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01/27/2011 SISTER CITIES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER January 27, 2010 Present: Lois Sewell Chair/Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. Margo Walbolt Vice-Chair George N. Cretekos Board Member/Councilmember Ariana Lazzaroni Board Member/Youth Representative Terry Gourdine Board Member Absent: Linda S. Damsky Board Member Also Present: Christopher Hubbard Recreation Specialist Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at the Long Center. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order . 3 – Approval of Minutes – October 14, 2010 Corrections were noted: 1) Scrivener’s error on page one; 2) Delete sentence one, paragraph four, page two; and 3) Amend paragraph six, page two to read, “Consensus was that no high school students will travel . . .” Member Cretekos moved to approve the minutes of the regular Sister Cities Advisory Board meeting of October 14, 2010, as corrected. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4 – Old Business 4.1. Nagano Teacher visit: October 17- November 15, 2010 Recreation Specialist Christopher Hubbard said Nagano teacher Kenzo Kawashima had enjoyed his visit, interacting with students, experiencing American life, and stopping at Bright House Field. He also took a City tour and visited area schools. Concern was expressed that Mr. Kawashima had not done a lesson plan and it was suggested that visiting teachers be encouraged to prepare a lesson to teach on Japan. It was stated previously teachers had shipped educational materials to Clearwater preceding their visits. It was noted that Mr. Kawashima was very sociable. 5 – New Business 5.1. Nagano High School visit: March 6-14, 2011 Six Nagano High School students, a chaperone, and tour director will visit in March. Sister Cities volunteer Nina Maran discussed the need for additional host families. Concern was expressed that visits to Clearwater schools are not planned due to home stay locations in Palm Harbor. It was suggested visiting students should visit Clearwater High, where text books are on Kindles. It was noted that Nagano students usually attend school together. Sister Cities Sister Cities 2011-01-27 1 Inc. is donating $100 to the March 10 Sayonara party and $100 to the March 24 party for middle school visitors. The City is donating the main dish and participants will bring dishes to share. Discussion ensued regarding entertainment; Member Gourdine will ask the Friendship Force to donate approximately $75 per party for entertainment. 5.2. Nagano Middle School visit: March 21-27, 2011 Twelve middle school students, two chaperones, and a tour guide will visit in March. Ms. Maran discussed the need for additional host families. Students prefer to stay in groups of two. It has been difficult to find host families since Clearwater Fundamental no longer supports the program due to budget cuts. It was suggested that program participant families should be expected to host visiting students and the expectation of reciprocation be included in the application. Discussion ensued regarding difficulties in making this a requirement. 5.3. Election of Officers Member Walbolt moved to reappoint Lois Sewell as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Cretekos moved to reappoint Margo Walbolt as Vice Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 5.4. CSCI Report Chair Sewell reported she is stepping down as CSCI (Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.) Chair. Eight middle school students and two chaperones are traveling to Japan in June as part of the Young Ambassador program. Students provide their own funding. It was suggested a scholarship program be established. Discussion ensued regarding fundraising efforts by high school students before they travel to Nagano and difficulties faced by younger students who want to raise funds. Member Gourdine moved to request that CSCI explore fundraising opportunities for a scholarship fund for students with financial hardship and contact the Friendship Force to partner on these efforts. The motion was duly seconded. Suggestions were made that the board instead request input from CSCI, which is a small organization, and that businesses could be approached to provide scholarships in proportion to need. It was stated this type of program would require significant planning and collaboration. Upon the vote being taken, Members Cretekos, Lazzaroni, and Gourdine, and Chair Sewell voted “Aye”; Member Walbolt voted “Nay.” Motion carried. Chair Sewell invited residents to attend CSCI’s annual get together on Sunday at the Cabana Club. As the Clearwater Sister City program is expanding to schools and host families outside Clearwater, it was recommended that the City Council lift the residency requirement for board members. Member Gourdine moved to recommend that the City Council lift its residency requirement for appointment to the Sister Cities board. The motion was duly seconded. Sister Cities 2011-01-27 2 Members Walbolt, Lazzaroni, and Gourdine, and Chair Sewell voted "Aye"; Member Cretekos abstained. Motion carried. 6 - Items not on the Agenda Proposed Sister Cities schedule Mr. Hubbard reviewed the proposed Sister Cities schedule: 1) 2012 - no middle school student visit to Japan - mutual high school and teacher exchange and 2) 2013 - no high school student visit to Japan - mutual middle school and teacher exchange. It was recommended that the schedule be presented to Nagano; it was hoped that Nagano would follow suit. It was noted that exchange program responsibilities need to be determined now that the City faces budget cuts and is requesting funds from CSCI, which historically has handled only the middle school exchange. It was stated that input from Pinellas County School Board also is needed. 7 - Upcoming Events: January 29: Linda Eder, Capitol Theatre, Downtown Clearwater January 30: CSCI Annual Membership Social, Cabana Club, Sand Key, 3 p.m. February 3 - 6: Fashion & Arts Week, Cleveland Street District, Downtown Clearwater February 13: The Manhattan Piano Trio, Peace Memorial, 3 p.m. February 17: Johnny Winter, Capitol Theatre, Downtown Clearwater March 12: Wildsplash, Clearwater March 13: Petapalooza, Clearwater March 6 - 14: Nagano High School visitors March 4 - 20: USTA Pro Tournaments, E.C. Moore Complex, various times March 21 - 27: Nagano Middle School visitors April 10: Aflac Iron Girl Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, 7:30 a.m. race April 29 - May 8: Fun `n Sun Festival, various locations 8- Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 5:31 p.m. Next meeting - April 28, 2011 at the Long Center - 4:00 p.m. Chair - S r Cities Advisory Board Attest: Board Reporter Sister Cities 2011-01-27 3 FORM 813 MEMORANDUM OF VOTING CONFLICT FOR COUNTY, MUNICIPAL, AND OTHER LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICERS LAST NAME-FIRST NAME-MIDDLE NAME CRE"TEKZ)S GEORGE /Y NAME OF BOARD, COUNCIL, COMMISSION, AUTHORITY, OR COMMITTEE S%5-TeR C--TiV,5 ?3o,A(tc- C1_EARrvA-EP Crry 6VNUI MAILING ADDRESS p? 1310 G V L t ?pV L &VA R'P, ' 10 Y THE BOARD, COUNCIL, COMMISSION, AUTHORITY OR COMMITTEE ON WHICH I SERVE IS A UNIT OF: ? COUNTY ? OTHER LOCAL AGENCY CITY CITY COUNTY C L IFrTA (tw A7 t '\ o -\)\N e Lll.AS NAME OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISION: CIT OF CLIeA&WATCR DATE ON WHICH VOTE OCCURRED MY POSITION IS: COV/VC11LA'oW E? Z 1 _*NAN V A &-J 'L40 \1 ELECTIVE A. I WHO MUST FILE FORM 813 This form is for use by any person serving at the county, city, or other local level of government on an app Id'Q .? e?eted fib,scf €ncil, o la°re °Iented withWOting commission, authority, or committee. It applies equally to members of advisory and non-advisory bodies wl- conflict of interest under Section 112.3143, Florida Statutes. Your responsibilities under the law when faced with voting on a measure in which you have a conflict of interest will vary greatly depending on whether you hold an elective or appointive position. For this reason, please pay close attention to the instructions on this form before completing the reverse side and filing the form. INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 112.3143, FLORIDA STATUTES A person holding elective or appointive county, municipal, or other local public office MUST ABSTAIN from voting on a measure which inures to his or her special private gain or loss. Each elected or appointed local officer also is prohibited from knowingly voting on a mea- sure which inures to the special gain or loss of a principal (other than a government agency) by whom he or she is retained (including the parent organization or subsidiary of a corporate principal by which he or she is retained); to the special private gain or loss of a relative; or to the special private gain or loss of a business associate. Commissioners of community redevelopment agencies under Sec. 163.356 or 163.357, F.S., and officers of independent special tax districts elected on a one-acre, one-vote basis are not prohibited from voting in that capacity. For purposes of this law, a "relative" includes only the officer's father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law. A "business associate" means any person or entity engaged in or carrying on a business enterprise with the officer as a partner, joint venturer, coowner of property, or corporate shareholder (where the shares of the corporation are not listed on any national or regional stock exchange). ELECTED OFFICERS: In addition to abstaining from voting in the situations described above, you must disclose the conflict: PRIOR TO THE VOTE BEING TAKEN by publicly stating to the assembly the nature of your interest in the measure on which you are abstaining from voting; and WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER THE VOTE OCCURS by completing and filing this form with the person responsible for recording the min- utes of the meeting, who should incorporate the form in the minutes. APPOINTED OFFICERS: Although you must abstain from voting in the situations described above, you otherwise may participate in these matters. However, you must disclose the nature of the conflict before making any attempt to influence the decision, whether orally or in writing and whether made by you or at your direction. IF YOU INTEND TO MAKE ANY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE DECISION PRIOR TO THE MEETING AT WHICH THE VOTE WILL BE TAKEN: • You must complete and file this form (before making any attempt to influence the decision) with the person responsible for recording the minutes of the meeting, who will incorporate the form in the minutes. (Continued on other side) CE FORM 8B - EFF. 1/2000 PAGE 1 APPOINTED OFFICERS (continued) • A copy of the form must be provided immediately to the other members of the agency. • The form must be read publicly at the next meeting after the form is filed. IF YOU MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE DECISION EXCEPT BY DISCUSSION AT THE MEETING: • You must disclose orally the nature of your conflict in the measure before participating. • You must complete the form and file it within 15 days after the vote occurs with the person responsible for recording the minutes of the meeting, who must incorporate the form in the minutes. A copy of the form must be provided immediately to the other members of the agency, and the form must be read publicly at the next meeting after the form is filed. DISCLOSURE OF LOCAL OFFICER'S INTEREST G E o (Z(3 E N CREZ E KOS hereby disclose that on 2-1 ?ANVAK (a) A measure came or will come before my agency which (check one) NN inured to my special private gain or loss: NA inured to the special gain or loss of my business associate, (VA inured to the special gain or loss of my relative, /VA inured to the special gain or loss of whom I am retained; or NA inured to the special gain or loss of is the parent organization or subsidiary of a principal which has retained me. (b) The measure before my agency and the nature of my conflicting interest in the measure is as follows: S ?R %STA 11V ED o N ,C tk E MoTtoN TO (ZE COMMEND CLj6ptRWA"CEA C -T"j C.'OV/VC%L THAT Tt% RIESVotnVCy -T'0 7IA IF by which q,i Qv%4ze MINT IF?0A A1Qe0%1VTnMENT Tn THE S%STER C%TIES ZOAFRO 4c` ELIM11MV-9• OHO SO 31EC-AV5E PtS A MC/11ASIEk OF TtAE S%STrR ctTIES $0AIM 'g Ott /voT Q,ELIEVE T 5N'OVL9 VOTIE ON A MATTER TNtAT 2 tv00-D ?, ??SCvS4ln/?+ RA/9 -TOTING TN My CAZACtT`l ON THE "'y C0\1NCIl Date Filed r4 eoaJt1\ C??)re W$ Signature NOTICE: UNDER PROVISIONS OF FLORIDA STATUTES §112.317, A FAILURE TO MAKE ANY REQUIRED DISCLOSURE CONSTITUTES GROUNDS FOR AND MAY BE PUNISHED BY ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: IMPEACHMENT, REMOVAL OR SUSPENSION FROM OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT, DEMOTION, REDUCTION IN SALARY, REPRIMAND, OR A CIVIL PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED $10,000. 20 11 . CE FORM 8B - EFF. 1/2000 PAGE 2