10/23/2014 SISTER CITIES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 23, 2014
Present: Chair Sallie Parks, Board Member Terrence Gourdine, Board Member/Councilmember
Hoyt Hamilton, Board Member/CSCI Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. Representative Candace B.
Hays
Absent: Board Member/Youth Representative Danielle Dilday, Board Member Krista Valentage
Also Present: Felicia Leonard -Administrative Support Manager, Christopher Hubbard -
Recreation Specialist, Patricia O. Sullivan - Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:19 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
3.1. Approve the minutes of the April 24, 2014 Sister Cities Advisory Board meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member Gourdine moved to approve Item 3.1. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4—Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None.
5— New Business
5.1. 2014 Teacher Visit
Administrative Support Manager Felicia Leonard said Nagano teacher Kazuki Koizumi had
arrived in Clearwater and will spend a week with each of 4 home stay families. CSCI
(Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.) will send invitations to home stay families and previous student
exchange participants to the November 13 sayonara party hosted by Chair Parks. Attendees will
be requested to bring a side dish for the Thanksgiving themed meal and, perhaps, a beverage
of their choice.
Chair Parks requested Board member help entertaining Mr. Koizumi during his 8 to 9 day stay
with her. CSCI will take him to dinner on one night.
5.2. 2015 Nagano Citizen Visit
Ms. Leonard reported 51 visitors from Nagano will arrive in Clearwater on Sunday, February 8
and depart February 11, 2015. While most will stay at the Sheraton Sand Key, staff awaited a
list of those requesting home stays, which CSCI will coordinate. Based on the official
delegation's request for a wellness segment, staff will ask to use St. Petersburg College's
culinary kitchen for a soba noodle cooking demonstration. Ms. Leonard suggested citizen
delegates could tour Clearwater while official delegates attend meetings.
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Board Reporter Note—following is a new schedule, which changed after the meeting.
On Sunday afternoon, the City will host a welcoming party at the Clearwater Main Library with
typical American fare. For Monday night, CSCI booked the entire boat to host the official
banquet on Star Lite Cruises; CSCI will pay for Japanese visitors' meals. On Tuesday night,
more than 100 guests are expected to attend the Florida-Caribbean themed sayonara party at
Clearwater Beach Recreation Center.
Discussion ensued with suggestions for tours of Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club, BrightHouse
Field, the Capitol Theatre, and Clearwater Beach, parasailing, golf, and dolphin, alligator, and
manatees sightings. It was recommended the City invite the John Hopkins Middle School steel
drum band to entertain at the sayonara party. Suggested City gifts to the delegation included a
team-signed Phillies jersey with the name Nagano and number 55, to honor the 55th
anniversary, a package of baseball memorabilia, and a World Series baseball.
5.3. CSCI Report
Board Member/CSCI Representative Candace Hays reported in July 2014, 24 home stay
families welcomed a citizen's delegation from Nagano for a short successful visit that was not
sponsored by the cities or School District.
Ms. Hays reviewed CSCI organizational changes to include a membership committee,
fundraising, participation in local events, a tasting event, outreach to the GFWC North Pinellas
Woman's Club, efforts to start a school fund for Young Ambassadors trips, and a new logo,
business cards, and web page. CSCI also participates in the Amazon Smiles program. In
reference to previous comments, she said CSCI was not bankrupt nor did it plan to disband.
Chair Parks complimented Ms. Hays and the CSCI board for their fabulous efforts.
2015 Clearwater Delegation to Nagano
Ms. Leonard said Nagano requested that Clearwater's delegation visit Nagano on October 24—
28, 2015. Staff will work with CSCI to coordinate a citizen delegation that arrives in Japan
before the City's official delegation; the total group should not exceed 51 participants. Ms.
Leonard will contact Koji re cost of guiding a weeklong tour of Tokyo and Kyoto before arriving
in Nagano.
6 —Old Business
6.1. Young Ambassadors Exchange Program June 2014/June 2015
Ms. Hays said CSCI is developing a manual for the Young Ambassadors Exchange Program.
Some difficulties in 2014 resulted from the chaperones' lack of experience. Information for the
June 2015 program will be distributed in October's City utility bills. CSCI also made
presentations to area middle schools. It was recommended they also contact Clearwater
Fundamental Middle School. Applications, available on the City's website, are due December 1.
7 — Items not on the Agenda
Ms. Leonard reported that she and Recreation Specialist Christopher Hubbard were attending a
reception that evening sponsored by the Japanese Consulate for sister city staffs from nearby
Sister Cities 2014-10-23 2
municipalities. She said the reception would provide an excellent opportunity to discover
additional local resources. The City will need approximately 10 interpreters for the February
visit.
8 - Upcoming Events
Next year's Sister Cities Advisory Board meetings are scheduled for January 22, April 23, July
23, and October 22, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at the Long Center.
9- Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
Next meeting — January 22, 2015 at the Long Cente
Attest:
Board Reporter
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