04/23/2009
SISTER CITIES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 23, 2009
Present: Linda S. Damsky Chair
Robert A. Freedman Vice-Chair
Carlen Petersen Board Member/Councilmember
C.E. Snedeker Board Member
Lois Sewell Board Member/Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.
Absent: Katie Bosley Board Member/Youth Representative
Also Present: Margo Walbolt Cultural Affairs Manager
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:42 p.m. at the Long Center.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order
.
2 – Approval of Minutes
– January 29, 2009
It was stated the name in item 3 on page 3 should read Steve McCabe.
Member Petersen moved to approve the minutes of the regular Sister Cities Advisory
Board meeting of January 29, 2009, as corrected. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
3 – Election of Officers
Member Petersen moved to reappoint Linda Damsky as Chair and Robert Freedman as
Vice-Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4 – Old Business
4.1 Middle School and High School Exchanges
Cultural Affairs Manager Margo Walbolt reviewed visits to Clearwater by Nagano high
school students in February and middle school students in March 2009. Coachman
Fundamental parents and the school’s assistant principal were commended for their efforts.
Discussion ensued with comments that the Teacher of the Year had provided an
energetic demonstration of her technology-based teaching style and that the exchange had
been meaningful. It was hoped that these exchanges can continue.
4.2 High School Exchange Program 2009
Ms. Walbolt said four students were chosen to participate in this year’s high school
exchange program to Nagano. The students, all Clearwater residents, represent Clearwater
High School, Countryside High School, Palm Harbor University High School’s International
Baccalaureate program, and home schooling. They have participated in four orientation
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sessions and performed volunteer work and fundraising activities. Chair Damsky will chaperone
the group. Airfare costs have decreased since last year.
4.3 City Council Proclamation & Presentation – April 15, 2009
Ms. Walbolt said the April 15, 2009 City Council proclamation recognized Clearwater
and Nagano's 50th Anniversary as Sister Cities. An original Nagano document has been
framed.
5 – New Business
5.1 Future meeting dates: July 23 and October 29, 2009.
Consensus was for meetings to begin at 4:00 p.m. at the Long Center.
5.2 Update on 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2009/10
Ms. Walbolt reported that Mayor Hibbard will participate in the Nagano Samurai Festival
parade on October 11, 2009. A reception for the Mayor is planned. Nagano has requested
confirmation regarding the City’s official delegation. Due to pressing economic challenges, the
City’s delegation may be small; at this point, the Mayor is the only confirmed member. It was
requested that staff email the school board regarding possible interest.
Member/CSCI (Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.) Representative Sewell said the
organization tentatively plans a ten-day stay in Japan with a three-night stopover in Nagano that
coincides with the Mayor’s visit. Ten members have expressed interest; many are unable to
participate while school is in session. A PSA (Public Service Announcement) has been
submitted to the media. She hoped to have an estimate of the number of travelers by June1.
Member Freedman discussed NEA (National Endowment of the Arts) funding for travel
for a cultural performing arts exchange. The application deadline is in July.
5.3 Japanese Culture and Lantern Festival – April 25, 2009
a) Consulate General of Japan (Miami)
b) Items received from Nagano
c) Schedule of events
Ms. Walbolt reported the Consulate General of Japan’s office had applied for funding
from the Japan Foundation and passed it through to Clearwater for the festival. The Japanese
th
Culture and Lantern Festival on April 25, 2009 celebrates Clearwater’s 50 anniversary with its
Sister City Nagano, Japan. For the festival, Nagano sent lanterns, fans, handheld lanterns with
LED lights, wet wipes with pictures, buttons, and postcards. The festival will feature a Nagano
booth staffed by the USF (University of South Florida) Japan outreach coordinator. The
Consulate General of Japan from Miami will attend and is bringing a robot. Ms. Walbolt
reviewed local groups that will attend, marketing efforts, and planned exhibits, demonstrations,
and entertainment. Luminaries will decorate Station Square Park and participants will carry
lanterns in the 8:00 p.m. procession.
Ms. Walbolt requested board members begin to gather at 7:30 p.m. Their efforts will be
recognized during the ceremony. The event will promote group networking, provide support for
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future programs, encourage long-term student involvement, and enhance interest in Japanese
culture and language classes. Asian items will be offered for sale at CSCI tables.
5.4 PCS (Pinellas County Schools) report
a) Selection of teachers for summer 2009
Chair Damsky reported teachers from Bay Point Elementary and Carwise Middle School
were selected for the exchange program and will travel to Nagano this summer.
5.5 CSCI Report
a) Young Ambassadors Summer Program
Member Sewell said nine students and four adults will participate in the Young
Ambassadors Summer Program to Japan. The group will travel in June and visit Nagano,
Kyoto, and Tokyo.
b) SCI Newsletter
Member Sewell said the next SCI newsletter will be published in June and feature the
middle school visit from Nagano.
c) Recent & Upcoming Activities
Member Sewell reported work is continuing on the CSCI logo and website. The annual
meeting was held last week. The graduating student member of CSCI will be replaced by
Tokako Thibodeau, who has been very helpful to the organization. Ms. Walbolt said Ms.
Thibodeau did an origami demonstration at the recent diversity luncheon and confirmed the
translation of the 1957 certificates.
5.6 Exhibits & Activities
a) City Hall Lobby:
??
Through May 30, 2009 - June Colburn - Japanese Textiles Designs
b) Clearwater Main Library:
??
Through June 30, 2009 - Special Collections, Fourth Floor - Gifts to the City and its
citizens from government officials and cultural exchange visitors from Nagano.
??
Through April 30, 2009 - Lobby Display Cases - Ceramic Arts by Josh Riley
??
Through May 26, 2009 - Carnegie Gallery - June Colburn – Japanese inspired quilts
??
Through May 26, 2009 - Osceola Gallery display cases - Collection of Kokeshi (wooden
dolls) from Japan
6 – Items not on the Agenda
Ms. Walbolt said photographs and scrapbooks related to the history of the Sister City
relationship between Clearwater and Nagano are being scanned. Efforts are underway to
organize the items in chronological order.
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Ms. Walbolt said following next year's closure of the Harborview Center, cabinets
housing the kimono and other Japanese items may be relocated to the Main Library entrance.
The size of the largest cabinet will be reduced. It was stated that locating this collection in the
Main Library will allow more people to view it.
Ms. Walbolt said the Annual Advisory Board Appreciation Dinner is on April 29, 2009.
Ms. Walbolt said this is her last meeting; she will retire from the City on May 22,2009.
Board members were invited to a reception that afternoon at the North Greenwood Recreation
Center. Additional activities are planned for late afternoon at the Capitol Theater.
Ms. Walbolt was complimented and thanked for her efforts on behalf of the Sister Cities.
Felicia Leonard will probably replace Ms. Walbolt as liaison and facilitate board
meetings. Ms. Walbolt said some budget funding will roll over to the next year and provide the
opportunity to continue Sister Cities' efforts. The public was encouraged to contact the City
Council regarding the importance of Sister Cities' programs.
7- Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
Next meeting - July 23,2009 at the L~:-UC1J1
Chair - Sister Cities Advisory Boar
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