City Hall  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
400 La Crosse Street  
La Crosse, WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes  
International Committee  
Monday, May 22, 2023  
5:30 PM  
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Meeting ID: 898 8421 0947  
Call to Order  
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.  
Roll Call  
9 -  
Present:  
Absent:  
Irene Barmore, Michael De Yoe, Art Marson, Melissa Giefer, Chris  
Woodard, Lynn West, Mindy Wiesjahn, Jerry Berns,Dana Young  
2 - Karolyn Bald,Alyson Glenz  
Mission of the International Committee  
Read by Chair Marson.  
Welcome and Introductions  
Members introduced themselves.  
Election of Officers  
Approval of Minutes  
Motion to approve by Wiesjahn. Unanimous consent to approve.  
Treasurer's Report  
Monson reported that the committee’s balance is still $5000. The request for a  
Luxembourg plaque was submitted, but the funds still remain in the committee  
account.  
Agenda Items:  
At-large member.  
23-0596  
1
At-large member. Barmore reported that Rhonda McGowan is interested in  
joining the committee as an at-large member. McGowan is retiring after  
decades as a Spanish teacher and department chair at Logan High School.  
She has always been involved in global relationships and would like to join  
the committee.  
Motion by Barmore to add an at-large position to the International Committee  
that can be filled by a community member. Unanimous consent to approve.  
Flag update.  
23-0597  
2
Marson reported that he talked with Jim Birmbaum about purchasing the  
Luxembourg flag for City Hall. Marson will verify the size needed and confirm  
with Birmbaum. Marson reported that Sandy McCormack has a Dubna flag that  
she will let the city use as a replacement for the Russian flag.  
Banner update.  
23-0598  
23-0599  
3
4
Wiesjahn reported that the Luxembourg banner will be ordered this summer.  
They are getting input from the Luxembourg Sister City members. Marson  
received a quote from LAXprint of $270 for a retractable banner.  
Brochure update.  
Marson received a quote from LAXprint of $549 for 500 copies of the new  
brochures; we can order fewer than 500 copies. Wiesjahn recommended  
working with the Visitor’s Bureau to see how they could help with design and  
printing. Marson will follow up with them. Sister City groups that want to  
update their materials should send updates to Marson by 15 June.  
Oktoberfest parade unit.  
23-0600  
23-0601  
5
6
DeYoe reported that he is working to determine how to mount banners on the  
truck. Barmore brought pennants that had been used previously and will check  
about adding a pennant for Luxembourg, using a white background and red  
and light blue lettering.  
Budget requests.  
Reminder: funding requestions should be made 30 days prior to the occasion.  
Young reported that there will be a delegation visiting Friedberg inJune.  
Motion to request funding for a $100 gift for the delegation to bring. Unanimous  
consent to approve.  
Sister City and School Reports/Announcements: La Crosse School District,  
UW-L, Viterbo, Western, Junglinster, Luoyang, Kumbo, Friedberg, Forde,  
Epinal, Dubna, Bantry.  
23-0602  
7
La Crosse School District, Glenz reported art, world languages – Spanish club,  
UW-L,  
Viterbo, Giefer reported that 13 international students graduated from Viterbo  
this spring 2023. Viterbo had 1 new international student from Nepal enroll for  
summer 2023. Fall 2023 international enrollment is looking good, with 21-30  
new international students expected from Ghana, Nepal, Jordan, Kenya,  
Sudan, Spain, Sweden, Egypt, Poland, Netherlands, and Kyrgyzstan. There are  
four faculty-led study abroad programs taking place now: Thailand; Zamora,  
Spain; Seville, Spain; and South Africa.  
There is also an immersive service-learning program sponsored by Viterbo's  
campus ministry department taking place in Peru. Viterbo students and staff  
are serving the residents of Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II in Lurin, which is south  
of Lima.  
There are 3 Viterbo students participating in independent/non-Viterbo  
sponsored programs this summer. One student will be studying and interning  
in Washington, D.C. and two others will be studying in Barcelona, Spain.  
Western, No report  
Junglinster, Wiesjahn reported that 25 students are visiting La Crosse in  
August-September 2023 for four weeks. Community partners and education  
institutions are working on programming for the group’s visit. A bus tour will  
also be coming through La Crosse in August and the sister city will host an  
evening with them.  
Luoyang, DeYoe reported that Luoyang Foreign Language School 2 will send 1  
language teacher in fall 2023 and 1 in spring 2024. They will be staying at UWL  
during their stay, taking classes at UWL, visiting area schools. No word about  
student exchanges resuming.  
Kumbo, Berns reported that they have received a request to replace a  
technology training support facility that is currently being housed in a shipping  
container with a brick structure located at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Cameroon.  
Friedberg, Young reported that a delegation of 5-7 will visit Friedberg in June  
to revitalize the relationship between the sister cities post-Covid and to open  
discussions about the future direction of the sister city relationship.  
Additionally, high school students from Friedberg will resume visiting in the  
fall for 10-day stays. High school students from La Crosse will also be in  
Friedberg, June 7-22  
Forde, Monson reported that that Jim Knutson, a retired music educator from  
Onalaska high school, is trying to coordinate a group going to Forde and  
Bantry in summer 2024. There are also men and women’s choirs interested in  
visiting La Crosse next summer.  
Epinal, Barmore reported that they are working on a connection between a  
rotary in Épinal and La Crosse for 3-4 grade students in November-May.  
The Gourmet Tour de France is happening 22 June at Le Château from 5-7:30  
pm. There will be a silent auction, wine pull, and door prizes.  
Dubna, Marson reported that the monthly chess matches continue.  
Bantry. West reported that the Coulee Hoolie Ceili saw increased attendance  
and donations this year. The group will present a check to HorseSense for  
$1700 on Sunday, 4 June at the International Gardens in Riverside Park.  
LBFA is still planning on sending a delegation to Bantry in the fall.  
Adjournment  
The next meeting is July 24th at 5:00pm.  
Notice is further given that members of other governmental bodies may be present at the  
above scheduled meeting to gather information about a subject over which they have  
decision-making responsibility.  
NOTICE TO PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY  
Requests from persons with a disability who need assistance to participate in this meeting  
should call the City Clerk's office at (608) 789-7510 or send an email to  
ADAcityclerk@cityoflacrosse.org, with as much advance notice as possible.  
Board Members: Alyson Glenz, Jerry Berns, Melissa Giefer, Chris Woodard,  
Karolyn Bald, Dana Young, Lynn West, Irene Barmore, Michael De Yoe, Mindy  
Wiesjahn, Art Marson.