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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 9, 1994 Page 2 1 INTRODUCTION OF ARTO SAARINEN FROM ST. ANTHONY'S SISTER CITY OF 2 SALO, FINLAND. 3 Since Councilmember Marks is the official representative of the Sister City Program, 4 Mayor Ranallo requested he introduce Mr. Saarinen. 5 Councilmember Marks introduced Mr. and Mrs. Saarinen and their son Mike Saarinen 6 who will be an exchange student attending school in Woodbury. It was noted that their 7 daughter was unable to attend the meeting tonight. He reported that Arto Saarinen is the 8 President of the State Bank in Salo as well as the-President of the Salo, Finland City 9 Board which is comprised of 42 members and provides recommendations to their City 10 Council. 11 Mr. Saarinen stated that on behalf of Salo's City government, it is his pleasure to 12 represent Salo's residents and bring warm greetings to St. Anthony from Salo. He 13 explained that the Sister City relationship between Salo and St. Anthony started in 1985. 14 Mayor Ranallo read in full and presented to Mr. Saarinen a Proclamation declaring 15 August 9, 1994 as Salo, Finland Day. He also presented lapel pins to Mr. Saarinen and 16 his family. Mr. Saarinen presented Mayor Ranallo with a book regarding Salo which is • 17 printed in both English and Finnish as well as the Salo Crest.. Mayor Ranallo extended 18 his appreciation to Mr. Saarinen and introduced Barry Kinsey, Chairperson of the School 19 Board. Since the Salo crest is already on display at City Hall, the new Crest was given to 20 Mr. Kinsey so it can be displayed at the school. 21 Mr. Saarinen provided a detailed presentation regarding Salo, indicating it was 22 established in 1887 (belonging to Paris), became an independent community in 1887, and 23 a city in 1960. He reviewed population and employment figures and the type of 24 administrative system used by the Salo government. Mr. Saarinen explained that their 25 annual budget of$93 million is also used to fund the schools, hospitals, social services, 26 road and bridge construction. 27 Councilmember Marks reported that some,cities have developed an employee exchange 28 program with Sister Cities which can be beneficial in terms of finding new ideas and 29 methods. He commented on the challenges involved with international trade and the 30 benefits gained in becoming active with the Sister City Program. 31 Mayor Ranallo recognized and extended the City's appreciation to Don Singley, member 32 of.the St. Anthony Civic Orchestra,who is hosting the Saarinen family. He commented 33 on activities they have been involved in which included a tour of St. Anthony, trip to Ely, 34 Minnesota and the Mall of America. . .