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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 11/06/2006 41, M 2007 Sister City Steering Committee41 P COOV .1- Regular Meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. CITY SCF.ET�a '` Monday, November 6, 2006 2 ICE City Hall, 6th floor conference room, 1201 Leopard St. e� OFF atsr, , MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF Drue Combs H. Moretzsohn Patricia Garcia -A Chris Kailas Randy Farrar Ellen Murry Elizabeth Iglesias - R Dr. Gustavo Valadez Almira Flores JJ Nelson Ann Jaime —AE Rose Gunji Sharon Phillips Peter Kunta-Mensah -A Ridge Hammons John Rocha Jennifer Nesmith - R Cecilia Hanna Van Phan Villa-6:08 Gilberto Porter- AE Westi Horn Flicka Rahn - A Sukhbir Singh - A CALL TO ORDER: The Sister City Steering Committee meeting was called to order by General Chair, Heather Moretzsohn around 6 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: Chris Kailas called roll. A quorum was met with 13 of 19 members present. III. ANNOUNCEMENTS: There were no announcements IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Randy Farrar noted that the last meeting date on the minutes was September 11, 2006 and should have been October 2, 2006. Mr. Farrar moved the minutes be approved as amended. Ms. Van Villa seconded the motion. The motion passed. V. STUDENT REPORT FROM LESLIE FRAZIER, KING HIGH SCHOOL: Ms. Frazier presented her power point presentation and handed out for the Committee to view her two photo albums; one was made by and given to her by our Japanese counter parts. The other album was made up of all the pictures she took while visiting and during our activities. VI. TREASURER'S REPORT: Chris Kailas reported that neither of the funds, the General fund or the PALS fund changes and that the balances are still $8,943 (GF) and $2,972.93 (PF). VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS: A. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on Committee positions and responsibilities. Randy Farrar noted that the By Laws lists the names 8 Sub-Committees which are one for each Sister City, Selection and Activities and all other committees are to be called Special Sub-Committees. He moved that the Responsibilities of Sister City Steering Committee Positions reflect the By Laws and be approved as amended. The motion was seconded by Ms. Van Villa. The motion was passed. B. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on location of December meeting and holiday social. Chris Kallas said the Galvan House had been saved for that event is the Committee wanted to meet there. Cecilia Hanna moved that the Committee hold their annual Holiday dinner and regular meeting at the Galvan House. Westi Horn seconded the motion and the motion was passed. C. DISCUSSION AND ACTION to set dates and location for the Strategic Planning sessions. Ellen Murry handed out an overview of the events. She said Bobbie Reed SCANNED would cost $200, plus, she will do the write up of all the information off the clip board papers. The Corpus Christi Art Center will loan their Center to the Committee free of charge. A continental breakfast and a lunch will be served. There will be 3 main sessions. The Committee will breakup to do the exercises. The whole committee will brainstorm the goals and strategies for each goal based on the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats identified. In the spring, the Committee will get back together to do a mini-session to update and tweak those goals and strategies. Ms. Murry moved that the Committee spend the funds on Ms. Reed as our facilitator and Drue Combs seconded the motion. The motion passed. D. DISCUSSIN AND ACTION on the 2006-2007 draft time-line. Cecilia Hanna moved to accept the time line as written. Randy Farrar asked Ms. Hanna if the motion could be amended, by separating the exchange dates and placing them on another piece of paper and keeping them as "Tentative Dates". Ms. Hanna agreed. John Rocha seconded the amended motion. The motion passed. E. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on current flags at the Airport and purchase of flag stands and plaque from Marez' salary transfer. Rose Gunji and Judy Benkendorfer visited with Amy Gazin to discuss having a display of the Sister City Flags and a plaque at the airport. Ms. Gunji stated that the Committee could use the current flags, put the information about the program on Plexiglas (less expensive than bronze). General Chair Heather Moretzsohn said we could send Ms. Gazin a memorandum of understanding explaining that if the Committee should need to use one or more of the flags when dignitaries from our Sister Cities are visiting, they could do so temporarily leaving a note explaining why the flag is missing and then return the flag(s) when the visit is completed. Ms. Gunji reported that there are several choices of flag stands. First, there is a stand that holds 3 flags for $89 and there is a single flag stand for $44. If we got one 3 flag holder and 2 single flag holders the cost would be $177. Dr. Valadez said he would check the internet for both a Plexiglas plaque and for flag stands. Mr. JJ Nelson suggested the Committee purchase 5 individual stands. Though they would cost more, about $220, they would offer more flexibility and allow for other Sister Cities to be added. Mr. Nelson also offered to do a 3 x 5 map showing the location of all of Corpus Christi's Sister Cities. Cecilia Hanna suggested we might want to put a map of Corpus Christi's Sister Cities at all of the High Schools. Mr. Nelson said let him know how many we need and he would check with Del Mar's GIS department to see if they would donate one or more maps. Ellen Murry suggested the Committee move forward with the flags and plaque and check into adding the map. Ms. Murry asked if perhaps there was anyone who would like to help Ms. Gunji with this project since Ms. Benkendorfer is no longer on the Committee. Ms. Drue Combs volunteered. Cecilia Hanna moved the Committee purchase 5 individual bases and a Plexiglas plaque for the airport. Drue Combs seconded the motion and the motion passed. F. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on use of Marez' salary transfer for the Sister Cities International Young Artists' Competition. Ms. Rose Gunji reported that the cash awards for the winners would total $600. In addition, she would need another $45 for shipping and handling for mailing the winner's art work. Randy Farrar moved the Committee provide $645 for the cash awards and the shipping and handling of the winning art piece to Sister Cities International. Dr. Ridge Hammons seconded the motion and the motion passed. G. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on developing a power point presentation to update the City Council as to all the Sister City Steering Committee programs. General Chair Heather Moretzsohn explained that the power point presentation was necessary. Oscar Martinez told Ms. Moretzsohn that at one time, the Sister City Steering Committee has a budget of$30,000. However, because he and the City Council didn't know what Sister City Steering Committee was about, they cut the program funds. Ms. Moretzsohn believes that a power point presentation showing past successes, current undertakings and future plans would be very helpful now since the Council and City Staff is getting ready to go into the budget planning period for 2007-2008. Cecilia Hanna said the PR Committee would help to put this together. JJ Nelson suggested we get one or two slides from past exchange students explaining how the exchange has helped them. It was noted that Carlos Valdez was a Corpus Christi Sister City Exchange Student at one time. Also, our current student, Larry Dechant's mother, Margaret Dechant, at the University was an exchange student too. Drue Combs said she has some old materials if the Committee is interested but, she reminded the group that the Council and the Budget Director are more impressed by the Committee's influence on economic development over the years. Heather Moretzsohn brought up the EXPO idea again saying that she hoped the Committee would remember it when we meet on November 181h to work on the Strategic Plans. She said the EXPO will be going to San Antonio after Laredo and they would like to come to Corpus Christi after that. Chris Kailas stated that there are some businesses with Corpus Christi ties already, in Keelung, Monterrey and Yokosuka. It was suggested that we remember to input information about the Yokosuka Dance Group that came and the Wheelchairs of Peace Program. Gustavo Valadez suggested the draft copy be ready by December 1, 2006 so he can review the power point presentation and so that the Committee would have time to edit and rehearse the presentation. Ellen Murry moved to develop a power point presentation showing what the Committee accomplished in the Past, what we are currently doing and what is planned for the future. Van Villa seconded the motion. The motion passed. H. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on new fund raising idea. Ellen Murry asked Chris Kailas to report on what is happening with the Chess Tournament fund raising event that was voted on some time ago. Ms. Kailas said she had called Mr. Daniel Deleon at the local Chess Center as asked about the Sister City Steering Committee sponsoring a tournament in 2007. Their calendar was looked at and he suggested that sometime in January would be a good time to hold the First Annual Sister City Chess Tournament. Ms. Kailas checked with Oveal Williams Senior Center to see if the Committee could use the Center. Gustavo Valadez said the Committee would be responsible for setting up, breaking down and cleaning up the center after the event. Chris Kailas said that the Senior Community Centers' Kitchen will take care of the concession stand as a fund raising opportunity for them. The Committee will also need to secure raffle prizes and door prizes for the event. Drue Combs moved to hold the First Annual Sister City Chess Tournament at the Oveal Williams Senior Center on January 27, 2007. Cecilia Hanna seconded the motion and the motion passed. VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Selection Committee: Cecilia Hanna, Randy Farrar and Patricia Garcia — At the beginning of the meeting, Cecilia Hanna passed around a sign up sheet for student interviews coming up on December 9-10, 2006 at the Galvan and McCampbell Houses. Ms. Hanna thanked the 5 who signed up for Dec. 9 and the 6 who signed for Dec. 10, 2006. B. Fund Raising Committee: Ellen Murry, JJ Nelson — Report was made under Item H. C. Publicity Committee: Cecilia Hanna, Gilberto Porter, and Sukhbir Singh — No report. D. Art Competition Committee: Rose Gunji and Sukhbir Singh — Ms. Gunji said her report was completed under Item F. E. New Sister City Evaluation Committee: Ellen Murry— No report. F. Agen, France: Ann Jaime, Ridge Hammons and Van Phan Villa — No report. G. Keelung, Taiwan: Peter Kuntu-Mensah — No report. H. Monterrey, Mexico: John Rocha and Almira Flores — No report. I. Toledo, Spain: Flicka Rahn — No report. J. Toledo Art Exchange: Gustavo Valadez — No report. K. Toledo Music Exchange: Flicka Rahn - Ms. Rahn said she had a response from Toledo, Spain concerning the Toledo/Corpus Christi Music Exchange. She will keep the Committee apprised of dates as they come in. L. Toledo Spanish Training: Gustavo Valadez— No report. M. Veracruz, Mexico: Ann Jaime— No report. N. Yokosuka, Japan: Westi Horn and Drue Combs — Drue Combs asked if the trip she is planning to Yokosuka would be considered an Official Trip. It was asked to be placed on the Agenda for next month. O. Curriculum/Training Committee: Patricia Garcia and Sukhbir Singh — No report. P. Activities Committee: Sharon Phillips, Flicka Rahn — No report. IX. GENERAL CHAIR'S REPORT: Heather Moretzsohn - No report. X. STAFF REPORT: Gustavo Valadez — Dr. Valadez offered thanks and kudos to the new General Chair, Heather Moretzsohn. She has been doing a good job. XI. CURRENT CONCERNS: J.J. Nelson asked if a City Logo could be sent to him. Cecilia Hanna asked for a current list of 2006 Students to be sent to her. XII. ADJOURNMENT: JJ Nelson moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting and Ridge Hammons seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned around 7:30 p.m. Chris Kailas, Sister City Recording Secretary Cultural Services Division Parks & Recreation Department The following guide explains the attendance code: AE —Absence Excused for those who were absent due to illness or Sister City Travel R— Resigned Examples of arrival or leaving times—arrival, 6:07 p.m.; or leaving, L7:00 p.m.