community in the City can step up to utilize the relationship. Indonesia has one of the world’s fastest growing middle class, wants to send students to the United States for education, and exports many food items. Indonesia needs water technology and power expertise. He is trying to promote trade and is working with the Port of Milwaukee to possibly make exports to Indonesia. He can try to work with World Trade Organization to increase trade interest with Indonesia. There was a small Night in Indonesia event in January, an invitation was forwarded to committee members, and another event can possibly occur again.
Members were intrigued with the opportunity with the Port of Milwaukee and inquired about Collectivo being a venue for a meet-and-greet event, PACA’s involvement in the relationship, and support from the local Indonesian community.
Mr. Durtka said that the local group behind the relationship needs to be strengthened or morph into a different group so as to not rely on just one person.
Mr. Khong responded. Collectivo on Prospect Avenue, which has a backroom for concerts, would be suitable for a meet-and-greet. PACA has supported events and promoted to the African community, which share common interests in cultural and economic exchange such as in textiles. The local Indonesian community is transient, not as active, and is too small. The relationship should not just be limited to the local Indonesian or Asian community, but should be open to all. Collectivo is aware of the sister city relationship with Medan, has been in contact with the Indonesian consulate office to arrange events, and is one company that has benefited. Kohl’s import much footwear and apparel from Indonesia. He will reach out to Dr. Maria from UW-Milwaukee, which has a memorandum of understanding with the University of North Sumatra, to perhaps be added to the group behind the relationship.
Mr. Durtka moved approval of the 2017 annual report for the sister city relationship with Medan, Indonesia, as submitted. There were no objections.
d. Tarime District, Tanzania
No annual report was submitted.
Christine Thompson-Mosore, Mosorec International Foundation, Inc., gave an update. An annual report will be forthcoming after conferring with Ald. Stamper via a meeting first. The relationship was established last year and is fairly new. Activities thus far include a water walk to bring water to Tarime, education about global poverty, engagement of youths, partnership with Engineers Beyond Borders at UW-Milwaukee, Tanzanian tea events, various informational meetings, and promotion on radio shows. Goals moving forward include hosting a public sister cities event both as a group and individually, expanding radio promotion, sending a delegation to Tanzania next year from December 6 to 15th, and incorporating a youth exchange component. There is already some support for the delegation trip, and committee members are invited to be part of the delegation. Tanzanian officials would like for City officials and committee members to come. It would be desired for Mayor Barrett to send some kind of message along with the delegation to Tarime and well as do a celebration of the relationship in Tarime similar to the signing ceremony that took place in Milwaukee. A further discussion about the trip is needed prior to making confirmations. In Tarime a main focus is to bring water there, and there is already a drilling process. The hope is to have water already up and running by the time of the delegation trip takes place.
Ald. Stamper said for Ms. Thompson-Mosore to schedule a meeting with him in order to clarify information so an annual report can be produced subsequently.
e. Bomet County, Kenya
Dr. Alice Kones and David Mugun gave an overview of their annual report and update on activities. Kenya saw an important accomplishment of electing six women to governor or senate positions, including one elected as the new governor of Bomet County. The recent general presidential election in Kenya was nullified for the first time by its Supreme Court, and the presidential election will take place again. There is thought of changing the local sponsoring organization in Bomet, the Bomet Developmental Trust, since it was intertwined with the past governorship there. There is a strong Kenyan presence in Milwaukee through Kenyans in Milwaukee, which have met monthly and celebrated Kenyan holidays. Committee members are welcome to join the holiday celebrations. Recently MILAWA had raised about $3500 in funds to purchase and provide sanitary napkin pads to school girls in Bomet so that the girls could remain in school. There is also a water project to provide clean drinking water in Bomet through partnership with the rotary club and possibly the City of Milwaukee. Bomet has tea that can be offered and marketed to Milwaukee. Milwaukee has benefited from over 30 Kenyan investors investing in City properties.
Members inquired about water infrastructure projects, tea imports, mentorship for girls in science and technology, and sanitary donations from the Health Department.
Mr. Khong replied. He and WEDC can reach out to tea retailers in Milwaukee, such as Collectivo that distributes tea as a secondary product. There is another tea supplier, RishiTea. The Holiday Folk Fair can be used for tea sampling.
Ms. Thompson-Mosore replied. The water project in Tarime is still being worked. There are continued efforts to raise funds, find partners, and acquire an onsite person. The Tarime government has approved the project and drilling will soon occur next month. She and a group of people will be traveling to Tarime multiple times on this effort. Costs for a water infrastructure project can range from $30 to $50 thousand depending on the location of the site and amount of drilling.
Dr. Kones replied. She is a math major, had experienced difficulties to learn math as a girl back in Bomet, and envisions creating a science and technology mentorship program for girls back in Bomet similar to the summer program that MSOE has for Milwaukee youths. Perhaps an exchange could occur. There is also interest to build a pregnancy crisis center for girls in Bomet, and there will be an event on this effort.
Ms. Barta commented. She sits on the MSOE advisory committee and would like to explore an education and health mentorship program, as suggested, with MSOE. Information can be sent out to the Health Department and its programs about donation opportunities. There is a donation opportunity with UW-Milwaukee. UW-Milwaukee has approached her on utilizing Health Department clinics for student experiences in exchange for providing donations such as books. The pregnancy crisis center initiative could be a great research project for the universities in the City. She is open to meet Dr. Kones to discuss further the initiatives that was mentioned.
Ald. Stamper said that there should be a follow-up with the Water Council and the Tarime water project to assist the water project in Bomet.
Mr. Durtka moved approval of the 2017 annual report for the sister city relationship with Bomet County, Kenya, as submitted. There were no objections. | | | |
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| | 7. | | Review of Sister Cities Committee Milwaukee code of ordinances.
Minutes note: James Owczarski, City Clerk, said that amending the City code of ordinance relating to sister cities would be predicated on whether or not a new sister cities staff position, as proposed by the committee, would be established. There is a specific provision prohibiting any City resource to promote sister cities.
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| | 8. | | Discussion on additional capacity and personnel.
Minutes note: Mr. Owczarski commented. A job description draft has been distributed to members to review, and the description summarizes recommendations made by the committee from past meetings to create a staff person to facilitate sister city activities for the City. He had contacted the Dept. of Employee Relations (DER). DER would need a job description to facilitate classification of the position. The description contains the position title, essential functions, peripheral duties, minimum qualifications, and a percentage breakdown of duties performed in a day. Once approved by the committee, DER will do a full classification study to determine job title, compensation, and recommendation. Then the committee can proceed to discuss budgeting, resources, and changing the ordinance. A recommendation, should the committee decide to create it, is to build the position into the ordinance.
Ald. Stamper inquired about incorporating the job descriptions of sister city program staff persons from other cities and adding duties to an existing position.
Mr. Owczarski replied. The job description does include aspects of sister city staff persons from other cities. The description is a draft and can be amended at the committee’s discretion. Adding duties to an existing position can be added, and that position would need to be identified and reclassified to determine compensation. The new position would be a substantial position. The draft job description is a first offering for the committee to review. Of importance is to focus on the essential functions, peripheral duties, duty percentage allocations, minimum qualifications, and experience. A consistent essential duty from research is the ability to fundraise, which is its own discipline as opposed to academic experience.
Mr. Durtka commented. There are other program models out there that could be explored if desired.
Ald. Stamper said for the committee to review the job description draft and discuss it at the next meeting concerning changes and approval. | | | |
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| | 9. | | Discussion on sister city events.
Minutes note: Ald. Stamper said that a meet and greet venue should be explored, as discussed with Mr. Khong, and further programming of the event should be discussed at a future meeting. | | | |
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| | 10. | | Announcements.
Minutes note: At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Durtka announced that the International Institute of Wisconsin collaborated with a number of other organizations to sponsor a Welcoming Week last week in the City Hall rotunda. The event focused on economic benefits brought to the community that had come from immigrants and refugees. There were several speakers, including Mr. Vang, talking in regards to their success and challenges. The highest percentage of new endeavors in the City comes from immigrants or refugee residents who take that opportunity. Hiring employees for new startups is a challenge. Employers do regularly seek the institute for prospective employees. Immigrants have shown strong efforts to anchor themselves and buy homes.
Mr. Vang added comments. Immigrants or refugees oftentimes use their same hardworking attitudes that they had back from their homelands to become successful in their jobs in the United States. Language and communication barriers are challenges to immigrants and refugees. He has helped to be a communication liaison for his immigrant community in the past. There is strong family support amongst the immigrant community that contributes to their success.
Ald. Stamper inquired about how Milwaukee compares to other cities on its reputation towards the immigrant and refugee communities.
Mr. Durtka replied. Milwaukee has a good reputation. There are different systems for immigrant and refugee settlements. Refugee settlements are dictated by federal programs and agencies. | | | |
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| | 11. | | Agenda items for the next meeting.
Minutes note: Review of additional staffing job description, planning a meet-and-greet, and any other pressing matters. | | | |
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| | 12. | | Next meeting date and time.
Minutes note: The next quarterly will be set with staff for December. | | | |
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| | 13. | | Adjournment.
Minutes note: Meeting adjourned at 11:47 a.m.
Chris Lee, Staff Assistant
Council Records Section
City Clerk's Office | | | |
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