HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 07/12/2004 e
Sister City Steering Committee
Regular Meeting
Monday, July 12, 2004
• City Hall-Council Chambers— 1201 Leopard Street
Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
MEMBERS'PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF
Dr. Mufid Abudiab Gary Hansen Dr. Hsiu "Mindy" Chang Dr. Gustavo
Sue Dulaney Elizabeth R. Rose Gunji Valadez
Randy Farrar Iglesias Regis Barber Chris Kallas
Amanda Jane Haney Ann Jaime Bebe Morris Barbara Williams
Judy Benkendorfer Ellen Murry
Connie Munoz Sharon Phillips
John Rocha Yalee Shih
Westi Horn Flicka Rahn
Mary Ann Lopez
I. CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Sister City Steering Committee was called to order at 6:00
p.m. by Chair, Randy Farrar
II. Roll Call:
Recording Secretary called roll, announced quorum.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -Approval of the regular meeting minutes of June 7, 2004
Elizabeth Iglesias requested the minutes be corrected under IX Current Concerns and
VIII Staff Report. Gary Hanson requested a revision in VII-H to read that he would be.
unavailable for the VIP Exchange taking place in the fall because he would no longer be
on the committee. Randy Farrar requested to revise the minutes under VII-b to say "Mr.
Galyon reported Sister City International might entertain the idea to move the schedule to
August and also from Thursday to Monday."VII-g should read "they have their students
and will send us the names as soon as she gets them. VII-1To be corrected.
Gary Hanson made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected and it was seconded
by Elizabeth Iglesias. Motion passed.
Randy Farrar requested that Rebecca Hawns name not be placed on the roll until the
next_meeting in September due to there will be no meeting in August. He requested the
new members on the committee, Westi Horn, Flicka Rahn and Mary Ann Lopez,
introduce themselves and also there be a 30 minute orientation for new committee
members to be held immediately before the September meeting.
IV. HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC—To be postponed until the discussion items.
V. TREASURER'S REPORT— Chris Kailas reported a balance of$285.22 after purchasing
airline tickets at$8,133.84 for the exchange student, $600. went to the art students for
their awards and purchasing gifts for the Mayors of the different cities the exchange
students would be visiting after these expenditures $285.22 is left in the treasury.
SCANNED
VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Discuss "Letter of Intent" for Sister City Status between Paras, N.L. Mexico and
Corpus Christi, Texas.
Mary Helen Berlanga-Made a presentation to the committee regarding the
committee considering Paras, N. L., Mexico as a Sister City with Corpus Christi.
She sited the advantages of Paras being 18 miles into the border of Mexico, the
difference in cultures, customs and food. Paras has many activities to offer in that
it's like going back in time and the people of the town are very warm and friendly.
She stated it's a great opportunity for our students to learn or brush up on
Spanish. She also sited travel expense would be economical because you could
travel by car.
It was mentioned by a committee member that the Sister City Committee passed
by-laws by which SCC has been under a 5 year moratorium and the 5 years has
just expired and now Corpus Christi SCC can now consider other countries to
partner with. It was discussed that there have been other cities who had written
letters of intent that should be considered first. It was also suggested that the
process to partner with another country be taken slowly and a feasibility study be
done first. . It was pointed out that the Mayor is looking for a recommendation from
the committee regarding Paras. It was suggested that partnering with Paras could
be done through the School District and other organizations within our city. Sue
Dulaney moved to table the discussion on accepting Paras, N.L., Mexico as a
Sister City until the committee has an opportunity to research looking into other
cities as possible Sister City partners and it was seconded by Yalee Shih. Motion
passed. The Chairman asked that a motion be made to send a report to the
Mayor stating the consideration to look at Paras N.L., Mexico as a partnering
Sister City was tabled.
Yalee Shih made a motion to send a letter to the Mayor stating the position the
Sister has taken regarding Paras N.L., Mexico, and it was seconded by Gary
Hansen. Motion passed.
B. Discussion on election of General Chair for next year.
The Chairman discussed that his term would end in September 2004 and a new
chairperson elected at the October meeting. A nominating committee needs to be
appointed to formulate a list of candidates for the coming election. Randy Farrar-
Chairman expressed a desire to serve as Chairman for the 2004-2005 term.
VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Activities Report— Judy Benkendorfer, Sue Dulaney and Bebe Morris
Judy Benkendorfer gave a report of the activities for the exchange students. She
enlisted the help of committee members to serve as guides at the various events.
B. Wheelchairs for Peace — Sue Dulaney and Ellen Murry
Elllen Murry reported that Ann Jaime, Sue Dulaney and Gustavo Valadez will be
meeting with the Mayor of Veracruz and the Rotary. Mayor Neal will be making
the presentation of the wheelchairs to the Mayor of Veracruz on September 15th as
part of the Texas Independence celebration
C. Agen, France— Bebe Morris and Ann Jaime
Ann Jaime reported that the student arrived safely in Agen and the French
students are looking forward the visiting Corpus Christi.
D. Keelung, Taiwan - Yalee Shih and Dr. Mindy Chang
Yalee Shih reported that our exchange student and the exchange students from
Keelung finally got in touch with one another through e-mail. The students are
very excited to meet each other. She met with our exchange students and parents
for a briefing session before the students left for their foreign country.
E. Monterrey, Mexico—John Rocha and Ann Jaime
John Rocha reported the students are having a great time seeing the sights. He
has gotten several reports as to their well being.
F. Toledo, Spain—Mufid Abudiab and John Rocha
Spain did not participate in the Exchange Program.
G. Veracruz, Mexico— Elizabeth Iglesias and Sharon Phillips
H. Yokosuka, Japan—
1. VIP Exchange Update—Gary Hansen, Regis Barber
Student Exchange is on track. 2 female students are coming to.Corpus Christi.
Activities have been scheduled for them starting on the 22"d. Committee
members are helping with the activities after the other exchange students have
left. Gary Hansen informed the committee that Regis Barber will be continuing
on once Gary's term with the board has expired.
2. Dedication of Plaque to the Lady Lex from Yokosuka, Japan
Gary Hansen reported that Regis Barber is coordinating the dedication,
however, the dedication is contingent on the Mayor's schedule.
I. Focus Groups/Youth Programming
1. Curriculum Sub-Committee Report-Amanda Haney
2. Programming Sub-Committee Report.
The Chairman, Randy Farrar requested that item I be postponed until the next
meeting in September.
VIII STAFF REPORT
Dr. Gustavo Valadez reported that he and Chris Kailas were at the airport to see each of
the exchange students off to their exchange country, and all of the students and the
parents were very appreciative of their being there to see the students off.
Chris Kailas informed the committee that Bryce Corbet won the Art International
competition.
IX. CURRENT CONCERNS
Sue Dulaney requested additional help from the committee to volunteer with the student
activities. Westi Horn volunteered to entertain the Japanese students in her home.
Randy Farrar informed Westi.Horn and Flicka Rahn that appointments to the committees
will be made in October.
X. ADJOURNMENT—A motion was made by Ann Jaime and seconded by Yalee Shih. The
meeting adjourned at 7:33p.m.
Chris Kailas, Supervisor
Park& Recreation Department