HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 06/07/1999 SISTER CITY STEERING COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1999, 6:00 P.M.
COMMITTEE ROOM— 1ST FLOOR— CITY HALL
1201 LEOPARD STREET, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
MEMBERS PRESENT ABSENT STAFF
Mary Saenz Sue Delaney Gary Hansen s Rene Cantu Marion Loucks
Rudy Delgado Miguel Rendon Drue Combs Dr.Leo Carrillo Angela Cordova
Rose Gunji Elizabeth Iglesias Yalee Shih Ramon Lopez
Joe Garcia Rachel Gonzales Toni Lucario John Marez
Elida Gonzalez Lucy Reta Charles Tamez Minta Moore
CALL TO ORDER — The June 7, 1999 regular meeting of the Sister City Steering
Committee was called to order at 6:17 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 May 3, 1999. Drue Combs moved to accept the minutes of May 3, 1999
meeting as written. Charles Tamez seconded and the motion carried.
TREASURER'S REPORT — Marion Loucks, staff liaison, reported the balance of the
Trust Fund as $5,733.85. The balance of the General Fund is $17,452.78. Ms. Loucks
informed the Committee these reports are incomplete due to difficulties accessing the
accounts. Ms. Loucks reminded the Committee that $10,300 from the General Fund has
been used for airfares for the student exchange and there also may be some interest that
has accrued on the accounts.
DISCUSSION ITEM
A. Discussion on Sister City Park. Chair Reta opened discussion on Sister City
Park. Chair Reta introduced a representative from the Yorkshire Estates Neighborhood
Association, Mr. Rodney Cline. Mr. Cline asked the Committee for their support in
having the Sister City Park in their neighborhood. Mr. Cline brought a map showing
where the park would be located. The park measures approximately a mile and a half
long. Mr. Cline informed the Committee there are approximately 140 homes in the
Yorkshire Estates subdivision that would have access to the park along with several other
subdivisions and a senior center in the area. Mr. Cline stated he would like to see a
walking sidewalk the entire length of the park, along with benches and trees and possibly
a playground. Mr. Cline advised the park would be targeted mainly towards the children.
(Joe Garcia arrived @ 6:37p.m.)
Drue Combs would like to put for discussion on next month's agenda any other alternate
park locations available.
SCANNED
Sister City Steering Committee
Regular Meeting—June 7, 1999
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Discussion on invitation to send a delegation to Hagen, Germany. Chair Reta opened
discussion on invitation to send a delegation to Hagen, Germany. Chair Reta reminded
the Committee they have been invited to Hagen, Germany from September 20, 1999 to
September 27, 1999.
Toni Lucario reported she has checked airfares to Germany and there is a fare to
Brussels, Germany that runs $500 to $600. Hagen is an hour and a half by train from
Brussels.
Drue Combs, Mary Saenz, Yalee Shih, Toni Lucario and Rudy Delgado expressed
interest in going to Hagen, Germany as a delegation.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Toledo, Spain — Elizabeth Iglesias reported she has received a fax that the students are
ready for the exchange.
Agen, France — Charles Tamez reported he has met with the students going to Agen.
Mr. Tamez will meet with them again in a few weeks.
Veracruz, Mexico — Joe Garcia reported he has not received information from the
consulate yet.
Monterrey, Mexico — Rudy Delgado reported a student has been selected from
Monterrey for the exchange. However, Mr. Delgado also reported this student needs a
host family from July 28 to August 11, 1999.
Yokosuka, Japan — Gary Hansen reported he has already had one orientation with the
students and will soon have a follow-up meeting. Mr. Hansen also reported he has
received a letter from one of the VIP participants. Mr. Hansen reported the letter was
positive and that she enjoyed her visit to Corpus Christi.
Keelung, Taiwan — Yalee Shih reported the exchange students are currently being
selected.
Fundraiser Committee — Miguel Rendon reported the "Taste of Sister City — Spain"
fundraiser has been moved to Wednesday, October 27, 1999. The fundraiser will be held
at the Bayfront Plaza Banquet Hall at 6 p.m. Mr. Rendon reported he will have meetings
to prepare for the fundraiser twice a month for the next couple of months. Mr. Rendon
also stated he will bring a sample ticket to the next meeting for approval and then get the
tickets made.
Activities Committee—Mary Saenz reported she is considering hiring a catering service
for the Farewell Party for the exchange students. Ms. Saenz will also check what other
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Sister City Steering Committee
Regular Meeting—June 7, 1999
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locations are available for the party. Ms. Saenz also requested Committee members sign
up to participate in the planned activities for the exchange students.
CURRENT CONCERNS
Chair Reta reminded the Committee of the Sister City Convention in Little Rock,
Arkansas from July 21, 1999 to July 24, 1999. Registration will be paid. There is an
allowance for four people to attend. Yalee Shih, Rose Gunji, Mike Rendon and Elizabeth
Iglesias expressed interest in attending. Rudy Delgado requested to be put down as an
alternate.
Chair Reta also advised the Committee of the West Side Business Association fundraiser
on June 24, 1999 at the Omni Bayfront hotel at 6 p.m. Tickets are$25.00 each. Ms. Reta
would like to see at least eight members attend. Charles Tamez, Toni Lucario, Mary
Saenz, Joe Garcia, Elida Gonzalez, Rudy Delgado, Rose Gunji, Yalee Shih, and Lucy
Reta expressed interest in attending.
Chair Reta also informed the Committee of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Banquet
that will be held on Monday, July 19, 1999 at the Bayfront Convention Center. Ms. Reta
will have more information.
Marion Loucks, staff liaison, informed the Committee the Sister City's budget next year
might receilve a ten-percent reduction. Ms. Loucks stated the reduction is not definite at
this time and she will keep them informed.
ADJOURNMENT—As there was no further business, Chair Reta adjourned the meeting
at 7:26 p.m.
Marion L cks, Superintendent of Cultural Services
Park&Recreation Department
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