03-14-05 Community Relations Committee

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• F Community Relations Committee 2005 South Bend Common Council The March 14, 2005 meeting of the Community Relations Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Karen L. White at 4:50 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, Kelly, Puzzello, Varner, Kuspa, Kirsits, Rouse and White; Citizen Member Martha Lewis, Rita Kopola, City Clerk John Voorde, Executive Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development Sharon Kendall, Mikki Dobski Shidler, Gabrielle Robinson, Mayoral Assistant Fred Thon, Jeff Parrott of the 6o ,J3..a,Sn ,,� and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member White noted that the Committee Members include Council Members Varner, Puzzello, Kelly and herself. She stated that the meeting was called to receive a Sister City update. Mikki Dobski Shidler, Gabrielle Robinson, and Fred Thon made the presentation. They provided a 2-page handout entitled"Expanded Sister City Committee Proposal" (copy attached). They noted that they made a similar presentation to Mayor Luecke and that no action from the Council would be requested today. Ms. Robinson stated that international connections begin at the local level. Student exchanges and economic development are focal points. She noted that South Bend has a 150 year history with Arzberg. She noted that this September the Mayor of Arzberg will be coming back to South bend. Ms. Dobski Shidler then reviewed the handout along with Fred Thon. Mr. Thon stated that there is a desire to start new sister city relationships with cities in Africa and Latin America, noting that he had lived there for 35 years. He noted that business relationships, agriculture ideas and the sharing of technology is taking place with Czestochowa, Poland. Council Member Puzzello suggested that the bi-lingual department of the SB Community Schools be contacted with regard to possible African communities. Council Member Dieter asked Mr. Thon for more information on the business developments with companies in Czestochowa and South Bend. Ms. Dobski Shidler noted that she believes that there may not be a direct business commitment but that they are exploring expanding that possibility with Chris Murphy. She further noted that sister city relationships should be citizen driven like those which fostered our relationship with Czestochowa and Arzberg. She added that there are issues of staff and monetary support for all sister city relationships. Community Relations Committee meeting of March 14,2005 -page 1-