HomeMy WebLinkAboutSCAC.2023.0920.MinutesTOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE FOUNTAIN HILLS SISTER CITIES ADVISORY COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 20, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER — Chairman Tall
Chairperson Tall called to order the meeting of the Sister Cities Advisory Commission at
4:05 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL — Chairman Tall
Present: Chairman Bev Tall; Commissioner Zarrin Caldwell; Commissioner Lisa
Ristuccia
Absent: Vice Chairman James Wilson; Commissioner Marlene Fahrenbach
Staff Interim Town Manager Rachael Goodwin; Executive Assistant Angela
Present: Padgett -Espiritu
3. CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.01(H), public comment is permitted (not required) on matters NOT listed on the
agenda. Any such comment (i) must be within the jurisdiction of the Commission, and (ii) is subject to
reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. The Commission will not discuss or take legal action on
matters raised during Call to the Public unless the matters are properly noticed for discussion and legal
action. At the conclusion of the Call to the Public, individual commissioners may (i) respond to criticism, (ii) ask
staff to review a matter, or (iii) ask that the matter be placed on a future Commission agenda.
Christine Colley, President of the Fountain Hills Sister Cities Corporation was present.
4. REPORTS BY COMMISSIONERS AND TOWN MANAGER
Chairman Tall, emphasized the importance of Sister Cities for students to experience
different cultures and languages. Chairman Tall believes that America lacks the
significant differences in cultures and languages that other countries have. Chairman
Tall said that she joined Sister Cities to promote this and encourage students to travel to
different countries to see the world.
5. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approval of the minutes of the Regular
Meeting of January 18, 2023.
Item was tabled by Chairman Tall due to the minutes being in verbatim format. The item
will be brought back at the January 2024 meeting in summary format for reconsideration.
6. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: on Proposed 2024 Meeting Dates.
MOVED BY Commissioner Lisa Ristuccia, SECONDED Commissioner Zarrin Caldwell to
APPROVE the proposed 2024 meeting dates of the Sister Cities Advisory Commission.
AYE: Chairman Bev Tall, Commissioner Zarrin Caldwell, Commissioner Lisa Ristuccia
7. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Selection of a New Sister City.
There was extensive discussion about the criteria and process for selecting a new sister
city. The committee is working to refine the criteria and will report back to the
Commission. Getting input from Sister Cities International on cities looking for
partnerships was suggested.
Discussed challenges of finding engaged community members/leaders to champion a
new sister city relationship. Student exchanges are already at capacity with current sister
cities.
8. UPDATE: on the City of Zamosc Mayor Official Visit.
- German exchange students are visiting Fountain Hills in October. Sister Cities
Corporation will help provide funding for their visit, including expenses for tours and
transportation. The Town previously contributed funding as well, so Sister Cities will
request support again.
- Representatives from Zamosc, Poland will visit in October, including the Mayor, who
has not been to Fountain Hills before. There will be a welcome reception hosted at the
home of a Sister Cities Corporation member, and the delegation will attend a reception at
the October 17th Town Council meeting.
9. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Future Agenda Topics.
No discussion or action taken.
10. ADJOURNMENT
MOVED BY Commissioner Lisa Ristuccia, SECONDED Commissioner Zarrin Caldwell to
ADJOURN the regular meeting of the Sister Cities Advisory Commission at 4:48 p.m.
AYE: Chairman Bev Tall, Commissioner Zarrin Caldwell, Commissioner Lisa Ristuccia
A _ EST AND PREPARED BY:
Angela E pin . Executiv- Assistant
SIST ' CITIES ADVISORY COMMISSION
Bev Tall, Chairman
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular
Meeting held by the Fountain Hills Sister Cities Advisory Commission in the Town Hall Council
Chambers on the 20 day of September 2023. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a
quorum was present.
DATED this 16 day of January, 2024.
, Executive Assistant