CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF JOINT DINNER MEETING

WITH BOARD OF SISTER CITIES ASSOCIATION

Monday, May 12, 2003

Shoreline Conference Center

6:30 p.m. Highlander Room

City Councilmembers

PRESENT: Mayor Jepsen, Deputy Mayor Grossman, Councilmembers Chang, Montgomery and Ransom

ABSENT: Councilmembers Gustafson and Hansen

Sister Cities Association Board

PRESENT: Darlene Feikema; Kihyun Kim; Cheryl Lee; Connie Sampson; Sammy Sampson; and Taiho Song

STAFF: Steve Burkett, City Manager; Bob Olander, Deputy City Manager; Julie Modrzejewski, Assistant City Manager; Joyce Nichols, Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Director; and Eric Swansen, Management Analyst

Mayor Jepsen convened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. There were self-introductions around the table.

Mayor Jepsen explained the City’s history with the sister cities issue, noting the City Council passed Resolution No. 194 in October, 2002. It outlines the City’s Sister Cities Policy.

Steve Burkett, City Manager, said the Sister Cities Association (SCA) would be recommending that Boryeong, South Korea become Shoreline’s first sister city and asked Cheryl Lee if she would describe the work of the SCA.

Ms. Lee thanked the members of the SCA for the time and effort they have donated on behalf of the organization. She said that since last year the group has named interim officers, adopted by-laws, set dues of $25/year, developed policies, focused on fundraising and filed incorporation papers as a non-profit with the Secretary of State. They have been very busy attending to the paperwork of getting the organization up and running. They are also working toward getting 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. Ms. Lee thanked Eric Swansen for his help in guiding the efforts of the group in its initial organizational efforts.

Continuing, Ms. Lee described the efforts to increase participation from the larger community. She said that the SCA will be asking the City Council to officially name Boryeong as a sister city. Boryeong has already invited City Councilmembers for a visit. She described potential activities, such as classroom and cultural exchanges. She concluded that at its May 22 meeting, the SCA will be nominating a slate of candidates to replace the interim Board members.

Mr. Swansen discussed the process and value of obtaining 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. He added that he is confident that the SCA has done the basic organizational tasks to become operational.

Responding to Councilmember Ransom’s question about next steps, Mayor Jepsen and Ms. Lee responded that the SCA will meet on May 22 to formally request that the City Council pass a resolution officially naming Boryeong as a sister city. After receiving the request, the item would likely be scheduled for Council consideration at its June 9 meeting.

Councilmember Chang said that Boryeong officials are anxious to begin a sister city relationship with Shoreline. They suggested that Shoreline City Councilmembers and members of the SCA visit Boryeong in September.

Mr. Swansen noted that the City Council budget does not include funding for travel to Boryeong. He didn’t anticipate using City funds for this purpose.

Councilmember Ransom pointed out that the City of Federal Way budgets funds for its sister city travel.

Ms. Lee added that in some cities a member of the City Council goes as the official representative of the City with his/her expenses paid for by the City, and other Councilmembers travel at their own expense.

Deputy Mayor Grossman asked how the School District and Shoreline Community College handle this issue. Ms. Lee responded that Shoreline Community College has lent organizational support to the group. She stated her belief that the School District would likely become involved once the sister city relationship is established and functioning, primarily via students and classroom activities.

Mayor Jepsen said the next steps will also include the SCA putting together a slate of projects and then organizing its fundraising efforts around those projects.

Deputy Mayor Grossman said that even though the City’s resources are very limited, he is excited about the opportunities presented by the sister city relationship.

Ms. Lee suggested that one of the SCA officers be a City employee who would serve as secretary, take minutes at the groups’ meetings, and be a liaison to the City Council.

Mr. Burkett suggested that if the Council decides to have a City employee take minutes, that individual should not be an elected Board member but serve in a ex-officio/staff liaison capacity.

Councilmember Ransom suggested a City staff member would be a good thing to tie in with the Korean Merchants Association because it represents to so many merchants.

Mayor Jepsen thanked the Board for its work and adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m.

 

__________________________________________________________

Joyce Nichols, Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Director