04/27/2005NAGANO VISIT MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 27, 2005
Present:
Frank Hibbard Mayor, City of Clearwater
Bill Janson Vice-Mayor, City of Clearwater
Carlen Petersen Councilmember, City of Clearwater
Hoyt Hamilton Councilmember, City of Clearwater
John Doran Councilmember, City of Clearwater - arrived 1:41 p.m.
Tom Downes Asst Dir. Solid Waste/Gen. Svcs, City of Clearwater
Margo Walbolt Cultural Affairs Manager, City of Clearwater
Rich Wisemiller President of Sister Cities
Beth Coleman CEO Clearwater Chamber of Commerce
Robert Freedman President/CEO of Ruth Eckerd Hall
Ebe Bower Vice-Pres., Tourism, Clearwater Chamber of Commerce
Suzanne Ruley Cultural Affairs, City of Clearwater
Hideyo Harada Friendship Club Secretary General
Hiroji Koide Friendship Club President
Masato Terasawa Manager of Secretariat of City Council
Yasuo Seki Vice-Director of General Affairs Department
Matsuhide Tateiwa Superintendent of Municipal Board of Education
Mie Tanaka Interpreter
Shoichi Washizawa Nagano Mayor
Michiko Washizawa Nagano Mayor's Wife
Goichirou Machida Chairman of Nagano City Council
Hiroshi Miyazawa Manager of International Relations Sect.
Tomoharu Yumoto Officer for the Secretary and Policy Sect.
Brenda Moses Board Reporter, City of Clearwater
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. at the Clearwater Main Library, followed by
introductions.
City of Clearwater's Councilmember Petersen presented the Sister Cities Advisory
Board Report.
In addition to cultural exchanges, Nagano's Secretary General of Friendship Club
Hideyo Harada suggested the cities consider economic exchanges, promote the relationship on
cable television stations, increasing student education, and for Clearwater to send teachers of
various ages to Nagano.
Discussion ensued regarding economic similarities between the cities. Nagano Mayor
Shoichi Washizawa suggested increasing the number of teachers and students in the exchange
program, developing relationships between specific schools in each city, and to exchange
Clearwater citrus for Nagano apples. He said the Nagano Convention Bureau plans to create
an English version of Nagano City, which will be sent to Clearwater's Mayor.
City of Clearwater Cultural Affairs Manager Margo Walbolt supported increasing the
number to middle school students in the exchange program and hoped that exchange students
will participate in cultural and educational activities this summer.
Nagano Sister City Visit 2005-04-27
Nagano Superintendent of Municipal Board of Education Mutushide Tateiwa said
Nagano is planning to establish an international course and suggested extending the exchange
program to one-year visits. President of Sister Cities Rich Wisemiller reported local schools do
not offer Japanese language courses.
President/CEO of Ruth Eckerd Hall Robert Freedman discussed ideas for additional
cultural exchanges and ways to enhance tourism activity to both cities. Discussion ensued
regarding promotional sports activities and related exchange opportunities, an exchange of
businesspeople or college students in graduate programs, and contacting local news agencies
to promote the Sister Cities relationship.
The meeting recessed from 2:45 to 3:01 p.m.
City of Clearwater Assistant Director Solid Waste/General Services Tom Downes
presented City solid waste and recycling programs. Nagano visitors asked questions and
explained how their recycling systems work.
City of Clearwater?s Economic Development Coordinator Anne Fogarty gave a
presentation on downtown and beach development. Discussion ensued regarding how to
attract residents, especially younger people, how to energize, create ambiance, and provide
amenities such as theaters, supermarkets, parking, etc. in downtowns.
The meeting adjourned at 4:12 p.m.
Nagano Sister City Visit 2005-04-27 2