Central to the meeting was the commission’s plan to honor the Tis family, long-time supporters of the sister city program, during an upcoming visit by a local delegation to Germany. The appreciation gesture, proposed by a commission member, aimed to recognize the family’s contributions formally. The commission discussed logistical details, such as presenting a gift or a token of appreciation during the delegation’s visit. A $100 budget was proposed for this purpose, and the idea of an “accommodation award” was introduced, which would be a formal recognition written on parchment paper, making it easy to transport. This proposal received unanimous support, with the mayor entrusted to prepare the letter of accommodation.

In a leadership shift, a commission member announced their resignation due to a new position on the city council. This development necessitated the election of a new chairperson for the remainder of the year. During the meeting, there were no immediate volunteers for the chairperson role, and the decision was postponed to the next meeting, allowing for further discussions and outreach to absent members.

Additionally, the commission reviewed committee assignments for 2025, emphasizing the need to adequately staff all subcommittees. Members expressed their preferences and willingness to continue in previous roles, with particular attention given to the recognition committee, which required more members.

Another topic of interest was the cultural exchange program, specifically the outbound participant traveling to Germany. The application period closed with three candidates, and a subcommittee was tasked with scheduling interviews for the applicants. The use of a scheduling tool, like Survey Monkey, was suggested to streamline the interview process.

The meeting also touched on the German language day camp proposal, with discussions on potential outreach strategies, including social media promotion and collaboration with local radio. A subcommittee was formed to explore these possibilities further.

The commission further discussed the annual recognition award, unanimously recommending Keith Roloff as the recipient. Plans to schedule a reception for the award presentation were considered, including contacting Roloff’s family and securing a traditional venue, the Kegle Club. This event, along with the appreciation dinner for the flower watering team scheduled for January 17, highlighted the commission’s ongoing efforts to engage with and appreciate the local community.