Sister City 2015/11/23CITY OF ANAHEIM
SISTER CITY COMMISSION
MINUTES
November 23, 2015
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
GUESTS PRESENT:
Anthony Al -Jamie, Pepe Avila, James Dinwiddie,
Lori Farrow, Jackie Filbeck, Ann Gallaugher,
Debbie Juliani, Chris Locke, Mark Lopez,
Brian O'Neal, John Nguyen, Anna Piercy and
Jeanne Tran (2 vacant seats)
None
Greg Garcia, City Manager's Office
Erin Wahlen, City Manager's Office
David Bracey
Martha Trujillo
Agenda Posting: A complete copy of the Anaheim Sister City Commission Agenda was posted
on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. at Anaheim City Hall.
Public Input: Vice Chair Debbie Juliani explained that members of the public are invited to
address the Anaheim Sister City Commission and will be called upon under Agenda Item
No. VI. Public Comment.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Anaheim Sister City Commission (ASCC) was called to order
at 4:04 p.m. by Vice Chair Debbie Juliani on Monday, November 23, 2015 at the
Anaheim City Manager's Office, City Hall, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., 7th Floor,
Anaheim, California.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Commissioner James Dinwiddie offered a Motion, seconded by
Commissioner Ann Gallaugher AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 12-0;
Abstained: Jeanne Tran and 2 vacant seats) that the Anaheim Sister City
Commission does hereby approve the minutes from the ASCC meeting held on
October 26, 2015 as presented.
Anaheim Sister City Commission
November 23, 2015
Page 2
III. SPECIAL ELECTION
Vice Chair Juliani reported that since the last meeting, they have had two
resignations from the Sister City Commission, Chair Kyndell Thorson and
Treasurer Laurie Leonard. Kyndell accepted a new position with Disney in
Glendale and Laurie was appointed to the Community Services Board. That
required the Commission to agendize a special election for today's meeting to fill
these officer vacancies for the remainder of fiscal year 15/16.
Erin Wahlen noted that the City Clerk's office will agendize the appointment of
the two vacancies for the Dec. 15 City Council meeting.
Greg Garcia encouraged the Commission to think about members in the
community who they would consider to be a good addition to the Commission.
Greg further noted that recruiting members is done through an informal process,
but there is an application that interested persons will need to fill out in the City
Clerk's Office. There are three key areas that Council asked for this Commission
to focus on when this Commission was established. One was having a strong
education connection, the other was economic development and the third was
tourism and cultural exchange.
a. Chair
Greg Garcia explained the role of the Chair is to run the meetings, to serve on the
Executive Ad Hoc Subcommittee, to coordinate the Ad Hoc Subcommittees and
to work directly with staff on the meeting agendas. With that, Greg called for
election of the Chair.
MOTION: Commissioner Jackie Filbeck offered a Motion, seconded by
Commissioner John Nguyen AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 13-0; 2 vacant
seats) that the Anaheim Sister City Commission does hereby appoint
Commissioner Debbie Juliani as Chair of the Sister City Commission for the
remainder of Fiscal Year 15/16.
b. Treasurer
MOTION: Commissioner Jackie Filbeck offered a Motion, seconded by
Commissioner Jim Dinwiddie AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 13-0; 2 vacant
seats) that the Anaheim Sister City Commission does hereby appoint
Commissioner Jeanne Tran as Treasurer of the Sister City Commission for the
remainder of Fiscal Year 15/16.
Anaheim Sister City Commission
November 23, 2015
Page 3
c. Vice Chair (if necessary)
MOTION: Commissioner Jackie Filbeck offered a Motion, seconded by
Commissioner Debbie Juliani AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 13-0; 2 vacant
seats) that the Anaheim Sister City Commission does hereby appoint
Commissioner James Dinwiddie as Vice Chair of the Sister City Commission for
the remainder of Fiscal Year 15/16.
IV. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL: PUDONG SISTER CITY
Erin Wahlen explained this item is to make an official recommendation to the
City Council so it can be documented in the minutes and subsequently agendized
at an upcoming City Council meeting to officially start the relationship with
Pudong.
Greg Garcia further explained that the last action the City Council took was to
continue discussions and to move forward with a memorandum of understanding.
Staff and the Commission have followed through with that and have continued to
walk down that path. Now, prior to going to Council with a staff report
recommendation, staff wanted to give the Commission the opportunity to make a
determination that yes they all still agreed that is something they want to move
forward with.
MOTION: Commissioner John Nguyen offered a Motion, seconded by
Commissioner Anna Piercy AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 13-0; 2 vacant
seats) that the Anaheim Sister City Commission does hereby recommend to the
City Council to enter into a formal sister city relationship with Pudong, China.
V. AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE REVIEW & REPORTS
a. Cultural/Government Exchange Subcommittee
Vice Chair Dinwiddie reported on behalf of the Cultural/Government Exchange
Ad Hoc Subcommittee that the Outbound Student Exchange application is online.
Jim received an email from the Japanese teacher at Loara High School confirming
she received the application and will distribute it to her students. The application
was also sent to the district and former host families. The deadline to submit an
application is Dec. 1 at 5 p.m.
Anaheim Sister City Commission
November 23, 2015
Page 4
Jackie Filbeck questioned if high schools would be able to include a blurb in their
morning announcements regarding the 2016 Outbound Student Exchange
Program and contact information for anyone who may be interested.
Commissioner Piercy confirmed that would be possible, but further suggested that
if the Commission does not get any applicants by Dec. 1, that (1) the deadline be
extended and (2) the announcement be placed on the high school's morning
announcements with new deadline and contact information.
MOTION: Commissioner Anna Piercy offered a Motion, seconded by
Commissioner Brian O'Neil AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 13-0; 2 vacant
seats) that the Anaheim Sister City Commission does hereby extend the deadline
to submit the outbound student exchange application to Friday, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m.
Treasurer James Dinwiddie announced the meet, greet and mingle event with all
the applicants will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 5 at the
Downtown Community Center. The entire Commission is encouraged to attend.
Commissioners Lori Farrow and Jackie Filbeck will bring light snacks and drinks.
Treasurer Dinwiddie suggested putting a committee together composed of host
parents and a couple of commissioners to conduct the student interviews on the
evening of Jan. 7.
b. Marketing/Fundraising Subcommittee
Commissioner Pepe Avila gave ideas for a fundraiser to cover the Commission
expenses associated with the 2016 Outbound Student Exchange. He suggested a
cooking fundraiser at the Packing House. It would be a way to get people
involved in a way that you would learn culture through cooking. Another idea
was a wine tasting at the Colony Wine House in Downtown.
Chair Debbie Juliani stated they will continue to share ideas and hopefully come
up with something that will be fun and enjoyable for all.
c. Economic Development Subcommittee
None.
Anaheim Sister City Commission
November 23, 2015
Page 5
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
David Bracey reported Cities International will have a fundraising campaign for
Giving Tuesday on Tuesday, Dec. 1 which is the national day of giving. If
Anaheim decides to take part in the fundraising campaign and raises more than
$2,000, it will get 50 percent back and Sister Cities keeps 50 percent.
The Commission noted it was a little late to get involved in the campaign this
year, but it's something to keep in mind for next year.
Martha Trujillo stated she works for the Anaheim Union High School District as
School Community Liaison and also works for Cypress and Lexington High
Schools. She further indicated Cypress High School's morning announcements
include an invitation for interested students to participate in the 2016 Outbound
Student Exchange.
VII. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
None.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:57 p.m. to
Monday, January 25, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. at the Anaheim City Hall, 7th Floor, City
Manager's Office Large Conference Room.