HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 09/13/2010 Sister City Committee RECEIVED
Monday, September 13, 2010, 6 p.m.
6th floor Conference Room, City Hall JAN 0 3 2011
1201 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX
CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE
MEMBERS PRESENT, MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF
Randy Farrar Alan Thornburg Gloria Sykes-Saucedo Laura Gonzales
Elizabeth Garza Brandi Williams John Rocha
Michele Hammock Westi Horn
Chris Kailas Tim Dowling
Donald Russell
CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Sister City Committee was called to order by Brandi Williams at 6:00
Pm.
II. ROLL CALL: Laura Gonzales called roll. A quorum was met with 9 of 12 members present.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Corrections: None
Randy Farrar moved to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion was
seconded by Michele Hammock. The minutes were approved as corrected.
IV. TREASURER'S REPORT: DISCUSSION ITEMS: Laura Gonzales reported that the General
Fund balance is $18,000. PALS account is $8,545.23.
Chris Kailas moved to accept the Treasurer's Report and Randy Farrar seconded the motion.
The Treasurer's report was accepted.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT: none
VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS:
VII.
A. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on reviewing City ordinance—decreasing the number
of committee members. Discussion was had about decreasing the number of committee
members. With the number of committee members we currently have, the committee is
able to be remain an active working committee. It would be hard for this committee to
reduce their numbers and still continue to do all the activities that are performed
throughout the year. It was discussed that we need to be pro-active and look at the
member's absences and make sure that those members are still wanting to be on the
committee so that we can have them resign if they are not going to attend. It was also
suggested that we call the people who are wanting to be on the Sister City Committee
and discuss with them what the committee does so that we are able to get the people
who are wanting to be on the committee and they know what the Sister City Committee
does. Chris Kailas moved not to reduce the number of members from twenty-one.
Michele Hammock seconded the motion, The vote was: Yes—8 and No-1 The motion
passed.
B. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on Adopting new By-Laws Randy discussed changes to
the by-laws for the committee to review. The committee gave Randy their ideas and
changes to the by-laws. Errors in grammar were also noted. Discussed changing the
name of Sister City sub-committees to Liaisons to each of the Sister Cities. Also
discussed changing the working sub-committees to Task Managers. Discussed that the
committee needs to have a distinct Vice-Chairperson so that the Vice-Chairperson can
conduct the meeting in the absence of the Chairperson. Also discussed adding to the by-
laws that the Chairperson can make an executive decision when necessary and in the
absence of the General Chair, the Vice-Chair will be able to make an executive decision
with city staff having reviewed and commented on the decision. Michele Hammock
moved to table further changes of the by-laws due to time constraints and to set a Special
Meeting in order to finish the discussion of the by-laws. Chris Kailas seconded the
motion. The motion passed. The meeting will be set for Monday, September 27, 2010
at the Galvan House in Heritage Park at 6:00pm.
C. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on Student Selection Packet Michele Hammock moved
that we discuss this Discussion and Action item in November. Chris Kailas seconded the
motion. The motion passed.
D. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on.Student Exchange Agreement—Tim and Donald
worked on changes to the Student Selection Packet. Discussed student training and if
they are able to make up days that they have missed, fundraising, work service projects
that would benefit the city (eg:Parks and Recreation) and fulfillment of their training
contract. Also discussed how to make sure that the host families will provide a safe
environment for the exchange students. Chris and Tim will look into background checks
and if there is a cost associated with this and if there is, would we possibly have this fee
waived. Randy Farrar moved to appoint Tim Dowling and Chris Kailas to further
investigate background checks with Carlos Valdez and Jim Kaelin and report back at the
next meeting. Elizabeth Garza seconded the motion. The motion passed. Donald
Russell moved that the memo from Tim, Donald, and Drue represent the direction the
committee would like for the document to be developed. Chris Kailas seconded the
motion. The motion passed.
E. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on Student Presentation Pot Luck Dinner Laura will
purchase cake, cookies, and punch for the presentations. Presentations are at 7:00 after
the October General meeting. Michele Hammock moved to use PALS money to buy
cake, cookies, and drinks for the Student Presentations. Westi Horn seconded the
motion, The motion passed.
VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Publicity Committee— No Report
B. Curriculum/Training Committee— No Report
C. Selection Committee— No Report
D. Fundraising Committee— No Report
E. Art Competition Committee— No Report
E. International Cultural Festival/EXPO— No Report
G. Yokosuka, Japan— No Report
H. Agen, France— Brandi received an email from Agen liaison and she will follow up.
I. Keelung, Taiwan — No Report
J. Monterrey, Mexico— No Report
K. Toledo, Spain— No Report
M. Playa del Carmen — No Report
N. New Sister City Evaluation Committee—We have several requests for new Sister
Cities— Shama,Ghana, Africa and Dongdegeou, Korea. They were forwarded to Drue
but since she has resigned, Brandi will start the process.
O. Activities Committee—All activities are done and everything went well.
P. Pen Pal Committee— Principal Packets will go out next week.
Q. Vera cruz— No Report
IX. IDENTIFY ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT AGENDA—
I. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on Election of a new Chair
X GENERAL CHAIR'S REPORT:
A. Election of a Vice-Chair— Discussed during the meeting
B. Role/Description of Staff Liaison — Discussed that the committee is doing the
work and the work not being done by the staff liaison.
C. Description of responsibilities of each member and the role of a
subcommittee— Discussed during the meeting.
D. Letter from Nilda Diaz, mom of Lino Diaz— Mrs. Diaz sent a reply email back
to Brandi letting the committee know how appreciative she was of the Sister
City Committee and the opportunity that was given to Lino.
XI ADJOURNMENT: Michele Hammock moved to adjourn and Chris Kailas seconded
the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm.
Laura Gonzales, Sister City Recording Secretary
Cultural Services Division
Parks & Recreation Department