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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 12, 2026 Page 4 1 Councilmember Doolan highlighted an interest in growing the Sister Cities program into 2 something more. She provided examples of Minnesota cities that participate at higher levels in 3 information and resource sharing related to sustainability with their Sister City. This has been 4 very beneficial to Minnesota cities in building better sustainability programs. She explained that 5 in previous years the relationship with Salo had been more of a cultural exchange, and she hoped 6 that in the future it could grow into a more beneficial program for learning about sustainability. 7 8 Councilmember Jenson stated that there should be a requirement for delegates to compile a 9 report on what they learned and how it can be applied to governance in St. Anthony. If there is 10 no benefit to citizens, they cannot justify asking them to pay for it. 11 12 Councilmember Randle expressed that more information is needed than just sustainability 13 practices. 14 15 Mayor Webster summarized that the Council would like to see a formal report if taxpayer 16 funding is being used. 17 18 Mayor Webster asked Councilmember Randle if he would be more comfortable with the 19 proposal if the delegation were smaller. He stated that the City has an obligation to honor its 20 agreement with Salo to send four delegates. 21 22 Councilmember Jenson stated that he still felt there was time to renegotiate the delegation's size, 23 given that the Council was not consulted on the plan before this meeting. Councilmember 24 Doolan agreed that a smaller delegation would be more appropriate. 25 26 Mayor Webster clarified that previous communication with Salo leadership had not set a specific 27 number of delegations and that they were expecting anywhere from one to four individuals. 28 29 Councilmember Doolan asked if the delegation would be staying in hotels or with host families. 30 She emphasized that staying with host families could reduce costs. Councilmember Randle 31 informed Councilmember Doolan that last year, the plan was to stay with a host family that 32 would also likely provide meals. 33 34 Mayor Webster stated that she believed Salo would provide housing accommodations. 35 36 Councilmember Jenson reiterated the need for a substantial deliverable. He stated that he felt 37 four individuals on the delegation is far too many, and that three was likely too high as well. 38 39 Mayor Webster clarified to the Council that the desired delegation size would be two and that a 40 deliverable would be required to inform the community about what was learned and how it can 41 be applied to the City. 42 43 Councilmember Elnagdy stated that the goal of providing a report seems unclear. If the goal is 44 systems or process improvement, the Council should require stated proposals that include what 45 was working well in Salo, how it could be implemented in St. Anthony, the resources required, 46 and more. 18