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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 12/06/1999 SISTER CITY STEERING COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1999, 5:30 P.M. MULTICULTURAL CENTER—HERITAGE PARK 1581 N. CHAPARRAL, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS MEMBERS PRESENT ABSENT STAFF' Kathryn Barth Elida Gonzalez Miguel Rendon Joe Garcia Mary Saenz Marion Loucks Blanca Becerra Gary.Hansen Lucy Reta Rose Gunji Ronnie Sepulveda Rudy Delgado Alexander Heatherley Yalee Shih Sophia Hernandez Angela Cordova Sue Dulaney Elizabeth Iglesias Charles Tamez Ramon Lopez Rachel Gonzales Johnnie Norman Toni Lucario CALL TO ORDER—The regularmeeting of the Sister City Steering Committee was called to order at 6:22 p.m. by Chair Miguel Rendon. ROLL CALL — The roll was called and the recording secretary announced a quorum was present. - . APPROVAL OF MINUTES — Chair Miguel Rendon called for the approval of the regular meeting minutes of November1, 1999. Elida Gonzales requested Joe Garcia's name be deleted from the "Members Present" and Lucy Reta's name be moved to the "Absent" list. Johnnie Norman moved to accept the minutes of November 1, 1999 as corrected. Charles Tamez seconded and the motion carried. TREASURER'S REPORT — Marion Loucks, staff liaison, gave the financial report. Ms. Loucks reported that the balance of the General Fund is $17,996.20 as of December 1, 1999. Ms. Loucks reported she is still having difficulty accessing the Trust Fund account. As of mid- November,'the Trust Fund balance was $2,666.35. The Committee received a reimbursement check from Sister Cities International in the amount of$1,170.00. The final projected balance is $3,836.35. Ms. Loucks assured the Committee next month they will get a more detailed and accurate Trust Fund balance. - N . DISCUSSION ITEMS: ' A. Discussion regarding naming a Sister City Park. — Chair Rendon advised the Committee that the Park Board met last month and their request to name the park was tabled. Mr. Rendon reported there will be a meeting this Wednesday,December 8, 1999 at 5:00 p.m. in the Basement at City Hall. Mr. Rendon requested that four or five meet together Tuesday, December 7, 1999 to work out a plan on approaching the Boardwith their request to name the park. Chair Rendon,Charles Tamez, Lucy Reta, and Johnnie Norman will help plan for the Park Board Meeting. (Rachel Gonzales left @ 6:35 p.m.) ' �C ANNED C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\99DEC06.DOC Sister City Committee Regular Meeting—December 6, 1999 Page 2 of 3 COMMITTEE REPORTS— Yokosuka,Japan—Gary Hansen reported he has received a letter from Mr. Kawasaki indicating he would like to participate in the Volunteer Intern Program again this year. Mr. Kawasaki suggested doing the exchange in January or March. Mr. Hansen suggested the exchange take place in late February or early March and advised Mr. Kawasaki he would present the proposal to the Committee and get back with him. Staff emphasized the importance for the Committee to make a commitment as a group to help all they can if the VIP exchange is to be successful. Discussion was heard and a consensus of the membership agreed to accept Yokosuka's invitation and have two exchange delegates and in return, send two exchange delegates. The exchange delegates selected by the Committee would have to pay their own way. Committee suggested that the exchange take place in early March so the Committee will have time to prepare for the exchange. Gary Hansen agreed to bring more information to the next meeting. Toledo, Spain — Elizabeth Iglesias reported there is an opportunity to study Spanish in Toledo. They are looking at perhaps an exchange at the university level. Veracruz, Mexico—No report. Monterrey,Mexico—No report. Agen, France —Lucy Reta reported Mr. Robert Isaac called asking what was being planned for the Millennium. Ms. Reta sent him a fax with information. Keelung, Taiwan — Yalee Shih reported the signing ceremony between the Port of Keelung and Port of Corpus Christi went well. The representatives from the Port of Keelung enjoyed their stay and the city of Corpus Christi. Chair Rendon thanked the committee members who attended the signing ceremony and dinner. CURRENT CONCERNS —Chair Miguel Rendon reported a representative from Bolsena, Italy visited with an interest in become a Sister City. Mr. Rendon and Elida Gonzales gave him a tour of the city. He will come back to visit, but in the meantime, will send some information regarding Bolsena and a video. Chair Rendon thanked the hospitality committee, Sue Dulaney, Kathryn Barth and Rose Gunji, for putting together the party for Marion Loucks. Rudy Delgado reported Mr. Sandoval, an art teacher from Calallen High School, has contacted him wanting to know what the theme and plans are for the Young Artist Competition this year. Mr. Delgado suggested the Committee select a chairman for the Young Artist subcommittee, C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\99DEC06.DOC Sister City Committee Regular Meeting—December 6, 1999 Page 3 of 3 preferably someone who works closely with the schools, especially CCISD. Alexander Heatherley and Blanca Becerra will co-chair the Young Artist subcommittee. In view of the low Trust Fund balance, Charles Tamez inquired about the fundraiser. Chair Rendon reported that last year they had some good ideas for a fundraiser, but there was not enough support from committee members. Mr. Rendon suggested that at the next meeting they discuss a fundraiser by the May or June timeframe. Mr. Rendon encouraged all the members to regroup and fully participate in planning for the fundraiser this year. Yalee Shih reported that the Asian Cultures Museum would be hosting a Christmas PotLuck Party on Friday, December 10, 1999 at 6:00 p.m. All the committee members are invited to attend. Ms. Shih also reported she has been contacted by the Korean, Chinese and Philippine governments who have an interest in becoming Sister Cities. Sue Dulaney reminded the Committee that Hagen, Germany would also like to become a Sister City. The Committee also agreed upon moving the regular meeting of January 3, 1999 to January 10, 1999. ADJOURNMENT — As there was no further business, Chair Rendon called for adjournment. Rudy Delgado moved to adjourn. Yalee Shih seconded and the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:21 p.m. Ronald G. epulveda, Staff Liaison • Cultural Services Division Park &Recreation Department C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\99DEC06.DOC