Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 12/08/2008 RECEIVED FEB 1 9 2009 Sister City Steering Committee Monday, December 8, 2008, 5:45 p.m. DIY SECRETARY'S OFFICE At the home of General Chair, Brandi Williams 2518 Scabbard, Corpus Christi, TX 78414 MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF Tim Dowling Westi Horn Kevin Aguilar-Ferrari-AE Sally Gavlik - A Randy Farrar Maria Jaramillo Jorge Brenner- AE Chris Kailas Almira Flores Sharon Phillips Drue Combs - A Wes Vardeman Janice Garrett John Rocha Melissa Melendez - R Rose Gunji Brandi Williams H. Moretzsohn - A Dora Hidalgo Danny Williams Javier Morin - A Willie Perez - R Flicka Rahn - A Phyllis Roseman - AE CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Sister City Steering Committee was called to order by General Chair Brandi Williams at 6:15 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: Chris Kailas called roll. A quorum was met with 12 of 19 members present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes for November 3, 2008 were read. Randy Farrar moved to accept the minutes with no corrections needed. Sharon Phillips seconded the motion. The minutes were approved. IV. TREASURER'S REPORT: DISCUSSION ITEMS: Ms. Kailas reported that the General Fund report remained the same with a total of $16,128.19. The PALS Fund also remained unchanged with $5,177.24. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS: A. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on recommendation of two applicants to replace Dr. Melissa Melendez and Willie Perez. The Committee was given a very large packet of applicants from the City Secretary's Office; some as new as today. General Chair, Brandi Williams did a brief overview stating that 4 removed themselves from the pile of applicants; they were Kim Wilson, A.J. Galvan, Ryan Evans and Lakendra Fredrickson. Ms. Williams asked for discussion. Several applicants were mentioned and discussed: Mary Lou Breven was nominated by Randy Farrar and seconded by Janice Garrett. Corina Valadez was recommended by Tim Dowling and seconded by Randy Farrar. Jennifer Walden was recommended by John Rocha and seconded by Danny Williams. Edward Frank Lewis was recommended by Brandi Williams and seconded by Westi Horn. Chris Kallas gave background information on Rene Baker whose application arrived today. Chris Kailas explained that a letter of Resignation had not yet been received from Dr. Melendez, only a phone call. It was recommended that the Committee vote twice for two people of their choice. The winner would be given Willie Perez place and the other Dr. Melendez's place once her letter of resignation arrives. The two candidates to be recommended are #1, Jennifer Walden with 10 votes and #2, Mary Lou Breven with 8 votes. The motion passed with a selection of two new members to be recommended. SCANNED B. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on Guy Marrow, artist and his request to represent Sister City in an art display in Agen, France. Ms. Williams explained that Mr. Morrow contacted Agen, France asking them to host him, paying all his expenses, as an American Artist from their Sister City, Corpus Christi, TX like he did in Toledo, Spain in 2002. A letter came from Agen, France asking the Mayor about this trip. A short discussion followed. Randy Farrar moved to turn down this project as a Corpus Christi Sister City project until he meets with the Sister City Steering Committee. Danny Williams seconded the motion. Discussion follow the motion was that Mr. Marrow should know better than to approach Agen, France first and not talk to the Sister City Steering Committee asking for their sponsorship. That request should have gone from the Sister City Steering Committee to the Mayor's office and then to Agen, France for their interest like it was handled back in 2002. The motion passed. C. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on a high school student exchange program in Playa Del Carmen. Since Heather Moretzsohn, who asked for the item to be placed on the agenda, was not at the meeting, it was tabled till next meeting. D. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on sending only 2 students instead of 4 students to Agen, France since we went over on the air fare in last year's budget. Another suggestion for discussion was we send 3 students to France. Randy Farrar said that for the last 4 or 5 years the Committee has traditionally sent 4 students to France. Mr. Farrar wants the Committee to be sure to spend all the travel money and not loose it at the end of the fiscal year. It was noted that the Sister City Steering Committee used to send 4 students to Japan. Ms. Horn said we could send 2 somewhere else and spend all the travel money. Randy Farrar moved the Committee send 3 students to France and 3 students to Japan pending Yokosuka's approval and if they don't approve, then the Committee send 4 students to Agen, France. The motion passed. E. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on starting an essay contest with money prizes much like the international Young Artists' Competition. This Item was tabled till Ms. Moretzsohn can be at the meeting. VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. Publicity Committee — No report but, Danny Williams expressed an interesting in working with Kevin Aguilar Ferrari on this Committee. B. Selection Committee — Randy Farrar passed around sign up sheets for the student interviews on January 10, 2009 at the Galvan House. There need to be at least 5 for the boy and 5 more for the girl interviews. He noted that the interviewers need to be at the Galvan house at 8 a.m. There will be a one hour orientation and agenda setting for the day. Interviews will start promptly at 9 a.m. There will be breaks during the day and lunch around noon. Mr. Farrar asked Chris Kailas to get the packets out early to the interviewers so they can study them and be ready on that Saturday. C. Fundraising Committee — Heather Moretzsohn — No report. D. EXPO/International Cultural Festival — No report. E. Agen, France — Ms. Maria Jaramillo was introduced to the French contact and they have been in touch via e-mail. F. Keelung, Taiwan — Tim Dowling — Mr. Dowling reported that there will be a new coordinator this year and he is waiting to hear from that person. G. Monterrey, Mexico — Almira Flores—No report. General Chair asked if anyone wanted to volunteer to work with Almira Flores as Co-chair to Monterrey, Mexico. John Rocha volunteered. H. Toledo, Spain — Flicka Rahn and Javier Morin — No report. Veracruz, Mexico —Jorge Brenner- No report, however, Dora Hidalgo volunteered to work with Dr. Brenner on this Committee. J. Yokosuka, Japan -Westi Horn and Drue Combs — No report. K. Playa del Carmen, Mexico— Heather Moretzsohn — No report. L. International Art Competition Committee— Sharon Phillips and Rose Gunji — Sharon Phillips and Rose Gunji reported that they will be sending out reminder letters in January to all their school contacts. M. New Sister City Evaluation — Heather Moretzsohn — No report. N. Activities Committee —Westi Horn, Sharon Phillips —Westi Horn report that they had not started yet. O. Curriculum Committee/Training —John Rocha — Brandi has packet. Westi Horn reported that Yokosuka, Japan has asked for a copy of our training materials. Ms. Williams will make a copy and then give her materials to John Rocha. O. Pen Pals — Danny Williams — Mr. Williams said he made contact with a couple schools but needs to follow up to see if they will participate. VII. IDENTIFY ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT AGENDA A. Discussion on purchasing tickets early to take advantage of the lower gas prices. Maria Jaramillio offered to work with Chris Kailas to get low price tickets. B. Brandi Williams would like to put the annual planning retreat on the agenda for discussion. C. Check last minutes and this past agenda for tabled items to replace on agenda and it was suggested to move the "Hearing From the Public" section up so guests don't have to wait so long to speak to the Committee. VIII. GENERAL CHAIR'S REPORT— Brandi Williams express her concern that we might not be getting as much from the Council as the Committee would like. She stated that she thinks the EXPO and International Cultural Festival is a good fund raising activity. She asked the Committee to think about other fund raising activities and please call Heather Moretzsohn to give her those ideas. The General Chair believes the Committee needs to show that we can do for ourselves. Ms. Williams also noted that the Laredo Texas International EXPO is coming up in the later part of January and that if Committee members want to attend, they should let her know. Ms. Kailas noted that we might be able to get a City van if there are enough members to warrant its use. Dora Hidalgo will get the exact dates for the EXPO. IX. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ellen Murry, a visitor, suggested that since we now have a patron, the Committee should visit him and ask him to match all fund raising efforts. Ms. Murry handed out invitations to Committee members to attend a Posada of boats next Saturday at her house on the Island. Ms. Dora Hidalgo invited the Committee to attend "Los Posadas en la Parque" at Heritage Park on Sunday, December 14, 2008. X. ADJOURNMENT: Danny Williams moved to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. The regular meeting was adjourned at that time. The Christmas Party dinner followed the regular meeting. 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.