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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 08/04/2008 filtitt,Zelf C,<. Sister City Steering Committee c�/1�_ Monday, August 4, 2008, 5:45 p.m. V��` Fun Trackers — 9605 S. P. I. D. JAN Corpus Christi, TX 78418 9 2009 CRETgRYS 0 MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF FILE "'vV,WJ�..ti'�.NWH�i`.lI�.i.✓ "•l'J �^%li'- Kevin Aguilar-Ferrari Westi Horn Farley Frazier- out Chris Kailas Drue Combs Ann Jaime Willie Perez - A Chris Semtner Tim Dowling Ellen Murry Melissa Melendez - A Wes Vardeman Randy Farrar Sharon Phillips H. Moretzsohn - A Almira Flores Brandi Williams Javier Morin - A Janice Garrett Danny Williams Flicka Rahn - A Rose Gunji Phyllis Roseman - A Sukhbir Singh - R CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Sister City Steering Committee was called to order by Committee Member, Randy Farrar around 5:50 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: Chris Kailas called roll. A quorum was met with 13 of 19 members present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chris Kailas said there were no minutes for this meeting; she will have both sets at the next meeting. IV. HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC: There was no one from the public. V. TREASURER'S REPORT: DISCUSSION ITEMS: Ms. Kailas announced that the new budget is the same as last year. There were no changes from last month's budget report. VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS: A. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on recommendation of two new Sister City Steering Committee members. The Committee suggested the following names for recommendation to the City Council. 1. Yvonne Cruz; 2. John Rocha; 3. Jorge Brenner; 4. Mary Lou Berven and 5. Maria Guajardo. After a short discussion, Yvonne Cruz and John Rocha were selected to be the Committee's recommendations. These names will be forwarded to Tamera Riley at the City Secretary's office. Ellen Murry said there may be a concern with Ms. Cruz. She will let Heather Moretzsohn handle that when she gets back. B. SELECTION COMMITTEE REPORT, DISCUSSION AND ACTION concerning 2008 Selected Corpus Christi Exchange Student. It was reported that one of our selected students caused a problem this summer in France. It was our other exchange students who first reported the problems to their parents and the parents called the office to share the information. Using letters written by the other students and by staff liaison, Michele Stephanus of Agen, France for the Pecouls (French family involved), the Selection Committee and City Staff met with the student, his mother and aunt to discuss the allegations. The Selection Committee asked the local family to step out and they discussed the information they had and decided to ban our local student from further participation in the program. They asked him to write letters of apology to the Pecouls and to the Sister City Steering Committee and have them to the Galvan House by Friday of this week in lieu of re-payment of the air fare. A discussion followed. Tim Dowling asked about the evidence. Randy Farrar explained about the phone calls from our local parents, the letters from the other students who went to France, and the e-mailed letters from France. Ann Jaime, Committee Chair to Agen, France explained that the French family was offended by his behavior but SflJMNIRn because he is a child, they were sorry for him too. She said, "They don't want us to do anything to him." Mr. Farrar said that he believes that it was understood that if the student in question does not write the letters, that he will have to reimburse the City for the funds spent on the Air Fare. Kevin Aguilar-Ferrari said that he believes that the letter to the Committee should go instead to the Mayor and Council. The Steering Committee felt that the young man's name should not be put on TV or reported to the media. It was noted that if a letter is sent to the Mayor and the Council the letter would then become public information. Ann Jaime said that France and the Pecouls are willing to host another student next year. Drue Combs called the question. The Committee voted 9 in favor of the punishment and 2 abstained. VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. Keelung, Taiwan — Tim Dowling reported that there was a typhoon there but everything is OK. B. Toledo, Spain, Flicka Rahn, Javier Morin, Melissa Melendez and Ann Jaime — No report. C. EXPO Planning Committee — No report D. Fund Raising Committee — Ellen Murry, Danny Williams, Willie Perez — Ellen Murry reported that there are talks in the works for additional funding. L. Publicity Committee - Brandi Williams, Danny Williams — Ms. Williams reported that Lisa Garza, a City temporary employee made calls to the media for her and most all of them said "Oh yeah, I remember, but could you send it again." They said they would come to the Mayor's office event. F. Agen, France - Ann Jaime — Ms. Ann Jaime reported that the other students there did great. Young Mr. Pecoul is with Sara Rodriguez's family. Ms. Rodriguez went to France last year and has maintained a great relationship with her exchange student who is currently on the French Sister City Committee. The Rodriguez family has a spare suite and is happy to host him. G. Monterrey, Mexico - Almira Flores and Willie Perez —Almira Flores reported that everything is fine and their students are here. El. Veracruz, Mexico - Melissa Melendez — No report. I. Yokosuka, Japan - Westi Horn and Drue Combs — Ms. Horn said their students are here too. J. Curriculum/Training Committee - Brandi Williams, Melissa Melendez, Danny Williams — Ms. Williams noted that the Committee might want to consider some changes to the training curriculum for next year. She suggested that doing more activities such as car washes, etc. might help to build our local student group's cohesiveness especially with students that have identity problems, or those who might feel alienated outside their regular environment. Ms. Williams said she tried to warn the Committee about this child but the Committee said that the program was for all students, even those from poorer environments. Mr. Ellen Murry suggested the Committee to keep this year's problem in perspective. All the other youth, including others from the same environment, were great. K. Evaluation Committee, Ellen Murry and Ann Jaime — a. Bethinda, India — Ellen Murry said the Committee may want to rethink working with Coastal Bend India Association b. Netanya, Israel — No report. l.. Activities Committee, Danny Williams, Farley Frasier and Westi Horn —Westi Horn said most everything is taken care of. The planning committee could use some help with the farewell party. Wes Vardeman will be there with his 6 year old. John Rocha will be there and will bar-b-q chicken. Brandi Williams will bring drinks and ice. Ms. Horn asked Ms. Kailas to resend the food list as a reminder. Drue Combs said there is a problem with sailing on Thursday at 11 a.m. She asked if someone would contact Peter Davidson for use of the Marina boats. Wes Vardeman volunteered. M. Art Competition Committee - Rose Gunji and Sharon Phillips — Rose Gunji — No report. N. Pen Pal Program - Danny Williams — Danny Williams — Mr. Williams asked that the Contact information for the French Student be sent again. He said he will be sending out a letter to the schools about the program in about 2 weeks when school starts. VIII. GENERAL CHAIR'S REPORT— Ms. Moretzsohn asked Randy Farrar if he would be following up with the student discussed earlier. He said he would be calling the student to be sure he follows through with the letters he promised. Ms. Moretzsohn asked Ann Jaime to give a report on the Playa del Carmen trip. Ms. Jaime said the visit was wonderful. They had a great reception for the delegation. She said there was a round- table discussion concerning exchange opportunities. Ideas were Cultural Events, Music, Medicine, Import and Exports. She said they are looking forward to working with us. They asked how we selected our students. "Yes", she said, "they want to do that program too." Council Member Melody Cooper was there as were representatives from the City Police along with a representative from the Fire Department. They worked together to provide training the next week. They would love for the City to donate used equipment. IX. STAFF REPORT — Chris Semtner introduced the New Cultural Services Manager, Mr. Wes Vardeman. Mr. Vardeman said that during this next year, he will be focusing strongly on getting money for park maintenance; on expanding the park westward; and renovating the Ropes House. CURRENT CONCERNS — There were no new concerns at this time. VII. ADJOURNMENT: Drue Combs moved to adjourn the meeting. Danny Williams seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Kalla , 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.