The purpose of the committee is to recommend to the City Commission the policies and objectives for the overall partner cities program; make recommendations to the City Commission regarding the selection of partner cities; plan, develop, promote, and coordinate partner city activities, including, but not limited to, visits of individuals and exchanges of delegations, educational and informational exchanges and events with partner city communities, their nations and their cultures; develop goals and work plans regarding activities of the committee; review proposals from individual associations or other institutions for joint programs and assist in effective coordination of such activities; and when applicable, conduct fundraising for partner city activities and programs.

The Board of Zoning Appeals is a quasi-judicial board, which is granted the authority under state statute to approve or deny applications requesting relief from zoning regulations involving private property within the City of Manhattan. The board's decisions are made following quasi-judicial procedure, to develop findings of fact, based on evidence presented to it during a public hearing.