HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 02/02/2015 SISTER CITY COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting, February 2, 2015, 6:00 pm
6t" Floor Conference Room, City Hall
1201 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
MEMBERSP A MEMBERS P A STAFF
1. Misaki Berrios X9. John Sloan X Reba George
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2. Mark BradsherX 10. Alan Thornburg X Tess Allan
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3. Coretta GrahamX 11. Lee White X
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4. Westi HornX 12. Vacant X
5. Wan Sun KimX 13. Vacant X
6. Hailey KimballX 14. Vacant X
7. John MaldonadoX 15. Vacant X
8. Heather MoretzsohnX
Total: 8 7
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I. CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Sister City Committee was called to order by Alan Thornburg at 6:02 pm.
II. ROLL CALL: Tess Allan called roll. A quorum was met with 8 members present.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: John Sloan 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. DISCUSSION/ACTION
A. Recruitment of Sister City Committee Members
City Staff requested members to help recruit new applicants to fill 4 vacancies. The City
Secretary's office currently has 4 applications but the City Council would like to have at least 2
applications for every vacancy. John Sloan suggested recruiting new members from the schools
as a possible way to promote the Student Exchange program as well.
B. Spring Fundraiser
Lee White announced a Fundraising task group meeting on Wed, Feb 11 th at 6:00 pm.
C. High School Student Exchange
Alan led discussion regarding accepting an application of an emancipated minor and proceeding
forward with the interview process. After brief discussion Alan asked for a show of hands. The
vote was unanimous in favor of accepting the application and proceeding forward with the
interview process.
Alan then led discussion of considering High School Sophomores for the 2015 Student Exchange.
After some discussion Heather Moretzsohn moved to consider High School Sophomores in 2015
and in the future. After further discussion Alan amended the motion and moved to only open the
exchange to High School Sophomores for 2015 on a trial basis to be reviewed later to determine
the success. Hailey Kimball seconded the motion. Motion was unanimously approved.
VII. Liaison Reports
A. Yokosuka, Japan — Westi Horn shared a letter sent from Yokosuka's Mayor. City Staff gave
Westi a packet from H.G. Rubio with coins, books, and pamphlets from Yokosuka which could be
used for student training.
B. Agen, France — Heather Moretzsohn has had an email exchange with the French teacher from
Incarnate Word Academy who is interested in helping to find a student for the 2015 Exchange
program.
C. Keelung, Taiwan — None
D. Playa del Carmen, Mexico — John Sloan announced that Chief Rocha has been surveying the
surplus Fire equipment and John has been looking into the cost of shipping a container of
equipment and a fire truck. The container will have to ship from Miami and would cost $4,200
shipping the fire truck would cost $6,000. John will contact Chief Rocha regarding the costs and
logistics of getting everything to Miami versus driving everything to Brownsville. John will also be
coordinating his next trip to Playa del Carmen with the equipment delivery.
Heather Moretzsohn shared information regarding a possible partnership with a church
organization that sends a group to Playa del Carmon every year. After some discussion there was
a general consensus agreement to not partner with the Church at this time and to possibly
consider a partnership at a later date.
E. Toledo, Spain — None
VIII. Task Manager Reports
A. Publicity —Wan Sun Kim announced that she has made several contacts with the Caller Times
and the TV Station so if anyone has upcoming events then to please contact her with the details.
Alan requested that she have the media present for the Student Exchange Announcement after
the March 2nd meeting. Alan announced that Kiii did not agree to sponsor a student's travel fees
but is willing to offer free publicity through public service announcements and media coverage.
B. Curriculum/Training —John Maldonado announced that the student testing will take place in
March in the main library from 1 to 3. Alan let him know that he will need to have copies of all the
materials made.
C. Fundraising - Lee White announced that American Airlines has changed their mileage policy and
no longer allows individuals to gift miles to charities. Lee will look into the mileage donor possibly
purchasing a ticket directly for a student with their miles instead of donating the miles through
American Airlines.
Wan Sun Kim announced that she has been in contact with Andrews Distributing regarding a
student sponsorship. Alan suggested that if they are not able to sponsor a student they may be
willing to donate goods.
D. Activities - None
E. Selection —Westi announced that a revised application is available and the new deadline date is
Feb 6th at 5:00. The selection interviews will be on Saturday Feb 14th beginning at 9:00 am and
will be held in the Parks & Rec Conference Room. Alan suggested holding the interview with the
emancipated student last to allow for extra time for unusual circumstance questions. Heather
Moretzsohn and Farley Frazier have both agreed to host students.
F. Student Service — John Sloan announced that students will have an opportunity to help with a
second carwash. The carwash will be held at a Valero off Ennis Joslin Rd and the TAMUCC Zeta
Sorority will be helping as part of their service opportunity.
IX. Identify Items to be Placed on Next Agenda
None
X. General Chair Report
There will be a Student Exchange announcement after the March 2nd SCC meeting; dress
appropriately and bring a finger food dish. Westi will send an email to sign up for food.
Alan announced that he has been in contact with several City Council members who have agreed
to look into and support funding for the Sister City Committee and requested that John Maldonado
contact Lucy Rubio as a constituent of District 3 to solicit her support as well.
XI. City Staff Report
None
XII. ADJOURNMENT: Alan Thornburg adjourned the meeting at 7:01 pm.
Tess Allan
Parks & Recreation Department