HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 09/08/2014 SISTER CITY COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting, September 8, 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. Misaki Berrios X 9. Heather Moretzsohn X Reba George
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2. Mark Bradsher X 10. Donald Russell X Tess Allan
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3. Yvonne Fernandez X 11. John Sloan X
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4. Coretta Graham X 12. Alan Thornburg X
5. Westi Horn X 13. Luci Walker X
6. Wan Sun Kim X 14. Vacant X
7. Hailey Kimball X 15. Vacant X
8. John Maldonado X
Total: 11 4
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I. CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Sister City Committee was called to order by Heather Moretzsohn at
6:00 pm.
II. ROLL CALL: Tess Allan called roll. A quorum was met with 11 members present.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Don Russell moved to accept the minutes as submitted. Westi
Horn seconded. Minutes were approved.
IV. FINANCIAL REPORT: Current Available Funds is $5,277.77
V. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Veracruz, Mexico Liaison
John Sloan will be the new Veracruz, Mexico Liaison
B. Art Exchange from Japan
Japan sent materials for an International Art Contest inviting the Sister City Committee to
participate. City Staff gave the materials to Japan Liaison, Westi Horn.
VII. OLD BUSINESS:
A. 2015 Student Fundraising Goal
Item tabled
B. Del Mar Small Business Development Council/Global Trade Section Expo
Don Russell gave a brief report of the Trade Expo. Since the primary purpose of the Expo
was Economic Development the SCC table mainly served to raise awareness of the Sister
City Program.
C. September Luncheon for Counselors
City Staff reported that the CCISD Coordinator for Guidance Counselors is willing to have
the SCC speak at one of their meetings & that she is also glad to pass along the student
applications to the CCISD counselors. City Staff will send a letter and application to the
CCISD counselors through the CCISD office but needs to have the application first. Westi
and Heather will make final changes and send the application to City Staff.
D. New Sister Cities
John Sloan has drafted a letter to MG Chemicals, a company based in Italy that is building a
new factory in Corpus Christi, in hopes that they will financially sponsor a student exchange
between Corpus Christi and Tortona Italy. City staff will print the letter on City letterhead.
VIII. Liaison Reports
A. Yokosuka, Japan — no report
B. Agen, France — Heather heard from Apoline who said that she enjoyed her visit and gifts.
C. Keelung, Taiwan —Alan resigned as chair, Misaki Berrios agreed to become the new chair
and Hailey Kimball will be the backup.
D. Playa del Carmen — John Sloan reported that he met with Fire Chief Rocha. Rocha is
eager to work with Playa Del Carmen and is waiting on a formal request from the Fire Chief
in Playa Del Carmen outlining training and equipment needed. Chief Rocha is also looking
into traveling to Play del Carmen with two other Firemen to do some onsite training there.
Heather suggested another possible exchange with Playa del Carmen through the
Aquarium. We already send marine biologists to Playa del Carmen for research, John will
contact Tom Schmidt at the Aquarium to see if there is an opportunity to have an
exchange.
E. Toledo, Spain — no report
IX. Task Manager Reports
A. Publicity Reports — no report
B. Social Media/Website — It was suggested that we create posters for students to take with
them to give to our Sister Cities, much like the ones that their students bring here to share.
C. Curriculum/Training — no report
D. Fundraising — Heather reported that she has been looking into various grants and is
finding that the SCC program does not qualify for most grants since, as a general rule, they
do not cover airfare. It was suggested that the SCC contact airlines directly for possible
donations. Heather said she will contact her Rotary Club to request funds. Yvonne
reported that Diane Frazier knew of some interested donors and possible grant writers.
E. New Sister City Evaluation — Previously discussed under New Sister Cities Agenda Item
F. Activities — Alan reported that there are a few HEB gift cards with left over funds that can
be used to purchase necessary supplies for the October meeting potluck.
G. Selection — no report
H. Pen Pal — Heather will meet with Misaki
I. Student Service — John will contact the students to remind them of their presentations at
the October meeting.
X. Updates — Don Russell submitted his resignation. City Staff reported that Luci Walker is ill.
XI. Identify Items to be Placed on Next Agenda
Elect a new Chair& Vice Chair
XII. ADJOURNMENT: Hailey Kimball moved to adjourn the meeting. Westi Horn seconded. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:05 pm.
Tess Allan
Parks & Recreation Department