Sister Cities Committee approves draft trust fund, forwards it to trustees for review

At its meeting, the Sister Cities Committee unanimously approved a draft Sister City Trust Fund agreement and voted to send the document to the trustees of trust funds for their review and signature.

The trust fund is intended to hold donated monies to be used for ceremonial gifts and other Sister City activities. Committee members discussed minor edits — including capitalization of “Sister City” and examples of permissible uses — and confirmed that, as written, the draft delegates the decision-making authority to the city manager, though trustees retain signatory authority.

"That we approve as written and advance it to the trustees," said Unidentified Speaker 4, moving the motion; Unidentified Speaker 2 seconded and the committee recorded a unanimous aye vote.

Members noted the next step: the trustees of trust funds must review and, as signatories, agree to the terms. Unidentified Speaker 6 said trustees meet in February and could return the document to the committee if they request changes. Committee members also emphasized there is no need to rush the trustees if there are no imminent visiting delegations; one speaker said students may travel this spring but visitors are not expected until the fall.

The committee will send the corrected draft to the trustees; if the trustees approve, the document will proceed to the city council and city manager for final implementation. If the trustees ask for revisions, the item will return to the committee for further action.