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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 03/01/1999 SISTER CITY STEERING COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1999, 6:00 P.M. COMMITTEE ROOM— 1ST FLOOR—CITY HALL 1201 LEOPARD STREET, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS MEMBERS PRESENT ABSEN)r STAFF Mary Saenz John Marez Minta Moore Sue Dulaney Eff abeth Igresias - Marion Loucks Rudy Delgado Miguel Rendon Rose Gunji Rafael Carrizo Ronald Sepulveda Ramon Lopez Rachel Gonzales Yalee Shih Rene Cantu Angela Cordova Joe Garcia Lucy Reta Drue Combs Toni Lucario Elida Gonzalez Gary Hansen Charles Tamez Dr.Leo Carrillo CALL TO ORDER — The March 1, 1999 regular meeting of the Sister City Steering Committee was called to order at 6:08 p.m. ROLL CALL — The roll was called and the recording secretary announced a quorum was present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—Chair Reta called for the approval of the regular meeting minutes of February 1, 1999. Elida Gonzales asked to correct"Vallecilla" to "Vallecillo" and "6:30 a.m." to "6:30 p.m." Ramon Lopez moved to accept the minutes of February 1, 1999 as corrected. John Marez seconded and the motion carried. (Yalee Shih & Rudy Delgado arrived at 6:10 p.m.) TREASURER'S REPORT— Marion Loucks, staff liaison, gave a brief financial report. Ms. Loucks reported the balance of the Trust Fund is $6,532.35. Ms. Loucks also reported on the balance of the General Fund account, which is $17,381.29. Ronald Sepulveda, staff liaison, advised the Committee the accounts do earn interest. Ms. Loucks reported the Committee has also received donations from the Port of Corpus Christi and The Greater Corpus Christi Business Alliance for gifts for the Keelung, Taiwan delegation. DISCUSSION ITEM A. Discussion regarding naming a Sister City Park. Chair Reta introduced Miguel Soto, Vice-president of Yorkshire Estates Neighborhood Association and Cecil Henry. Mr. Soto informed the Committee that there is designated park land in Yorkshire Estates that could be a Sister City Park. The park is located between Lipes and Yorktown. The designated area is a mile and a half in length and ranges between 100 to 300 yards in width. The park also services six other subdivisions in the area. The Yorkshire Estates Neighborhood Association wants to raise funds for development of the park. They are asking Sister City for assistance. Chair Reta requested that Mr. Soto and Mr. Henry bring more information to the April meeting. SCANNED 1 Sister City Steering Committee Regular Meeting—March 1, 1999 Page 2 of 5 B. Discussion regarding the Annual Sister Cities International Conference, appointing delegates and funding source. —Chair Reta opened discussion regarding the Annual Sister Cities International Conference, appointing delegates and funding source. Chair Reta informed the Committee the Annual Sister Cities International Conference is being held in Little Rock, Arkansas from July 22, 1999 to July 24, 1999. The early registration price of$365.00 expired on March 1, 1999. Theirrgistration is now$390.00. Eight Committee members were interested in attending the Conference. Rudy Delgado suggested allocating an amount and dividing it among those that are attending the Conference. (Joe Garcia arrived at 6:30 p.m.) Gary Hansen recommended only 3 or 4 from the Committee attend the Conference. Sue Delaney, Rudy Delgado and Miguel Rendon withdrew from attending. Miguel Rendon suggested allowing four (4) to attend the Conference, preferably those who have not attended the Conference yet. Ramon Lopez motioned to allocate $2,000.00 for 4 people to attend the Conference. Miguel Rendon seconded. Gary Hansen and Joe Garcia opposed. The motion carried. C. Discussion regarding awarding a $500.00 scholarship to students who participated in the 1998 Student Exchange Program. — Chair Reta opened discussion regarding awarding a $500.00 scholarship to students who participated in the 1998 Student Exchange Program. Charles Tamez questioned the basis for awarding a scholarship. Miguel Rendon said the scholarship will help promote the Sister City Program. Discussion was heard and Mr. Rendon recommended voting on this next year depending on the success of the fundraiser. Chair asked if the Committee would like to table the discussion. Mary Saenz motioned to table the discussion. Joe Garcia seconded and the motion carried. D. Discussion regarding recommendation of selection committee to approve Nicole Vilencia as VIP representative to Yokosuka, Japan. — Chair Reta opened discussion regarding recommendation of selection committee to approve Nicole Vilencia as VIP representative to Yokosuka, Japan. Elida Gonzales asked what was the time frame for the Program. Mr. Hansen reported two volunteers from Yokosuka will arrive in Corpus on March 15, 1999 and depart April 2, 1999. Drue Combs and Nicole Vilencia will depart April 5, 1999 and return April 22, 1999. Mr. Hansen requested assistance with finding host families and transportation for the two volunteers from Yokosuka. Ramon Lopez motioned to approve Nicole Vilencia as VIP representative to Yokosuka, Japan. Miguel Rendon seconded and the motion carried. A:\SCMinutes\99MAROldoc.doc 1 Sister City Steering Committee Regular Meeting—March 1, 1999 • Page 3 of 5 (Ramon Lopez & John Marez left at 7:04 p.m.) E. Discussion regarding expansion of Sister City Student Exchange Program to send two students to Keelung, Taiwan and funding source. — Chair Reta opened discussion regarding expansion of Sister City Student Exchange Program to send two students to Keelung, Taiwan and determining the funding source.- Yalee Shih reported she has not yet given them an answer but informed the Committee Keelung is planning on sending two students this year. The trip will cost approximately $800.00 per student. Miguel Rendon reminded the Committee that a student exchange with Keelung was discussed last year and was decided to try to send two students this year. Mr. Rendon also reminded the Committee that the Port of Corpus Christi is trying to negotiate with Keelung and if the Committee had the funds,they should send the students. Marion Loucks, staff liaison, informed the Committee that whatever expenses were not covered from the operating fund could be pulled from the Trust Fund. Rose Gunji motioned to send two students to Keelung, Taiwan. Drue Combs seconded and the motion carried. (Rachel Gonzales left at 7:11 p.m.) COMMITTEE REPORTS— Toledo, Spain — Rose Gunji reported that Toledo Chair, Elizabeth Iglesias told her the student exchange is progressing well. Agen, France — Charles Tamez reported that a student from Agen has requested support for a year internship. Mr. Tamez will have more information at the next meeting. Veracruz, Mexico—No report. Monterrey, Mexico — Rudy Delgado reported he has spoken with a Monterrey councilman regarding the open invitation for their Mayor to visit Corpus Christi. They have requested a letter from Lloyd Neal to their Mayor as an invitation. Yokosuka, Japan — Gary Hansen reported he has spoken with Mr. Kawasaki and he is preparing for the VIP Program. Keelung, Taiwan — Yalee Shih reported she has just recently returned from visiting Keelung. Ms. Shih told Keelung she would send them information regarding the student exchange dates soon. Ms. Shih would like to discuss at the next meeting the possibility of student selection qualifications to include talent. A:\SCMinutes\99MAR01.doc • Sister City Steering Committee Regular Meeting— March 1, 1999 • Page 4 of 5 Projects Committee — Rudy Delgado reported he has called 42 teachers regarding the Young Artist Competition. Mr. Delgado received a phone call requesting the deadline for turning in applications be extended. The deadline will be extended a few more days, until the end of the week, March 5, 1999. However, the artiust be submitted by March 21, 1999 at 4 p.m. That deadline will be firm. Fundraiser Committee— Miguel Rendon reported that he was not able to meet with the fundraising committee. Mr. Rendon reported he will meet with them soon and at the next meeting they will have more ideas for fundraisers. (Charles Tamez left at 7.•22 p.m. Selection Committee — Elida Gonzalez reported she has received applications from all schools except King and Tuloso-Midway. Ms. Gonzalez also reported the chair of each city will serve on the selection committee along with Rose Gunji and Mary Saenz. They will meet at Heritage Park at 6:30 p.m. on March 9th and 10th for interviews. Activities Committee—No report. CURRENT CONCERNS— Chair Reta reported the Leadership of Corpus Christi will be having a fundraiser, "Passport to the World" at Kings Crossing. The fundraiser will be May 21, 1999 and tables will be $75.00 each. Rudy Delgado reported on the Texas Sister Cities Meeting. Mr. Delgado reported there were 15 in attendance. Mr. Delgado also reported their idea of"Taste of Corpus Christi" was well received. Mr. Delgado also reported that some Sister City Committees was getting funding from the CVB and perhaps they should look into that avenue. (Rudy Delgado left at 7:30 p.m.) Rose Gunji mentioned many other cities with Sister City Committees have public signs displayed in their cities and the Committee should consider having one in Corpus Christi. Chair Reta said she would look into that. (Yalee Shih left at 7:36 p.m.) HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC—None. A:\SCMinutes\99MAROLdoc t Sister City Steering Committee Regular Meeting—March 1, 1999 Page 5 of 5 ADJOURNMENT — As there was no further business, Chair Reta called for an adjournment. Sue Delaney moved to adjourn. Gary Hansen seconded and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. - idiae Marion Louck_ Superin endent of Cultural Services Park& Recreation Department A:\SCMinutes\99MAR01.doc