01/25/2005
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SISTER CITY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 25, 2005
Present:
Linda Damsky
Robert Freedman
Carlen Petersen
C.E. Snedeker
Richard Wisemiller
Chair
Vice Chair
Councilmember
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present:
Margo Walbolt
Marsha Beall
Division Manager, Cultural Affairs
Staff Assistant, Cultural Affairs
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:35pm at MSB.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in
that order.
ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes of Sister City Board Meeting of September 28. 2004 - Member
Freedman moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 28, 2004 as submitted. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Correspondence - Mr. Shoichi Washizawa and Mr. Hua Zhang - Members received copies of
attached letters referencing the following topics:
a) Mr. Washizawa, Mayor of Nagano City responded to Mayor Aungst's invitation for a
commemoration visit to Clearwater. Mr. Washizawa advised a delegation of 30-35 Nagano
visitors will be traveling to the United States from April 23, 2005 until May 2, 2005 with 3-4
days visiting Clearwater. Ms. Walbolt will contact Mr. Washizawa for a confirmation on the
exact dates they will be in Clearwater and if they have any Homestay preferences.
b) Mr. Zhang, Putuo, China would like to develop a potential sister-city relationship between Putuo
and Clearwater. Discussion ensued. Ms. Petersen suggested maintaining an open dialogue for
future consideration. Mr. Wisemiller advised members to review the protocol for initiating a
potential relationship. Mr. Snedeker agreed to research possible business opportunities mutually
beneficial for both cities. Ms. Walbolt will continue correspondence with Mr. Zhang.
ITEM #4 - Old Business -
a) Report on Nagano teachers November visit - Ms. Walbolt reported it was a very successful visit
for Mr. Hideaki Shimizu and Mr. Eriko Aizawa of Nagano, Japan. They spent four days touring
the City and enjoying various venues, including Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater Marine Aquarium,
City Hall, Council Sessions. They visited and presented classes in a nice variety of area schools.
The Sayonara Party was held November 10th on the terrace balcony at the Main Library. The
evening was filled with food, music and a great crowd all in support of the Sister City program.
Ms. Damsky commented it was the best Sayonara party ever held. Members applauded Ms.
Walbolt for organizing many successful activities.
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Ms. Walbolt solicited suggestions for organizing future visits. Ms. Damsky recalled the schedule
of schools they visited in the past. The only thing she wished to articulate is the selection process
for the schools should always be adhered to. There is a protocol to follow when securing
approval for school visitation. Ms. Damsky noted that last time some of the homestay hosts
brought their visitors to other schools without informing anyone. This is very pragmatic and
needs to be articulated through the School Board representatives. Ms. Damsky also mentioned
interest in scheduling a visit to a high school next time.
Ms. Walbolt suggested asking the Nagano teachers to do a "Public Presentation". One of the
teachers had a Power Point presentation that could easily have been presented at the Library
during a planned evening activity inviting the general public. Ms. Damsky felt it could be
scheduled in lieu of a day at a school. Ms. Walbolt asked Mr. Freedman to consider hosting this
at Ruth Eckerd Hall in connection with an educational piece.
b) Applications for Nagano-Clearwater - Each summer the City of Nagano, Japan, as part of the
Clearwater-Nagano Exchange Program, offers a travel scholarship to four students. The length of
the visit this year is two weeks. This opportunity is arranged through the cooperation with the
City of Clearwater, Clearwater Sister Cities Inc., and Pinellas County Schools.
Applications/Flyers have been distributed to Clearwater High Schools and on the City's website.
Deadline for applying is February 28, 2005. Students will be chosen based on eligibility
requirements and interview selection.
Program changes - Ms. Damsky explained the initial program has evolved from being a month-
long trip to a two-week program due to various economic issues. Much of the student
experiences in Nagano involved an entire week at a Satsuki High School and extra days with
homestays and tourism. The new agenda for the two-week visit will be dedicated to more
educational experiences. The application process will be open to students attending a Clearwater
high school, or residing in Clearwater and/or actively involved in this exchange program.
c) Pinellas County teachers in Nagano - Ms. Damsky stated the two exchange teachers (Judy Barrett
and Pam Morris) are doing very well in Nagano. They are having a wonderful experience and are
doing a lot of traveling on their time off. They are very comfortable with their home stay families
and schools they have been teaching in. Ms. Damsky submitted a copy of the flyer currently
posted within the school system announcing the 2005-2006 Teacher Exchange. Application
deadline is February 14,2005.
d) Nagano High School Visit February 2nd _9th - Ms. Walbolt distributed the itinerary for the Satsuki
High School Exchange Student visit to Clearwater. The Sayonara party is scheduled at Moccasin
Lake Nature Park on February 8th from 6:00pm-7:30pm.
e) Nagano Delegation - April 2005 - The 45th anniversary trip to Clearwater from Nagano is very
much in the works. Mr. Freedman reported that the CVB has offered support for this event. The
Clearwater Chamber has also offered their participation. Ms. Walbolt continues to coordinate
various committees and business entities to help in the planning stages for this weeklong event.
Publicity, events, and locations continue to be discussed.
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f) City Planning Committees -"General Planning Committee" task force had their kick-off meeting
on October 27th at the Main Library. The committee will assist in the preparation of the April
2005 - 45th Anniversary Nagano Delegation visit to Clearwater. Items of discussion included:
meet and greet, reception planning, gifts, protocol, sponsorships, and transportation coordination.
It was decided that a special meeting of the Sister City Advisory Committee should be scheduled
for February to continue these discussions.
ITEM #5 - New Business -
a) Sister City International Membership - $615.00 membership renewal has been sent in. The
money came out of the operating budget. Mr. Wisemiller stated that Sister City International
would commit some financial contribution for the April Nagano visit activities. Ms. Damsky
suggested some fund raising efforts, such as T-Shirts. Ms. Walbolt is looking at some
sponsorships opportunities.
b) Clearwater Sister City/Young Ambassadors Program - Mr. Wisemiller updated members on the
upcoming middle school student trip to Nagano for May 23, 2005 - June 8, 2005. All students
have been chosen. Classes are scheduled at the Main Library on February 5th, March 5th, and
April 2nd. All Students and teachers are required to attend. Airline tickets have been purchased.
ITEM #6 - Adjournment - Members adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
Special meeting will be February IS" 2005 at MSB, Conference
Room 130.
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