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Sister City 2013/05/20 CITY OF ANAHEIM SISTER CITY COMMISSION MINUTES May 20, 2013 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Anthony Al-Jamie, Cynthia Coad, James Dinwiddie, Ann Gallagher, Debbie Juliani, Laurie Leonard, Mark Lopez, Linda Newby, John Nguyen, Kyndell Paine, Anna Piercy, Pat Pina COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Russell Lahodny, Brian Jennifer Vaughn STAFF PRESENT: Erin Wahlen, GUESTS PRESENT: Murata Shinyo, Mito Councilman Isao Katsuragi, Mito Sister City Association Yuko Saito-Rodriguez Connor Traut Agenda Posting: A complete copy of the Anaheim Sister City Commission Agenda was posted at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2013 at Anaheim City Hall. Public Input: Chairman Nguyen explained that members of the public are invited to address the Anaheim Sister City Commission and will be called upon under Agenda Item No. VIII. Public Comment. I.CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Anaheim Sister City Commission (ASCC) was called to order at 4:11 p.m. on Monday, May 20 th City Hall, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., 7 Floor, Anaheim, California.  II.APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Commissioner Leonard offered a Motion, seconded by Commissioner Pina AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 10-0; Absent: Ann Gallagher, Brian Jennifer Vaughn, Mark Lopez and Russell Lahodny) that the Anaheim Sister City Commission does hereby approve the minutes from the ASCC Commission meeting held on April 22, 2013 with the following changes: Add mention under Item No. V. that Commissioner Al-Jamie joined the SoCal Sister Cities Board. Anaheim Sister City Commission May 20, 2013 Page 2 Commissioner Gallagher joined the Sister City Commission meeting.  III. Commissioner Leonard reported that there is a change in . The Summary Income Statement dated May 16, 2013 reflects the reimbursement of a $250.00 registration fee for the April 2013 SoCal Sister City Conference in April. The balance is at $18, 630.33. MOTION: Commissioner Piercy offered a Motion, seconded by Commissioner Newby AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 11- Vaughn, Mark Lopez and Russell Lahodny) that the Anaheim Sister City Commission does hereby approve  IV.AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Commissioner Newby reported on behalf of the Economic Development Ad Hoc Subcommittee that the Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee has scheduled a three hour offsite planning session for June 25, at 2:00 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Dinwiddie reported on behalf of the Cultural Exchange Committee that he has applications available for anyone interested in hosting a Mito exchange student. Discussion took place about the different locations being considered to have the students visit when they come to Anaheim including Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Universal Studios, the Fire Department and the Police Department. Commissioner Dinwiddie advised they are on pace with the planning for the students visit. V.MITO UPDATE Chairman Nguyen continued the discussion from the April 22, 2013 meeting to consider the recognition of Dr. Hataya, President of the Sister City Association in Mito and one of the founders of the relationship with Anaheim and Mito for his th 90 birthday. Chairman Nguyen also introduced special guests Mito City Council Member the Mito Sister City Association. Yuko Saito-Rodriguez stated Mito Council Member Shinyo prepared a letter that he would like to read to the Commission. The letter states Mr. Shinyo has been a Mito Council Member for twenty-eight years and he would like to thank the Commission for allowing him to be here and speak to everyone about Dr. Hataya. He would like to ask the Commission for Anaheim Sister City Commission May 20, 2013 Page 3 something that is very honorable and would like to thank them in advance for helping them raise a statue for Dr. Hataya. Mr. Shinyo also delivered a message on behalf of the Mayor of Mito. The Mayor of Mito thanks the Commission for helping them raise a statue for Dr. Hataya, an Honorary Mayor of the City of Anaheim and President of the Mito City International Association for his great achievements and for promoting the international relationships of both the cities of Mito and Anaheim. Since Mito and Anaheim signed the Sister City Pact in 1976, many delegations and young people have made visits to improve the mutual understanding and friendship of our two cities. The Mayor of Mito hopes this warm relationship will continue to grow and flourish in all areas joining the two cities including education and culture. Raising a statue for Dr. Hataya is not only to honor him, but also to make more people in both cities aware of his accomplishments. At the same time, it is also a great honor and pleasure for the city of Mito. The Mayor of Mito believes that this project will promote and strengthen the friendship of the cities of Mito and Anaheim. The Mayor of Mito thanks the Commission for their help and he sincerely wishes for the further development of the City of Anaheim and the happiness of its people. Finally, Mr. Shinyo asked to speak about a couple of things that are very dear to his heart. He stated Dr. Hataya went to college at age 86 and received a doctorate degree. As a citizen of Mito, as a Council Member and as part of the Committee, Mr. Shinyo is honored to be here and ask the Commission to allow them to build a statue in honor of Dr. Hataya. He continued to ask for support in this project and indicated he will do everything in his power to beautify the city garden at the front of City Hall. Chairman Nguyen responded on behalf of the Sister Commission, that they are very grateful for Mr. Shinyo and Mr. Katsuragi taking time from their busy schedule to visit Anaheim. Chairman Nguyen added the city of Mito is very dear to his heart. He visited Mito in 2001 for the first time and has been back five times. He met Dr. Hataya in 2001. Further, Chairman Nguyen added that although the Commission respects their wishes to erect a statue for Dr. Hataya, a statue is not something that is culturally accepted as a government relationship. He clarified the Commission is only a recommendation body, the City Council will give the final stamp of approval. The Commission does not perceive a statue being an option. However, something else with symbolic nature like a fountain or art work that the City of Anaheim can dedicate and put it in the Friendship Plaza in front of City Hall would be most appropriate. Anaheim Sister City Commission May 20, 2013 Page 4 Commissioner Coad asked for a bio of Dr. Hataya. Chairman Nguyen indicated that if Mr. Shinyo drives around City Hall, he will notice the City of Anaheim does not have any statues of any person, not even of the founding Mayor. And even though the City of Anaheim greatly respects Dr. Hataya, a statue is not something that would be culturally perceived well here. Chairman Nguyen continued to say that the Sister City Commission understands Dr. enormous contribution to Mito and the founding of our sister cities relationship and the donation for the Friendship Plaza. The Commission admires his philanthropy and his accomplishments. It was suggested that a memorial, a waterfall with a plaque, a fountain, a bridge, or a pond be considered at the Friendship Plaza as a special recognition for Dr. Hataya contributions. Mito Council Member Shinyo will go back to Japan on Wednesday, May 22 and will speak to the Mayor of Mito about the suggestions and will get back to Yuko with a decision. VI.PUDONG UPDATE Commissioner Paine reported that on May 14, the City Council approved the resolution extending an invitation to Pudong, China to pursue a Sister City Relationship. Commissioner Paine also reported that the Executive ad hoc Subcommittee will be meeting in late June. Commissioner Lahodny is going to assist in developing a presentation that Chairman Nguyen and Commissioner Paine will be presenting to the Foreign Affairs Office in Pudong in August. The presentation will be on the different ways that Anaheim and Pudong could potentially partner and show mutual interest between the cities and also expand to the greater Orange County Area. Pudong is quite a bit larger than Anaheim. VII.PUBLIC COMMENT Erin Wahlen gave an update on the Worker Exchange Program with Vitoria- Gasteiz. Ted White has been engaging with our contacts in Vitoria Gasteiz, they already have a family that will be hosting him. Now they are starting to talk logistics. Ted is really excited about this. He will be the first exchange with our Sister City Vitoria-Gasteiz. Anaheim Sister City Commission May 20, 2013 Page 5 Erin further indicated she is keeping track of this and all of the milestones, so that the Commission can have an outline for the future. VIII.COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Newby announced that Anaheim Beautiful is honoring Chairman Nguyen as the Unsung Hero on June 5, 2013. Commissioner Al-Jamie reported that the SoCal Sister City Association was very pleased with holding their conference in Anaheim. Although they lost money, they were very happy with the venue and the outcome of the conference. IX.ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m. to Monday, June 24, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. at the Anaheim City Hall, Conference Room No. 2.