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| | 1. | | Call to order.
Minutes note: Meeting called to order at 10:05 a.m. | | | |
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| | 2. | | Roll call. | | | |
Roll call
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| | 3. | | Review and approval of the previous meeting minutes from November 15, 2017.
Minutes note: Member Durtka moved approval, seconded by member Barta, of the meeting minutes from November 15, 2017. There was no objection. | | | |
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| | 4. | | Discussion on establishing a sister city relationship with Irpin, Ukraine.
Minutes note: Individuals appearing:
Boris Nayflish, Griffon Brands Inc.
Joseph Spolowicz, St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church
A. Review and approval of agreements.
Mr. Nayflish said that there is excitement for practical application and connection with City’s educational, healthcare, municipality, police, and community contacts.
Mr. Spolowicz said that the church welcomes being the local sponsoring organization, exchange information between the cities, gain new growth to the church as a result of the relationship, and preserve Ukrainian culture in the community.
Mr. Lee said that the committee should review and entertain approval of the agreements before them, which have been reviewed, accepted, and translated accordingly by the City of Irpin.
Member Tovar moved approval, seconded by member Durtka, of the agreement drafts, as presented, to establish a sister city relationship with Irpin, Ukraine. There was no objection.
B. Signing ceremony (Thrs. March 15, 2018, 2 p.m.)
Mr. Lee said that the signing of the agreements will take place in a ceremony set at Milwaukee City Hall Common Council Chambers on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 2 p.m.
Chairman Stamper said the ceremony program entails welcoming remarks, acknowledgement of guests, playing of national anthems, official remarks, signing of agreement, presentations of appreciation, special acknowledgments, closing remarks, and a reception.
Mr. Nayflish said that the Mayor of Irpin and his delegation, about 12 people, will arrived to Milwaukee on March 13th, will accommodate the delegation while in Milwaukee, and providing catering for the ceremony.
Member Tovar moved approval, seconded by member Barta, of the ceremony program draft. There was no objection. | | | |
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| | 5. | | Review and approval of annual reports
Minutes note: A. Zadar, Croatia
Mr. Lee commented. The committee is in possession of the 2017 annual report from the local sponsoring agency, the Federation of Croatian Societies, Inc. of Milwaukee. Representatives from the federation were not able to make an appearance.
Members said that the detailed financial statement attached to the report was not necessary and should not be required, unless requested for.
Mr. Lee replied. Proof of financial support is one requirement of the annual report form. Perhaps the financial statement was submitted as a matter of convenience, but perhaps a more appropriate and summarized statement should have been submitted for public consumption.
Ald. Stamper commented. The annual report references that the relationship has been focused on building a platform, foundation for growth, and opportunities in water, education, and culture. Representatives should come to the next meeting to provide a brief update.
Member Tovar moved approval, seconded by member Durtka, of the 2017 annual report for the sister city relationship with Zadar, Croatia. There was no objection.
B. uMhlathuze, South Africa
Individual appearing:
Joe Davis, Sr., South Africa Honorary Consul - Wisconsin
Mr. Davis gave a PowerPoint presentation and update.
He deals directly with the embassy and consulate down in Chicago. His involvement deals with establishing long term economic growth. Newly elected Consul General Phumzile Mazibuko recently greeted Mayor Barrett and will have a meeting with the Common Council president. The consul general has interest in agriculture, and there is opportunity to have agricultural exchange. There was a recent visit to South Africa in January, for which he was a part of. There is a new South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is focused on business development and international relationships. Diplomatic relationships with South African from the United States have been lacking and needs to be built. To combat the disadvantaged polices of the past, there is a Black Economic Empowerment Act in South Africa, by the Ithala Development Finance Corporation Limited, that requires indigenous blacks, with qualifications, be included in every contract that is submitted.
The local NGO, Pan-African Community Association (PACA), is being dissolved. A new local NGO would be needed for Milwaukee. Hope Centre is still in support to serve as the local NGO partner in uMhlathuze. The City of uMhlathuze and the South African Consulate in Chicago are supportive for the sister city relationship to continue.
The sister city relationship should be mutually beneficial for both sisters rather than be one-sided going forward. The focus should be on economy, trade, and not necessarily on aid. The cultural and social components would follow naturally. The CEO of uMhlathuze Water Works is interested to come to Milwaukee to see how the City delivers water. uMhlathuze has 4 freshwater lakes and a water treatment system. Perhaps the City can host him when he comes.
Dr. Zweli Mkhize, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in South Africa, deals with commerce, local governments, and all the traditional tribal kings. Dr. Mkhize has been important inspiration for getting him involved with South Africa.
July 18, 2018 will be the 100th birthday anniversary of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. The consulate is interested to do some events in Milwaukee. An event was held in the past for the 95th anniversary celebration at Centennial Hall at the Milwaukee Public Library. Nelson was instrumental for South Africa, which has gone through four straight peaceful transitions in government without any unrest.
Mr. Davis tried to play a video depicting a recent delegation’s elephant migration experience at Hluhluwe Game Park, but the video failed to play.
Ald. Davis made concluding remarks. He will follow up with clerk staff on the local NGO issue. There will be a global leadership summit this August at Marquette University with an exciting speaker. The relationship has benefited Milwaukee in many ways, such as having access to certain things and agriculture products being brought to the City during delegation trips. The City was able to help obtain $150,000 from the Bill Gates Foundation to assist in supplying water to 200 homes near uMhlathuze. The City should invest in South Africa. There are two City funds, deferred compensation and the pension fund, with international market investment requirements. Investments in South Africa currently are yielding double digit returns, and the South African currency is at its highest stability.
Member Durtka concurred that sister city relationships need to be mutual built on economic exchange.
Ald. Stamper commented. The committee would welcome meeting the new consul general when she comes to the City and be a part of the Nelson Mandela celebration. The presentation today should be accepted as the 2017 annual report.
Member Tovar moved approval, seconded by member Durtka, of the 2017 annual report for the sister city relationship with uMhlathuze, South Africa. There was no objection.
C. Tarime District, Tanzania
Individual appearing:
Christine Thompson-Mosore, Mosorec International Foundation Inc.
Ms. Thompson-Mosore gave a PowerPoint presentation and overview of its 2017 annual report.
The relationship was established in November 2016 with a signed agreement. Her foundation is the local sponsoring organization in Milwaukee and also in Tarime town near the Tarime District offices. Her mother is the director for the foundation in Tarime, which has been crucial in its role to make connections with Tarime District officials and communities.
One major achievement thus far includes improving access to education to underprivileged children, the poor, boys, and especially girls. The foundation built a school, called Mosorec International Academy, in Tarime in 2013. Provided for are uniforms, the tuition fee, school supplies, breakfast, and lunch. A focus is to recruit girls, many who do not go to school due to doing household chores and fetching water. The school opens up with 200 students, but many end up dropping out throughout the year due to a variety of reasons, including transportation issues. Class size is big and happens in shifts throughout the day with there being only one teacher at the school.
Another achievement is the undertaking of providing clean and safe drinking water. There was digging done for a well last October near the school with support from personal funds, community organizations, and partners. There was support from the Tarime community and leaders. Although stressful, the digging did hit water. The project is now in phase two to raise funds to power the well, which is over 100 meters down in the ground. Due to the depth of the well, electricity and not solar power would be needed. The well would serve the school children and also be accessible by the community.
Another achievement, which is one main priority for the foundation, is empowering girls. The school in Tarime has been a way to empower and provide young girls with education and protection from getting married early, which is a cultural custom there. There have been more girls than boys that have been enrolled in the school. She has been successful in motivating all the young girls in the school to stay for the following year. Bras from Milwaukee have been donated to girls in Tarime. At the school the girls are also given work to do to occupy their time.
The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. of Epsilon Kappa Omega (EKQ) Chapter along with other AKA Chapters in Milwaukee will be taking a trip to Tarime, Tanzania in December 5 to 16, 2018. The City of Milwaukee is welcomed to join the trip as well. Mosorec International Foundation has support and is working with the Tarime Mayor, local leaders, and citizens to welcome Milwaukee to Tarime as part of the trip.
Goals going forward include: increasing educational opportunities, the number of classrooms, and youth activities at the school in Tarime; and having cultural exchange through delegation trips.
Members inquired about activities occurring in Milwaukee, how the committee can help with the relationship, and the past donation of a fire truck to Tanzania.
Ms. Thompson-Mosore replied. There are Tanzanian Tea Thursday meetings in Milwaukee where ideas and plans are discussed. Donated supplies are needed to send back to Tarime. Examples include pads for girls, school supplies, books, chairs, and tables. It would be easier and cheaper to receive funds to buy supplies in Tarime rather than pay to ship supplies there, especially if utilizing large containers to ship supplies via water.
Joe Davis, Sr., South Africa Honorary Consul - Wisconsin, appeared and commented. There was a transportation company, which dealt with the global market, that sponsored and covered all costs for a fire truck to be delivered via shipping freight to Tanzania. A major issue is customs in getting an item to a port of entry and then to the destination. The longer an item sits in a port, the more costly it gets. Crucial is having a person who is knowledgeable in the logistics. Another issue is that shipping cannot be done from the Milwaukee port due to having only small vessels there. Bigger vessels at oceanic ports are needed to ship a large item such as a fire truck. A trucking company had transported a fire truck on a flatbed to Newport News port in Virginia where the truck was loaded onto an ocean vessel. It would be cheaper to ship supplies via air rather than by water. Air shipping companies, like DHL and FedEx, would have air shipping containers. Shipping times may range from a few weeks to a month.
Ald. Stamper commented. There should be further discussion on the December trip to Tarime and determining those individuals, if any, can go.
Member Barta moved approval, seconded by member Durtka, of the 2017 annual report for the sister city relationship with Tarime District, Tanzania. There was no objection. | | | |
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| | 6. | | Review of sister city program.
Minutes note: Individual appearing:
James Owczarski, City Clerk
A. Program infrastructure (internally in municipal government or external to an outside agency)
Member Durtka commented. The job study should be received first by the committee before making a determination on the appropriate infrastructure and agency for the position and program. A big piece is the funding development for the program. Denver has $250,000 for its program and Lexington has $50,000 for its program. Milwaukee has an insignificant amount for its program currently. His organization has voiced its strong interest in becoming an outside agency to operate the City’s sister city program.
City Clerk Owczarski concurred with determining the pay piece of the position first before determining the appropriate program agency to house the position.
B. Adding capacity and personnel
Mr. Lee added comments. A dedicated position is needed to fill the gap for the sister city program. The agency that can best administer and control the program and new position would be the one that can offer the most commitment, priority, and resources.
C. Review and approval of new program position job description
Ald. Stamper said that the job description was created by City Clerk Owczarski based on past comments and recommendations from members, and members should review the job description today.
City Clerk Owczarski gave an update. The revised job description adds that “all job functions require a willingness and ability to travel on a regular basis” under essential functions, 40% of time. Language pertaining to funding for travel is not something that is included in job descriptions.
Members commented. The job description should add an evaluation component of sister city relationships allowing for the position to give direction. The assessment piece should be followed by strategic planning followed by consideration of goals and objectives. There should be evaluation of the activities for each strategy. The position should also be tasked with identifying mutual economic exchange opportunities.
City Clerk Owczarski commented. The 10% function can add further clarifying language to “evaluate sister city relationships and forward recommendations to the Sister Cities Committee”. The percentage breakdown of essential functions of the position does not indicate the importance of duties but rather the frequency of duties performed. All of the functions are equally important. After Sister Cities Committee approval, the job description would be sent to the Dept. of Employee Relations to classify the position and determine pay and position title. The study would come back to the committee to then decide the appropriate organization structure to house the position.
Ald. Stamper said that the job description should be held to make revisions to it as discussed.
Member Durtka moved to hold to the call of the chair the job description. There was no objection. | | | |
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| | 7. | | Discussion on sister city events.
Minutes note: A. Holiday Folk Fair November 2017 recap
Individual appearing:
Arlisia McHenry, City Clerk’s Office Community Outreach Liaison
Member Durtka commented. The committee’s first booth exhibit at the fair went very well in his opinion. Cultural representation is vital for the fair, and fair provides that opportunity.
Mr. McHenry gave a PowerPoint presentation and recap. The booth display exhibit was a successful and a great experience for many volunteers, including committee members, local sister city sponsors, City staff, and youths from Job Corps. The display was wonderfully done by the City’s Public Information Division staff with information about the sister cities. There were many visitors, including students and youths, who visited the booth with much intrigued about sister cities. The display yield much traffic, conversation, and awareness. Participation in the fair also benefited the City to connect with other people at the fair, such as using a black food cuisine from the fair for the City’s Black History Month program. For next year the booth should have a stamp, which was not given, to stamp visitor’s passports.
Ald. Stamper said that the committee should discuss planning and making improvement for its booth this year at the fair.
B. Meet and greet
Ms. McHenry asked members their opinions for holding a meet and greet event.
Ald. Stamper replied. The event is for all of the sister city relationship local sponsoring organizations and volunteers to come together like a family reunion with socializing, an activity, music, and food.
Ms. McHenry commented. Perhaps there should be a rotating meet and greet at every NGOs office or place of preference. Hosts can offer food. Perhaps businesses and other organizations should be invited to attend to make connections and present opportunities for the sister city relationships.
Member Durtka commented. There is really no connection with the major ethnic populations in the City, except for the Irish community. Perhaps the meet and greet can be a forum to invite and encourage other major ethnic communities in the city, like the German and Hispanic communities, to think about forming a city relationship. The first meet and event should be small to get future events going. The Mayor and Common Council president should appear.
Ms. Thompson-Mosore said that the first meet and greet should be a general one to bring synergy and be example for holding rotating ones subsequently.
Mr. Lee commented. Some local NGOs have recommended some venues, such as Collectivo and the Irish Festivals Inc. office facility. A bigger event may be more appropriate for a celebration of the City’s sister cities. Perhaps there should be a sister cities celebration day with all sister city NGOs present, booths set up, business community present, and important officials invited.
Member Durtka added that a celebration of sister cities can be held at the Marcus Center Peck Pavilion outside to showcase the cities to the public and to a greater audience.
Ms. McHenry said that she will work on acquiring a first meet and greet venue within the next two months.
Ald. Stamper said that an event date will be set once a definitive venue is determined and presented to the committee at its next meeting.
C. Other
There was no discussion. | | | |
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| | 8. | | Review and approval of the 2017 Sister Cities Committee annual report.
Minutes note: Mr. Lee gave a summary. The report describes the activities of the committee for 2017. Major activities would include the official establishment of the sister city relationship with Daegu Metropolitan City (South Korea) with its agreement signing in Daegu last spring, ongoing discussions to enhance the sister city program and add a new position, participation in the Holiday Folk Fair with a booth exhibit, and the initiative to establish a sister city relationship with Irpin (Ukraine).
Member Barta moved approval, seconded by member Tovar, of the 2017 Sister Cities Committee annual report. There was no objection.
Mr. Lee inquired the committee about the level and manner of presentation of the committee 2017 annual report to the City’s Community and Economic Development (CED) Committee in an effort to promote the program and sister cities. Perhaps a formal presentation can be made about the program, sister cities, and with local NGOs appearing.
Ald. Stamper replied. A formal presentation should be done once momentum for the new position is in place. Strategically, it would be best to make a presentation and submit the annual report to the CED Committee when a classification study is completed for the new position. | | | |
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| | 9. | | Announcements or updates.
Minutes note: Sarwat Sharif, UW-Milwaukee doctoral student, and Adrian Jordan, MATC CNA student, were invited to the table from the audience and made brief introductions. | | | |
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| | 10. | | Agenda items for the next meeting.
Minutes note: No discussion occurred. | | | |
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| | 11. | | Set next meeting date and time.
Minutes note: No discussion occurred. | | | |
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| | 12. | | 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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