Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 08/16/2021 (2) w 1201 Leopard Street City of Corpus Christi td� � Corpus Christi,TX 78401 4 cctexas.com Meeting Minutes Sister City Committee Monday,August 16,2021 12:00 PM Galvan House, 1st Floor-Heritage Park 1581 N.Chaparral Street, Corpus Christi,TX 78401 Regular Meeting The City of Corpus Christi promotes participation regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability or political belief. Reasonable accommodation is provided upon request and in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For assistance or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact (361) 826-3300 at least 48 hours in advance. Upon request, this information can be available in larger print and/or in electronic format. A. Call To Order Chair Melody H. Cooper called the meeting to order at 12:05 pm. B. Roll Call Liaison Jacob Warren performed roll call. C. Public Comment No public comment was provided. D. Approval of Minutes and Action on Absences Approval of minutes for the 7/12/21 Sister City Committee Regular Meeting A motion was made by Chair Melody H. Cooper, seconded by Board Member Mirza Pearson, that the Minutes be approved. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. E. Discussion /Action Items Student Exchange Program -Almira Flores/ Luis Cabrera/Susane Horn / Valerie Harbolovic Vice Chair Luis Cabrera, Valerie Harbolovic, and Susane Horn presented the Student Exchange Program portion of the proposed FY21-22 SCC Budget to Mayor Paulette Guajardo. City of Corpus Christi Page 1 Printed on 811912021 Sister City Committee Meeting Minutes August 16,2021 It was stated that historically, only students from wealthy families have been able to attend the Student Exchange Program. Lack of funding prevented the SCC from offering larger scholarship amounts to student. This time they intend to offer one full scholarship in the amount of$1500 to a student, but they would ideally like to offer more than one. Other participating students will be provided $500 and will cover their remaining costs through individual fundraising efforts. The SCC is requesting additional funding for the Student Exchange Program to offer a more distinguished experience in the way of airfair, advertising, orientation, events, and miscellaneous expenses for students participating in the program. Cultural Exchange Program - Melody Cooper/Valerie Harbolovic/ Mirza Pearson Vice Chair Luis Cabrera, Chair Melody H. Cooper, and Valerie Harbolovic presented the Cultural Exchange Program portion of the proposed FY21-22 SCC Budget to Mayor Paulette Guajardo. The current plan for the Cultural Exchange Program is to provide for a music exchange event with Agen, France. The SCC wants to expand the Cultural Exchange Program to include an artist exchange program and a culinary artist/chef exchange program. The SCC is requesting additional funding for the Cultural Exchange Program to offer a more distinguished experience in the way of airfair, hotel costs, advertising, events, and miscellaneous expenses for participants in the program. 60th Anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Corpus Christi, Texas and Yokosuka, Japan - Mirza Pearson Vice Chair Luis Cabrera and Mirza Pearson presented the 60th Anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Corpus Christi, Texas and Yokosuka, Japan portion of the proposed FY21-22 SCC Budget to Mayor Paulette Guajardo. The 60th Anniversary Yokosuka-Corpus Christi Event will be a celebration between the City of Corpus Christi and Yokosuka, Japan as well as an opportunity to explore strategic partnerships for business developments, trade and investments, and expansions of the cultural and student exchange programs between the two cities. In particular, the SCC is proposing discussions to explore new opportunities in the energy, oil, and gas sectors. The SCC is requesting additional funding for the 60th Anniversary Yokosuka-Corpus Christi Event to offer a more distinguished experience in the way of airfair, hotel costs, advertising, events, transportation, activities/excursions, and miscellaneous expenses for the representatives from Yokosuka, Japan. Funding Sources - Michael Crowley/ Mirza Pearson / Luis Cabrera Members of the Sister City Committee discussed funding sources for the SCC with City of Corpus Christi Page 2 Printed on 811912021 Sister City Committee Meeting Minutes August 16,2021 Mayor Paulette Guajardo. Mayor Guajardo stated that she has taken a great interest in the SCC and wants to see it succeed and grow. She intends to assist the SCC in every way she possibly can, especially through establishment of stronger relations with our participating Sister Cities and by working towards creating a budget for the SCC that will allow it to expand its goals and possibilities. A follow-up meeting with an SCC sub-committee was requested for the week of 8/22/21 - 8/28/21. Financial Report - Shelly Rios The Financial Report was excluded from the meeting as it was no longer necessary. Budgetary information was discussed prior to the 8/16/21 SCC Regular Meeting. F. Identify Items to be placed on September 6, 2021 agenda - Further discussion is required on the proposed budget and possible extension of services offered by the SCC. - Request for establishment of bylaws for SCC. Research will be performed before the next meeting. - Mayor Guajardo requested records of previous attendees of student exchange program. G. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 1:25 pm. This meeting may be held via videoconference call pursuant to Texas Government Code § 551.127. If this meeting is held via videoconference call or other remote method of meeting, then a member of this governmental body presiding over this meeting will be physically present at the location of this meeting unless this meeting is held pursuant to Texas Government Code § 551.125 due to an emergency or other public necessity pursuant to Texas Government Code § 551.045. City of Corpus Christi Page 3 Printed on 811912021