HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 01/10/2000 - Special SISTER CITY STEERING COMMITTEE
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2000, 6:00 P.M.
BASEMENT TRAINING ROOM — CITY HALL
1201 LEOPARD STREET, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
MEMBERS PRESENT I ABSENT I STAFF
Blanca Becerra Elida Gonzalez Elizabeth Iglesias Charles Tamez Kathryn Barth Ronnie Sepulveda
Drue Combs Rose Gunji Miguel Rendon Joe Garcia Angela Cordova
Rudy Delgado Gary Hansen Lucy Reta Ramon Lopez
Sue Dulaney Alexander Heatherley Yalee Shih Toni Lucario
Rachel Gonzales Sophia Hernandez Mary Saenz Johnnie Norman
CALL TO ORDER — The special called meeting of the Sister City Steering Committee was
called to order at 6:09 p.m. by Chair Miguel Rendon.
ROLL CALL — The roll was called and the recording secretary announced a quorum was
present.
(Sue Dulaney & Yalee Shih arrived at 6:10 p.m.)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES — Chair Miguel Rendon called for the approval of the regular
meeting minutes of December 6, 1999. Charles Tamez moved to accept the minutes of
December 6, 1999 as written. Elida Gonzales seconded and the motion carried.
TREASURER'S REPORT —Ronnie Sepulveda, staff liaison, gave a brief financial report. Mr.
Sepulveda reported that the balance of the General Fund is $17,495.96, the balance of the Trust
Fund is $2,831.30.
(Rudy Delgado arrived at 6:15 p.m.)
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. Discussion regarding organizing a fundraiser. — Chair Rendon opened discussion
regarding organizing a fundraiser. Mr. Rendon pointed out the Trust Fund is very low. Charles
Tamez commented he thought a dinner fundraiser would work out well and the Taste of Sister
City that had been tentatively planned last year is a good idea. Discussion was heard.
(Gary Hansen arrived at 6:22 p.m.)
Chair Rendon advised that those interested in ideas for a fundraiser meet on Tuesday, January
18, 2000, the location would be announced.
B. VIP Exchange. — Chair Rendon opened discussion regarding the VIP Exchange. Gary
Hansen reported that Mr. Kawasaki has contacted him. They are planning on the exchange and
have already selected two people. Mr. Kawasaki also told him that they appreciate and are
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satisfied with the exchange and want to do the exchange this year. Mr. Hansen told Mr.
Kawasaki the Committee was looking at a March timeframe.
Mary Saenz recommended setting up a subcommittee to organize and form an agenda for the
exchange participants while they are here.
Mr. Hansen continued that the participants are two females, one is a volunteer that is 52 years
old and the other a college student that is 22 years old. Discussion was heard.
Drue Combs moved that we again participate in the VIP program and that one participant should
have their flight expense taken from the Trust Fund and the other participant pay their own way
with the stipulation that both are representatives of Corpus Christi and the Sister City Program.
Charles Tamez seconded and the motion carried.
Elida Gonzalez asked regarding obtaining grant money from Sister City International. Staff
would look into grant options. Gary Hansen recommended moving ahead on the selection
process for the VIP Exchange participants. Mr. Hansen also requested the committee members'
assistance. Charles Tamez, Johnnie Norman, Mary Saenz, Elida Gonzalez, Sue Dulaney, Rose
Gunji, and Yalee Shih volunteered to help. Sue Dulaney & Drue Combs volunteered to help
revise this year's application.
(Rose Gunji &Rachel Gonzalez left at 6:51 p.m.)
COMMITTEE REPORTS —
Toledo, Spain — Elizabeth Iglesias reported there is an interest in an exchange on the university
level for students from Toledo to learn English here.
Veracruz, Mexico — Charles Tamez requested background information on Veracruz. Chair
Rendon reminded him the student exchange takes place in July and contact needs to be made.
Lucy Reta volunteered to help out.
Monterrey, Mexico —Rudy Delgado reported the councilman has contacted him and they would
like to participant in the student exchange again this year. The councilman recommended one
male and one female student. Mr. Delgado also reported he has received brochures for the
Young Artist Competition and has information on art teachers.
Agen, France—Lucy Reta reported Mr. Robert Isaac has contacted her and reported the students
for the exchange have already been selected.
Keelung, Taiwan—No report.
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Yokosuka, Japan — Gary Hansen reported he received a card from one of last year's VIP
participants. Drue Combs reported an article was written regarding Yokosuka and Corpus
Christi's Sister City relationship in the JLGC Newsletter.
CURRENT CONCERNS —Alexander Heatherley reported his Kendo, martial arts group might
be making a visit to Monterrey, Mexico. Mr. Heatherley mentioned he would like to meet some
of the contacts in Monterrey. Rudy Delgado will give him the contact names. Mr. Heatherley
would like to extend an invitation to the contacts in Monterrey a visit to Corpus Christi. He will
let the committee members know if they do come to Corpus Christi.
Chair Rendon reported the Park & Recreation Board approved the committee's request for the
naming of Sister City Park. Their request has been moved to City Council and they will meet on
January 18, 2000. Mr. Rendon submitted a letter to the City Council January 10, 2000. Mr.
Rendon asked the committee members for their support at the council meeting.
Staff reported a letter from Tauguig, Philippines has been received requesting a meeting with the
Committee to become Sister Cities. The Committee decided they would send a letter to the
Philippines informing them they are not accepting additional Sister Cities at this time.
(Lucy Reta left at 7:08 p.m.)
Staff also advised the committee to set a long-range plan on further Sister City relationships. If
they are not going to add any more Sister Cities, they should inform Hagen, Germany and all
others with interest.
Elida Gonzales will be working with staff in getting the Sister City packets together and out to
the schools.
ADJOURNMENT — As there was no further business, Chair Rendon called for adjournment.
Charles Tamez moved to adjourn. Sue Dulaney seconded and the motion carried. The meeting
was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
, I.0 op af2,00a.
Ronald Sepulveda, Interim Superintendent
Cultural Services Division
Park&Recreation Department
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