HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 02/03/2014 SISTER CITY COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting, February 3, 2014, 6:00 pm
6t" Floor Conference Room, City Hall
1201 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
MEMBERS P A MEMBERS P A STAFF
1. Kevin Aguilar- X 9. Evan Paret X Reba George
Ferrari
2. Mark Bradsher X 10. Donald Russell X Tess Allan
3. Yvonne Fernandez X 11. John Sloan X
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4. Westi Horn X 12. Alan Thornburg X
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5. Wan Sun Kim X 13. Vacant X
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6. Hailey Kimball X 14. Vacant X
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7. Kelly Kimball X 15. Vacant X
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8. Heather Moretzsohn X
Total: 9 6
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I. CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Sister City Committee was called to order by Heather Moretzsohn at
6:01 pm.
II. ROLL CALL: Tess Allan called roll. A quorum was met with 9 members present. Heather
Moretzsohn announced that Kelly Kimball resigned from the Committee.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Alan Thornburg requested an amendment to the minutes. Donald
Russell moved to accept the minutes as amended. Westi Horn Seconded. Minutes were
approved.
IV. FINANCIAL REPORT: Current Available Funds is $7,949.60
V. PUBLIC COMMENT: John Maldonado introduced himself and expressed an interest in joining
the Sister City Committee.
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
Sister City Status with Monterrey, Mexico
Discussion centered on whether to take action in determining the official status of the Sister City
Relationship with Monterrey. Kevin Aguilar-Ferrari suggested tabling the discussion until the
Committee has determined their future direction. After continued discussion chair, Heather
Moretzsohn, proposed tabling the discussion until the Committee determines their future
direction. Kevin Aguilar-Ferrari seconded, Alan Thornburg, opposed; motion passed.
Kevin Aguilar-Ferrari moved to remove all inactive cities from the Liaison Reports on the
monthly Agenda until the Committee starts actively looking at new Sister Cities. Evan Paret,
Seconded. Motion passed.
Student Selection
Alan Thornburg announced the names of the four students who have applied for the 2014
student exchange to determine any conflicts of interest for Committee members interested in
being on the selection panel. Student interviews will be held on Saturday, February 15th
beginning at 9:30 am. After the March 3rd SCC meeting there will be a public announcement
letting the selected students know which country they will travel to.
Committee Member Recruitment
Tess Allan announced that the City Secretary's Office has requested that the Committee
members begin recruiting for potential new Committee members to fill the 4 current vacant
seats.
VII. OLD BUSINESS:
Whataburger Matching Grant
With Kelly Kimball's resignation there was no update or business to discuss.
Del Mar Small Business Development Council/Global Trade Section
Heather Moretzsohn will meet with Kevin Aguilar-Ferrari, John Sloan, Evan Paret and Donald
Russell at 10:00 am on Friday, February 14th at Sandy's Diner to discuss the Expo.
Goal Setting
Reba George reminded the Committee of the items discussed at the last meeting and
suggested that the Committee continue to do the excellent work it is currently doing. Continued
discussion focused on the possibility of finding a better fit with another City Department,
partnering with other outside organizations to build the Sister City Program, and educating the
Committee on its current Sister Cities. Reba George suggested bringing guest speakers from
our Sister Cities in to discuss future opportunities for the Committee and volunteered to help find
them. Item tabled until the next meeting.
VIII. Liaison Reports
A. Yokosuka, Japan — None
B. Agen, France — Chair, Kelly Kimball, has resigned will need to find a replacement. City
Staff will send out a revised Committee Appointment list and Roster.
C. Keelung, Taiwan — None
D. Monterrey, Mexico — none
E. Toledo, Spain — None
F. Playa del Carmen — Heather Moretzsohn drafted a letter for our local Police and Fire
Chiefs informing them of the desire to have an exchange. Kevin Aguilar-Ferrari thanked
John Sloan for his initiative and work developing a ground breaking type of template that
could potentially shape future Sister City exchanges.
IX. Task Manager Reports
A. Publicity Reports — None
B. Curriculum/Training — Alan Thornburg will contact Yvonne regarding the student test
information that will need to go out once the students are selected.
C. Fundraising — None
D. New Sister City Evaluation — None
E. Activities — None
F. Selection — Previously discussed under new business.
G. Pen Pal — None
H. Student Service —John Sloan will meet with Tim Dowling.
I. Historian — None
X. Updates
XI. Identify Items to be Placed on Next Agenda
• Goal Setting
• Del Mar Small Business Development Council/Global Trade Section Expo
• Sister City Status with Monterrey, Mexico
XII. ADJOURNMENT: Donald Russell moved to adjourn the meeting. Westi Horn Seconded. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:09 pm.
Tess Allan
Parks & Recreation Department