HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 05/04/2015 SISTER CITY COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting, May 4, 2015, 6:00 pm
6t" Floor Conference Room, City Hall
1201 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
MEMBERSP A MEMBERS P A STAFF
1. Charlie Bass X9. Heather Moretzsohn X Reba George
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2. Misaki Berrios X10. Alan Thornburg X Tess Allan
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3. Mark Bradsher X11. Lee White X
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4. Ashley Higson X 12. Vacant X
5. Westi Horn X 13. Vacant X
6. Sunny Kim X 14. Vacant X
7. Hailey Kimball X 15. Vacant X
8. John Maldonado 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 Alan Thornburg at 6:00 pm.
II. ROLL CALL: City Staff called roll. A quorum was met with 10 members present. Charlie Bass
requested a moment of silence in remembrance of Police Chief Simpson.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Lee White moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Mark Bradsher
seconded. Minutes were approved.
IV. FINANCIAL REPORT: None
V. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
VI. DISCUSSION/ACTION
Disney Friends for Change Project
The Committee members discussed Ivonne Cruz's request for financial or volunteer help with the
Disney Friends for Change Project proposed at the April 2015 meeting and determined that at this
time the SCC is not able to help. Alan suggested that the Committee direct Ivonne to the Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce as a potential source of help. Heather moved that the Committee allow her to
communicate the decision with Ivonne. Charlie Bass seconded. Motion was unanimously
approved.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Alan reported that he and Heather met with Theresa Rodriguez, President of the Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce, to discuss the possibility of their stepping in as the liaisons for the 4 Hispanic Sister Cities:
Toledo, Spain, Veracruz, Playa del Carmen and Monterrey, Mexico; and stated that Theresa is very
interested in moving forward with the proposal. Heather reported that Theresa is familiar with the
Sister City Program and is willing to move the entire Sister City Program under the Hispanic Chamber
of Commerce. Heather requested that Committee members send her any questions they may have
regarding the potential move. Since the change would result in an agreement between the City and
the Chamber Reba George will meet with Theresa and report back to the SCC at the June meeting.
VII. Liaison Reports
A. Yokosuka, Japan — Westi reported that they will choose their students this month and that she
has requested that they select girls.
B. Agen, France — Mark reported that there are two students coming from Agen. The girl, Mannin
will be staying with the Rendon's and the boy, Author, will be hosted by either a contact of Alan's
or with Charlie Bass. Mark has arranged for our student, Mikaela, to meet with the French
teacher from IWA. And Mark announced that his job will be moving him to Georgia and that his
move date is currently scheduled for June so he will have to resign from the SCC. John
Maldonado agreed to take over the Liaison duties with Agen and Charlie Bass agreed to be the
alternate.
C. Keelung, Taiwan — Misaki reported that two female students have been chosen from Taiwan.
They will arrive on July 21St on the same flight as our student, and depart on August 7th. One will
stay with our student and the other will stay with Heather.
D. Playa del Carmen, Mexico— None
E. Toledo, Spain — None
F. Veracruz, Mexico— None
VIII. Task Manager Reports
A. Publicity — Sunny requested that everyone let her know of their upcoming activities so that she
could be sure to get them to the press.
B. Curriculum/Training — John Maldonado announced the training went well and is completed.
Last year's students all came and provided their required training. John has received the Parental
consent forms from two families but is still waiting on the forms from the Holscher's and the
Rendon's.
C. Fundraising — Lee announced that the first round of donation request letters have been sent with
very limited response. Another round of letters will be sent to individuals and he's hoping for a
better response. He requested permission to move forward on another Go Fund Me campaign
with a $5,000 goal to pay 100% of the 2016 student travel costs. Lee reported that after further
discussions with Sue at Coastal Bend he has found that they are unable to pay for student travel
but they would like to fund an event and she has directed him towards a fundraising event in a
private home. Sunny Kim announced that if water or soda was needed for any of the activities
she would be able to find a donation for that. Reba announced that the Director of Parks & Rec
has asked her to try and find the funds to pay the Sister City International dues of$1,300.
D. Activities — Heather announced that she will begin looking in to the gift certificates from
Whataburger and HEB.
E. Selection — None
F. Student Service — John Maldonado received the materials from John Sloan. The May 16th car
wash date is being changed as that is the date for Beach to Bay and cars will be unable to enter
the parking lot. John will contact the students to determine the best date in June. Heather
suggested that the carwash be postponed until the international students are here as this is an
American culture type of event that they have probably never experienced. Hudson is the only
student from last year that needs to complete his service hours so the other two students can be
reimbursed their deposit. May 30th is the Walk for Diabetes at 9:00 in Dolphin Park and students
can earn 3 service credits for this event. John Sloan also suggested sorting glass at the recycling
center so he'll try to find more information about that. The students have to perform 6 hours of
Community Service between now and next year.
IX. Identify Items to be Placed on Next Agenda
None
X. General Chair Report — The Committee welcomed new member Ashley Simper. Alan gave a report
demonstrating the lower cost of airline tickets when purchased early.
XI. City Staff Report - None
XII. ADJOURNMENT: Alan Thornburg adjourned the meeting at 6:58 pm.
Tess Allan
Parks & Recreation Department