01/28/2010
SISTER CITIES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 28, 2010
Present: Linda S. Damsky Chair
Carlen Petersen Board Member/Councilmember
C.E. Snedeker Board Member
Lois Sewell Board Member/Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.
Margo Walbolt Board Member
Absent: Katie Bosley Board Member/Youth Representative
Also Present: Felicia Leonard Administrative Support Manager
Elizabeth Minor Cultural Affairs Programmer
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:12 p.m. at the Long Center.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order
.
2 - Welcome
- new member Margo Walbolt
3 - Guest Speaker
- Cyndie Goudeau re: Sunshine Law
City Clerk Cyndie Goudeau reviewed the Sister Cities Board mission to “Make
recommendations for the effective functioning of sister cities activities and advise the city
commission of sister cities program issues that might impact the expansion or development of
the program.”
Ms. Goudeau discussed how the Sunshine Law relates to advisory board activities.
Discussion ensued regarding the effect of the Sunshine Law on board member activities
outside of meetings.
4 - Approval of Minutes
- December 17, 2009
Member Sewell moved to approve the minutes of the regular Sister Cities Advisory
Board meeting of December 17, 2009, as submitted in written summation to each board
member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5- Old Business
:
5.1 Nagano Lantern Festival
Cultural Affairs Programmer Elizabeth Minor said Nagano had sent materials for
Clearwater to design and craft thirty lanterns for Nagano’s Lantern Festival in February.
Nagano will send photographs of Clearwater’s lanterns. As the project required much effort, it
was suggested that student art classes be invited to participate next year.
6 - New Business
:
Sister Cities 2010-01-28 1
6.1. Nagano High School visit – February 2010
Ms. Minor reviewed the itinerary and home stay visits scheduled for visiting Nagano high
school students. As feedback indicated that students prefer more opportunities to practice
English, they will be accompanied by an English teacher, not a translator and guide.
6.2. Nagano Middle School visit – March 2010
The Nagano middle school visit will include thirteen students, two adults, and a tour
guide. Home stays are being arranged. Clearwater Fundamental School is enthusiastic about
these visits.
6.3. Nagano Delegation – April 2010
A joint planning session with the City Council is scheduled for February 10, 2010. Staff
has gathered cost information for potential activities during the delegations’ three-day visit,
tentatively scheduled to begin on April 22. Approximately eight members of the delegation will
stay in hotels and approximately 20 members have requested home stays. The visit coincides
with Fun ‘n Sun evening concerts.
Recommendations were made for staff to issue a formal invitation to the Japanese
Consulate General in Miami to be part of the visit and to establish a relationship with St.
Petersburg College.
6.4. CSCI Report
CSCI (Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.) representative Lois Sewell said orientations are
underway for the Young Ambassadors trip to Nagano. CSCI is updating its website. The
annual membership party is on Sunday. Work continues on the anniversary book that will be
presented to the delegation in April.
6.5. Election of Officers
Member Petersen moved to appoint Lois Sewell as Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Damsky moved to appoint Margo Walbolt as Vice Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
7 - Items not on agenda
Discussion ensued regarding airline tickets and costs for students and teachers traveling
to Nagano. Ms. Minor said the travel agency expected airfares to be reduced in mid-February.
Sister Cities 2010-01-28 2
8 - Upcoming events
February 6
February 19 - 21
March 5 - 7
March 9
March 20
April 10
April 23 - May 2
Coachman Park -
E.C. Moore Fields
Citywide
Coachman Park
Coachman Park
Various Locations
American Cancer Society Super Bowling Tournament
Knology Clearwater Sea Blues Fest
USF Under Armour Invitational
Clearwater General Elections
Wild 94.1 WildSplash Concert
AFLAC Iron Girl Clearwater
Fun 'n Sun Festival
NEXT MEETING - April 8, 2010 at Long Center, 4:00 p.m.
9 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
1F~
Chair ~ ister Cities Advisory Board
Sister Cities 2010-01-28
3