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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 03/03/2008 N01,02.1314 7sie 417 Sister City Steering Committee , ��/( . Monday, March 3, 2008, 5:45 p.m. �� C/j1;`=C 4608 City Hall, 6th Floor Conference Room ci) 4 MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF ✓�Yti'�/�/. �/�'�/�'�/�/�, .ice"./.:v.%�/J�i'v✓�/%Vv Drue Combs H. Moretzsohn Randy Farrar- AE Chris Kailas Tim Dowling — 5:55- Javier Morin Farley Frazier - A Chris Semtner L6:45 Ellen Murry Flicka Rahn - A Almira Flores Willie Perez Sukhbir Singh - A Rose Gunji Sharon Phillips Westi Horn Brandi Williams Ann Jaime Danny Williams Melissa Melendez CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Sister City Steering Committee was called to order by Committee General Chair, Heather Moretzsohn around 5:50 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: Chris Kailas called roll. A quorum was met with 14 of 18 members present. Tim Dowling came in at 5:55 p.m. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Corrections were as follows: Randy Farrar did not lead the meeting, Heather Moretzsohn did. First page, next to last sentence, "resented" should be "presented" and "summery" should be "summary". Page 2, add "p.m." after 6:30. Add the word "the" on second sentence of third paragraph and before information. Under A, the ninth sentence, add the word "that" next to the last word and change the word "is" to "will be". Under C, place a comma after 2008. Under F, 5th sentence change Ellen Murry's name to Heather Moretzsohn. Under Committee Reports, item C, add after the word easels, "Amy Gazin said we had to take the posters down due to blowing and damage." Under item E, add "y" to the word "The". Under L, second sentence, begin it with "Brandi Williams reported that". The minutes were approved as corrected. IV. HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC: No one from the public. V. TREASURER'S REPORT: Chris Kailas reported that she did not have a financial report this month. VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS: A. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on Chess Tournament. Ellen Murry reported that the March 1, 2008 date was canceled due to some opposition and negative talk regarding the dueling chess groups. The new date was set with Dan Deleon, owner of the South Texas Chess Center, for May 10, 2008 at the same place. Ms. Murry feels she was able to neutralize some of the issues between the chess groups. Now, she said, we have more help in promoting our event. Drue Combs said to send the flyer out to everyone so we can post it at our places of work and other places. She suggested we can use the same press release, just change the date. B. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on official trip to Monterrey, Mexico via rented vehicle. It was discussed that the Committee would make an Official trip to Monterrey, Mexico over the Memorial Day weekend, May 23-26, 2008. Drue Combs said we need to push trade with Mexico; we need a workable plan, rooms, etc. to be taken care of and that way they can just plug into it. SCANNED C. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on Art Competition Reception, April 7, 2008 at Art Center. Rose Gunji passed around a sign up sheet for members to sign up to bring something for the Reception. Ms. Gunji asked Flicka Rahn to sing the Sister City Song again. Ms. Gunji announced that March 28, 2008 is the deadline for art teachers to get in their students' art work. She announced that the pictures would be on display from April 7, 2008 (during the Sister City Steering Committee's meeting) through April 30, 2008 at the Corpus Christi Art Center on Shoreline. Ms. Gunji asked to Committee to please stay after the meeting next month to support the students. Brandi Williams said there is a problem trying to get the newspaper to publicize the competition. Ellen Murry said that in the past we have waited to contact the news paper after we have chosen a winner. We have also announced the winner at Council and also recognized Council Member Marez for his contribution of the awards of $300, $200 and $100. Ms. Gunji said we will be sending the first place winner's art work to Washington D.C. before the end of the month. D. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on recommendation of two new Sister City Steering Committee members to replace George Kopf and Jonathan Lancaster. Heather Moretzsohn told the group about a new possible member she is recruiting from Veracruz, Mexico who could possibly help the Committee with that Sister City relationship. Chris Kailas told the Committee that Tamey Riley wanted the Committee to choose three new members. The Committee rejected that suggestion because they want to wait for the new applicant from Veracruz, Mexico to get in his application. Applicants were discussed. Ellen Murry said that Kim Wilson does not work. She is very organized with lots of organization skills. She has discretionary time and income. She is extraordinarily connected and has organizational skills like you've never seen. Ms. Murry also recommended Ms. Phyllis Roseman. She is a Rabbi's wife and in currently in Israel and is touching base with the Mayor of Netanya as a prospective new Sister City. Ms. Murry also said she was impressed with Mary Lou Brerven, since she worked with Rotary. Drue Combs suggested we do one applicant at a time. Ms. Combs moved we recommend Ms. Phillis Roseman. seconded the motion. The motion passed. Westi Horn moved the Committee recommend Kevin Aguilar Ferrari. seconded the motion. The motion passed. E. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on displaying of 2007 students' posters, originally displayed at the Airport. Heather Moretzsohn said she thinks we should put them up somewhere. Former Mayor Loyd Neal said we could display them at the County Court House around April 14. Sharon Phillips said there is art here at City Hall; perhaps we could show them here. Chris Semtner said he would check. Drue Combs and Brandi Williams will help get them displayed. VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. EXPO Planning Committee —. Heather Moretzsohn shared a draft letter asking our Sister Cities to come to our first Annual EXPO to display their products, wares, arts and culture. She asked the Committee to look it over and give feedback. B. Keelung, Taiwan — Tim Dowling — No new report till Mr. Dowling hears back from Yalee Shih concerning the correct dates. Otherwise, Mr. Dowling is traveling to Europe soon and will be visiting Spain. He will visit Toledo, Spain because it looks like a great place. He would like to have the names of our contacts there so he can let them know he is coming sometime in mid-June. C. Fund Raising Committee —For the most part the report was already made. D. Publicity Committee, Brandi Williams, Danny Williams —We do have the Young Artists Competition coming up and the Chess Tournament in May. The media has been contacted to cover the visitors from Yokosuka. Hopefully someone will show up. The paper is looking for an angle. Drue Combs told them that the visitors would be in their kimonos. Brandi said she will develop a relationship with the media; "the squeaky wheel gets the cheese". Ms. Williams asked the Committee for their help. She said publicity won't work without your help and passion for our projects. E. Art Competition Committee, Rose Gunji and Sharon Phillips — Report already made. F. Selection Committee, Randy Farrar and Brandi Williams — No report. Mr. Dowling left at 6:45 p.m. G. Agen, France, Ann Jaime — No report. H. Keelung, Taiwan, Tim Dowling — Mr. Dowling made his report earlier before he left. I. Monterrey, Mexico, Almira Flores and Willie Perez — Almira Flores said she sent an e-mail with information about our newly selected students for 2008. He responded and asked about the number of days. Dates were shared. J. Toledo, Spain, Flicka Rahn, Javier Morin, Melissa Melendez and Ann Jaime — Nothing to report. K. Veracruz, Mexico — Melissa Melendez said she can contact them but she needs a name and number first. Perhaps we could get that information from our Playa del Carmen contact. She will send an e-mail stating that the last time we were in contact with them was a little over 2 years ago. She asked for the names of the students who were the last to visit Veracruz. Chris Kailas will work to find those names for her. Drue Combs asked if we could contact Sister Cities International for help on a name of a contact. Ann Jaime said she is not interested in being on the Veracruz Committee anymore. L. Yokosuka, Japan, Westi Horn and Drue Combs —Westi Horn thanked everyone for the Pot Luck Dinner; it was so good. Drue Combs said these ladies are the ones who do the activities for our students. She also said it was a fabulous Pot Luck Dinner. Ms. Combs said they are coming back again next year. They got to see long horn cattle, horses and they had a chance to meet with the Mayor and Melody Cooper in the Mayor's office. Drue Combs and Westi Horn said they would send pictures to Brandi for publication in the newspaper. M. Curriculum/Training Committee, Brandi Williams, Melissa Melendez, Danny Williams — Ms. Williams reported that the first of the students' training sessions will be March 30, 2008. She said she doesn't have knowledge or the history of what she needs to do for that training session. Melissa Melendez expressed the same sentiment. Heather Moretzsohn suggested the three of them e-mail each other and set up responsibilities. Ms. Williams said Chris Kailas sent her a suggested letter and she liked it. She will be sending it out to the students. Ms. Moretzsohn asked that Melissa Melendez be added to the Committee and she noted that Danny Williams cannot meet before 5 p.m. Sister Cities Chairs will be invited; Brandi will send them all a note reminding them. N. Evaluation Committee, Ellen Murry and Ann Jaime — a. Playa Del Carmen — Heather Moretzsohn said the Airport is so very excited about Playa del Carmen because they want to open up an airline route between the two cities. Hopefully this is enough Community support to go forward with this relationship. Sally Gavlik gave date to go forward to the City Council. b. Bethinda, India — Ellen Murry said she and Mikaela went to the Indian Festival and met Mr. Gopal. The new incoming President for the Gulf Coast India Association wants Heather Moretzsohn and Ellen Murry to come to their next meeting to present our criteria for a new Sister City in Corpus Christi. c. Netanya, Israel — Ellen Murry said she had breakfast with Phyllis Roseman. She said Ms. Roseman is so excited that she wants to join the Committee. O. Activities Committee, Danny Williams, and Westi Horn — No report. P. Pen Pal Program, Danny Williams — Danny Williams said he is still waiting for contact information for the school Ms. Moretzsohn mentioned. VIII. GENERAL CHAIR'S REPORT— No report. STAFF REPORT — Chris Semtner told the Committee about the Festival of the Arts coming up March 28-30, 2008. He said there will be chalk art at the Art Center as well as other art forms. There will be dancing on Saturday night and Kent Ulberg and other sculptors will be in attendance. Drue Combs announced that there is a wonderful display of Western Art at the Art Museum. She said it was wonderful and not what you would expect. Melissa Melendez said she has ten free tickets for the Corpus Christi Symphony. Call her if you are interested. It was also announced that the HMS Pinafore will be here in Corpus Christi, tomorrow. Drue Combs suggested that a picture of the Corpus Christi skyline or a picture of the boat show would make good gifts for this year's gifts for the Mayors in the cities the students will visit. IX. CURRENT CONCERNS — No additional concerns. XI. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at around 7:45 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.